Ford is ramping up its efforts to compete in the affordable electric vehicle market, according to a report from Electrek. The automaker recently presented dealers with renderings of potential new electric models, including sedans, crossover SUVs, and pickups, all aimed at challenging Tesla and Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD.

Ford Unveils Plans For Affordable Evs To Challenge Tesla And Chinese Rivals

A Glimpse into Ford’s Electric Future

At a dealer event in Las Vegas, Ford showcased several images of possible future EVs based on its new low-cost electric platform. While these renderings were meant to highlight potential vehicles rather than confirmed models, they signal Ford’s commitment to expanding its electric lineup.

“20% to 30% of your revenue is at risk” if you cannot keep up with low-cost Chinese EVs and Tesla, warned Ford CEO Jim Farley.

This statement underscores the urgency behind Ford’s push into more affordable electric vehicles.

The Low-Cost EV Platform

Ford’s new platform for affordable EVs is being developed by a “skunkworks” team in California, led by Alan Clarke, who previously worked on the Tesla Model Y. The company has been actively recruiting talent from across the industry, including:

Over 20 ex-Tesla employees
About 50 from Rivian
Several from Lucid and Apple’s canceled Project Titan
Leaders from the eVTOL industry

Potential Models and Pricing

While specific models haven’t been confirmed, the renderings shown to dealers included:

Electric sedans
Crossover SUVs
Pickup trucks

Previous reports suggest that models based on this platform could start at around $25,000, making them competitive with entry-level EVs from other manufacturers.

Learning from Experience

Farley noted that Ford has learned valuable lessons from using Volkswagen’s MEB platform for its Electric Explorer and new Capri EV. This experience has informed the development of Ford’s own low-cost EV platform, which the company claims will be flexible enough to support a variety of vehicle types.

EVXL’s Take

Ford’s aggressive push into the affordable EV market is a promising sign for the industry. As we’ve seen with Tesla’s success, offering competitive pricing is crucial for widespread EV adoption. Ford’s strategy to develop a flexible, low-cost platform could potentially accelerate the transition to electric vehicles across various segments.

By leveraging expertise from across the industry and learning from partnerships like the one with Volkswagen, Ford is positioning itself to be a major player in the next generation of EVs. This move could not only help Ford compete globally but also make electric vehicles more accessible to a broader range of consumers.

Photo courtesy of Electrek