Ford Set To Pause F-150 Lightning Model Production For Six Weeks

Ford has announced that it will suspend production of its F-150 Lightning electric vehicle (EV) truck for six weeks, highlighting the ongoing challenges the company faces in the market.

Temporary Suspension at Michigan Plant

According to Bloomberg, Ford will cease production of the F-150 Lightning at its Dearborn, Michigan plant on November 18 and resume manufacturing on January 6, 2024. This production pause comes as Ford grapples with shifting demand for EVs and ongoing profitability challenges.

CEO Jim Farley has been candid about the EV market’s difficulties, recently warning of a “slow uptake” of plug-in vehicles. During Ford’s Q3 earnings call on October 28, Farley predicted the company would lose around $5 billion this year on its battery-powered models.

In detail, Ford revealed a $1.2 billion loss in its Model e division in Q3, though the company also noted a 33% year-over-year increase in EV revenue. Overall, Ford reported a quarterly revenue of $46 billion and a net income of $0.9 billion.

F-150 Lightning: Strong Start, Slowing Sales

Despite the Lightning’s initial fanfare — including a memorable visit from President Joe Biden in 2021, where he drove the truck and praised its performance — sales have fallen short of the company’s ambitious expectations. While Lightning sales are up this year, they have not met Ford’s original targets.

The production halt is part of a broader strategy to adjust production for “optimal mix of sales growth and profitability,” according to a Ford spokesperson. Earlier this year, the company had already reduced F-150 Lightning production by half and scaled back to a single work shift.

Commitment to EV Development

Nevertheless, Ford is not abandoning its EV strategy. The company plans to develop a new line of compact EVs priced below $30,000 and is working on a small electric pickup truck slated for launch in 2027. Farley emphasized that Ford is already working on its second generation of EVs.

“We are in a strong position as our industry undergoes a sweeping transformation,” Farley stated, expressing confidence in the company’s strategic decisions and long-term EV prospects.

Read More: Ford’s Update Brings Google Maps EV Routing To F-150 Lightning And Mustang Mach-E

As the F-150 Lightning’s production pause serves as a significant indicator of the current challenges in the EV market, this suggests that the road to widespread EV adoption remains complex and uncertain but still a goal for many automakers in the EV industry nonetheless.

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