Classic case of misreading consumer preference

[LithiumCobalt]

Ford looks to be in real trouble with the EV push. The government may be trying to force them, but people ain't buying them. At least not in the numbers that were expected. I will likely be the last person on earth to buy an electric car. Just not practical for the amount/distance of travelling that I do. This kind of misread on consumer preference is ironically similar to Henry Ford's push to continue production on the model T and to reject new models/styling, although in the opposite direction.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compani ... skbar&ei=8

[LithiumCobalt]

Ford’s EV Plan in Trouble
Story by Douglas A. McIntyre •
5h
IN THIS ARTICLE

Ford Motor Co
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Ford’s EV Plan in Trouble
Ford’s EV Plan in Trouble
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Ford was supposed to be able to build 600,000 electric vehicles (EVs) this year. Then, it wasn’t. The date was pushed back to the end of 2024. Now, Ford may be unable to sell all those EVs, even if it hits that production number. Too few people want an F-150 Lightning, Ford’s electric flagship.

According to Bloomberg, Ford has raised production of the hybrid F-150, a watered-down version that helps save gasoline and the environment. Jim Farley, Ford CEO, says he is surprised by the demand for the hybrid version. He failed to mention that it is a sunsetting of his plan for Ford’s future and aspirations.

The hybrid F-150 is cheaper than the Lightning. Apparently, pickup drivers did not warm to its high price. The hybrid engine is ancient compared to EV engines. Cleverly, Ford did not say the lack of demand for the Lightning may be permanent.

Several research studies show many Americans do not want to own EVs. They take too long to charge, and there are too few charging stations. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of thousands of gas stations in the United States, and it takes about 10 minutes to fill the tank of most pickups.

Ford needed the Lightning to be a success. The F-150 is the gas-powered flagship of Ford and the best-selling vehicle in the United States for four decades. If Ford cannot sell an electric version, the company will be in deep trouble regarding the balance of its EV model line. And rival Tesla is bringing a competitor, the Cybertruck, to market this year.

According to its management, Ford has bet its future and billions of dollars on EVs. Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chair, who controls the company via his family’s shares, said the Lightning is the most important vehicle launch of his tenure. Sorry, but it isn’t working out as planned.

[Mike]

This is what happens when government gets involved. As electric vehicles become more feasible both in price and charging more people will buy them anyway.

The push should have been for hybrids. A neighbor had one and for local driving he loved it. He bought a tank of gas a year and for his driving he charged it with a normal plug. You run out of battery you have the gas engine to fall back on.

For me i don't buy new and a 10 year old electric car of any kind isn't something i want to get into.

[TonyC]

Dittos to Nick's conviction. I think he and I would be the last men standing where this EV coercion is concerned.

I know political debates are not allowed, but it's impossible to avoid when said politics start encroaching on the main interest on their own. That is what this EV push is, and that happens only when we let it. Last I checked, the supreme law of this country prohibits government from forcing the common masses into buying anything.

Back in the day, many experts on cars said that the more electrical stuff you rely on in a car, the more likely you are to get disappointed. I remember Deanna Sclar (author of Automotive Repair For Dummies) printing words to that effect. That is true. It's irritating enough when electric failures shut down any creature-comforts that aren't even tied to the direct operation of the car. An electric failure that does directly affect the operation of the car, far beyond irritating. At least on our old plant-feeders, the powertrain-related electrics are limited and fairly easy to follow and diagnose. Not the case with an EV.

---Tony