Ford signals another affordable 'truck' is in the works

Ford has confirmed it is developing yet another affordable ‘truck’ for the US market, with production expected to begin in for 2029 as the Blue Oval doubles down on combustion-powered pick-ups.

Ford’s cooking up a new budget ‘truck’ for the US – and possibly export markets.

Because having the Maverick, Ranger, F-150 and an incoming electric ute – possibly called the Ranchero – clearly isn’t enough.

The latest news comes from Ford CFO Sherry House via the Wolfe Research Auto conference, the Blue Oval executive confirming one of five new sub-$US40,000 (A$56,000) models would be a “truck”.

“We had talked about putting more ICE trucks into our Tennessee factory,” she said last week at the conference.

“So we’re going to have that, looking at providing another variant that we have not yet disclosed,” she said.

That ‘variant’ is widely expected to be a small, affordable ute that may be designed to head off potential challenger brands that could enter the market in a post-Trump, post-tariff USA.

Speaking of Trump, Ford global CEO Jim Farley hosted the US President at the brand’s Dearborn truck factory in January 2026, where he also talked up the new model.

“We’re adding a combustion vehicle, a combustion truck, an affordable one, in Tennessee,” he confirmed.

“We’re going to actually expand one of our existing plants and make a different kind of truck there,” he said.

But don’t expect something wacky like the Deepal E07.

Production for the new affordable – and therefore likely smaller – truck, whose name has not been officially disclosed, is expected to commence in Tennessee from 2029.

But there is a caveat.

In the USA, a ‘truck’ can sometimes refer to an SUV rather than a traditional pick-up.

Another onion in the ointment: Ford already sells three pick-up trucks under $US40K in America – the Maverick, Ranger and F-150.

By 2027, Ford is also expected to launch a mid-size electric ute, possibly called Ranchero, which it plans to sell for under $US30K (A$42K) as well.

That is a lot of utes fighting for oxygen – like trying to fit four adults in a Ford Mustang. Technically possible, but not everyone is comfortable.

One possibility that has been speculated – and which could create space between the existing and upcoming pick-ups – is a two-door ute, potentially car-based.

Either way, it would likely be smaller, cheaper and more focused than a Maverick or Ranger.

The real question for local buyers is whether Australia will see this mystery ute.

Ford Australia has form when it comes to converting US-built trucks such as the F-150 to right-hand drive.

There are also rumours the Bronco could be the next vehicle to receive the Australian remanufacture treatment in Melbourne.

Those, however, are relatively expensive vehicles. The new truck would be more affordable if the steering wheel is ported from the left side to the right for Australia.

But the best outcome would be if the vehicle was built in left- and right-hand-drive for global markets, like the Ford Ranger and Ford Mustang.

A genuinely affordable entry-level pick-up could slot neatly below the Ranger, and would give Ford a way to undercut and defend against Chinese challenger utes on price.

For now, specifications remain under wraps. The launch timing is 2029. And Ford is staying tight-lipped about everything except one key detail: yes, it exists.

If there is one thing Ford appears convinced of however, it is that you can never have too many pick-up trucks.

Production is scheduled to begin in Tennessee in 2029 as part of Ford’s broader push to expand its line-up of sub-$US40K models.

Whether this new affordable combustion truck remains a US-focused play or becomes a global contender – and a potential Ranger alternative for Australia – will likely become clearer closer to launch.

For now, the Blue Oval’s message is simple: more utes are coming.

Ford’s cooking up a new budget ‘truck’ for the US – and possibly export markets.

Because having the Maverick, Ranger, F-150 and an incoming electric ute – possibly called the Ranchero – clearly isn’t enough.

The latest news comes from Ford CFO Sherry House via the Wolfe Research Auto conference, the Blue Oval executive confirming one of five new sub-$US40,000 (A$56,000) models would be a “truck”.

“We had talked about putting more ICE trucks into our Tennessee factory,” she said last week at the conference.

* Digital image created with AI assistance

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