Ford has named its upcoming midsize electric truck the Ford Fathom, introducing the first vehicle built on the company’s Universal EV Platform. The standard-range version of the Fathom will carry a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $28,350. Ford plans to begin accepting preorders in early 2027.
Ford developed the electric truck for customers whose needs and buying priorities differ from those of traditional truck owners. The company said its engineering, features and pricing were shaped by years of studying how those customers live, work and use their vehicles.
The Fathom will seat five adults and is projected to offer more passenger volume than a Toyota RAV4.
Its cargo capabilities will include a traditional truck bed and a front trunk, or frunk, providing additional storage flexibility for work, commuting and recreational use.
The truck will also include bidirectional power capability, allowing its battery to provide electricity for compatible devices or other supported applications.
Additional features will include a large, high-resolution touchscreen and digital key functionality.
Every Fathom will be capable of supporting Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving technology. Its BlueCruise integration with Apple Maps is designed to provide a more seamless navigation experience from highway entrance to exit.
The vehicle will also support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Ford selected the Fathom name following a nine-month process that included reviewing the company’s vehicle-naming history, considering hundreds of alternatives and conducting focus groups.
The word “fathom” traditionally refers to a unit of measurement equal to six feet that is used to measure water depth. The term originally described the approximate span of a person’s outstretched arms and later evolved into a verb meaning to understand something deeply or completely.
Ford said the layered meaning reflects the process behind the truck’s development. The company sought to understand the target customer’s daily routine, financial priorities, challenges and goals before determining the vehicle’s design.
The automaker also wanted to give the truck a recognizable identity rather than use an alphanumeric name based primarily on specifications or trim levels.
Two Ford copywriters independently proposed the Fathom name. It initially appeared among hundreds of possibilities before surviving multiple rounds of evaluation and becoming the leading choice among focus groups.
Ford said the name represents adaptability and the idea that the truck offers more capability than may be immediately visible.
The Fathom is intended to compete in the affordable electric vehicle market while providing the passenger space, cargo utility and technology expected from a modern midsize truck.
KEY QUOTES:
“The blueprint for Ford’s new midsize electric truck, from the engineering to its name, came from one place: a deep understanding of the person who would drive it. Their day. Their challenges. Their goals. Even their wallet.”
“We built our new midsize electric truck for a person we spent years getting to know. As customers start exploring the technology and design of Fathom, that’s when the connection between name, product and driver becomes clear.”
Kay Hart, General Manager of Ford Model e
