To date, Ford’s EV strategy has helped it improve the automaker’s share in that particular market by a considerable margin, as The Blue Oval continues to rely on conquests in that segment while also continuing to focus on hybrids and ICE-powered vehicles. However, after an initial flurry of growth in terms of EV sales, things have softened a bit as of late, which prompted Ford to delay its goals of producing 600K EVs annually by 2024 and two million each year by 2026. However, electric vehicles have long been a controversial topic in the U.S. that are often politicized by both parties, with former president and current GOP front runner Donald Trump recently saying that EVs will “spell the death of the U.S. auto industry.” During a recent UAW negotiation update with the press, Ford CEO Jim Farley offered up his own response to this hot topic as well.
“And I want to say a few words about EVs. They have become a political football and that’s a shame,” Farley said. “I drove an F-150 with my son across the western U.S. this summer and I met so many people who love absolutely their EVs, like Lightning. Think about it. Tesla has become the most valuable auto company the world has ever seen, and they’re profitable and they’re growing.”
“Our customers love their EVs. They are new to our brand and they’re going to be blown away at our next-generation EVs. We’re also working on fantastic internal combustion vehicles, like Broncos and F-150s and F-150 hybrids and Expeditions. The bottom line is, customers are going to decide what kind of vehicle they buy from Ford, as they already do. Not all these people politicizing EVs.”
These comments also come in the wake of Farley accusing the United Auto Workers union of purposely delaying its negotiations with the automaker and negotiating in bad faith over its under-construction EV and battery plants, which he says are hampered by the potential for increased labor costs stemming from proposed union wage increases. However, UAW President Shawn Fain responded by claiming that Farley is “lying about the state of negotiations,” adding that the two sides remain far apart on topics including job security during the EV transition.
We’ll have more on the future of EVs soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
In a newly expanded role.
A simple yet effective way to secure things in the bed.
It's reportedly far more efficient than current methods.
The Blue Oval ranked pretty close to the top, too.
It stands out from the pack in one big way.
Increasing costs and 2026 model year vehicles are keeping things afloat.
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Consumers have already spoken and said in no uncertain terms "In niche applications only". EVs are already probably at the % market share they're going to reach, and there's a lot more competitors trying to enter the space.
It's going to be a blood bath as companies lose most all of their investments.
Unless there’s a massive breakthrough in battery tech which resolves weight, range and charge time, you may be right. It’s that sort of breakthrough that should have started the ‘EV’ revolution, not a forced agenda as Farley notes.
There’s no issue with EV niche vehicles like there are Raptors and GT500s, overpriced and not practical but who cares?
Don't forget cost. It's got to slash the boat of building these vehicles, and.somehow pay for the new manufacturing infrastructure for the batteries and motors all while competing with ICE vehicles price wise...
I do think EVs will evolve into something that people want. They will evolve into PHEVs. I don't know if they'll use a layout like the powerboost, or more like the Volvo PHEV, but being able to have a small battery driving the electric powertrain with an ICE backup plan is really smart. It resolves all the issues of range and batteries, while also allowing for a lot more EV only driving.
The only reason they're not doing this already is that the big money banks behind all this (they're pushing the governmenta to do it, not the other way around) are heavily invested in battery tech, and they're not gonna make the money they want.off of smaller batteries.
I don't understand.... doesn't everyone want to support China and ensure they are economically strong? All we need to do is kill off the oil & gas industry here in the U.S. rendering ICE-powered vehicles useless, offer up huge purchase incentives using tax-payer dollars, mandate that every household buy at least one, and then force everyone to live in a 15-minute city... that's the way the free market should work, where everything is free!! Remember, it's not political at all, it's just "common sense."
Well given the current trends, Mandate IS the new Freedom. It's a conditioning process that is going on. Shortages, intimidations, lockdowns, limits, mandating everything that is supposed to be "good" for us. In other words, America is in a re-organization to become the People's Republic of Bidenopia. Expect less, live in fear and pay more. Happy Motoring Y'All!
You said it well. Farley says "The bottom line is, customers are going to decide what kind of vehicle they buy from Ford, as they already do. Not all these people politicizing EVs.” Too bad, indeed, that FoMoCo has largely tried to dictate to its customers what they want to buy. Long time Lincoln guy here. No more. Driving my last one. Building the Nautilus in China is the last straw for me. The South Korean companies are more "Amrican" than the "American" companies! WTF? Makes me furious...
Michael.
You are correct , it is common sense for those who have one of this and just want to feel good about "Saving the Planet " !
Had to good laugh on Farley's comment about his west trip . Wonder if he told all his EV lovers he talked to about his problem with charging stations that he admitted he had on this trip, and how limited the EV range vehicles are !! Good this it was a set up trip , so he had back up power following him the whole way , truck with a generator in it ! Looks like he may be regretting all the cash Ford is burning on his EV folly !!!! When you stand at losing 1.4 billion , I would say the board needs to show him the door !
Don’t worry everyone us tax payers will bail him out.
I would have to assume, the Biden and what ever Democrat in Michigan has helped Ford to PUSH this EV stuff. Just today, was at the Vet with my wifes dog, walking back to our FORD DIESEL pickup, I was almost HIT by a lady backing out with an EV, never heard a sound, and it had NO backup lights. I was a FOOT from getting hit when she saw me in her mirror. EV's are like bringing home a herd of cows, but no barn or fenced in area for them. You don't put the cart before the horse, and this is how EV's are going. Oh, not to mention, Ford is buying the batteries from CHINA, Biden's bed buddies.
Just rented/drove my first EV, a Chevy bolt. Drives nice, great acceleration, though the silent on/off is a little disconcerting. I was supposed to return it fully charged so I stopped at a charging station near the airport. 10 charging bays, one of which was broken. 11 cars waiting in line to charge. I understand the issue now first-hand. I returned the car and paid the rental company to re-charge it. The fee for this is less than I would have spent on $7/gal gas, so not all bad.
A modern electric vehicle had no back up camera or alerts for driver???
More likely a driver paying attention to her mobile. As for the silence in reverse, there may have been a sound maker, but some I have heard are barely audible.
So typical of Farley, makes me wonder what he’s smoking with his comments on his vacation.
Two words - keep them
In two years from now consumers will be choosing BEV over ICE vehicles. Battery Tech is improving so fast, battery energy density is about to double, and at that point EV's will be a compelling choice. The price per KilloWatt will dip to below $60 by this time next year, and within two years BEV's will be Cheaper than ICE. Any company still producing ICE vehicles by 2030 will be going out of business. Please get your head out of the sand, read more on where things are actually headed. Do your homework, don't just believe what the negative politicians funded by the fossil fuel industry tell you. Embrace the future, stop fearing it!
If and when EVs ever get to your utopian future consumers will still be the judge of their worth. It doesn't help their popularity when our so-called government is trying to shove them down our throats. That is not the definition of a free market.
Sweet n' Low or Sugar with that Kool Aid?
Any company still producing ICE vehicles by 2030 will be going out of business? What flavor of kool aids are you drinking? If EVs are so desirable, then people should line up to buy them like when people switched from bricks to smartphones, right? Instead, it has to be mandated and a $7500 tax incentive. That's how desirable these overpriced EVs are. :-)