HIDDEN AGENDA? Did Ford Create The 'E' Division To Do An END AROUND Dealers

[AVANTI R5]

Let's face it. It must be tough as a legacy manufacturer to compete with Tesla's direct model with all the dealer regulations that already exist on the books.

And if you know dealers, they're not gonna just hand away their business or make major changes to their profitability model WITHOUT a fight.

So we ask, was the MAIN reason Ford created their 'E' division to figure out an END AROUND the existing dealer agreements to make it MUCH easier to sell direct? And to make revolutionary changes to the entire customer/dealer model?

And if so, was it a BRILLIANT or RUBBISH move?

Ford Splits Electric and Internal Combustion Vehicle Lines Into Separate Company Divisions
Ford CEO Jim Farley announced major changes to the automaker's corporate structure today, splitting up its iconic internal-combustion engine (ICE) models like Mustang, F-150, and Bronco and its new EV initiatives like the F-150 Lightning pickup and Mustang Mach-E into two distinct operations, working together under the Ford Motor Company brand. The move comes with a leadership shakeup and a top-to-bottom restructuring of how Ford vehicles get developed.

Just last week, Farley dispelled rumors of spinning off the company's new EV ventures into a separate new company. While Ford hasn't gone that far, the rumors were not far off; Ford Motor Company will now operate distinct Ford Model e, Ford Blue, and Ford Drive, Ford Credit, and Ford Pro commercial divisions under the overall Ford umbrella. The announcement further clarified that Lincoln would fit within the existing Model e and Blue framework for its vehicle development.

"Our ambition with Ford+ is to become a truly great, world-changing company again, and that requires focus. We are going all in, creating separate but complementary businesses that give us start-up speed and unbridled innovation in Ford Model e together with Ford Blue's industrial know-how, volume and iconic brands like Bronco, that start-ups can only dream about," Ford CEO announced on Wednesday.

Ford says the divergence of its iconic ICE stable from the growing tech and EV side of the business came from "recognition that different approaches, talents and, ultimately, organizations are required to unleash Ford's development and delivery of electric and digitally connected vehicles and services and fully capitalize on the company's iconic family of internal combustion vehicles. "

Ford Model e

The new Model e division will focus all of the company's software development, engineering, interface and design workforce on the entire Ford portfolio, but also on clean-sheet approaches to just about everything the company does. Electric vehicles, data connectivity, mobility and retail services will go through Model e, as well as key tech development like battery cells, motors, EV componentry, and vehicle charging.

Looking back at what the company has accomplished so far, you could break down the new Ford Mustang Mach E SUV and F-150 Lightning pickups as something Model e would handle, to find new ways of attracting more customers with a diverse portfolio of products. The new Ford Blue division would be responsible for vehicles like the Ranger, Bronco, and other more traditional model lines and ICE lineups the company still has to manage, while also focusing on improving customer satisfaction.

Ford Blue

Ford announcement categorized Ford Blue's stable of vehicles as the "icons" of the brand, mentioning the F-Series pickup line, Ranger and Maverick pickups, Bronco and Explorer SUVs, and the Ford Mustang, which may stick around as an ICE car for at least another generation, according to the latest rumors.

But this isn't exactly a sundown program for Ford's ICE stable. The announcement mentions that Ford Blue will also be developing new vehicles independently from the Model e division, but still compatible to work with the latest technology that division is developing. At least in theory.

Ford Blue will also focus more on customer experience, service, and satisfaction, as well as development of new off-road technologies and capability, street performance improvements for cars like the Mustang, and incorporating more owner lifestyles and passions into Ford products.

The announcement also mentions Ford Blue will be the janitor division, developing methods of recycling, reducing material waste, minimizing product, manufacturing, and quality costs, and maintaining the Ford brand's global production scale.

Changes In Leadership

Ford CEO Farley will stay on as president and CEO of Ford Motor Company, as well as take on the new role of president of the new Ford Model e division. The driving force behind the innovation of the Model e division will be driven by chief EV and digital systems officer Doug Field, who will also continue to develop new software and embedded systems for the entire Ford Motor Company portfolio, as well.

Field promised "experiences customers can't even imagine yet," saying the new company structure will help it "move with speed and unconstrained ambition" for "revolutionary" new cars and products.

Kumar Galhotra has been promoted to president of the new Ford Blue division, saying it had an "extremely ambitious" mission to "invest in our incredible F-Series franchise, unleash the full potential of hits like Bronco and Maverick, and launch new vehicles like global Ranger pickup, Ranger Raptor and Raptor R. We'll pair these great products with a simple, connected and convenient customer experience that earns higher loyalty. "

Stuart Rowley will be chief transformation and quality officer, who will focus on Ford's quality assurance, efficiency, competitive advantage. Hau Thai-Tang is now chief industrial platform officer, taking charge of product development, supply chain and manufacturing engineering for Ford Blue's ICE vehicles, as well as manage and develop common systems across all the newly established divisions.

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[KC]

BRILLIANT move that will earn them nothing but heartache with the entrenched and lawfully protected dealer models.

[AVANTI R5]

Sony exploring joint venture with Honda to launch electric cars
Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Sony teased us in recent years with the reveal of electric sedan and crossover concepts, and now the Japanese electronics giant has announced it is exploring a joint venture to develop, build, and sell electric vehicles with Honda.

Sony and Honda announced on Friday they are negotiating to establish a joint venture company that will oversee the development and sales of EVs and mobility services. The two companies have only signed a Memorandum of Understanding, but they expect their joint venture to be in operation as soon as this year and the first vehicle to be available in 2025.

Vehicles sold by the joint venture would benefit from Honda's experience in vehicle production and after-sales management, and Sony's experience in imaging, sensing and connectivity technologies, the two companies said in a statement.

Sony Vision-S 02 concept

Sony Vision-S 02 concept

The joint venture wouldn't have its own plants, though. Instead, it would rely on Honda plants for production. Sony meanwhile would develop a mobility service platform for the joint venture. Details of the mobility services weren't mentioned.

We also don't have any details on what vehicles could be developed by the joint venture, though we know Sony has been testing prototypes based on its Vision-S electric sedan concept first shown in 2020. Sony this year also showed a crossover counterpart dubbed the Vision-S 02, with both vehicles designed around a modular EV platform sourced from Magna Steyr, the same Austrian company that supplies a platform for the Fisker Ocean. Magna will will handle production of the Ocean, starting from November.

If all goes to plan, Sony could become the first in the tech space to offer its own car, though Huawei has also mentioned plans to launch its own car in 2025, and both Apple and Xiaomi have hinted at their own car plans.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Sony and Honda didn't announce they they will develop a joint venture but instead announced plans to explore one.

Need5

[dwf137]

Why does the title say "hidden agenda"? It was pretty clearly stated in their press release.

Ford Model e also will lead on creating an exciting new shopping, buying and ownership experience for its future electric vehicle customers that includes simple, intuitive e-commerce platforms, transparent pricing and personalized customer support from Ford ambassadors.

The dealership model is outdated and is antithetical to the demographic that is currently buying EV's.

Ford, bring me an EV Ford Maverick...

[godfather2112]

Originally Posted by dwf137

Why does the title say "hidden agenda"? It was pretty clearly stated in their press release.



The dealership model is outdated and is antithetical to the demographic that is currently buying EV's.

Ford, bring me an EV Ford Maverick...

Would own an EV Maverick.

[Calamity Jesus]

Need a Ford Windpoweredstar

[dwf137]

nah. roadtrip cars should remain ICE or hybrid for now. but a small pickup truck that's targeted at local trips and things... I'd trade in my leaf for a loss in a heartbeat for one.