Ford raises 2023 F-150 Lightning Pro price by $5K amid ongoing supply chain disruptions
Ford is raising the price of its base electric truck model, the F-150 Lightning Pro, by $5,000 as the automaker fights through lingering supply chain disruptions and rising input costs.
A day after releasing its September US sales report, which showed significant interest (+197.3% YOY) in the automaker’s electric vehicles, Ford says it will be raising the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro prices, according to a report from Reuters.
Although EV sales are rising quickly, Ford has struggled to keep up with demand. Ongoing supply chain issues (initially created by the pandemic and worsened through lockdowns in China) continue to be a problem across the industry as automakers race to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.
On Ford’s second-quarter earnings call, CFO John Lawler explained to Bank of America’s John Murphy:
The inflation that we’re seeing, that’s going to continue to run through. And we’re seeing that, across the board, you know, from material cost, freight, fuel costs, et cetera. So, we see that continuing, and that’s up.
And then again this past month, Ford confirmed it was still struggling with parts shortages and further supply constraints.
Like much of the auto industry, Ford has increasingly been leaning into preorders for its electric models, creating pent-up demand.
However, it isn’t just the price of electric vehicles going up. Higher-end gas models are also getting price increases due to the ongoing shortage of semiconductors. And Ford is not the only one feeling the effects. Other automakers, such as Rivian and Tesla, have also raised prices.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares also said in an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien on October 2 that he expects:
The [semiconductor] situation will remain very complicated until the end of 2023, then will ease a little.
With this in mind, Ford reopened orders for its popular F-150 Lightning in August, raising the price across all models by $6,000 to $8,500. The automaker is raising the price of its base model, the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro, again today.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro new price
The lowest priced Ford F-150 Lightning, the Pro trim, will now be $51,974 compared to its previous price of $46,974, according to Reuters.
A spokesperson from Ford claims the price rise is due to:
Ongoing supply chain constraints, rising material costs, and other market factors.
Meanwhile, Ford’s spokesperson says those who have already scheduled their order will not be affected by the hike, including government and businesses customers.
Ford says it will continue monitoring the price of its 2023 F-150 Lightning going forward.
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Shares of USA Rare Earth jumped in extended trading Thursday, after CEO Barbara Humpton told CNBC that the rare earth miner is “in close communication” with the White House.
Humpton’s comment comes after the Trump administration took a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas this week. The Defense Department took a 15% stake in rare earth miner MP Materials in July.
“We are in close communication with the administration,” Humpton told CNBC’s Morgan Brennan when asked whether USA Rare Earth was interested in a deal with the Trump administration.
USA Rare Earth stock year to date.
USA Rare Earth shares were last up about 8% after hours. Its stock gained 23% in regular trading Thursday and has nearly doubled this year.
“This is a field where it will not be a zero sum game,” Humpton said of the rare earth supply chain. “It’s going to take a lot of players to build out this marketplace.”
USA Rare Earth is developing a mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, and a magnet production facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Humpton said she supports the Trump administration’s deals with MP and Lithium Americas.
“What we’re doing is keeping the administration informed of our own plans,” she said.
The adminstration has said it is making the investments to help support the industry and break U.S. dependence on China.
Environment
Tesla applies for patent to make Cybertruck look even more ridiculous but more efficient
Tesla has applied for a new patent that would make the Cybertruck look even more ridiculous than it already does, but it would also make towing more efficient.
The Cybertruck is one of, if not the most, polarizing vehicles of all time, and its design is primarily to blame.
Much of the design is due to the use of stainless steel panels and the attempt to make pickup trucks more aerodynamically efficient.
Tesla has managed to improve on the drag coefficient of the average pickup truck.
However, it doesn’t help much with towing a trailer, which is going to catch a lot of that drag.
Tesla has now applied for a new patent on a device that would help push wind over a trailer towed by the Cybertruck.
The American automaker wrote in the abstract of the patent application:
An inflatable aerodynamic deflector to reduce drag and enhance efficiency. Constructed from drop stitch material, it forms one or more air chambers between parallel skins. The component includes a pressure regulation mechanism and diverse attachment interfaces such as rail systems, magnetic fasteners, and quick disconnect clips, distributed along the vehicle for secure mounting. This component acts as an aerodynamic deflector, optimizing airflow around conveyances, especially combination vehicles like tow vehicles and trailers.
In short, Tesla is working on an inflatable device that could sit on the bed of the Cybertruck and rise to close the air gap between the truck, thereby extending the angle of the windshield over the trailer.
Here are some of the drawings from the patent application
Electrek’s Take
To be fair, companies often apply for patents on products that they don’t have concrete plans to bring to production, and this could easily be the case here.
That’s especially true for the Cybertruck.
The program is so much smaller than Tesla anticipated, and with smaller volumes, it makes less sense to launch accessories.
That said, I’m pro everything that makes driving more efficient, regardless of whether it makes a vehicle silly.
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The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup will be offered in a single trim, but at least it’s the most affordable one.
Here’s the new 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup
With the IONIQ 5 stealing the spotlight, Hyundai is downsizing the 2026 Kona Electric to just one trim — the base SE model.
Hyundai didn’t provide prices, but the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE was the brand’s most affordable EV, starting at just $32,975. The SEL, Limited, and N Line trims will not be offered for the 2026 model year.
In another blow, Hyundai is also dropping the Long Range battery, meaning the 2026 Kona Electric will only be available with the Standard Range battery.
The Long Range 64.8 kWh battery offers a driving range of up to 261 miles, while the Standard Range 48.6 kWh battery delivers a driving range of just 200 miles. The only other change is that the SE trim will now include a larger console tray.
With new models arriving, like the 2026 Nissan LEAF and the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, the Kona Electric will no longer be one of the few EVs starting under $35,000.
Nissan claims the 2026 LEAF “has the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US” at just $29,990. The new LEAF also offers significantly more range, with over 300 miles, and features a NACS port for recharging at Tesla Superchargers.
While it’s cutting the Kona Electric lineup, Hyundai appears to be focused on its top-selling EV for 2026, the IONIQ 5.
Following the expiration of the federal EV tax credit, Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 IONIQ 5 by up to nearly $10,000 on certain trims. The 2026 IONIQ 5 now starts at just $35,000. It’s also extending the $7,500 credit for 2025 models.
Is the Kona Electric on its way out with the IONIQ 5 now available for about the same price? Either that, or Hyundai will have to cut prices on the Kona EV to stay competitive.
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