Ford CEO Mark Fields says the automaker has the ability and expertise to build a Tesla-like full-size high-tech, long-range electric vehicle.
Fields didn't actually say the company will do so, but did add, "It's consistent with our product philosophy."
Ford's only all-electric is the small Focus electric, though it also sells plug-in hybrids.
Fields made the comment on Friday during a conference call with Wall Street investments analysts and reporters discussing Ford's third-quarter earnings announcement, according to USA Today.
Though Ford has no plans to copy the Telsa Model S, a larger vehicle of some kind with better performance and greater range than the Focus electric, would "fit" the automaker's lineup.
Fields added that Ford has the engineering and manufacturing ability to make such a model, with the quickness and range that would compete with the Model S.
Ford actually purchased a Model S, and Fields described what the automaker did with it during the call.
"We drove it. We took it apart. We put it back together and we drove it again," he said in the call, according to USA Today.
Tesla opened its patents in June in order to hurry the development of high-performance electric vehicles by other automakers. The company said this week that it believes that automakers and "the world" would benefit from a "common, rapidly-evolving technology platform."
Tesla would also benefit financially, since it's planned "giga-factory" would be a main source for the high-capacity battery packs such vehicles would need.
Ford said during its earnings report that it had pre-tax profit of $1.2 billion during the most recent quarter and net income of $835 million, which are both down from 2013 on higher costs, lower sales volumes, according to USA Today.
Toyota sold part of its Tesla stake on Friday, two days after Daimler sold its entire Tesla shareholding.
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