Suspension of sowing works in seven states led to a 61% decrease in VB-G RAM G labor costs in July

Ford announced the launch of Fathom, its new mid-size electric pickup truck, which is projected to be priced below $30,000 in the United States. This model represents the first built using the automaker's Universal Electric Vehicle Platform and will cost $28,350 in the standard range battery configuration.

Although the vehicle has not yet been publicly unveiled, Ford stated that the official reveal and the start of pre-orders are scheduled for early 2027, with deliveries expected in the second half of that year.

Including the mandatory shipping and delivery fee of $1,595, the effective starting price of the Fathom reaches $29,945, falling slightly below the $30,000 target set by Ford since 2025. For comparison, the 2025 model year F-150 Lightning Pro, standard battery version, had an initial price of $49,780, making it approximately $21,000 more expensive.

In terms of design and functionality, Ford plans for the Fathom to offer interior passenger space superior to the Toyota RAV4, accommodating five adults, in addition to having a bed and a cargo compartment located under the hood. Listed features include a high-definition touchscreen integrated with Apple Maps, a digital key, bidirectional power supply capability for external equipment, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

All vehicles will be equipped with BlueCruise, the driving assistance system that allows driving without holding the steering wheel on previously mapped highways. The manufacturer has not yet disclosed specific data on battery capacity, range, load capacity, or towing capacity, information that will be made available when pre-orders open.

The choice of the name took nine months of work. Kay Hart, General Manager of Ford Model and the company's electric division, stated that the goal was to select a name that would give 'personality to the vehicle, a soul.' The team researched the brand's history, covering models such as Galaxie, Taurus, and Ranchero, before opting for the final word, which was independently suggested by two writers and approved in focus groups.

The term Fathom has nautical origins, referring to a unit of measurement equivalent to about 1.80 meters, historically used by sailors to measure water depth. As a verb, it came to mean a complete understanding of something.

Production of this pickup will take place at the Louisville factory in Kentucky, using an assembly method where the front, center, and rear sections are built separately before being joined. This initiative is part of Ford's strategy to reverse the losses of the Model division, amid a slowdown in electric vehicle sales in the United States and due to the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit for consumers.

The US Senate approved the bill by a majority, which provides for penalties for major buyers of Russian oil and petroleum products, such as China and India. The argument in favor of this decision was that such trade contributes to the continuation of the war in Ukraine.

This bill has been given a new name—the 'Lindes O. Graham Act on Sanctions Against Russia and Iran 2026'—and was approved by the Senate with a vote of 86 in favor and 11 against. It allows President Donald Trump to impose 100 percent tariffs on goods from countries that are the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas.

Currently, the main buyers of Russian oil and gas are recognized as China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Slovakia. In addition to imposing sanctions against Russia, this law will extend the 'Iran Sanctions Act of 1996' until 2031. This act imposes fines on companies investing in Iran's energy sector.

The bill, supported by both parties, was promoted by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (who passed away on July 11) and Democrat Richard Blumenthal. After Graham's sudden death following a trip to Kyiv, leaders of both parties took steps to pass the law with renewed enthusiasm to honor the late senator's legacy as an ally of Ukraine.

The late senator's sister, Darling Graham, who was appointed to his seat after his death, stated: 'This law forces key countries supporting the Russian economy to make a simple but important choice. A choice between doing business with America or buying cheap Russian energy.'

The bill also aims to introduce restrictions on Russian leaders and officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, wealthy industrialists (oligarchs), and financial institutions. After the vote, Senator Blumenthal told journalists that 'these harsh sanctions and tariffs will stop everyone involved in this deadly, criminal, and aggressive war.'

Some Democrats warn that this law grants Trump new tariff powers, even though they themselves include such duties in their trade policy. The bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives for approval when it reconvenes on August 31.