Ford is potentially looking to join the ranks of General Motors by incorporating a midgate feature into its future truck designs, according to a recent patent application filling.
A patent application has been made public by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, filed by Ford on October 31, 2022, and published on May 2. The application describes a midgate pass-through that would enable pickup trucks to carry longer items by allowing the bulkhead between the rear of the cab and the bed to fold down, merging the cab’s interior space with the bed’s cargo area.
2013 Chevrolet Avalanche
GM first introduced this innovative concept during the early 2000s with vehicles such as the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT pickups. Despite offering flexibility in cargo management, the midgate design did mean certain sacrifices had to be made—users could carry either numerous passengers or a significant amount of cargo, but not both simultaneously, and the use of the midgate compromised the ability to secure the cabin completely, leaving a gap when it was in use.
GM revived the midgate for its latest electric models, the Chevy Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV, which are built on the company’s Ultium EV platform and feature unibody construction.
2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1
While it remains uncertain if Ford’s designs will result in a production model featuring the midgate, the patent suggests that the company sees the potential for this feature in unibody pickups. Ford is currently contemplating an electric pickup architecture that departs from the body-on-frame design of the F-150 Lightning, and the midgate could be a match for this new direction. The unibody Ford Maverick pickup also presents a possible platform for a midgate application. Future developments will reveal Ford’s decisions regarding the midgate and which models may carry it.
FAQ Section:
- What is a midgate on a pickup truck?
- A midgate is a design feature that allows the rear wall of the truck’s cab to fold down, creating an extended cargo space by connecting the bed of the truck to the interior cabin.
- Did Ford produce any vehicles with a midgate before?
- No, Ford has not produced any vehicles with a midgate feature as of now; the patent application suggests they are considering it for future models.
- What are the benefits of a midgate?
- The primary benefit of a midgate is the ability to transport longer items that would not typically fit in the bed of a pickup truck. It also provides flexibility in how to allocate passenger seating and cargo space within the vehicle.
- Are there any downsides to a midgate design?
- Yes, there are trade-offs such as not being able to carry both a full load of passengers and cargo at the same time and potentially decreased security for the cab when the midgate is in use.
- Which Ford models could potentially feature a midgate?
- While speculative, Ford’s new electric unibody pickups, potentially including future iterations or versions of the F-150 Lightning or the Ford Maverick, could be candidates for a midgate feature.
Conclusion:
As automakers navigate the balance between utility and innovation, Ford’s consideration of a midgate feature in its pickup trucks demonstrates the company’s commitment to offering versatile and adaptable vehicles. While Ford’s patent application signals interest in this functionality, reminiscent of General Motors’ past innovations with the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT, the automotive community awaits concrete plans concerning implementation. The emerging electric vehicle market offers a ripe opportunity for Ford to integrate such features, possibly transforming how consumers perceive and utilize the modern pickup truck.
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