A glimpse into Ford’s abandoned electric vehicle (EV) ambitions has emerged through a former executive’s professional profile. An image of a white, five-door, three-row electric SUV—once described as a “personal bullet train” —has been serving as the banner for Doug Field’s LinkedIn page for the past year.
A Ford spokesperson has since confirmed to The Drive that this prototype represents the three-row electric SUV project that was officially cancelled in August 2024.
The Vision: A Sleek, High-Performance EV
The project, led by former Tesla and Apple executive Doug Field, was intended to sit higher in Ford’s lineup than the Mustang Mach-E. The vehicle was designed to prioritize three key pillars:
– Sleek Design: Aiming for a longer, quieter, and more aerodynamic profile than current competitors.
– Rapid Charging: Engineering battery tech capable of adding 150 miles (241km) of range in under 10 minutes.
– Massive Range: Initial specifications suggested a standard electric range of up to 563km, with an “extended-range” version potentially reaching 885km.
Why the Pivot? From Pure EV to Hybrids
The cancellation of this ambitious SUV is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a broader strategic shift within Ford. Following billions of dollars in losses related to its EV division, the automaker is undergoing a significant restructuring.
The decision to scrap the project highlights a growing tension in the automotive market: while high-end EVs are gaining traction, large electric SUVs are struggling to find mass-market appeal among private buyers.
In response to this trend, Ford CEO Jim Farley has signaled a pivot in powertrain strategy:
1. Moving away from pure EVs for larger vehicle segments.
2. Embracing Range-Extender Hybrids: Ford plans to utilize petrol engines to charge batteries, offering the benefits of electric driving without “range anxiety.”
3. Model Integration: The F-150 Lightning is expected to be among the first models to adopt this hybrid-style technology.
Legacy of the Prototype
While the “bullet train” SUV will not hit showroom floors as a standalone model, its development was not in vain. Ford has stated that the prototype now serves as a research vehicle. The engineering breakthroughs and design language developed during this project will directly influence Ford’s next generation of electric vehicles.
The practical impact of this shift is already visible in Ford’s manufacturing chain. The Oakville plant in Ontario, Canada—originally slated to produce this electric SUV—has been retooled to manufacture F-Series Super Duty pickups, aligning with the company’s renewed focus on high-margin, traditional truck segments.
Conclusion
Although Ford’s ambitious “bullet train” SUV has been sidelined, its DNA will persist in future models. The company is currently trading pure electric dreams for a more pragmatic, hybrid-focused strategy to mitigate financial risks and meet changing consumer demands.
