The Cryptic “Gen-E” Could be Another Electric Vehicle in Ford’s Lineup

Photo Source: Ford

Electrification has become a strategic necessity for most global automakers that want to expand, but it is assuredly causing a change within the automotive industry’s competitive landscape. It is an extreme shift from the design and manufacturing of conventional internal combustion engines, so electric vehicles (EVs) provide vast opportunities for growth as well as real strategic priorities to car brands to remain ahead of their contenders. 

Keeping such details in mind, in March of 2023, Ford declared that its $5.6 billion BlueOval City complex outside of Memphis, Tennessee, will incorporate a truck plant capable of producing 500,000 electric vehicles a year. The first vehicle to come off the line in 2025 will be a next-generation electric truck, code-named Project T3, which represents “Trust the Truck.” 

Construction at BlueOval City, the headquarters for its future battery cell and electric vehicle manufacturing and a critical element toward its goal to sell 2 million electric vehicles annually by late 2026, began in the fall of 2022. The T3 will be a clean sheet design, unlike its current electric vehicle truck, the F-150 Lightning. The T3 will be a “software-defined” vehicle capable of over-the-air updates, the company affirms. The brand is developing its second-generation electric pickup truck alongside the all-new assembly plant in an effort to reinforce operating efficiencies.

The Latest Trademark Filing

Although the automaker is currently immersed in the complexities involved with building a fully-functioning plant while advancing developments with Project T3, the Ford Motor Company is undertaking yet another endeavor that is still in the stages of infancy. Ford Authority reports that on February 20th, 2023, the manufacturer filed to trademark the enigmatically-named Gen-E in Switzerland. Taking into account the name of the trademark along with the application description, which specifically emphasizes the term “electric vehicles,” it is not far-fetched to presume that Ford has an electric vehicle in the works.

Considering the number of electric vehicles the company already has in its lineup, including the Ford E-Transit, the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and numerous other recently-launched all-electric Transit variations around the globe, the brand’s electrification strategy is moving along at a heightened velocity.

A General Assembly Plant for the Electric Age

In fact, the general assembly footprint of BlueOval City is expected to be 30 percent smaller than traditional plants while bearing higher production capacity. The plant will also utilize carbon-free electricity as soon as it opens. Ford will depend upon recovered energy from the site’s geothermal system and utility infrastructure to provide carbon-free heat for the assembly plant, a decision that the brand announced will save about 300 million cubic feet of natural gas typically needed each year to heat similarly sized vehicle assembly plants. 

The Aim Behind Gen-E

Even though the intention behind Gen-E remains somewhat obscure at this point, speculation indicates that it could range from a singular electric vehicle trim to an entire lineup of all-electric automobiles. Indeed, according to Ford Authority, “In Europe alone, FoMoCo is set to launch seven new EV models by 2024, with more in development, to boot.” It is also curious that the trademark was filed in Switzerland, which could suggest that it is being built with international progress in mind or that it could simply be modified for North American customers.

The era of the all-electric vehicle is undeniably here, and electrification is expanding beyond merely cars to the reduction of the carbon footprint. This process does not look to be slowing down anytime soon, and that includes the rigorous efforts being put forth by Ford. If you are interested in Ford’s vehicular innovations, please come visit Sunrise Ford. Are you enthusiastic about getting a new car? So are we. In fact, we are more than enthusiastic to offer our customers a helping hand; we are delighted. We are here to assist you with any financial needs or suggestions that may come your way, so stop by and see what we can do for you right now.