Ford Kills Zonal Architecture Software Program
Ford Motor Company has officially canceled its ambitious fully-networked "zonal" vehicle architecture project, a next-generation software platform intended to unify and modernize the electronic systems across its entire lineup.
Key Points
- Ford has canceled its FNV4 electrical architecture project due to rising costs and delays, which aimed to streamline vehicle software functions and enable over-the-air updates, competing with Tesla’s advanced systems.
- The project faced challenges in coordinating software from numerous suppliers, hindering the company's ability to deliver quick updates and maintain quality, contributing to significant losses in 2023 and 2024.
- Ford will integrate the lessons learned from FNV4 into its existing systems and continue software development through its "skunkworks" team, which focuses on creating affordable electric vehicles and enhancing connected vehicle experiences across its lineup.
According to a report from Reuters, Ford's decision to kill the "zonal" program came after costs spiraled out of control and numerous development delays. The project aimed to streamline vehicle software functions, reduce complexity, and enable over-the-air updates in both electric and combustion-powered vehicles—by the sounds of it, the project achieved exactly the opposite.
Despite substantial investment, Ford found it especially challenging to integrate software from myriad different suppliers. For example, a supplier that provides a power-operated seat for Ford will also provide the software and code associated with its operation—this happens with every part and electronic system supplied by an outside company.
Now you have a messy pile of code that makes it almost impossible for the automaker to quickly deliver software updates.
FNV4 was expected to be a "zonal" system, similar to Rivian's—and the reason Volkswagen invested almost $6 billion into the EV maker. Zonal systems take a decentralized approach to vehicle electronics by grouping functions by their physical location (zones) instead of by their outputs.
Meaning, instead of having separate electronic control units for brakes, lights, or climate control, the vehicle's electronics are organized into zones—like left front, right rear, cabin, etc—each with a dedicated controller or gateway controlling its specific physical zone.
This approach simplifies the amount of wiring needed to rig a vehicle. So multiple smaller zonal brains communicate with a larger central brain.
Spending on the "zonal" FNV4 program contributed to Ford's reported losses of $4.7 billion in 2023 and $5 billion in 2024 related to software and EV development.
Ford says the sunk costs won't be lost as it plans to incorporate lessons learned from the FNV4 project into its existing electrical architecture and will continue to focus on developing advanced software through its California-based "skunkworks" team—the same crew that just failed to develop FNV4.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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