Ford is slashing its production of electric pickup the F-150 Lightning, citing weak demands for the vehicle.
The automaker is reducing production of its “top-selling electric pickup in the U.S.” to get “optimal” balance of profitability, sales growth and production, the company said Friday. The move signals the latest cuts in the electric vehicle (EV) sphere, given lower-than-anticipated customer demand.
“We are taking advantage of our manufacturing flexibility to offer customers choices while balancing our growth and profitability,” Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said. “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."
The company will reduce production of the F-150 in Michigan at its Rouge Vehicle Center, impacting around 1,400 employees and downsizing from two shifts to one, effective April 1. Some workers will be shifted to produce gas-powered vehicles.
Around 700 workers will be transferred to the Michigan Assembly Plant. Others will be placed at the Rouge Complex or other locations.
The automaker plans to add 900 new jobs to meet the demand for the production of Bronco and Ranger pickups. It will add a third crew at the Michigan Assembly Plant.
Ford said the sales of the Lightning were up 55 percent in 2023, and it expects “further growth” in 2024.