Ford’s Model T Moment Sparks a New Era with Affordable EVs and a Compact Electric Pickup : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

Ford is getting ready to make a bold statement in the electric vehicle world, and it’s starting with something small — literally. The automaker is preparing to launch a new lineup of affordable EVs, and leading the charge will be a compact all-electric pickup. CEO Jim Farley describes it as a “Model T moment,” signaling Ford’s intent to completely reshape how electric vehicles are developed, built, and sold. But rather than chasing Tesla or legacy rivals like GM or Hyundai, Ford’s gaze is fixed squarely on China.

This shift in strategy is more than just a response to market trends. It’s a full-on reaction to what Farley has seen firsthand. He’s been behind the wheel of a Xiaomi SU7 — a Chinese-built EV that costs less than $30,000 yet comes packed with features like air suspension and a massive display. He’s spent time in China with a specialized team working in what’s being called a “skunkworks” program to deliver the kind of low-cost EVs Ford thinks it needs to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global market.

While Ford hasn’t officially revealed the first vehicle in this new EV family, insiders say it will be a small electric truck — likely slotting between the Maverick and Ranger in size. It’s part of a broader plan that will also include a compact SUV and possibly other body styles, all sharing a new platform focused on affordability, efficiency, and production simplicity.

Affordability is the key word here. The average EV still costs over $56,000, which is about $8,000 more than the typical new vehicle. That price gap has been one of the biggest barriers to widespread EV adoption, and it’s a problem Ford is determined to solve. The new EVs will use lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are cheaper and safer than traditional lithium-ion packs, albeit with slightly less range. These batteries will be built at Ford’s new plant in Marshall, Michigan.

But Ford’s affordability strategy goes far beyond just the battery. The company is taking cues from both Tesla and China’s EV giants by embracing major manufacturing shifts. That includes mega-casting — a process that replaces dozens of steel components with a single large aluminum piece — and integrating the battery pack directly into the vehicle’s structure. These changes will reduce part counts, simplify assembly, and drive down costs across the board.

Ford has already spent 18 months developing this project in a low-profile facility in Long Beach, California, keeping much of it under wraps. What’s clear is that Farley sees this as a do-or-die moment. The brand once revolutionized the industry with the Model T by making cars affordable and accessible to the masses. Now, it’s trying to repeat that feat in an EV world that’s being redefined not in Detroit, but in places like Shenzhen and Shanghai.

What’s also telling is who Ford isn’t focused on. Farley made it clear during Ford’s Q2 earnings call that the goal isn’t to compete with GM or Toyota. Instead, the real pressure is coming from Chinese brands like BYD, which has already surpassed Tesla in global sales in some quarters. Vehicles like the BYD Dolphin, which sells for just over $25,000 in markets like Mexico, are proving that it’s possible to build desirable, full-featured EVs for the masses — and do it profitably.

While Farley is candid about Ford’s quality struggles and the pressure of new tariffs, he’s not backing down from the challenge. With a major announcement expected on August 11 from Ford’s Louisville assembly plant, the stage is set for what could be a game-changing shift.

Whether this next-gen EV lineup becomes Ford’s second Model T moment or just another hopeful experiment will depend on execution. But one thing is clear — Ford knows the EV future won’t be won with $70,000 crossovers. It will be decided by who can build the $30,000 EV that people actually want to drive.

And if that turns out to be a small electric truck? All the better.

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