Ford’s electric F-150 pickup truck

[JSH]

Originally Posted by freebeard

When will they be on the market? Tesla is producing castings at the Austin Gigafactory, probably to ship to Fremont while the rest of the Cybertruck line is finished.

Will the Cybertruck be shipping before SpaceX orbits a Starship?

Ford says production will start in "Spring 2022" and all 4 trims will be available from the start of production.

Tesla plans to start production at the Austin factory with the Model Y. If I'm remembering Musk's last tweet on the Cybertruck correctly he said it will start production next year.

[Vwbeamer]

Originally Posted by JSH

I was really surprised at the $40K starting price. Yes, that is a work trim aimed at contractors and fleet users but that is still much lower than I expected.

The other big news to me was the vehicle to grid capability. Ford's home charger can flow electricity both ways and the F-150 Lightening can provide 9.6 kW to the home. It can be set to automatically cycle on and off when grid power fails and then returns.

This seems like a very strong entry into the EV market and should be a sales success.

I anticipate that it will be very difficult to buy one. Matter fo fact I was thinking of doing a preorder on speculation that preorder itself might gain value.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Not a fan of the faux grill, but fragile egos need to have the appearance of conspicuous consumption. If that's what it takes for there to be an interest in EV/hybrid trucks, that's a step in the right direction.

I don't consider a more conservative approach to vehicle design as a "fragile" ego issue. You know, if some people opt for an EV as it may be a reasonable option for their operating conditions, they won't need to highlight for everyone else how "greener" they are or how morally superior they feel for going electric.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I don't consider a more conservative approach to vehicle design as a "fragile" ego issue. You know, if some people opt for an EV as it may be a reasonable option for their operating conditions, they won't need to highlight for everyone else how "greener" they are or how morally superior they feel for going electric.

I'm as off-put as anyone by those who flaunt their green piety, but I do actually think a larger than normal portion of truck drivers are buying an image rather than actual utility.

A Corolla driver isn't going to purchase it for a macho image, or to flaunt wealth, or to have the "greenest" car, or to appear fast and flashy.

Truck drivers; they are keenly aware that women are more drawn to that image. A macho grill is part of that image. I believe a significant portion of would-be F150 purchasers would opt out if the front end were more functional and less flashy.

Of course, with the F150 name, it needs to retain a certain amount of that image or there's no point in calling it that. It certainly is a conservative approach to not offend styling preference by diverging too much... which is why ditching the faux grill is my aesthetic preference and not a mainstream one.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Truck drivers; they are keenly aware that women are more drawn to that image. A macho grill is part of that image. I believe a significant portion of would-be F150 purchasers would opt out if the front end were more functional and less flashy.

Conventionally-designed trucks became out-of-budget for many commercial operators in my country, no wonder I see those car-based trucklets often being used for their commercial functionalities.

[rmay635703]

Cybertruck

https://insideevs.com/news/508335/te...mm8_ejGjbGIkfg

Ford is also very likely compliance only.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Cybertruck

https://insideevs.com/news/508335/te...mm8_ejGjbGIkfg

Ford is also very likely compliance only.

Start production and make meaningful customer delivery are 2 different things. I bet "production" has already started on the F150 and spring 2022 there will be 20,000+ actual customer deliveries. By using the regular F150 with just a slightly different grille they are way ahead on the physical truck. They just need the powertrains and then to get the assembly line modified to put it all together. Ford is used to this kind of rapid tooling turnaround.

To me it seems the Cybertruck is still in development. Let alone ready for a mass production line banging away in just a few months.

[freebeard]

Cybertruck development is likely complete. The production facility is 10x as complex, but is already casting parts. The 4860 cell is possibly a bottleneck.

This Ford.... If that grille surround is an all-ways on DRL, those will be distracting in traffic. Carbon Fiber running boards are weak sauce compared with a stainless steel exoskeleton.

[kach22i]

I don't think Tesla has ever met an introduction date, nor a production goal. Elon Musk just sets lofty ambitious goals (shoots for the stars) and sees what he can squeeze out of his people.

Ford is just looking to keep customers and prevent them from wandering off and buying stuff from the competition.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Carbon Fiber running boards are weak sauce

Running boards are just an unnecessary accessory to break off on boulders and stumps. If grandma can't get in, perhaps a pickup truck isn't what she should be getting into.

Trucks have been getting more fierce looking from the front end, and sissyfied in the rear.