Ford’s all-electric version of its most iconic model – in America, at least – is already looking down the barrel as its replacement is confirmed.
Dubbed the “Millennium Falcon” of utes by Ford’s CEO, the project known currently as T3 has been confirmed by Ford as the successor to the F-150 Lightning, which hasn’t even landed in Australia yet.
Named T3 for the alliterative catch cry of its development team – “trust the truck” – the T3 will begin production in 2025 at the brand’s massive new BlueOval City manufacturing and development facility as the F-150 Lightning begins its wrap up after only a few years.
The BlueOval City campus will be ready by 2025 for production, Ford says, with the goal of being “capable of producing 500,000 EV trucks a year at full production”.
Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said the T3 will be a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revolutionise America’s truck”.
“We are melding 100 years of Ford truck know-how with world-class electric vehicle, software and aerodynamics talent. It will be a platform for endless innovation and capability,” he said.
“PJ O’Rourke once described American pick-ups as ‘a back porch with an engine attached.’ Well, this new truck is going to be like the Millennium Falcon… with a back porch attached.”
He says the factory itself will allow the company to simplify the manufacturing process, build more cars, and ultimately change the way the company manufactures vehicles.
Despite spruiking its advanced nature and the company moving forward, the CEO can’t help but reference brand founder, Henry Ford.
“The manufacturing process will be equally breakthrough, with radical simplicity, cost efficiency and quality technology that will make BlueOval City the modern-day equivalent of Henry Ford’s Rouge factory.”
In a teaser video explaining the philosophy behind the new truck, Ford explained it will ‘become smarter’ through its ownership, implying AI involvement and over-the-air updates, as well as needing to exceed expectations with its driving range, something Ford has struggled with on the F-150 Lightning.
Ford, which describes itself as “the number 2 EV brand in the US in 2022” (it’s also the number 2 car brand in the country behind Toyota), also expects production of the T3 and BlueOval City generally to facilitate more than 6000 new jobs.
For Australia, the only F-150 options for now are petrol-powered, with Ford Australia having recently confirmed pricing for the full-sized ute that lands in quarter three – it will range from $106,950 and $140,945 before on-road costs.
Keyword: The "Millennium Falcon" of utes? Ford F-150 Lightning electric car successor confirmed for 2025 before it even lands in Australia