Ford has announced plans to adjust production at its manufacturing facilities in Michigan in response to changes in customer demand for specific models
The company will be focusing on increasing production of the Bronco, Bronco Raptor, Ranger and Ranger Raptor vehicles. However, they plan to decrease production of the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck.
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Ford F-150 Lightning sales exceeded 24,000
In 2023, Ford sold 24,165 F-150 Lightning pickups in the U.S., a 55% increase from the previous year. Despite this success, Ford has chosen to reduce production of this model.
Ford states that it is reducing F-150 Lightning production “to achieve the optimal balance of production, sales growth and profitability”. This aligns with rumors heard in December.
In 2023, the F-150 Lightning was the best-selling all-electric pickup in the U.S. with over 24,000 sales. However, Ford now expects sales growth in 2024 to be lower than anticipated, which may be related to recent price increases for the 2024 model year trim levels.
Ford President and CEO Jim Farley stated, “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.”
Starting on April 1, 2024, only one shift will work on the Ford F-150 Lightning at the company’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, affecting 1,400 employees. Meanwhile, nearly 900 new jobs will be created at the Michigan Assembly Plant, and a third shift will be added to increase production of the Bronco, Bronco Raptor, and Ranger/Ranger Raptor models.
It’s worth noting that Ford is preparing to launch next-generation EVs, including an all-electric pickup model.