Extra, Extra....Read All About It!

[Moates442]

The TRX is a halo car based on an existing vehicle. Its price point guaranteed profitability and it wasn't canceled because of low sales. From a business and marketing standpoint, it's a success. The Lightning can't make the same argument. I will concede Ford has done a terrible job marketing EV's (as most legacy carmakers have), but the sales numbers needed to make back their investment were not going to happen, especially after the tax credit ended. The people at Ford came to the same decision that Scout and Stellantis did: EREV's are more palatable to American car buyers for the time being,

What's weird is how Tesla does zero marketing and can still sell so many cars.

 

[rvburdge]

We really need to increase, not decrease, investments in science and engineering research and development if we want the US to remain relevant on the world stage. But instead, we're going to keep building data centers and bitcoin mining nonsense.

Discovery: R&D Activity and Research Publications | NSF - National Science Foundation

The funding and performance of research and experimental development (R&D) activities and the publication of peer-reviewed research, an output of R&D activity, serve as important indicators of the competitiveness of U.S. science and engineering in a global context. According to internationally...

ncses.nsf.gov

Stop letting your algorithm dictate your opinion.

 

[apex96]

Discovery: R&D Activity and Research Publications | NSF - National Science Foundation

The funding and performance of research and experimental development (R&D) activities and the publication of peer-reviewed research, an output of R&D activity, serve as important indicators of the competitiveness of U.S. science and engineering in a global context. According to internationally...

ncses.nsf.gov

Stop letting your algorithm dictate your opinion.

That link references 2022-2023... As of 2025 there has been a mass exodus of scientific talent from collegiate and federal positions... We are losing scientific talent as of late.

 

[cyure]

Good for Rivian and good for Normal.

https://riviantrackr.com/news/rivian-hits-2025-targets-despite-ev-policy-and-demand-pressure/

 

[rvburdge]

That link references 2022-2023... As of 2025 there has been a mass exodus of scientific talent from collegiate and federal positions... We are losing scientific talent as of late.

Because it takes a couple years to put the reports together. We likely won't see hard numbers for '24/'25 until 2027. That doesn't refute the fact that funding for R&D in science, engineering, and technology in the US has been steadily increasing year over year.

The only difference between now and previous decades is that China and India are catching up and contributing more in certain areas.

 

[THil08]

Good for Rivian and good for Normal.

https://riviantrackr.com/news/rivian-hits-2025-targets-despite-ev-policy-and-demand-pressure/

RJs whole marketing of Rivian is the way to do it. No politics involved. And if you don't want a Rivian you don't have to buy it. And Rivian is heading for a big year this year.

 

[chucchinchilla]

RJs whole marketing of Rivian is the way to do it. No politics involved. And if you don't want a Rivian you don't have to buy it. And Rivian is heading for a big year this year.

In almost every interview I've seen of RJ, the reporter tries baiting him into a political question and he simply doesn't bite. Keogh is similar. And that's the way it should be.

 

[oldgeeksguide]

Incentives were scheduled to end no matter what. The issue is the 100% electric reversal mindset that came from the top. If status quo would have remained companies would continue to grow their portfolios. When the outlook became one of support one side only and continue subsidizing them and not both sides it created fear and division-which isn’t surprising this day and age

The thing I find so surprising about fords dramatic change in direction is that until very recently the ceo understood that if they’re going to survive internationally they need to get really good at building and selling EVs. Not that long ago he was saying that a Chinese ev was the best car he’s ever driven, period. It’s like he suddenly just gave up and decided there’s no hope and is resigned to just being a niche us-only truck maker. Billions of dollars down the drain with nothing to show for it. Overseas they’re just using other manufacturers platforms.

 

[chucchinchilla]

The thing I find so surprising about fords dramatic change in direction is that until very recently the ceo understood that if they’re going to survive internationally they need to get really good at building and selling EVs. Not that long ago he was saying that a Chinese ev was the best car he’s ever driven, period. It’s like he suddenly just gave up and decided there’s no hope and is resigned to just being a niche us-only truck maker. Billions of dollars down the drain with nothing to show for it. Overseas they’re just using other manufacturers platforms.

Both strategies can exist. They learned that BEV isn't the right fit for large truck customers so they've pivoted towards EREV. Meanwhile they're still a year or two away from debuting a new line of smaller BEVs, including a pickup, on their Universal EV Platform.

 

[THil08]

In almost every interview I've seen of RJ, the reporter tries baiting him into a political question and he simply doesn't bite. Keogh is similar. And that's the way it should be.

Thats why Uncle Scotty is a dog!

 

[Chuckles]

The thing I find so surprising about fords dramatic change in direction is that until very recently the ceo understood that if they’re going to survive internationally they need to get really good at building and selling EVs. Not that long ago he was saying that a Chinese ev was the best car he’s ever driven, period. It’s like he suddenly just gave up and decided there’s no hope and is resigned to just being a niche us-only truck maker. Billions of dollars down the drain with nothing to show for it. Overseas they’re just using other manufacturers platforms.

Ford isn't giving up. Their Universal EV Platform is their response.

Ford Is Taking on Expensive EVs and the Toyota RAV4 with Its New 'Model T'—a $30K Mid-Size EV Truck

Ford is launching a new electric platform aimed at reducing costs, which will introduce a family of affordable vehicles starting with a new pickup truck.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[J Alynn]

Ford isn't giving up. Their Universal EV Platform is their response.

Ford Is Taking on Expensive EVs and the Toyota RAV4 with Its New 'Model T'—a $30K Mid-Size EV Truck

Ford is launching a new electric platform aimed at reducing costs, which will introduce a family of affordable vehicles starting with a new pickup truck.

www.caranddriver.com

But if the platform is universal then why not still produce some full BEVs until that is ready. Maybe it only a couple 1,000 a year but it shows commitment and bridges the gap until the new platform and EREV are ready.

 

[THil08]

But if the platform is universal then why not still produce some full BEVs until that is ready. Maybe it only a couple 1,000 a year but it shows commitment and bridges the gap until the new platform and EREV are ready.

My guess is to make the launch more exciting and interesting. Rather than say its a new chassis and platform.

 

[nolen]

Because it takes a couple years to put the reports together. We likely won't see hard numbers for '24/'25 until 2027. That doesn't refute the fact that funding for R&D in science, engineering, and technology in the US has been steadily increasing year over year.

The only difference between now and previous decades is that China and India are catching up and contributing more in certain areas.

as a scientist directly affected by current events I can assure you that there are much larger differences between now and previous decades than what you stated. There is a reason the reports are done every year and that is because things change. You can't extrapolate like that when things have changed so much.

 

[oldgeeksguide]

Ford isn't giving up. Their Universal EV Platform is their response.

Ford Is Taking on Expensive EVs and the Toyota RAV4 with Its New 'Model T'—a $30K Mid-Size EV Truck

Ford is launching a new electric platform aimed at reducing costs, which will introduce a family of affordable vehicles starting with a new pickup truck.

www.caranddriver.com

That was August. My understanding from recent reporting is that the “model T” and the TTT were both cancelled.

 

[rvburdge]

as a scientist directly affected by current events I can assure you that there are much larger differences between now and previous decades than what you stated. There is a reason the reports are done every year and that is because things change. You can't extrapolate like that when things have changed so much.

I also rely on federal research grants for my work. I'm not ignorant of the process or the current state of things.

 

[nolen]

I also rely on federal research grants for my work. I'm not ignorant of the process or the current state of things.

then you cannot honestly say that "The only difference between now and previous decades is that China and India are catching up and contributing more in certain areas"

 

[Chuckles]

That was August. My understanding from recent reporting is that the “model T” and the TTT were both cancelled.

The Universal EV hasn't been cancelled. The large EV's and trucks are the ones that got the axe.

 

[rvburdge]

then you cannot honestly say that "The only difference between now and previous decades is that China and India are catching up and contributing more in certain areas"

I can honestly say that.
Funding priorities change between administrations, and that affects where the awards go. I doesn't typically affect the actual amounts being awarded and invested. It's always been true even if no one likes to admit it.