Ford’s new “Model T” moment

[Cmaier]

Ford reveals breakthrough process for lower priced EVs

The assembly process will require more automation and fewer workers.

www.theverge.com

$30k Ford EV truck due in 2027 with much-simpler production process

It’s a clean-sheet approach to designing and building an electric vehicle.

arstechnica.com

Not sure what to make of it, but it seems dumb to make an announcement like this without having a car ready to show. Other rumors have suggested that the first car on this platform will be a new Ford Ranchero (sort of like an El Camino, for you youngsters who for some reason know what an El Camino is but don’t know what a Ranchero is).

 

[Yoused]

The Ranchero (as well as the el Camino) had a bigger bed than 95% of the "pickups" on the road today.

 

[Cmaier]

The Ranchero (as well as the el Camino) had a bigger bed than 95% of the "pickups" on the road today.

El Camino’s were pretty practical, but, then, so were station wagons. Especially back in the day when us kids were allowed to ride around in the bed or in the back without seatbelts or anything. All the kids in the neighborhood would pile into one of these things and get driven wherever.

 

[Citysnaps]

I think it's interesting Ford no longer manufactures sedans (except for the Mustang) and hatchbacks in the US.

It's a big bet.

 

[Yoused]

(except for the Mustang)

Except, the Maquis is more-or-less a "crossover".

 

[Herdfan]

This new vehicle platform, at least as far as the truck is concerned, will allow a level of customization not seen in decades.

For example, you will be able to order a high-end interior with a work truck exterior. The size of this truck is rumored to be between a Maverick and Ranger.

Ford is putting a lot of its eggs in this basket.

 

[Citysnaps]

This new vehicle platform, at least as far as the truck is concerned, will allow a level of customization not seen in decades.

For example, you will be able to order a high-end interior with a work truck exterior. The size of this truck is rumored to be between a Maverick and Ranger.

Ford is putting a lot of its eggs in this basket.

Any thoughts on when it might be available?

 

[Herdfan]

It is scheduled for release as a 2027 model.

Seems like a lot to do by then given our first 2026’s are due by the end of the month.

 

[Cmaier]

It is scheduled for release as a 2027 model.

Seems like a lot to do by then given our first 2026’s are due by the end of the month.

Yep, especially since they haven’t shown anything yet. You’d think that given how much they hyped up the announcement, if it were really a 2027 model they’d have something more concrete to show by now.

 

[Eric]

El Camino’s were pretty practical, but, then, so were station wagons. Especially back in the day when us kids were allowed to ride around in the bed or in the back without seatbelts or anything. All the kids in the neighborhood would pile into one of these things and get driven wherever.

Used to love that as a child, bonus was that our parents would smoke with all the windows up too! Good times.

 

[Yoused]

bonus was that our parents would smoke with all the windows up too!

We used to take a bench-seat F100 to the drive-in. Way back then, the drive-in had a clip you put on the antenna to get the movie sound on your radio. So we rolled the windows up tight to trap the skunkweed smoke inside the cab. I could not tell you one thing about any of those movies, except maybe a couple titles.