Ford Universal EV Platform Announced: Innovation Meets Efficiency in New EV Platform, Assembly Process and Midsize Truck

[davehu]

I found this quite disappointing.
I had anticipated to at least see the Mid-Size truck in some form, be it a pre production mock-up or a concept rendering, rather than the silhouettes we've already been seeing for quite some time.
This really felt like a UAW pep rally more than anything else.
I believe there was some comment regarding reducing the battery by 1/3, I don't know if that's referring to the 98 kWh or 131 kWh for the Lightning or the 72 kWh, 88kWh or 91 kWh on the Mach-E.
I suppose that was the only thing even close to real information on the platform.

this announcement was about the manufacturing approach. significant reductions in what it costs to manufacture any car using way fewer components, fasteners, wiring, etc and most importantly much easier for workers to get there jobs done in significantly less time. It wasn't about the truck itself, time will deliver that.

Sponsored

 

[SomeStupidDriver]

We did learn the intended starting price. $30k base. It will be a $40k well equipped offering. Maybe!!

Before dealer markup. Dealers are doing just as much damage to EV adoption as anything else.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

Im happy Ford didnt decided to abandon EVs. I really figured they were.

 

[MaintGrl]

There is deep irony with starting their new EV platform with a truck is wild.

The Lightning is one of the best vehicles (great truck, mediocre EV) ever made, and it didn't sell at insane volume.

Unless this is highly capable and at 400mi range; I dunno how this does numbers.

Well, there would be more Lightningsaround if they advertised/pushed it...I NEVER hear of an ad, Only a quick flash of a picture when pushing ICE F-150's or their full line up

 

[BluesClues]

Cost comes to mind. We'll see though.

i struggle to square this one up when you see used lightning prices.

i dunno - good luck to FMC on this one, it's gonna be a grinder.

 

[Thudson]

Is a small truck really destined to be a road trip or pulling vehicle with 400 mile range? It could never handle the weight of the Lightning battery. I wouldn't expect the range on this to be more than 250 miles. It's a close at home use vehicle for individuals and a high uptake for business use.

Honestly, a Maverick or Ranger sized EV with a better range than my lightning? Take all my money. My biggest gripe with this truck is the size and the range (the range is my fault for not going to the flash.) I came from a Maverick, so maneuverability was my first big pain point.

 

[Lytning]

So, @Ford Motor Company, you have had 3 years to-date to get Over-The-Air (OTA) updates working properly. I guess the Universal EV Platform launch gives you 2 more years?

 

[PJnc284]

So, @Ford Motor Company, you have had 3 years to-date to get Over-The-Air (OTA) updates working properly. I guess the Universal EV Platform launch gives you 2 more years?

You can't expect much from the same company that gave us a max defrost physical and virtual button.

 

[Grumpy2]

From Fordauthority.com: "... the new Ford EV pickup could use the Ranchero name, based on a recent trademark filing ..."

I find this strange as the Ranchero always seemed like a mostly useless vehicle for anything heavier than a few hundred pounds, at least those produced in the 1970's, and not a very popular seller. ??

 

[MaintGrl]

I got a automotive question, is a Ford Ranchero considered a Uni-body vehicle, and if not what is that style of cab/bed design called.

 

[davehu]

interested in an EV knew about the lightning.

From Fordauthority.com: "... the new Ford EV pickup could use the Ranchero name, based on a recent trademark filing ..."

I find this strange as the Ranchero always seemed like a mostly useless vehicle for anything heavier than a few hundred pounds, at least those produced in the 1970's, and not a very popular seller. ??

difference is the Ranchero only had 2 doors. this one will have 4 doors and a frunk

 

[Lolat]

One BIG positive for me, smaller truck. My main gripe with my Lightning is it a full size truck, which I VERY seldom need for a daily driver. Rivian smaller, but not as convenient as Lightning’s use of space, I.e., the FRUNK.

 

[Lytning]

I got a automotive question, is a Ford Ranchero considered a Uni-body vehicle, and if not what is that style of cab/bed design called.

When we were kids, we called it a car truck ... and later a Rancheerio.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranchero

 

[Pitbull2o08]

Well, there would be more Lightningsaround if they advertised/pushed it...I NEVER hear of an ad, Only a quick flash of a picture when pushing ICE F-150's or their full line up

What are they going to advertise?? The GM offerings charge faster, go further, have bigger cargo and GVWR, and (maybe?) tow more. They can’t tout their systems that do not work like their HIS, they have to offer people free install for their chargers to get them to buy any. Writings been on the wall the lightning is going to be an orphan vehicle.

 

[Deleted member 4362]

What are they going to advertise?? The GM offerings charge faster, go further, have bigger cargo and GVWR, and (maybe?) tow more. They can’t tout their systems that do not work like their HIS, they have to offer people free install for their chargers to get them to buy any. Writings been on the wall the lightning is going to be an orphan vehicle.

If this new mid-size ev truck is a '28 than '27 will be the last model year for the Lightning. I am betting the Lightning will continue on without any updates and I bet we do not see any more updates either. The Mach-E will get a second gen, but only once this new platform is out and the mid-size truck has been out for two model years.
I hate to see it because I love my Lightning. I do think they should have started with a Ranger, could have competed better with the Rivian, could have been cheaper, but who knows. I hope we see a second gen Lightning.

Sponsored