Ford Bets Fathom’s $28,350 Base Price Can Re-Energize the EV Market
Ford Bets Fathom’s $28,350 Base Price Can Re-Energize the EV Market
Ford will soon launch what it bills as a revolutionary, low-cost, long-range EVs. We get a 1st inside look at the Universal EV project.
When you’re posting nearly $20 billion in write-offs on your EV program it’s probably a good time to rethink what you’re doing. And that’s precisely why Ford Motor Co. launched the skunkworks Universal EV program designed to deliver “affordable,” long-range EVs that are also “fun to drive.” While the first version is still a year away, Headlight.News got a deep dive look at how the automaker plans to pull it off.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk earlier this year promised to bring to market a more affordable EV and, with federal tax credits having ended last week this may be the perfect time to roll it out. The automaker’s account on X teased what could be a new, lower-cost version of the Model Y expected to debut on Tuesday. Headlight.News has more.
Few vehicles have had more of an impact on the U.S. automotive market since the turn of the Millennium, even though Nissan Leaf has slipped into relative obscurity in an increasingly crowded EV segment. Can it regain its early luster? That’s what the Japanese automaker hopes as it rolls out an all-new 2026 Nissan Leaf offering a new crossover design, improved performance, substantially better range and plenty of other reasons to check it out. Add a surprisingly affordable price according to this Headlight.News review.
Ford’s plan to bring out a midsize $30,000 battery-electric pickup could be great news for buyers looking for an affordable EV. But it might be bad news for Slate, the suburban Detroit start-up that only recently announced plans to launch its own low-cost truck. More from Headlight.News.
Chinese domestic automakers are becoming a major threat as they gain acceptance around the world with new, low-cost products, Ford CEO Jim Farley warns. But that’s not the only challenge facing Ford and other traditional manufacturers – particularly those in the U.S. There are Trump’s tariffs, for one thing, as well as a shortage of the skilled workers automakers depend on. More from Headlight.News.
A low-profile start-up quietly backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has suddenly burst into the headlines, Dubbed Slate Auto, the Michigan-based automaker rolled out an all-electric pickup Thursday night that, it said, will go on sale in late 2026 for “under $20,000.” But rather than delivering another high-tech wonder, the Slate pickup draws its inspiration from a low-tech past. Will Americans embrace an EV with crank-up windows and no infotainment screen? Headlight.News has more.
Millions of American motorists have been priced out of the new vehicle market, all the more so when it comes to EVs which currently average about $55,000 apiece. But Slate Auto, a new start-up backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is determined to change that equation. On Thursday, it gave the world a first look at a flexible new, all-electric pickup set to go on sale in 2026. Designed to be extremely customizable, it’s expected to start under $20,000 when you factor in federal EV tax credits. Headlight.News was there for the big debut.
Better late than never? Tesla has spent years debating whether to add a more affordable EV to its existing line-up. It’s finally moving forward and, despite yet another delay, will finally add the vehicle to its line-up in June. Details have yet to be released but it’s expected to be a stripped-down version of Model Y starting at less than $30,000 — with a low-priced take on the Model 3 likely to follow. But will this draw in entirely new buyers or cannibalize sales of Tesla’s existing line-up? More from Headlight.News.
Motorists around the world are becoming increasingly comfortable with purchasing and owning EVs, according to a new study, though Americans lag well behind their counterparts in Europe and, in particular, China. Credit the longer range, faster charging and lower costs of newer EV models, consumers told McKinsey & Co. Headlight.News has more.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is getting ready to punch his way into the auto industry, with what several sources tell Headlight.News will be a new all-electric pickup set to start as low as $25,000. Expected to be called Slate Auto, the start-up will use Amazon’s online power to market the new vehicle. More from Headlight.News.