Ford Inaugurates New EV Design Hub, Fueling Future Electric Pickup Development






Ford's new electric vehicle design center in Long Beach, California, marks a significant stride in the company's ambitious electric vehicle strategy. This state-of-the-art facility is set to be the birthplace of Ford's upcoming, more affordable electric models, including a crucial mid-sized electric pickup. The endeavor highlights Ford's dedication to innovation and its proactive approach to reshaping the future of automotive transportation, with a strong emphasis on competitive pricing and advanced design.
Ford's Long Beach EV Innovation Hub Unveiled
Ford has officially unveiled its new electric vehicle design center in Long Beach, California, a pivotal moment in the company's electric mobility ambitions. This expansive 250,000-square-foot facility, once a site for Model A production and later military use, is now designated as Ford's primary design and innovation hub in Southern California. It hosts a specialized 'skunkworks' team, composed of seasoned engineers from leading tech and automotive firms, tasked with conceiving and developing an innovative array of electric vehicles that are both desirable and accessible. Ann Diep, a key technical program manager, expressed confidence that this center will yield electric models that deeply resonate with consumers, underscoring the strategic importance of this new chapter for Ford's future.
The newly launched Long Beach facility symbolizes a bold new era for Ford in the electric vehicle domain. Spearheaded by Alan Clarke, a former Tesla veteran, the center's specialized team is a formidable blend of talent from top-tier companies, including Rivian, Lucid, and Apple. Their collective expertise is channeled into crafting a versatile electric vehicle platform designed to underpin a new generation of smaller, more economically viable Ford EVs. This strategic concentration of talent and resources in Long Beach is set to drive the conceptualization and refinement of Ford's future electric lineup, emphasizing affordability without compromising on performance or design. The team's focused efforts are central to Ford's vision of democratizing electric vehicle ownership and establishing a robust presence in the global EV market.
Driving Down Costs: A Strategic Imperative for Ford's EV Future
Ford's leadership has articulated a clear strategic imperative: to rigorously benchmark and reduce the costs of its electric vehicles, aiming to achieve cost structures comparable to the most competitive global players, particularly Chinese manufacturers. CEO Jim Farley emphasized this focus on cost efficiency, especially for the forthcoming mid-sized electric pickup slated for a 2027 launch. This vehicle is specifically engineered to rival the cost-effectiveness of Chinese OEMs operating in Mexico. A key component of this cost-reduction strategy involves the adoption of LFP batteries, which will be produced at Ford's new Michigan plant under license from CATL, signaling a significant commitment to optimizing production expenses and enhancing affordability across its EV portfolio.
Ford's aggressive approach to cost reduction extends beyond battery technology, encompassing a holistic re-evaluation of every aspect of EV design and production. Lisa Drake, Ford's vice president of tech platform programs and EV systems, confirmed the company's intent to align its total system costs—from chassis and thermal management to inverters and electronics—with those of leading Chinese counterparts. This comprehensive strategy underpins the development of a flexible EV platform designed to support a diverse range of eight body styles, including trucks, crossovers, SUVs, and potentially sedans, all engineered for optimal cost efficiency. This concerted effort to balance innovation with affordability is central to Ford's ambition to revolutionize the electric vehicle market and realize what Jim Farley terms a "Model T moment," promising a transformative new family of vehicles that will redefine Ford's legacy.