Ford Motor Company is investing approximately $5 billion in U.S. manufacturing to launch a new Universal EV Platform, a reimagined production process, and a midsize electric pickup truck aimed at delivering affordability, efficiency, and driving excitement. The move will create or secure nearly 4,000 jobs across the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky and BlueOval Battery Park Michigan.
The first vehicle on the new platform—a four-door midsize electric pickup with a targeted starting price of about $30,000—will enter production in 2027. It promises more passenger space than the Toyota RAV4, a front trunk, a truck bed, and performance comparable to the Mustang EcoBoost.
Ford’s new Universal EV Platform is designed to cut parts by 20%, reduce assembly time by 15%, and deliver over-the-air software updates to keep vehicles improving over their lifecycle. The cobalt- and nickel-free prismatic LFP battery pack doubles as a structural floor, lowering the center of gravity and improving handling while reducing costs.
Alongside the platform, Ford introduced the Universal EV Production System, replacing the traditional moving assembly line with a three-branch “assembly tree” process that improves ergonomics, quality, and efficiency—potentially making assembly up to 40% faster.
CEO Jim Farley called the initiative “a radical approach to a very hard challenge,” emphasizing the need for profitable, sustainable EV manufacturing. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear hailed the investment as one of the largest in the state’s history, reinforcing Kentucky’s role as a hub for EV innovation.
The Louisville Assembly Plant will see a 52,000-square-foot expansion and cutting-edge digital upgrades, while BlueOval Battery Park Michigan will produce the truck’s LFP batteries starting next year. Together, the two facilities will bolster the U.S. EV supply chain and support dozens of domestic suppliers.
