Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Underfloor Storage

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an underfloor storage system that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on December 26^th, 2023, published on June 26^th, 2025, and assigned serial number 0206232.

The Ford Authority Take

Roughly one year ago, Ford published a patent outlining an idea for an in-floor storage system that would be located in the rear cargo area of a vehicle such as an SUV. We’ve seen things like this with a handful of all-electric vehicles in recent years, but in this case, the proposed “hidden” storage area would configurable, while users could move it around as desired to accommodate different types of cargo. Now, this new patent filing gives us a slightly different take on such a feature that could also wind up being used in future Ford vehicles.

This concept for an underfloor storage system would also be located in the floor of a vehicle, with a flush-mounted panel covering it when it’s not being used – or if one wants to conceal the things that are stored inside of it. What makes this concept unique is that the system would also contain a series of panels that could be used to create a storage bin of sorts, and then extend upward. That “basket,” as Ford calls it, would even have multiple dividers inside of it to help better manage cargo, making this setup seemingly very useful if it ultimately makes it to production.

“Submitting patent applications is a normal part of any strong business as the process protects new ideas and helps us build a robust portfolio of intellectual property,” Ford said in a statement. “The ideas described within a patent application should not be viewed as an indication of our business or product plans. No matter what the patent application outlines, we will always put the customer first in the decision-making behind the development and marketing of new products and services.”