DETROIT — The Mustang Mach-E might mark a change in the best way Ford Motor Co. designs and builds new automobiles.
The upcoming electrical crossover’s over-the-air replace functionality permits Ford to repeatedly make enhancements and transfer away from the normal methodology of redesigning a car each 5 – 6 years and sprinkling a extra modest freshening in between. It is a technique popularized by Tesla Inc., which hasn’t considerably modified the sheet metallic or powertrains of a few of its older electrical automobiles since they have been launched however has boosted efficiency and battery vary by means of common software program upgrades.
“It provides us that optionality,” Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s product improvement and buying boss, mentioned in an interview final month. “I feel we now have the flexibility to make the car bodily higher for the client with these OTA updates, and that is one thing that is game-changing when it comes to the enterprise mannequin.”
Thai-Tang admitted midcycle freshenings typically are only a “vogue assertion,” with slight beauty tweaks or a compliance-driven regulatory enchancment to the engine.
The Mach-E will not essentially want such conventional upgrades.
Even earlier than deliveries start this month, Ford has plans to enhance it. CEO Jim Farley mentioned final week on an episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” that, roughly six months after launch, Ford will push out a software program replace that prompts an non-compulsory hands-free driver-assist system.
Future software program upgrades might turn into added income streams for the automaker, as will subscriptions for its charging community out there by means of the FordPass app.
These income streams will assist the Mach-E be worthwhile from the second it launches.
Ford is also helped by the car’s versatile electrical structure. Whereas Thai-Tang mentioned the Mach-E can have little in widespread with the upcoming F-150 EV or E-Transit van, Ford plans to unfold the funding over a number of applications and add a second EV on the Mexico plant the place the Mach-E is constructed.
He additionally famous that Ford’s reliance on suppliers for batteries has helped it keep away from further prices.
“Our technique on how we’re approaching the worth chain for battery-electric automobiles, on this early part of leveraging aggressive rigidity from a number of suppliers to drive that price down, has been very useful,” Thai-Tang mentioned.
Farley has mentioned Ford is discussing building its own battery cells, however that possible would not occur for years, till EVs are extra standard.
“I feel the transition will nonetheless play out over many years,” Thai-Tang mentioned.
“In lots of markets, many segments, clients nonetheless want that vary. However we’re considering by means of that transition. We’re very bullish on electrification.”
It was essential, he mentioned, that the automaker launch the primary of a brand new wave of EVs with the Ford model and never on a higher-priced Lincoln.
In distinction, Normal Motors has designated its Cadillac luxurious model to prepared the ground with EVs, except for the Chevrolet Bolt, and the GMC Hummer coming subsequent yr will price greater than $112,000 at launch.
“The issue with that strategy is excessive worth level usually means decrease volumes,” Thai-Tang mentioned. “Let’s not do a $100,000 tremendous truck and promote it to 1,000 individuals. Let’s get it out to lots of people and polish the model and reinforce the attributes clients love essentially the most with these icons.”
The Mach-E’s Mustang DNA is clear, with not-so-subtle design components together with a pony emblem on the entrance and tri-bar taillights that blink sequentially.
“Externally, we wish it to be a Mustang,” Thai-Tang mentioned. “However contained in the car, in addition to the know-how and drive expertise, we wish it to be all concerning the future.”
The Mach-E will include the newest iteration of Ford’s infotainment system, referred to as Sync 4A, that permits homeowners to customise their driver profile or seek for out there charging stations, amongst different options. Homeowners do not even want a key fob to entry the car; these capabilities can now be carried out with their smartphone, though sellers will nonetheless give out a fob upon request.
Whereas the inside is just like that of the Tesla Mannequin Y, together with having a big middle display screen, Ford added a few particular, acquainted options based mostly on early buyer suggestions.
They embrace a physical knob bonded instantly on the middle contact display screen to manage quantity and a digital cluster above the steering wheel that shows key stats resembling battery vary or velocity.
“I did not need to do a science truthful challenge,” Thai-Tang mentioned. “We did not need this to be a spaceship. However we needed it to be a really trendy, superior future expertise.”