TechCrunch Mobility: Ford’s big bet

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Ford It has made it bigger EV announcement Earlier this week – $ 2 billion investment plans to convert the Assembly Plant into a factory are capable of creating a new generation affordable EV, starting with a midsise pickup truck and starts with the original price of $ 30,000, which will launch in 2027.

Among the presentations of different executives, union leaders and employees, CEO Jim Ferley Have said something that I can’t tremble pretty:

“There is no guarantee with this project. We’re doing a lot of new things, I can’t tell you 100% uncertain that it will all be fine; it’s a bet. There is a risk.”

Bet? The agency together a Score work teamWhich for years worked to find a way to create affordable electric vehicles that could be made quickly, more efficiently and less in the United States, while conserving all profit margins. To do this, the company has canceled the old system that has created Ford as a family name and created a new tri-rally rally line that uses more automation and unicats.

Ford, like many other automakers, is suppressed by tariffs, is slower than expected EV demand and threatening to competition from China. If you want to stay relevant, the company has to work. But what is this step?

Ford cannot really use this manufacturing technique in other factories, since it is designed and then divided into three Unicusting – this is a large exit from the method used to combine its other vehicles. This means we are watching a $ 5 billion ($ 3 billion for LFP battery factory and $ 2 billion in Luisville) for employment in the United States.

A little bird

A few small birds told us that the rental car startup StoopWhich once identified himself as the “best option of Hartz” as Bill No more operatingThe

The startup was already in trouble late last year after slashing staff and cutting only two markets. However, in July, the company sells its customer list to the peer-to-peer car share company DayThe (Turo refused to comment more about the terms.) And since then the Kyet seems to have gone under fulfillment, entering California in late July.

This is evidently left in Lurch, who have already booked the rent through Kwetti; Turo told TechCrunch that it was only responsible for the resources purchased-now no financial claim against the degraded KWIT.

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Deal!

BumperNow Buy UK -based, Pay the platform later for car servicing and repair, Has collected $ 10.8 million A series B extension fund led by Autotech Venture. Introduction Ventures, Suzuki Global Ventures, Porsche Ventures and Shell Ventures also joined.

FourteenTo start distributing a lagos-based food, Raising $ 9 million Funds in the series led by the participation of Wi -Combinator, AAIC investment, rebel funds, GFR funds, Kali, Hoek and others.

Eve air mobility – Urban Air Mobility Agency, announced a Increase of $ 230 million capital And dual lists in the United States and Brazil. The company has collected $ 1 billion till today.

UltravioletThe introduction of Indian electric motorcycles, Has collected $ 21 million Japanese Electronics Giant TDK Corporate’s corporate vencity in an all-equity round led by arm. Existing investors in Ultraviolet also participated in the Joho Corporation and Lingoto (formerly Axor Capital).

Through There is Has filed the S -1 papers It IPO RoadThe The transit software company has not yet set the number or price limit for the offer offered. Just as I was sending this newsletter, it was dropped, so I haven’t read the whole dock yet. Although a few items are noticeable, the company’s income rises from 2023 to 2024 to 35% rising to $ 337 million. Its net damage has been narrowed at $ 90 million in the same period. And the CEO Daniel Ramot’s 2024 compensation package, which includes stock grants, is $ 9.5 million. According to the footnote, the company is issuing him an additional grant package for 2025 and a cash bonus program.

WhirideThere are Chinese autonomous vehicles agencies To secure an investment From OccupationThe Companies did not disclose the amount of investment. Wireide said that funds will help deploy and commerce the speed of Robotaxis and shuttles at Southeast Asia level 4 levels.

Significant lessons and other TDBITS

Foxcon Will No longer create electric tractors For Startup of California King tractor The Taiwanese Tech Giant recently sold its Ohio factory to the softbank. History Lesson: The Foxcon factory planned to establish an operation operation to manufacture the electric vehicle agreement and Monarch was one of the four companies working with him. The other three (Lordstown Motors, Fisker and Indiv) are all bankrupt.

Something Hi-Profile Executive Shuffling Running Self-driving truck manufacturer Gauge CEO of hired Uber Frite Leo’s Ron (Who has a long and attractive history in AV World) As the main operating officer. RebeccaHe who had previously spent six years of creating a Tesler charging network, took over as the head of Uber Frite. Ron Uber will be the chairman of the freight.

A cost frozen National electric vehicle infrastructure Program Melted After several months of uncertainty. The Trump administration has finally issued a new guidance that states may use for $ 5 billion funds for electric vehicle charging infrastructure after several months spent Get offThe

QuickA popular ride-hilling platform in India, it’s beta-test Food Distribution Service In the challenge of marketing leaders in Bengaluru Switch And JomatoThe

How many pivots can a company make in its lifetime? RavineL This question is examining the boundaries. Electric scooter has the company that starts as a rental service Turn off the ride-hilling service In New York City. Rivel will focus on his newborn EV -charging business instead of the revel.

“Tesla Dozo is dead” I wrote a little more last week. Elon musk Confirmed Tesla There is The team broke Working on his Doso AI Training Super Computer, Tesla’s second cluster in 2026 was a few weeks after expecting “scale” operating. Tesla is transferring its focus on AI 5 and AI 6 chips produced by TSMC and Samsung respectively. Note: The Tesla Plant in Buffalo, New York was supposed to be as Dozo Super Computer, and the company was committed to investing $ 500 million in the factory for more than five years to fetch doses.

At the riding Wemo Robotuxi is a modern, even future, experience for customers. With an exception: music. Reporter Max Jeff wrote about Why upgrades Wemor’s musicThe

One more thing…

AutonocastAnother podcast I co-host (I am also in TechCrunch Equity) that concentrates toward the future of transportation, Another episode That I think you will be interested in listening. This time we are interviewed Only Co-founder and president Dave Ferguson.