Posted on 08/24/2024 1:38:41 PM PDT by karpov
One of the country's largest automakers announced this week that it was shifting its focus away from battery-powered electric vehicles (E.V.s) in favor of hybrids that still use some amount of gasoline. The decision to prioritize a transitional technology makes sense, even though federal regulators might not be happy.
Ford Motor Co. CFO John Lawler told journalists Wednesday that the company would be shifting its focus away from all-electric vehicles. This included scrapping an electric three-row SUV previously planned for release in 2025.
The decision marks a major shift in the company's priorities. Two years ago, the automaker restructured, cleaving its production line into two divisions: Ford Blue, which would continue to make traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines, and Ford Model e, which would make its growing line of E.V.s.
Ford has seen strong E.V. sales: In the second quarter of 2024, its Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning recorded respective year-over-year sales growth of 58 percent and 79 percent.
But it hasn't been all upside: The Model e division recorded losses of $1.3 billion in the first quarter of this year, averaging out to a staggering $132,000 loss per vehicle. For context, a fully loaded F-150 Lightning costs less than $100,000. The division also lost another $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2023, which it attributed in part to "challenging market dynamics."
Instead, the company is prioritizing vehicles it thinks can sell more easily. "We're committed to creating long-term value by building a competitive and profitable business," Lawler said in a press release, focusing on vehicle models that could become profitable "within the first 12 months of launch."
Ford will continue to produce the Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, but Lawler indicated the company will begin to prioritize hybrids, which use both gas and electric motors.
(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...
Get on the list - my daughter says there's a 2 year waiting list to get a hybrid from Toyota
And just like locomotives no batteries needed except one small one to start the diesel. Accelerating puts out more electricity to the electric motor(s). Backing off creates dynamic braking.
Do the math on this one... A locomotive 2000 HP diesel over electric puts 10,000 ft lbs of torque to the trucks. (wheels)
A 250 hp gas engine puts out about 200 ft lbs of torque.
So a downsized locomotive set up in a passenger vehicle would only require a 25 Hp diesel to put around 250 ft lbs of torque to the ground.
As much torque as a V8, but it would get around 60-75 MPG. A big rig with the same set up would only need a 50 hp diesel to put out almost 450 ft lbs of torque to the ground and would get around 30 Mpg.
They have known all about this system for 80 years and know it is a logical compromise. But they don’t compromise it is all or nothing, they hate diesels even if they are 50% or better more efficient than a gas engine, and the big oil companies would never let this kind of fuel savings fly. Oil companies would pay congress critters out the nose (and have) to prevent this system from become a trend. Not enough fuel consumed or sold.
But it is a logical compromise that would actually work for all sides of the climate debate.
Ford is the only non commie car company we have in the USA. They got suckered into the EV crap even making the mustang and EV pile of batteries. But i think they have now got their heads screwed on and will do what will eventually be a better solution. Hybrids if you want em. or a big bad gas guzzling f150 that will run for 30 years like my 1997. And i didn’t have to change out the batteries.
A couple of years ago on WJR-am (Michigan and big auto worker area) had a Ford bigwig interviewed who said they were going to DC to plead with Biden to allow them and the other auto companies to meet the harsh government mandatory quota for producing EVs by counting some hybrids in the statistics.
They said no one could meet the quota and the people weren’t buying enough EVs to make money.
a staggering $132,000 loss per vehicle. >>> I’m sure you can make it up in volume/s.
Still never buying a Ford. Ever.
And neither asks the people what they want.
Almost half this country’s existing homes still have a 60A service.
They won’t be buying an EV or a hybrid any time soon.>>> Yes but i was going to start a company that manufactured mile long extension cords so the folks in center city could plug in their cars parked a round the block.
One word: TOYOTA.
They said and were on the right path that HYBRIDS were the future and they were RIGHT.
Proud 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD OffRoad owner and looking to add a Toyota Crown to my garage.
EFF GM/Ford/Stellantis (that's the gayest damn' name for a car maker right there "Stellantis" ...)
After promoting “general welfare”...
Just maybe the auto companies will escape nitwit wokeness. Electric cars aren’t green unless they run off of wind or solar only. No...unicorn poop isn’t acceptable.
“ even though federal regulators might not be happy.”
Well, no one cares about the poor regulatory workers anymore. After the Chevron Decision they might as well find new work. Ford and the rest of the automotive industry can make any cars they want. Until Congress passes laws to enforce EVs on us, the regulators can suck wind.
One word: TOYOTA.
They said and were on the right path that HYBRIDS were the future and they were RIGHT.
+++++++++
Two reference points.
1. Cab driver in SF (2017) and me had about an hour conversation. He was on his 2nd Prius. First one went 400,000 miles. Swears by the vehicle. FWIW - Says first generation was better built than 2nd generation.
2. My neighbor has driven his Prius for at least 10 years. Don’t know if charging is a thing but I have NEVER seen him charge it. EVER. The car is never in the shop and he drives it everyday.
I’m not an EV customer in any way shape or form. Having said that, it is clear that Toyota is a serious car manufacturer because their cars are extremely well built and the direction of the company is also well thought out. Toyota never bought into the hyperbolic stupidity of the other 95% of OEM’s that bought into the mind-numbing EV stupidity.
I’ve had some experience with the Prius. Admittedly, it was years ago, but the batteries were a different type than used in EVs & they weren’t cheap,but much cheaper than the EV batteries. Not sure what they use in the newer Hybrids. The Hybrid provides better mileage than a strictly gas vehicle & will also keep going on long trips. It’s a tossup, but the hybrid would seem to be the better deal. Me, I’ll stick with the old ICE.
Most hybrids aren’t plugin hybrids. The battery charges when you coast, when you brake, or when the computer decides the battery is low and starts the ICE to charge it.
However, I haven’t studied how long the battery lasts and how much it costs to replace it.
My brother bought a hybrid Ford a few years, and put over 240,000 miles on it without any problems. I would buy one.
We have a 2010 hybrid Camry that still runs great.
At most, maybe about 2000 spent on it outside routine maintenance items and tires.
Gee... that’s only a little fraction of a gas hybrid car’s fuel consumption...
Yes. “General Welfare” means they can make us grab our ankles for anything and everything.
Yep... It sure is. Even though the engine runs all the time and it drives like a Gas car.
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