Overview

• The Universal EV Platform will underpin a family of affordable electric models, kicking off with a Louisville-built midsize pickup slated for 2027 at about $30,000.
• A novel “assembly tree” process will join three major subassemblies to cut parts by around 20 percent and boost production speed up to 15 percent.
• Ford plans to use cobalt-free lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in packs roughly one-third smaller while targeting competitive range and rapid charging.
• The shift comes as Model e projects up to $5.5 billion in 2025 losses and follows cancellations of a three-row SUV plus postponements of next-gen F-150 Lightning and E-Transit to 2028.
• Analysts caution that execution challenges for the new manufacturing approach and reduced EV incentives could test the commercial viability of Ford’s lower-cost strategy.