Photo Source/Copyright: Ford
American automaker Ford recently made a big splash in the truck segment of the market with the unveiling of its highly-anticipated F-150 Lightning, the all-electric variant of its most popular vehicle.
Ford became the first American automaker from the “Big Three” to introduce an all-electric pickup truck to the American market.
But if that news wasn’t enough, Ford upped the ante by introducing another pickup earlier this month with the unveiling of the all-new 2022 Maverick compact pickup.
Although much smaller than its big brother, the Maverick will also break into the electric market in the form of a front-wheel-drive (FWD) hybrid.
The unveiling from Ford signifies a shift to supply a demand for small/midsize trucks in the automotive industry, and the fact that Ford is willing to tinker with the electric and hybrid market is telling of the shift to green.
In 2012 it seemed as if Ford had enough with competing in the small truck segment by eliminating production on the Ranger, but by 2018, it was back in the fleet. However, the Maverick will likely bridge a gap that has yet been navigated by quenching certain wants in the mid-size pickup industry.
The Maverick
Size matters, and that’s exactly what Ford is doing with the introduction of the 2022 Ford Maverick.
But, just as the appeal for a smaller truck has increased, the Maverick aims to do more than provide a hybrid FWD experience. The entry-level trim is not a traditional plug-in hybrid; therefore, owners cannot charge the electric-only component.
What’s most odd about the truck is that it will be FWD. Usually, rear-wheel-drive allows for larger engines and greater towing capacity, but this Maverick does not want to be like other vehicles in the segment—it wants to be on its own tier.
With that being said, how will Ford’s newest pickup benefit from front-wheel-drive? Simple. It all comes down to space. Because there is no transmission underneath the passenger’s seat, the cabin is much more spacious, providing a sedan-like feel.
The Maverick aims to be more of an everyday truck and will feature a four-door body style with seating for up to five. And do not worry, higher trims will likely feature off-road-Esque components for those willing to be adventurous.
“Maverick challenges the status quo and the stereotypes of what a pickup truck can be,” said Todd Eckert, Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager. “We believe it will be compelling to a lot of people who never before considered a truck.”
The Maverick is surely set to shake up the truck segment and will likely set a precedent in the industry moving forward. The mid-size pickup market is seeing a huge boost in interest, and other makers such as Nissan and Hyundai are unveiling redesigns on their most popular pickup offerings to compete with the likes of Ford.
Currently, the Toyota Tacoma rules the space, with more than 40 percent of all mid-size truck sales in the U.S., similar to how Ford dominates the full-sized segment with its F-150.
Ford will also offer a gas-only variant of the Maverick, powered by a turbocharged 250-horsepower engine that produces upwards of 277 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the hybrid version, this truck will be all-wheel-drive.
The automaker has yet to reveal full pricing tiers for the Maverick, but they believe the vehicle will be ready to go on sale by Fall 2021.
More News on the Maverick
If you would like to stay up to date with all the news and recent offers on vehicles such as the 2022 Ford Maverick or F-150 Lightning, follow Wayne Akers Ford on social media. You can also check out their current inventory and schedule a test drive today.
Lastly, interested in reserving the all-new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning? You can do that by clicking here. Fully refundable $100 deposits are available, and deliveries are programmed for Spring 2022.
Like what you see? Click here for more stories about Florida automotive news. Florida Insider is dedicated to educating, entertaining, and informing its readers about everything in Florida. Easy to read content at the palm of your hands and covering the stories that matter.
Terry is an avid Nascar fan who grew up attending races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, just down the road from his hometown of China Grove, NC. Terry currently resides in Wellington and has been writing for 15 years. He also enjoys watching the Road Runner Looney Tunes cartoon with his two sons in his spare time.