Ford announces a further $7 billion EV investment

Bossxr8 · 28-09-2021, 12:06 PM

https://fordauthority.com/2021/09/fo...ev-production/

In less than 10 years, Ford Motor Company is set to almost completely ditch the internal combustion engine and transform itself into a battery-powered automotive powerhouse. As Ford Authority recently reported, The Blue Oval is focused on electrifying its vehicular “Icons,” in addition to its commercial vehicle lineup, as part of the company’s substantial $30 billion financial outlay to mostly transition to EV production. Now, the automaker has revealed the next phase of that plan, which will involve the construction of 3 new plants across the southern United States, plus a massive hiring initiative, so that it can start mass producing electric vehicles and batteries starting in 2025.

Ford says its $7 billion investment, which will combine with SK Innovation’s expenditure to total $11.4 billion, is the largest-ever one time investment in American automotive manufacturing.

**GasoLane** · 28-09-2021, 01:18 PM

Yep, that'll go down well with the good ol' boys and their pickups

Bossxr8 · 28-09-2021, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Yep, that'll go down well with the good ol' boys and their pickups

If they are like GM they will keep the heavier duty trucks ICE powered for quite a while yet. GM are saying 2035.

But time stands still for no one. I think Ford has been blown away by the demand for the F-150 Lightning, and are adjusting to suit. I think it was originally just a toe in the water exercise initially, with limited production numbers. But the demand has been so great they are now scrambling to meet the demand.

I think their expectations were doubled many times over. Probably caused them a complete re-think of future EV needs.

I note that they mention that Icon vehicles are the ones that will go EV first. Ranger is one of those Icon nameplates. So an EV Ranger is inevitable.

Dr Smith · 28-09-2021, 02:05 PM

The issue won't be making great EV vehicles, it will be ensuring every corner of Ford's global markets get access to all vehicles with no bulls*#t excuse of LHD-only or RHD at a later date....

Sprintey · 28-09-2021, 03:19 PM

This is good news and should allow the company to exist well into the future. Momentum for EV continues to build - I'm still waiting for Tony Seba's 2023 prediction of a 20K* US affordable EV, iirc he reckoned that would be the tipping point.

*20K became 30K in covid, who could have guessed that?

But great news for Ford anyway.

Bossxr8 · 28-09-2021, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

The issue won't be making great EV vehicles, it will be ensuring every corner of Ford's global markets get access to all vehicles with no bulls*#t excuse of LHD-only or RHD at a later date....

In theory making EV's in both LHD and RHD would be easier than an ICE vehicle, cause there is no engine to get in the way of the steering gear. In theory anyway.

But both versions need to be developed simultaneously.

Dr Smith · 28-09-2021, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

In theory making EV's in both LHD and RHD would be easier than an ICE vehicle, cause there is no engine to get in the way of the steering gear. In theory anyway.

But both versions need to be developed simultaneously.

Sounds about right, really and I'm being simplistic, would I be right in thinking all you need is a steering system that's a mirror image for LHD/RHD and then a dash design which makes LHD/RHD layout easy. No issues to worry about with layouts for exhaust plumbing, radiators, fuel tanks, alternators, as they are not needed while ancillaries like aircon comps etc could remain the same for any LHD/RHD design.

**Fordman1** · 28-09-2021, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Sounds about right, really and I'm being simplistic, would I be right in thinking all you need is a steering system that's a mirror image for LHD/RHD and then a dash design which makes LHD/RHD layout easy. No issues to worry about with layouts for exhaust plumbing, radiators, fuel tanks, alternators, as they are not needed while ancillaries like aircon comps etc could remain the same for any LHD/RHD design.

A fully developed EV system may not need a steering column .

**kypez** · 28-09-2021, 09:10 PM

Some are working on a brake by wire which will make LHD/RHD easy as. It's just the steering and brake booster as things stand now.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

Falcon SXR8 · 28-09-2021, 09:33 PM

If theres one thing i want a physical connection with its the steering and brakes

**kypez** · 28-09-2021, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon SXR8

If theres one thing i want a physical connection with its the steering and brakes

We've all but dumped a mechanical hand brake that is designed to be an override if the brakes fail. I think it'll be fine. Most are vacuum and hydraulically assisted anyway so you aren't really in direct connection per say (though I get that there is so a physical connection at the moment).

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

Falcon SXR8 · 29-09-2021, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

We've all but dumped a mechanical hand brake that is designed to be an override if the brakes fail. I think it'll be fine. Most are vacuum and hydraulically assisted anyway so you aren't really in direct connection per say (though I get that there is so a physical connection at the moment).

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

Big difference between assisted steering/braking that you still have control over if the assist fails and a fully electronic setup. You or your family is completely stuffed when the latter decides to develop electrical gremlins. But hey manufacturers have never had problems with electrical systems before so you should be fine.

**kypez** · 29-09-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon SXR8

Big difference between assisted steering/braking that you still have control over if the assist fails and a fully electronic setup. You or your family is completely stuffed when the latter decides to develop electrical gremlins. But hey manufacturers have never had problems with electrical systems before so you should be fine.

Just because we had issues before doesn't mean we should give up on the idea. Heck, many wouldn't be able to produce enough pressure to stop a car or turn a car if the power steering or vacuum assisted hydraulics gave up in modern cars. My wife would never be able to stop a falcon or turn one if the assistance gave up. Zip, zero chance.

It's a false safety thinking IMO.

If we can reduce the number of components and complexity that reduces the risk of component failures, I'm all for it. Can't keep moving into the future basing it on the limitations we have had in the past or even present.

Heck F1 use brake by wire albeit for rears only for now.

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Electrolyte Burns · 29-09-2021, 09:59 AM

https://electrek.co/2021/09/27/ford-...o6fRKpB-QebpD8

Ford made a massive announcement today about accelerating electric vehicle production with a giant new factory to produce electric pickup trucks in Tennessee and three new battery gigafactories.

The massive new project is called ‘Blue Oval City’.

There’s a lot to unpack here, but here are the main new announcements:

Blue Oval City is going to be a complex constructed on a nearly 6-square-mile site in west Tennessee to build next-generation electric F-Series pickups and advanced batteries.
The battery plant is going to be in partnership with SK Innovation, a large Korea-based battery cell manufacturer.
On top of the battery plant at Blue Oval City, Ford and SK will build a new “BlueOvalSK Battery Park” in central Kentucky. It will consist of “twin battery plants that will power a new lineup of Ford and Lincoln EVs.”

Bossxr8 · 29-09-2021, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Sounds about right, really and I'm being simplistic, would I be right in thinking all you need is a steering system that's a mirror image for LHD/RHD and then a dash design which makes LHD/RHD layout easy. No issues to worry about with layouts for exhaust plumbing, radiators, fuel tanks, alternators, as they are not needed while ancillaries like aircon comps etc could remain the same for any LHD/RHD design.

The cost isn't just in making parts for both, it's in the physical testing required for both versions. Especially crash testing. Dynamics need to be tuned for both versions as well, especially with our higher crowned roads.

So while it should make it easier and a bit cheaper, it still needs the same testing/sign off/certification for both LHD and RHD versions.

**kypez** · 29-09-2021, 04:31 PM

Can we fast forward 10 years! I can't wait for these to hit the market!

Bossxr8 · 30-09-2021, 01:41 PM

Next week might make FoA's stance clearer.

Franco Cozzo · 01-10-2021, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Next week might make FoA's stance clearer.

They have dusted off the tooling for the AU Falcon and are going to make a 500KW EV AU Falcon in Victorian Taxi Yellow.

Limited edition, only 351 units.

BENT_8 · 01-10-2021, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

They have dusted off the tooling for the AU Falcon and are going to make a 500KW EV AU Falcon in Victorian Taxi Yellow.

Limited edition, only 351 units.

And to make it even uglier they're giving it an American look using next gen Ranger front design cue's as part of their corporate look.

Wretched · 01-10-2021, 08:28 AM

That's a lot of $$ being invested into a product no one will or is buying /s

zilo · 01-10-2021, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

Some are working on a brake by wire which will make LHD/RHD easy as. It's just the steering and brake booster as things stand now.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

Drive by wire steering has been the norm in some EV's for a while now.

So tooling for different markets is a piece of cake.

Probably do the steering wheel with a bluetooth connection for millenials...

Better late than never for Ford with EV awakening...maybe...

**kypez** · 01-10-2021, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilo

Drive by wire steering has been the norm in some EV's for a while now.

So tooling for different markets is a piece of cake.

Probably do the steering wheel with a bluetooth connection for millenials...

Better late than never for Ford with EV awakening...maybe...

Not sure of any EV with Drive by Wire at the moment. Electrically Assisted Steering is different to Drive by Wire. The Territory had EPAS. My Teslas all have steering columns.

Bossxr8 · 01-10-2021, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilo

Drive by wire steering has been the norm in some EV's for a while now.

So tooling for different markets is a piece of cake.

Probably do the steering wheel with a bluetooth connection for millenials...

Better late than never for Ford with EV awakening...maybe...

As far as I can recall, the Infiniti Q50 had the drive by wire steering. But they ended up ditching it and going back to hydraulic steering. But it also had a mechanical back up if it failed.

Not sure if any other cars have had it.

zilo · 02-10-2021, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

Not sure of any EV with Drive by Wire at the moment. Electrically Assisted Steering is different to Drive by Wire. The Territory had EPAS. My Teslas all have steering columns.

I was under the impression that the Tesla had electrical steering.
Electrically assisted is still steer by wire in my book....just different language....if a microprocessor can control motors to self drive it then its just semantics.

Dr Smith · 02-10-2021, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilo

I was under the impression that the Tesla had electrical steering.
Electrically assisted is still steer by wire in my book....just different language....if a microprocessor can control motors to self drive it then its just semantics.

Why do you think electrically assisted is the same as no mechanical connection between steering movement and wheel turn? Say like a fighter jet?

**Fordman1** · 02-10-2021, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Why do you think electrically assisted is the same as no mechanical connection between steering movement and wheel turn? Say like a fighter jet?

True EPAS is standard on most good new automotive products

jpd80 · 02-10-2021, 01:30 PM

Steer by wire is still a ways off, not having a physical connection between the steering wheel
and the wheels throws up a major trust issue……

hayseed · 02-10-2021, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Steer by wire is still a ways off, not having a physical connection between the steering wheel
and the wheels throws up a major trust issue……

Farm machinery & some Earthmoving Machinery have had Hydrostatic Steering since the 70's...!!
Nothing but a couple of Hydraulic hoses from the steering Wheel orbital motor down to the steer axle. & is very reliable. Some JCB machines will do 80 plus KMH Too..

Dr Smith · 02-10-2021, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordman1

True EPAS is standard on most good new automotive products

Electronically Power Assisted Steering isn't the same as a purely electronic steer by wire. If the E in EPAS fails you're left with a very heavy unassisted steering, if the electronics fail in a pure drive by wire you have no steering.

zilo · 02-10-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Electronically Power Assisted Steering isn't the same as a purely electronic steer by wire. If the E in EPAS fails you're left with a very heavy unassisted steering, if the electronics fail in a pure drive by wire you have no steering.

I think the designers would take care of that failure, it could simply do an emergency stop.

A fault in an assisted system can still be catastrophic, but rarely happens, many dollars in design are spent to avoid situations ocassioning harm, many details that are above the pay grades of any on this forum me thinks.

Just thinking...If the motor stalls in wife's Merc she has no hope of turning the wheel if on a twisty road.

Hypotheticals are just that...a while back the faithful were alarmed at drive by wire throttles...gasp...what if it goes wide open? Well...they designed failures out...potentiometers in opposing directions fixed that.

I would feel much safer in an electrical system that can react in a fraction of a second rather than me reacting by getting a tactile failure response from a steering wheel when a mechanical part snaps....just sayin'