Ford has introduced a Universal EV Platform and a matching Universal EV Production System to deliver a new family of affordable, software-defined electric vehicles at scale.
The first model will be a midsize, four-door electric pick-up, due to be built at Louisville Assembly Plant for the United States and export markets from 2027.
Ford president and CEO Jim Farley said the brief was to create affordable vehicles that delight customers while supporting American jobs, with no “incremental path” to success.
The platform targets lower complexity and faster build times: parts count down 20%, fasteners down 25%, workstations dock-to-dock down 40%, and assembly time 15% quicker.
Ford said five-year cost of ownership will undercut a three-year-old used Tesla Model Y. A re-engineered wiring harness would be more than 1.3km shorter and 10kg lighter than that in Ford’s first-generation electric SUV.
Prismatic lithium iron phosphate batteries form a structural, cobalt- and nickel-free pack that doubles as the vehicle floor, lowering the centre of gravity, improving refinement and freeing cabin space.
Ford forecasts the midsize truck will offer more passenger room than the latest Toyota RAV4, in addition to a front trunk and a secure bed.
The platform is designed for driving engagement, with instant torque and a targeted acceleration comparable to a Mustang EcoBoost. A new zonal electric architecture will support over-the-air upgrades.
The production system replaces the traditional line with an “assembly tree”: front and rear large aluminium unicastings are built as separate sub-assemblies and joined with a third sub-assembly — the structural battery pre-fitted with seats, consoles and carpeting.
Kitted parts, simplified fasteners and reduced wiring are intended to improve ergonomics and quality. Louisville’s build time for the new truck could be up to 40% faster than current models, yielding a net 15% speed gain after reinvesting time into insourcing and automation.
Ford plans nearly US$2 billion (RM8.5bil) of investment at Louisville, securing 2,200 hourly jobs, and expanding the plant by about 4,830 square metres with digital upgrades for more quality scans.
Separately, BlueOval Battery Park Michigan will build the prismatic LFP batteries from next year, part of a combined US$5 billion (RM21bil) across the two sites and nearly 4,000 direct jobs.
Ford has not named the pick-up, but has applied to trademark the “Ranchero” nameplate. The truck targets acceleration in the high-4-second range and a starting price around US$30,000 (RM127,000).
Further specifications, including range and charge times, will be announced later.
