At CES 2026, Ford announced a significant upgrade to its BlueCruise system. The system will feature Level 3 "eyes-off" autonomous driving capabilities. Utilizing lidar technology, the new BlueCruise is scheduled to debut in 2028. It will launch exclusively on vehicles built on the new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.
The in-house developed UEV platform is designed to improve performance while simultaneously lowering production costs. Ford plans to launch a midsize electric pickup truck on this platform in 2027. The truck carries a targeted starting price of approximately $30,000. This strategy aims to make advanced EV and autonomous technology more accessible to mainstream consumers and bolster Ford’s competitive stance.
Ford also revealed plans for a new AI assistant powered by Google Cloud. The assistant begins rolling out in the Ford and Lincoln mobile apps in early 2026. In-vehicle integration is scheduled for 2027. Analysts called the overall announcement a "huge statement" as Ford pivots to integrate more AI and advanced technology to expand its market opportunities.