Ford Motor Company is privately advancing a low-cost electric vehicle (EV) platform designed to compete with affordable Chinese EVs, aiming to launch its first mass-market model by 2027.
Spearheaded by a clandestine “skunk works” team in California—led by a former Tesla engineer—this initiative has been underway for nearly two years. The new architecture is engineered to underpin up to eight different vehicle types, ranging from compact crossovers and pickup trucks to sedans.
According to Lisa Drake, Ford’s head of EV industrial strategy, the company intends to achieve cost parity with China’s leading EV makers not just in battery pricing but across the vehicle’s full system: chassis, thermal systems, inverters, and electronics.
A crucial element involves establishing a new battery plant in Michigan, backed by a $3 billion investment and supported by approximately $700 million in expected federal tax credits—though these remain under review as lawmakers negotiate the final budget package.
Ford also plans to use less expensive lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, similar to many Chinese EVs, simplifying vehicle components, and reducing part counts to lower production costs.
The project underscores Ford’s strategic pivot from high-end models to affordable, mass-market electric mobility. With profitability targeted within the first year post-launch, the automaker plans to leverage software and subscription services to boost revenue.
