Business
Ford to follow Tesla Cybertruck with electrical tech in new EV pickup
Early renderings released by Ford Motor of its next-generation, electric pickup truck, based on its upcoming universal electric vehicle platform.
Courtesy Ford
DETROIT — Ford Motor‘s $5 billion “bet” on its next generation of all-electric vehicles will feature a budding technology that Tesla commercialized in the U.S. on its Cybertruck, the Detroit automaker said Tuesday.
The system, known as a 48-volt electrical architecture, had been discussed in the automotive industry for decades but Tesla was the first to bring it to consumers in 2023.
The auto industry has historically used a 12-volt system with a lead-acid battery for all vehicles to power the car’s accessories — but that’s been problematic and caused recalls for many EVs. The new architecture instead uses the EV’s high-voltage battery to power everything.
The 48-volt system improves efficiency, allows for additional electrical bandwidth and saves weight through the reduction of wiring, officials have said. The power also can be “stepped down” to 12 volts, when needed, through the use of new electronic control units, or ECUs, that handle different groups of an EV’s architecture.
The new electrical system is one of many innovations that Ford believes will allow its next-generation EVs — starting with a $30,000 small electric pickup truck in 2027 — to compete against Tesla as well as rapidly expanding Chinese brands in global markets.
“At Ford, we took on the challenge many others have stopped doing. We’re taking the fight to our competition, including the Chinese,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said during an August event at a plant in Kentucky that will produce the unnamed electric pickup. “For too long, legacy automakers played it safe.”
Farley has called it a “Model T moment” for the company, referring to the company’s flagship vehicle that came out more than a century ago and led to the mass adoption of vehicles during the early 1900s. He’s also called it a “bet” for Ford given the amount of changes it will make to the EVs as well as the company and its processes.
Ford expects the new EVs, which will be based on a common “Universal Electric Vehicle,” or UEV, to have comparable costs to gas-powered vehicles through new technologies and efficiencies. Currently, the massive batteries that power EVs have made them far more expensive to produce and have been infamously unprofitable.
The Detroit automaker has said the new EVs will reduce parts by 20% versus a typical vehicle, with 25% fewer fasteners, 40% fewer workstations dock-to-dock in the plant and 15% faster assembly time.
“It represents the most radical change on how we design and how we build vehicles at Ford since the Model T,” Farley said at the plant. “Now is time to change the game once again.”
Ford CEO Jim Farley speaks at the Louisville Assembly Plant as the company shares its plans to design and assemble breakthrough electric vehicles in the United States, Aug. 11, 2025.
Courtesy: Ford
Ford said those improvements, as well as price points that are more similar to gas-powered models, will lead to greater adoption of EVs. That’s despite a significant slowdown in U.S. EV sales amid changes to federal support by the Trump administration as well as less-than-expected consumer adoption.
U.S. EV sales peaked in September, ahead of the federal incentives ending, at 10.3% of the new vehicle market, according to Cox Automotive. That demand plummeted to preliminary estimates of 5.8% during the fourth quarter.
Those market conditions recently led Ford to announce $19.5 billion in write-downs, largely related to a pullback in EV plans, but the company said it will continue to invest $5 billion for its new UEV platform through 2027.
“Our focus has been on giving them everything they would get in a nice vehicle and more, and we think that that will allow us to ultimately not just make an affordable vehicle, but make one that’s extremely desirable,” Alan Clarke, Ford’s executive director of advanced EV development, said during a media briefing.
48-volt system
The 48-volt system provides significant benefits to other parts of the vehicle aside from just the battery and is expected to continue to do so as the bandwidth of 12-volt batteries gets maxed out, according Clarke, a former Tesla executive.
“It’s less expensive, has smaller wires and is the future of automotive,” he said. “So, if you want to future-protect this platform to exist for more than a decade … it’s very clear that 48 made the most sense.”
Alan Clarke, Ford’s executive director of advanced EV development, during a video presentation on Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle platform.
Courtesy Ford
Ford said the wiring harness in the new midsize truck will be more than 4,000 feet shorter and 22 pounds lighter than the wiring harness used in Ford’s first-generation electric SUV.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk sent competitors such as Ford and General Motors a “how-to” guide on developing a 48-volt system in 2023.
Clarke said Ford had already decided on a 48-volt platform before getting the letter but that it “certainly added fuel to the fire” and was a “helpful starting point to see how they thought about” it. It also helped suppliers get ready to assist with 48-volt systems, he added.
Gigacastings
In addition to the 48-volt system, the company on Tuesday released additional details on how it’s achieving its targets with the new EV through aerodynamics, team “bounties” to increase vehicle efficiency and turning to Tesla-pioneered “gigacastings.”
Gigacasting is a manufacturing process that can replace dozens of traditionally small, stamped parts with larger pieces. The process requires massive machines to pressurize large sheets of metal into parts such as a vehicle’s facia or underlying structure.
A Ford F-150 Lightning next to a Tesla Cybertruck.
Michael Wayland / CNBC
Ford said the new pickup will only have two structural front and rear parts compared with 146 such components on its current gas-powered Maverick small pickup.
Ford also said its aluminum castings for the upcoming EV are more than 27% lighter than those features on a Tesla Model Y.
“We’re still on a really steep decline of EV costs, and you can only get that by innovating, and you can only get that by system level, optimizing into what eventually becomes a product that a customer wants,” Clarke said.
Business
‘India solidly through global shocks’: EAM Jaishankar calls for ‘hedge, de-risk, diversify’ strategy amid Iran war – The Times of India
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that India has “solidly come through” a the ongoing turbulent geopolitical situation amid the Middle East conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, adding that the country has been “managing domestic and external challenges successfully.”Speaking at the 15th Annual Convocation Ceremony of IIM Raipur, he said countries today must focus on “hedging, de-risking and diversifying” as the global order changes rapidly.
He said the world is going through a “structural” shift, adding, “The global order is changing before our very eyes with visible shifts in the relative power and influence of countries. The politics of some societies find it difficult to come to terms with these changes.”Jaishankar also said, “New developments in technology, in energy, military capabilities, in connectivity and in resources have encouraged risk-taking in an increasingly competitive environment. Everything today is being leveraged, if not actually weaponised. The world is then confronted with the prospect of securing itself in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment. This has necessitated the need to hedge, de-risk and diversify.”He said India has reasons for optimism compared to many other countries. “There is an optimism in our society that is lacking in many other parts of the world,” he said, adding that India is now among the top five economies and has handled recent global shocks well.He further stated, “No one can dispute that the multiple global shocks that have recently tested our resilience, and that India has come through that solidly. We have managed both domestic and external challenges fairly successfully.”The minister said building national capabilities is key for India’s goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. He also praised “inclusive growth, representative politics, and decisive leadership.”He said, “Building national capabilities has become more critical in the light of the global trends that I have mentioned… We must endeavour to build and secure within our control as many capacities as we can.”On foreign policy, Jaishankar said India is focusing on expanding market access, securing resources and technology, and supporting Indians abroad, while promoting “Brand India.”“Our foreign policy is today focused on expanding market access for Indian producers. It is also focused on helping to secure resources, technologies and essential goods. It looks after Indians… And it promotes Brand India,” he said.These remarks come at a time when the Middle East tensions that began on February 28 with US-Israel strikes on Iran have stretched beyond the 1 month mark. The crisis has since intensified with Iran’s chokehold over the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, sending ripples to oil baskets across the globe.
Business
Govt assures IMF of timely power tariff hikes, agrees to subsidy cap under $7bn EFF – SUCH TV
Pakistan has assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of implementing timely electricity tariff adjustments and capping power subsidies at Rs830 billion in the upcoming budget to sustain energy sector viability amid global market shocks.
The new baseline tariff will be implemented from January 15, 2027, under the structural benchmark agreed with the IMF under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
The privatisation of power distribution companies — including Iesco, Gepco and Fesco — has been delayed once again and is expected to be finalised by early 2027.
The government is working closely with the Privatisation Commission to assess the viability of privatising two targeted Gencos (Nandipur and Guddu).
The government is committed to the IMF to apply the recently adopted net billing regulation to new consumers to better balance solar and grid demand, in line with international practice. These steps will help prevent the recurrence of the monster of the circular debt.
“It has been anticipated that with allocated subsidy and the timely tariff adjustments, it will minimise Circular Debt (CD) flow target of Rs300 billion and remain committed to reducing gross CD flow to zero by FY31,” top official sources confirmed to The News here on Friday.
Pakistan, according to the official, assured the IMF of achieving energy sector viability to maintain macroeconomic stability.
For this purpose, the government shared with the IMF in writing for timely tariff increases that recover costs and the re-emergence of circular debt.
The execution of timely adjustments in tariffs is necessary in the context of recent shocks to global energy markets to ensure the sector’s viability and broader macroeconomic stability.
The government has established the Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) targeted for completion by April 2027 in a bid to make better-informed decisions on supply and demand across the energy sector value chain.
According to the government’s strategy, it is aimed at incorporating the CD Management Plan to be adopted by the cabinet by the end of July 2026.
This upcoming CDMP will ensure timely electricity tariff adjustments consistent with cost recovery that remain progressive, and increases are introduced, balanced across consumer categories.
This includes Nepra’s continued timely notifications of quarterly tariff adjustments (QTAs) and automatic monthly fuel charge adjustments (FCAs), as well as the full implementation of the January 2027 annual rebasing by January 15, 2027.
Following the implementation of the CD stock reduction operation in FY26 and recognising ongoing improvements in operational efficiency and performance, the FY27 budget will include a subsidy limited to Rs830 billion.
The subsidy will cover (i) the projected tariff differential for Discos and KE; (ii) current and arrears payments of Fata; (iii) agricultural tubewells; and (iv) CD stock payments to counterbalance anticipated CD flow, which continues to be targeted at a lower level following the CD stock operation.
The settlement with several IPPs, with whom penalty payments on arrears were to be waived as part of the broader CD stock reduction operation, remains incomplete, with CD continuing to accumulate as a result. The government will finalise arrangements with all IPPs by the end of June 2026.
The government will try to resolve a dispute with KE, currently under litigation, which has resulted in significant nonpayment and arrears by the end of December 2026.
The government will continue to move forward with its fundamental cost-reducing power sector reforms, including private sector participation in Disco management to improve performance, efficiency, and governance, and address power sector CD drivers, helping to mitigate the need for higher tariffs.
The government is moving forward with the private sector participation process for second batch of Discos, i.e. Hesco and Sepco, for which conditions precedent – in line with World Bank recommendations and including outstanding subsidy claims; outstanding balances with the government, other Discos, and other entities; and other balance sheet issues – will be completed by the end of December 2026 as structural benchmark under the IMF programme.
For improving the transmission system, the appointment of a CEO to the Independent System and Market Operator is underway, as are efforts to finalise staffing arrangements.
The incorporation and legal formation of the Energy Infrastructure and Development Management Company (EIDMC) have been completed, and its leadership selection process has also been initiated.
The National Grid Company (NGC) is operational and is undergoing a review of its processes in the context of its new role.
If privatisation does not prove feasible, work to bring relevant companies under one entity to reduce redundancies will be done, make necessary improvements, and enhance operations.
The Nepra issued wheeling auction framework guidelines in January 2026; this will enable auctions under the auspices of the Competitive Trading and Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM).
The first wheeling auction, for 200MW, will take place by the end of June 2026.
At current prices, the looted gold is worth around $70 million. PHOTO: PIXABAY
Prices of gold and silver remained stable in domestic and international markets on Saturday.
In the local market, the price of gold per tola held steady at Rs490,362, while 10 grams of gold remained at Rs420,406.
On the global market, gold prices per ounce were stable at $4,676.
Silver prices also remained firm, with one tola trading at Rs7,794 and 10 grams at Rs6,682. Globally, the price of silver per ounce held steady at $73.10.
Read: SBP injects Rs13.68tr into market
Yesterday, gold prices in Pakistan rose, tracking an upward trend in the international market. In the domestic market, the price of gold per tola climbed by Rs3,400 to settle at Rs490,362.
Likewise, the price of 10 grams of gold increased by Rs2,915, reaching Rs420,406, according to figures released by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).
A day earlier, on Thursday, gold prices had declined, with the per tola rate falling by Rs7,100 to Rs486,962.
In the global market, gold prices gained $34, reaching $4,676 per ounce, including a $20 premium.
Moreover, silver prices also moved higher, rising by Rs160 to Rs7,794 per tola.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the Pakistani rupee posted a slight gain against the US dollar in the interbank market.
By the close of trading, the local currency stood at 279.10, appreciating by Rs0.01 against the greenback. On Thursday, it had settled at 279.11.
In global markets, China’s yuan strengthened against the US dollar as the latter steadied, with investor attention shifting to the release of US payroll data later in the day.
The dollar had surged a day earlier on safe-haven demand after US President Donald Trump signalled that the Iran conflict could persist.
The spot yuan opened at 6.8930 per dollar on Friday and was last trading 37 pips higher than its previous close.
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