Farley believes he knows how to beat the Chinese on EVs

[Pioneer74]

This is a pretty good article about what direction Ford is taking in it's future EV development.

Farley did not address the fate of the F-150 Lightning in any of his recent comments to Wall Street. But the EV is a big pickup that starts at $47,780, which would not fit his expressed vision for Ford’s EV future.

But industry follower and host of the podcast and webcast "Autoline After Hours," John McElroy, told the Free Press that he thinks the Lightning, in its current form, is likely to go away.

“Ford will almost certainly let the current Lightning fade away when it comes to the end of its product cycle,” McElroy said. “Though it's a good truck, it never sold very well, mainly because it couldn't carry heavy loads or tow for long distances. It will probably be replaced by an electric truck with a range-extender gasoline engine. And we'll see if Ford decides to use the Lightning name on that.”

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2025/02/21/ford-jim-farely-evs-china/78980633007/

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[John Becker]

Maybe I'm not understanding how a range extender works or what it does, but it seems to me it should run on diesel rather than gasoline.

 

[Altivec]

I would never get one. Range extenders add a ton of complexity and problems. I have one in my Cadillac ELR and will never do it again. If I need a truck to do long distances every day, I will get gas or diesel. I never go over the range of my lightning in a day, so Its BEV for me from now on out. If Ford no longer wants my business, then don't have that product available when I am ready to move on from my current lightning. Better batteries and tech are coming out at a rapid pace. Betting your future on going backwards, will be the end of Ford. Hopefully these articles are just fluff and BS.

 

[sotek2345]

Maybe I'm not understanding how a range extender works or what it does, but it seems to me it should run on diesel rather than gasoline.

The range extender is just a generator that runs to charge your battery while you are driving.

 

[Tony Burgh]

Ford needs to figure out what BYD has done to iron phosphate batteries to extend range and reduce first cost.

 

[Maineiac12]

I don’t understand the complaints about hauling. Towing range, sure. But towing capacity and payload are very close between Lightning and ICE.

So, if this is true my next truck will likely be a Silverado/Sierra. Shame.

 

[carys98]

I don’t care at all about an EREV but if they shift their BEV focus to the Ranger/Bronco I’m all for it. My ideal next vehicle is a BEV Bronco Raptor.

 

[TMND]

 

[Pitbull2o08]

I don’t care at all about an EREV but if they shift their BEV focus to the Ranger/Bronco I’m all for it. My ideal next vehicle is a BEV Bronco Raptor.

Same

 

[TMND]

So I clicked the link and read the article completely. sidenote once clicking that link in the app for the forum I can’t get back to the forum without closing it and reopening

anyways, this statement blew me away "But these very large EVs that cost $50,000, $60,000, $70,000, we don't believe in”

every single brand new F150 on the lot where I live cost more than 50 grand, and most of them are more than 80. If they don’t believe in big expensive vehicles, what’s going on here? Sounds really like they just don’t believe in full size EVs anymore.

 

[Highpi]

I wonder what or when their end of cycle is?

 

[TMND]

Early adopters of anything normally take a hit but sticking with it pays out in the end. I wish I had stuck with that logic when bitcoin first came out.

 

[The Weatherman]

Maverick BEV would rock!

 

[Zprime29]

Given the experience that many are having on the service side of Ford, they'd have to put out something extremely compelling to entice me. Our Volvo dealership thus far has been great. Too bad their EV's are still fledglings. We are set for a good 8-10 years before we'll be looking seriously again. Will be very interesting to see what's available.

 

[K6CCC]

Unfortunately if you want / need a reasonably full size pickup, there is very little to choose from. The Rivan is a mid size - as would be a Maverick if Ford builds that. About the only other full size is the Chevy and it is so darn expensive.

Note, when I say "full size", still can't get a even a traditional short bed (usually around 6.5 feet) in an electric. Both Chevy and Ford are going with a really short bed. Groan...

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