Ford Motor is making significant changes to its production plans for the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup. The automaker, which had previously increased plant capacity for the electric vehicle, will now be cutting planned production in half next year. This decision represents a major reversal for Ford as it adapts to changing market demand.
According to a source familiar with the decision, Ford’s new production plans call for an average volume of around 1,600 F-150 Lightnings per week at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, starting in January. This is a significant decrease compared to the previous plan, which aimed for a production volume of approximately 3,200 vehicles per week on average. The decision to reduce production is based on the need to align with customer demand.
Ford has emphasized that it will adjust production to match customer demand. As the company cancels or postpones $12 billion in upcoming EV investments, Ford executives are rethinking their production and product plans for the years ahead. The production cuts for the F-150 Lightning are a response to the slower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles, driven by factors such as high prices and interest rates.
The automotive industry as a whole is facing challenges in the production of all-electric vehicles. Automakers are working towards cutting costs and streamlining production processes. Ford, in particular, had previously spent six weeks this year to increase capacity for the F-150 Lightning at its Michigan plant. The initial plan was to produce 150,000 all-electric trucks, but the new production plan reflects a decision to scale back that volume.
Despite the production cuts, sales of the F-150 Lightning have shown steady growth in 2023. The vehicle achieved a monthly record of approximately 4,400 units sold in November. However, for the year through November, Ford has sold a total of 20,365 F-150 Lightnings, representing a modest increase of 54% compared to the previous year.
Ford Motor’s decision to cut planned production of the F-150 Lightning pickup is a significant shift in strategy. The automaker’s move to align production with customer demand reflects the challenges faced by the electric vehicle market. While Ford continues to navigate these challenges and adapt its production plans, the steady growth in sales of the F-150 Lightning serves as a positive sign for the company’s prospects in the EV market.
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