Ford Fathom Design Wishlist: High-Efficiency Colors & Smoother Multi-EV Home Integration

[bob zimmerman]

I don’t wish for much.

My wish for the Fathom is that everything works.

I wish that something as simple as the truck remembering my settings when I get in it each day won’t be as poorly designed as my Maverick which makes me start over with basic screen settings Every time I get in.

The more electronics they put in these vehicles, the more headaches end-users get. Everything about the truck can be absolutely amazing but something like your phone intermittently not connecting to the truck can drive a person mad!

Nobody complains about all the things that work flawlessly.

If I can touch it and see it, it has to work every time. Not most of the time.

Bob

 

[Flash]

Ecosystem & Software Integration

• Unified Utility Onboarding: A native, plug-and-play software walkthrough inside the FordPass app specifically optimized for regional utilities (like SMUD).
• Intelligent Dual-EV Power Sharing: Hardware and software designed to seamlessly split home charging loads between an existing Lightning ER and the new Fathom without tripping breakers or requiring expensive secondary switchgear.
• Simplified V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) Steps: A clear, foolproof installation and activation wizard in the sync screen so users don't have to hunt through conflicting documentation to get their backup power running.

In a sub $30,000 vehicle?

There is a reason the current system offered by GM and the former system by Ford cost $10,000+ and still doesn't work...

This is a very complex and complicated ask. I don't see it happening at this price point.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

If you watch Tim Bartz's video on the Fathom (he's a darn reliable source of information), he seemed kind of shell shocked at what kind of standard content you got with the Fathom. He was shaking his head wondering if it was going to disrupt sales of other Ford models, because you just get so much for your money.

UEV was created to disrupt the status quo of the automotive world.

That means getting more for your money not because Ford is taking a profit hit, but because they threw out the cookbook and innovated like their paychecks depended on it.

On Autoline After Hours, the host loves throwing out the line "In Big Auto, the surest way to get promoted is to always say NO to risky new ideas". Well Jim Farley threw out the Big Auto playbook, and launched a bunch of rebels with simple instructions: "Say YES".

 

[commadorebob]

Farley called the UEV Ford's next "Model T Moment" and looking back at that history, I can see how that makes sense. Ford reworked the entire assembly line to drive the Model T costs down so it is affordable for everyone. It sounds like Ford is trying to take the same approach with the UEV. Make your profit on volume with a vehicle that has some ongoing subscription options (BlueCruise, internet) to round out the balance sheet.