<p>Ford is in electric-vehicle retreat mode.</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_first_1766514348"></div></div><p>The company has cancelled more electric models than it's introduced, axing a planned three-row electric SUV, an E-Transit successor,an all-electric F-150 Lightning successor and the current F-150 Lightning. But the company isn't giving up. Instead, it is focusing its efforts on an all-new EV architecture built by its &#34;skunkworks&#34; team, which it says will underpin its future affordable EV efforts.</p><p>Well, at least all of its efforts in America. Despite being dubbed the &#34;Universal Electric Vehicle&#34; platform, it may not even make it halfway across our planet. Ford still hasn't decided if it will come to Europe,Automotive Newsreported Tuesday.</p><section> <p>All Of The Ford News You Missed</p> <div> <div>                    Detroit's Automakers Have A Gas Problem </div> <div>                    Ford's China-Only Bronco EREV Seems Like A Really Promising Start </div> <div>                    The Ford E-Transit Van Is On Its Last Legs </div> <div>                    Why Ford's 'Skunkworks' $30,000 Electric Truck Has To Save The Day Now </div> </div> </section><div>                                                                                                    </div><p>Bringing it across the Atlantic would be a &#34;very significant undertaking in terms of engineering and capital intensity,&#34; Ford Europe PresidentJim Baumbick toldjournalists, per <em>Automotive News</em>. On its face, that makes some sense; thefirst vehicle on the platform will be a roughly $30,000 electric pickup truck. Pickups are far less popular in Europe than in the U.S., and it's not surprising that the company is unsure about whether to bring it over.</p><p>However, the platform will also underpin several other EV models, including compact SUVs. That's why it's surprising that the entire program may not make it toEurope.</p><p>CEO Jim Farley added that the company has not ruled out bringing it over, but doesn't want to over-promise before the Universal EV (UEV) platform launches in the U.S. “We have not landed the plane yet,” Farley said. “We have a lot of work to do.”</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_1_1766514348"></div></div><p>He's right, of course. The UEV platform is completely unproven. But considering it is the linchpin of Ford's electric vehicle ambitions, and due out in less than two years, I'd expect a little more confidence here. Ford killed the electric Lightning. The Mach-E platform doesn't seem destined for any new products. And nothing else appears to be in the pipeline.</p><section>        <span class="svg-search">                                                </span>                            <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="Ford Capri Review Photos" width="16" height="9" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png"/>        <div><p>The original Ford Capri was a beloved coupe developed by Ford of Europe, and sold between 1969-1986. It was the European equivalent of a Mustang. These days, the Capri is an all-electric four-door &#34;SUV Coupe&#34; built by Volkswagen, on the same architecture that underpins the ID.4 crossover.</p></div>    <div>Photo by: Ford</div></section><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Native_native_3_1766514348"></div></div><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Native_native_2_1766514348"></div></div><p>That means Ford's EV future hinges on either the UEV platform or on partner-built products for Europe.</p><p>Ford already rebadges Volkswagen EVs on the MEB platform, and recently announced that Renault will build affordable EVs for the company to sell in Europe. But the sluggish sales of the VW-built Ford Explorer EV and Capri EV mean a stark warning: It's very hard to maintain relevance in a market when your core products are built by someone else.</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_2_1766514348"></div></div><p>And make no mistake—EVs are core to a successful European strategy. Despite the company rolling back its EV mandate, regulators will still require automakers to reduce emissions by 90% by 2035, all but necessitating a strong EV lineup. Farley has also been one of the loudest voices warning of Chinese newcomer brands eating into established players' global market share. That isn't theoretical in Europe; it's happening right now.</p><p><span>By the 2030s, surely Ford will have more home-grown options. Yet the caution among executives represents a real inflection point for the brand. As America rolls back emissions requirements, Ford has to choose between prioritizing its profitable gas-truck business here and its shrinking global footprint. It wasn't too long ago that Ford was crushing in Europe. These days, it's barely relevant.</span></p><section>        <span class="svg-search">                                                </span>                            <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX" width="16" height="9" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png"/>        <div><p>The Lightning is dead, and it doesn't sound like the Mach-E platform is going to get any more variants.</p></div>    <div>Photo by: Ford</div></section><p>Maybe the Renault partnership can turn its fortunes around. But the core problem that undercut the Explorer and Capri remains: If you're going to buy a European EV built in Europe, why not buy it from the European brand that actually builds the product?</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_3_1766514348"></div></div><p><em>Contact the author: Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com.</em></p>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <section><p><span>We want your opinion!</span></p><div><p>What would you like to see on Insideevs.com?</p>Take our 3 minute survey.</div><p>- The InsideEVs team</p></section>                                                                                                    <div>                                <div>                                    Share this Story                                </div>                                <div>                                    <ul>                            <li>                                                                                                                        Facebook                                                    </li>                                    <li>                                                                                                                        X                                                    </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                        LinkedIn                                                    </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                        Flipboard                                                    </li>                                                    <li>                                                                                                                        Reddit                                                    </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                        WhatsApp                                                    </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                        E-Mail                                                    </li>                                                            </ul>                                </div>                                                                                                            <div>                                            <div>                                                                                                                                                                                                    <span class="top-counter-comments-label">GO TO COMMENTS</span>                                                                                                     <div>                                                        <span>(</span>                                                        <div></div>                                                        <span>)</span>                                                    </div>                                                                                            </div>                                        </div>                                                                                                </div>                                                            <div>                                    <div>                                        <span>Got a tip for us? 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<p>Ford's new "Universal Electric Vehicle" platform, crucial to its EV strategy, may not be introduced in Europe. Despite its name, the platform's launch in Europe is uncertain due to engineering and capital challenges. Ford is focusing on the U.S. market, with the first vehicle being a $30,000 electric pickup truck. The company is also relying on partner-built products for Europe, like rebadged Volkswagen EVs and Renault-built affordable EVs. This cautious approach highlights Ford's struggle to maintain relevance in the European market.</p>

- Ford has canceled more electric vehicle models than it has introduced, including plans for an electric SUV and F-150 Lightning successor.  
- The company is now focusing on a new EV architecture, the Universal Electric Vehicle platform, but its launch in Europe remains uncertain due to high engineering costs and lower pickup popularity.  
- Despite setbacks in its electric lineup, Ford acknowledges the necessity of EVs to comply with future emission regulations in Europe, indicating a critical decision point for its strategy in the region.

A 'Very Significant Undertaking': Ford's Affordable EV Platform May Not Come To Europe