A Perfect Partnership?
I'm not really sure how car culture works outside of the US, but over here, we get pretty passionate about our vehicles. With brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, I would imagine that there are segments of the population that are equally as passionate worldwide. That doesn't even take into account the supercar subculture and all the other lesser known brands that you folks have over there. I just heard about a new one for the first time the other day from @fullcoverbetting, but I can't remember now what it was.
Living in Michigan, puts a dramatically different light on the auto industry. For the longest time, there were really only three options, and for some of us, there was always only one. A quick Google search shows that 20% of jobs in the state of Michigan are connected to the auto industry. That's one in five people likely work for the auto companies or auto company adjacent.
For @mrsbozz and I, there was always only one choice when it came to buying a vehicle. Both our fathers are retired auto workers for GM, so Chevrolet and it's associated brands are the standard. I did break away from this a short time when I bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but after having so many issues with it, I swore I would never buy a Chrysler (now Fiat I think) vehicle again.
Of course I have driven a wide variety of vehicles over the years through rentals and things like that. This Ford took us all the way to Colorado and back. It even took us 14,000 miles up the Rocky Mountains and back down. No complaints from me. In fact, back when the automakers got their huge bailout from the government, I was really impressed with the fact that Ford was the only automaker that didn't need the money, so I decided to buy stock in Ford and I have been holding it ever since. The price hasn't moved that much, but it does offer a nice dividend a couple times a year.
I fully realize that pretty much no vehicle is an "American" vehicle these days, but some people (like my wife) still hold on to their antiquated morals.
Heck, I at least still own a GMC and a Buick, my sister and her husband went full radical when they lived in Indiana and bought a Nissan. My dad didn't drop dead or disown them, so I think it really doesn't matter like we thought it did.
A while ago, Ford had a deal to work with upcoming automaker Rivian on an electric truck that was going to be a competitor for the Tesla Cybertruck. Unfortunately, that partnership fizzled out, but you still see Rivian vehicles every now and then when you are on the road. They are pretty hard to miss (especially if they are behind you), and in my honest opinion, they look a lot better than the rolling dumpster that is a cybertruck.
Yes, Ford did end up releasing an electric Mustang and while I have heard some really good things about it, I have also heard some not so great things about it. I don't hate the way they look, and the acceleration time would appeal to me, but I still don't know if the infrastructure and technology is ready for the long distances that some people have to travel in the US.
About two days ago, I saw a news story that Ford was potentially entering a partnership with Chinese brand Xiaomi. You can read the full story here. This caught my attention due to the checkered history the US has with Xiaomi. I actually have a pair of Xiaomi earbud headphones in my drawer at home. They are wired, so I don't use them as much any more, but they are probably some of the best headphones I have ever had.
Back in 2021, the US government added Xiaomi to a blacklist for the companies ties to the Chinese military, but after they filed a lawsuit the ban was lifted a few months later and there are currently no restrictions on Xiaomi in the US. Which is cool because for a while now they have been making some really good technology at a really reasonable price. I'll leave it up to you to decide if you need to be worried about firmware or hardware embedded spyware in their devices. My guess is you probably have more risk with that smart plug you bought cheap off Amazon versus anything from Xiaomi.
In a bit of a twist, about two days ago a representative from Xiaomi reached out to Car and Driver Magazine to deny any claims that Ford and Xiaomi are in talks, but I think we all know enough to take that with a grain of salt. Given the fact that I saw this news from multiple sources, I wouldn't be shocked if something suddenly materialized and they made it official.
It's pretty clear that Ford has been looking for a strategic partner in the electric vehicle space for quite some time now. Personally, I'd like to see what a partnership like this could produce. As I have said, I think Xiaomi has been making some innovative technology over the years. I know quite a few people here on HIVE like @gooddream use a Xiaomi phone every day. I also think that Ford has a long history of reliability and tradition in the automotive industry. If this ends up actually being something, it could be a match made in heaven.
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I've had some good and bad experiences with Ford in the past. At one point had an Expedition that I picked up new (1st mistake), but then after 36,000 thousand miles half the injectors gave out. The sunroof started leaking after that... Fortunately, I had purchased the extended warranty so it only cost $100 to fix, but if I hadn't it could have been more than $5K!
I think exploring their options is a wise move, it's just too bad they can't do it with an American company. Any company from China will sadly have government cronies trying to use any tools they can to gather intelligence. The communist party is very aggressively using any resource they have available to them, just as the CIA would as well.
You never know with any products with software from China, I avoid goods from China as much as I can. But I've been that way for years and prefer buying American.
When I was looking for a new truck I looked at Fords, but the interior just wasn't as nice as the GM vehicles, and as I said, Ram was off the table because of it being a Chrysler brand. I understand there are inherent risks with a company like Xiaomi, but I think at the end of the day they are just looking to make profit. Even if the government has their thumb on them.
When I was in the States back in 2013 (close) we rented a GMC Yukon for the 3 weeks and it was a very decent car to drive. I am not sure how much there is to gain from a partnership with a Chinese company as their ultimate aim is to take you out and replace you. Ford can get the EV tech they need buying out a Chinese company or securing enough shares instead and not by forming a partnership which would be bad news.
Well, it sounds like it isn't happening according to their sources, so who really knows.
When we were first married and money was short, my husband 'surprised' me with a Ford Pinto--before the fiery headlines. That almost led to a divorce. $3000 spent without a committee meeting. After that, he told me to buy the cars. Period. My method? Read the safety/mileage/dependability ratings. Check the prices. Decide on a model. Walk into the showroom with a price in mind. I would say to the salesman, "I want xxx car for xxxx price. If you can't do that, I'm leaving." That was it. Always worked. In all the years we owned cars we had two lemons, the Pinto--which actually worked fine but was a little too 'explosive' for me, and a Chevy wagon. The wagon was a real lemon I unloaded at 66,000 miles.
I think loving cars is a guy thing. To me cars are transportation. Wish I didn't have to own one, but love the freedom they give me.
My wife tells me to just come home with something when it is time for us to buy a new car. I have never been great at negotiating. I'm sure I don't do as good of a job as I think I do. Is that what it was called, just "Wagon". We got one of the Nova's when they tried to bring it back, but that thing was a piece of junk. Nothing like it's past namesake. The body style wasn't even the same. They never should have put that name on it.
I'm terrible at negotiating. That's why I go in with a price. No talking. No selling. Usually I don't take out a loan. Cash. I guess that's my leverage. If they offer an interest free loan I might go for that. We don't buy cars unless the old one is giving us trouble. We don't like trouble and we usually give that old car to someone else who doesn't mind a headache. Cars: necessary transportation in the suburbs, but no fun :)
We had a Nova, I think, but not a wagon. It lasted a reasonable amount of time. Nothing compares to the longevity of our Hondas. Also now our Subaru. Not American but really dependable.
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This partnership will be interesting. Xiaomi makes everything from phones and electric scooters to vacuum cleaners; I even have an AirFryer at home. š
On top of that, I have three Fords (well, I pay for them, šµāš«, I have a 10-year-old Ranger...), and so far, I haven't had any problems. But, in principle, I am against Chinese products, well, at least against network devices, because you never know.
Yeah, I hear you there. It's a crap shoot. They are probably in your system if they really wanted to be anyway I figure. Even if it is a non Xiaomi product, but who knows I guess.
Years ago, I had a Nissan which was built in their manufacturing plant in Tennessee (Smyrna, perhaps, if I remember correctly), so American workers had jobs making it! My father liked Pontiacs and Plymouths when I was a child. I've had Fords, plus I'm driving a Buick now and love it!
I've been really happy with the last two Buicks I have owned. My inlaws have one and they don't care for it, but I think they just got a bum vehicle. I think a lot of vehicles that people wouldn't expect are made in America, but they hold fast to brand biases.
The Cybertruck definitely isn't for everyone, and Rivian is cool but expensive, so a tech-first Ford sounds like a solid middle ground.
I'm looking forward to seeing if it actually amounts to something.
Speaking of products from China, even in my country the market is already flooded with goods from there, ranging from electronics to even the smallest kitchen utensils. šš
That's crazy.
I do think that it need to have been Polestar? A chinese daughter of Volvo.
The youngest does love the American muscle cars.
The biggest one we drove was a GMC Yukon. That was a massive car :)
People love their Yukons over here. They are pretty big and have a price tag close to $100K USD. My 2500 is even bigger and heavier than that. It's practically a tank. It tows our trailer well though. Polestar was definitely it.
Love my Chevy Silverado.
I think the partnership would be intersting. I just figure everything has phone home chips in it anymore.
Edit: Hit submit too soon. NEed more coffee.
They are really nice trucks!
Mines an 03
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No worries, I gotcha!
The only beautiful car tesla ever made was Model S. I do like the controversial design of the Cybertruck
The model s is/was nice.
Iām a Ford truck guy. Iāve owned them all. Ford is the only one that lasts. Iāve gotten over 200K miles on 4 in a row. One was at 322K when the oil pump seized while on the highwayā¦.
!pimp
I couldn't get past how utilitarian and uncomfortable the cab was.
I remember back in the 70's most everyone had "their brand" of automobile that they were loyal to. My Dad was a Mopar guy and didn't have a good opinion of Fords, he didn't mind Chevy's though. With the Honda plant being in Marysville, Ohio, Honda was my brand of choice when I was younger.
Xiaomi is slaying it from a tech perspective. I've seen reviews of one of their sports cars and SUVs and they punch way above their weight. The brand would absolutely decimate the US EV market if they were allowed to be sold here. A big part of that value-for-money is the fact the Chinese government subsidizes them allowing for a much lower retail price than otherwise would be possible. I see them really taking off in Canada now that they'e opened their market up to Chinese EVs.
I've never really had a problem with Xiaomi besides the clear influence that the government has in their business and the obvious feelings they have towards the US in general. I would not be opposed to buying a Honda sedan or coupe in the future, but I don't think my wife would go for that.