Ford Universal Electric Platform

[morgan20]

53 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

But I believe if ford comes out with a new sedan, and says "This costs about as much as a Camry, but it will have a better warranty, better long term reliability, lower maintenance costs, better performance, it's more refined due to how good the NVH is, and it's better looking" suddenly Ford has the much more compelling product. I think that'll win more people over than just doing another fusion, but acceptance rates of EV tech near the end of the 2020s will definitely determine that. If people are more open to evs, these affordable EVs will be a slam dunk. 

 

Yea, exactly. Ford's Universal Electric Platform provides a good foundation for the company to avoid the mistakes it made with its money losing anonymous unibody sedans in the past. The head honcho himself said that the shift toward software-defined and electric vehicles is underway and that Ford can be a real innovator in those areas.

 

I agree with you that if Ford delivers vehicles from that platform on time, with high quality and compelling designs, they will be a slam dunk.

 

Jim Farley:

I have seen this movie before. When Ford said we were moving to an aluminum body in our popular F-150, our competitors aired commercials lampooning us. But customers knew better performance and fuel economy when they saw it. I remember when mobile phones seemed to be just for doctors and stockbrokers. When computers were for NASA. When the internet was a fad and CDs lined my truck’s visor. It takes time for innovations to take hold. But when they do, the shift is profound and lasting. I believe the next great shift for vehicles will be toward software-defined and electric vehicles.

[DeluxeStang]

3 minutes ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, exactly. Ford's Universal Electric Platform provides a good foundation for the company to avoid the mistakes it made with its money losing anonymous unibody sedans in the past. The head honcho himself said that the shift toward software-defined and electric vehicles is underway and that Ford can be a real innovator in those areas.

 

I agree with you that if Ford delivers vehicles from that platform on time, with high quality and compelling designs, they will be a slam dunk.

 

Jim Farley:

I have seen this movie before. When Ford said we were moving to an aluminum body in our popular F-150, our competitors aired commercials lampooning us. But customers knew better performance and fuel economy when they saw it. I remember when mobile phones seemed to be just for doctors and stockbrokers. When computers were for NASA. When the internet was a fad and CDs lined my truck’s visor. It takes time for innovations to take hold. But when they do, the shift is profound and lasting. I believe the next great shift for vehicles will be toward software-defined and electric vehicles.

Absolutely. I've often said where Ford excels, where Ford is the best car brand in the world, is when it comes to affordable aspirational products, dream cars your average person can afford. If this platform really lays the ground work for Ford to return to that, and becomes a powerhouse of fun, affordable products, I'll be thrilled. 

 

I'd like to see Ford take inspiration from brands like Slate in terms of customization. Not in the sense of having to pay extra for things like a radio like Slate does, but in terms of having things like a lot of exterior and interior customization you can do straight from Ford. Hardly anyone is trying to offer deep customization on EVs at the moment. If Ford does that with their affordable EVs, it would not only boost their appeal, but also their profits as well. 

[Andrew L]

4 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

Absolutely. I've often said where Ford excels, where Ford is the best car brand in the world, is when it comes to affordable aspirational products, dream cars your average person can afford. If this platform really lays the ground work for Ford to return to that, and becomes a powerhouse of fun, affordable products, I'll be thrilled. 

 

I'd like to see Ford take inspiration from brands like Slate in terms of customization. Not in the sense of having to pay extra for things like a radio like Slate does, but in terms of having things like a lot of exterior and interior customization you can do straight from Ford. Hardly anyone is trying to offer deep customization on EVs at the moment. If Ford does that with their affordable EVs, it would not only boost their appeal, but also their profits as well. 

 

Slate has something on their hands with that small pickup.  I have seen it advertised a lot on social media and so far seems like people are loving the idea.  I am curious how well it will sell.

[Sherminator98]

On 11/29/2025 at 6:10 PM, Andrew L said:

Slate has something on their hands with that small pickup.  I have seen it advertised a lot on social media and so far seems like people are loving the idea.  I am curious how well it will sell.

 

I think the Slate is going to be one of those things that look great from the outside but doesn't survive the harsh realities of the market when it does go for sale. 

[DeluxeStang]

37 minutes ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I think the Slate is going to be one of those things that look great from the outside but doesn't survive the harsh realities of the market when it does go for sale. 

I personally believe Ford's truck is gonna make the Slate DOA. I like what Slate is trying to do, I think it's admirable a brand is trying to give buyers the things they say they want. But it'll probably ultimately fail. 

[Sherminator98]

17 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

I personally believe Ford's truck is gonna make the Slate DOA. I like what Slate is trying to do, I think it's admirable a brand is trying to give buyers the things they say they want. But it'll probably ultimately fail. 

 

There is always a noisy minority of people that want something and when it comes, it dies an awful death on the market. I can name at least a half of dozen products over the past 25 years that fall into that. 

[sullynd]

imho Slate needed the tax rebate to make a go of it. 

[DeluxeStang]

10 minutes ago, sullynd said:

imho Slate needed the tax rebate to make a go of it. 

Yeah, when it was a sub 20k truck, there was a lot more appeal behind it. 

[sullynd]

37 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

Yeah, when it was a sub 20k truck, there was a lot more appeal behind it. 

Exactly. No stereo? 20k? Ok - maybe. $28k? No flipping way. Especially if there’s a well equipped Ford BEV truck at a similar price. 

[Sherminator98]

Just now, sullynd said:

Exactly. No stereo? 20k? Ok - maybe. $28k? No flipping way. Especially if there’s a well equipped Ford BEV truck at a similar price. 

 

I'm gonna guess the CE1 is going to be closer to the $35K mark then the 30K mark...but the Slate is pretty barebones, which is going to work against it with normal buyers-not people who claim they want a cut rate cost pickup. 

 

I'll use my father in law-he wanted a smaller pickup that was cheap-he had a used Colorado he got a few years ago and just upgraded to a 2025 Colorado a couple weeks ago (a former student of his works at a Chevy dealership, my wife and I wanted to get him into a Maverick, but they where hard to get a few years back)...this is same man that was complaining about wanting to buy a cheap pick up and winds up buying a 45K starting MSRP pickup that apparently had $10K in rebates on it. Its nice, but its also overkill for a 78 year old man too. 

[sullynd]

8 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I'm gonna guess the CE1 is going to be closer to the $35K mark then the 30K mark...but the Slate is pretty barebones, which is going to work against it with normal buyers-not people who claim they want a cut rate cost pickup. 

My wife’s Maverick was about $35k.

 

If I were to bet; There will be a theoretical model available at $30k, the realistic low end you’ll be able to get will be $35k, and most vehicles will be $40k+.

[jpd80]

Maverick was popular enough that Ford didn’t need to continue with the 

price leading hybrid, some were disappointed but I think most actual

prefer a higher trim hybrid which Ford picked up as well.

 

So this is where again, Ford will probably have a CE1 pickup base trim

with standard battery for $30k but knowing, most buyers will be wanting 

either longer range battery or higher trim as a minimum. It’s just a clever

way of leading buyers into higher prices….

[rmc523]

On 11/28/2025 at 3:23 PM, DeluxeStang said:

Fun interview overall, haven't watched the full vid yet, but he talks about affordable EVs, the main one he's focusing on is an affordable performance EV sedan. 

 

He says how there's still a sizable market for sedans, but talks about how Ford lost a lot of money on things like the fusion because of the platform it used. He goes on to mention how sedans make a lot of sense for an EV due to having really solid aero, and then gets into details on what kind of sedan he has in mind. A RWD affordable performance sedan, with what he calls a unique closure system to presumably improve practicality. 

 

 

 

That video honestly made me wonder if the Mustang sedan might end up being an EV based on CE1?  And with a liftback design sort of like the new Charger for the unique/practicality component he mentioned.

Economies of scale doesn't help the 2-door, as we've speculated, but it could also fit with the long held story that the platform won't accommodate a 4-door?

 

 

On 11/29/2025 at 6:10 PM, Andrew L said:

 

Slate has something on their hands with that small pickup.  I have seen it advertised a lot on social media and so far seems like people are loving the idea.  I am curious how well it will sell.

 

I think they have something, but not for the price they're charging.  I think they were counting on the tax credits to have a low price, but with that gone, the pricing makes no sense to me.  Why would I spend the same amount for a truck with literally nothing, when I could go get a Maverick with a lot more standard equipment for similar pricing?

[DeluxeStang]

24 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

That video honestly made me wonder if the Mustang sedan might end up being an EV based on CE1?  And with a liftback design sort of like the new Charger for the unique/practicality component he mentioned.

Economies of scale doesn't help the 2-door, as we've speculated, but it could also fit with the long held story that the platform won't accommodate a 4-door?

 

 

 

I think they have something, but not for the price they're charging.  I think they were counting on the tax credits to have a low price, but with that gone, the pricing makes no sense to me.  Why would I spend the same amount for a truck with literally nothing, when I could go get a Maverick with a lot more standard equipment for similar pricing?

Very solid observation my friend. That being said, I believe some insiders have claimed the 4 door would be s650 based. It's all over the place. One minute the chassis can't accommodate a sedan, the next it can. 

 

Considering we now know the sedan is due to arrive in 2028, around the same time as the next gen coupe, I personally believe there's a chance Ford's working on a new platform behind the scenes that's more modern and flexible that'll underpin both of these cars, as well as other stuff in the future. I thought the current platform dates back to 2014, apparently some of its components actually date back to the early 2000s, so yeah, it definitely needs a new platform, something to set the mustang up for success for the next 20-30 years. 

 

Because the mustang sedan is probably gonna be based on the coupe, I believe this EV sedan is its own thing. I'd love for the Galaxie name to make a comeback, sounds like it would fit whatever this car is quite well. 

[DeluxeStang]

31 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

That video honestly made me wonder if the Mustang sedan might end up being an EV based on CE1?  And with a liftback design sort of like the new Charger for the unique/practicality component he mentioned.

Economies of scale doesn't help the 2-door, as we've speculated, but it could also fit with the long held story that the platform won't accommodate a 4-door?

 

 

 

I think they have something, but not for the price they're charging.  I think they were counting on the tax credits to have a low price, but with that gone, the pricing makes no sense to me.  Why would I spend the same amount for a truck with literally nothing, when I could go get a Maverick with a lot more standard equipment for similar pricing?

Then again, hear me out. I've often said having a smaller, more affordable type of mustang that returns to the mustang's roots would be interesting, but that having this vehicle also be some sort of more practical shape than the normal coupe to boost its appeal might also make sense. What if there's a mustang v8 sedan in the works, but whatever this thing is, it's another addition of like a fox body inspired looking sedan/hatchback thing? 

 

I know that's a wild theory, but it's interesting to think about. 

[rmc523]

24 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

Very solid observation my friend. That being said, I believe some insiders have claimed the 4 door would be s650 based. It's all over the place. One minute the chassis can't accommodate a sedan, the next it can. 

 

Considering we now know the sedan is due to arrive in 2028, around the same time as the next gen coupe, I personally believe there's a chance Ford's working on a new platform behind the scenes that's more modern and flexible that'll underpin both of these cars, as well as other stuff in the future. I thought the current platform dates back to 2014, apparently some of its components actually date back to the early 2000s, so yeah, it definitely needs a new platform, something to set the mustang up for success for the next 20-30 years. 

 

Because the mustang sedan is probably gonna be based on the coupe, I believe this EV sedan is its own thing. I'd love for the Galaxie name to make a comeback, sounds like it would fit whatever this car is quite well. 

 

I'm still skeptical a next gen coupe arrives in 2028, given the 2025 was a redesign.  Though I guess it's possible, and could explain why they reused so much inside?

 

17 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

Then again, hear me out. I've often said having a smaller, more affordable type of mustang that returns to the mustang's roots would be interesting, but that having this vehicle also be some sort of more practical shape than the normal coupe to boost its appeal might also make sense. What if there's a mustang v8 sedan in the works, but whatever this thing is, it's another addition of like a fox body inspired looking sedan/hatchback thing? 

 

I know that's a wild theory, but it's interesting to think about. 

 

I feel like the Mustang sedan should have a liftback too to make it more practical (Mustang's trunk opening is small).

[DeluxeStang]

1 hour ago, rmc523 said:

 

I'm still skeptical a next gen coupe arrives in 2028, given the 2025 was a redesign.  Though I guess it's possible, and could explain why they reused so much inside?

 

 

I feel like the Mustang sedan should have a liftback too to make it more practical (Mustang's trunk opening is small).

My way of thinking is we got the s650 in 2023 as a 2024 model. So by the time 2029 rolls around, it will have been around for about 6 years, which sounds about right. The s550 had an abnormally long shelf live. The '05 and '10 cars were both 5 years apart between redesigns, and I want to say the mid 90s and new edge mustang were about the same. 

[Sherminator98]

1 hour ago, DeluxeStang said:

My way of thinking is we got the s650 in 2023 as a 2024 model. So by the time 2029 rolls around, it will have been around for about 6 years, which sounds about right. The s550 had an abnormally long shelf live. The '05 and '10 cars were both 5 years apart between redesigns, and I want to say the mid 90s and new edge mustang were about the same. 

 

The SN95 and new Edge Mustangs were very similar to the Fox body 1979 Mustang and lasted till 2005. The S550 had a significant improvement with IRS being added to it.

 

Given that the Fox lasted from 1979 to 2004, there is no reason the S197/S550/S650 can't last till 2030.

 

Getting back to the Mustang sedan EV-I can see the CE1 birthing a Mach E replacement, not so sure about pure Mustang Replacement. 

 

The bigger issue is what is Ford going to do post 2030 with the Mustang coupe-do they invest money into the current S650 platform by adding a sedan and improving the coupe so it can last till end of the 2030s? 

 

Not making major changes to the Mustang platform is the reason why it stays in production-tooling/etc costs are amortized already. Not to mention a fairly modified S650 can handle being a SuperCar in the form of the Mustang GT3 too...

 

 

[twintornados]

1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

....Getting back to the Mustang sedan EV-I can see the CE1 birthing a Mach E replacement, not so sure about pure Mustang Replacement.

 

That would be an interesting development and also open up Cuautitlán Assembly for conversion to CE1 production to serve overseas markets. 

[rmc523]

1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

The SN95 and new Edge Mustangs were very similar to the Fox body 1979 Mustang and lasted till 2005. The S550 had a significant improvement with IRS being added to it.

 

Given that the Fox lasted from 1979 to 2004, there is no reason the S197/S550/S650 can't last till 2030.

 

Getting back to the Mustang sedan EV-I can see the CE1 birthing a Mach E replacement, not so sure about pure Mustang Replacement. 

 

The bigger issue is what is Ford going to do post 2030 with the Mustang coupe-do they invest money into the current S650 platform by adding a sedan and improving the coupe so it can last till end of the 2030s? 

 

Not making major changes to the Mustang platform is the reason why it stays in production-tooling/etc costs are amortized already. Not to mention a fairly modified S650 can handle being a SuperCar in the form of the Mustang GT3 too...

 

 

 

I feel like the only way the program can justify itself/upgrades long-term is to add another model like the sedan that shares most components (dash, interior components, front end, etc)....this helps them get the ROI back on these items despite lower sales per each type (i.e. if they used to sell 20k units of the coupe, now they're down to 10k units, if they're able to push out 10k for the sedan, they're back at the 20k overall total).

Obviously there are still components unique for each model (coupe, convertible, sedan), but you're at least able to spread some costs across the volume of all 3.

[DeluxeStang]

1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

The SN95 and new Edge Mustangs were very similar to the Fox body 1979 Mustang and lasted till 2005. The S550 had a significant improvement with IRS being added to it.

 

Given that the Fox lasted from 1979 to 2004, there is no reason the S197/S550/S650 can't last till 2030.

 

Getting back to the Mustang sedan EV-I can see the CE1 birthing a Mach E replacement, not so sure about pure Mustang Replacement. 

 

The bigger issue is what is Ford going to do post 2030 with the Mustang coupe-do they invest money into the current S650 platform by adding a sedan and improving the coupe so it can last till end of the 2030s? 

 

Not making major changes to the Mustang platform is the reason why it stays in production-tooling/etc costs are amortized already. Not to mention a fairly modified S650 can handle being a SuperCar in the form of the Mustang GT3 too...

 

 

To answer your question should Ford invest additional funds into the coupe and a sedan moving into the 2030s, I can't stress enough that the answer is yes. The mustang is Ford's gem, their crown jewel, and most important product without a doubt as far as reputation and iconic vehicles is concerned. Letting the mustang wilter and ultimate waste away would be the worst mistake Ford has ever made as a brand. Without a mustang coupe, Ford ceases to be Ford, and just becomes another car company. 

 

It's worth noting that while the s650 isn't selling well, it's still not a failure, it's still the best selling sports coupe in the world. Walking away from that would be genuinely unforgivable. 

[DeluxeStang]

20 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

I feel like the only way the program can justify itself/upgrades long-term is to add another model like the sedan that shares most components (dash, interior components, front end, etc)....this helps them get the ROI back on these items despite lower sales per each type (i.e. if they used to sell 20k units of the coupe, now they're down to 10k units, if they're able to push out 10k for the sedan, they're back at the 20k overall total).

Obviously there are still components unique for each model (coupe, convertible, sedan), but you're at least able to spread some costs across the volume of all 3.

Agreed, doing a mustang sedan that has a lot in common with the coupe is a solid strategy. Just in fleet sales alone, unless Ford gives the sedan a completely ridiculous price, I could see it being quite popular with police fleets as their chargers age out. 

 

That's not even getting into normal consumer sales. Furthermore, if the day comes when Ford does decide to give the mustang a new, more flexible platform, I think there's a market for using it for some halo models as well. Like taking that same platform, and doing a cobra/Thunderbird halo product, or Lincoln variants of a RWD sedan or coupe. The kinds of high profit projects that could go a long way just on their own in terms of paying down the engineering costs for a new platform. 

 

Flat rock can't build anything but cars. It's already set up to produce mustangs. Investing in it to build other highly profitable models riding on tweaked versions of the mustang platform feels like a no brainer. Much better than just leaving the plant at under capacity. You're just remixing a plant, and a platform you have to develop as is, so why not get the most out of it. 

[Dequindre]

4 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

The SN95 and new Edge Mustangs were very similar to the Fox body 1979 Mustang and lasted till 2005. The S550 had a significant improvement with IRS being added to it.

 

Given that the Fox lasted from 1979 to 2004, there is no reason the S197/S550/S650 can't last till 2030.

 

Getting back to the Mustang sedan EV-I can see the CE1 birthing a Mach E replacement, not so sure about pure Mustang Replacement. 

 

The bigger issue is what is Ford going to do post 2030 with the Mustang coupe-do they invest money into the current S650 platform by adding a sedan and improving the coupe so it can last till end of the 2030s? 

 

Not making major changes to the Mustang platform is the reason why it stays in production-tooling/etc costs are amortized already. Not to mention a fairly modified S650 can handle being a SuperCar in the form of the Mustang GT3 too...

 

 

The deaths of the Camaro and Challenger probably relieved some pressure on Ford to update the platform substantially. The Mustang is the last real pony car standing.

[jpd80]

3 hours ago, Dequindre said:

The deaths of the Camaro and Challenger probably relieved some pressure on Ford to update the platform substantially. The Mustang is the last real pony car standing.

On the contrary, it proved that an evolution model is cost effective and actually outlived  the competition 

[Sherminator98]

13 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

It's worth noting that while the s650 isn't selling well, it's still not a failure, it's still the best selling sports coupe in the world. Walking away from that would be genuinely unforgivable. 

 

I think some of the sales numbers of the S650 is Ford inflicted and not the market per say. If it wasn't profitable or at least breaking even, Ford would be doing something else or getting rid of it (though that would be highly unlikely)