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Ford CEO Cites 'Shocking' Tesla and China Teardowns to Refocus EV Strategy on Lower Costs

He says the findings are reshaping Ford’s manufacturing toward a leaner EV platform focused on a $30,000 midsize pickup planned for 2027.

Overview

  • Jim Farley said disassembling a Tesla Model 3 and Chinese EVs revealed design gaps that humbled him and triggered an overhaul.
  • Teardowns showed the Mustang Mach‑E used about 1.6 km more wiring than a Model 3, driving extra weight and a costlier battery.
  • Ford is retooling production with roughly $5 billion in new EV investment and a revamped Kentucky facility for future models.
  • The first vehicle on the new approach is targeted as a midsize electric pickup around $30,000, which Ford expects to launch in 2027.
  • Farley warns Chinese EV makers pose an existential threat as he projects only about 5% near‑term U.S. EV share and greater demand for affordable models.