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

[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.

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[BabyDoc1012]

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.

 

[Newton]

Thanks for this, Brian. I hope that part of testing of the midsized truck is to have a middle-aged woman throw four bags of topsoil from the ground into the bed. My wife got a 50# e-bike and while I can get it into the bed it is a struggle. I deliberately chose a ‘light’ one or more accurately whined like heck until she liked a folding one that could fit in the cab. Luckily I can also get it into the bed but I swear at the bed height each time.

For actual truck stuff (other than traveling) I still use my T-100 a bit more because if I have a whole bunch of heavy garbage it Is just easier.

I am curious how this new strategy relates to Jim Farley’s comments as recently as two years ago that unlike G.M. he did not want to have many “top hats” over one platform.

 

[Kev12345]

I’m guessing they didn’t share any specs on the truck since it’s still too far out from release to know for sure what final pricing will be.

When Tesla went all in on similar things like large castings and reduced wiring techniques with the Cybertruck, one of the big points that brought a lot of bad press was that their top of the line truck was announced at $69,999 for 500 miles of range. It later released initially at $100k+ for 325 miles of range with a battery smaller than the Lightning.

I’m glad Ford is taking a more conservative approach so they have a better shot at delivering what is promised when they announce the details.

they shouldn’t have mentioned a $30k truck.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Well, from my point of view, Ford has confirmed continued work in the EV space, and that is a good thing. The whole 3-4 autos that all share a common skateboard we have heard before, and should shave costs and complexity.
If Ford had a full EV Ranger now I might have already bought it.

It is too bad that the early hype during the Lightning launch lead to sales above MSRP - in some cases considerably over. Greedy.
This left the public with this whole impression the Lightning is a super expensive truck - which it wasn't by end of 2024, when they were selling well below MSRP and Ford offered 10k off the sticker price. But by this time the public impression was already set. People see my Lightning and assume I paid double what it actually cost me.

The more EV's out there, the more charging infrastructure will be built out. Some lower cost EVs for commuting could change the perception of EV's being "expensive cars for people with money" to more commonly seen and used daily drivers.
Bums in Seats folks, Bums in Seats.

 

[Newton]

Question: the battery is a structural sub-assembly, does that mean that it can’t be replaced? How about if an individual cell goes bad?

Question 2: how does the unicasting approach affect the ability to repair the truck? Offroading is a big part of the midsized market, and trucks like the Tacoma are popular because they are relatively easy to repair.

Question 3: My Toyota T-100 (which was under $10,000 when I bought it new) is a great truck that has been tremendously useful and was a good value. Many people who see it want to buy it - but at the time it was a commercial flop. Why was that, and how is Ford going to avoid the same fate for their new midsized. (The T-100 was a full-sized truck in that era but would be considered midsized now.)

 

[MountainAlive]

I just read that the battery on this smaller truck might be really small. If true then that explains why the price would be so low. Not sure everyone will enjoy the range it provides. https://insideevs.com/news/768632/ford-midsize-ev-pickup-battery/

 

[Grumpy2]

the battery on this smaller truck might be really small

Fordauthority.com is guessing it will be about 51 kWh. Making everyday usable 80% about 40 kWh. It will need to be VERY efficient.

 

[The Weatherman]

He announced it would utilize a LFP battery which is not as energy efficient as the NMC we have in our Lightnings. He also said it would be a smaller battery. That doesn’t seem to imply it will have outstanding range.

Even though I seldom drive more than 100mi per day range is still key consideration for me.

I have a Slate reservation with the ER battery (240mi) estimated range and I’m certain it will not be my road tripper.
That is releasing with the NMC chemistry as well. LFP is going to be less range for the same size battery.

 

[Tired Lizard]

The HVB size estimate caught my eye as my my 23 Bolt EUV battery label is 64kWh.

 

[sotek2345]

Fordauthority.com is guessing it will be about 51 kWh. Making everyday usable 80% about 40 kWh. It will need to be VERY efficient.

If it is LFP, you can charge to 100% daily, but that is still a TINY battery. Especially for a truck!

 

[Jim Lewis]

The truck is supposed to be able to power the home. Does that mean version 2 of a HIS unit? Hopefully those of us with HIS 01 don't have to wait until 2028 to get a fixed or revised version of HIS that comes out with the new truck... A fix for HIS 01 was rumored to arrive by the end of this year, which is coming up fast, with no especially promising updates or retrofits in sight yet.

 

[PJnc284]

Good discussion from the Electric Duo (former Mach-E Vlog). Sounds like it'll still be 400 volt.

 

[DeluxeStang]

So a small ass Maverick cabin with a 6' bed? Seems very odd to me when by far the most popular configuration Truck on the market is massive cab full size truck with "short" bed. You know like our Lightnings! Maybe Ford is betting on people not wanting Full size cabins anymore since no one is having any kids anymore?

If this is it, then it appears to have a shorter hood, with a decent sized cab and bed. But hey, one of the many benefits of people not having kids anymore is maybe that leads to smaller 2 door vehicles making a comeback, I can dream lol.

The top pic is the patent, the bottom pic is an AI rendering of what said truck could look like. The angled thing in the bed is a patent for a collapsible tent, so don't worry if you don't like how it looks, it's not a fixed part of the design.

This could be the CE1 truck, or it could be t3. People who've seen t3 have said it has a shorter hood with a larger cab, and looks a bit like a future '97-03 f-150.

 

[DeluxeStang]

If this is it, then it appears to have a shorter hood, with a decent sized cab and bed. But hey, one of the many benefits of people not having kids anymore is maybe that leads to smaller 2 door vehicles making a comeback, I can dream lol.

The top pic is the patent, the bottom pic is an AI rendering of what said truck could look like. The angled thing in the bed is a patent for a collapsible tent, so don't worry if you don't like how it looks, it's not a fixed part of the design.

This could be the CE1 truck, or it could be t3. People who've seen t3 have said it has a shorter hood with a larger cab, and looks a bit like a future '97-03 f-150.

The reason I believe this could be t3 is the only glimpse we ever caught of the t3 was a closeup of a clay model which I'll add below. Notice the pretty distinct line that appears to wrap under the side glass and flicks up to define the top of the fender as it nears the front of the truck.

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