- New 2021 Ford F-150 may feature over-the-air updates like in the Mustang Mach-E
- The F-150 would be the first truck to offer OTA updates
- The Ford F-150 is North America’s best-selling vehicle
A recent conversation between Ford’s Chief Product Development and Purchasing Officer Hau Thai-Tang and a Merrill Lynch analyst revealed possible over-the-air updates for the upcoming 2021 Ford F-150.
Ford recently announced that the Ford Mustang Mach-E will feature OTA updates meaning that it can receive new features remotely when they become available.
John Vangelov, connected services manager, Ford Motor Company, said: “The beauty of the Mustang Mach-E is that what our customers experience on day one is just the beginning – it will evolve to add even more features and capabilities over time. Our clever over-the-air updates also minimize downtime through incredibly fast activation and ensure your Mustang Mach-E is always getting better, even when you’re asleep.”
While more common in electric vehicles, over-the-air updates have yet to be offered in a full-size truck like the F-150.
Not only can OTA updates improve a vehicle’s technology and features, but they can also serve to troubleshoot problems at a distance or even perform maintenance at a distance. This could be very useful for truck owners who experienced issues on the job site.
We have to wait a while longer to know what Ford has in store for the new 2021 F-150, however. Hau Thai-Tang told Bank of America analysts on Friday that numerous new products would be delayed “months” because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the launch of the F-150 as well as the anticipated Ford Bronco and Mach-E.