F-150 Lightning Scales Down as Ford Refocuses on Gas Vehicle Production

Ford is altering its production strategy to two gas cars, with the carmaker repeating intentions to limit production of its F-150 Lightning electric truck.

Ford Cuts F-150 Lightning Production to Increase Gasoline Car Output

Last month, Ford announced intentions to slash F-150 Lightning production by roughly half. Ford revealed in a press release on Friday that the decision, which is slated to take effect on April 1, will affect 1,400 workers.

According to the statement, about 700 personnel from the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, where the F-150 Lightning is manufactured, are now being transferred to the Michigan Assembly Plant to support the manufacturing of the gas-powered Bronco and Bronco Raptor, as well as the future Ranger and Ranger Raptor, as per Teslarati.

The remaining employees will be offered positions at the Rouge Complex in Dearborn or other Ford operations in Southeast Michigan, or they will be given the option of participating in the UAW-Ford contract's Special Retirement Incentive Program.

The carmaker also claims that a few dozen workers at component plants that now support F-150 Lightning production may be affected by the news, depending on how many employees apply for the retirement plan. If that is the case, Ford says it will relocate impacted employees to Southeast Michigan sites.

Ford Eyes Future EV Expansion Amidst Market Dynamics

Ford will also hire 900 net new jobs at the Michigan Assembly Plant, adding a third shift of as many as 1,600 workers to expand output to seven days a week, up from the existing level of five days a week.

The manufacturer also predicts continued electric vehicle (EV) sales growth this year, albeit less than previously predicted, as it prepares to debut its next generation of EVs. Furthermore, Ford claims it has the ability to scale gas and hybrid F-150 units in order to identify the optimal engine configuration to match consumer demand.

"We are taking advantage of our manufacturing flexibility to offer customers choices while balancing our growth and profitability. Customers love the F-150 Lightning, America's best-selling EV pickup. We see a bright future for electric vehicles for specific consumers, especially with our upcoming digitally advanced EVs and access to Tesla's charging network beginning this quarter," Jim Farley, Ford CEO and President, stated.

Ford has yet to answer to Teslarati's request for an update on when it plans to resume F-150 Lightning production at current levels. The announcement comes after Ford completed its best-ever quarter for EVs in 2023, selling the best-selling vehicles in two separate electric divisions.

Despite this, a survey released last month revealed that just roughly half of Ford dealers have signed up to participate in its "Model e" EV sales program, as other automakers have expressed doubts about EV demand in recent months.

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