Ford reveals breakthrough process for lower priced EVs by Andrew J. Hawkins
The automaker announced plans to build “a family” of low-cost electric vehicles at its Kentucky assembly plant, starting with a four-door, midsized $30,000 pickup truck in 2027. Ford touted the announcement as its “Model T moment” that will be more streamlined to help bring down costs and put the company on a path to profitability.
Most other manufacturers have their platforms, the VW group, for example uses the same drivetrain for their different sub-brands as well.
Farley’s reference to a “Model T moment” also applies to the revolutionary way in which that original vehicle was manufactured. Ford says that it has taken the traditional, linear assembly line and transformed it into an “assembly tree.” Instead of one long conveyor, three sub-assemblies run down their own lines simultaneously before joining together at the end, the company says. Using this method, a large single-piece aluminum unicasting can replace dozens of smaller parts, enabling the front and rear of the vehicle to be assembled separately.
If this is successful, the other manufacturers could steal it too?
Ford planning a Model T moment in August
Ford’s planning a ‘Model T moment’ for EVs on August 11th
Even as Ford’s EV business took a $1.3 billion hit, the automaker’s “skunkworks” team, helmed by former Tesla engineer Alan Clarke, has been working in the background to develop a more affordable electric car. “This is a Model T moment for us at Ford, a chance to bring a new family of vehicles to the world that offer incredible technology, efficiency, space, and features,” Farley said.
Exciting! I bought a hybrid recently. My next car would be an electric. Hopefully a lot of these problems are resolved by then.
Average age of cars in Finland is 14 years
Average age of cars in Finland nears 14 years amid sluggish sales
The average Finnish car is 13.6 years old — compared to 11 years in Sweden, 9.6 years in Denmark, and 11.1 years in Norway.
I am a bit surprised by this. I see newer cars on the road. Or maybe what I see is well-maintained cars. From time to time I do see some old cars too though. Super old Yaris and so on. I guess there is a market for those.
I recently bought a car. It’s a 3 year old Qashqai. It’s good to know there’s a market for selling it again after I’m done.