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Starting April 1, one-third of the workforce will remain on-site at Ford’s Rouge EV plant in Michigan. Ford is drastically cutting its workforce at the facility where the F-150 Lightning is built, with demand “much slower” than expected.

Ford cutting F-150 Lightning workforce

Ford initially announced the reduction in January, citing “slower than expected” demand. Although Ford’s Lightning was the best-selling electric pickup last year, topping Rivian’s R1T, the EV truck faces new competition in a challenging market.

According to Ford spokeswoman Jessica Enoch, one-third of the 2,100 workers will remain at the plant starting April 1, 2024.

Enoch told The Detroit Free Press that 700 workers will be transferred to its Michigan Assembly plant to help build the Bronco and Ranger. Meanwhile, the remaining 700 can either take the $50,000 retirement package from the 2023 contract negotiations, or be reassigned to is Michigan Assembly plant.

Ford’s workforce reduction at the F-150 Lightning plant will not include job losses. Instead, workers are being reassigned or offered retirement.

In January, Spokesperson Martin Gunsberg told Electrek that the facility had been running with three crews working two shifts. Starting next week, it will go down to one crew working one shift.

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Ford F-150 Lightning production (Source: Ford)

“Their intentions were to build 180,000-plus units. Right now, we’re looking at 55,000 units they’re gonna build,” according to Todd Dunn, president of UAW Local 862.

The move comes after Ford said it would ramp up Lightning production just a year ago. However, the automaker has been rotating shifts at the facility since October.

Enoch said new vehicles have been held for quality review since early February. Shipments are expected to begin in April.

Ford introduced significant incentives on the 2023 F-150 Lightning to make room for new models. The 2023 Lightning Lariat, XLT, and Pro trims are eligible for a $7,500 retail credit.


2024 Ford F-150 Lightning trim
Price Range
(EPA-est miles)
Pro $54,995 240
XLT $64,995 240
Flash $73,495 320
Lariat $79,495 320
Platinum $84,995 300
Platinum Black $92,995 300
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning price and range by trim

Ford also made several adjustments to 2024MY Lightning prices. The base Pro trim, starts at $54,995 with 240 miles range. The lineup also gained a “Flash” trim in 2024 with a tech-focused interior, Ford’s Tow Tech package, and up to 320 miles range. It starts at $73,495.

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2024 Ford F-150 Flash (Source: Ford)

Electrek’s Take

The workforce reduction comes as Ford shifts plans from larger EVs to smaller, more affordable ones.

CEO Jim Farley revealed Ford was developing a low-cost EV platform. Led by Alan Clarke, a top engineer for Tesla’s Model Y and 3, Farley said it has “some of the best EV engineers in the world” developing the platform.

Ford’s CFO, John Lawler, reiterated these plans at the BofA Auto Summit Tuesday. Lawler said, “The game will not be fought and won with larger vehicles.” Smaller, more affordable ones will win in the long run.

The new EV platform will have multiple “top hats,” enabling new electric SUVs, trucks, sedans, and vans.

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, a smaller, cheaper electric pickup and SUV will be the first to launch on the platform. The first model is expected to be available in 2026, with starting prices around $25,000.

Lawler said the ultimate competition will be low-cost EVs from China, like BYD, and Tesla, which is planning a $25,000 EV of its own.

Ford’s CFO said Ford is matching capacity with demand. He added “demand is much slower than the industry expected.”

Meanwhile, Ford faces stiff competition in both the electric pickup and mid-size electric SUV market. New electric pickups like the Tesla Cybertruck and Chevy Silverado EV are rolling out while Rivian continues building R1T capacity.

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is among the most popular EV segments, along with Tesla’s Model Y, the Hyundai IONIQ 5, the Volkswagen ID.4, and the Kia EV6. New electric SUVs like the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX are joining the market.

Have you been eyeing Ford’s all-electric models? Now may be the perfect time to start shopping with significant savings. You can use our links below to find great deals on Ford’s EVs at a dealer near you.

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Kia announces EV5 prices, offering up to 329 miles of range

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Kia announces EV5 prices, offering up to 329 miles of range

The Kia EV5 has officially arrived in the UK. Boasting up to 329 miles of range, Kia opened orders for the new Sportage-sized electric SUV on Monday. Here’s a breakdown of Kia EV5 prices, range, and other specs for the UK market.

Kia EV5 prices and range in the UK

Kia calls the EV5 “a cornerstone” of its electrification strategy. The midsize electric SUV is about the size of a Tesla Model Y and loaded with Kia’s latest tech, software, and sleek new styling.

After opening EV5 orders in the UK on Monday, Kia now offers an SUV across every powertrain in Europe’s most competitive segment.

The EV5 is available in three trims: Air, GT-Line, and GT-Line S. All three variants are powered by an 81.4 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 329 miles. Based on a 400V platform, Kia said the electric SUV can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.

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All three are powered by a single front-mounted electric motor, capable of producing up to 214 horsepower (160 kW) and 295 Nm of torque. The EV5 can go from 0 to 62 mph in 8.4 seconds.

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Kia EV5 GT-Line (Source: Kia UK)

The interior features Kia’s new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), which includes a three-screen infotainment system.

Kia’s ccNC infotainment features dual 12.3″ driver display and navigation screens with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 5.3″ climate control display. A customizable 12.3″ Head-Up Display (HUD) is available on higher trim options.

At 1,875 mm wide, 4,610 mm long, 1,675 mm tall, and a wheelbase of 2,750mm, the EV5 is 10mm wider, 70mm longer, and 30mm taller than the Sportage.

Prices for the base Kia EV5 Air start at £39,295 ($53,000), on-the-road (OTR). Upgrading to the sporty GT-Line model, which gains exclusive trim exterior and interior design elements, is priced from £42,595 ($57,800). The range-topping GT-Line S starts at £47,095 ($63,700).

Starting Price
(OTR)
Driving Range
(WLTP)
Kia EV5 Air £39,295 ($53,000) 329 miles
Kia EV5 GT-Line £42,595 ($57,800) 313 miles
Kia EV5 GT-Line S £47,095 ($63,700) 313 miles
Kia EV5 prices and range in the UK

The EV5 joins the EV3, EV4, EV6, and EV9 as Kia expands its electric vehicle lineup in the UK. Kia’s EV3 was the best-selling retail EV in the UK in the first half of 2025.

Can its bigger brother, the EV5, top it? Pre-orders are now open, and Kia plans to deliver the first customer vehicles later this year.

As a sibling to the Sportage, Kia’s global, European, and UK-wide best-selling vehicle, it might actually have a chance. Let us know what you think of it in the comments below.

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Tesla reduces price of new Model 3 in China weeks after launch, amid sales slump

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Tesla reduces price of new Model 3 in China weeks after launch, amid sales slump

Tesla has reduced the price of the Model 3 RWD Long Range, a newly launched version of the popular Model 3, amid a sales slump.

As we reported last week, China has reached a tipping point of EV adoption: the majority of new car sales are electric.

Yet, Tesla, which was once the largest EV company in China, is not benefiting from the surge in EV sales in China.

As of last week, Tesla’s sales in China are down 6.3% year-to-date based on insurance registration data compared to 2024.

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Electric vehicle competition is intensifying, and Tesla is struggling to keep up.

Over the last few weeks, Tesla has launched two new versions of the Model 3 and Model Y to help stem the decline in China.

For Model 3, Tesla launched a new Long Range RWD version in early August for 269,500 yuan.

Today, Tesla slashed the price by 10,000 yuan just weeks after the launch – indicating that demand was lower than anticipated.

Furthermore, Tesla is also offering a series of incentives on top of the price reduction:

  • Participate in the referral bonus promotion and place an order before September 30th to receive an 8,000 yuan bonus on optional paint.
  • Order select models (excluding the High-Performance All-Wheel Drive version) before September 30th to apply for a limited-time 5-year 0% interest financing plan. Order
  • select models (excluding the High-Performance All-Wheel Drive version) and receive delivery before September 30th, along with partner insurance, to receive a limited-time subsidy of 8,000 yuan.

Competition in the EV sector is tough in China. New models are being launched every week, and prices are incredibly competitive.

Tesla is still performing well in the premium segment, but its most popular models are, by far, the cheaper Model 3 and Model Y in RWD versions. Meanwhile, Chinese EV automakers have launched numerous vehicles in these segments.

Electrek’s Take

Add this to the numerous red flags regarding Tesla’s declining sales worldwide.

For Tesla, Europe is almost a thing of the past. China is in a steady decline, while the US is expected to experience only slight growth.

The level of competition in China is simply too high, resulting in Tesla selling many vehicles in the market for virtually 0% gross margin.

This is not sustainable and will likely result in Tesla starting to lose money in 2026 without some major changes.

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Volkswagen is about to unveil its most affordable electric SUV

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Volkswagen is about to unveil its most affordable electric SUV

With just a week left until its official debut, Volkswagen is giving us a sneak peek of its most affordable electric SUV, the ID.2. Here’s our closest look at the new entry-level EV.

The Volkswagen ID.2 is an affordable electric SUV

Volkswagen is revamping its electric car lineup with a new family of entry-level models, starting with the ID.2. The ID.2 is an electric hatch that VW promises is “spacious like a Golf,” yet still “affordable like a Polo.

With a starting price of around € 25,000 ($29,000), the ID.2 will be among the most affordable electric cars on the market.

Shortly after launching the electric hatch, Volkswagen is set to introduce an SUV version of the ID.2, which could be an even bigger hit. The ID.2 SUV will sit below the ID.3 and ID.4 in Volkswagen’s EV lineup as an even more affordable crossover SUV option.

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Although we’ve seen the hatch out testing a few times, the SUV version has been mostly kept under wraps outside of a blurry image from December 2023. That is, until now.

Volkswagen’s design boss, Andreas Mindt, offered a closer look at the ID.2 SUV on Monday, releasing a few new teasers. The images reveal a sleek new look from its current ID models, closer in style to the updated T-Roc, which was unveiled last week.

Mindt said the “design speaks for itself.” The ID.2 and SUV versions will be based on a new MEB+ platform, which will underpin Volkswagen’s upcoming lineup of entry-level EVs.

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Volkswagen ID.2X electric SUV (Source: Volkswagen)

The hatch will be offered with two battery pack options: 38 kWh or 56 kWh, offering a WLTP range of up to 280 miles. Volkswagen has yet to reveal final prices and range for the SUV version.

According to VW’s tech development boss, Kai Grünitz, the brand’s EV lineup is in line for a major refresh. Grünitz told Autocar that “huge improvements” were coming, including updated styling inside and out.

Volkswagen-ID.2-EV-interior
Volkswagen’s ID 2all EV interior (Source: VW)

The interior will feature the new design, which includes a 12.9″ infotainment and 10.9″ driver display screens and plenty of physical controls. There will also be a few fun added features like the ability to switch between drive modes that resemble Volkswagen classics, like the Golf or Beetle.

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Volkswagen ID 2all “Vintage” mode from the Golf era (Source: Andreas Mindt)

Since the ID.4 starts at around 35,000 euros ($41,000) to 40,000 euros ($47,000), depending on the market, you can expect prices to be slightly lower, likely at around 30,000 euros ($35,000).

Volkswagen will unveil the ID.2 SUV next week at the Munich Motor Show on September 7. The German auto giant claims the ID.2 SUV “is another important step towards bringing affordable electric mobility to the masses.” It’s expected to hit the market next year following the hatch version. We’ll learn more at the event.

Although the ID.2 is not expected to be sold in the US, Volkswagen’s current SUV, the ID.4, is actually already one of the most affordable electric SUVs. Volkswagen is currently offering ID.4 leases as low as $129 per month. That’s even cheaper than a Jetta.

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