Nearly 120 years ago, the Ford Model T became the “Universal Car.” Why? It was affordable, adaptable, and serviceable. America would never be the same.

Now, we’re ushering in the next chapter with the Ford Universal EV Platform — a new idea for a new era.

As with the Model T, Ford is again betting big on America. In Louisville, Kentucky, the reinvention of our company begins in earnest, with the implementation of an innovative manufacturing process to bring this platform to life.

We designed this platform to be the foundation for a new generation of electric vehicles. It is flexible enough to underpin trucks, cars, and everything in between.

Vehicles assembled on this platform will be affordable for the average family — but also highly efficient, customizable, and fun to drive. And they won’t be stripped down to the bare essentials.

Instead, these vehicles will be packed with innovative features and new software experiences that set them apart — and make people want to drive them. Better yet, they’ll improve over time with over-the-air updates that continue to add new capabilities where available.

Ford has been able to realize this vision because of a unique formula. We combined more than 120 years of manufacturing experience with the agility and inventiveness of a start-up “skunkworks” engineering team in California.

“I don’t think new EV startups will keep up with our Ford engineers and manufacturing teams making this a reality. New ideas are easy. But innovation is delivering ideas, in a way that millions can access.”

Doug Field, Ford chief EV, digital and design officer

The result: a new way to assemble vehicles. We’re calling it the Ford Universal EV Production System.

We transformed the traditional assembly line into a tree with three main branches. We’ll assemble the front and rear of the vehicle on separate lines. The third branch is the vehicle’s structural battery, which we’ll pre-assemble with seats, consoles, and carpeting.

These three branches come together at the end, a process that revolutionizes the factory and simplifies work for our employees.

Nothing is more important than the safety of our hourly workers. Not only will this reimagined manufacturing process be faster and require less space, but better ergonomics will result in less twisting, reaching, and straining, allowing them to stay focused on delivering quality for our customers.

Our Louisville-assembled midsize electric truck on this Universal EV Platform will debut in 2027. It will have a target starting MSRP at about $30,000, roughly the same as the Model T when adjusted for inflation.

It will be as quick as a Mustang EcoBoost, and it will have more passenger volume than a 2025 Toyota RAV4 — along with a truck bed, smart cargo and frunk solutions.

Ford is going to deliver what no other automaker has been able to: a family of affordable, adaptable electric vehicles that offer multiple body styles for work and play — including for export — and whose LFP batteries will be assembled in America, not imported from China.

We are investing $5 billion so far in this effort. That includes approximately $2 billion to transform the Louisville Assembly Plant, securing 2,200 jobs while working together with the UAW. At BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, we have committed $3 billion and 1,700 jobs to assemble the LFP batteries these new vehicles will use.

That's nearly 4,000 American jobs.

This is a Model T moment. And it’s bigger than Ford — it's a big win for America’s future and for our customers everywhere.

I’m excited for the world to see the extraordinary vehicles this Universal EV Platform and new manufacturing system will make possible. Ford’s next century of leadership in innovation starts right now. Let’s go!

Jim Farley is President and CEO of Ford Motor Company.