Will Ford's Scaled-Back EV Plans Unlock Value for Investors?
Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F) is one of several automakers that have announced scaled-back production or delayed deployment of Electric Vehicles (EV). The stock market has reacted with skepticism, with Ford shares down nearly 22% in the last year.
Previous to the past 12 months, Ford was among a crowd of automakers announcing ambitious goals for EV production. This perceived step back from EVs has flowed from market experience; the demand for all-electric cars and trucks is less than Ford had forecast. Rather than spending billions of dollars on a smaller-than-estimated and currently unprofitable market, Ford has decided to slow the rollout of electric vehicles without abandoning them altogether. While the market has reacted negatively, Ford's embrace of the reality of the current market environment may be a catalyst to better financial results and stock returns.
Ford announced the Ford+ initiative in 2021, originally envisioning a prominent role for electric vehicles. The strategy, as it has been most recently communicated, is now seen by management as a mandate to provide vehicles for consumers on the consumer's terms, whether consumer electric, internal combustion, or hybrid. The plan emphasizes commercial vehicle sales as well.
Source Fool.com
