Actually the Focus Electric started at 40k when it arrived, compared to 35k for the LEAF. The LEAF has a starting MSRP of around 28k to the Focus Electric's 35k. That is a tremendous price difference at that level.
According to Ford's website, the Focus Electric starts at $29,170. The Nissan LEAF starts at $29,010. Not sure where you are pulling your numbers from.
Tesla has shown us how to sell $70,000 EVs to rich people. They have not produced a viable, affordable EV yet. Have they proven there's a market for luxury EVs? Sure, but again, their sales are absolutely paltry compared to the wider market.
You keep comparing apples & oranges.
Hence the F-150 comparisons. Automakers don't dictate the market, they respond to it. Now that EVs are established, and Ford is on firmer financial ground, it makes sense to make a big investment.
Thank you for making my point. Tesla absolutely dictates the market, while most others are followers. My whole point is that Ford missed an opportunity, that they could have easily been the leader in this field, considering the tech and IP they own.
It absolutely is not. Carlos Ghosn said Nissan would sell 1.5 million EVs by 2016. They've barely sold 200,000, despite dedicating production and battery facilities in Japan, the US, and Europe. In what world is hitting 15% of your sales goal considered a success?
In the world where you break even, or make a profit. So many companies in various industries don't meet their initial sales goals, but that doesn't mean the product was a failure (ask Tesla). It means you don't understand the market/demand, and/or didn't account for all variables (such as gas prices going back down, dealership cartels lobbying hard against electric vehicles, infrastructure issues, etc.). Even Mr Ghosn indicated that the reason Nissan didn't meet their goals was due to infrastructure issues.
What's your point? The market was given decent options, and responded underwhelmingly. Do you think Ford execs regret not investing more into a niche market that accounts for less than 1% of annual U.S. sales? Doubt it.
Decent options? Such as?
It's called thinking ahead. Nissan, Tesla, and even GM, they all decided it was worth investing in the future. Was it a waste of money? Were they wrong? Far from. Ford's recent investment is just an attempt at catching up (for now).
$4.5 billion sounds pretty serious to me. That's more than the Nissan LEAF, BMW i3, and Chevy Volt programs all cost, combined.
Until Ford produces a real (properly designed, from the ground up) EV, sold AND supported in all markets, that $4.5 billion number means as much to me as the Faraday, Atieva and Apple investments.