Ford bets on race-inspired design to cut EV costs and hit $30k
Ford is pursuing a low-cost, high-efficiency electric-vehicle strategy by building a universal platform, retrimming parts, and adopting Formula 1–style aerodynamics. A California skunkworks team led by ex-Tesla engineer Alan Clarke is simplifying the vehicle, using two aluminum castings for the body, a compact in-house electrical architecture, and a Michigan-made LFP battery from CATL to cut cost and weight. Aerodynamic tweaks—such as teardrop rooflines and smoother underbody—are expected to add range and efficiency, with a $30,000 mid-size pickup due in 2027 as the first test of the approach to outcompete cheaper Chinese EVs. The project marks a major shift after Ford’s prior EV setbacks.