Ford’s next “Model T” is a midsize electric pickup that will start at around $30,000. The new model will be the first of a family of affordable electric vehicles based on the new Ford Universal EV Platform. As Ford shifts to lower-cost EVs, a few popular SUVs you may recognize are getting axed.
Ford’s new $30,000 EV pickup will replace gas SUVs
At its Louisville, Kentucky, plant on Monday (see our recap of the event), Ford revealed plans to build a new midsize EV pickup, claiming it will have a lower cost of ownership than a Tesla Model Y.
It will also have more interior space, thanks to its new “Ford Universal EV Platform,” which was also unveiled during the event.
The platform will underpin a series of new affordable electric cars that Ford promises will compete with the best. Ford is set to begin production of the new midsize EV pickup in 2027 at the Louisville Assembly plant, meaning it will need to clear room.
Ford currently builds the Escape and Lincoln Corsair at the facility, both of which will be retired. The Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair will officially be discontinued after the 2026 model year.
The announcement came as a shock to some, as the Escape is Ford’s second-best-selling SUV, behind the Explorer. It even outsold the Bronco Sport in the first half of the year (82,589 vs 72,438).
Top comment by BCV
This is an interesting piece of the EV evolution.
Both GM and Ford are deciding to repurpose old factories for EV's instead of building new ones. This is why the Chevy Bolt was killed while they redesigned it. They didn't have the factory space for the old production and re-tooling, and they didn't want to build a new factory.
As EV supply increases, supply of gas models will correspondingly decrease. It's not necessarily at a 1:1 ratio, but the general trend will be there.
US auto sales peaked in 2017 IIRC (if I'm misremembering, it was maybe 2016 or 2018). EV sales are still growing in the US, although they might decline next year due to incentive reductions. However, EV sales will still be higher in 2028 than they were in 2024 due to massive changes in availability at lower price points.
Other automakers can't afford to not be in the only growing automotive segment.
The Corsair is the second-best-selling Lincoln brand model through June, behind the Nautilus, with 13,096 units sold.
Although production is slated to end later this year, Ford confirmed the SUVs will continue to be sold well into 2026.
Ford has invested around $5 billion in its Louisville Assembly Complex, creating nearly 4,000 jobs, as it prepares for its next generation of electric vehicles. It will begin with Ford’s new midsize EV pickup, which is expected to launch in 2027 with a starting price of around $30,000.
Source: Car and Driver, Ford
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments