Ford will sell ebikes!

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Hmm...
Interesting partnership.

I would think that whole "system" of transportation might be more easily marketable in Europe and Asia. My very limited exposure to some European cities showed me smaller, older streets, and cities that demanded smaller vehicles to really get around.

Reading that short article, it really seems what they are trying to develop and sell here is a "Transportation System" .

Americans might not believe it, but there are some environments where large SUV's aren't the best choice. (sarcasm).

Interesting that Ford would seek a partnership in this area. Or would even show interest in marketing what is actually just an option to NOT use the product they primarily produce--automobiles, most of them very large.

But I'm all for efficient transportation options. Regular bicycle, e-Bike or otherwise.

 

If ford can make a profit and get cheap R&D for plug-ins at the same time, why not? e-bikes are not a substitute for a car or truck, but a complimentary product. Most of ford's profits come from the f-series truck. You can't haul cargo or go 4 wheeling on an e-bike. You probably don't buy a full sized truck to drive in the middle of cities.

 

I agree completely, but if someone wants a car or truck they will buy that too. I know a number of e-bike riders, they drive less miles but own bigger vehicles.

Sure but rain, snow, bad drivers, etc, mean that ford is not going to lose the f-series market if they start making money on e-bikes. I substitute miles on my human powered bikes ;-) but I also use them recreationally.

 

Not necessarily disagreeing with this.
Where did I ever say e-bikes were a substitute for a car or truck?

However, they are a "Transportation Option" and you can't really ride an e-bike at the same time you drive a Ford Explorer.

I don't know exactly what Fords motivation is for seeking a partnership or the desire to expand into the e-bike market. I would expect they have their own very capable Research and Development department, and that there is no technology applied in the e-bike that is a mystery to them.

What I think would be neat, but it's just a pipe dream of mine...is if Ford incorporated a foldable e-bike, within their own automobiles.

Imagine an Explorer with a folded e-bike discreetly hidden in the hatch area, perhaps automatically being charged by the operation of the vehicle.
You could drive to heart of a city, or a rural area, and pop your e-bike out, and cruise around the town, or recreational area. Leaving the hard to park SUV off and silent.

In a company as big as Ford, this "partnership" is just a small part of total operations.
I'm not against it. I think it' great.

I seem to remember years back, Honda ( I think) actually selling a vehicle with the whole advertising catch that it came with it's own special model bicycle. Might not of been Honda, can't remember who did it.

But partnerships between Automakers and other industries and products have always existed.