America-focused Ford investment: Innovation and efficiency merge in new battery EV platform, manufacturing method, and midsize pickup truck
Ford Unveils Game-Changing Electric Pickup Truck for 2028
Ford Motors has announced plans to launch a groundbreaking midsize, four-door electric pickup truck in 2027, marking the company's latest foray into the electric vehicle (EV) market [1][3]. The vehicle will be built on the new Universal EV Platform and assembled using the Universal EV Production System.
The new EV platform will utilise prismatic LFP batteries, making Ford the first automaker to manufacture these batteries in the United States [2]. This move is expected to contribute significantly to the shaping of the battery market.
The upcoming electric pickup truck will offer an affordable option in the midsize electric truck market, with a starting price of around $30,000 [1][2][3]. It will be roughly the size of the current gas-powered Maverick but boast interior space comparable to a Toyota RAV4, providing more passenger room and both a frunk and a conventional bed [1][3].
Performance-wise, the truck is expected to be as quick as a Mustang EcoBoost, offering a unique blend of performance and efficiency [1][3]. Manufacturing will take place at the Louisville Assembly Plant, which is undergoing expansions and digital upgrades, and the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan will supply advanced prismatic LFP batteries beginning in 2026 [3].
Ford's investment in this initiative stands at approximately $5 billion, creating or securing nearly 4,000 jobs across the two production sites [2][3]. The Universal EV Production System is designed to radically simplify vehicle assembly, improving safety, quality, and speed [3][4].
Notably, the new wiring harness will be significantly shorter and lighter than previous generations, reducing complexity and weight [3][4]. This manufacturing innovation is part of Ford's broader strategy to create a strong, sustainable, and profitable business in the automotive industry.
The development of the new EV platform and assembly process was led by a small team located three time zones away from Detroit, demonstrating Ford's commitment to innovation and efficiency [6]. This strategic shift comes amid a series of postponements for the next-generation Lightning pickup, which is now slated for a 2028 market arrival [5].
The new electric pickup truck is set to begin production in 2027, with a likely market arrival as a 2028 model year vehicle. This new offering aims to delight customers with its design, innovation, flexibility, space, driving pleasure, and cost of ownership, while avoiding the issues of idled plants, layoffs, and uncertainty that have been associated with previous attempts by Detroit automakers to create affordable vehicles.
[1] News Article about the latest developments in the battery market [2] Ford Investing $5 Billion in New EV Platform and Assembly Process [3] Ford's New Electric Pickup Truck: Everything You Need to Know [4] Ford's Universal EV Production System: A Game-Changer in Vehicle Assembly [5] Ford Delays Next-Generation Lightning Pickup to 2028 [6] The Small Team Behind Ford's Revolutionary EV Platform and Assembly Process
- Ford's $5 billion investment in the new electric vehicle platform and assembly process is a significant move that is anticipated to shape not only the automotive industry but also the battery market, as the company plans to manufacture prismatic LFP batteries in the United States.
- The introduction of Ford's game-changing electric pickup truck in 2028 is a testament to the company's expansion into the electric vehicle market, as it aims to disrupt traditional finance models in the transportation and automotive sector by offering an affordable electric alternative to gas-powered vehicles.
