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Ford has once again delayed the launch of two major next-generation electric vehicles, postponing their arrival to 2028.
The decision follows the company’s pivot toward producing smaller, more affordable EVs.
The full-size electric pickup, the long-awaited successor to the F-150 Lightning electric pickup, was expected in 2027 but will now debut in 2028 at the BlueOval City assembly plant in Tennessee. The model is known internally as the Ford T3.
Similarly, production of the next-generation E-Transit electric van at Ford’s Avon Lake, Ohio plant has also been delayed, now targeting a 2028 launch, two years behind schedule.
Both vehicles have already been pushed back by several years, with the van originally announced in 2022 and the pickup initially intended for a 2025 release.
The delays come amid mounting pressure from low-cost EV competitors, particularly from Chinese automakers, and Ford’s ongoing efforts to balance market demand with profitability.
CEO Jim Farley justified Ford’s strategic shift. Speaking to analysts he said,
“The pure EV market in the U.S. seems to us very clear: small vehicles used for commuting and around town.”
Ford’s focus on commuter-friendly vehicles follows a company-wide shift away from larger EV models. Last year Ford scrapped plans for a three-row electric SUV, instead choosing to focus on smaller battery-powered models.
Ford will be betting on a mix of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and smaller full EVs to meet evolving consumer preferences.
Despite the delays, Ford remains committed to its $5.6 billion investment in BlueOval City, which is still expected to begin prototype production in 2027. The assembly plant will have the capacity to produce around 500,000 cars a year.
Battery production is also expected to begin on site, however timelines for this are more fluid, with production decisions tied directly to market demands.
A spokesperson for Ford said,
“Market demand and customer orders will determine when we start making batteries at the BlueOval SK battery plant at BlueOval City.”
Ford is expected to reveal more about its updated EV plans at an event today at its Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.
