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and why a domain-style system may work better for Ford’s gas and hybrid vehicles
by Andrew J. Hawkins
the company had high hopes for the mild-mannered engineer
Field would lead the charge on developing “the next-gen Blue Oval Intelligence tech stack to deliver smart
and services that improve over time through constant updates,” it said in the release
Now, as Ford grapples with stagnant EV sales and project delays
Field is wrestling with the challenge of how to enact that bold vision of the future
and satisfying software experience was Tesla
Legacy automakers like Ford could only look on with envy as Elon Musk’s company pushed out monthly over-the-air updates that amazed and delighted his many customers
Ford wanted that too, and so it hired Field to lead the effort. In addition to heading Apple’s secretive car project
Field also served as chief engineer at Tesla overseeing the Model 3’s design
Who better to turn this lumbering 121-year-old company into a cutting-edge software shop
And the automaker launched a Silicon Valley-based skunkworks project to design its next-gen EV
also known as FNV4 (for fully networked vehicle)
contributing to a $5 billion loss on EVs and software in 2024
but also a key effort to update and improve Ford’s software experience
“Stopping any engineering project for a leader like me is always hard,” he says
“You put a lot of time and effort into these things
But the world in which we started this project is not the world we live in today.”
The world that Ford lives in today is one where ICE and hybrid vehicles are selling at higher rates than the company’s electric options
It’s also one in which President Trump’s trade war is expected to jack up the costs for key automotive parts
That leaves Field with the challenge of developing software not only for the company’s EVs
12V-battery powered internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
Field says it was more cost-effective to adapt Ford’s third-generation architecture — FNV3
now rebranded as FNV3.X — to the full range of the lineup
rather than build a new platform with a more limited application
we’ve vastly expanded the number of vehicles in our portfolio that are going to get the latest infotainment systems and BlueCruise,” Field says
because it really required a lot of change to a vehicle to incorporate it.”
“Stopping any engineering project for a leader like me is always hard.”
Ford will stick with a domain-based architecture
which Field admits is “not as elegant,” but allows his team to develop software for a broader range of vehicles
a car may have dozens of ECUs to control everything from power windows to the HVAC system to the infotainment platform
a handful of primary ECUs embedded with the most important software code send out commands to the rest of the vehicle’s microprocessors
making the exact number of control units open to interpretation
And that way the company’s engineers can design a system that’s compatible with EVs like the Mustang Mach-E
all the way up to more complex ICE vehicles
like an F-150 Super Duty with uplifter modules to raise and lower snow plows
“I would care less about the number of microprocessors in my vehicle,” Field says
“If I have 50 of them and four really share in all of the major operations that we want to do for the customer
and a lot of the others have very little software and perform much more of a service function to those big ones
I’m kind of getting towards the whole point of the project.”
Field doesn’t have the luxury of developing software for a handful of cars that were built from the ground-up to be computers
complex software network that integrates codes from a variety of suppliers that Ford has worked with for decades
because “those companies do not want to become contract electronics manufacturers
They want to sell full systems.” He understands this concern
but his approach will necessitate centralizing and consolidating some of these modules under Ford’s control in order to ensure everything works harmoniously
Get that centralized and under your control
Figuring that out is more important than eliminating or replacing every microprocessor in the vehicle
sort of like how the brain sends out signals to the rest of the body
“I would care less about the number of microprocessors in my vehicle.”
“When you’re drawing something on a piece of paper
there’s a very complicated loop between your brain and your hand
it’s not doing a round trip through your brain
It’s going straight through the lizard brain and creating a reaction
There’s parts of the car that need to work that way.”
Field wants to replicate that instantaneous process for critical functions
can be centralized into a module that Ford controls
“We’ve already selected what parts of vehicle functionality that currently exist in modules we’d want to start bringing into central compute,” he added
The idea of a “software-defined vehicle” has quickly become a buzzy way to describe the auto industry’s slow-motion shift to vehicles with cellular connections that can accept over-the-air (OTA) updates to introduce new features or fix bugs in the software
The idea makes sense when you’re talking about an EV
which is essentially an always-on computer with a huge battery that sits in your driveway and waits for the latest update
the company was forced to pivot to take into consideration its millions of ICE and hybrid vehicles too
While the skunkworks team develops the next-generation vehicle that’s so crucial to Ford’s future, Field was left with the task of figuring out how to design a software delivery system for giant gas-powered trucks and commercial vans. “We can’t leave those products stranded from a digital and software perspective and just focus on EVs,” he says.
A lot of that work focuses on energy management. An EV with an 81kWh battery can passively receive a big software update without losing much energy. But that same update could drain the 12V battery in a gas-powered Ford Bronco without proper oversight.
“We have ways that we can do partial updates,” Field says. “We will do large scale downloads while the vehicle is in operation. We will monitor the battery and know when to start an OTA or when not to start an OTA.”
Being able to push software updates to tens of thousands of vehicles, regardless of powertrain, is ultimately why Ford decided to kill FNV4, which Field says was risky, but still the right move. The automaker’s sales team is happy, as are Ford’s integrated services team and its thousands of dealers. The road ahead will still be a hard one, with EV sales stalling out and a mercurial and EV-hostile administration in the White House — but Field thinks Ford can get there.
And after all, what difference does it make to the customer which type of architecture they get? “Zonal architecture is for engineers and industry analysts and other things,” he says. “It’s kind of irrelevant to the customer.”
What is relevant to the customer is an amazing software experience in a car they love, not necessarily the overall package in which it is delivered, he concludes.
“Software is supposed to be soft,” Field says, “and the industry has made it hard and made it match up to the physical boxes. So to me, like the biggest thing is, are you making your software soft, putting it where you need it to be, and not being at the whim of the legacy of where all the software sits?”
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Updating the 2025 guidance would be “challenging right now,” the carmaker says
and said it expects a tariff hit of about $1.5 billion for the year as U.S
automakers continue to grapple with economic uncertainty and some consumers shy away from big-ticket expenses
Advertised as a “shape and feel we’ve never seen before,” the aerodynamic 1986 Ford Taurus immediately appealed to the driving public
Ford sold more than 200,000 in its first year and more than a million in three
And that was a good thing because Ford was in financial straits and would have gone bankrupt without it
“It looked completely different from any American vehicle at that time,” recalled Eric Taub
author of “Taurus: The Making of the Car that Saved Ford.” “It took its inspiration from Audi sedans of that era
And it really tried to solve vehicle problems
such as elevating the rear seat slightly so rear passengers could see out the front window
The team really was dedicated to creating a world-class car.”
Introduced at the 1985 Los Angeles Auto Show
the Taurus eviscerated the boxy Granada it replaced
but it was not the first automobile shaped by the wind
the Taurus shared many styling similarities with a contemporary
An aerodynamic arms race ensued during the 1980s
as automakers chased fuel efficiency and a new style for the digital age
when auto designers sought to improve the very upright cars of the day
many of which would have been more aerodynamic going backward
Chrysler’s 1934-1937 Airflow was designed in a wind tunnel and featured flush headlamps
an arched grille and minimized running boards
Its integrated frame allowed large interiors
but it was too revolutionary to be popular
Ford made a similar effort with the 1936 Lincoln Zephyr
based on a prototype by John Tjaarda at Briggs Manufacturing
wheels spatted and doors mounted flush with the body
Gregorie and Edsel Ford with a more dignified prow
It took another half-century for America to embrace the future these cars predicted
Ford began with the 1983 “aero bird” Thunderbird and 1984 Tempo
but Taurus would omit their inset headlamps and grilles
son of Edsel and father of current Ford Chairman Bill Ford
attended a design review where the Taurus team was debating between a grille and a flush panel and oval-inset Ford logo
Ford gave the nod to the oval that became the car’s signature feature
but also in development,” said Matt Anderson
curator of transportation at The Henry Ford museum
“Taurus was created by an integrated team from the start
it listened to customers in developing the car
It was designed to be very intuitive for passengers
Even the power window buttons with raised humps were innovative.”
The driver-centric dash featured large rotary knobs for climate control and the choice of analog or digital gauges
Every touch and reach was carefully considered
Spongy seats provided long-distance comfort
Buyers chose an 88-horsepower four-cylinder engine or optional 140-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6
The high-performance SHO model debuted in 1989 with a Yamaha-built 220 horsepower V-6 and manual transmission
Quick steering and a four-wheel independent suspension swept over rough pavement and through curves
Front-wheel drive improved fuel efficiency but also improved poor-weather traction
Sci-fi style and family-friendly packaging made Taurus a star
In its starring role as the police car in “RoboCop,” the Taurus “still looks pretty futuristic,” Anderson said
“I like to think the Taurus will remain in cultural references.”
there was its role in the opening scenes of (National Lampoon’s) ‘Christmas Vacation,’” Anderson added
As Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold announced: “We’re kicking off our fun old-fashioned family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel-drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.”
a Ford Taurus wagon with wood grain paneling
and the Griswold family Christmas tree strapped to the top
The Henry Ford curators predicted the Taurus would become an icon as they added one to their collection
“Motor Trend used it in its Car of the Year tests
people are surprised to see it in the museum
It’s important to preserve daily drivers — what people were driving in this time period
Taurus became to Ford what the minivan was to Chrysler.”
the Taurus had beat the Honda Accord to become America’s best-selling car
but the oval-themed second generation that debuted for 1996 lost the lead
“The next generation Taurus was simply weird looking,” Taub said
“They took the oval approach to the extreme; everything was an oval
and they were appropriately criticized for that.”
Ford revived the Taurus in 2008 with a larger version based on Volvo architecture — ultimately an impressive car with bold styling and powerful twin-turbo V-6 — but Ford ended its final ride in 2019
For a car that lost to the competitors it once beat
what stands as its greatest contribution to Ford and the American auto industry
“That the team that created it was given the freedom to work independently from the rest of the company and that they were truly trying to create a vehicle the likes of which had never been designed before in the U.S.,” Taub said
gave confidence back to the employees that they could do great things in transportation.”
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Ford has reportedly shelved its programme to develop a next-generation in-house electronics architecture
The US carmaker had previously invested heavily in the software system internally referred to as FNV4
which was intended to serve as the 'brain' of its future smart cars
Ford is stepping back from its previously ambitious programme to create an advanced E/E architecture under the working title FNV4 (‘fully-networked vehicle’)
Company executives had consistently described the system as “pivotal to competing with electric-vehicle pioneers such as Tesla.” The reported reasons for the reversal are “ballooning costs and delays.” The FNV4 project is said to have contributed significantly to Ford’s losses in the electric vehicle and software segments
which totalled five billion US dollars in 2024
Reuters reports that the project had been a strategic priority for Ford CEO Jim Farley and his deputy Doug Field
a former Apple and Tesla executive who joined the company in 2021
the learnings from FNV4 are now expected to be incorporated into Ford’s current software platform
which is being developed by a so-called Skunkworks team within the company’s California operations
A common weakness of current automotive software systems is their fragmented nature
as they often integrate code from dozens of suppliers
This complexity makes them difficult to maintain and update
Whether Ford is now exploring a partnership
similar to Volkswagen’s collaboration with Rivian
Farley reiterated to Reuters as recently as September that the company remained firmly committed to building software-defined vehicles – not only electric cars
but also combustion engine and hybrid models
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It's been a tough start to 2025 for most automakers
with many automakers trailing the broader market
The Trump administration has made it clear that tariffs are a big agenda
regardless of the potential mayhem they could have caused the automotive industry's globalized and complex supply chain
But thankfully, investors in Ford Motor Company (F 3.98%) received good news on the tariff front
the Trump administration has tariffs on imported cars
and a 10% base tariff on goods imported from nearly every country
That's a huge problem for automakers such as Detroit's Ford and General Motors
Both have extensive supply chains that can't be changed up at the drop of a hat
and often parts will cross borders multiple times before final assembly
The little bit of good news came when the administration announced modifications to the tariffs
Now automakers importing vehicle parts will get a 15% tariff offset in the first year
and a 10% tariff offset in the second year
the 25% tariff on imported vehicles remains
and could raise the price of an imported vehicle by roughly $10,000
it's important to be aware of how much these tariffs could cost automakers
"The burden from parts tariffs will likely be de minimis for the first two years," Wolfe Research wrote to investors
Ford is expected to be one of the biggest winners due to its U.S.-centric production model
with the estimated future impact from a 25% tariff on imported vehicles to be under $1 billion
That's favorable compared to General Motors and Stellantis tariff costs
which Wolfe estimates could range closer to $2 billion to $5 billion
Already automakers have made adjustments to try to offset tariff costs and uncertainty
One example from General Motors is that the company paused the remainder of its $6 billion share buyback
The automaker noted it would finish the $2 billion accelerated repurchase portion
and then pause the remaining share repurchases
The silver lining was that GM felt confident enough in its financials that it even increased the dividend
the automaker is extending its employee-pricing-for-all discounts by more than a month to July 6
The move can cut thousands of dollars off the price of most vehicles and should provide a boost to the company's sales demand
"The campaign has resonated deeply with the public," Rob Kaffl
"Customers know Ford delivers when it counts
the program has delivered double-digit sales increases and strong expected share growth over the last month."
but it looks like the automotive industry will successfully avoid any worst-case scenarios
The relief on tariffs should be fairly manageable during the first two years
giving automakers time to adjust production strategies to further offset or avoid tariffs
For Ford investors in particular, this is big news because the tariff uncertainty at least put a dividend cut on the table as an option, and any relief on tariff impacts makes the chance of a dividend cut less likely. Ultimately, the tariff relief and continued employee pricing is just a little good news for investors in an uncertain time
Daniel Miller has positions in Ford Motor Company and General Motors. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors and Stellantis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy
*Average returns of all recommendations since inception
Cost basis and return based on previous market day close
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“Watch the Ford Maverick hybrid please,” because it seems as though the old school Wildwood tram cars are going the way of the Dodo Bird and Passenger Pigeon:
A post shared by Wildwood Boardwalk (@wildwoodboardwalk)
The video above was shared to the “Wildwood Boardwalk” Facebook and IG pages and is from Joey Contino
a digital guy who reports on a lot of Jersey shore stuff.
Otherwise, there isn’t much information out there from what I can glean. It seems as though people are seeing these trucks on the boardwalk during test runs and are posting on social and Reddit and reacting. The only story from a media outlet comes from Townsquare’s 107.3 Cat County down the shore
which says these trucks are going into service starting this Saturday
The assorted chatter makes it seem like the classic tram cars are just old as hell and difficult to service and maintenance
Hard to find parts 70 years later and all of that
but we’ll see if we can confirm that’s the main reason for the change.
My first thought is that hopefully nobody gets run over by one of these things on the boardwalk
They are compact pickups and slightly smaller than Ford Rangers
Second thought is that this won’t be well received because we are parochial creatures of habit and we don’t like change
We want Wildwood and Sea Isle and Avalon to look and feel the same way they did 30
Cars, Latest Articles
The Ford Mustang GTD just beat its own record around the Nürburgring
The most powerful Mustang ever made beat the record by five seconds
which as far as lap times go is actually a huge difference
This means the Ford Mustang GTD is still the fastest American production car to lap the ‘Ring
And now it’s made it a bit more difficult for everyone else to try and beat the record
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A Ford Mustang GTD driven by Ford factory driver Dirk Müller lapped the ‘Ring in 6:52.072
which is 5.5 seconds faster than the previous record
They enhanced the chassis rigidity and tuned the suspension
under the hood of this GTD – or any other GTD for that matter – you’ll find a 5.2-liter V8 producing 815 horsepower
is the name of a motorsport complex in Nürburg
when people talk about it they generally only refer to the Nordschleife
the section of the track that’s used by manufacturers to flex their muscles and set records
Not long ago, a German team customized a Renault Twingo to take to the famous 24-hours endurance at the Nürburgring
Experienced content creator with a strong focus on cars and watches.
Alessandro penned the first-ever post on the Supercar Blondie website and covers cars
real estate and crypto.
Former DriveTribe writer
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including notices for nearly 600,000 Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet vehicles.
Are you looking to see if any recalls were issued on your vehicle? If the car isn't listed below, owners can check USA TODAY’s automotive recall database or search NHTSA’s database for new recalls
The NHTSA website allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number
Here's what you need to know about the vehicle recalls published by NHTSA from April 28 to May 4
Chevrolet and GMC vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 engine as the engines may fail
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure, according to the recall notice
Drivers may notice some warning signs before engine failure
including a knocking or banging sound from the engine
Dealers are to inspect the engine and repair or replace the engine as necessary for free
Vehicles that pass the inspection will have services performed on them
Notification letters are to be mailed June 9
Ford Motor Company recalled certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles for potentially faulty rearview cameras and displays.
The company recalled Ford Broncos as they may have a 360-degree view camera that "may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse." A group of 2015 vehicles were pulled in a separate recall as they may have a faulty terminal header connector in their "rearview camera printed circuit board," which causes a blank or distorted image
The vehicles covered under the recalls include:
Dealers are to replace the cameras free of charge and notification letters are to be sent May 5
Polestar recalled some of its 2021-2025 Polestar 2 vehicles as they may have a rearview camera image that does not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse
The company said that there is a synchronization error between the Parking Assist Camera and the Infotainment Head Unit resulting in a "Camera is temporarily unavailable" message
Dealers are to update the vehicle software
and notification letters are expected to be mailed June 19
BUZZ vehicles as they have a third-row rear bench that is wide enough for three passengers but is designed for two passengers and equipped with two seat belts
Dealers are to install trim to adjust the width of the third-row rear seats
Notification letters are to be sent June 20
Ford’s collaboration with Hertz spans several decades and has resulted in a number of special-edition cars that have become legends in their own right. Among the most iconic is the original Ford Mustang GT350H
initially intended to be limited to just 100 units for Hertz’s rental fleet
all to help promote the Mustang to a wider audience
As it turned out, Hertz was clearly into the idea
eventually ordering almost 1,000 of these special Mustangs
one of those original GT350Hs is hitting the auction block later this month
More: Hertz Selling Its Shelby Mustang Mach-E Fleet For A Price That’ll Short-Circuit Your Wallet
Like all other 1966 GT350Hs built for Hertz
this one has an awesome black and gold paint scheme
including gold racing stripes and gold along the rocker panels
this particular GT350H was delivered to a dealer on March 17
and then prepped before it was added to the Hertz fleet
The listing makes no mention of how long the car was available as a rental
but it eventually found its way into the hands of its first private owner out of Amarillo
you may be left wondering how an almost 60-year-old ex-rental car looks this good
that’s because it has undergone a thorough rotisserie restoration and has been repainted in the original black and gold color combo
The undercarriage has also been sprayed with red oxide primer
and most of the suspension components have been replaced
Like the outside, the inside of the muscle car is immaculate. Indeed, you’d be hard-pressed to find another Mustang of this era with a cabin as immaculate as this one
The seats have been re-trimmed in black leather that shows virtually no signs of wear
The odometer reads 82,168 miles (132,236 km)
Read: Billionaire Quietly Bought Into Hertz And Sent Its Stock To The Moon
Power comes from the original 289 cubic-inch V8 engine
which cranked out a respectable 306 horsepower (likely gross instead of SAE net figures) in its prime
paired with a four-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels
it could reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in a very respectable 6.6 seconds
the sun visor is signed by none other than Carroll Shelby himself
adding a nice touch of celebrity to an already desirable ride
So, if you’ve got the cash and the inclination to own a piece of rental car history (minus the usual “well-worn” scent of stale air fresheners), you can check out this beauty for yourself. Just click over here to see the full listing at Mecum
David Ford's April ACC Player-Of-The-Month Award His 3rd This SeasonMay 2
Update 5/5/25: Ford has released an uncut video of the GTD's new record lap
So the company has taken the car back to the Green Hell and set an even quicker time: 6 minutes
Ford says it found the extra five seconds through a number of improvements to the car
a revised chassis with more torsional rigidity
a reworked ABS and traction control system
You can watch onboard footage of the full lap below
The new time means the Mustang GTD is quicker around the 'Ring than the Porsche 918 Spyder
It's also quicker than the current-generation 911 GT3
While seeing a car as big as a Mustang set such an impressive time
it's important to point out that this is no normal Mustang
The GTD is essentially a ground-up build with a Mustang body
using a rear-mounted eight-speed dual-clutch transmission
connected to the engine via a carbon fiber torque tube
uses spool-valve dampers and a pushrod and rocker arm architecture
you'll have to head to your local race track
it's crazy to think a Mustang is quicker than the mighty 918
It's a sign of just how far suspension and tire technology have come in 12 years
and the huge dedication of Ford's engineering team.
The New Jeep Compass May Not Come to the US
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It hasn’t even been two years since the Ford Fiesta was unceremoniously retired
Instead of a traditional internal combustion comeback
the new version might arrive as part of Ford’s growing collaboration with Volkswagen
a partnership that has already produced models like the Explorer EV and Capri based on VW’s platforms
Read: Ford Is Killing The Focus ST But Something Wilder Is Coming
Ford itself has not commented on the possibility of building a new entry-level electric hatchback, but Auto Express speculates that such a project is conceivable
Ford says it’s “confident in its ability to compete in the right segments,” so if it sees potential with an electric hatch
the ID.2 could be a near-ideal blueprint for a new Fiesta
The ID.2all Concept is only 0.7 inches (or 18 mm) longer than the outgoing Fiesta
Of course, Ford would have to convince VW to let it use its underpinnings, even though a new Fiesta would likely snatch sales away from the ID.2, as well as the related Cupra Raval and Skoda Epiq. Unless VW thinks it will get something from the deal, it’s hard to see why it would be open to it. Admittedly, if a new Fiesta were sold in markets where the ID.2 won’t be
that would take away the threat of it stealing sales
A skunkworks team inside the company is reportedly working on a new budget-friendly EV aimed squarely at emerging rivals like BYD
This upcoming model could start at around $25,000 and may feature a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack
which offers cost advantages and improved durability compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries
Ford appears to be quietly assembling the pieces for a more affordable EV future
and it may not be long before we see what that actually looks like
could be reborn with the help of Volkswagen
Seven generations of the Ford Fiesta graced our streets from 1976 until its tragic discontinuation in 2023
Despite once being the top-selling car in Europe
Ford discontinued production as part of a $2billion investment to upgrade their Cologne factory to the first “carbon neutral” car factory in the world
Following the roaring success of the Ford and Volkswagen partnership that gave birth to the Ford Explorer and Capri models
the classic car might be making a comeback
Volkswagen’s head of marketing and sales, Martin Sander, told Auto Express that the electric car (EV) based partnership between the two massive motor companies had been “very
He elaborated that he “did not want to rule out that there are future opportunities to share technology again.”
This statement could open the possibility of Ford-branded EV superminis, which would see a revamped Ford Fiesta with at least 280 miles of range and fast charging speeds of 125 kw.
Making use of Volkswagen’s smaller MEB platform, the tech would make the Fiesta the perfect candidate for a pocket-sized EV.
At 4,068mm long, the Fiesta has almost identical dimensions to the Volkswagen ID, which will land in dealerships in 2026.
According to Sander, the partnership “was an opportunity for (Volkswagen) to scale even more than we can, on the basis of the size of our business.”
Auto car predicts that any Fiesta will be similar in design wise to the 2023 model
blanked off front end,” aero wheels and five doors
The discontinuation of the Fiesta two years ago left an affordable family car-shaped hole in the EV market
family-friendly creations are in the works
with Ford’s California-based Skunkworks team working on a “new affordable electric vehicle platform.”
They are currently focusing on a “medium-sized pick up,” but the Ford Fiesta may be the perfect side offering for those who want a nifty mini
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Ford Motor Co. debuted a series of commercials showcasing its new 2025 vehicles that aired live on NBC and at Churchill Downs during the 2025 Kentucky Derby
As one of the signature partners and the "official horsepower" of the 2025 Kentucky Derby
Ford brings its products to hundreds of thousands of fans at Churchill Downs through its various interactive areas around the racetrack during Derby Week
I had tears in my eyes," said Kelsey Ruder
"That is what this partnership (with Churchill Downs) is about ..
and so to be able to have such an incredible footprint here at the Derby is incredible."
The commercials feature Ford plants around the U.S.
where the F-Series Super Duty truck is made alongside the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition and the luxury Lincoln Navigator
More: Ford launches new Expedition SUV in Louisville with $500 million investment. Take a look
the Derby is in your blood," the commercial
The commercial features the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition
which started shipping from the Kentucky Truck Plant on April 30
For America" that emphasized Ford's commitment to operating in America
hourly autoworkers than any other automaker," said Rob Kaffl
they’re also investing in American jobs and communities."
"The campaign has resonated deeply with the public," said Kaffl
The promotion lasts until July 4 weekend and excludes Ford Raptors
the 2025 Expedition and Navigator SUVs and Super Duty trucks
More: Louisville's Kentucky Truck Plant launches new 2025 Ford Expedition. Here's what to know
Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X
the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_
CEO Jim Farley said Wednesday that President Donald Trump's actions this week to scale back auto tariffs will ease the burden on automakers
but that the industry needs more relief to be "healthy and growing."
"We are not there yet," he said during an event at Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville marking the launch of the fifth-generation Ford Expedition full-size SUV
Farley said addressing import taxes on so many vehicle parts
resolving reciprocal tariffs and offering credits on duties for manufacturers exporting product from the United States should be priorities moving forward
Tariffs have the potential to cost automakers billions of dollars annually
have suggested they could result in prices eventually increasing for consumers
But Farley touted Ford's strong positioning: 80% of its vehicles for sale in the United States are built in its home country
He issued a veiled challenge to Ford's rivals
to match his company's level of domestic output
4 million more vehicles produced and half a million more manufacturing jobs in the United States
"We must keep working until those 15 new assembly plants are built in our country by our competitors," he said
or do we pass on the price onto the customers and the industry shrinks
because we won't have the same tariff exposure because of our localization
Trump took action on Tuesday to stop 25% duties on vehicles and certain parts from stacking on aluminum and steel tariffs
as well as general import taxes on Canada and Mexico
Vehicles and parts compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement that Trump signed in 2020 already were exempt from the Canada and Mexico tariffs
said he planned to offer the "partial tariff rebates" for about two years to companies that assemble cars in the U.S
The president said the new rebates would provide a "little bit of a flexibility."
“We give them a little bit of time before we slaughter them if they don't do this," said Trump
referring to his hope that tariffs will lead to manufacturers shifting their operations to the U.S
He additionally signed a proclamation that allows automakers manufacturing in the United States to partially offset duties on auto parts for the next two years
Ford says 75% to 80% of the content on its vehicles is from the United States or is USMCA-compliant
"There are a lot cheaper places to do business," Farley said
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration American Automobile Labeling Act report says the Wayne-built Ford Ranger has 46% U.S
The Mexico-built Mustang Mach-E has the highest North American content at 91%
Under changes Trump made to auto tariffs this week
a vehicle made in the United States with 85% U.S
"There's not a lot to be done," Farley said with respect to Ford's ability to reshore
He noted the automaker is constructing a new building for all-electric commercial van production at its Ohio Assembly Plant site and a new plant in Tennessee for electric trucks
a lot of things that are important for our national defense in our country," Farley said
"and then obviously fasteners and washers and wiring harnesses
a lot of components that come from overseas."
More: Trump offers auto, parts tariff relief as he visits Michigan
The 2025 Expedition sources 42% of its content from the United States and Canada and 22% from Mexico
That's 64% from the North American countries
suppliers in 30 states contributed to the new Expedition
That's a point of pride for workers like Charlotte Hayden
a 27-year Ford employee and vehicle quality inspector at Kentucky Truck: "As a consumer
When asked if tariffs had prompted any changes in sourcing ahead of the Expedition launch
said developing and launching a vehicle with quality "is all about maintaining stability."
Farley said the automaker is working with its thousands of suppliers
some of whom already are under financial stress
Ford on Wednesday also said it was extending its employee discount pricing program "From America
For America" for consumers through the July 4 weekend
Farley said the company has seen sales increase by double digits in April when the campaign began
Ford was at a huge disadvantage for our costs
and that was a big issue for the company," Farley said
We're trying to remind Americans where things come from."
but Farley expressed confidence in demand for the vehicle
"It's not a huge market for these very expensive SUVs," he said
As for price increases after the July 4 weekend
Farley said it'll depend on Ford's competitors and whether they opt to absorb the cost of tariffs or pass them on to consumers
Ford invested $500 million in Kentucky Truck for the launch
Retooling contributed to a 38% decrease in U.S
Expedition sales in the first three months of 2025
The fifth-generation Expedition unveiled Wednesday comes packed with a split-gate trunk
updated cockpit software and more off-road capability in a new Tremor trim to appeal to younger buyers and families
"Our mission for this vehicle and the split gate is not just to get the customers where they're going," said Micah Jones
"it was for it to be a part of the experience when they get there."
Kentucky Truck is one of Ford's largest plants
also producing the Lincoln Navigator SUV and Super Duty pickups
Ford disclosed that the plant represented about one-sixth of its annual revenues
generating approximately $25 billion each year
Farley described the plant's revenue as being more than that produced by Southwest Airlines Co
"Our country cannot afford to lose the ability to build things," he said
"When our country asked for Ford's help in world wars and pandemics
We made the tanks and the bombers and the masks and the ventilators and the shields
We even helped build for Mission Control in Houston to win the race to the moon."
On April 30, Ford CEO Jim Farley was joined by Rocky Adkins
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and workers at the Ford Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville to celebrate the launch of the new vehicle
"Kentucky makes the greatest baseball bats
raises a lot of very fast thoroughbreds ..
Kentucky's greatest contribution to America happens right here (at Kentucky Truck Plant)," Farley said
In addition to the Expedition, Lincoln, the luxury vehicle producer in the Ford portfolio, showcased its 2025 Lincoln Navigator
which is also assembled at the Kentucky Truck Plant alongside the Expedition and F-Series Super Duty trucks
More: Dramatic lighting, instrument display announce luxurious new 2025 Lincoln Navigator
"You are the horsepower of the auto industry in Kentucky
and you're showing America what's possible," Adkins said at the launch party
In anticipation of the 2025 Expedition launch
Ford invested roughly $500 million into the Kentucky Truck Plant to bring it updated equipment
Here's what we know about the new 2025 Ford Expedition SUV:
Ford is branding the launch as "From Kentucky, For America" in an effort to remind consumers during uncertain economic times that the automaker is an American company
Between the Kentucky Truck Plant and Ford's smaller Louisville Assembly Plant off Fern Valley Road
Kentucky currently represents about 20% of Ford's entire hourly workforce
the Louisville area plants assembled more than 700,000 vehicles
and we must build a strong manufacturing base in America," Farley said
adding that Ford is leading the way on revitalizing American manufacturing
at facilities like the Kentucky Truck Plant or Louisville Assembly Plant
noting "we never left America," and adding in that Ford has continued investment planned for the U.S.
including the current construction of a plant in Ohio and Tennessee
if the companies who import all the vehicles in the U.S.
treated American manufacturing like Ford," Farley said
if our competition moves forward and moves assembly production back to the U.S
that would be equivalent of producing 15 new auto plants in the U.S
In recent weeks as President Donald Trump has enacted a slew of tariffs
automakers like Ford have been caught in the crossfire
While Farley said he supports the Trump administrations mission to restore American manufacturing
he said there is still room to grow on securing "a comprehensive set of policies to support our shared vision of that healthy and growing auto industry."
"We are not there yet," Farley said in regard to trade policy
With the emphasis of Ford's latest marketing campaign
"Built for America" the company is hoping to "remind Americans where things come from matters and Ford is different," Farley said
the last time Ford launched a new vehicle out of the Kentucky Truck Plant
company officials harped on a new era of quality control standards coming into play
Ford was freshly off having seen nearly three million vehicles recalled in 2022 and surpassing $5 billion in warranty related costs in 2019
From 2023: Coming to a dealership soon: Ford ships 2023 F-Series Super Duty trucks built in Kentucky
The quality control efforts implemented at the truck plant and across town at the smaller Louisville Assembly Plant that produces the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair
impacting at least 11,000 Super Duty trucks since the 2023 model launched along with recalls facing its other Kentucky-made vehicles
But amid the ongoing effort to battle quality issues
Ford is confident its latest SUV to hit the road is a winner
"We think it's the right time to emphasize that on quality
we will never be done with quality," Farley said
told The Courier Journal quality control was a "relentless" focus for the automaker this go around
and led to the introduction of 20 new trained drivers to do tests and audits on 100% of the new vehicles and 72 new finished vehicle compliance audits to ensure vehicle features work as intended
One of the most evident areas of quality control inside the Kentucky Truck Plant is the deployment of the Mobile Artificial Intelligence Vision System
an AI technology developed by Ford that uses machines to scan vehicles in real time and identify quality issues such as electrical
More: Ford recalls more than 110,000 vehicles, including some made in Kentucky. What we know
This technology was first used at the truck plant in 2023 with only 20 machines but ahead of the Expedition launch
the company installed more than 100 machines at the plant to up its quality control for the newest SUV
"We do not want to go through the issues we have in the past
The 2025 Ford Expedition boasts a multitude of new features
some 16,000 vehicles have been produced and are making their ways to consumers across all 50 states
"Expedition is all about serving families that live big lives," said Adrian Aguirre
chief program engineer for Ford Expedition
"We know these customers and we know them because we are obsessed with finding out what will make their lives easier and their experiences better."
So much of the newest vehicle's focus is around elevating the experience for families who spend a lot of time in and around their vehicle
from camping trips to long days hauling it across town
While not a new generation vehicle redesign
the outside appearance of the vehicle has received a stylish facelift with a new take on the front grille
One of the hallmark features of the new large SUV is a power tailgate split into independently opening upper and power sections to create a variety of new features
The three-row SUV which can seat up to eight people also features a "squircle" shaped steering wheel to make room for a newly revamped interior
The manufacturer suggested retail price for the most basic version of the vehicle starts at $62,000 and goes up to a starting price of $86,655 for the Expedition Max King Ranch model
There are seven models of the vehicle available
Here are 15 additional new features on the 2025 Ford Expedition:
Note: This list is not inclusive of all features for all models of the 2025 Ford Expedition
said it is getting closer to offering car buyers more affordable and longer-range electric vehicles thanks to a breakthrough it made in battery technology
Ford's director of electrified propulsion engineering
on April 23 announced that the Dearborn-based automaker plans
to offer lower-priced EVs that can travel farther on a single charge thanks to its work on new battery cell chemistry
"Today marks a pivotal moment in Ford's electrification journey and for the future of electric vehicles," Poon wrote in his LinkedIn post
"After intense research and development at our state-of-the-art Battery Center of Excellence
I'm thrilled to share that the Ford team is delivering a game-changing battery chemistry: Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR)
We're actively working to scale LMR cell chemistry and integrate them into our future vehicle lineup within this decade."
Poon said the Ford team is already producing its second generation of LMR cells at its pilot line
But experts said lithium manganese batteries aren’t new
The first-generation Chevrolet Volt used cells with manganese spinel cathodes
vice president of market research at Telemetry Insights
He said spinel refers to a specific type of 3D molecular structure
Tariffs shake the auto industry: Ford stops shipping Michigan-built vehicles to China due to soaring tariffs
There are other battery formulations as well, Abuelsamid said, explaining that Our Next Energy
is developing manganese cells and the Gemini hybrid battery pack
Gemini as an architecture designed to double the range of EVs by using two cells: a lithium iron phosphate cell for daily driving and an anode-free cell for longer trips
"The big advantage of manganese is that it’s plentiful
cheap and very stable (it doesn’t readily experience thermal runaway the way nickel chemistries do)," Abuelsamid told the Free Press in an email
"At least some varieties of manganese cells don’t last as long
Ford spokeswoman Emma Bergg clarified to the Free Press that while LMR has been researched by many companies
the technology poses challenges with voltage decay and gas generation
What is unique about the Ford LMR development is that the automaker is directly addressing these issues while "not sacrificing energy density," Bergg wrote in an email
Abuelsamid said manganese cells have had a short charge cycle life
and Ford’s comments imply that they may have found a way to address this
Sam Fiorani thought the clarification suggested progress more than a breakthrough
"'Directly addressing' does not sound like they’ve 'found a solution,' but rather getting better and working toward an eventual produceable solution," Fiorani
vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions
Poon said Ford's LMR battery technology has the potential to make a "step change," by giving its EVs enhanced safety and stability comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries as well as a higher energy density than even high-nickel batteries
which provide longer range on a single charge
Poon said Ford is also targeting a significantly lower cost than current mid-nickel batteries
Batteries represent at least a third of the cost of an EV
and Ford believes lowering prices on EVs is key to achieving true cost parity with gasoline-powered vehicles
"Ford started by offering nickel cobalt manganese batteries and later added lithium iron phosphate batteries in 2023," Poon wrote
But battery technology for EVs is in its infancy compared with the development of internal combustion engines
"There will be many improvements over the coming years and decades as the automotive industry is finally focusing on this technology," Fiorani said
cannot be overlooked because they show promise in getting EVs positioned as a practical replacement for gasoline-powered vehicles
But he exercises caution without further details from Ford
"Like all of the reported breakthroughs over the last few years
LMR has its shortcomings and isn’t likely the panacea we’re looking for at this point," Fiorani said
"Getting over the problems with voltage decay and short charge-cycle life are huge hurdles to jump."
Ford's current all-electric lineup includes: Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning pickup and the E-Transit van. In the first quarter, Ford reported it sold 22,550 all-electric vehicles
an 11.5% increase from the year-ago period
Ford Chair Bill Ford has long advocated for greater EV affordability. At the Detroit Auto Show in January, Bill Ford said that the company is working hard on making EVs more affordable because EV affordability will be "the catalyst for much wider adoption."
Ford's news comes after the New York Times reported on Monday that China's CATL — the biggest supplier of batteries for the world’s EVs — said it had made technological advances that would allow it to make batteries that are cheaper
faster to recharge and more resistant to cold — all while providing greater driving range
CATL said most of the changes will not be widely available in new EVs for a couple of years
but its new system would allow a driver to charge an EV in five minutes with enough juice to drive 320 miles
Wall Street autos analyst David Whiston with Morningstar told the Free Press that Ford's announced battery cell technology advancements might eliminate or reduce the need for cobalt
an expensive mineral often mined with child labor
Whiston admitted he is not an expert on battery chemistry
but said LMR batteries use more abundant elements rather than cobalt for the cathode
Ford reported on May 1 that it sold 208,675 new vehicles in April
although sales of the all-electric F-150 Lightning
sales for 2025 are up 3.2% to 709,966 vehicles sold
which accounted for nearly half of the company's total sales
Ford said it sold a total of 116,955 trucks
Ford reported that total sales of its F-Series pickups surged 13% to 72,765 trucks sold
A Ford spokesman said the company only provides figures for total sales
Sales of the Ranger small pickup rose 62% to 7,006 sold for the month
First look at a beast: Ford's new F-Series Platinum Plus Super Duty truck offers a unique ownership experience
"We’re seeing double digit sales increases since March and April and we ran this employee pricing," Farley told CNN host Erin Burnett on April 30
"There may be a lot of customers going out and buying cars before what they fear is the import tariffs increasing prices
We’re certainly seeing our inventories are shrinking at the dealerships."
General Motors also said it had a strong April despite low incentives and tight inventory
The automaker does not typically report monthly sales
but GM spokesman Jim Cain told the Detroit Free Press that GM's U.S
sales rose 20% to 267,051 vehicles delivered
Cain said GM sold 82,537 full-sized Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups in April
Ford did see sales dips in its all-electric vehicles
The F-150 Lightning sales plummeted by 17% to 1,740 sold in April
Sales of the E-Transit also tumbled in April by 81% to 192 sold
Ford spokesman Said Deep said in a statement that 2025 model year changeover for Lightning and Mach-E
as well as low inventory during the changeover
led to sales for both vehicles declining in April
Sales of the Mach-E were down 40% to 2,927 in April
Year-to-date sales are about flat at 14,534
Deep said that going into April Mach-E and F-150 Lightning were operating nationwide on nine and 19 dealer days’ supply
The industry considers a 60-day supply to be normal
"With ‘25 (model year) vehicle now hitting dealer lots as we progressed through April
we are well positioned for a strong May sales month for both electric vehicles," Deep said in the statement
Ford's total SUV sales for the month increased 10% to 75,183 sold
Ford reported a gain of 9% to 20,989 Explorers sold
Ford brand sales rose 15% in the month to 197,060 vehicles sold
saw a 40% gain in sales in April to 11,615 total vehicles sold
led by sales of midsize SUVs: Nautilus and Aviator
Farley told CNN that the sales offer optimism in the year ahead despite the uncertainty around tariffs
"Maybe we’re in the first or second inning of a nine-inning game
the revenue has been pretty strong," Farley said
"We report earnings next week and you’ll see that as a trend."
A week ago, it was the drafting of not one, but two running backs: Ohio State's Quinson Judkins and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson
it's a revised contract by fourth-year running back Jerome Ford that significantly reduces his salary
Ford reduced his salaray from $3.486 million to $1.75 million
a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal
The contract change was initially posted on OverTheCap.com
The new contract replaced the proven production escalator in his original rookie contract
The PPE is a non-negotiable provision in a rookie contract that raises the base salary in the fourth year if they hit certain performance benchmarks
it likely eliminates the need for another player at the position
unless he were to be traded between now and the time Chubb signs elsewhere
is on the final year of his rookie deal with a $1.1 million cap hit
General manager Andrew Berry said after the draft the two running backs selected in the draft didn't necessarily signal the end of Chubb's time in Cleveland
but the complexion of our running back room has changed this weekend," Berry said on April 26
as we work through the undrafted free agency process
we’ll reassess kind of where the roster is and what opportunities are available to us on the veteran market
became the replacement for Chubb after he sustained his 2023 knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers
The 2022 fifth-round pick ran for 1,378 combined yards on 308 carries with seven touchdowns over the last two seasons
has ended the last two seasons on injured reserve
After missing the final 15 regular-season games in 2023
rushing for 332 yards and three touchdowns on 102 carries over eight games
before suffering a broken foot in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs
The 2018 second-round pick is the franchise's No
3 all-time rusher behind Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly with 6,843 yards
The four-time Pro Bowler told the Beacon Journal in February he was hopeful to return to Cleveland
the city of Cleveland means lot," Chubb said in a Feb
the fans and just the people around the city
But always a special place to me in my heart
I loved it here and it will always be home
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com
Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns
A look at Ford’s most recent sales results does not paint a pretty picture for the automaker
Ford managed to sell 4,859 EVs across the country
This represents a massive 39.4% decline from the 8,014 units it sold in April last year
Ford’s total EV sales for the first four months of 2025 are also down 2.9% from last year
And that’s with Ford extending its popular Employee Pricing discounts for all
Read: Ford Chief Says China Leads US By 10 Years In EV Batteries, Needs Their IP
A dramatic drop in demand for the Mustang Mach-E is the main reason why Ford’s sales collapsed last month
representing a 40.2% decline from the 4,893 sold in April 2024
sales are up by 0.4% year to date with 14,534 sales
Sales of the F-150 Lightning have also dropped
Year-to-date sales are also down 9.2% to 8,927
The E-Transits also had a very bad month with just 192 sales
Ford’s hybrids are actually gaining ground
the company’s total vehicle sales rose 16.2% compared to the same month in 2024
reaching 208,675 units versus 179,588 last year
With the exception of EVs
Ford’s overall sales are up through the first four months of the year
despite the turmoil that the whole industry is facing since the introduction of Trump’s tariffs
or 3.2% more than the 687,671 it delivered in 2024
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Ford Motor Company F shares are trading lower Monday ahead of the automaker’s first-quarter earnings report scheduled for release after the market close
What To Know: The decline in Ford’s share price comes amid lowered analyst expectations
with consensus estimates calling for earnings of just 2 cents per share
down significantly from 49 cents per share a year earlier
with projections at $36.2 billion versus $39.89 billion in the comparable quarter last year
Reports from last week suggesting that Ford has halted the development of an advanced electrical architecture appears to be adding to investor caution
a move that could hinder its ability to compete with Tesla and other EV leaders in the long term
the automaker recently reported a 16% increase in April sales
Check This Out: Jim Farley Says Ford Sales Grew 16% In April Ahead Of Earnings Call: ‘Customers have really responded to our…’
Ford will report first-quarter results after the market close on Monday
where investors will look for clarity on cost-cutting measures
EV strategy updates and any adjustments to full-year guidance
The results and management commentary will likely dictate the next move in Ford's stock
which has remained volatile amid mixed performance indicators
F Price Action: Ford shares are down approximately 18.5% over the past year heading into Monday’s quarterly results. The auto stock was down 1.02% at $10.18 at the time of publication Monday, according to Benzinga Pro.
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SHARONVILLE, Ohio – Ford Motor will showcase its U.S. manufacturing might this week as it celebrates a “refresh” of two of its most popular vehicles, built with transmissions made in suburban Cincinnati
Ford recently took an Enquirer reporter and photographer on a tour of the plant in Sharonville
which operates 24 hours a day and employs 2,000 – one quarter of Ford’s 7,800 manufacturing employees across Ohio
Its roof covers enough space to hold 42 football fields
"Ford welcomes and appreciates these decisions by President Trump
which will help mitigate the impact of tariffs on automakers
suppliers and consumers," Ford CEO Jim Farley said in a statement
"We will continue to work closely with the administration in support of the president’s vision for a healthy and growing auto industry in America."
Ford disclosures say higher tariffs could make its vehicles more expensive and disrupt a supply chain for the company that operates multiple factories in China
This week, Ford will use the refresh to showcase the 12,000 Ford jobs at its two assembly plants in Louisville
but will also make a nod to its network of facilities providing critical parts and support
including four in Ohio: an assembly plant in Avon Lake; engine factories in Cleveland and Lima; and its Sharonville transmission plant
just 17 miles from downtown Cincinnati and within the I-275 loop
the hulking 2.4 million-square-foot facility (twice the size of the Kenwood Towne Centre shopping mall) produces 3,500 transmissions a day that power some of Ford’s most popular vehicles: the F-150 pickup
the F-250 pickup and the F-Series Super-Duty pickups
hundreds of employees work each of its three shifts a day
but they are spread out throughout the sprawling facility that smells like metal and is abuzz with the constant operation of machinery
Clusters of workers are seen at various stations along assembly lines that are also equiped with robots for heavy lifting (a transmission weighs more than 200 pounds)
One out of eight of Ohio’s 688,000 manufacturing jobs are in the auto industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The state employs 85,000 auto workers with most
making auto parts for assembly in Michigan or elsewhere
“Ford’s results and operations could be adversely affected,” the company wrote in its “risk factors” section, adding that tariffs imposed by the U.S. or other countries could “disrupt existing supply chains, impose additional costs … (and) make our products more expensive for customers and … less competitive.”
The auto manufacturer added Trump’s tariff increases on imports from Canada, Mexico and China “should they be implemented and sustained for an extended period of time, would have a significant adverse effect.”
The automaker seems to announce a new recall every week—we've assembled a list to help you keep track
Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account
in hopes to correct any possible problems before they became actual recalls (seems like that should be standard practice
Lincoln) has already surpassed last year’s number of recalls at the halfway mark of the year—you’ll note that we aren’t even at the halfway point of 2025 yet
ones the company is re-issuing to fix issues that weren’t corrected properly the first time
but at least many of the recalls are of older models
and not of vehicles built following those aforementioned delayed deliveries and additional quality checks
Remove Vehicle 2025 Ford Escape 2025 Ford Escape 3.90
"max_msrp": "69135.00"}'class=find-card__content--square data-evt=click data-evt-typ=car_card_click href=/ford/explorer/> 2025 Ford Explorer 2025 Ford Explorer 3.80
"max_msrp": "85500.00"}'class=find-card__content--square data-evt=click data-evt-typ=car_card_click href=/ford/transit-passenger-van/> 2025 Ford Transit Passenger Van 2025 Ford Transit Passenger Van MSRP $69,300 to $85,500
"max_msrp": "78420.00"}'class=find-card__content--square data-evt=click data-evt-typ=car_card_click href=/ford/ranger/> 2025 Ford Ranger 2025 Ford Ranger MSRP $42,070 to $78,420
Remove Vehicle NEXTArticle contentHere’s a list of all the most recent Ford recalls (listed by dates published on Driving) from 2025; click the links to read more about the specific recall details
*Note: This is a recall of a previous recall
Ford re-recalled two examples of the 2022 Maverick in the U.S
over a possible loss of power due to a low battery charge going undetected
Get your instant cash offer in under 2 minutes
*Note: This is an expansion of a previous recall
*Note: This is a recall replaces a previous recall
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Ford's stock (NYSE: F) has had plenty to deal with in recent months; as strategic investments
and critical financial milestones all come into focus
With Q1 2025 earnings due today after the closing bell
we can expect plenty of eyeballs in the coming days
What are markets expecting out of Ford for the quarter
analysts project earnings per share (EPS) of $0.02
a sharp decline from the prior year’s $0.49
alongside a 10% revenue drop to $35.8 billion
This low bar reflects broader market skepticism tied to macroeconomic uncertainties
including fluctuating trade policies and inflationary pressures
The company’s ability to surpass these subdued expectations hinges on its Ford+ growth strategy
and traditional ICE/hybrid vehicles (Ford Blue)
CEO Jim Farley’s commentary during the earnings call will likely address progress in these segments
particularly the $1 billion in targeted cost savings and the performance of Ford Pro
Management’s full-year guidance underscores ongoing challenges
with adjusted EBIT projected at $7.0–$8.5 billion and free cash flow expected to shrink to $3.5–$4.5 billion
The Model e division alone is forecast to lose $5.0–$5.5 billion in 2025
reflecting the steep costs of Ford’s electrification push
Despite declining financials, and a 26% stock decline over the past year, Ford’s dividend yield remains a standout feature. Back in the $10 range that has proved a comfort zone over the past year, the YTD gain of 6.53% reflects an outperformance on broader markets, with the S&P 500 3.1% down on the period
with a trailing yield of 6.5% when including special dividends
Ford's stock trades at a P/E ratio of 7 and a price/sales ratio of 0.24
Ford’s enterprise value reflects substantial debt
and its interest coverage ratio of 2.53 lags behind peers like Volkswagen (39.74) and Stellantis (10.00)
These metrics highlight the delicate balance between leveraging growth initiatives and maintaining financial stability
Technical indicators present a mixed picture
The 50-day SMA ($9.73) and 200-day SMA ($10.39) suggest near-term consolidation
while an RSI of 75.09 signals overbought conditions
the stock’s resilience amid tariff-related volatility hints at somewhat of a price floor
Analysts at Bank of America argue that Ford’s valuation already prices in macroeconomic risks
leaving room for upside if earnings surprise
May 2024 marked Ford’s third-best EV sales month on record
This surge underscores growing consumer acceptance of Ford’s electrified lineup
The European variant now features a standard heat pump for improved cold-weather efficiency
These enhancements align with Ford’s broader push to refine EV offerings amid slowing industry-wide adoption rates
Ford’s $500 million investment in its Kentucky Truck Plant
The facility will produce the 2025 Expedition SUV
part of Ford’s “Built for America” campaign
This initiative not only supports local employment but also positions Ford to capitalize on shifting trade dynamics
The appointment of Sherry House as CFO in March 2025 has injected fresh optimism into Ford’s strategic direction
House’s emphasis on capital allocation and cost discipline aligns with the company’s goal of achieving EBIT margins of 7-8% by mid-decade
Ford’s decision to separate its ICE (Ford Blue) and EV (Model e) divisions aims to streamline operations and attract sector-specific investors
Ford’s near-term trajectory will be defined by its ability to deliver on cost-saving initiatives
navigate regulatory headwinds such as new tariffs on Chinese EV components
The Ford Pro commercial division remains a bright spot
driven by growth in SaaS and fleet management services
but rising interest rates and macroeconomic uncertainty could temper demand in the latter half of 2025
While technical indicators suggest the potential for a short-term rally
the fundamental challenges warrant a cautious approach
The Q1 earnings call will be a crucial barometer for management’s ability to restore confidence and chart a sustainable path forward
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Momentum35.97Growth78.40Quality-Value90.31Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewFord Motor Company F will release earnings results for the first quarter, after the closing bell on Monday, May 5
Analysts expect the Dearborn, Michigan-based company to report quarterly earnings at 2 cents per share, down from 49 cents per share in the year-ago period. Ford projects to report quarterly revenue at $35.79 billion, compared to $39.89 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro
Ford Motor has reportedly terminated the development of an advanced electrical architecture that powers modern EVs from the likes of Tesla Inc
Ford shares gained 1% to close at $10.28 on Friday
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.
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Momentum35.97Growth78.40Quality-Value90.31Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs© 2025 Benzinga.com
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks at a press conference as members of his cabinet watch
Ontario's premier is seeking Prime Minister Mark Carney's support for his idea to build a tunnel under Highway 401
Ontario’s premier is seeking Prime Minister Mark Carney’s support for his idea to build a tunnel under Highway 401
TORONTO - Ontario Premier Doug Ford is seeking Prime Minister Mark Carney’s support for his idea to build a tunnel under Highway 401
Ford sent the prime minister a letter Monday setting out a series of Ontario priorities that he hopes Carney will address
building an electric-vehicle supply chain and enacting bail reforms
Carney asked them to identify “nation-building projects.” Ford’s letter sets out his list of areas he wants the federal government to prioritize “that would be transformational for Canada’s economy.”
Those include Ring of Fire critical mineral deposits in northern Ontario
both large-scale nuclear energy generation and small modular reactors
GO passenger train service and a new James Bay deep-sea port
But the “nation-building” project drawing the most attention is a driver and transit tunnel expressway under Highway 401
”(It would) significantly ease congestion on the busiest highway in North America
helping to improve our economic competitiveness by getting goods and services to market sooner,” Ford wrote
Carney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment
but provincial opposition party leaders scoffed
“Oh my goodness,” NDP Leader Marit Stiles said
Doug Ford is prioritizing his fantasy tunnel.”
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said she isn’t sure that the tunnel would be on Carney’s list of priorities
the cost of that tunnel could bankrupt this province,” she said
that will not address traffic gridlock or congestion today
who knows if we’re even driving vehicles or there will be alternative methods.”
The Ford government is seeking proposals for a feasibility study for the tunnel
but the premier has pledged to get it built no matter what
The request for proposals asks for the study to determine the feasibility of a tunnel and several other options including an elevated highway
The request says the study should assess the tunnel on a long-term horizon
the province is also seeking a review of best practices from similar projects
including a proposed four-lane traffic tunnel in downtown Ottawa that never moved forward
That feasibility study cost $750,000 and found that a 3.4-kilometre tunnel across downtown Ottawa would cost upwards of $2 billion in 2016 dollars
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria dismissed the naysayers
when we released our plan on $70 billion for public transit
I think a lot of people doubted that we could get shovels in the ground,” he said
“We’ve got shovels in the ground on those and look
and we need solutions for the future.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5
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recorded a 16% increase year-over-year in U.S
attributing the growth to its "From America
For America" employee discount pricing campaign
On the day President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on imported vehicles into the United States took effect in early April, Ford announced it was offering employee "A plan" pricing to its customers, offering savings of roughly $2,000 to $10,000 per vehicle on most of its lineup. That campaign, which Ford said this week will run through the July 4 weekend
sought to offer customers facing confusion and uncertainty from tariffs some clarity and confidence
That perhaps means mission accomplished: With dealer digital services provider Cox Automotive Inc
projecting 4.6% year-over-year sales growth for the industry
Ford cited the model-year changeover for the F-150 Lightning that was down 17% and the Mustang Mach-E that was down 40%
causing their days of supply to fall to 19 and 9 days
The 2025 model year vehicles now are hitting dealer lots
offering to pay for a Level 2 home EV charger for EV buyers and its standard installation through the July 4 weekend
The E-Transit commercial van also fell 82%
Ford pickups had their best April sales results in 25 years
Maverick small truck sales hit a sales record
with the Transit commercial van down less than 1%
More: Ford CEO Farley says industry needs more tariff help, urges rivals to build U.S. plants
had its best April since 2004 with sales up 41% from last year
Lincoln had its best April since 2007 with sales up 40%