Ford is delaying its F-150 Lightning successor, and large electric van again, as it prioritises smaller, more affordable EVs, including a Maverick-size electric ute.
The automaker is teasing an event it is holding on August 11 US time in Kentucky, which CEO Jim Farley describes as a “Model T moment” for the firm.
In a chat with Bloomberg Television, Mr Farley confirmed Ford will reveal the platform for “very low-end, super affordable EVs for urban duty cycles and for commercial”.
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This new platform has been developed in California with the battery integrated into the chassis, and some models have been revealed to dealers.
It’s believed the first product using the platform will be a small ute, around the size of today’s Maverick (above). The small EV ute is due to enter production in 2027, with some rumours indicate it could resurrect the Ranchero name (1960 model pictured below). In the US, the Ranchero name was used on a series sedan-based utes from 1957 to 1979, with the donor vehicles including Falcon, Torino and LTD.
It will be followed by a small electric SUV in 2028. If all goes according to plan, the platform could serve as the basis for eight different vehicles. All will be produced at the company’s plant in Louisville, Kentucky, which currently manufactures the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. Both finish their innings this year, and won’t be directly replaced.
In order to keep these small EVs affordable, they will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries made at the company’s new US$3 billion ($4.6 billion) BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. Due to come online in 2026, the plant is scheduled to be the first to produce LFP batteries in the States.
LFP batteries have less energy density than lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries (NMC), but are significantly cheaper and less harmful to the environment.
With Ford training its sights on the lower-end of the EV market, it is delaying the full-size electric ute, known as ‘T3’, that’s set to replace the F-150 Lightning until 2028. It has also pushed out the date for a new electric van, thought to be the next-generation E-Transit, until 2028 also. It’s unknown if European production of this van will start earlier.
In 2024 company cancelled plans to build a large electric three-row SUV for the US.
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