According to Sawyer Merritt, Ford CEO Jim Farley revealed in a new interview that analyzing the Tesla Model 3's design highlighted significant efficiency gaps in Ford's own EV production, particularly due to excessive electrical wiring in the Mustang Mach-E. Farley emphasized that Tesla's streamlined approach—likely supported by advanced manufacturing automation and AI-driven design—results in lighter vehicles and lower battery costs, which are critical for EV competitiveness. The teardown prompted Ford to accelerate its adoption of AI-powered manufacturing processes to close the gap with rivals like Tesla and rapidly advancing Chinese EV makers. Farley also stressed that the emergence of Chinese electric vehicle companies, known for their AI integration and manufacturing agility, means Ford cannot afford to retreat from the EV market if it wants to remain globally competitive (Source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter).