So I'm pretty sure Ford has given up on us...

[jmueller065]

Here is another thought about the original subject here "Ford's given up on us..." (This is pretty much the same thought that has given me hope all along).

The gist is that the % of ZEV that CARB states will require for automakers to be able to sell ICE vehicles will be increasing in the future.
If you look here (well for 2013): http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/zevcredits/2013zevcredits.htm
It details how many ZEV cars each manufacturer must sell in California based on the # of cars they have sold there.
Here is the requirements: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/zevregs/1962.2_Clean.pdf
Basically manufacturers are going to have to sell more and more ZEV vehicles in order to sell their ICE vehicles there.

In addition to the mandates the competitors are starting to make improvements to their vehicles (next gen Leaf, next gen Volt, Bolt, Model III). In order for Ford to come even close to those % numbers that CA & CARB states wants they have to make a compelling vehicle that is at least on par with those vehicles (otherwise they'll lose market share and won't make the mandated % numbers). Unless Ford wants to buy ZEV credits they have to do something...

 

[michael]

May I also add that Ford's use of Magna is widely condemned, but I don't necessarily agree with that view. There is no shame in subcontracting specific tasks to experts

Nissan did it in-house and their battery life is bad.

GM did it in house, and some criticize them for having a too ice-like approach.

Magna did it for Ford, and the main complaints are: The battery is too small and it doesn't include DCFC. Those are not Magna's technical decision but rather Ford's business decisions.

Aircraft companies build airplanes, generally not powerplants. Boeing, Airbus, Cessna....they outsource engines and concentrate on airframes. Perhaps one day Ford will design electric drive systems in-house, but having Magna do the job doesn't seem to me a bad decision.

 

[WattsUp]

Perhaps one day Ford will design electric drive systems in-house, but having Magna do the job doesn't seem to me a bad decision.

...and certainly not "bad" for the result they got.

Just taking an FFE at face value as "the result" (not considering the industry at large, or Ford's future strategy... just the literal EV we all got as the result) it is a very nice EV. Better than most.

Personally, I am very happy with my 2013 FFE, even in the face other EVs that have come out since. And I have always seen my next "step up" from the FFE to be a Model S or a Model III. Sure, something else might come out soon that could alter that thinking, but that's my thinking right now.

 

[michael]

I agree completely...among the 80 mile class cars (or even those now claiming to be 100 mile class), it's still my choice.

I keep hoping Ford will be there with a 150 (or 200) mile class car when those become the norm.

 

[jmueller065]

Magna did it for Ford, and the main complaints are: The battery is too small and it doesn't include DCFC. Those are not Magna's technical decision but rather Ford's business decisions.

Note that the only Magna piece of the FFE is the powertrain. LG designed the battery & charging system.

 

[SpecVStrom]

Our local paper ran this story about EV's in the county.
No mention of the FFE at all! (even though 22 were sold to the County of Sonoma)

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4415248-181/report-highlights-sonoma-countys-growing

More proof that Ford is not interested in marketing the FFE for success!
Somebody mentioned that Ford will have to step it up to meet the mandate for ZEV's.
Ford appears to not be interested in truly competing. Just do enough to make the mandate and no more.
It is saddening.

Like I said, hybrids are money makers for manufacturers, not BEV's.
One year into my lease, I've spent $50 on scheduled maintenance, and 30% on energy to run it vs. my gas car.
Charging the FFE is 50% of the cost per mile than my motorcycle!

 

[hybridbear]

May I also add that Ford's use of Magna is widely condemned, but I don't necessarily agree with that view. There is no shame in subcontracting specific tasks to experts

Nissan did it in-house and their battery life is bad.

GM did it in house, and some criticize them for having a too ice-like approach.

Magna did it for Ford, and the main complaints are: The battery is too small and it doesn't include DCFC. Those are not Magna's technical decision but rather Ford's business decisions.

Aircraft companies build airplanes, generally not powerplants. Boeing, Airbus, Cessna....they outsource engines and concentrate on airframes. Perhaps one day Ford will design electric drive systems in-house, but having Magna do the job doesn't seem to me a bad decision.

Excellent point! I agree completely!

 

[Lithium]

MFM update to V 2.0.85 with scrolling map feature in plug-in charger search feature. I guess they haven't forgotten about us. such a juicy update, I think my hair blew back..... from the stink of that App.

 

[jmueller065]

2.0.85 also includes support for the Apple Watch. I'm guessing its similar to what they did for Android Wear in the Android version:
https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/got-my-car-on-my-wrist-part-2/

 

[hybridbear]

2.0.85 also includes support for the Apple Watch. I'm guessing its similar to what they did for Android Wear in the Android version:
https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/got-my-car-on-my-wrist-part-2/

The iPhone icon now matches the Android icon.

 

[Tom French]

Received a letter in the mail, asking me to evaluate my FFE.

Pros Cons, and stuff.

Got a chance to tell them the battery is too small and the DCFQ is needed.

 

[hybridbear]

Received a letter in the mail, asking me to evaluate my FFE.

Pros Cons, and stuff.

Got a chance to tell them the battery is too small and the DCFQ is needed.

That's really cool! Was it specific to the FFE? Or just a generic survey of Ford owners?

 

[Tom French]

It was specific, after I chose the FFE, then it started asking things like what I liked most, what could be improved, what was wrong... blah blah.

Just my 2 cents

 

[JTCalif]

Received a letter in the mail, asking me to evaluate my FFE.
Pros Cons, and stuff.

I wonder if they would be interested in evaluations from more of us. ??
Was that from Ford corporate in Mich.,
and do you have an address I might send to?
(I have not been asked about the two FFE's I got; have been in their records more than 3 years now: forgotten, if not given up on?)

 

[Tom French]

Sorry did not keep the letter.

 

[hybridbear]

It was specific, after I chose the FFE, then it started asking things like what I liked most, what could be improved, what was wrong... blah blah.

Just my 2 cents

That sounds like a generic survey directed to a wide group of Ford buyers, not just purchasers of the FFE.

 

[Tom French]

It was specific, after I chose the FFE, then it started asking things like what I liked most, what could be improved, what was wrong... blah blah.

Just my 2 cents

That sounds like a generic survey directed to a wide group of Ford buyers, not just purchasers of the FFE.

I believe you're more correct.

 

[WattsUp]

Ford just released a new Ford Focus Electric ad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmwaYYru7Ic

Given up on us? Maybe not...

 

[michael]

If they really wanted to sell some, they'd have something more like this Volt ad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZN-4JtICDA

Or this from BMW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhJk1wMbNR4

Or even this from Smart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnJ4yeyUVM0


I do admit to liking this one from Ford....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdklVANhQj8

 

[jmueller065]

They also remade this video (note the red color which wasn't available when they made the first version of this):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uTACuuPxJc