Rp13.2 Trillion Loss Due To Trump Tariff, Ford Will Present Cheap EVs August 11?

JAKARTA Ford's giant automotive manufacturer (US) is preparing to carve a new chapter in the history of electric vehicles. Ford CEO Jim Farley announced that plans for a "bove" electric vehicle will be unveiled on August 11.

This moment was touted as a "Moment Model T" for Ford, referring to their pioneering vehicles in the early 1900s that allowed affordable cars to be mass-produced and move America.

The announcement comes after Ford reported the impact of a loss of 800 million US dollars (equivalent to Rp13.2 trillion) due to Trump's tariff in the second quarter. However, the biggest news from the financial report is Ford's focus on uncovering more about their future electric vehicle plans.

"August 11 will be a big day for all of us at Ford," Jim Farley said on Wednesday, in a second-quarter earnings call for the company.

"We will be in Kentucky to share more about our plans to design and build electric vehicles and breakthrough platforms in the US," he added.

Last year, Ford revealed that it was working on a covert project "skunkworks" to bring low-cost EVs to the wider community. At the time, reports show that this new electric platform will form the basis for various EVs, including compact SUVs, small pickup trucks, and possible vehicles for delivery services.

Although EV sales in the US were uneven this year due to the revocation of tax credit on September 30 and the cancellation of fuel savings rules, Ford has shifted its focus to hybrid vehicles as well as their core profit SUV and gas truck businesses. Last year, Ford even changed their electrification roadmap and canceled its three-line electric SUV plans.

However, Ford did not fully give up on EVs, while still placing one foot in this business. The disclosure on August 11 will be an opportunity to bring families of new vehicles into the world offering extraordinary technology, space and features efficiency.

EV Ford's efforts have faced challenges lately. They only have three EV models in their portfolio: Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and van E-Transit. On the other hand, General Motors has expanded its EV lineup to nearly a dozen models, with Chevrolet now the second best-selling EV brand in America this year, just behind Tesla.