(Christoph Schmidt/Getty Images)

Ford’s EV “Model T” moment starts with a $30,000 midsize truck

8/11/25 11:25AM

Ford on Monday touted a new vision for producing low-cost electric vehicles in the US, drawing parallels between the announcement and its iconic Model T.

According to CEO Jim Farley, Ford will build multiple low-cost EVs at its Louisville assembly plant through a new production process. The first vehicle produced through the new platform is planned for 2027 and will be a midsize EV truck starting at $30,000.

Created as a result of a three-year “skunkworks” project helmed by ex-Tesla engineer Alan Clarke, the new production system leaves the single assembly line behind, instead shifting to three concurrent assembly lines that will join together at the end of the production process.

Automation will be central to the new system, which will require 2,200 workers (600 fewer than currently work at the Louisville plant). Ford has said it doesn’t expect layoffs as a result of the new model.

The plans will see Ford invest more than $2 billion into Kentucky.

The announcement comes as Ford has struggled to maintain momentum in its EV business. A new low-cost rival, the Amazon-backed Slate Auto, has garnered significant attention from price-weary customers. Ford’s electric division has already lost more than $2 billion this year through June.

“I don’t think that the new EV startups will be able to keep up with the kind of innovation that you’re seeing in manufacturing, and how they can actually turn this into a reality,” Ford EV chief Doug Field said, seemingly casting some shade at Slate and other EV rivals. “New ideas are easy. Innovation is actually delivering ideas, and delivering those ideas in a way that millions can access them.”

The entrance of Allbirds seen from Hayes St. in San Francisco, Calif.

Allbirds, the once buzzy multibillion-dollar sneaker startup, is selling up for $39 million

That’s less than 1% of its peak market cap about four years ago.

Tom Jones16h

Max Knoblauch3/30/26

JetBlue is raising its bag fees as fuel costs squeeze airlines

JetBlue will reportedly hike its bag fees, as the cost of jet fuel continues to climb amid the war in Iran. It’s the latest example of carriers finding ways to push rising costs onto travelers.

Last week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that if fuel prices remain elevated, fares would need to rise another 20% for his airline to break even this year.

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

Earlier this month, JetBlue hiked its first-quarter outlook for operating revenue per seat mile to between 5% and 7%, saying that strong Q1 demand helped “partially offset additional expenses realized from operational disruptions and rising fuel costs.” Now, the carrier appears to be making moves to further boost revenue to offset those costs.

Earlier on Monday, JetBlue rival Alaska Air lowered its Q1 profit forecast. The refining margins for the carrier’s cheapest fuel option — sourced from Singapore and representing about 20% of Alaska’s overall supply — have spiked 400% since February.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

JetBlue Airways raises bag fees as fuel prices soar

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tom Jones

flavor of the month

3/30/26

Americans won’t tolerate bland food anymore — and it’s turned McCormick into a ~$7 billion-a-year spice and sauce giant

Now, McCormick is eyeing Unilever’s food business.

Bottles of Frank's RedHot Xtra Hot and Sweet Chili on a

Foam party!

Crocs’ prince charming

ByChrisStokel-Walker

FriMar 272026

Max Knoblauch3/26/26

Netflix is hiking its prices again

Netflix is raising its subscription prices for the fourth time in four years, a move first spotted by Android Authority.

Per Netflix’s US pricing page, the cost of an ad-supported plan is climbing $1 to $8.99 per month, while the cost of a standard ad-free plan is going up $2 to $19.99 per month. The premium tier has also risen $2 to $26.99 per month.

The streamer last raised its subscription costs more than a year ago in January 2025. It also hiked prices in 2023, 2022, 2020, and 2019. Netflix shares climbed about 2% on the news.

“Our approach remains the same: we continue offering a range of prices and plans to meet a variety of needs, and as we deliver more value to our members we are updating our prices to enable us to reinvest in quality entertainment and improve their experience by updating our prices,” said a Netflix spokesperson, in a statement to Sherwood News.

Netflix is hiking your prices yet again: Standard, premium, and ad-supported all going up