Ford Prepares Cheap Electric Car and Has Level 3 Autonomous Features

JAKARTA - Despite canceling a number of plans for large-sized electric vehicles, Ford confirmed its commitment to developing electrification technology. The US-based manufacturer is now shifting its focus to smaller, affordable electric vehicles that are relevant to the needs of the mass market.

Reported by Caranddriver, Friday, January 9, the move was realized through a new platform called Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV). This platform will be the foundation for a series of new-generation Ford EVs, starting with a compact pickup truck that is targeted to start production in 2027 with a price tag of around 30,000 US dollars, or Rp504 million.

Interestingly, at the CES 2026 event, Ford also revealed another big ambition by presenting the ability to drive autonomously without supervision in the next few years. Ford said that the latest generation of hardware and software that is fully developed internally will begin to be introduced in 2027 on the UEV platform.

Only one year later, this system is targeted to be able to deliver Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. In which, vehicles can drive without the need for the driver to constantly monitor the view.

However, technical details are still kept tight. Ford has not confirmed whether this system will rely on lidar sensors, but Automotive News reports that Ford will likely use lidar technology in its new generation of autonomous systems.

Currently, Ford has offered BlueCruise driving assistance technology in a number of Ford and Lincoln models. The system allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel, but still requires full attention to be ready to take control.

In addition, BlueCruise operations are still limited to separate highways along about 130,000 miles and cannot be used in urban environments. In the company's official blog post, Ford's Head of EV, Digital, and Design Division Doug Field, confirmed his vision for autonomous driving technology.

The goal is clear by bringing these advanced features to vehicles that are actually purchased by many people, not just expensive models. Currently, BlueCruise is offered through a subscription scheme for a fee of 49.99 US dollars per month or 495 US dollars per year, as well as a one-time purchase option worth 2,495 US dollars for certain models.