Ford: Why Simplicity is The Blueprint for Our Future Electric Vehicle Platform - CleanTechnica

The article, authored by Doug Field, Ford’s chief EV, digital, and design officer, outlines Ford’s innovative approach to developing its future electric vehicle (EV) platform, inspired by Henry Ford’s original vision of simplicity and efficiency exemplified by the Model T. The project began with a small, hand-picked team combining external talent and Ford veterans, operating in secrecy with minimal oversight to foster innovation free from traditional corporate constraints. This team emphasized a holistic understanding of vehicle design, prioritizing total cost and efficiency rather than isolated component costs, and used advanced tools like real-time computer-aided design to accelerate decision-making. Central to Ford’s strategy is deep systems integration, which led to significant simplifications such as “unicasting”—creating large, single aluminum parts that serve multiple structural functions—resulting in the elimination of three-quarters of body parts, two-thirds of welds, and half of fasteners compared to traditional pickups. The electrical system was also drastically simplified, removing nearly a mile of wiring