Jim Farley Says Ford's Next-Gen EVs Will Check Themselves for Assembly Defects: 'The Vehicle Diagnoses Itself'

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) CEO Jim Farley said that the automaker’s Universal EV Platform will use their onboard computers to verify key assembly connections during production, as the automaker works to improve quality after a high number of recalls. Universal EV Platform to Deter Assembly Defects? According to a report by Business Insider on Wednesday, citing comments made by Farley during an event, the system is designed to catch assembly errors earlier in the manufacturing process. Farley said Ford plans to have the vehicle run internal checks once it receives power shortly after the paint stage. "The vehicle diagnoses itself," Farley said. Read Also: Jim Farley Sounds Alarm on America’s Skilled-Worker Crisis — 1.7 Million Jobs Must Be Filled Every Year as Nearly a Quarter of Ford's Workforce Nears Retirement The report said that Ford was not removing cameras or other outside inspection tools from the factory floor. The new element, Ford said, is that the vehicle’s own electronics will provide immediate feedback to workers once the car can power up. Farley also framed the idea as reducing reliance on vision systems that monitor work in real time, saying, "Most of our plants, with vision systems looking over people’s shoulders to make sure they attach something right? We don’t have that in UEV." Ford has issued 78 recalls so far this year, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Read Also: Ford Sales Slide 6.6% After Model Phase-Outs Ford’s Fathom Pickup, China Criticism The news comes as Ford prepares to launch its all-electric Fathom pickup, the first vehicle built on the Universal EV Platform. The midsize electric truck has a starting MSRP of $28,350, with preorders scheduled to begin in early 2027. Notably, a recent patent by Ford surfaced online, which showcased that a TV could be fitted into the hood of the vehicle. Ford also criticized the President Donald Trump administration after the latter accused Ford of having ties to Chinese companies. Notably, the automaker said that it is also moving production of some Lincoln models from China as a move to offset the administration’s tariffs. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Read Also: Ford Stock Slips Following F-150 Supply Disruption Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by following this link. Photo courtesy: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect