Charles Poon’s Post

Exciting news from Ford! The Ford F-150 leads the way in hybrid trucks, with sales up 28.1% in the first half of 2023. Currently, 10% of all F-150 trucks sold are hybrids, and Ford is committed to doubling the mix of hybrid trucks for the 2024 model year, making advanced technology more accessible to customers. Even more impressive is that the starting price of the PowerBoost Hybrid, available on XLT through Platinum Plus, will now match the starting price of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. This cost parity means customers no longer have to pay a premium for the benefits of a hybrid powertrain, including a maximum available 430 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. Of torque, along with standard 2.4kW of Pro Power Onboard. Ford is dedicated to democratizing technology making hybrid options available to all truck customers. Just as they did with EcoBoost engines and high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy bodies, they are now bringing affordability and innovation to hybrid trucks. It's a game-changer for both Ford and its customers. Learn More https://lnkd.in/g-mDWpiJ #electicvehicles #hybrid #fordhybrid

Ford Builds EV Manufacturing & Assembly Plant in Ontario US-based automobile company Ford Motor Company announced plans to launch its upcoming #electricvehicles in #Oakville, #Ontario. The company plans to build its assembly plant while continuing to build its industrial system to produce its electric vehicles, including greenfield construction and conversion of existing assembly plants. These initiatives support the development of a differentiated and profitably growing EV business over time while Ford serves customers with the right mix of gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles based on demand today. In parallel, Ford is expanding its hybrid electric vehicle offerings. By the end of the decade, the company expects to offer hybrid powertrains across its entire Ford Blue lineup in North America. In the first quarter of 2024, Ford’s electric vehicle sales increased by 86% and hybrid sales rose 42% versus a year ago.

I’m curious about how the Mach-E compares to the F-150 Lightning in terms of demand and performance. The F-150 Lightning’s demand might not be surprising, considering the significant difference between vehicles originally built as EVs and those retrofitted. However, the Lightning’s success is hindered by recent serious concerns about the reliability of the F-150 Lightning, potentially affecting the overall reputation of the F-150 series. These reliability issues likely stem from the Lightning being a retrofit, a strategy that might seem like a desperate move to enter the EV truck market. Ford’s decision to extend its legacy by rebranding “Lightning” to represent electrification, rather than acceleration and overall performance, may not only confuse but also alienate long-time F-150 enthusiasts. As a Ford enthusiast myself, I found the use of “Mustang” for the Mach-E and “Lightning” for the F-150 EV particularly disheartening. It felt like a betrayal of the values and heritage that these names have traditionally stood for in the Ford lineup. Overall, could this situation be a result of rushed execution driven by the fear of being left behind in the EV race? I wonder how this might affect Ford’s strategy moving forward?

General Motors Delays Electric Pickup Production for Engineering Improvements General Motors is making strategic adjustments to its electric pickup production plans. The company has decided to postpone the production start of electric versions of Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, initially set for 2024, to 2025. This move aims to enhance profitability and align with evolving market dynamics. Read more about these engineering changes and #GM's approach to the evolving electric vehicle landscape in this article. #GeneralMotors #EVs #Automotive #Engineering #AutobodyNews

In a bold move, Ford CEO Jim Farley challenges Wall Street to look beyond Tesla and shift focus to Ford's "Pro" fleet business, positioning it as the driving force for the future of the auto industry. Ford Pro amalgamates the automaker's conventional fleet and commercial sectors with emerging technologies like telematics and logistics, catering to the evolving needs of business customers. With a projected pre-tax earnings surge to $8-9 billion this year, Ford is positioning itself at the forefront of industry innovation. Buckle up for the Pro revolution! #FordPro #AutoIndustryInnovation #BusinessTransformation #TheSocialTalks

🚗💔 Ford's EV Stunner: Jim Farley Halts Production Amid Uncertain Demand! ⚡🔧 In a shocking turn of events, Ford CEO Jim Farley has pressed pause on the entire production of their EV fleet, including the highly anticipated Lightning model. 🛑🌩️ Despite the initial hype surrounding the Lightning's potential success, it seems the demand for electric vehicles hasn't met expectations. The consequence? Job losses for numerous Ford employees and a shift back to traditional gas cars to meet current market demands. ⛽🚗 This unexpected pivot raises questions about the trajectory of the electric vehicle market and the challenges faced by even established players like Ford. What does this mean for the future of EVs, and how will it impact the automotive landscape? Share your thoughts below. 🗣️💭 #FordEVShocker #JimFarleyDecision #ElectricVehicleMarket #EVChallenges #AutomotiveIndustryShift #FordLightningPause #JobLossesInAuto #GasVsElectric #EVDemandReality #AutoIndustryInsights #ShareYourPerspective Video credit via instagram @mrcandyluv

It appears the next big thing at General Motors is "winning with simplicity" - and deep down, I think this is an acknowledgement that the traditional automotive industry is simply unable to move as fast or as efficiently as disruptor OEMs because of a massive amount of technical debt and fragmentation within their businesses. They NEED to rationalize to optimize. Differentiation is everything, but what is considering differentiating for potential car buyers has fundamentally changed - and will change even more in EVs. Style still matters (see all the knocks against Tesla for the staleness of its portfolio), but the sheer pragmatism of a simple, reactive, and personalized driving experience that remains fresh over time will soon be a "hygiene" factor for many car buyers. What has to happen behind the scenes for most automakers to actually deliver on that promise is like the classic picture of an iceberg - what's visible may seem intuitive and small, but the challenge behind the scenes is incredible. We've spent a ton of time talking to our industry partners to understand the scale of this challenge and how different automakers and their partners are challenging it in our #SDV report series. But "winning with simplicity" is - in my view - an entirely sensible dogma for getting there. You can't build a competitive, responsive, and profitable business in a highly disrupted industry with a set of technologies and architectures that resemble Frankenstein's Monster. https://lnkd.in/eVQVJn3i