Connect with us
Woman using Phone-as-a-Key feature with Ford F-150 Lightning Woman using Phone-as-a-Key feature with Ford F-150 Lightning

News

Ford will deliver F-150 Lightning units without ‘Phone-as-a-Key’ feature

(Ford)

Published

on

Ford told dealers in an internal communication that the F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup would not come equipped with the “Phone-as-a-Key” feature, but would be enabled with a software update in late summer 2022.

Ford’s “Phone-as-a-Key” feature literally turns an owner’s phone into their lifeline for their vehicle. They can start, unlock and lock, and open the liftgate without needing a traditional key fob. Bluetooth must be turned on and you must be within 130 feet of the vehicle to utilize the features, Ford said.

However, the feature won’t be available on the new F-150 Lightning, Ford’s fully-electric version of its best-selling pickup. Instead, the feature will be rolled out to owners in late Summer 2022 through an Over-the-Air software update.

Ford wrote (via LightningOwners Forum):

“2022 F-150 Lightning vehicles equipped with the Phone-as-a-Key feature will require a software update to enable this feature, which is expected to deploy to vehicles via an over-the-air (OTA) software update late summer of 2022. This feature is currently not enabled, and customers will not have the option to set up Phone-as-a-Key upon vehicle delivery. No repairs should be attempted at this time. To ensure vehicles can receive OTA software updates, customers should make sure their Vehicle Connectivity Settings are set to ON. Additionally, a software update for the remote function actuator (RFA) module is expected to be available in Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). Continue to monitor OASIS for updates.”

Advertisement

It is currently unclear as to why Ford is not allowing the feature to be rolled out to other vehicles at this time, but it may have to do with a report that focused on the ease of hacking cars utilizing BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) locks, which are commonly used for car and house locks.

Teslas are susceptible to hacking due to bluetooth locks, cybersecurity firm says

The report showed vehicles could be unlocked and even driven with the use of a low-frequency device plugged into a laptop. Performed on a Tesla Model Y, hackers from cybersecurity firm NCC Group said, “This proves that any product relying on a trusted BLE connection is vulnerable to attacks even from the other side of the world.”

Ford did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

The F-150 Lightning officially entered production on April 24 with initial deliveries slated to begin soon. Ford CEO Jim Farley recently shared a video of F-150 Lightning units being loaded onto a vehicle hauler, presumably making its way to dealerships around the country.

Advertisement

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

Advertisement
Comments

News

Tesla pushes crazy ‘Luxe’ incentive package on flagship Model S and X

Tesla is pushing more customers to the Model S and Model X with a new incentive package.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla has pushed a crazy new incentive package, known as the “Luxe Package,” on the flagship Model S and Model X, along with a $10,000 price increase on each trim level.

The move aims to likely bolster margins for the company on the two cars while also giving those who choose to buy the Tesla lineup mainstays a variety of awesome advantages, including Free Supercharging, Full Self-Driving, and other add-ons.

Tesla is offering a crazy Supercharging incentive on its two ‘sentimental’ vehicles

Last night, Tesla launched the “Luxe Package” for the Model S and Model X, which includes the following four add-ons:

  • Full Self-Driving (Supervised) – Your car will be able to drive itself almost anywhere with minimal driver intervention
  • Four-Year Premium Service – Wheel and Tire Protection, Windshield Protection, and Recommended Maintenance
  • Supercharging – Charge for free at 70,000+ Superchargers worldwide
  • Premium Connectivity – Listen to music, stream movies, monitor live traffic, and more – no Wi-Fi needed

Full Self-Driving is priced at $8,000. Free Supercharging for the life of the car is between $10,000 and $15,000 over the life of the vehicle, although Tesla has valued it at $5,000 in recent promotions.

Free Premium Connectivity is roughly $1,000, and the four-year tire, wheel, windshield, and maintenance plan is about $3,200.

Advertisement

In all, the value is over $25,000, but this is loosely based on usage.

The Model S and Model X are low contributors to Tesla’s overall sales figures, as they make up less than five percent of sales from a quarterly perspective and have for some time.

Advertisement

As they are certainly the luxury choices in Tesla’s lineup, the Model 3 and Model Y are the bigger focus for the company, as a significantly larger portion of the company’s sales is made up of those vehicles.

The Luxe Package is an especially good idea for those who drive high-mileage and plan to use the Model S or Model X for commuting or long drives. The free Supercharging makes the deal worth it on its own.

As for the price bumps, each of the vehicles are now priced as follows:

  • Model S All-Wheel-Drive: $94,990
  • Model S Plaid: $109,990
  • Model X All-Wheel-Drive: $99,990
  • Model X Plaid: $114,990
Continue Reading

News

Tesla Roadster could have a formidable competitor with BYD’s 3000-HP supercar

The Roadster is one of the most anticipated vehicles of all time, especially because we’ve all had to wait so long for it. On its own, it will have a 1.9-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate, which is projected to be better than the 2.3 seconds the U9 Track Edition will offer.

Published

on

The Tesla Roadster is on the way, and yes, we know we’ve heard that for quite a few years. But when it comes, it might have a formidable competitor, and it might come from no one other than Chinese rival BYD.

BYD’s Yangwang U9 Track Edition is a new configuration of the U9 supercar that hit the Chinese Ministry of Information Technology (MIIT) database recently.

The vehicle was first spotted on the MIIT database by CarNewsChinaIt will have a quad-motor powertrain, each dedicated to one wheel. Instead of the 1,287 horsepower that comes with the standard U9 configuration, the Track Edition will have 2,977.

There are only two cars that even come close in terms of horsepower: the Lotus Evija with 1,972 and the Rimac Nevera at 1,914 horsepower. The Tesla Roadster is expected to have somewhere around 1,000 horsepower.

The Roadster is one of the most anticipated vehicles of all time, especially because we’ve all had to wait so long for it. On its own, it will have a 1.9-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate (without the SpaceX package, which brings the projection to 1.1 seconds), which is projected to be better than the 2.3 seconds the U9 Track Edition will offer.

Advertisement

The Roadster also beats the U9 Track Edition in projected top speed and range. The Roadster could top out at over 250 MPH, compared to the 217 conservative projection for the U9 Track Edition.

Range on the Roadster is 620 miles, beating 280 miles for the BYD.

The U9 Track Edition will also have some additional features compared to its base model. These include some aerodynamic additions, like a carbon fiber rear wing, diffuser, and an adjustable front splitter and adjustable rear wing.

The latter two are optional, but if you have enough scratch to drop on this car, you’re probably adding those two features as well.

We hope that both the Roadster and U9 Track Edition will hit a drag strip, road course, or even a superspeedway for some racing. It would truly be something for EV fans to drool over.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Tesla is breaking even its own rules to cap off an intense Q3

Tesla is pulling out all the stops to have a strong Q3 as the EV tax credit will phase out.

Published

on

Credit: MarcoRP | X

Tesla is breaking its own rules by advertising on various platforms in an effort to sell as many cars as possible before the end of the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit.

Tesla has had a very polarizing perspective on advertising. Over the years, it has taken on different attitudes toward spending any money on marketing. It has instead put those dollars into research and development to make its vehicles more advanced.

Back in 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk talked about the company advertising its vehicles and energy products:

Advertisement

In 2021, in response to analyst Gary Black, who has pushed for Tesla to have a PR or marketing department, Musk said:

However, this did not hold as Tesla’s strategy for the long haul. While Musk did resist advertising for a long time, Tesla started placing ads on platforms like X, Google, and YouTube several years back. It’s pretty rare that Tesla pushes these ads, however.

Advertisement

Tesla launches advertising on X in the U.S., expanding ‘small scale’ strategy outlined by Musk

The company’s stance on setting aside capital for advertising seems to be circumstantial. Right now, it is working to sell as many vehicles as it can before the tax credit comes to a close.

As a result, it is pushing some ads on YouTube:

Advertisement

It’s a move that makes sense considering the timing. With just six weeks roughly left in the quarter, Tesla is going to work tirelessly to push as many cars into customer hands as possible. It will use every ounce of effort to get its products on people’s screens.

Tesla counters jab at lack of advertising with perfect response

Throw in one of the many incentives it is offering currently, and there will surely be some takers.

Continue Reading

Trending