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[3] - Existing Mondeo owners have reported severe issues with their vehicle's infotainment system, describing it as outdated and non-functional, leading to frustrations over the lack of promised features [5][7] Infotainment System Issues - The older Mondeo models are equipped with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]

Core Viewpoint - Ford's recent 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 [1][2][3] Group 1: Mondeo 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 [2] - Existing Mondeo owners report severe issues with their vehicle's infotainment system, citing frequent crashes and a lack of essential connectivity features, which contradicts the manufacturer's promises [2][3] - Over 360 Mondeo owners have filed collective complaints, demanding software upgrades for their current systems and the option to pay for new hardware that supports better performance [3] Group 2: New Model Criticism - Ford's new electric model, the Ford Zhiqu Lema, has also faced criticism regarding its design and configuration, with some industry experts questioning its authenticity and market appeal [4][5] - The Zhiqu Lema is marketed as a versatile SUV with a starting price of 229,800 to 272,800 yuan, but features such as the roof-lifting function and bed conversion require additional payments, leading to consumer dissatisfaction [4][5] Group 3: 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 [5][6] - Sales figures for Ford's electric models in China have been disappointing, with monthly sales often in single digits, indicating a failure in the company's transition to electric vehicles [5][6] - Ford China has established a new sales service company to unify its operations and address internal competition between its joint ventures, but the lack of a successful electric vehicle model raises concerns about the effectiveness of this strategy [8]

Core Points - Ford China is facing significant backlash from hundreds of owners of older Mondeo models due to complaints about their vehicle's infotainment systems becoming non-functional, which raises safety concerns [1][2][3] - The launch of the 2026 Mondeo has highlighted the disparity in technology between new and old models, with the new model featuring advanced capabilities that older models lack [2][3] - Ford's new electric vehicle, the Ford Zhiqu Lema, is also receiving criticism for its design and configuration, indicating broader issues within Ford's product offerings in China [4][5] Summary by Sections Mondeo Complaints - Hundreds of Mondeo owners have collectively complained about their vehicles' infotainment systems, describing them as outdated and non-functional, which poses safety risks [1][2] - The older Mondeo models are equipped with the Qualcomm 820A chip, leading to frequent system crashes and failures in navigation and voice control [2][3] - Owners are demanding software upgrades to support mainstream smartphone connectivity and are willing to pay for hardware upgrades to newer systems [3] New Model Launch - The 2026 Mondeo has been launched with a price range of 149,800 to 199,800 yuan, featuring significant upgrades in power, intelligence, and design [2] - The disparity in technology between the new and old models has caused dissatisfaction among existing customers, who feel misled by the manufacturer's promises [2] Electric Vehicle Challenges - The Ford Zhiqu Lema, a new electric SUV, has faced criticism for its design and the necessity of paid options for key features, which has led to negative perceptions among potential buyers [4][5] - Ford's electric vehicle strategy in China has been under scrutiny, with the company reporting significant losses in its electric vehicle segment [5][6] Company Performance and Strategy - Ford China has been struggling with declining sales and profitability, with a significant drop in vehicle sales from a peak of 1.27 million units in 2016 to an expected 442,000 units in 2024 [6][7] - The establishment of the Ford Sales Service Company aims to unify the operations of its joint ventures, Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford, to improve market performance [8][9] - Despite these efforts, the lack of a successful electric vehicle model raises concerns about the effectiveness of the company's restructuring strategy [9]

Core Points - Ford's 2026 Mondeo has been launched, but existing owners of the 2022-2025 models are expressing dissatisfaction due to issues with the vehicle's infotainment system, which they claim has become non-functional and poses safety risks [1][2][4] - The company has not responded to the complaints from Mondeo owners, stating that the hardware differences between old and new models prevent upgrades to the infotainment system [6][12] - Ford's new electric model, the Ford Intelligent Mustang, is also facing criticism regarding its design and configuration, reflecting broader challenges in the company's sales and financial performance in China [7][9] Infotainment System Issues - Owners of the 2022-2025 Mondeo models report frequent system crashes and performance issues due to outdated hardware, specifically the Qualcomm 820A chip, leading to significant operational delays and safety concerns [4][5] - Complaints include the lack of promised features such as mainstream smartphone connectivity options, with owners feeling that the actual product does not match the marketing claims [5][6] Sales and Financial Performance - Ford's sales in China have significantly declined, with 2024 projections estimating only 442,000 units sold, a drop to one-third of peak sales in 2016 [14][15] - Both joint ventures, Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford, are struggling, with Changan Ford's sales down 7.56% and Jiangling Ford's down 33.8% in the first three quarters of the year [15][16] - The company has reported substantial financial losses in its electric vehicle segment, with losses projected to reach $51 billion in 2024, prompting a reevaluation of its electric strategy [10][11] Strategic Restructuring - In response to ongoing challenges, Ford China has established a new sales service company to unify the operations of its joint ventures and improve market performance [12][16] - The appointment of a new president for the sales service company aims to address internal competition and streamline operations, although the success of this restructuring remains uncertain without a strong electric vehicle offering [16][17]