Yahoo Autos Inside Ford's Plans to Become an EV Leader
Welcome to The Grid, R&T's quick roundup of the auto industry and motorsports news you should know this morning.
Inside Ford's Push to Become an EV Leader
Like every other automaker, Ford is getting into the EV game in a major way. The Mustang Mach-E crossover is now on sale, and the E-Transit and the F-150 EV are both on their way. Today, the Detroit Free Press published an insightful interview with Ford CEO Jim Farley that also features some reporting on other automaker EV strategies, and the now-over fight between California, the Trump administration, and the companies who took sides. GM has received more headlines and increased stock value for its ambitious EV plans, which consist of many new models, while Ford's efforts haven't received as much attention. Farley pushes back on the notion that Ford is therefore further behind. "We are the first and only company that I see that will offer an electric van and an electric pickup truck in 24 months," he said. "That's not come from behind. We're the first. We are the dominant player."
Additionally, Farley highlighted the difference between GM and Ford. Where GM is creating new electric models, Ford is electrifying well-known nameplates like the Mustang, Transit, F-150, and further down the line, some SUV models, though Farley declined to go into specifics. Farley—a hardcore enthusiast who races an original GT40 among other things—concluded with an interesting remark: "The electric car, I would just say, is a better car, in a way," he said. "You eliminate 30 to 40 percent of the parts. Those are the ones that break and are expensive to repair. The inside has more room. You get new space up front, a frunk, a front trunk. It's a digital vehicle, so you can tune the car really easily with software. You can make the car better with over the air updates...It's just a better car."
Jenson Button Returns to Williams as an Advisor
2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button got his first break with Williams, and over two decades later, he's rejoining the team as an advisor. Motorsport.com reports that Button will work with the Williams team at various F1 races throughout 2021 while also appearing as a pundit for Sky Sports. Once an F1 powerhouse, Williams has struggled in the 21st century, with the Williams family selling the team to a U.S. private equity group last year. That group, Dorilton Capital, has to get Williams out from the back of the F1 grid, so it's making big changes, like hiring Button, and sourcing more components from engine supplier Mercedes.
Portimao Replaces Sebring World Endurance Championship Race
The 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar was set to begin with the 1000 miles of Sebring, but given travel restrictions in the U.S. and Europe, the race isn't really feasible. Racer reports that as expected, the Sebring race has been replaced with a new eight-hour event at Portugal's Portimao circuit set for April 4. A week earlier, the track will hold pre-season testing for the WEC. This race is important as it'll be the debut of the new Hypercar class, with entrants from Toyota and Glickenhaus, which announced its participation shortly after the Portimao race was confirmed. IMSA will still race at Sebring this March, and the WEC hopes that this will be its only schedule change for 2021.
You Might Also Like
