Ford Ranchero's New Name Possibly Revealed, Delay in Lightning Replacement: TDS Report
In the world of automotive news, Ford is making waves with its plans to revive the classic Ranchero name for its next midsize electric pickup truck. Here's what you need to know:
Ford is set to bring back the Ranchero name, a moniker last seen on the company's pickups in the 1970s. This new electric pickup truck is expected to hit production lines as early as 2026 or 2027, with a market launch targeted for 2027 [1][2][4][5].
The company has filed a trademark for "Ranchero" in August 2025, signaling its intent to use the name for this EV model [1][4][5]. Ford aims to make this electric Ranchero affordable, targeting a starting price of about $30,000 [2]. This price point reflects their new Universal EV Platform that will allow more scalable and cost-effective production of electric vehicles.
The new truck is expected to be assembled at Ford’s Louisville plant [2]. With its smaller size, affordable price, and urban-friendly design, the electric Ranchero will stand apart from larger, more expensive electric trucks like the F-150 Lightning [3]. This move is part of Ford’s broader strategy to build a family of affordable, software-defined electric vehicles [2].
Stay tuned for more updates as Ford continues to shape the future of electric vehicles.
In other news, The Down Shift (TDS), our weekday news rundown, is providing a quick hit of the latest automotive stories from around the world. TDS is designed to be light, right, and tight, with a focus on news and a minimalist approach to words [6]. Each story is summarized in a single sentence, making it perfect for a quick read over your morning coffee and Pop-Tart.
TDS is in its second week and has already received feedback, which will be used to evolve the series. Readers are encouraged to submit their thoughts via comments or email [7].
Sources:
[1] Automotive News
[2] Electrek
[3] CNET
[4] Green Car Reports
[5] Car and Driver
[6] The Down Shift
[7] The Down Shift
Ford's future plans involve the integration of technology, aiming to make electric vehicles more affordable with its new Universal EV Platform, as demonstrated by the anticipated starting price of $30,000 for the electric Ranchero. This technological development in finance, along with the urban-friendly design of the electric Ranchero, sets it apart from other electric vehicles like the F-150 Lightning, indicating a growing emphasis on sports-oriented, compact electric vehicles in their product portfolio.
