Ford’s New Affordable Pickup Could Already Be Putting Slate on Notice

Ford is apparently betting big on its new affordable-car initiative. Australia’s CarSales recently learned that a new small pickup is in the works and will slot below the already smallish Maverick.

The best part: it’ll reportedly be gas-powered. Ford recently released details about its next generation of vehicles, which will include a return to making cars along with a mix of gas- and electric-powered ones.

One of them is a new midsize all-electric pickup. Now, a new small gas-powered pickup will also join the range. Should both models reach production in the near future, they’ll most certainly keep Slate on its toes, beating the startup to the small, affordable pickup punch.

Ford’s banking on a new small gas-powered pickup

Ford

Ford executives recently spoke at the Wolfe Research Auto Conference last week, where they shared some updates about Dearborn’s plan to start making affordable automobiles again. It makes for a marked shift in strategy away from going all-in on EVs.

It’s also a move to adapt to the Trump Administration’s recent tariff rulings on the automotive industry. Because of the new tariffs, Ford is boosting production at its Tennessee assembly line, where some of these important new trucks will be made.

Hints of the new gas-powered tiny pickup came from Ford’s Chief Financial Officer, Sherry House. House reportedly confirmed the impending arrival of a “sub-$40,000” model, and it would most certainly be a “truck.”

Ford

“We had talked about putting more ICE trucks into our Tennessee factory,” House remarked during her press conference. “So we’re going to have that, looking at providing another variant that we have not yet disclosed.”

At the same conference, preceding House’s remarks, CEO Jim Farley mentioned the arrival of at least two new internal combustion-powered vehicles.

Ford

“We’re adding a combustion vehicle, a combustion truck, an affordable one, in Tennessee,” Farley said. “We’re going to actually expand one of our existing plants and make a different kind of truck there.”

While the idea of a sub-$40,000 pickup sounds great, it’s also a bit confusing and speculative. That’s because Ford’s current pickups — the Maverick, Ranger and F-150 — all already start below that price. Of course, their asking prices quickly climb if one opts for more expensive trims or options.

A midsize electric pickup is still happening

Ford

Not too long ago, Ford released details about its new Universal Electric Vehicle platform. Which is what the new midsize pickup EV will be based on.

Ford appears to be following in the tracks of other automakers, who are employ “multi-energy” offerings. The idea is to provide customers a choice of either internal combustion-powered or electric-powered vehicles, rather than forcing them to adopt a specific powertrain type.

Ford

Although details are sparse, speculation suggests the new midsize pickup EV could essentially be an all-electric equivalent to a Ranger. It would likely be another attempt at producing a viable pickup EV after the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning struggled to take off.

Ford recently admitted that it lost a lot of money after betting way too heavily on EV development. However, the company isn’t giving up on them just yet.

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