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How Do You Design a $30,000 Electric Pickup? Inside Ford's Skunkworks.
The center brings design, testing and validation under one roof as Ford races to cut parts and speed development of a low-cost pickup.
- Ford opened a 270,000-square-foot Electric Vehicle Development Center in Long Beach, California, to accelerate development of a $30,000 midsize electric pickup truck underpinned by its new Universal EV platform.
- Mounting pressure from China's rapid EV industry growth, combined with recent cancellations of Ford Motor Co.'s electric programs, prompted the automaker to adopt a "skunkworks" approach after the F-150 Lightning failed to meet market expectations.
- Roughly 350 employees at the center employ the "best part is no part" philosophy to reduce complexity; the team targets 40% fewer workstations and 25% fewer fasteners than previous models.
- Led by former Tesla Inc. engineer Alan Clarke, the team focuses on creating a competitive North American pickup, with Clarke stating "We only win with speed, and we have to play by the rules here."
- Future vehicles including potential SUVs and sedans will utilize the UEV platform, with the pickup targeting a 2027 launch; Ford must prove profitability in an uncertain market amid Chinese competition.
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14 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 22%
C 56%
R 22%
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