The Blue Oval’s partial pivot to electrification morphed into a broad strategy to sell EVs, hybrids, and gasoline vehicles for the foreseeable future, after the automaker delayed or cancelled plans for several models, including two three-row SUVs. And while Ford’s European strategy has also been deemed “too ambitious” this year, it still rolled out the all-electric Ford Explorer and Ford Capri – with an underlying platform supplied by Volkswagen. The newly launched vehicles are the end product of a partnership solidified in 2020, and according to CEO Jim Farley, Ford can make decisions at a much quicker pace than the German automaker.
This interesting tidbit came out of the 2024 Automotive News Congress, where Jim Farley shared how quickly he got the deal originally agreed upon by his predecessor to home plate. Farley simply walked into Chairman Bill Ford’s office, where he instantly voice his support for the agreement, then Farley went and talked to some other Ford executives. Jim then called VW back to say that the deal got the greenlight, with the executive not believing him, because the whole process only took about 15 minutes. By contrast, Volkswagen needed two months for all stakeholders to sign off on the agreement, a group that includes the Piech and Porsche families, along with the German state of Lower Saxony, a major VW shareholder.
In a roundabout manner, this may explain how Ford was able to pivot from a full throttle electrification push in 2022 to significantly pumping the brakes in 2024, with EV products delayed or cancelled amid a renewed focus on the so-called “low cost” EV platform that as of this moment will make its debut as part of an all-new fully electric midsize pickup. Volkswagen is also reckoning with its own demand crisis at the moment, and is similarly wading through muddy waters as competition in Europe heats up to previously unimaginable levels.
Currently, Ford and Volkswagen have both stated that their partnership will continue to grow, although both companies seem to be going in different directions for future EVs. In any event, Ford will start building the VW Transporter soon, and is already producing the VW Amarok for the automaker. In turn, VW produces the Ford Transit Connect at its own factory.
Comments
In many cases, THINKING about a proposed decision and asking buyers what they want is better than a quick “pivot”. Not that VW hasn’t also “pivoted” but this rationale is idiotic by Ford.
Jim Farley wouldn’t know his ass from his asshole, even if someone was standing there with a sign !! He is going to bankrupt Ford if they don’t show him the door!! He’s one of the worst CEO. So, far Mr. Ford has been 3 for 3. Fields, Hackett and now Farley. Wow!!
Maybe Farley can pivot faster on that ugly 2025 Maverick and kill that front end.
You have to know that the relatively recent promotion of Lawler has put Farley on the bubble. Let’s see how he gets out of this mess.
I hope he means pivot away from electric. Wake up. This is not socialism give the customer what they want. Not what you want! Jim has to go.
I’m not really sure what these people commenting on Jim Farley doing a bad job, ever car manufacturer is struggling these days some more than others, if people stop getting brainwashed by the Toyota mass marketing campaign they seem to keep telling anyone listening how reliable and better than other manufacturers which is just rubbish, they have a much larger range than others but easy if people just drive to the Toyota dealership cause they have been told that’s what they must do, Chinese rubbish is flooding most countries right now so hopefully most smart people are to smart to get fooled into buying cars that some don’t even get panted properly never mind the rest of the bucket o **!!! “;;;!
Ford is killing its sales in Europe, by ditching the succesfull Focus & Fiesta models long before they had to. Why not electrify the Focus platform? If Stellantis can do it (Peugeot 308=Opel Astra=…) why not Ford? No Mondeo replacement either. One bad decision after the other.
SUVs are selling well, but the majority is still ‘normal’ cars, and big pick-ups are only popular in America. My next car won’t be a Ford, or any other re-badged VW. Sad, because I’ve been driving this brand for 45 years, since my Escort Mk.2.
Henry Ford wanted cars for the masses. Currently, Ford is aiming for a market niche. He must be turning in his grave…
Your comments are spot on Jan.
Having worked for Ford for 35 years and now retired, I cannot believe the mess Ford of Europe is now in. Fiesta gone, Focus going soon, it seems nobody in senior management is willing to stand up and say stop! The EV Explorer launch has been a disaster, cant give them away despite 0% finance, free 5 year servicing/recovery and heavy discounting in the UK.
Ive only bought Ford cars since 1979 but it is with a sad heart I will probably buy another make as my next purchase.
What about my SecuriCode.
Being pivot man and faster at it isn’t an admirable trait! Guess they at Ford don’t understand what being pivot means!
Totally agree. Farley is an idiot. Needs to be let go. He has no place at Ford.