There are few things an EV driver needs to trust more than the little number telling them how much battery is left. Unfortunately, 86 Ford Mustang Mach-E owners may have discovered an unusually creative way for that number to lie. Ironically, the problem only exists because their cars were previously repaired.

Ford is recalling certain 2023-2025 Mustang Mach-Es equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries after discovering an issue involving replacement Battery Energy Control Modules, or BECMs. According to the automaker, every one of the 86 vehicles included in the recall is estimated to have the defect.

Read: Ford Recalls 288,000 Explorers Because The Roof Trim Keeps Flying Off

The problem is almost comically simple. When a replacement BECM was installed, it initialized the battery’s State of Health at a fresh-from-the-factory 100 percent instead of inheriting the actual State of Health from the battery already in the vehicle. That’s considerably more consequential than simply being off by a percentage or two.

Since the car believes its battery is healthier than it really is, Ford says it can also display an artificially high State of Charge on the instrument cluster. In other words, the Mach-E can tell its driver that there’s more juice in the tank than there actually is. That discrepancy can eventually cause unexpected power limitation and ultimately a complete loss of motive power. Drivers may see a wrench or turtle warning light as the vehicle begins limiting power.

There is another, potentially more serious concern. Ford says the incorrect State of Health calculation may increase lithium plating within the battery cells as DC fast-charging cycles accumulate. Severe lithium plating can increase the risk of thermal venting and, potentially, a vehicle fire. Thankfully, there’s no indication that things have reached that point. As of its filing, Ford said it wasn’t aware of any crashes, injuries, or fires related to the issue. It also hadn’t identified any field reports specifically tied to the State of Health overestimation problem.

The solution is a simple software update that will allow the BCEM to recognize and then use the actual state of health that the corresponding battery has. It’s an extremely small recall, but also a fascinating reminder of just how much modern EVs rely on software knowing exactly what’s happening inside the battery.

Photos: Ford

The Trump administration isn’t pleased with Ford’s close ties to certain Chinese companies, prompting a fierce rebuke from Ford, which continues to tout itself as “the most American automaker.” The tit-for-tat comes just before a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.

In a letter to Ford chief executive Jim Farley dated September 3 and recently made public, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy expressed “profound concern” about the “strategic trajectory of Ford,” claiming the historic brand is “actively intertwining its future with Chinese state-backed enterprises.”

Read: Ford Is Partnering With The Chinese Automakers It’s Fighting To Keep Out Of America

Ford’s relationship with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL appears to have rubbed the Trump administration the wrong way. The licensing deal, first signed in 2023, would have allowed Ford to manufacture EV batteries using CATL’s chemistry. Still, a recent decline in demand for EVs in the US prompted Ford to start assembling lithium-iron phosphate cells using CATL tech for energy storage systems.

“The prioritization of imported Chinese technical expertise and operational know-how – even in a scaled-back capacity – challenges the spirit of American national and economic security and supply-chain independence policies,” Duffy wrote.

The transportation secretary also took issue with Ford’s recent deal with Geely in Spain, saying it “helps strategic adversaries secure a vital foothold in Western markets.” The letter also addressed ongoing talks between Ford and BYD to share hybrid vehicle components.

“When a company intentionally chooses to deepen operational dependencies on strategic competitors, it fails to act as the reliable partner the American public and this DOT require,” Duffy added.

Ford Responds

It didn’t take long for Ford to respond. The company described Duffy’s letter as “a wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines at the expense of a company that has done more for American manufacturing than virtually any other in the nation’s history.”

“BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall is a Ford-owned and Ford-operated facility representing billions of dollars in investment and approximately 1,700 new American jobs,” Ford’s statement reads, noting “it is producing batteries in Michigan, with American workers, for Ford vehicles also built in America.”

Nearly a decade after wrapping up production in Australia, Ford has announced big plans for the land down under. As part of an event, the company announced plans to “double coverage of the Australian vehicle market to over 60% within three years.” The automaker is also aiming for “over 90% of its volume sold to be all-new or significantly refreshed by the end of 2030.”

The centerpiece of this plan is to bring the Bronco Basecamp to Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2027. The model launched in China last year and targets a “new breed of outdoor enthusiasts.”

More: Ford’s Electrified Bronco Arrives In China With A Pop Up Roof Surprise

Ford didn’t say much about the local variant, but confirmed it will have a “super hybrid extended-range electrified powertrain.” It consists of two electric motors, a 49 kWh battery pack, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that acts exclusively as a generator.

The company said this will deliver the smooth and responsive driving dynamics of an electric vehicle, but with a range of 497 – 559 miles (800 – 900 km). It also goes without saying, you can simply fill up with gas and be back on your way.

Ford didn’t talk numbers, but the Bronco Basecamp starts at ¥229,800 ($34,245 USD / $47,565 AUD) in China and features a combined output of 416 hp (310 kW / 421 PS) and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. The model also has a CLTC electric-only range of 137 miles (220 km).

While Ford didn’t say much about the vehicle, they noted it’s built for adventure and would make the perfect camping companion. When it’s time to go to sleep, all the seats fold down and an inflatable mattress can be placed on top of them to create a bed.

When morning comes, the rear swing gate has a “Wild Kitchen” with a fold-down table. The model even has Pro Power Onboard, which enables owners to access up to 6.6 kW of juice to power equipment such as coffee makers, cooktops, and lights.

The upscale Bronco Basecamp Outer Banks goes even further as it has an electric pop top that rises at the touch of a button to increase headroom, such as when camping. The Outer Banks also has a 7.5-liter center console compartment that can be warmed or chilled.

Besides the Bronco Basecamp, Ford announced the electric Transit City will arrive in November for $50,000 AUD ($36,100 USD). Around the same time, the Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec will land at dealers. The automaker also announced the local launch of Ford Pro, which will be supported by a new seven-year, unlimited kilometer warranty for commercial customers who exclusively rely on Ford dealerships for servicing.

Ford isn’t setting modest goals for its $30,000 Fathom electric pickup. The automaker reportedly expects to sell more than 100,000 during its first year, a number no individual EV from anyone besides Tesla has managed in America.

That’s according to the Wall Street Journal, which spoke to Ford insiders about the automaker’s ambitious sales target. If buyers turn up in the numbers Ford expects, the little four-door truck would immediately become one of America’s biggest-selling EVs.

Related: New Ford Fathom Prototype Breaks Cover Ahead Of Its 2027 Debut

For perspective, GM sold almost 170,000 EVs in 2025, but needed three brands and multiple models to do it. Tesla remains in another league, shifting around 357,000 Model Ys and more than 190,000 Model 3s last year. Rivian, by contrast, moved just 42,000 units in 2025, though the arrival of its smaller R2 will boost this year’s numbers.

Photos Ford

Ford’s confidence has surprised some industry watchers because America’s EV market is currently going backwards. Electric cars accounted for 5.7 percent of US sales in August, according to Motor Intelligence data cited by the WSJ, versus 10.3 percent a year earlier. August EV sales plunged 48 percent year over year.

The Fathom is Ford’s attempt to prove price can change that equation. Starting at $28,350 before a $1,595 destination charge, it promises more passenger room than a Toyota RAV4, along with familiar conveniences including a touchscreen and power windows.

Minimalist Rival

Those last two features sound unremarkable until you meet its $24,950 rival, the Slate Truck. That minimalist two-seat pickup uses crank windows and skips a factory stereo and touchscreen entirely. And though Ford has yet to release technical specs for the crew-cab Fathom the chances are good that it will equal or better the Slate’s 205-mile (330 km) claimed range and 1,550 lb (703 kg) payload. It should also almost chop the Slate’s 8-second zero to 60 mph (97 kmh) time in half.

To keep build costs low, Ford is gambling on a radically different way of building the Fathom. Its reworked Louisville factory will assemble the front, rear and structural battery-floor sections simultaneously on separate lines, then bolt and bond them together. Ford says the system should build vehicles 15 percent faster than the plant’s previous process, though retooling cost $2 billion.

To make that investment work it needs 100,000 Americans to sign up every year for the Fathom when it goes on sale early in 2027. How do you rate its chances?

Baldauf

Getting a good look at the Fathom has been about as easy as capturing a real phantom on camera. However, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently took to social media to release high quality teaser images.

They show the midsized electric truck traveling past the iconic Las Vegas sign. Of course, we’re more interested in the pickup than the tourist trap.

More: Ford Spent $2 Billion On A Factory To Build Its $28K Fathom Pickup In Three Pieces

Dressed in colorful camouflage, the Fathom follows in the footsteps of the Maverick as it has an upright front end with a wide lower intake. Bulky cladding hides the grille, but it’s flanked by mid-mounted headlights that have an angular accent toward the inside.

Photos Ford / Jim Farley

Further back, we can see streamlined bodywork and aerodynamically optimized wheels, which are also wrapped in disguise. They’re joined by traditional door handles as well as tiny mirrors. The latter don’t look particularly good, but Ford has previously said their 20% smaller size results in an extra 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of range.

Other notable highlights include rounded wheel arches and what appears to be an angular lip around the upper bed. Elsewhere, there are vertical taillights and a relatively plain rear bumper with an offset license plate.

A closer inspection reveals the cab is slightly smaller than it appears as the prototype has been equipped with a sizeable rear spoiler. This pushes out the black camouflage and undoubtedly contributes to the truck’s efficiency.

Photos Ford / Jim Farley

Despite being smaller than it appears, Ford has previously confirmed the Fathom has more passenger volume than the Toyota RAV4. This means we can expect more than 98.9 cubic feet (2,801 km) of space for occupants.

Additional details are limited, but Ford has said the truck will have a large touchscreen display with an easy-to-use navigation system powered by Apple Maps. It will also have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, digital key technology, a bidirectional charging capability, and next-generation BlueCruise hands-free driving.

#FordFathom in the wild. https://t.co/SwmOUzeJv1 pic.twitter.com/CNERthHQEV

— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) September 1, 2026

Specifications remain a mystery, but Ford has hinted at multiple battery packs. The base model comes with the “standard-range battery,” so that suggests there will also be a long-range variant.

Unfortunately, we still have a wait ahead of us as Ford won’t introduce the model until 2027. When pre-orders begin early next year, pricing will start at $28,350 before a $1,595 destination fee.

Baldauf

New details have emerged about Ford and Geely’s partnership in Spain, revealing that the American brand will build a new SUV based on Geely’s Global Intelligent Electric Architecture (GEA).

A long-awaited deal was struck between the two companies in July, meaning Geely will begin building vehicles on an assembly line at Ford’s Valencia factory, which has operated at less than a quarter of its annual capacity for several years. The all-electric EX2 is expected to be the first Geely built at the site, although others will follow.

Read: Geely’s New Solid-State Battery Lasts 621,000 Miles And Starts Pilot Testing Next Year

Last week, Geely Auto Group chairman An Conghui confirmed on an earnings call that through the deal, Ford will use the company’s GEA platform for its own new model, Auto News reports. This platform is currently used by several Geely products, including the all-electric EX5 and the plug-in hybrid Starray.

Limited details are known about the Ford that will use Geely’s platform. However, the Blue Oval has described it as a compact crossover that will offer “multi-energy” drivetrains, indicating it’ll be sold both as a hybrid and an EV, two setups that the GEA platform can support. Ford also said the model will include “rally-bred” styling, ensuring it won’t be mistaken for an EX5 or Starray, despite the shared componentry. This mystery model will be built alongside a Bronco-branded SUV from Ford, expected to hit the market in 2028 but using a different platform.

When the deal between Ford and Geely was first announced, Geely confirmed it will build two new energy models at the Spanish site, with the first rolling off the production line in 2028. It also said “the joint venture is expected to produce three Ford-branded multi-energy vehicles,” but failed to provide any more details.

“This strategic cooperation with Ford is an important step towards open collaboration and is mutually beneficial to both parties,” Geely Auto Group vice president Alex Nan said. “It represents a milestone in Geely Auto’s global development and will further solidify Geely’s presence in Europe.”