All articles tagged with #ford
Ford confirms its first vehicle on the Universal EV (UEV) platform will be a small, four‑door electric pickup due in 2027, with an estimated starting price around $30,000. The truck is designed to cut costs via LFP batteries and megacasting, and Ford says it will offer more interior space than a Toyota RAV4 despite its compact footprint as it pivots toward an affordable, scalable EV lineup.
Ford Racing revealed the first audible heartbeat of its 2027 Le Mans Hypercar: a camouflaged, nearly hidden car idling with a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V8, signaling Ford's return to the top class as track testing begins in August ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Ford is testing a new sub-$30,000 electric pickup on its in-house Universal EV platform, using a cost-efficient LFP battery to meet the target price. Spotted in Dearborn beside an Expedition, the compact truck appears very small with a notably low roof aimed at maximizing range, aided by aerodynamic bits like a sloped windshield, aero tires, a roof spoiler, and wheel covers that Ford says boost efficiency by about 15% versus rival pickups. The architecture emphasizes weight and parts reduction, including a lighter 48V system and a large infotainment display inside. Ford has not revealed motor or battery specifics yet, and while a 2027 debut is expected, a Ranchero revival has been speculated but not confirmed.
Ford CEO Jim Farley called for a revamped trade framework that rewards domestic production and could penalize rivals that rely on imported vehicles; Ford says about 83% of cars sold in the U.S. are made here, while competitors like GM and Toyota rely heavily on imports, prompting a push for a level playing field in auto manufacturing.
Ford announces a quality turnaround, winning JD Power’s top mass-market initial quality ranking and pledging flawless launches for a new North American lineup; CEO Jim Farley says the best days are ahead as Ford restructures, expands technical staffing, boosts AI-assisted development, and ties incentives to quality, even as recalls continue (including 741,195 vehicles in 2026) and warranty costs fall, with a goal of meaningfully reducing future defects.
Ford’s U.S. sales fell nearly 10% in the first half as it phased out the Escape (and Corsair) and faced production headwinds from aluminum-supply shortages and a Louisville plant retooling for a next-gen small electric pickup. F-Series declined more than 13% in the period, rental-car sales plunged about 69% in the last quarter, and Lincoln was down about 16% as Corsair was discontinued. June retail market share rose slightly, while Maverick hybrid posted a Q2 record and Bronco/Explorer sold well. Electric-vehicle sales dropped 57% due to the loss of the federal tax credit, prompting Ford to use employee pricing to spur demand amid competitive pressure from GM and Stellantis.
Ford CEO Jim Farley urged negotiators to reward automakers that mostly build in the U.S. under a reworked USMCA and to penalize those that rely on imports, as talks reopen. Ford produced more than 2 million U.S.-built vehicles last year (exporting about 311,000) and imported roughly 378,000 of its 2.2 million sales; GM and Toyota remain heavier importers, fueling Ford’s push for a level playing field. Trade groups urged a stable extension of USMCA amid a broader administration review of the pact, underscoring the auto sector’s importance in the talks.
Ford posted a 10.3% drop in second‑quarter U.S. sales to 549,200 vehicles and a 9.6% drop for the first half as it phases out the Escape and Corsair and faces a slump in fleet demand. The F-Series remained the top U.S. pickup and retail market share edged up to 12.3%. Ford is counting on high‑margin SUVs and the Bronco family, plus a 2027 small electric pickup on its Universal EV platform, while expecting supply to recover in the second half after aluminum‑supply disruptions.
Ford reported a 10.3% drop in Q2 U.S. sales to 549,200 as EV demand waned and two models were phased out, with hybrid volume down around 20% and F-Series off about 11%. The Bronco rose 15.9% to a Q2 record of 45,739, helping a stronger showing in the off-road/SUV family, while the Maverick Hybrid set a Q2 record at 29,457 (+19.3%). Lincoln Nautilus also posted a quarterly high as Ford continues its EV and cost-conscious model strategy, including a forthcoming affordable EV pickup next year.
Ford Motor posted a 10.3% drop in second‑quarter U.S. new-vehicle sales, with EVs down 40.7% and F-Series pickups down 11% as production was retimed after aluminum-supplier disruptions and a restart after two fires. Total deliveries were 549,200 versus 612,095 a year earlier; Ford expects supply to improve in the second half as production normalizes.
Ford is rehiring hundreds of experienced engineers to fix quality issues AI couldn’t address, while Commonwealth Bank of Australia and IBM are also refocusing on human labor after layoffs. Analysts warn that replacing workers with AI can backfire, as cuts are often regretted and human oversight remains crucial for realizing AI gains, leading many companies to rebalance toward human–AI collaboration and stronger talent pipelines.
Ford is recalling 741,195 U.S. vehicles over a transmission defect that can damage the park system and let a vehicle roll away; affected models include 2018–2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020–2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150, with dealers updating software and replacing damaged transmission components at no charge. Separately, Ford is recalling 36,046 Broncos for improperly secured fender flares that can detach and pose a crash risk; dealers will inspect and repair or replace flares at no cost.
Ford is recalling about 741,000 US vehicles (2018–2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020–2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150) due to a transmission defect that can damage the park system and allow the vehicle to roll away; dealers will update software and inspect/replace damaged components at no cost. Separately, Ford is recalling 36,046 Broncos for improperly secured fender flares that can detach and pose a crash risk, with repairs free of charge.
Ford rehired about 350 veteran engineers—including former employees and suppliers—after automated AI quality systems underperformed. The “gray beard” engineers will train younger staff and help reprogram AI tools, a move Ford says has reduced warranty/recall costs and supported its top initial-quality ranking in a JD Power survey.
Ford admits its aggressive AI-powered automation backfired, rehiring hundreds of veteran engineers to oversee quality and train the systems. The technicians lead quality reviews to catch and fix issues before parts reach the shop floor, a move that coincided with a notable quality rise in the JD Power Initial Quality Survey, though Ford says recalls on older models persist. The company plans to continue using AI, but with stronger human oversight rather than a full automation replacement.