Fords' FSD Reality Check
Ford’s Jim Farley just dropped a dose of reality: They’re not getting to Level 4 autonomy on their own. Finally, an automaker admitting what’s obvious to anyone paying attention. So now, Ford’s looking at partnerships—either with Tesla or Waymo. Let’s break down why there’s really only one logical choice.
Ford’s Self-Driving Struggles: A History of… Not Much
Ford had that whole thing with Argo AI, which was basically a big nothingburger. That went nowhere, so they scrapped it. Now, they have BlueCruise, but let’s be real—it’s not anywhere close to solving autonomy. So, naturally, they’re eyeing an actual functional system.
Farley himself admitted that Waymo isn’t a scalable, cost-effective option. That leaves Tesla. And Tesla, unlike Waymo, actually has a path to wide-scale autonomous driving that isn’t confined to geo-fenced neighborhoods.
Would Tesla Even Want Ford on Board?
That’s the big question. Ford might want Tesla’s tech, but does Tesla want to play ball? Elon has said in the past that Tesla is open to licensing FSD, partly to avoid getting hit with monopoly accusations. But there’s a catch—Tesla wants serious partners. And Ford’s track record on EVs? Let’s just say it’s been… inconsistent.
If Tesla’s going to dedicate a team to helping Ford integrate FSD, they need to know Ford isn’t half-assing it. Right now, it’s unclear if Ford is truly committed to an all-in FSD push, or if they just want to slap it on a few EVs to stay relevant.
The Ethical Dilemma: Could Tesla Say No?
Here’s where it gets interesting. What if Ford offers to put FSD on all its cars, gas-powered included? Elon’s been clear that FSD is a moral issue—if the tech can save lives, withholding it would be unethical. So if Ford says, “We’ll put it on everything, EVs and ICE cars alike,” how does Tesla turn that down without looking like hypocrites?
Elon’s had emotional moments discussing the toll of car accidents—40,000 deaths in the U.S. per year, with 10 times that number suffering life-altering injuries. If Tesla’s mission is to save lives, could they justify saying no to Ford just because some of those cars burn gas? That’s a philosophical debate, but one worth considering.
What Happens Next?
Ford wants to level up in autonomy, and Tesla has the best system available. But partnerships aren’t just about need—they’re about commitment. If Ford is serious, Tesla might play ball. If not, well… they might just have to watch from the sidelines while Tesla eats their lunch.
Your move, Farley.
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