We’ve known for quite some time now that Ford has established a skunkworks team tasked with developing a next-generation platform set to underpin more than one low-cost electric vehicle, and several other details pertaining to this new platform have leaked out over the ensuing months as well. However, there is one thing that we didn’t know about this new low-cost EV platform, at least, until now – its code name. During Ford’s Q1 2025 earnings call with investors, CEO Jim Farley revealed that little tidbit of information.
“We were very ambitious with our advanced electric architectures applying to ICE vehicles, not just advanced electric architectures for EVs,” Farley said. “We brought that all together in FNV3. It’s a great move for the company. Our zonal electric architecture is now going to be delivered on our CE1 Skunk Works product. I think this is a major learning for the company, that we could do it at a lower price point than FNV4 as well.”
Ford has been in the midst of developing platforms for future EVs for some time now, but earlier this month, we learned that the company’s low-cost EVs will have their own unique setup – officially known as CE1. Ford’s skunkworks EV team is using a streamlined process to develop that particular platform, which is set to underpin a handful of future models, potentially starting with a mid-size pickup. Those models will be a bit more simplistic in nature, with Ford CEO Jim Farley recently confirming that they won’t be sold with things like Level 3 autonomous driving technology.
Along with the new GE2 platform, CE1 will join another new architecture being developed for the next-generation Ford F-150 EV – TE3. As Ford Authority reported last month, the Louisville Assembly plant is reportedly set to undergo a major retooling late this year in preparation for production of the first product underpinned by the CE1 platform, too.
Comments
There will be no retooling at the Louisville Plant for a long time as Ford will continue to make the Escape and Corsair there. Article is wrong.
You sir are incorrect and misinformed. Phase 1 of CE1 is going smack dab into LAP whether we like it or not. You are wrong.
Dont bet on it. Ford changes it’s mind regarding product as often as the most people change their socks.
Ford’s skunkworks are taking their own sweet time… How long have they been at this, without any vehicle being released?
The GE2 platform is defunct, it was the platform underpinning the cancelled 3-Row EV. The next-gen 3-Row is a Hybrid based on C2.
Really great news as an investor and owner. Looks forward to an EV without the driver assistance stuff I don’t want (I’m driving, I can handle that, thank you)
Ford is making all the right calls. Great leadership and ownership will do that. Keep it up!
The “great leadership and ownership” at Ford that you write of has gutted the product lineup, dragged the stock price down to a consistent $10 per share, and lost half its market share in the last 25 years. Unfortunately these days there is little leadership to be found in the business world so Ford’s management is average at best.
Calm down.
He’s not wrong.
You are wrong again!
I assume that by the time they get around to releasing a product, it will just be another $50k EV.
That will sell about a quarter of the Escape/Corsair volume
Combine and revise delay and more delays this will be a 40k to 50k vehicle and will fail not only because of price but also because it will have no range.
Slate is going to kick their azz.