Ford has confirmed that its new all-electric pick-up truck will be called the Fathom and will arrive before the end of next year.
The radical mid-sized truck is the first vehicle based on Ford’s new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, which is set to underpin a family of affordable, versatile electric variants.
It is due to go on sale in the United States in 2027 with a starting price of just $28,350 for the “standard range” battery.
For now the truck – which is expected to be around the size of a European-spec Ranger – will only be sold in the US, although models based on the universal platform could form part of Ford’s future European EV line-up.
Ford boss Jim Farley previously suggested the new models would go “from Kentucky to the world”.
Technical details are being kept quiet but Ford previously claimed the Fathom would offer the performance of an EcoBoost Mustang with the passenger space of a Toyota Rav4. The mention of a “standard range” battery suggests multiple powertrain options could be on the cards.
Ford says despite the low entry price, the Fathom will be a modern, high-tech affair with a large high-resolution touchscreen supporting Apple and Android mirroring. It will also feature a digital key and bidirectional charging to power tools and accessories from the drive battery. The Fathom will also come with Ford BlueCruise – the firm’s “hands-off” assisted driving technology.
The Ford Fathom will be the first in a family of five vehicles built on the new universal architecture which is central to Ford’s electric future. After the double-cab pick-up, a five-seat mid-sized SUV, large seven-seat SUV, family hatchback and cargo van are all set to use the same underpinnings.
Ford says its new platform “will bring affordable, high-quality electric vehicles within reach for millions around the world”, and is investing $5 billion dollars across factories in Louisville and Michigan to support its development.
The new production line, which Ford has claimed is as radical as the original Model T’s, uses three parallel production lines in an “assembly tree” to streamline construction and cut costs.
Ford says the process uses 40% fewer workstations and is 15% faster than traditional one-line assembly processes. The platform reduces parts by 20% compared with a typical vehicle and allows multiple vehicle sizes and designs to be built on common architecture.
In case you’re wondering, the Fathom name is apparently inspired by the classic measurement of open arms, and the truck “welcomes you in with an expansive interior and technology that adapts on the fly”.
It’s also a nod to deep understanding of Ford’s customers and the depth of the truck’s capabilities.
