车机变「砖头」！福特中国遭数百老车主控诉

Core Viewpoint - Ford's launch of the 2026 Mondeo has sparked significant backlash from existing owners of the 2022-2025 models, who are dissatisfied with the performance of their vehicle's infotainment system, which they claim has become unusable and poses safety risks [2][3][5] Summary by Sections Product Launch and Customer Complaints - The 2026 Mondeo has been officially launched with a price range of 149,800 to 199,800 yuan, featuring upgrades in power, intelligence, and design [3] - Existing Mondeo owners have reported severe issues with their vehicle's infotainment system, describing it as outdated and non-functional, leading to frustrations over the lack of promised features [5][7] Infotainment System Issues - The older Mondeo models are equipped with the Qualcomm 820A chip, which has been criticized for frequent lag, system crashes, and safety concerns, including incidents of blackouts while driving [5][7] - Owners are demanding software upgrades to improve connectivity and are willing to pay for hardware upgrades to newer systems, but Ford has stated that such upgrades are not feasible due to hardware limitations [7] New Model Controversies - Ford's new electric model, the Ford Smart Mustang, has also faced criticism regarding its design and features, with consumers questioning its resemblance to other models and the necessity of additional payments for key functionalities [9][10] - The Smart Mustang is positioned as a versatile SUV with a pre-sale price between 229,800 and 272,800 yuan, but its sales performance remains uncertain amid ongoing criticisms [9][10] Financial Performance and Strategic Challenges - Ford's electric vehicle segment has reported significant losses, with a projected loss of $5.1 billion in 2024, prompting a reevaluation of its electric strategy [10][11] - Ford's sales in China have drastically declined, with 2024 projections estimating sales at 442,000 units, only one-third of its peak sales in 2016 [13][14] - The establishment of the Ford Sales Service Company aims to unify the operations of its joint ventures, Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford, which have been struggling with internal competition and declining sales [15]