When we heard that Ford was investing half a billion dollars into the electric automaker Rivian, we were excited as to what new models would come of it. The brand had already confirmed that a new model would be produced using Rivian's platform. And while we don't know exactly what the model will be, we now know that it won't be a pickup.

According to a remark by Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett, it's not that. In an interview with MotorTrend, Hackett stated that "you shouldn't go down the path of assuming it's a pickup.”

This doesn't come as much of a surprise, to be honest. Ford is already working on an all-electric variant of their massively popular F-150 pickup. It would make more sense to flesh out their electric options with Rivians platform. But what kind of car will it be then?

Sedans are out of current buying trends, especially with Ford. This mindset matches Rivian's current available models, an SUV and a pickup. Since it's not a pickup, Ford's first electric car is really looking like it'll be an SUV.

Whatever it is, it'll be produced at Rivian's Illinois plant.

"It would be counterproductive for us to try and make what they have capacity to do in the beginning here, because they've got a factory in Illinois that meets a lot of our criteria."


It'll be a little while before the mystery electric will be unveiled. But whatever it is, it can't be too far away.