Ford Universal Electric Platform

[tbone]

Why didn’t they just call it the M Sport RT Ranger?  It sounds better than MS RT Ranger. 

[Sherminator98]

Ford Is Building a $30,000 Electric Truck. Here's Everything We Know

 

 

The middle center looks like a badly photoshopped Santa Cruz

[rmc523]

5 minutes ago, Sherminator98 said:

Ford Is Building a $30,000 Electric Truck. Here's Everything We Know

 

 

The middle center looks like a badly photoshopped Santa Cruz

 

Yeah, I don't even pay attention to most of those renderings unless we get photos of lightly camo'd mules.  We don't really have anything solid to base renderings on except for that one buffer photo.  The rest is complete speculation at best.

[Rick73]

Quote

 

Ford will use its new 'Universal EV Platform' for a tiny electric truck. Here’s what we know so far.

Not sure why they call it a “tiny” truck when they then refer to it as similar to Maverick in size? 🤔

 

When Ford first announced the new truck’s $30k price point, it seemed quite a goal and accomplishment if realized, but the $30k price goal has already been achieved or will soon be surpassed by Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt, so price alone won’t make it stand out.  Size, features, and range will likely matter a lot too IMO.

 

As a point of reference on shifting affordability, just noticed GM has introduced a small SUV in Mexico and South America which starts at around $25k in Mexico if I’m reading site correctly.  The Spark EUV is imported from China but will soon be built in Brazil also, where price is a bit higher but still under $30k.  It’s small and basic with only 40~42 kWh battery and 175 miles of EPA range.  Just mentioning because the landscape on affordable EVs is changing fast.  Hope Ford isn’t playing catch up by time new EVs come out.

 

For a cheap compact electric SUV the Spark EUV looks good to me.  Reminds me a little of Bronco Sport.

[rmc523]

50 minutes ago, Rick73 said:

Not sure why they call it a “tiny” truck when they then refer to it as similar to Maverick in size? 🤔

 

When Ford first announced the new truck’s $30k price point, it seemed quite a goal and accomplishment if realized, but the $30k price goal has already been achieved or will soon be surpassed by Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt, so price alone won’t make it stand out.  Size, features, and range will likely matter a lot too IMO.

 

As a point of reference on shifting affordability, just noticed GM has introduced a small SUV in Mexico and South America which starts at around $25k in Mexico if I’m reading site correctly.  The Spark EUV is imported from China but will soon be built in Brazil also, where price is a bit higher but still under $30k.  It’s small and basic with only 40~42 kWh battery and 175 miles of EPA range.  Just mentioning because the landscape on affordable EVs is changing fast.  Hope Ford isn’t playing catch up by time new EVs come out.

 

For a cheap compact electric SUV the Spark EUV looks good to me.  Reminds me a little of Bronco Sport.

 

They say "tiny" because it's among the smallest trucks out there when comparing to things like F-150, Super Duty, etc.....

 

Price was never supposed to be the only appealing factor.

Plus, given there's no competition in the compact EV truck segment, its price around 30k should be appealing regardless.

 

 

[Rick73]

43 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

Plus, given there's no competition in the compact EV truck segment, its price around 30k should be appealing regardless.

Do most Maverick buyers purchase it because it’s a truck or because its original price of $20k was cheaper than comparable sedans and SUVs?  I know there are a lot of factors involved, but for those who buy small trucks because they are some of the most affordable vehicles, the $30k price point may soon become crowded with viable options.  To what degree that affects truck sales is anyone’s guess.

[Sherminator98]

28 minutes ago, Rick73 said:

Do most Maverick buyers purchase it because it’s a truck or because its original price of $20k was cheaper than comparable sedans and SUVs? 

 

No it was because it was roughly the same price as a Civic or Corolla, but a lot more functional and had a hybrid.  

[rmc523]

30 minutes ago, Rick73 said:

Do most Maverick buyers purchase it because it’s a truck or because its original price of $20k was cheaper than comparable sedans and SUVs?  I know there are a lot of factors involved, but for those who buy small trucks because they are some of the most affordable vehicles, the $30k price point may soon become crowded with viable options.  To what degree that affects truck sales is anyone’s guess.

 

I'd say yes to both.  more practical than a sedan at equivalent prices.

 

Also consider that Maverick's sales have continued to increase even with the base price bumping up.

[rmc523]

Ford CEO Jim Farley Says Upcoming EV Pickup Will Be Rear-Wheel Drive

 

“Our first body style will be a pickup, but it’s really not a pickup,” Farley said during an appearance on The Verge‘s Decoder podcast. “I would say it’s a new silhouette. What I mean by that is that it has more room than a RAV4, the best-selling passenger car in the US. That doesn’t include its frunk and pickup truck bed. It is very fast, it’s rear-wheel drive, it’s super fun to drive, and it has a digital experience that no one’s seen – at least that we’ve seen – even in China.”

 

 

 

So these comments answer 2 questions - it's RWD, and the "room" does not include the frunk or bed.

He's also confirming a unique silhouette.....hopefully it's not ugly.

Edited September 30, 2025 by rmc523

[akirby]

33 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

It is very fast, it’s rear-wheel drive

 

33 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

So these comments answer 2 questions - it's FWD

Try again.

[rmc523]

5 minutes ago, akirby said:

 

Try again.

 

Relax.  It was a typo, I was on the phone when I typed it and hit the wrong key.

[Sherminator98]

48 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

He's also confirming a unique silhouette.....hopefully it's not ugly.

 

I'm gonna guess its going to look like a 4 door ranchero with a fast back style cover over the "bed"

[akirby]

18 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

Relax.  It was a typo, I was on the phone when I typed it and hit the wrong key.

I know that’s why I said try again and not Hey Dumbass……. 😂

[Rick73]

Transcript of interview is worth reading, which shares a lot of information in many areas.  From a global all-encompassing perspective what seems intriguing is Farley repeating the associated risk.  It’s almost like he’s setting the stage for a great excuse to why they failed in case the whole thing goes south.  All the hedging does not inspire confidence.

 

https://www.theverge.com/podcast/784875/ford-ceo-jim-farley-interview-ev-cars-china-trump-tariffs-carplay
 

Quote

I said it last week, and I’ll emphasize it now: there are no assurances that we can do this. No one has ever built a car in three pieces. No one’s offered their own electric architecture at this price. We’ve never done it. We’ve never had two large unit castings and high quality. No one’s done it. Tesla’s talked about it, but it hasn’t done it. In fact, our manufacturing process has radically moved on beyond what Tesla’s ever shown in its unboxing. So, there’s a lot of risk here. This is not a guarantee that Ford’s going to get this done.

 

[DeluxeStang]

17 minutes ago, Rick73 said:

Transcript of interview is worth reading, which shares a lot of information in many areas.  From a global all-encompassing perspective what seems intriguing is Farley repeating the associated risk.  It’s almost like he’s setting the stage for a great excuse to why they failed in case the whole thing goes south.  All the hedging does not inspire confidence.

 

https://www.theverge.com/podcast/784875/ford-ceo-jim-farley-interview-ev-cars-china-trump-tariffs-carplay
 

 

The fact they're so aware and transparent about these risks ironically gives me a lot of hope about the project. You want people who are aware of how big of a risk this is, and take it seriously instead of thinking it's easy, or they're guaranteed success. I also admire Farley for being one of the few American CEO's whose transparent and honest with the public, that's a super rare commodity in the American business world. 

[DeluxeStang]

1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I'm gonna guess its going to look like a 4 door ranchero with a fast back style cover over the "bed"

I know this is a 2 door, but if it looked anything like this, I'd be flipping over the moon. We all assume it'll be this cab forward stub nose design, and who knows, that could be the direction they go in. But none of us have seen the truck, so we've all just guessing. 

 

Just to be clear, I do think that's the direction they'll go in if I was placing bets,but man, that would be so cool if they gave us like a RWD ute with sporty looks. I know some say there's no reason to have a long hood like this on an EV but just think about how much lockable frunk space you'd get. 

[DeluxeStang]

I'm surprised it's RWD, that's what I was hoping for, but I was expecting it to be AWD or even FWD like my maverick. That's freaking badass. So it's gonna be like a proper sports truck, RWD, unibody, high downforce, 0-60 in sub 5 seconds. I really hope Ford calls it Ranchero. 

 

I'm trying to manage my expectations, but this is cool. It could end up being hideous, or unreliable, or slow in affordable form, but for now, I'm excited. 

[akirby]

1 hour ago, DeluxeStang said:

I'm surprised it's RWD, that's what I was hoping for, but I was expecting it to be AWD or even FWD like my maverick. That's freaking badass. So it's gonna be like a proper sports truck, RWD, unibody, high downforce, 0-60 in sub 5 seconds. I really hope Ford calls it Ranchero. 

 

I'm trying to manage my expectations, but this is cool. It could end up being hideous, or unreliable, or slow in affordable form, but for now, I'm excited. 

Only 2 reasons to go RWD.  It’s cheaper and easier to assemble and/or to have more frunk space.

[akirby]

1 hour ago, Rick73 said:

Transcript of interview is worth reading, which shares a lot of information in many areas.  From a global all-encompassing perspective what seems intriguing is Farley repeating the associated risk.  It’s almost like he’s setting the stage for a great excuse to why they failed in case the whole thing goes south.  All the hedging does not inspire confidence.

 

https://www.theverge.com/podcast/784875/ford-ceo-jim-farley-interview-ev-cars-china-trump-tariffs-carplay
 

 

It’s called honesty and it’s refreshing.  Nobody would believe him if he said it was a slam dunk.

[DeluxeStang]

43 minutes ago, akirby said:

Only 2 reasons to go RWD.  It’s cheaper and easier to assemble and/or to have more frunk space.

Driving enjoyment does appear to be a factor and RWD has an advantage there as well. 

[DeluxeStang]

43 minutes ago, akirby said:

It’s called honesty and it’s refreshing.  Nobody would believe him if he said it was a slam dunk.

I'd be more nervous if he was thinking there was no risk or chance of failure. 

[Rick73]

42 minutes ago, akirby said:

It’s called honesty and it’s refreshing.  Nobody would believe him if he said it was a slam dunk.

Or dishonesty if there’s more going on behind the scenes that we are not being made aware of.  Actual truth is unknowable, and probably somewhere in the middle.

[DeluxeStang]

1 minute ago, Rick73 said:

Or dishonesty if there’s more going on behind the scenes that we are not being made aware of.  Actual truth is unknowable, and probably somewhere in the middle.

Frankly everything we're hearing behind the scenes is overwhelmingly positive, and not just from PR people who want to make people optimistic, but from our insider friends on this site who don't pull any punches when Ford makes a mistake. 

 

The new approach to manufacturing and vehicle development seems like it could genuinely save Ford long term. 

[Rick73]

5 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

I'd be more nervous if he was thinking there was no risk or chance of failure. 

Risk is normal and an Inherent part of most if not all business decisions, and therefore a given; which then begs the question of why emphasize to such an unusual degree?   I get the feeling there’s something else in play we don’t see yet.

[DeluxeStang]

3 minutes ago, Rick73 said:

Risk is normal and an Inherent part of most if not all business decisions, and therefore a given; which then begs the question of why emphasize to such an unusual degree?   I get the feeling there’s something else in play we don’t see yet.

Risk is part of life, but making significant changes is always gonna increase the risk. Keep in mind Ford's rethinking their entire vehicle development and assembly process. That is a huge change, a huge risk, but if they pull it off, it could genuinely change the game for Ford in terms of profitability and quality. 

 

I think if this was a disaster behind the scenes, the insiders on this site would have told us.