New York, Feb 17, 2026, 18:35 ET — Action after the bell.
- Ford ticked up roughly 0.1% in after-hours trading, following a regular session that saw shares bounce around within a tight band.
- Ford is making a move to launch a $30,000 electric pickup, according to new reporting, banking on a fresh low-cost EV platform to pull it off.
- Ford’s upcoming quarterly report has investors watching for fresh cues on pricing, supply-chain snags and cost management.
Ford Motor stock edged a cent higher to $14.13 in late trading Tuesday, with after-hours moves coming after a regular session that saw the shares flip between $13.94 and $14.16. (Car and Driver)
The stock’s quiet reaction doesn’t get at the heart of the real issue facing Ford: can the automaker actually deliver an affordable electric pickup in a U.S. market that’s been tough on EV losses but quick to back low-cost, quick-to-market vehicles? Ford CEO Jim Farley didn’t mince words, saying flat-out that the company’s future hinges on beating Chinese rivals: “we do not have a future at Ford.” (Axios)
Ford’s latest message: efficiency rivals scale when it comes to cutting costs. The automaker’s “Universal EV Platform” is all about slimming down the battery—the costliest part of most EVs—and making up range elsewhere. That means focusing on aerodynamics and shaving off weight, the company’s skunkworks team told reporters in closed-door briefings, according to a report. (The Verge)
According to one breakdown of Ford’s engineering, “bounty targets” are driving the team to push small tweaks—things like shrinking the side mirrors and streamlining the underbody—to squeeze out battery costs and slash drag. That same report notes Ford is aiming for a 400-volt battery paired with a 48-volt vehicle system, plus a wiring harness that’s about 4,000 feet shorter than what went into its first electric SUV. The idea: cluster electronics in a “zonal” layout to save weight, wiring, and assembly time. (Motor1)
Ford is turning to manufacturing tactics made famous by Tesla. According to a report, the company wants to deploy large aluminum “unicasting”—essentially compressing what used to be hundreds of components into just a handful of massive parts. The strategy aims to cut both costs and weight for its upcoming $30,000 truck. (Business Insider)
Even if Ford secures the label, input costs aren’t settled. Chief Financial Officer Sherry House noted Ford’s memory chip supply is adequate, but warned, “we are seeing pressure on pricing”—a pinch that may creep into vehicle costs as automakers load cars with more displays and driver-assist tech. (The Drive)
Morningstar is calling Ford’s shares “fairly valued” relative to its $16 fair-value estimate, noting the market has already factored in some progress — and investors now expect to see results. (Morningstar)
Tariffs on metals and parts continue to weigh on Ford’s bottom line. In its latest quarterly report, Ford estimated it would face roughly $2 billion in tariff-related expenses this year, most of it stemming from aluminum used in its top-earning trucks. (Reuters)
Traders are bracing for proof, not promises, in the coming sessions: What’s really happening in the supply chain, where prices actually settle, and if Ford can keep warranty and related costs from cutting into the margins it’s aiming to defend as it reworks its EV lineup.
The risk is clear enough. Persistent inflation for components like chips, metals, or batteries, or an affordable-EV push that forces buyers to swallow compromises they reject, and suddenly that $30,000 goal is just a headline, not an actual rollout. Patience from the stock? That could evaporate fast.
Ford is set to deliver its next earnings update on April 28, following the market close. Investors are expected to focus on timelines, cost objectives, and any initial signals on pricing pressure. (Wallstreethorizon)
