Ford targets 2027 launch for affordable Fathom electric pickup

Ford is maintaining its 2027 launch timeline for the Fathom, an affordable electric pickup truck, despite significant manufacturing and cost challenges. The vehicle will be the first to utilize Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, an architecture designed to reduce manufacturing complexity and compete with lower-cost Chinese manufacturers like BYD.

CEO Jim Farley has noted the difficulty of launching the model at scale and at the target price point. In the United States, the standard-range model is expected to start at approximately $28,350, excluding delivery fees. To manage costs, Ford is revising components such as electric motors, gearboxes, and inverters to allow for smaller, more affordable batteries.

The announcement comes amid a sharp decline in Ford’s current electric vehicle sales. In the third quarter, Ford’s US EV sales dropped 80%, with only 6,047 electric models sold. This decline follows the phasing out of the F-150 Lightning and a reduction in Mustang Mach-E sales. The Fathom is expected to begin production at the Louisville Assembly Plant in 2027.