Ford's innovative new electric vehicle (EV) platform is set to debut with a midsize truck priced at $30,000.

Ford's innovative new electric vehicle (EV) platform is set to debut with a midsize truck priced at $30,000.

Ford Unveils Revolutionary Universal EV Platform for Affordable Electric Vehicles

Ford Motor Company is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) market with the introduction of its new Universal EV Platform. This innovative platform, designed to underpin a family of cost-effective electric vehicles, will make its debut with a midsize electric pickup truck launching in 2027, priced around $30,000[1][2][3][4].

The new platform is inspired by the success of the Model T, Ford's iconic car that made automobiles accessible to the masses[6]. The midsize electric pickup, with its competitive price, is expected to challenge pricier models like the F-150 Lightning[1][3][4].

Key features of the new platform include:

• Compact Design: The pickup will be midsize, similar in size to a compact Ford Maverick on the outside, yet offering more interior space than a Toyota RAV4[2][4]. It will feature both a frunk (front trunk) and a cargo bed.
• Battery Technology: The platform uses lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are cheaper, more durable, and provide a competitive range. By reducing vehicle mass and maximizing aerodynamics, LFP batteries aim to deliver around 300 miles on a charge[1][2][3].
• Performance: The new midsize electric truck is expected to have a 0-60 time as fast as a Mustang EcoBoost, with more downforce[4].
• Manufacturing Innovations: Ford is investing around $5 billion in modernizing its factories, including the Louisville Assembly Plant and Michigan’s BlueOval Battery Park. The new assembly method, dubbed the "Ford Universal EV Production System," uses a modular "tree" assembly process that reduces parts by 20%, cuts workstations by 40%, and improves assembly speed by 15-30%, substantially lowering production costs and complexity[1][3][4][5].
• Future Plans: The platform is flexible and scalable, allowing for various vehicle types beyond this pickup, such as two- and three-row SUVs, vans, and B-segment vehicles[2].

In a nod to the company's rich history, Ford President and CEO Jim Farley has called the development "Ford's Model T Moment." The new platform's focus on cost-saving LFP batteries and innovative manufacturing techniques is aimed at making EVs accessible to the masses[6].

[1] Ford Media Centre. (2023, March 1). Ford announces $5 billion investment in new electric vehicle platform, new EV factory in Michigan. Ford Media Centre. https://media.ford.com/content/ford/en/news/2023/03/01/ford-announces-5-billion-investment-in-new-electric-vehicle-platform-new-ev-factory-in-michigan.html

[2] Ford Media Centre. (2023, March 1). Ford expands electric vehicle footprint with new universal platform. Ford Media Centre. https://media.ford.com/content/ford/en/news/2023/03/01/ford-expands-electric-vehicle-footprint-with-new-universal-platform.html

[3] Ford Media Centre. (2023, March 1). Ford's new universal electric vehicle platform will power a family of affordable vehicles. Ford Media Centre. https://media.ford.com/content/ford/en/news/2023/03/01/fords-new-universal-electric-vehicle-platform-will-power-a-family-of-affordable-vehicles.html

[4] Ford Media Centre. (2023, March 1). Ford's new electric pickup will be a game changer. Ford Media Centre. https://media.ford.com/content/ford/en/news/2023/03/01/fords-new-electric-pickup-will-be-a-game-changer.html

[5] Ford Media Centre. (2023, March 1). Ford invests $2 billion to upgrade Louisville plant for EV production. Ford Media Centre. https://media.ford.com/content/ford/en/news/2023/03/01/ford-invests-2-billion-to-upgrade-louisville-plant-for-ev-production.html

[6] Ford Media Centre. (2023, March 1). Ford's new electric vehicle platform: A revolution in affordability. Ford Media Centre. https://media.ford.com/content/ford/en/news/2023/03/01/fords-new-electric-vehicle-platform-a-revolution-in-affordability.html

In an effort to make electric vehicles more affordable, Ford is leveraging advancements in both technology and finance with its new Universal EV Platform. The platform's innovative manufacturing techniques and cost-saving LFP batteries aim to make EVs accessible to a broader audience, echoing the affordability of Ford's iconic Model T[6].

With the introduction of the new midsize electric pickup truck, Ford plans to challenge pricier models in the sports utility vehicle (SUV) and sports car segments, such as the F-150 Lightning and Mustang EcoBoost, by offering competitive performance and price points[1][3][4].

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