Ford Announces New Competition to Tesla Cybertruck
Ford is diving headfirst into the electric truck market, announcing a new generation of all-electric vehicles modeled after the Tesla Cybertruck. Read on for all of the details of this new offering in the automotive industry.
Ford Announces Latest Generation of Electric Vehicles, Including Competition for Tesla Cybertruck
Ford Motor Company is betting $5 billion on its next generation of all-electric vehicles. The leading automaker announced that it is going to lean on the 48-volt electrical architecture first used in the U.S. by Tesla in 2023. This type of volt system differs from the classic 12-volt framework paired with a lead-acid battery used by the U.S. auto industry.
The traditional 12-volt system has proved to be problematic for electric vehicles, leading to several recalls in recent years. The latest 48-volt system harnesses the power of an EV's high-voltage battery to supply power to all of the vehicle, including its accessories.
In addition, the 48-volt system has been praised for its improved efficiency. This improvement provides extra electrical bandwidth to drivers; however, users also have the flexibility of moving down to 12 volts when necessary.
Ford is confident that the rollout of the new electrical system will make it more competitive with EV leader Tesla. The Detroit automaker is also facing increasing competition in the EV market from Chinese brands.
Ford said that it plans to launch its first small electric pickup truck in 2027 with a $30,000 base price. CEO Jim Farley said that the new generation of EVs will be a "Model T moment," referencing the automaker's original flagship vehicle that made it a leader in the industry.
The company also said that the generation of EVs will be built around a common "Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV)." These UEVs are expected to compare cost-wise to traditional gas-powered vehicles because of the latest technologies employed. EVs have long been criticized for their large batteries that are inherently more costly to produce when compared to the parts needed to make gas-powered vehicles.
For instance, Ford said that the new line of EVs will reduce part costs by approximately 20% when compared to a gas-powered version. Part of the cost-savings will come in the form of 25% fewer fasteners and 40% fewer plant workstations needed. In addition, the latest reiteration of Ford EVs will boast a 15% faster assembly time.
Ford believes that the cost savings will pair with the overall improvements to encourage a greater adoption of EVs across the U.S. This confidence comes despite a measurable decrease in domestic EV sales as the Trump administration pulls back on support of these vehicles when compared to the incentives offered by the Biden White House.
Domestic EV sales reached their peak in September of 2025, just prior to the end of the federal incentive program. According to Cox Automotive, EV sales comprised 10.3% of the new vehicle market. Sales of this type of vehicle plunged to less than 6% over the fourth quarter of 2025.
While sales of EVs have been lagging, Ford is continuing with its plans to invest $5 billion in the UEV platform through 2027. Alan Clarke, Ford’s executive director of advanced EV development, said that the company is now focused on making these vehicles more affordable and "extremely desirable."
Clarke, a former leader at Tesla, said that the UEV platform's smaller wires are "the future of automotive." It has also been confirmed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk gave competitors Ford and General Motors information on how to develop the 48-volt system, encouraging Clarke and other executives at Ford to move forward with their own plans to develop their EVs around this platform.
Ford Leaning Into Gigacasting Technology with New Fleet of EVs
The rollout of the 48-volt system was not the only news coming out of Ford this week. The automotive giant also released details about how it is achieving its goals with the latest EV iteration through aerodynamics. The company is using the Tesla-driven gigacasting process to increase vehicle efficiency.
Gigacasting is a specific manufacturing process used to replace dozens of small stamped parts with larger components. Machines pressurize large sheets of metal into smaller parts used in various parts of a vehicle's structure. The streamlined process is more cost-effective for the manufacturer, who in turn can pass the savings on to the consumer.
Ford confirmed that its new EV pickup will only need two structural front and rear parts rather than the 146 separate components currently used on the gas-powered Maverick pickup truck. Clarke said that the company is dedicated to delivering a drastic decline in EV costs through the use of more innovative manufacturing.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.