Ford is preparing to unveil a versatile, low-cost electric vehicle platform in August 2025, marking a strategic pivot focused on affordability and broader vehicle range to compete with cheaper Chinese EVs.
Ford Motor Company is getting ready for what many are calling a major milestone in its electric vehicle (EV) plans, with the big reveal of an entirely new EV platform scheduled for August 2025. Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO, has referred to this development as a “Model T moment” for the automaker — basically, a way to signal that they’re aiming for an affordable, mass-market EV that could be a game-changer, much like how the original Model T made cars accessible to the masses more than a hundred years ago. This push is part of a larger effort to drive down EV costs and sharpen Ford’s competition against cheaper Chinese electric vehicles, both here in the U.S. and across the globe.
The new platform, it’s believed, will probably be built in the U.S., most likely at the Kentucky truck plant — although, of course, that hasn't been officially confirmed. Unlike Ford’s current bigger EV models like the F-150 Lightning or Mustang Mach-E, this platform will focus on smaller, more affordable vehicles. Okay, so while we don’t know all the models planned just yet, it’s expected that this new architecture will support a bunch of different vehicles — all packed with high-tech features, more efficient performance, and flexible interior space and utility. Honestly, this approach lines up with Ford’s broader mission to radically overhaul how it does engineering, supply chains, and manufacturing entirely, in order to stay competitive on the fast-evolving global EV scene.
Supporting all this, Ford has brought together a ‘skunkworks’ team, led by Alan Clarke, a former Tesla engineer, based out in California. This team — approximately 300 experts, by the way — includes folks from Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and even Apple. Their mission? To develop a really versatile, low-cost EV platform capable of supporting—as many as eight different body styles, including pickups, crossovers, and possibly sedans or other kinds of vehicles. And, if you ask me, the first product they’re likely to roll out from this platform is a more budget-friendly electric pickup truck, one that will hopefully satisfy consumer demand for longer range, better utility, and more usability overall.
Now, the focus on bringing costs down isn’t just about the platform itself — it extends to batteries and other key components like chassis and electronics as well. To make these efforts profitable, Ford is counting on getting around $700 million in U.S. federal tax credits, thanks to its $3 billion investment in a new battery manufacturing plant in Michigan. Plus, the company plans to shift some of its battery production back home, taking advantage of incentives laid out by the Inflation Reduction Act. This is part of a broader reshuffle in the supply chain, all aimed at reducing costs and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Of course, things haven’t always gone perfectly. Earlier in 2024, Ford announced delays with its electric F-150, which is now expected to launch in 2027. They also discontinued an ambitious three-row electric SUV project dubbed the “personal bullet train,” citing slow adoption rates for EVs and financial pressures as the main reasons. Instead, Ford’s shifting focus to more proven segments like pickups and commercial vehicles, while also expanding their investments in hybrid models. It’s pretty clear they’re trying to recalibrate on the fly.
Jim Farley’s own experience driving a Chinese-made Xiaomi SU7 EV for several months really hammered home the urgency Ford feels about rethinking its EV strategy. He’s highlighted how that exposure was quite the eye-opener, forcing the company to consider major changes in engineering and manufacturing. Industry insiders note that while Ford has been hinting at a shift toward more advanced, connected EV tech since the era of former CEO Mark Fields, the current focus on beating Chinese rivals adds a new layer of strategic urgency — like, “We really need to step this up fast,” you might say.
In the end, all these announcements suggest that Ford is embarking on a big evolution in its EV roadmap. They’re prioritizing affordability, manufacturing flexibility, and expanding their vehicle lineup—all in a bid to reclaim some ground in a market that’s changing rapidly. The upcoming platform reveal is sure to set the tone for Ford’s place in the EV world for years to come, especially as they face stiff competition from both domestic rivals and increasingly capable global EV manufacturers. It’s pretty interesting, right?
Source: Noah Wire Services
