Ford's once highly secretive electric vehicle division, based in Long Beach, California, has developed a new vehicle platform intended for its next-generation EVs. This Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform is expected to be crucial in helping Ford's Model e unit achieve breakeven by 2029, following years of substantial annual losses. Despite industry pressures and the departure of a key EV executive, Ford remains committed to electrification, with plans to launch a mid-size electric pickup truck priced around $30,000.
While global automakers are slowing their EV investments after incurring billions in losses, Ford is pushing forward with its next-generation electric models. CEO Jim Farley has stated that the new vehicles will possess industry-defining capabilities. However, Ford's EV efforts face multiple headwinds, including a significant slowdown in EV adoption rates, $19.5 billion in restructuring charges for its EV business, the elimination of U.S. federal EV purchase incentives, and the unexpected departure of a top EV and technology executive.
Alan Clarke, Ford's head of EV product, emphasized the importance of adaptability in an interview with CNBC at the new EV development center in Long Beach. "Flexibility is key. We can adjust to various market conditions... The EV sector is facing strong headwinds, so we must proactively adapt to change," Clarke said.
The new UEV platform features a ground-up, in-house architecture. Although Ford has slowed and scaled back its capital investment plans to a more conservative approach, the company expresses strong confidence in the platform. The goal is to achieve profitability and compete on cost with Chinese EV leaders and Tesla Motors. Ford expects the UEV platform to help its Model e business turn around billions in annual losses and reach breakeven by 2029. Vehicles based on this platform are projected to become profitable within their first year on the market.
The first product on the UEV platform will be a mid-size electric pickup truck planned for the U.S. market next year, priced at approximately $30,000. Additional models using the same platform will follow. Clarke noted that this mid-size electric truck has no direct competitors in terms of pricing and configuration, giving it a unique advantage in its segment.
Clarke, a key figure in Ford's "skunkworks" team that secretly developed the UEV platform, has over twelve years of experience at Tesla and was recently promoted to Vice President of Advanced EV Programs. His hiring was overseen by Doug Field, Ford's former head of EV and digital systems, who departed unexpectedly last month. Clarke praised Field's contributions, stating he laid the groundwork for success, and acknowledged that the timing of Field's departure was appropriate given the project's current phase.
Competitive pressure from Chinese automakers remains a significant motivator for Ford's accelerated UEV development, even though Chinese brands are not yet officially in the U.S. market. Farley has acknowledged the innovation and product strength of Chinese automakers while advocating for protections for the U.S. auto industry. Outside the U.S., Ford and other traditional automakers are working to maintain market share in Europe and South America after losing ground to local brands in China.
According to GlobalData, Chinese automakers have increased their global market share by nearly 70% over the past five years. Many experts believe their eventual entry into the U.S. market would pose a major threat to domestic automakers. Clarke expressed confidence in the UEV platform's ability to compete with Chinese models but acknowledged different competitive dynamics, including Chinese automakers' government support and lower labor costs. "We have to win on speed and play by the existing rules. We believe we can be competitive, but ultimately, we must offer a price that U.S. consumers are willing to pay," Clarke said.
Ford has extensively studied Chinese vehicles through teardowns but notes that Chinese automakers iterate rapidly. Consulting firm Oliver Wyman points out that Chinese EV startups can develop new vehicles in about 20 months—half the time of traditional international automakers—giving them a two-to-three-year product lead.
Given these challenges, the first UEV model is prioritized for North America. Ford is also exploring alliances with other automakers, including Renault and Volkswagen, and is reportedly in talks with some Chinese firms to enhance its global competitiveness. Clarke stated that while the UEV platform is designed for global sales, the current focus is squarely on the North American market.
Internally, Ford regards the UEV project as a "moonshot" initiative, aiming to use new technology and efficiency gains to bring EV costs in line with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Key technical approaches include using smaller, U.S.-made lithium iron phosphate battery packs and a 48-volt electrical architecture to improve efficiency and reduce weight and cost. High battery costs have made most EVs unprofitable; Ford expects its Model e unit to lose $4–4.5 billion this year, an improvement from last year's $4.8 billion loss.
Compared to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, UEV-based vehicles will use 20% fewer parts, 25% fewer fasteners, require 40% fewer assembly station positions, and see a 15% improvement in assembly efficiency. Farley has compared the UEV platform's significance to that of the Model T, calling it Ford's most radical redesign of vehicle architecture and manufacturing since that iconic car. He announced a $5 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing tied to this project.
However, this is not the first time Farley has made bold claims about an EV. The all-electric F-150 Lightning was once hailed as a new "Model T moment" but fell short of expectations and is being redeveloped as a hybrid. A planned three-row electric SUV, touted as a "personal bullet train," was canceled in 2024 due to near-term unprofitability. Ford executives say they have learned from past mistakes: the UEV platform will avoid overly large trucks and SUVs with high battery costs, focusing instead on smaller, more affordable models.
The new electric pickup features an extremely simplified structure with just two main castings, compared to 146 parts in the current Maverick compact truck. This is achieved using giant casting machines that inject molten aluminum into massive molds to form large single components, reducing part count and simplifying assembly. Mitch Sevin, a thermal systems engineer on Ford's advanced EV team, noted, "In this industry, they say the best part is no part, and the next best is one part that does multiple things."
Farley recently stated that the value of the skunkworks team extends beyond building EVs; it is also driving a redesign of Ford's entire vehicle development and production system across all product lines. The small, agile team was formed in California around 2022 to operate free from corporate bureaucracy and focus on breakthrough innovation. Farley said Ford is now integrating the team's efficient, cost-effective UEV development approach into its mainstream vehicle programs and manufacturing processes.
The new Long Beach EV development center spans 270,000 square feet and is located in an emerging industrial park across from Long Beach Airport. A further 150,000-square-foot testing and validation center is planned. The facility currently houses about 350 employees with backgrounds from Tesla Motors, aerospace, defense, and Ford itself, working across labs, design studios, and offices. Clarke clarified that the center is not for the upcoming electric truck—which was developed by the secret skunkworks team—but for Ford's next generation of EVs. While he did not reveal specific future models, he indicated the center can develop multiple UEV-based vehicles and next-generation products concurrently.
This development approach is more akin to the consumer electronics industry than traditional automaking—a deliberate shift for Ford. Clarke expressed confidence in launching the new truck next year and stated the center represents a major investment intended to significantly accelerate Ford's vehicle development speed for future products.
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