Another little tidbit that wasn’t mentioned yesterday but was at CES…ADAS.
Ford is launching a next-gen ADAS platform starting with the mid-size truck. Higher capability at 30% lower cost. Making autonomy affordable for more people. Debuting in 2027 with L3 “eyes-off” planned for 2028! 🚫✋🚫👀
I breakdown all the latest Ford UEV details here in one thread! ⚡️🔋
@jimfarley.bsky.social @mrlevine.bsky.social
youtu.be/mlfiQ4YkIgs
The team’s work in these areas resulted in a 4,000 foot shorter wiring harness and saved 22 pounds compared to first-gen Ford EV.
Traditional vehicles use more than 30 separate electronic control units around the car. Ford’s new Zonal architecture now groups many functions into just 5 main modules. The Ford UEV platform, for the very first time at Ford, uses a 48-volt low-voltage system.
Ford moved its electrical architecture design in-house resulting in improved charging times and battery management performance. The “E-box” is a single module the controls power distribution, battery management, and provides AC power to your home during an outage. Yes, all within a singular module!
Ford is claiming a 27% advantage in casting weight compared to the 2022 Model Y. 👀
For the very first time Ford is utilizing Unicastings! This will allow Ford to achieve significant weight and cost savings. In fact, Ford Maverick has 146 total structural parts in front and rear - mid-size UEV truck will have just 2!
Ford will build new Prismatic LFP cells in Marshall Michigan at Blue Oval Battery Park. Ford says they chose a prismatic LFP battery form factor to enable an incredibly space-efficient “cell to structure” architecture that turns the battery into an integral part of the truck’s skeleton.
Ford estimates the mid-size truck is 15% more aero efficient than any pickup on the market today.
The team also treated the floor like a race car. “Hiding” the rear wheels within the front tire wake and more - gaining an additional 4.5 miles of range. Small gains but when applied to the entire vehicle they add up quickly!
The team utilized bounties to meet certain goals. Ford's side mirrors for example previously used 2 separate motors for folding and glass adjustment. The UEV team combined these into 1 actuator which shrunk the housing by 20% and adds an estimated 1.5 miles of range to the upcoming mid-size truck.
As we EV and F1 nerds know *Aerodynamics is everything*! More than half of the aerodynamics team working on the Ford UEV platform came from the world of Formula 1! The team incorporated the use of aero rakes to quickly gather data and make changes using 3D printed parts!
This is Alan Clarke, Advanced EV Development Lead. Alan, joined Ford in 2022 after 12 years at Tesla. He played a key role in developing Model S and worked on essentially every other model Tesla sells. He and Doug Field have been integral to Ford's UEV platform.
Let’s take a deeper dive at what Ford had to share with us this morning! ⬇️
Ford is engineering a scalable, low-cost EV platform (Ford UEV) starting with a mid-size electric truck in 2027. High tech, fun to drive, and not basic - where range isn’t about bigger batteries, it’s about smarter, more efficient vehicles. 🏎️💨🔋
Ford is NOT backing away from EVs - they’re reimagining how they design, manufacture, and build them - from the ground up! 🔧💪
🛻⚡️2026 F-150 Lightning STX 🛻⚡️
- off-road running boards and all-terrain tires
- new grille, accented cloth interior
- EPA-estimated 290 miles
- two new optional colors: Argon Blue and Marsh
Gray
- replaces XLT trim for 2026
go.ford/STX
“By putting chargers in garages across all 50 states, Ford Power Promise is helping customers save time and money one driveway at a time.” - Ken Williams
Read more below:
www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articl...
🔌🔋🏠 The Power of Home Charging 🔌🔋🏠
@Ford’s Power Promise has delivered over 12,000 complementary home chargers with standard installation to customers across all 50 states! Equivalent to 1/3 of the Tesla Superchargers across North America.
Ford’s next Model T moment starts at 10:20 am ET today! Tune in to watch!
Ford President and CEO Jim Farley, other Ford executives, and special guests are in Kentucky today to share more about the company's plans to design and assemble breakthrough electric vehicles in America.
Honorable mention to…
2018 Ford F-150 Lightning Prototype
2001 Ford Forty-Nine Ford Concept
2009 Lincoln C Concept
2001 Ford Ranger Lightning Bolt
2015 Mustang Convertible on the Empire State Building
I have no idea how I had not heard this story or seen the video. If you haven’t…go check it out! So cool.
2002 Ford MA Concept
500 piece kit ready for assembly. 🤯
2004 Ford Bronco Concept
As @jakebley.bsky.social said…this as an EV…yes please!⚡️
2000 Ford Ranger EV
I need one. Yes, that is an analog distance to empty gauge. 😍
2007 Ford Airstream Concept
I mean look at this thing. I’m OBSESSED.
So cool to experience this today! Here are my favorite vehicles we saw. 🧵
@jimfarley.bsky.social @mrlevine.bsky.social #FordHeritageVault #FordHeritageFleet
3 years ago today we were some of the very first customers to drive an F-150 Lightning. I think our faces pretty much tell the story. Even then I didn’t know just how much of a life changing event this would be for us. Thank you Ford and the entire Model e team for these amazing opportunities. 🛻⚡️
Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR) is being developed at Ford Ion Park.
