Ford Stock Slips as Electric Pickup Patent Suggests Possible Ranchero Revival

Ford's shares slipped fractionally in trading after a new patent filed by the company hinted at the return of the Ranchero name for its next electric pickup. The patent deals with motor vehicles, specifically trucks, vans, utility vehicles, and electric cars. Analysts have a Hold consensus rating on Ford stock with an average price target of $10.39 per share, implying 7.36% downside risk.

Ford's shares experienced a slight dip in trading on July 2, 2025, following a new patent filing that hints at the return of the iconic Ranchero name for the company's upcoming electric pickup truck. The patent, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on August 5, 2025, covers motor vehicles, specifically trucks, vans, utility vehicles, and electric cars [1].

The patent application, discovered by Ford Authority, comes just over a week after Ford CEO Jim Farley announced plans to reveal "breakthrough" electric vehicles in America during an event on August 11, 2025. The company is expected to unveil details about its advanced new EV platform, which promises to cut costs while drastically improving efficiency. The first vehicle based on this platform is anticipated to be a midsize electric pickup, which many believed would arrive as the electric Ford Ranger [1].

The Ranchero nameplate was used by Ford from 1957 to 1979 and combined the style of a coupe with the utility of a pickup truck. Its success inspired General Motors to develop the Chevrolet El Camino [1]. Ford has already revived several iconic names in Europe with electric versions, including the Explorer, Capri, and Puma.

Analysts have a Hold consensus rating on Ford stock with an average price target of $10.39 per share, implying a 7.36% downside risk [2]. The company's shares slipped fractionally following the patent filing, but the impact was minimal. Ford's recent financial performance, including a seven percent rise in sales in the first half of 2025, has been positive, but the company is also facing challenges such as an $800 million hit from the Trump administration's new tariffs [2].

Ford's new EV Design Center in Long Beach, California, is expected to bring the midsize electric pickup to life. The company has assembled a team led by Alan Clarke, a former Tesla engineer, to develop this vehicle. The team includes former Tesla, Rivian, and Apple employees, and the pickup is expected to arrive in 2027 [1].

The patent filing and upcoming event have generated interest and speculation among automotive enthusiasts and industry experts. The new EV platform could lead to multiple electric vehicle models, including a compact SUV, a pickup truck, and even a vehicle for delivery services. Ford's competitors, such as General Motors, have already scaled their EV efforts across multiple brands [2].

References:
[1] https://electrek.co/2025/08/07/ford-reveal-name-new-midsize-ev-pickup/
[2] https://www.autoevolution.com/news/rendering-all-new-ford-electric-vehicle-platform-morphs-into-a-fully-fledged-lineup-255369.html