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All-Electric Ford F-150 Will Be Called Lightning, Debuts May 19
- Thread starter redriderbob
- Start date
patfromigh
Well-known member
Chevrolet is close behind Ford for their introduction of a battery electric truck. Unlike the super expensive Hummer EV, the Ford and Chevy BE pickups aim to be more affordable, industrial, and fleet friendly. They will be trucks first, and not toys.
Ram better have something cooking because the TRX may end up being the poster child for stupid corporate decisions. The media loves scapegoats, and the petrol fueled Hummer was such a pariah in 2009. Don't get me wrong, if the TRX start collecting dust on dealer's backlots with huge discounts, I might consider one.
Ram better have something cooking because the TRX may end up being the poster child for stupid corporate decisions. The media loves scapegoats, and the petrol fueled Hummer was such a pariah in 2009. Don't get me wrong, if the TRX start collecting dust on dealer's backlots with huge discounts, I might consider one.
patfromigh
Well-known member
The commercial, base level trim of the F-150 Lightning has a a starting price a hair under 40 Grand. The introduction video offered no other details on the base model, but showed the features of the consumer trim levels which begin at around $53,000 USD. The Ford video plays a shell game of showing a lot of higher price options and trim levels, but not revealing any prices except the base trim without options. The TFL Truck video filled in the gaps.
The Ford Motor Company puts on a good show. But, will they deliver? Their conventionally powered trucks are stacked up in lots waiting for microchips. Where is this vast nationwide network of charging stations Ford says they have?
For many people their reality is whatever they see on a screen. So this pre-production F-150 Lightning and the claims made on the video are real. I'm sure the real thing, when it arrives, will be great. I also suspect the affordable units will be few and far between.
This still doesn't let the Ram Truck people off the hook. They are beginning to resemble a dinosaur brand, much like the old Chrysler Corporation in the Autumn of 1973.
The Ford Motor Company puts on a good show. But, will they deliver? Their conventionally powered trucks are stacked up in lots waiting for microchips. Where is this vast nationwide network of charging stations Ford says they have?
For many people their reality is whatever they see on a screen. So this pre-production F-150 Lightning and the claims made on the video are real. I'm sure the real thing, when it arrives, will be great. I also suspect the affordable units will be few and far between.
This still doesn't let the Ram Truck people off the hook. They are beginning to resemble a dinosaur brand, much like the old Chrysler Corporation in the Autumn of 1973.
Do one need to jump on the bandwagon of the latest trend? or shall you wait and evaluate?
I'm not saying Stellantis shouldn't offer BEV vehicles, I'm just saying we should not bash them for not being the first in every new trend.
I'm not saying Stellantis shouldn't offer BEV vehicles, I'm just saying we should not bash them for not being the first in every new trend.
patfromigh
Well-known member
Unlike consumer focused vehicles, electrified trucks are important to have in today's market. There is a looming government mandate in which federal fleet vehicles purchased will be electric. Private fleets are demanding battery electric vehicles as well, and Stellantis is currently working with some of these fleets. Fiat has a BE Ducato in Europe, Chrysler has a PHEV option for the Pacifica, but none of this has yet translated into something more substantial on our shores.
Battery electric vehicles are not new. Ever since diesel fuel rose to $4 per gallon fifteen years ago, commercial fleets have been looking for alternatives. FCA took the lead offering natural gas pickups and pursuing plugin hybrid technology. The current battery electric vehicle trend isn't a trend, it's a media driven frenzy. Natural gas is being demonized by the media and here in the US by both political parties. BEVs are becoming a panacea with little evidence to support any idea that battery electric technology by itself will solve all our energy and environmental challenges.
That said, battery electric technology is an important piece of the puzzle. Ford and the other Ram competitors have announced their future products. The Ram Truck brand parties on with products like it's 1999 with the TRX. The Ram 1500 TRX and the Ford F-150 Lightning both have one thing in common. They are image vehicles. Which image will have a better public reception?
Battery electric vehicles are not new. Ever since diesel fuel rose to $4 per gallon fifteen years ago, commercial fleets have been looking for alternatives. FCA took the lead offering natural gas pickups and pursuing plugin hybrid technology. The current battery electric vehicle trend isn't a trend, it's a media driven frenzy. Natural gas is being demonized by the media and here in the US by both political parties. BEVs are becoming a panacea with little evidence to support any idea that battery electric technology by itself will solve all our energy and environmental challenges.
That said, battery electric technology is an important piece of the puzzle. Ford and the other Ram competitors have announced their future products. The Ram Truck brand parties on with products like it's 1999 with the TRX. The Ram 1500 TRX and the Ford F-150 Lightning both have one thing in common. They are image vehicles. Which image will have a better public reception?
Deckard Cain
Well-known member
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Ford is turning up the heat on Tesla. Just as VW and many others have been doing in Europe.
Now that traditional auto is starting to wake up to the future Tesla will have a much tougher time. This F150 is much nicer than the hideous Cybertruck. And more accessible than the Rivian.
I wasn't expecting something as good as this. Hopefully, this will bring more attention for the necessity of drastically needing to increase the number of rapid charging stations.
I believe the entry level model will be a great commercial vehicle. The higher trim options will be life changing for normal consumers. The Vehicle to grid capability is incredible, and I believe lots of texans will love that after they were seriously exposed to the flaws of their power grid.
RAM needs to bring something to the market as well. Ideally no longer than 6 months after the F150 Lightning.
Now that traditional auto is starting to wake up to the future Tesla will have a much tougher time. This F150 is much nicer than the hideous Cybertruck. And more accessible than the Rivian.
I wasn't expecting something as good as this. Hopefully, this will bring more attention for the necessity of drastically needing to increase the number of rapid charging stations.
I believe the entry level model will be a great commercial vehicle. The higher trim options will be life changing for normal consumers. The Vehicle to grid capability is incredible, and I believe lots of texans will love that after they were seriously exposed to the flaws of their power grid.
RAM needs to bring something to the market as well. Ideally no longer than 6 months after the F150 Lightning.
patfromigh
Well-known member
Before Sergio ever set foot in Auburn Hills, the old Chrysler Corporation was designing and testing battery electrics and hybrids. All this cost money and Daimler pulled the plug on most of the research. Dodge and Chrysler eventually marketed the "Hemi-Hybrid" SUVs just before Fiat stepped in. There was also supposed to be a Ram 1500 with the Hemi-hybrid setup, but it was killed at the last moment. From that canceled pickup truck came the PHEV Ram truck research program. All these rear drive hybrids used GM supplied transmissions and GM was severely price gouging Chrysler and Ram. FCA went with ZF as a supplier for the 8-speed automatics and now ZF also supplies the hybrid transmission for the Wrangler PHEV. Unless Stelantis has cancelled the program, the next rear drive based plugin hybrids for rear drive based Jeep (and hopefully Ram} vehicles will use a next generation transmission. ZF is expanding their production capacity in North America for some of this hybrid technology.
ZF also markets battery power only drivetrain technology. Many other potential vendors offer this technology as well. What the Stellantis business units in North America need to do right away is study what the Europeans are doing in Sevel Sud by building gliders for outside electric drivetrain installation. This can be applied to pickup trucks as well as LCVs. Jeep in Toledo has proven that plugin electric drivetrain installation can be smoothly integrated into the production process. The sales percentages don't seem to be there for BE vehicles, unlike hybrids.
ZF also markets battery power only drivetrain technology. Many other potential vendors offer this technology as well. What the Stellantis business units in North America need to do right away is study what the Europeans are doing in Sevel Sud by building gliders for outside electric drivetrain installation. This can be applied to pickup trucks as well as LCVs. Jeep in Toledo has proven that plugin electric drivetrain installation can be smoothly integrated into the production process. The sales percentages don't seem to be there for BE vehicles, unlike hybrids.