Ford is developing a $30,000 electric pickup through its secretive 'skunkworks' division in Long Beach, California, aiming to create affordable EVs despite challenging market conditions. The project, called the 'Universal Electric Vehicle' platform, represents a radical shift in Ford's development approach, operating with high autonomy to innovate more efficiently. This initiative comes at a time when other manufacturers are scaling back EV plans due to reduced government incentives and economic pressures.
Background
The term 'skunkworks' originated from Lockheed Martin's secretive development division in the 1940s and has since become synonymous with innovative, autonomous R&D teams working on breakthrough projects. Ford's adoption of this approach for its EV development signals a significant shift in traditional automotive manufacturing processes.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- May 5, 2026 at 11:39 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10