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Ford commits to electric F-150 pickup truck as legacy auto buckles under EV pressure
During a presentation at the Deutsche Bank Global Automotive Conference in the MGM Grand in Detroit, Jim Farley, Ford’s president of global markets, made a blockbuster announcement. After more than 40 years in the market, and amidst the impending arrival of vehicles like the Tesla pickup truck and the quad-motor Rivian R1T, the beloved Ford F-150 is going electric.
“We’re going to be electrifying the F-Series — battery electric and hybrid,” Farley said.
The Ford executive later noted that the company’s decision to move the F-Series franchise to all-electric and hybrid power is a way for the automaker to “future-proof” its most successful and lucrative vehicles. Farley dubbed the F-Series franchise as a “global juggernaut,” a statement that carries no exaggeration considering that the F-150 has been one of America’s best-selling pickup trucks for decades.
Needless to say, Ford’s announcement surprised some of Detroit’s veterans. The F-150, after all, is pretty much the quintessential symbol of fossil fuel-powered workhorse. John McElroy, a longtime auto industry observer and the host of Autoline This Week, noted to the Detroit Free Press that Ford’s announcement represents an apparent change in the legacy carmaker’s strategies.
“When he says ‘battery electric,’ what I’m taking that to mean is a battery electric vehicle. Pure electric. They’ve said they would have a hybrid plug-in version of the F-150. But this is different than what they’ve talked about in the past,” McElroy said.
The Autoline host added that an electric F-150 provides some protection for Ford, considering that players in the electric car market are starting to take an interest in the segment. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, for one, has openly stated that he is looking forward to building a pickup truck. Last November, Rivian Automotive also took the wraps off its R1T pickup truck, a refined, production-ready vehicle that provides a balance between ruggedness and luxury. For McElroy, the entrance of these vehicles presents a legitimate threat to Ford’s most lucrative business.
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- (Photo: Rivian)
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- Rivian unveils its R1T all-electric pickup truck. [Credit: Teslarati]
Ford faces stiff competition from automakers like Rivian as it looks to adapt its 100-year old business to an industry that’s shifting toward electric mobility
“Tesla is talking about coming out with an electric pickup. And look what Tesla has done in the luxury segment. They’ve clobbered just about everybody. You can’t pooh-pooh that people won’t be interested in an electric pickup. Rivian Automotive is coming out with an all-electric pickup. These are the crown jewels for Ford Motor Co., the F-Series. Ford has got to react to competitive threats,” the Autoline host said.
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- (Photo: Rivian)
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- Rivian unveils its R1T all-electric pickup truck. [Credit: Teslarati]
Looking at the specs of the competition, McElroy’s statement does ring true. The Rivian R1T, for one, is a powerhouse, equipped with four electric motors and a 180 kWh battery pack that gives more than 400 miles of range per charge. Thanks to its all-electric design, the R1T is a champion of utility as well, with numerous storage spaces that competitors would be challenged to match.
Tesla, on the other hand, has not revealed any official details about its pickup truck, though Elon Musk has stated that the vehicle would be so loaded with tech, it would not be out of place in the Blade Runner franchise. Musk has also teased some features for Tesla’s pickup truck, such as four-wheel steering and the capability to tow up to 300,000 pounds.
That said, credit must be given to Ford for seeing the writing on the wall. The auto industry is transitioning away from fossil fuel-powered transportation. Headed by vehicles like the Tesla Model 3, electric cars are starting to become mainstream. If Ford wants to thrive in this transition, offering an electric version of its most successful vehicle definitely seems to be the correct strategy.
With this update from Ford, it is not too difficult to imagine Tesla CEO Elon Musk feeling some form of gratification. Musk, after all, has made it a point to state that Tesla’s purpose is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. In this sense, Ford’s upcoming all-electric F-150 pickup truck is actually a pretty big step towards Tesla’s overall goal.
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Tesla shares epic 2025 recap video, confirms start of Cybercab production
The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development.
Tesla has released an epic year-in-review video for 2025, recapping some of its major achievements from refreshed models to autonomy breakthroughs and production ramps.
The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development while looking ahead to an even bigger 2026.
Tesla’s 2025 highlights recap
Tesla has had a busy 2025, as highlighted in the recap video. The video opened with Elon Musk explaining the company’s pursuit of sustainable abundance. A number of milestones were then highlighted, such as the rollout of FSD v14, Optimus’ numerous demos, the opening of the Tesla Diner in Hollywood, LA, the completion of the world’s first autonomous car delivery, and the launch of the Robotaxi network in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tesla also highlighted several of its accomplishments over the year. As per the company, the Model Y was the year’s best-selling vehicle globally again, and Teslas became more affordable than ever thanks to the Model 3 and Model Y Standard. Other key models were also rolled out, such as the refreshed Model S and X, as well as the new Model Y, the new Model Y Performance, and the six-seat, extended wheelbase Model Y L.
The Megablock was also unveiled during the year, and the Supercharger Network grew by 18%. Over 1 million Powerwalls were also installed during the year, and the Cybertruck became the first EV truck to get both an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and an NHTSA 5-Star safety rating.
Cybercab production confirmed
Interestingly enough, Tesla also confirmed in its 2025 recap video that the production of the Cybercab has started. This bodes well for the vehicle, as it could result in the vehicle really being mass-produced in the first half of 2026. Elon Musk confirmed during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting that Cybercab production should earnestly start around April 2026.
Musk has also noted that the Cybercab will be Tesla’s highest-volume vehicle yet, with the company aiming for an annual production rate of about 2 million units. “If you’ve seen the design of the Cybercab line, it doesn’t look like a normal car manufacturing line,” Musk said earlier this year. “It looks like a really high-speed consumer electronics line. In fact, the line will move so fast that actually people can’t even get close to it.”
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Tesla Cybercab is changing the look of Austin’s roads, and it’s not even in production yet
Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic.
Even before entering production, Tesla’s Cybercab is already transforming the appearance of Austin’s streets, with multiple prototypes spotted testing in downtown areas recently.
Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic. Interestingly enough, the vehicles were equipped with temporary steering wheels and human safety drivers.
Recent Cybercab sightings
Over the weekend, enthusiasts captured footage of two Cybercabs driving together in central Austin, their futuristic silhouettes standing out amid regular traffic. While the vehicles featured temporary steering wheels and side mirrors for now, they retained their futuristic, production-intent exterior design.
Industry watcher Sawyer Merritt shared one of the vehicles’ videos, noting the increasing frequency of the autonomous two-seater’s sightings.
Previewing the autonomous future
Sightings of the Cybercab have been ramping in several key areas across the United States in recent weeks. Sightings include units at Apple’s Visitor Center in California, the Fremont factory test track, and in Austin’s streets.
The increased activity suggests that Tesla is in overdrive, validating the autonomous two-seater ahead of its planned volume production. Elon Musk confirmed at the 2025 Shareholder Meeting that manufacturing begins around April 2026 with ambitious targets, and during an All-Hands meeting earlier this year, Musk hinted that ultimately, Tesla’s factories should be able to produce one Cybercab every 10 seconds.
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Tesla celebrates 9 million vehicles produced globally
The achievement, announced by Tesla Asia on X, celebrated not just the Shanghai team’s output but the company’s cumulative production across all its factories worldwide.
Tesla has achieved a new milestone, rolling out its nine millionth vehicle worldwide from Giga Shanghai.
The achievement, announced by Tesla Asia on X, celebrated not just the Shanghai team’s output but the company’s cumulative production across all its factories worldwide. The milestone came as 2025 drew to a close, and it inspired praise from some of the company’s key executives.
Tesla’s 9 million vehicle milestone
The commemorative photo from Tesla Asia featured the Giga Shanghai team assembled on the factory floor, surrounding the milestone Model Y unit, which looked pristine in white. The image was captioned: “Our 9 millionth vehicle globally has just rolled off the production line at Giga Shanghai. Thanks to our owners and supporters around the world.”
Senior Vice President of Automotive Tom Zhu praised Tesla’s factory teams for the remarkable milestone. He also shared his gratitude to Tesla owners for their support. “Congrats to all Tesla factories for this amazing milestone! Thanks to our owners for your continued support!” Zhu wrote in a post on X.
Giga Shanghai’s legacy
Tesla’s nine million vehicle milestone is especially impressive considering that just 207 days ago, the company announced that it had built its eight millionth car globally. The eight millionth Tesla, a red Model Y, was built in Giga Berlin. The fact that Tesla was able to build a million cars in less than seven months is quite an accomplishment.
Giga Shanghai, Tesla’s largest factory by volume, has been instrumental to the company’s overall operations, having reached four million cumulative vehicles earlier in 2025. The plant produces Model 3 and Model Y for both domestic Chinese and export markets, making it the company’s primary vehicle export hub.
Tesla shares epic 2025 recap video, confirms start of Cybercab production
Tesla Cybercab is changing the look of Austin’s roads, and it’s not even in production yet
