Ford CEO Jim Farley says the upcoming Fathom electric pickup has exceeded his expectations after driving a prototype, praising its acceleration, spacious cabin, and hands-free driver assistance technology. Speaking during Ford’s third-quarter 2026 earnings call, Farley confirmed that the truck remains on track to enter production in the fourth quarter of 2027. The affordable electric pickup is expected to start at $29,945, with broader production planned for the first half of 2028.
Jim Farley Is Impressed With The Ford Fathom
Farley revealed that he had recently driven a Fathom prototype being tested in Louisville, Kentucky. The experience left him impressed with the truck’s performance and technology.
“Wow, it completely blew me away. The 0-to-60, huge room inside, and the hands-free ADAS experience was like something I’ve never experienced,” Farley said during the earnings call.
He described the Fathom as a breakthrough product, and said that it combines capability, innovation, and affordability. Farley also said the truck’s performance and driving experience would help bring electric vehicles to more American buyers.
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Ford has not released official acceleration figures. However, the company has said the Fathom will be as quick as a Ford Mustang EcoBoost. Farley also praised its rear-wheel-drive performance, describing the truck as ‘fun to drive’. An all-wheel-drive version will be available as well.
Ford Fathom Launch Timeline Confirmed
Ford remains on schedule to begin Fathom production in the fourth quarter of 2027. Pre-orders are expected to open in the first quarter of 2027, giving prospective buyers an opportunity to register their interest before the actual manufacturing begins.
Production of the electric pickup and its battery packs will start gradually toward the end of 2027, with output expected to increase during the first half of 2028. Initial availability could remain limited. If the demand is strong, Ford would ramp up production.
The manufacturer hopes the Fathom will attract buyers who might otherwise choose a used vehicle. Ford President Andrew Frick noted that used cars account for around 50% of vehicle sales priced below $40,000, highlighting the size of the market the company wants to target.
Bigger Cabin, Affordable Price
The Fathom is expected to have a footprint similar to the Ford Maverick, but its cabin will reportedly offer more space than a Toyota RAV4. Ford has not yet confirmed the pickup bed’s dimensions or released complete technical specifications.
According to Frick, prices will range from $29,945 to the high $30,000s. The starting price includes destination and delivery charges, placing the base model just below $30,000 before taxes and other fees.
Ford believes the combination of a low purchase price and reduced running costs could make the Fathom appealing to buyers who have so far been priced out of the electric vehicle market. The company has also set ambitious targets for the Fathom. Ford intends to sell 100,000 units of it in the first year.
Fathom Will Have Bidirectional Charging & Hands-Free Driving Tech
The Fathom will offer optional hands-free driving capability through Ford’s advanced driver assistance technology. Farley was particularly impressed with the system during his prototype drive, although Ford has yet to disclose all the details of its capabilities.
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Another major feature is bidirectional power capability. Farley said the pickup could supply more than 10 kW of projected AC power to a home without requiring a separate wall-mounted inverter. This would allow owners to use the truck as a backup power source or as part of a home energy storage setup.
The system could also help owners manage electricity costs. They may be able to charge the vehicle during off-peak hours and use its stored energy later in the day, depending on the final system specifications and compatible home equipment.
A recently surfaced Ford patent also describes possible frunk that could accommodate an item such as a television in the front storage area. However, a patent does not confirm that the feature will appear in the production model.
Ford Is Preparing For Growing Battery Demand
Ford’s Fathom plans are part of a broader effort to expand its battery manufacturing and energy storage business.
During the earnings call, Farley said the company was preparing to supply grid-scale battery storage for businesses building power infrastructure and data centers. Ford has completed trial runs of electrode mixing, an early step in producing prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells. The process uses the same approach as its battery plant in Marshall, Michigan.
Ford is targeting 20 gigawatt-hours of annual energy storage capacity by the end of 2027. Farley said commercial demand remained strong, with late-stage negotiations and signed contracts accounting for 80% of the company’s planned energy storage capacity.
Ford Reports Stronger Quarterly Earnings
Ford reported third-quarter 2026 earnings of 49 cents per share, beating analysts’ average estimate of 41 cents. Revenue reached $49.53 billion, exceeding market expectations of $46.24 billion.
The company’s Model e electric vehicle division reported an EBIT loss of $1.1 billion. However, that represented a 25% improvement year over year.
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