In an effort to rapidly bring down EV costs, Japanese automakers are taking the next step -- how will Ford respond?Ford Motor Company (F 1.45%) investors can't seem to catch a break. The company faces numerous challenges in improving vehicle quality (it's led the U.S. industry in recalls for three straight years), increasing electric vehicle competition and price wars, emerging well-built Chinese EVs, and now a Japanese alliance among automakers hoping to advance their position in the global EV market. Let' ...