lukestuke said:
Granted, details are still slim, ok, vauge, or even non-existence, but Ford has confirmed they are preparing a competitor for the Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3.
Following the Ford Focus Electric update to 100+ mile range, Ford is working on another vehicle.
CEO Mark Fields, when asked whether the automaker intended to offer a battery-electric vehicle with a 200-mile range, said Ford wants to be “among the leaders or in a leadership position” as more automakers introduce long-range battery-powered cars.
“Clearly that’s something we’re developing for,” Fields said on Ford’s first-quarter earnings conference call.
Fields’ comments, while lacking details, are the first time a top executive with the company has acknowledged specific plans to directly challenge Tesla Motors and the Bolt.
Fields didn’t say how soon such a vehicle could go on sale. Ford is expected to call it the “Model E” and assemble it starting in 2019 at a new plant in Mexico that the company announced earlier this month.
If it only comes in 2020, that could be too late - unless it has the 300-400 mile range that the next gen EVs could have by then... It's 4 years behind the Bolt EV, and at least 2 behind the Model 3. How fast is Ford willing to move to stay at the EV table with the other automakers?
Of course Ford, and everyone else, will have to compete with the Bolt/Model III/Leaf 2.0. They could endlessly lower prices on their 100-mile BEV, or build a platform for a proper 200-mile BEV. Both are valid strategies, although the latter is likely to be more successful. Even though 100 miles is "enough" for most people, most of the time, Ford of all companies should know that's not how people choose their cars. Ford's best-selling model is the F150. That's hardly an example of a vehicle that covers only 90% of one's needs.
lukestuke said:
If it only comes in 2020, that could be too late - unless it has the 300-400 mile range that the next gen EVs could have by then... It's 4 years behind the Bolt EV, and at least 2 behind the Model 3. How fast is Ford willing to move to stay at the EV table with the other automakers?
I keep hearing things like this, but I don't know on what intel they are based. Maybe you can elaborate?
The way I see it, the 200-mile "party" second-gen arrives in the 2017 model year with the Bolt and Leaf 2. You are only talking about 3 years later. The Model III will just be reaching full-rate production around 2020. 2020 will most likely see a facelift of the Bolt, with some modest styling / feature updates. IMHO we are more likely to see autopilot hit the scene in 2020 than to see the Bolt leap to 300-400 miles of range. That range will be reserved for cars like the Model S.
Look at gen I. It arrived at a 2011 model with the Volt / Leaf 1. Both of those cars ran for 5 model years before seeing a slight increase in range in 2016. The Leaf 1 will run a total of 6 model years with very little increase in range (~25%, no where near a doubling).
We will see the day soon where 300-400 mile BEVs are readily affordable, but let's be realistic. It won't come in 2020. But we can be pretty sure it will by 2030.
The other part, that it's "too late", also seems a bit extreme. First-mover certainly has its advantages, but if Ford strikes a cord with their offering (e.g. lower price, sportier/sexier packaging, etc), it will sell just fine.
Bottom line - Ford will come to the party but late. This fits their "fast follower" strategy in which they let others blaze new trails and open new markets. I think Ford will make a nice vehicle that will sell next to the Bolt. Together, the two will continue to grow the market. And that's what we need.
So no, I won't quote any intel!
