Ford is making a massive $5 billion bet on America’s electric future, announcing a new Universal EV Platform, a radical production system, and the brand’s first midsize electric pickup. — Ford says that the EVs will all be designed to make EVs more affordable, practical, and fun to drive.
The Ford Universal EV Platform is engineered to produce a family of electric vehicles at scale while keeping costs down. The first model to debut on the platform will be a midsize four-door electric pickup with a targeted starting price of around $30,000. Production will take place at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant, with the truck hitting the market in 2027 for both U.S. and export customers.
Ford says the new truck will be as quick to 60 mph as a Mustang EcoBoost and offer more passenger space than a Toyota RAV4. Thanks to its low center of gravity and instant torque from its electric motors, it’s also designed to deliver a genuinely engaging drive. Practical touches include a frunk, a traditional truck bed, and enough secure storage for surfboards or outdoor gear without roof racks or hitch mounts.
At the heart of the platform is a cobalt-free, nickel-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic battery pack that doubles as the truck’s structural floor. This setup reduces weight, lowers the center of gravity, and improves handling while freeing up cabin space. Ford claims lower five-year ownership costs than a three-year-old used Tesla Model Y.
More than 100 years after inventing the moving assembly line, Ford is introducing the Universal EV Production System — an “assembly tree” that builds vehicles in three major sub-assemblies: the front, the rear, and the structural battery. Each sub-assembly is built separately before being joined together, with large aluminum castings replacing dozens of smaller parts.
This method boosts ergonomics for workers, reduces complexity, and improves build quality. Ford expects assembly to be up to 40% faster than current Louisville operations, with a net 15% speed improvement after reinvesting time into quality and automation.
To bring this plan to life, Ford is investing nearly $2 billion in the Louisville Assembly Plant, securing 2,200 jobs. The facility will expand by 52,000 square feet and receive major digital infrastructure upgrades, including the fastest network in any Ford plant worldwide.
In addition, BlueOval Battery Park Michigan — already backed by a $3 billion investment — will produce the LFP battery packs starting next year. Together, the two projects represent $5 billion in investment and will create or secure nearly 4,000 U.S. jobs while strengthening the domestic EV supply chain.
