55 Comments With new low-cost Chinese flooding global markets, Ford CEO Jim Farley vows its new mid-size electric pickup is a “game changer.” Ford’s leader took a jab at BYD, vowing the company’s new electric pickup will match the costs of Chinese automakers building in Mexico. In February, Farley revealed Ford had a secret “skunkworks” team developing a low-cost platform to power its next-gen models. The team, led by Alan Clarke, who led the engineering on Tesla’s Model Y, is now filled with former Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and Apple employees and continues to grow. Ford confirmed this summer the first EV based on the new platform will be a mid-size electric pickup. The company said the new model is designed for “customers who want more for their money,” such as longer range and more utility. As it develops what it promises to be one of the most efficient EV platforms, Ford said the team is benchmarking costs “against the best competitors in the world.” After releasing third-quarter earnings on Monday, Farley gave us more info on what to expect on a media call with investors. 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black (Source: Ford) Ford’s electric pickup to match BYD, other Chinese OEMs According to Ford’s chief, the new electric pickup will “match the cost structure of Chinese OEMS building in Mexico.” Farley’s comments come after BYD unveiled its first electric pickup, the Shark PHEV, in Mexico in May. BYD Shark launch event in Mexico (Source: BYD) The plug-in hybrid pickup will rival top-selling pickups in the region, including Ford’s Ranger. At 5,457 mm long, 1,971 mm wide, and 1,925 mm tall, BYD’s pickup is a direct challenger to the Ranger (5,370 mm long X 1,918 mm wide X 1,884 mm tall). BYD’s Shark gets up to 100 km (62 mi) all-electric NEDC range. The combined NEDC range is 822 km (522 mi). It starts at $53,400 (899,980 pesos). In comparison, the 2024 Ford Ranger XL (gas-powered) starts at $38,300 (768,000 pesos). BYD Shark PHEV pickup (Source: BYD) The plug-in hybrid pickup launched in Brazil last week, starting at $66,700 (BRZ 379,000), and in Cambodia this week at around $56,000.