Key Highlights
1. A $5 Billion U.S. Investment
Ford is investing approximately $5 billion across the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky and BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan to jump-start an affordable EV strategy.2. The Ford Universal EV Platform
- Developed by a “skunkworks” team in California, this new Universal EV Platform is the backbone for a wide range of future EVs.
- It reduces complexity, using ~20% fewer parts, 25% fewer fasteners, and cuts down plant workstations by ~40%, translating to 15% faster assembly times.
- It also features a zonal electrical architecture with a much lighter and shorter wiring harness.
3. Structural LFP Battery Integration
- Ford’s new prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are cobalt- and nickel-free, more affordable, safer, and will be produced domestically.
- These batteries serve as a structural subassembly—forming the vehicle floor—enhancing structural rigidity and interior space.
4. The New Manufacturing Technique: “Assembly Tree”
- Unlike traditional assembly lines, the Assembly Tree method builds the front, rear, and central battery section separately in parallel before merging them.
- This innovative system improves worker ergonomics, reduces part-handling complexity, and boosts efficiency—promising up to 40% faster assembly.
5. First Vehicle: A $30K Midsize Electric Pickup (2027)
- The first vehicle on this platform will be a four-door midsize electric pickup, targeting a starting price around $30,000, and planned for a 2027 launch.
- Ford aims for performance comparable to a Mustang EcoBoost (in 0-60 mph) and greater passenger space than a Toyota RAV4, even before adding the frunk or truck bed.
- Ford also projects lower 5-year ownership costs compared to a three-year-old Tesla Model Y.
