Ford splits EV and combustion units in major restructuring – TechCrunch
TechCrunchSep 14, 2021
Ford to Split Company into Seperate EV and ICE Businesses
Image copyright: Brittany Greeson [via The NYT]
The Facts
Ford is planning to split its business into two units: Ford Blue for gas powered vehicles and Ford Model E for new electric models.
The two units will continue to exist under the same corporate umbrella, a move that goes against the advice of analysts who proposed spinning off electric vehicle production as a separate company.
The Spin
Narrative A
Ford's decision may cost them. Auto analysts believe they will find it more difficult to hire top-tier talent and risk upsetting dealers, whose margins have already been hurt by the shift to electric.
Narrative B
This move is a focus on innovation over profits in the short-term. But Ford seems to be making a sensible market decision, as their stock jumped by as much as 9% after the plan was unveiled.
Narrative C
The not-quite split of the companies is an unhappy middle path. If the growing trajectories and margins in EV markets hold, Ford will have to make a stronger commitment to battery-powered vehicles in the future.