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3d ago

Ford Ends Ambitious FNV4 Software Project After Cost Overruns and Delays

The automaker will integrate lessons from the canceled initiative into existing systems and focus on advancing software innovation through a specialized California-based team.

A banner for the all-new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck is seen outside the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S., April 26, 2022. REUTERS/ Rebecca Cook/File Photo
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Overview

  • Ford has officially terminated its FNV4 program, which aimed to develop a unified electrical architecture for electric and combustion vehicles.
  • The decision follows escalating costs and persistent delays that contributed to $4.7 billion in losses in 2023 and $5 billion in 2024 for the company's software and EV divisions.
  • FNV4 was envisioned as a zonal system to streamline vehicle software, enable faster over-the-air updates, and support subscription-based features.
  • Ford plans to apply insights from the project to its current software stack while accelerating development efforts through a dedicated skunkworks team in California.
  • The move underscores the challenges legacy automakers face in competing with firms like Tesla, as they work to modernize fragmented software systems and improve quality control.