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Ford has always had plans to switch its products from gasoline to electricity, and has invested a lot of money in the development of electric vehicles. It had previously planned to put a pure electric three-row SUV into production in 2025. Now this plan has changed. Ford recently announced the development of a series of future new products in North America and decided to terminate the development of this electric three-row SUV. However, this car will be based on hybrid gasoline and electric. In addition, Ford expects to start production of the next generation of pure electric commercial vehicles in 2026, and will launch two electric pickup trucks in 2027. At the same time, Ford has also reduced the proportion of development costs for electric vehicles, and accelerated and adjusted the production of batteries, transferring them to the United States to meet government tax reduction subsidies.

The plan is to readjust the three-row SUV to abandon pure electric and switch to oil-electric

The plan announced by Ford this time is mainly adjusted in response to the current market and focuses on North America. With all car manufacturers actively developing electric vehicles, the competition in this field is becoming more and more fierce. The investment costs and sales response of car manufacturers are the key. Now in Ford’s latest product planning, the biggest change is that the original plan to launch a pure electric three-row SUV has been terminated, but the plan has not been completely cut. The main reason is that the new three-row SUV will be developed with hybrid oil-electric hybrid power and abandon the pure electric power architecture. However, it did not mention when it will be produced and launched.

This decision basically negates Ford CEO Jim Farley's statement more than a year ago that he would actively launch a 7-seater pure electric SUV. Of course, there is such a plan as mentioned above. Even though there are not many electric 7-seater products at this stage, consumer acceptance, regional characteristics or vehicle development costs are all key factors.

Therefore, Ford Chief Financial Officer John Lawler also mentioned that due to the growing demand for hybrid vehicles, it has reduced the annual development cost of electric vehicles from about 40% to 30%. At the same time, Ford also mentioned that for some commercial or large vehicles, pure electric power is still challenging in terms of battery costs. In this regard, the original factory announced that the next generation Super Duty will have a series of powertrain options.

Pure electric commercial vehicles and pickup trucks will be launched in 2026 and 2027

Although the development plan of the new three-row SUV has shifted from pure electric to hybrid, Ford also has a clearer new plan for the new generation of electric products; first of all, in the commercial vehicle segment, the original factory currently has the E-Transit product, and Ford will also launch the next generation of pure electric commercial vehicles, which are expected to be assembled and produced at the Ohio factory in the United States in 2026; Ford also mentioned that their commercial customers are rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles because they value the cost of ownership and productivity advantages that electric vehicles can provide.

As early as 2022, Ford has established a low-cost and efficient electric vehicle platform. The model that now uses this platform is the mid-size pure electric pickup truck to be launched in 2027. The manufacturer also emphasizes that it has longer driving range, more practicality and higher availability. In addition, in the second half of the same year, Ford will bring a new generation of F-150 Lightning models, which the manufacturer also named "Project T3". Ford said it will have upgraded two-way charging functions and advanced aerodynamic performance, and will be assembled at the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center.

Jim Farley constantly emphasizes the importance of the cost of electric vehicles. Therefore, Ford has adjusted the battery procurement part. It will mainly be produced in the United States, which will then be eligible for government tax credits. The battery production of some Mustang Mach-E, E-Transit and F-150 Lightning will change, and at the end of 2025, the assembly plant in Blue Oval City, Tennessee will begin production of the next generation of commercial vehicle batteries. In addition, LFP lithium iron phosphate batteries are expected to begin production at the Blue Oval Battery Park in Michigan in 2026. If it meets the policy credit, it will become one of Ford's lowest-cost batteries in North America.