America’s Best-Selling Electric Pickup Could Be Discontinued
Ford executives are considering ending production of the electric version of the F-150 pickup because of weakening demand, especially after subsidies expired.
Ford said it is focusing on producing gasoline and hybrid versions of the F-150 following a fire.
Last month, a union official told Reuters that Ford had halted production at its Dearborn, Michigan plant, where the electric F-150 Lightning is made, because of a fire at an aluminum plant operated by a supplier.
"We have a good inventory of the F-150 Lightning and will bring the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center back online at the right time, but there is no specific date yet," Ford said in a statement on 11/6.
Ford's F-150 Lightning electric pickup (right) and Mustang Mach-E electric crossover. Photo: Macheroadtrip
The Lightning, once described by Ford as a modern Model T because of its importance to the company, has failed to meet expectations as American pickup buyers passed over the electric version of the best-selling model. Ford has lost $13 billion since 2023.
Electric vehicle sales overall, already below expectations, are expected to fall sharply without government support. Large electric pickups and SUVs are among the most vulnerable.
"Demand for the F-150 Lightning and other large pickups is almost nonexistent," said Adam Kraushaar, owner of Lester Glenn Auto Group in New Jersey. He sells Ford, GMC, Chevrolet and other brands. "We don't order many because we can't sell them."
No final decision has been made yet, but Ford's move could mark the beginning of the end for the large electric pickup segment.
Meanwhile, the WSJ reported that executives at General Motors (GM) have also discussed halting production of some electric trucks, citing people familiar with the matter.
Detroit's three automakers — Ford, GM and Stellantis, parent company of Chrysler — have scrapped their ambitious electric vehicle plans in the US and shifted back toward gasoline-powered models.
