From today's Autoline Daily:   We’ve got some good intel on Ford’s UEV, the universal EV platform, known as CE1. Autoforecast Solutions reports that the first model built on that platform, with the code name P833, will be called the Maverick EV. It will start rolling down the line at Ford’s Louisville, Kentucky plant in June of 2027. Then, in August of 2028, the next model, with the code name U833, will roll down the line and is scheduled to stay in production until 2035. It will be called the Escape. Ford has indicated that several other models will be built off the CE1 platform in Louisville. We think that’s a smart strategy. That plant is tooled to make 200,000 EVs a year. And by building multiple models off the same platform, Ford could more easily sell out that plant and make those cars at a profit.

I was thinking of Slate reading your first post, still not convinced the cheap people clamoring for something like that will buy it, personally think they'll come up with another excuse... but could be interesting to see Ford's take on a cheap customize it yourself truck. 

CE1 truck has a midgate so it can't be too expensive.   I forgot about slate but yes similar to that but larger and better executed.

Entry level would be affordable - say $27k for a truck with midgate.  Enclosed bed $5k.  Higher trims with more options like tents, etc similar to Bronco Sport available at higher prices.     What made me think of the bed is that focus group I was in a couple years ago where they had a prototype bed cover system with removable panels.  The panels could be used as tables or seats.  It was a tonneau style but I could see that being adapted to this.

Don't understand why they didn't take the opportunity to make BEV Lincolns with all the latest tech and really differentiate while being able to pull Lincoln prices to offset the battery cost... and fitting right in with the quiet flight/luxury theme, but I guess that ship has sailed (for now anyway). I do like the idea of some variants of mustang/cd6/t6, if ce1 isn't luxury capable or they aren't ready for that yet (still not sure if inexpensive means CHEAP or efficient on that one, though I'm hoping for the latter based on what has been said about design/production)

Something like this?     The midgate Sounds Expensive.

I just came back from a trip to the local post office. When I tried to stop at an intersection near the PO from about 5 mph all four tires locked up on the icy road surface. Rather than risk sliding into the path of an oncoming semi I just let it coast through the intersection and into the PO parking lot. Before leaving the PO I watched two other vehicles do similar things at that stop sign. Current outside temp is 9°F.

I think it would obviously replace Maverick but be done on a cheaper platform enabled by ce1 architecture.  Or maybe this comes in below Maverick and they move it upmarket a little.   The enclosed bed option should be very popular with families.  The 3rd row not as much but it might be an easy add engineering wise for the few that want it.  With the midgate the rear seats have to fold flat so maybe the 3rd row could do the same.  Probably not likely but an interesting design.    

Yeah, I’ve seen similar stuff after updates. My Corsair freaked out with charging and driver assists until the dealer did a full software reset and module reflash. Definitely push them to check for a bad OTA install or corrupted module, not just “it’ll fix itself.”

That's whatI thought at first to keep costs down but I think midsized has far more market potential.