2027 Ranger?

[Jason B]

I thought when Farley talked about Ford's next "affordable truck" it was going to be the Fathom?
I don't want and F150.
I don't want a bigger Ranger.
I don't want a Bronco 'truck'.

So, if I need a new vehicle, I'll reluctantly buy a Tacoma. But never a GM or Nissan.

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[GEN3SKI]

I thought when Farley talked about Ford's next "affordable truck" it was going to be the Fathom?
I don't want and F150.
I don't want a bigger Ranger.
I don't want a Bronco 'truck'.

So, if I need a new vehicle, I'll reluctantly buy a Tacoma. But never a GM or Nissan.

Canyon AT4X AEV......slick. But not a RR.

 

[EFNFAST]

Just ordered a '27 Raptor. Also, don't want a full size truck. Ford says they can build a F150 for everybodys needs. Unless you don't want a full size truck.

 

[Texasota]

I thought when Farley talked about Ford's next "affordable truck" it was going to be the Fathom?

Farley also said an affordable ICE truck will be built at TTP:

https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us...s-trucks-hybrids-affordable-electric-vehicles

Tennessee Truck Plant: On the BlueOval City campus, the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center is renamed Tennessee Truck Plant. The facility will produce all-new Built Ford Tough truck models with production starting in 2029. These new affordable gas-powered trucks will broaden Ford’s truck family and extend its market leadership, replacing the previously planned next-generation electric truck.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a...n-pickup-truck-president-trump-factory-visit/

A consistently reliable source on BOF has said that TTP will be a T6 plant:

MAP to be all derivatives and body styles of Bronco, including the BP.

TTP is an additional T6 plant.

 

[emjay24l]

Farley also said an affordable ICE truck will be built at TTP:

It seems to me that this truck would be based off the Maverick since it was touted as an affordable pickup and launched at just over a $20k price point.

 

[Texasota]

It seems to me that this truck would be based off the Maverick since it was touted as an affordable pickup and launched at just over a $20k price point.

I don't recall seeing anywhere that the TTP truck would be launched at just over $20k. Do you have a source? That would be an exceptionally low price given that the cheapest Maverick (the XL) is priced at $29,990 (built in Mexico) and $20k would be a 33% reduction from the Maverick XL. I don't think any Ford vehicle manufactured at TTP could ever approach $20k in price.

These are the cheapest 2026 vehicles sold in North America (from Google):

• 2026 Hyundai Venue: Starts at $20,550
• 2026 Chevrolet Trax: Starts at $21,700.
• 2026 Kia K4: Starts at $22,290.
• 2026 Nissan Kicks: Starts at $22,430.
• 2026 Nissan Sentra: Starts at $22,600.
• 2026 Hyundai Elantra: Starts at $22,625.
• 2026 Toyota Corolla: Starts at $22,925.

and only the Elantra and Corolla are manufactured in North America. All the others are imported.

For a Maverick based truck priced at $20k it seems unlikely Ford would use the "Built Ford Tough" terminology. But I suppose it is possible.

 

[emjay24l]

@Texasota
The point I am making is that the Maverick was initially touted as Ford's affordable pickup and its initial MSRP was in the very low $20k range for a stripped down model.

Maybe Farley was referencing a budget full or mid size truck?

 

[Texasota]

@Texasota
The point I am making is that the Maverick was initially touted as Ford's affordable pickup and its initial MSRP was in the very low $20k range for a stripped down model.

Maybe Farley was referencing a budget full or mid size truck?

Could be. Would be interesting to see what he said and the context. I do think the new TTP truck will be less expensive than the current Ranger pricing by incorporating UEV elements.

 

[emjay24l]

Could be. Would be interesting to see what he said and the context. I do think the new TTP truck will be less expensive than the current Ranger pricing by incorporating UEV elements.

Is Ford trying to compete with the Slate? I fiigured that Ford and the other carmakers have bled enough trying to sell EVs.

 

[Texasota]

Is Ford trying to compete with the Slate? I fiigured that Ford and the other carmakers have bled enough trying to sell EVs.

No, I don't think Ford is trying to compete with Slate. The only thing in Ford's plans that could possibly be compared to the Slate would be the Fathom which is the first model to be deployed on the UEV platform. And it is not a stripped down truck like the Slate.

But, Ford's new ICE platforms will likely be incorporating key elements from the UEV platform. A few examples:

1. Zonal electrical architecture.
   This is a prerequisite to achieving Ford's goals of having Software Defined Vehicles (SDV). This allows Ford to take control of the software stacks that come with the supplier provided electronic control modules. For example, the F-150 has 30-50 of these based on configuration and coordinating/updating the software for these modules is a nightmare that hinders OTA updates. Lots of cost saving by bring this software in-house. Warranty costs go down since a dealer doesn't have to do the updates. New software function/features can also be deployed via OTA.
   
   
2. Possibly steer by wire
   This would eliminate most of the components in today's hydraulic steering systems. There wouldn't even be a conventional steering column.
   
   
3. Possibly brake by wire.
   This would eliminate most of the components in today's hydraulic braking systems.
   
   
4. Possibly the "tree" manufacturing line.
   This supposedly provides for 20% better efficiency in the manufacturing process.

I think the next generation F-150 and the new TTP truck will incorporate things like this. This is how they make them more affordable without making them stripped down Slate like vehicles.

Other manufactures are undoubtedly pursuing these types of cost savings too. That means their customers get more affordable vehicles also, but it looks like Ford has a big head start thanks to the UEV platform.

 

[got3fords]

1. Possibly steer by wire
   This would eliminate most of the components in today's hydraulic steering systems. There wouldn't even be a conventional steering column.

This is an inaccurate statement.
The 2026 Ford Ranger uses an Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) system. This is a rack-and-pinion design where an electric motor and electronic control unit provide the steering assist rather than a traditional hydraulic pump system.
There MUST be a mechanical back up in an electrical system failure. All Teslas except the cyber truck for some reason, have mechanical back up.

 

[emjay24l]

No, I don't think Ford is trying to compete with Slate. The only thing in Ford's plans that could possibly be compared to the Slate would be the Fathom which is the first model to be deployed on the UEV platform. And it is not a stripped down truck like the Slate.

When I said compete with Slate, I meant from a price perspective. At this point, Ford has so many variations of trucks that I wonder if they are aiming at markets that don't exist in enough quantity to be viable. The race to overcomplicate vehicle design, and make them the equivalent of "toasters" regarding repairability, might ultimately be rejected by the consumers. Where we are today with new cars and trucks is total control over the repair process will be under the control of the automakers. Right to repair might be a thing of the past and I think we are well on our way there right now. By the tine it all shakes out I hope I am too old to drive.

 

[Texasota]

This is an inaccurate statement.
The 2026 Ford Ranger uses an Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) system. This is a rack-and-pinion design where an electric motor and electronic control unit provide the steering assist rather than a traditional hydraulic pump system.
There MUST be a mechanical back up in an electrical system failure. All Teslas except the cyber truck for some reason, have mechanical back up.

You’re right about the Ranger having EPAS. Ford F-250s do retain hydraulic steering systems. I don’t know if steer by wire would be practical/possible for them.

I don’t think there is any law requiring mechanical backup systems for steer by wire but they do have redundant systems. The cyber truck has redundant electronic systems. Seems like a mechanical backup system would defeat the key advantages of steer by wire.

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