The ongoing pivot toward large scale EV production has produced some strange bedfellows, namely the Blue Oval’s extensive partnership with Volkswagen. Although the transition hasn’t resulted in a dramatic culling of the automaker’s internal combustion lineup, in the coming years, the company’s offerings may feature engines and transmission from outside companies. That’s based on recent comments from a Ford executive, who suggested that the company may leave powertrain production to other companies.
As first reported by Automotive News, Ford Vice Chair John Lawler spoke at the 2025 Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference about constraints facing automakers that have to finance internal combustion and fully electric vehicle development. Cutting costs is one of the more obvious ways that the company can better position itself against its competitors, and based on his comments, Ford is very likely thinking about moving away from producing engines and transmissions to a model that utilizes powertrains sourced from other companies.
“I think powertrains — ICE powertrains over time are going to need to consolidate, and they’re not going to be differentiated. I don’t think that consumers really think about powertrains the way they did 30 years ago, where it defined what a vehicle was, the horsepower, the displacement, the torque and everything about the vehicle, I think a lot of that is gone. And so does everybody need to develop the next 4-cylinder and 6- cylinder as that arc comes?”
As vice chair, Lawler’s responsibilities include a focus on strategy, partnerships, and alliances, according to the automaker. That he means his comments may preview the Blue Oval’s long term plans to rely on outside companies for engines and transmissions. As for timing, any powertrain production shift would be years away, if the 2023 UAW bargaining agreement’s terms remain unchanged into 2028. Ford is planning to keep producing its 8-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions for at least another three years, along with its EcoBoost and naturally aspirated V8 engines. Beyond that, the company could take advantage of its current partnerships for future vehicles. As Ford Authority recently reported, Lawler himself said internal combustion engines aren’t going away anytime soon, so it would have to rely on outsourcing if it planned to move away from homegrown powertrains.
What would a future without Ford powertrains look like? Europe could provide the answer. The VW-based Ford Transit Connect uses Ford EcoBoost and EcoBlue branding throughout its lineup, despite the fact that the powertrains were fully developed by the German automaker. The partnership also enabled Ford to build the Explorer and Capri EVs off the VW MEB platform. Additionally, Ford builds the Ranger-based Amarok pickup and Transit Custom based Transporter for the company, complete with Blue Oval engines and transmissions, so it’s reasonable to assume the company could walk away from producing powertrains for certain vehicle segments in favor of a mixed model.
A rather bold claim, indeed.
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TAKE THE 5.0L OUT OF THE MUSTANG AND WATCH IT DIE
Amen. Also the F150. I have a 2016 F150 5.0 coyote and I will buy a crate engine before I succumb to eco crap
Ford's weak spot has been powertrains for decades. I can remember engine failures from the 90s, clearly.
Do you have data to support that claim regarding current vehicles? I have two Ford vehicles with a combined 200k miles. The engines and transmissions have been flawless.
He does not have any data, he's a serial WHINER about every ford authority story, perhaps a let-go former disgruntled line worker, who know's why?
I was 16 in 1996, and I knew personally 5 people who's 93-97 Taurus' blew a head gasket. I had a 93 Thunderbird with a V6. It blew a head gasket. It was right at about 65k miles when that happened.
Most of my cars have been a Ford. I drive a 2017 Explorer Platinum now.
But Ford definitely had a problem with their V6's in the 90s and it was very bad that they didn't do a recall.
Name one, please. The 90s were the end of Windsor and Lima V8 engine production and the start of the Modular motor program. Windsor's and Lima's were about bulletproof. Early Modular's had spark plug issues that were remedied by the early 2000's. Vulcan V6s were basic but problem free and the Duratec 24V V6 is still an exceptionally stout engine although the front drive version does have the integral water pump challenge. The only engine I can think of that was remotely problematic was the Essex 90 degree V6 that had Head Gasket issues. Even those were relatively rare in the real world. It was a very solid lineup overall
I can remember engine failures earlier than that. 2.3 4 banger for one.
That is not true. The Modular V8 is an engine well loved by the police because of its durability. The Duratecs in cars like the Taurus were also pretty solid and considered one of the more reliable V6 engines up there with GMs 3800. Ford engines also typically fare better than several GM and especially Chrysler engines.
The problem is you have m0r0n$ like this guy and Hackett who run the company like its a laundry detergent or office furniture manufacturer make these self-assumed decisions and then they wonder why the company is losing market share. Or maybe they don’t even wonder and are completely clueless because they have their heads so far up their tailpipes to notice.
Can't really say that this is a bad idea. STELLANTIS has been sourcing the diesel engine for the RAM 2500-5500 forever. Airplane builders have been sourcing jet engines from various manufactures forever. Would anyone on board an AMTRAK train really care what type of locomotive is pulling the train? Most bus builders source their engines from CUMMINS while PREVOST uses VOLVO engines since they are owned by them and that new MERCEDES BENZ TOURRIDER uses DETROIT DIESEL since they are owned by DAIMLER. I still recall from the 1970's how upset many OLDSMOBILE owners when it came to light that their cars had CHEVROLET engines? If I had been one of those people, my reaction would have been...Ok so what who cares what difference does it make when I turn the key to start the engine and drive the car? They were using a GM sister division anyway not like it from FORD or CHRYSLER. If they had, wouldn't have bothered me.
I'm sure the FORD stalwarts will be angry but again, why should it make any difference?
FORD doesn't build tires either. Why should is make the slightest difference about engines either? As long as it propels the vehicle who cares?
Why should that make any difference?
You buy a car or truck not the engine.
6.2 from Corvette would be ideal engine for Mustang! Maybe put a little Chevy badge under Mustang name.
yeah, that ultra reliable 6.2 sounds like a great idea
6.2 in Corvette is not affected by current problem in trucks.
That is correct. The 6.2 is built in Detroit for the Corvette
The truck 6.2 use crankshafts from Mexico…..
Why…so the Mustang can sell even in less numbers than it currently does?
Grow a brain
Pass on the LS/LT swap the world BS. The day Ford shoves a GM sourced V8 into the Mustang is the day I swear off Ford forever. Also, the LT2 benefits from the C8 Corvette's packaging and one of the reasons why the LT2 makes 495 hp in the C8 (intake and exhaust packaging are mostly responsible). The LT1 which was designed with a front engine/rear drive layout in mind and one of the reasons why it only makes 455 hp. Why would Ford want to lose 45 hp going with a competitor engine when they have an engine that makes 500 hp now.
I have had only 1 Ford in the last 11 years that had an issue and that 2014 Ford Focus powershift which Ford took care of under warranty a few times. Have not had an engine or transmission issue with any of the Escape, Edges, EcoSport, Bronco Sport. Take care of them, and you will get many happy miles. I remember head gaskets on the 3.8 V/6 in the Windstar and the Taurus which let coolant into the engine, those were bad. I remember the head gaskets going in the Ford Escorts, transmission going in the Taurus built in the nineties, oil leaks from the 2.8 and the 4.0 V/6. There were plenty of bad powertrains in the 90's.
What does the chief bean counter know about marketing and power trains? Powertrains are a point of differentiation. Lose that and what differentiation are car companies going to give their customers?
What does a striped cat know about the auto industry?
Tigger knows everything!
I don't know who they asked, many buyers still care about power trains and selection. He's full $hit !!
He absolutely is. They're looking for ways to reduce costs/increase revenue as easily as possible..
This guy is clueless and needs to go back to janitorial services.
Powertrain, perfomance, reliability are all impotant for a vehicle and oh by the way what do consumers want?
I prefer a v8 over any ecoshit enhine