The David Lin Report Ford's ‘BlackBerry Moment’ Signals End Of Legacy Auto Industry | Gianni Kovacevic
Jan 5, 2026
Gianni Kovacevic, an insightful author and investor specializing in energy and automotive transitions, explores the seismic shifts in the auto industry. He critiques Ford for failing to adapt, highlighting its massive EV write-down and sluggish pivot to electric vehicles. Gianni reveals how China’s dominance in EVs stems from aggressive adoption, reshaping global markets. He discusses investment opportunities in lithium and phosphate, and shares his perspective on the future of EV technology, dismissing hydrogen in favor of electric solutions. Kovacevic also stresses the need for the West to innovate and collaborate, especially with Chinese firms.
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Legacy Platforms Caused Ford's Failure
- Gianni Kovacevic calls Ford's EV strategy a "BlackBerry moment" because they retrofitted old platforms instead of rebuilding for EVs.
- That mismatch produced beloved niche owners but poor mass adoption and a $19.5B write-down.
China Shifted The Auto Industry Fast
- China became the world's largest car market and forced OEMs to produce EVs locally, accelerating EV adoption.
- Incumbents resisted retooling, and dealer/unions opposed EVs because they reduce service work and labor needs.
EV Demand Is Driven By Tech And Experience
- Customers buy EVs for technology, convenience and comfort, not primarily emissions.
- Chinese OEMs (BYD, CATL, Xiaomi, Huawei) built high-tech, affordable EVs that accelerated demand.
