Ford Confirms Another Affordable Truck Is Coming

Ford Has Another Affordable Pickup in the Works While we’re eagerly waiting for the Fathom to arrive in the US, Ford has confirmed that it has another affordable truck up its sleeve. During the automaker’s third-quarter earnings call, CEO Jim Farley mentioned that another pickup is coming, and it will be different from both the Maverick and the Fathom. Don’t get your hopes up just yet, though. This particular truck is being developed for international markets rather than America. Ford wants to expand its presence in more affordable pickup segments, particularly as Chinese manufacturers continue introducing competitively priced trucks in markets outside their home country. The upcoming model will be a midsize pickup, positioning it below the Ford Ranger in terms of production costs. It also gives Ford another option for buyers who want a truck but aren’t necessarily looking to spend as much as they would on one of the brand’s established nameplates. Cole Attisha/Autoblog Ford Promises Lower Production Costs Than the Ranger Farley confirmed that the new pickup is scheduled to launch next year, although he didn’t provide an exact date or identify the markets that will receive it first. “Alongside strengthening our best franchises, we’re opening new paths to grow at more affordable price points. Next year, we will be launching our affordable midsize pickup for international markets,” Farley said. Ford is still keeping most of the truck’s specifications and design details under wraps. However, Farley did share an interesting detail about its development: its base material costs are expected to be 20% lower than those of today’s Ranger. “We expect the base material cost for this truck to be 20% lower than today’s Ranger. Just as Maverick has done in the US, this truck is designed to bring new customers into the Ford truck lineup internationally at a cost structure that allows us to compete, in this case, with the Chinese,” Farley added. That bit is worth a double-take. Chinese automakers are flooding global markets with pickups that are both cheap and packed with modern tech, sometimes even electrified. Ford clearly knows it can’t just shrink the Ranger and call it a day if it wants to keep up. Cole Attisha/Autoblog Could It Get a Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain? Ford hasn’t revealed what will power its upcoming affordable pickup, but there are a few possibilities worth considering. Chinese manufacturers have increasingly turned to plug-in hybrid systems for their midsize trucks, offering buyers a combination of electric driving capability and conventional engine flexibility. Ford could explore a similar approach, particularly as it tries to make the new model competitive in international markets. However, there’s no confirmation that the truck will receive a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Just because the base materials are 20% cheaper doesn’t mean the sticker price will drop by the same amount. But it does show Ford’s aiming for a more wallet-friendly entry point, maybe even enough to go toe-to-toe with the Chinese competi