After launching a series of high-priced electric vehicles, Ford is now focusing on affordable and 100% electric vehicles. The American manufacturer is relying on a new platform and a production system for this purpose. The goal is to develop a family of “high-quality software-defined electric vehicles that are accessible to millions of people around the world”.
At the center of the strategy is the “Universal EV Platform”, which will debut in a new four-door mid-size pickup truck, set to be produced at the Louisville factory starting in 2027, for both the American market and export.
“We have taken a radical approach to a very difficult challenge: to develop affordable vehicles that delight our customers in every aspect — design, innovation, flexibility, space, driving pleasure, and operational costs — and to do this with American workers.”, said Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, during the presentation of the company’s new strategy.
According to the American brand, the new universal platform for electric vehicles will reduce the cost associated with 100% electric models, as well as the number of components by 20%, and requires 40% fewer workstations in production. Additionally, the assembly time is also 15% shorter. According to Ford, this provides customers with a better total cost of ownership over five years than a used Tesla Model Y with three years of use.
Ford also emphasizes that the wiring harness of the new pick-up is 1.3 km shorter and 10 kilograms lighter than that of the first-generation electric SUV. Furthermore, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries also provide space and weight savings, as well as lower costs and greater lifespan.
The American brand promises that the new pick-up will offer more passenger space than the current Toyota RAV4, not to mention the additional space in the front and trunk. In addition to space and practicality, the focus is on driving pleasure, and for that, Ford bets on a model with a low center of gravity, instant torque, and a sophisticated chassis, allowing the pick-up to be agile and accelerate as quickly as a sports car, as well as providing more downforce.
“The vehicles built on this new platform will have affordable prices, but they will also be highly efficient, customizable, and fun to drive. And they will not be reduced to the essentials.”, promises Ford. “Instead, these vehicles will be equipped with innovative features and new software that will differentiate them from the competition and ignite people’s desire to drive them. Additionally, they will be enhanced over time through remote updates that will add new features as they become available.”
The production of the new pickup and future low-cost electric models from Ford will take place in a new concept of universal assembly line, the Ford Universal EV Production System, which according to the American brand is a ‘tree’ of production with three parallel branches that end in a common conclusion.
“The Ford Universal Electric Vehicle Production System significantly improves worker ergonomics, reducing the need to twist, stretch, and bend, allowing them to focus on their work.”
Thanks to the integration of the new platform and the production system, Ford expects that the new vehicle can be manufactured up to 40% faster than previous models at the Louisville plant.
