Ford’s Universal EV Platform event left key unanswered questions, but the optimism was palpable
Yesterday I made the trip to Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant for its Universal EV Platform event. This plant, which opened in 1955, is currently configured to produce the Ford Escape and its cousin, the Lincoln Corsair. According to Ford, it’s scheduled to undergo dramatic changes in the near future.
The event had a distinctly blue-collar feel to it, with Ford executives making the announcement on a stage constructed in the middle of the plant, surrounded by hardworking hourly workers, media, local celebrities, and politicians. Ford President and CEO, Jim Farley – along with everyone else in attendance – braved the exceedingly warm conditions on the plant floor. There, he announced a radical new Universal EV Platform that would pave the way for electric vehicles that are estimated to start around $30,000.
“In our careers as automobile people, we’re lucky if we get to work on one, maybe two projects to really change the face of our industry, and I believe today is going to light the match as one of those projects for all of us here.”
Ford President and CEO JIM FARLEY
While it may have publicly marked the beginning of Ford’s so-called “Model T moment,” we learned that the program began several years earlier at an undisclosed location three time zones away. Ford’s California-based skunkworks team was tasked with the lofty goal of genuinely moving the company beyond its internal combustion roots, and was given the liberty and resources to do so uninhibited. Granted, Ford already produces EVs – the F-150 Lighting and the Mustang Mach-E to name two, but its new platform benefits from a conspicuous lack of corporate red tape, legacy weight, old-world thinking, and protectionism.
As far as an actual vehicle goes, those results are still to be determined. We didn’t get to see any new vehicle, although Ford did tease us with on-camera reactions from a handful of employees who got a brief in-person glimpse of its upcoming new truck.
We also did not learn about crucial elements like range, battery size, efficiency, or charging speed. Those who were banking on learning those details may have come away disappointed, but that’s not how I felt when the event was over given the atmosphere. There was a palpable buzz in the air once the event concluded, with media bum-rushing Ford CEO Jim Farley, who had nary the chance to wipe the sweat from his brow before being peppered with questions.
In the meantime, Ford used yesterday’s event to lay down the foundation of what’s to come. It came across as confident, but self-aware, acknowledging the high stakes involved.
Regardless of whether its bets pay off, I think we’ll look back at this event as a pivotal moment for the Detroit giant. The outcome will largely depend on how well leadership guides the company. It’s one thing to be nimble when you’re an actual startup, but it’s a whole other thing to adopt the mindset of a nimble startup when you’re a behemoth with a litany of moving parts and partners.
One thing is for certain – and it’s clear that Ford realizes this – its entire workforce needs to be fully on board for such a massive transition. This initiative isn’t a mere retooling of a plant to introduce a slightly redesigned version of a vehicle it already makes. This is a mountain-moving top-to-bottom redesign, not only for the final product, but for the way that final product is made.
“The automotive industry in America is at a cross roads … We saw this coming for years, we knew that the Chinese would be the major player for us globally, companies like BYD … they’re all coming for us legacy automotive companies.
Ford President and CEO JIM FARLEY
Ford executives were keen on acknowledging its workforce and how crucial they are to its success. The event, although big for the company as a whole, had a decidedly local feel. In Kentucky, basketball is king, so who else better to help usher in a new era than the athletic directors for the two biggest universities in the state, the Josh Heird for the University of Louisville, and the Mitch Barnhart for the University of Kentucky?
Louisville’s men’s basketball coach, Pat Kelsey, known for his energy, played hype man. Referring to Henry Ford’s famous “Any color the customer wants, as long as it’s black,” he even got in a dig about the UK-blue-painted Model T parked over his right shoulder.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear were also in attendance, with the 63rd governor of the Bluegrass State taking the stage to tout how many billions of dollars that Ford has invested in the area.
Ford Universal Electric Platform
“We’ve been waiting three years for this moment,” noted Farley, straining to contain his excitement, while invoking his best Steve Jobs impression. “In our careers as automobile people, we’re lucky if we get to work on one, maybe two projects to really change the face of our industry, and I believe today is going to light the match as one of those projects for all of us here.”
The first vehicle underpinned by the new platform will be a mid-sized truck built at the same, albeit highly transformed, and 52,000 square feet larger, Louisville Assembly Plant. Ford plans to roll the first models of the yet-to-be-named mid-sized pickup off the redesigned assembly line in 2027.
“We finally get to tell what we’ve been working on for three years behind closed doors. We call this the Ford Universal Electric Vehicle Platform. It represents the most radical change on how we design and how we build vehicles at Ford since the Model T.”
Noted Farley, “The automotive industry in America is at a crossroads… We saw this coming for years, we knew that the Chinese would be the major player for us globally, companies like BYD … they’re all coming for us legacy automotive companies. We needed a radical approach … to create an affordable vehicle that delights customers in every way that matters.”
Ford notes that the platform is founded on relentless efficiency, radical simplification, and flexibility. A vehicle assembled in a reimagined factory with bold design, more space, endless configurability, and an entirely new digital experience.
The Ford Universal EV Production System
Although Ford didn’t come up with the idea of the movable assembly line, the company is credited with improving and innovating the techniques over 100 years ago at its Highland Park, MI plant. Much of the same principals are still in use today. This production staple, too, will be completely transformed thanks to a new Universal EV Production System.
Instead of a singular movable line, the skunkworks team designed a new “assembly tree” featuring three sub-assemblies that run concurrently, and are thereafter joined together at the end. And in Tesla-like fashion, large single-piece castings will replace numerous smaller parts, enabling each end of the vehicle to be assembled separately. The result is a truck that can be assembled up to 40% faster than today’s Ford Escape.
Ford is also implementing a structural battery design, with a skateboard-esque battery platform with a low center of gravity. Prismatic LiFePO4 batteries will be sourced from within the United States, an industry first, thanks to the BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan.
Ford notes that the new mid-sized truck will feature more interior space than the Toyota RAV4, currently the best-selling vehicle in the United States. “But it will have a frunk,” quipped Farley. “And it will have a whole pickup truck bed behind it. No one has seen this kind of flexibility.”
The most interesting part of the presentation came from Chief EV Digital and Design Officer, Doug Field, who discussed some of the initiative’s high-level technical details.
One of the benefits that was drilled home several times during the presentation was a significant improvement to ergonomics during the assembly process. For an audience consisting of many factory workers, this was met with applause.
Alongside dramatically reducing the amount of parts, electrical wiring, and hoses, the updated production system will reduce the need for workers to twist, bend, and reach, increasing ergonomics, and reducing potential injury and soreness after a day’s work. Say what you will, but Ford knew their audience, and catered well to it.
Electrek’s Take
If it had gone into its electric vehicle production with this plan back in 2019, when the Mach-E was announced, Ford would probably be in a better position today to compete globally. It’s been working on these new initiatives for the past three years, so that means there was roughly a three-year delta between the Mach-E’s announcement and the realization that it needed a dramatically new approach. Will the time lost come back to bite them? Time will tell, but I’m cautiously optimistic.
As someone born and raised in Louisville, it gives me a unique perspective on the gravity of this announcement. The Louisville Assembly Plant, alongside the Kentucky Truck Plant, roughly a 30-minute drive to the northeast, are both community linchpins. A number of friends of mine who work at the plant have expressed genuine excitement and optimism over the announcements.
Skeptics may lament the fact that key details about the programs remain unanswered, namely key areas like range, charging speed, and efficiency, and that’s a fair critique. But given the dramatic changes set to take place at the Louisville Assembly Plant, it was necessary for Ford to outline these key details beforehand.
The bigger question is whether or not Ford will be able to meet the $30,000 price point given the various economic uncertainties prevalent today. Another key area that younger companies like Tesla and Rivian have going for them is the direct-to-customer model. Will Ford look for ways to innovate in that space as well?
What are your thoughts about yesterday’s announcements? Sound off down below in the comments with your thoughts.
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The floodgates are open following a landmark $243 million ruling against Tesla in a wrongful death suit in Florida, and now that same lawyer is thirsty for more. He’s not alone, either, and America’s leading EV brand seems to be dodging court issues in California and even from its own shareholders! We’ve got all this and more on today’s ruinous episode of Quick Charge!
We’ve also got some killer deals on J.D Power award-winning 2026 BMW electric and plug-in hybrid models and a massive, 82 MW community solar project happening right here in Chicago.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec—makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure. Check out Retrospec’s viral city ebike, the Beaumont Rev 2, made with a vintage-inspired frame design and modern electric features, all for just $999! Electrek listeners can get 10% off their next ride until August 14 with the exclusive code ELECTREK10 only at retrospec.com.
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Environment
Anker SOLIX F2600 expanded bundle at new exclusive $1,799 low + PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh station $80, Segway ZT3 Pro $900, more
Today’s Green Deals are almost exclusively about solar power, except for our lone EV deal. Headlining this edition is the exclusive $1,700 savings we’ve secured for our readers on the Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station with an expansion battery at a new $1,799 low. There’s also Segway’s special promotion taking its ZT3 Pro Smart All-Terrain Electric Scooter down to its second-best price of $900, as well as Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station down at $80. From there, we also have Anker’s SOLIX C300 DC 90,000mAh Portable Power Station returning to its lowest price and a special EcoFlow promotion dropping 220W and 400W solar panels (as well as multi-bundles) to their best prices to date. Plus, all the hangover savings are at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s first cash discount on Velotric’s new Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike alongside bundled gear, Navee’s Back to School e-scooter sale, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Save an exclusive $1,700 on Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station with an expansion battery at a new $1,799 low
We’ve secured an exclusive deal from Wellbots on the Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station with a BP2600 expansion battery for $1,798.56 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5F2600 at checkout. You’d normally have to shell out $3,499 for this bundle at full price, which we’ve seen go as low as $2,399 in the past. You’re looking at a combined 49% markdown that cuts $1,700 off the tag in all, giving you the best price we have tracked on this expanded backup power solution.
A successor to the F2000 model, Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station starts at an increased 2,560Wh LiFePO4 capacity that is then doubled thanks to the expansion battery inclusion to 5,120Wh. There are twelve output ports (including a TT-30 port for RV support) to connect devices and appliances, with the unit delivering up to 2,400W of continuous power that can surge as high as 2,800W – all within a convenient suitcase-like design complete with wheels for easier transport.
The two main ways to recharge Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station are either by utilizing its max 1,000W solar input that can have it back to 80% in around two hours, or you can activate its HyperFlash mode to charge to 80% via an AC outlet in one hour and 40 minutes. It comes rated for a 10-year lifespan of continuous use, so using it less often just means extended support for your backup needs, and offers the full array of remote smart controls through its companion app that you would expect.
Segway’s ZT3 Pro e-scooter brings Apple Find My and proximity locking to all-terrain adventures for $900
Following right alongside a similar deal we saw on Segway’s new F3 Electric KickScooter that is still going strong through August 17, the brand is offering a promotional discount on its ZT3 Pro Electric Scooter at $899.99 shipped through August 31, after using the code ZT3AUG100OFF at checkout, beating out Amazon pricing by $100. This model carries a $1,300 MSRP directly from the brand, but keeps down at $1,000 normally over at Amazon. We saw it hit a new $850 low last month during Prime Day, with the deal here being the next-best rate that matches its preorder launch deal from September for the first time. You’ll be saving $100 off the going rate ($400 off the MSRP), landing it just $50 above the one-time low.
If you want to learn more about this newer and smarter model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Tote Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh station through the rest of summer and beyond for $80
By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its popular PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station at $79.99 shipped in both colorways, which comes in $1 under the brand’s direct website pricing. You’d normally have to spend $150 for this model at full price, though discounts have been regularly keeping the costs down between $110 and $90 on average, with some falls lower to $80, like today, and one previous drop to the $75 low during Prime Day. Aside from that one-time appearance, you’re otherwise looking at the best price we have tracked, which gives you $70 off the going rate and lands it $8 under our previous mention from three weeks ago.
If you want to learn more about this popular portable charging solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Anker’s SOLIX C300 power stations are portable 90,000mAh backup companions that start from $150
By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its SOLIX C300 DC Portable Power Station at $149.99 shipped, matching the brand’s direct website pricing. You’d have to pay $250 for this unit at full price regularly, though discounts in 2025 have seen it go as low as $150, which was last seen in July’s Prime Day Sale event, with things otherwise seen repeating to $170 since June. You’re looking at another shot at the second best price we have tracked, giving you $100 off the going rate that is only beaten by the $140 low we last saw during Black Friday and Christmas sales.
If you want to learn more about this model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Score up to 61% total savings on EcoFlow 220W and 400W solar panels and bundles at lowest prices starting from $254
As part of its current Home Backup Sale running through August 17, EcoFlow is offering an additional 15% off promotion on 220W and 400W solar panels (plus dual panel bundles). Things start at their lowest with the NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel at $254.15 shipped, after using the code ASOLAR15OFF at checkout for the extra savings, beating out Amazon’s pricing by $75. It’s already down from its full $649 price tag thanks to the sale, with the price having stayed above $300 with discounts until today. Not only has the brand dropped the initial pricing from $329 to $299, but the extra savings make the deal all the sweeter, cutting a total $395 off the going rate for a new all-time low price, alongside the other lows we’re seeing on the 220W bundle and 400W offers.
To learn more about these solar panels or to view the full lineup of solar panel deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this promotion here.
Best Summer EV deals!
- Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike: $2,599 (Reg. $2,899)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive Gates Belt CVT e-bike: $2,595 (Reg. $2,795)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Off-Road Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 Full Suspension Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Segway Xafari Red e-bike: $2,000 (Reg. $2,400)
- Velotric Nomad 2 All-Terrain e-bike with $120 bundle (new): $1,999 (No price cut)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $654 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,653)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive 9-Speed e-bike: $1,995 (Reg. $2,495)
- Tenways AGO X All-Terrain e-bike with $307 bundle: $1,899 (Reg. $2,499)
- Velotric Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike with $150 bundle (new, first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Pace 4 Smart Cruiser e-bike (new, first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike (lowest price): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $505 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,204)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,015)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Heybike Limited Miami Sunset Ranger 3.0 Pro Folding e-bike (new): $1,599 (Reg. $1,699)
- Rad Power RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike with $109 bundle: $1,499 (No pirce cut)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Lectric XP Trike2 with $227 preorder bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Velotric Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Sinch 2 Folding e-bike (lowest price): $1,399 (Reg. $1,699)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,725)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike (2025 low): $1,399 (Reg. $1,899)
- Heybike Ranger 3.0 Pro Folding Fat-Tire e-bike (new): $1,399 (Reg. $1,499)
- Ride1Up Roadster V3 Lightweight Premium e-bike: $1,395 (Reg. $1,495)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus Lightweight e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,649)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $366 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,665)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with $356 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,655)
- Heybike Mars 3.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike (new): $1,199 (Reg. $1,299)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $365 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,464)
- Ride1Up Portola Folding e-bike with BOGO accessory promo: $995 (Reg. $1,095)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $365 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,364)
- Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,599)
- Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter (code SCHOOL15): $727 (Reg. $1,014)
- ENGWE Engine Pro Folding e-bike (use code 9TO5ENGWE50): $750 (Reg. $1,500)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
- Head to classes on Navee’s ST3 Pro e-scooter with free carbon fiber bag starting from $684 in latest sale (Reg. $950), more
- Velotric’s 70-mile cruising Breeze 1 e-bike with SensorSwap tech, Apple Find My, more gets first savings and free gear from $1,699
- Save up to 60% on EcoFlow bundles for solar panels, extra batteries, and a DELTA 2 Max station from $319 for 48 hours
- Make up to 160 cuts, even in tight spaces, using Worx’s Nitro 20V 5-inch cordless chainsaw kit at $100 (Reg. $150)
- Electrified Weekly – Heybike’s new Ranger 3.0 Pro and Mars 3.0 e-bikes from $1,199, Save up to 59% on power stations from EcoFlow, Anker, more
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It’s only a matter of time before the Genesis G70 sedan will no longer be offered. Genesis is reportedly planning to kill off its most affordable model as it shifts its focus to SUVs and electric vehicles.
The most affordable Genesis model is on the way out
Starting at $42,500, the G70 is the most affordable Genesis vehicle offered. But that might not be the case for long.
According to a new Automotive News report, the Genesis G70 sedan will be retired after the 2027 model year. Although it was the luxury brand’s third-best-selling vehicle last year, Genesis is moving away from sedans, with more buyers opting for SUVs and EVs.
The report said that industry analysts don’t believe the G70 is on track for a second generation. And that’s not just the US, Genesis expected to kill off its most affordable model globally.
Genesis has yet to confirm the news, but a company spokesperson said, “We have no plans to discontinue the G70 at this time.”
The keyword is “at this time.” The G70 underwent a major refresh for the 2022MY. Much like its newest models, Genesis fine-tuned the exterior design and added more luxury to the interior, featuring a larger infotainment system and new features.
Genesis already dropped one model this year. Earlier this month, Genesis confirmed to Car and Driver that it will no longer sell the Electrified G80 in the US, its luxury electric sedan.
The electric G80 has already been pulled from its US website, leaving only the GV60 and Electrified GV70 as purely electric options.
Genesis said that “the customer is at the core of every decision we make, and we remain flexible as we adapt to ever-changing consumer needs and market conditions.”
If Genesis kills off the G70 sedan, it will leave the GV70 SUV as its most affordable model, with starting prices from $47,985.
While Genesis is trimming sedans from its lineup, it’s planning to trade up for a new flagship electric SUV. The GV90 will be the production version of the Neolun concept (shown above) revealed last March.
Genesis is expected to introduce the GV90 next year as its new ultra-luxury SUV to rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Last month, we caught a sneak peek of it for the first time with Rolls-Royce-like coach doors.
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