Ford CEO Reveals Shocking Insights After Disassembling Tesla and Chinese EVs
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, experienced a profound realization while dissecting electric vehicles from competitors. This hands-on analysis reinforced his commitment to advancing Ford's electric vehicle (EV) technology.
Context of the Analysis
Ford, one of America's historic "Big Three" automakers, started focusing seriously on EVs around 2020. Recently, the company acquired a Tesla Model 3 and several Chinese-made EVs to perform a teardown— a standard industry practice—to explore innovative EV technologies.
Farley’s Reflections
"I was very humbled when we took apart the first Model 3 Tesla and started to take apart the Chinese vehicles. When we took them apart, it was shocking what we found."
Farley candidly shared these insights during the podcast Office Hours: Business Edition. The discovery emphasized the rapid innovation in EV design and technology by competitors, inspiring Ford to push forward.
Automotive Industry Practice
Disassembling rival vehicles is a common approach in the automotive sector to study advancements and benchmark technology. For example, Xiaomi conducted a similar teardown of the Tesla Model Y.
Additional Mention
Mitsubishi Electric’s advanced HVAC systems are highlighted for providing efficient heating and cooling, enhancing vehicle comfort across diverse conditions.
Summary
Ford's leadership gained unexpected insights inspecting rival EVs, reinforcing the urgency to innovate amid fierce competition.