When Ford saw the market for EVs quickly change, it zagged.
The automaker last year announced that it was reducing its planned output of 150,000 Ford F-150 Lightning pickups for the year by half to better meet demand.
It’s since revealed that its cutting back on the number of large EV models it’s working on and focusing the ones it will make on high value segments.
But at the same time it quietly launched a low cost vehicle program which CEO Jim Farley refers to as a “skunkworks” that’s focused on developing a low cost EV platform to compete with the upcoming $25,000 Tesla.
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He didn’t go into specifics, but said it’s flexible and can accommodate a variety of vehicle types, which sounds a little familiar. Rewind 34 years to the 1990 Geneva Motor Show, where Ford unveiled the Zig and Zag concepts.
The subcompact roadster and two-door van were designed by Ghia on a shared platform and the press release said, “the flexibility of the design permits the range to include hatch-backs, saloons, pick-up trucks and light delivery vehicles particularly suitable for use in an urban environment.”
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It added that, along with efficient gas and diesel powertrains, “Provision is being made for the adoption of electric and other alternative power sources. Major objectives of the design study are to preserve the environment and to ensure that the most effective use is made of energy, raw materials and natural resources.
About the same size as today’s Fiat 500, they were described as ultralight with low aerodynamic drag, both attributes valued by electric car designers today looking to balance range and performance with battery weight and cost.
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And while their styling looks very much of the era, it’s also futuristic enough that a modernized, upscaled update might work. Besides, the 1990s are in fashion right now.
We have no idea if anyone on the “skunkworks” team even knows Zig and Zag exists, but it might want to take a look at them for inspiration.
We’ll find out pretty soon whether it does or already has, because Ford’s next generation electric vehicles are scheduled to start hitting in the 2026 model year, so it will likely start revealing more about them in the coming months.
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