Ford Universal Electric Platform

[Sherminator98]

On 8/31/2025 at 1:12 AM, DeluxeStang said:

What's interesting is Farley made a comment on how Ford wouldn't be investing in 50-60 grand electric SUVs. The mach-e, particularly certain trim levels like the gt, rally, and so on, are basically right in that price range. 

 

I wonder if that means mach-e is done after one generation, or if it means a CE1 based mach-e will be significantly cheaper, selling for like 25-40k instead of playing at the higher price points. 

 

The Mach E is "compromised" to a point because its built on a modified C2 platform. Keep in mind this was a compliance product mostly for the EU at the time till Ford decided to take it seriously. 

 

The Mach E wasn't as expensive when it launched but raised in price with inflation and everything else going on. I know for a fact that the vast majority of products went up 5-10K for the same trim with some decontenting only a few years after it came out-I know this happened with my Big Bend Bronco trim-you can't get the V6 in a Big Bend or other options like the LED lighting.

 

As for a next gen Mach E...there was a recent headline out there with Jim Farley saying there would be no electric Mustang-but I'm guessing it was the 2 door model, not a 4 door. So who knows where they are going to go with it in the next couple of years. There was reports of a coupe and other changes coming soon, but we haven't seen anything about that lately-I guess the plan has changed again. 

[Rick73]

On 8/31/2025 at 12:12 AM, DeluxeStang said:

What's interesting is Farley made a comment on how Ford wouldn't be investing in 50-60 grand electric SUVs. The mach-e, particularly certain trim levels like the gt, rally, and so on, are basically right in that price range. 

 

I wonder if that means mach-e is done after one generation, or if it means a CE1 based mach-e will be significantly cheaper, selling for like 25-40k instead of playing at the higher price points. 

It’s doubtful IMO that CE1 “innovation” can account for that much price reduction, so if Mach-E becomes a much more affordable vehicle based on CE1, in range of $25~40k, it would likely require it be a significantly watered-down version of existing.  Not sure how well that would work.  Obviously it’s possible to reach that price point given other manufacturers are doing it already, but at what level of change to Mach-E?

[twintornados]

10 minutes ago, Rick73 said:

It’s doubtful IMO that CE1 “innovation” can account for that much price reduction, so if Mach-E becomes a much more affordable vehicle based on CE1, in range of $25~40k, it would likely require it be a significantly watered-down version of existing.  Not sure how well that would work.  Obviously it’s possible to reach that price point given other manufacturers are doing it already, but at what level of change to Mach-E?

 

New assembly line processes designed specifically to lower production costs coupled with building Mach E in Mexico may just bring about that sub 25K product that everybody clamors for but no one actually buys in enough numbers to make a decent profit. 

[Sherminator98]

3 minutes ago, twintornados said:

 

New assembly line processes designed specifically to lower production costs coupled with building Mach E in Mexico may just bring about that sub 25K product that everybody clamors for but no one actually buys in enough numbers to make a decent profit. 

 

In the grand scheme of things, the CE1 will start someplace in the 30K range, but I'm willing to bet that the actual active transaction price will be 10K more then base price.

 

I used a local dealerships Maverick prices to determine that-they had 7 Mavericks and the average price was almost $38K, vs its entry price of 28K 

[DeluxeStang]

2 hours ago, Rick73 said:

It’s doubtful IMO that CE1 “innovation” can account for that much price reduction, so if Mach-E becomes a much more affordable vehicle based on CE1, in range of $25~40k, it would likely require it be a significantly watered-down version of existing.  Not sure how well that would work.  Obviously it’s possible to reach that price point given other manufacturers are doing it already, but at what level of change to Mach-E?

In retrospect, I actually agree, I don't believe a second gen mach-e would be that affordable. Maybe starting at 30-35k but that's it. But that does make me wonder about the 25k EV Farley referred to. Looking back on it, I believe there's a chance that's a hatchback or sedan of some sort, as Ford has hinted that CE1 would open up the door for them to re-enter those segments, and I believe we saw that vehicle in one of Ford's vids. 

 

This is presumably their EV design center, so everything you see is an EV of some sort. We can't see much, but if you look at how low that roof is under a tarp, I say that has to be a car form factor of some sort, no way that's a truck or crossover. The woman standing next to it is shorter, and the roof is still well below her eye line. 

[Sherminator98]

28 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

In retrospect, I actually agree, I don't believe a second gen mach-e would be that affordable. Maybe starting at 30-35k but that's it. But that does make me wonder about the 25k EV Farley referred to. Looking back on it, I believe there's a chance that's a hatchback or sedan of some sort, as Ford has hinted that CE1 would open up the door for them to re-enter those segments, and I believe we saw that vehicle in one of Ford's vids. 

 

This is presumably their EV design center, so everything you see is an EV of some sort. We can't see much, but if you look at how low that roof is under a tarp, I say that has to be a car form factor of some sort, no way that's a truck or crossover. The woman standing next to it is shorter, and the roof is still well below her eye line

 

 

From the Mustang thread...

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E Redesign Pushed Back Until End Of Decade

 

According to Automotive News, The Blue Oval has delayed its plans to redesign the Ford Mustang Mach-E until the end of the decade. In the meantime, it will continue to explore ways to remove costs from the EV crossover, has it has done over the past few years already, working to make it a profitable product. Regardless, Ford also doesn’t plan to move Mach-E production to the U.S. from Mexico either, despite having to pay tariffs for such a decision.

 

 

Ford is sticking to its "extend the product lifecycle until customers disappear" approach....

[rmc523]

31 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

In retrospect, I actually agree, I don't believe a second gen mach-e would be that affordable. Maybe starting at 30-35k but that's it. But that does make me wonder about the 25k EV Farley referred to. Looking back on it, I believe there's a chance that's a hatchback or sedan of some sort, as Ford has hinted that CE1 would open up the door for them to re-enter those segments, and I believe we saw that vehicle in one of Ford's vids. 

 

This is presumably their EV design center, so everything you see is an EV of some sort. We can't see much, but if you look at how low that roof is under a tarp, I say that has to be a car form factor of some sort, no way that's a truck or crossover. The woman standing next to it is shorter, and the roof is still well below her eye line. 

 

The vehicle is also behind her, leading it to look shorter than it may be.

[DeluxeStang]

1 hour ago, rmc523 said:

 

The vehicle is also behind her, leading it to look shorter than it may be.

IDK man, maybe, I'm not talking about the woman in the red shirt, but the other one. It looks like she's standing right next to it. 

[rmc523]

25 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

IDK man, maybe, I'm not talking about the woman in the red shirt, but the other one. It looks like she's standing right next to it. 

 

Yes I know you're talking about the one in the background.  I think it's further away still.

[T-dubz]

5 hours ago, Rick73 said:

It’s doubtful IMO that CE1 “innovation” can account for that much price reduction, so if Mach-E becomes a much more affordable vehicle based on CE1, in range of $25~40k, it would likely require it be a significantly watered-down version of existing.  Not sure how well that would work.  Obviously it’s possible to reach that price point given other manufacturers are doing it already, but at what level of change to Mach-E?

What does the mach e have that these new EVs won’t? Mach e is about the size of the escape so it’s a compact SUV just like ce1. It’s not super fast and doesn’t have exceptional range, just like ce1. I’m not seeing many reasons why mach e couldn’t be ce1 and be much cheaper.

[DeluxeStang]

30 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

Yes I know you're talking about the one in the background.  I think it's further away still.

Perhaps, I get what you're saying with perspective and all. We won't really know until we see more. Hopefully it's some sort of car form factor, the trucks and crossovers are nice, but Ford's starting to get oversaturated with them and I think they're starting to realize that. 

[bzcat]

43 minutes ago, T-dubz said:

What does the mach e have that these new EVs won’t? Mach e is about the size of the escape so it’s a compact SUV just like ce1. It’s not super fast and doesn’t have exceptional range, just like ce1. I’m not seeing many reasons why mach e couldn’t be ce1 and be much cheaper.

 

Lots of things. But boils down to 4 main things:

 

1. Cheaper lithium iron phosphate batteries, which is a big part of it. This battery chemistry is much cheaper than lithium ion and has no rare earth minerals. Ford is also building the batteries inhouse this time like Tesla instead of buying it from third parties. Producing battery at scale inhouse is where you get the cost savings. 

 

2. CE1 is designed as a EV platform so it is software defined with zonal architecture that it will literally have miles less in wiring harness and electronic controllers, thus shaving lots of costs out of the bill of material. Mach E is a traditional mechanically defined vehicle on a retrofit ICE platform. 

 

3. The manufacturing will also be different with giga casting which again will eliminate parts and subassemblies which is where cost layers build up.

 

4. And lastly, a completely different assembly process that is optimized for building EV which should result in lower labor hours. 

 

So parts, design, manufacturing, assembly... all different and optimized for EV.

Edited September 2, 2025 by bzcat

[akirby]

57 minutes ago, T-dubz said:

What does the mach e have that these new EVs won’t? Mach e is about the size of the escape so it’s a compact SUV just like ce1. It’s not super fast

3.3s 0-60 isn’t super fast?

[Rick73]

24 minutes ago, T-dubz said:

What does the mach e have that these new EVs won’t? Mach e is about the size of the escape so it’s a compact SUV just like ce1. It’s not super fast and doesn’t have exceptional range, just like ce1. I’m not seeing many reasons why mach e couldn’t be ce1 and be much cheaper.

Good point, but if I play Devil’s Advocate it then suggests to me that Mach-E starting at $40k is more expensive to build compared to vehicles like Chevy Equinox or Nissan Leaf which have much lower MSRP.  If so why?  Is it content or manufacturing inefficiency?  Granted, Mach-E has more power, and is arguably a nicer vehicle, but to lower starting cost from $40k to near $30k may require more than a new manufacturing process.  And I keep going back to new manufacturing being a “risk” per Farley, which means there are a lot of unknowns still that could go south. 
 

I assume Ford may continue to lower costs by switching to cheaper batteries, perhaps reducing pack size on entry-level Mach-E, and maybe lowering power output.  For what it’s worth one dealer in my area advertised a $40k MSRP ME for just under $31k.  Doubt that’s profitable and therefore not sustainable long term, assuming it’s for real in the first place.

[twintornados]

28 minutes ago, Rick73 said:

...I assume Ford may continue to lower costs by switching to cheaper batteries, perhaps reducing pack size on entry-level Mach-E, and maybe lowering power output.  For what it’s worth one dealer in my area advertised a $40k MSRP ME for just under $31k.  Doubt that’s profitable and therefore not sustainable long term, assuming it’s for real in the first place.

 

A lot of dealers "advertised" price conveniently include potential "tax credits" to lower that advertised price point...when you walk in, surprise..the Mach E doesn't qualify for some of it....due to the point of manufacture of some of the battery packs.  

[DeluxeStang]

4 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

 

From the Mustang thread...

 

Ford Mustang Mach-E Redesign Pushed Back Until End Of Decade

 

According to Automotive News, The Blue Oval has delayed its plans to redesign the Ford Mustang Mach-E until the end of the decade. In the meantime, it will continue to explore ways to remove costs from the EV crossover, has it has done over the past few years already, working to make it a profitable product. Regardless, Ford also doesn’t plan to move Mach-E production to the U.S. from Mexico either, despite having to pay tariffs for such a decision.

 

 

Ford is sticking to its "extend the product lifecycle until customers disappear" approach....

Yeah not a fan of Ford pulling a Tesla with stretching out all these generation and design cycles. Having shorter product cycles may be more expensive, but it keeps your lineup feeling fresh, not to mention it adds an element of scarcity. 

 

If a brand comes out with a body style you really like, and you only have a few years to buy it, you're gonna be more motivated to go out and buy it sooner rather than later. Whereas if Ford starts keeping generations around for 10-15 years, no-one is in a rush to run out and buy them. 

 

Trying to be optimistic, a few things of note, if these reports are accurate, it means 2028/29 are gonna be huge years for Ford. A new mustang generation, a new mach-e, the mustang sedan, a new bronco and bronco sport, the maverick van, the next maverick will probably come out around this time. A ton of new product in the span of 1-2 years. So that's gonna be an awesome time to be a Ford fan. 

 

Plus this is probably when we'll start to see CE1 really starting to come into its own with new product releases. Then there's the whole off-road supercar thing which sounds like it's happening, and maybe we'll even see performance models inspired by Ford's return to prototype racing and F1, who knows. 

 

It's dry as hell right now, but a year or so from now things should start to heat up. 

[mackinaw]

1 hour ago, DeluxeStang said:

Yeah not a fan of Ford pulling a Tesla with stretching out all these generation and design cycles......

 

Everybody is increasing the life cycle of their platforms.  Can't find the link now, but GM is shooting for 10-15 years.  The days of 3-4 year product cycle are over. 

Edited September 2, 2025 by mackinaw

[T-dubz]

3 hours ago, akirby said:

3.3s 0-60 isn’t super fast?

Minus the GT would you say the rest of the mach e’s are super fast? Or are they more average and in line with other EVs? The vast majority of Mach Es are premium and select trims and have 0-60 in the 5 to 6 second range. My point with saying all of that is that there is nothing special about the mach e that would prevent it from being built on CE1 using everything that has been learned from skunkworks and make it more affordable.

[DeluxeStang]

1 hour ago, T-dubz said:

Minus the GT would you say the rest of the mach e’s are super fast? Or are they more average and in line with other EVs? The vast majority of Mach Es are premium and select trims and have 0-60 in the 5 to 6 second range. My point with saying all of that is that there is nothing special about the mach e that would prevent it from being built on CE1 using everything that has been learned from skunkworks and make it more affordable.

A ce1 mach-e seems like a likely outcome. Seeing as this CE1 truck will do 0-60 in under 5 seconds, I could see that platform making a good base for something like a next gen mach-e. 

[akirby]

1 hour ago, T-dubz said:

Minus the GT would you say the rest of the mach e’s are super fast? Or are they more average and in line with other EVs? The vast majority of Mach Es are premium and select trims and have 0-60 in the 5 to 6 second range. My point with saying all of that is that there is nothing special about the mach e that would prevent it from being built on CE1 using everything that has been learned from skunkworks and make it more affordable.

No reason they can’t make a ce1 Mach E super fast with similar motors as the GT.  The question is whether they can pull off the Mustang styling.  Why not just make an Escape/Edge replacement and leave Mach E alone or move it to a slightly more premium version of CE1?

[Sherminator98]

2 hours ago, mackinaw said:

 

Everybody is increasing the life cycle of their platforms.  Can't find the link now, but GM is shooting for 10-15 years.  The days of 3-4 year product cycle are over. 

 

I think you might be conflating platform vs refresh

 

Platforms can be used for a long time, but you need to update the sheet metal or styling in some way to keep interest in the vast majority of projects. 

 

I'll use Ford as an example:

Four new Products since COVID hit:

Bronco-New Trims/Raptor/square wheel openings (new stamping)since launch, no major sheet metal changes

 

Bronco Sport-Bigger display on the inside, Sasquatch option added, slightly changed grill

 

Mach E-No sheet metal changes, new trims, new battery type

 

Maverick-Larger interior display, new trims, New Front Fascia for 2025

 

Out of those 4 products, only the Maverick looks significantly different. The Bronco isn't as significant with its changes visually, but going on how the Wrangler has been doing, I don't think its an issue because of other things being done/added to it. The Bronco Sport might be more sensitive without changes, but we will see how that works out over the next couple years. The Mach E is a good/decent product, but buyers who might be coming off a lease might want something "new" or better to get.   

There shouldn't be any real reason why the Front end or rear ends of products don't get minor changes done to them to keep them fresh. 

[jpd80]

14 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

The Mach E is "compromised" to a point because its built on a modified C2 platform. Keep in mind this was a compliance product mostly for the EU at the time till Ford decided to take it seriously. 

 

Rescuing the E-Max to Mach E basically doubled development costs, the fortunate part was how close it came as a rival to Tesla Y

 

 

14 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

The Mach E wasn't as expensive when it launched but raised in price with inflation and everything else going on. I know for a fact that the vast majority of products went up 5-10K for the same trim with some decontenting only a few years after it came out-I know this happened with my Big Bend Bronco trim-you can't get the V6 in a Big Bend or other options like the LED lighting.

Ford revealed that the manufacturing  costs  were approx. $25,000 more than a similar Ford Edge, so no wonder it needed the premium branding and price of a Mustang. A good makeover would definitely help with costs, it has tons of unnecessary parts that CE1 have replaced…..

 

 

 

14 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

As for a next gen Mach E...there was a recent headline out there with Jim Farley saying there would be no electric Mustang-but I'm guessing it was the 2 door model, not a 4 door. So who knows where they are going to go with it in the next couple of years. There was reports of a coupe and other changes coming soon, but we haven't seen anything about that lately-I guess the plan has changed again. 

Farley is very protective of the Mustang coupe’s heritage, Ford is not ready to give up on it yet. That and a four door based car will probably have 2.3EB PHEV versions

Edited September 3, 2025 by jpd80

[Rick73]

7 hours ago, mackinaw said:

 

Everybody is increasing the life cycle of their platforms.  Can't find the link now, but GM is shooting for 10-15 years.  The days of 3-4 year product cycle are over. 

Personally don’t view longer life cycles as all bad.  Frequent updates can be good, but they also add costs which isn’t great.  

[jpd80]

1 hour ago, Rick73 said:

Personally don’t view longer life cycles as all bad.  Frequent updates can be good, but they also add costs which isn’t great.  

Evolution rather than revolution but the key point being

the platform must be on the right path to begin with.

Edited September 3, 2025 by jpd80

[Sherminator98]

6 hours ago, Rick73 said:

Personally don’t view longer life cycles as all bad.  Frequent updates can be good, but they also add costs which isn’t great.  

 

Changing soft items like headlights or bumpers is a lot cheaper then making new stampings or having to retest crash cells if there is a major change to the passenger compartment.