Ford is shutting down F-150 Lightning production for nearly two months: Here’s why
Ford is halting F-150 Lightning production in mid-November as the once best-selling electric pickup faces a wave of new competition. The company will stop building models at its Rouge EV center in Michigan for nearly two months.
Ford will pause output at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center amid “slower-than-expected” demand for the all-electric pickup truck.
The pause comes after Ford cut its workforce at the plant by one-third earlier this year. No job cuts were included as workers were either reassigned or offered retirement.
Starting in April, 700 of the 2,100 workers were transferred to the Michigan Assembly plant, while another 700 were offered a retirement package or the opportunity to join the others to help build the Bronco and Ranger in MI.
Ford spokesperson Martin Gunsberg confirmed to Electrek earlier this year that the facility had been running three crews working two shifts, which dropped to one crew working one shift in April.
The Dearbon-based automaker is now preparing to pause output at the Rouge EV plant for several weeks.
Ford plans F-150 Lightning production halt in Michigan
Ford spokesperson Jessica Enoch said in an email to Electrek, “We continue to adjust production for an optimal mix of sales growth and profitability.”
The pause will begin after the work day on Nov 15. However, with the plant only running on weekdays, Nov 15-16 would not have been production days.
Enoch confirmed the first day down will be Nov 18, with production resuming on Jan 6, 2025. The pause includes the holiday break week, starting Dec 23, at all US Ford plants.
Ford’s latest hurdle comes after it was topped by crosstown rival GM in US electric vehicle sales last quarter.
With a record 32,095 EVs sold in Q3, GM surpassed Ford, which sold 23,509 electric models. GM is now ahead in the US through the first nine months with 70,450 EVs sold, compared to Ford at 67,689.
Ford’s electric pickup faces a new wave of competition, with Tesla’s Cybertruck, the Chevy Silverado EV, and the GMC Sierra EV rolling out.
According to Cox Automotive, Tesla’s Cybertruck was the third best-selling EV in the US in Q3, with 16,692 models sold. In comparison, Ford sold 7,162 F-150 Lightnings last quarter.
With the new lower-priced Chevy Silverado EV LT now available and GMC’s Sierra EV rolling out, it will be fun to see where the rankings end up next year.
Through its new “Power Promise,” Ford is giving EV buyers a free Level 2 home charger and covering the cost of standard installation. The company said the new program is designed to help show buyers the true benefits of driving an EV, like waking up with a full charge every morning.
Electrek’s Take
Although Ford topped Q3 revenue and EPS estimates earlier this week, the company’s Model e EV unit reported another $1.2 billion loss last quarter.
Ford’s EV business has now lost $3.7 billion through the first nine months of the year. The company said an 11% drop in volume was due to “competitive market dynamics.” The lower volume and “industry-wide pricing pressure” led to revenue slipping 33% YOY to $1.2 billion.
CEO Jim Farley said the company has taken “tough actions” to establish an advantage in upcoming areas, including next-gen EVs and software.
On the company’s earnings call, Farley said its new mid-size electric pickup, due out in the second half of 2027, will “match the cost structure of Chinese OEMS building in Mexico.” The comments were likely directed at BYD, which launched its first pickup truck, the Shark PHEV, which will rival Ford’s Ranger.
Ford will begin producing LFP batteries in Michigan in 2026, which should help the company cut costs.
According to Farley, Ford’s “skunkworks” team in California has “over-delivered” on the company’s new low-cost platform as it looks to regain leadership.
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Leading yard operation 3PL YMX Logistics has announced plans to deploy fully twenty (20) of Orange EV’s fully electric Class 8 terminal trucks at a number of distribution and manufacturing sites across North America.
As the shipping and logistics industries increasingly move to embrace electrification, yard operations have proven to be an almost ideal use case for EVs, enabling companies like Orange EV, which specialize in yard hostlers or terminal tractors, to drive real, impactful change. To that end, companies like YMX are partnering with Orange EV.
“This relationship between YMX and Orange EV is a significant step forward in transforming yard operations across North America,” said Matt Yearling, CEO of YMX Logistics. “Besides the initial benefits of reduction in emissions and carbon footprint, our customers are also seeing improvements in the overall operational efficiency and seeking to expand. Our team members have also been sharing positive feedback about their new equipment and highlighting the positive impact on their health and day-to-day activities.”
This Orange looks good in blue
One of the most interesting aspects of this story – beyond the Orange EV HUSK-e XP’s almost unbelievable 180,000 lb. GCWR spec. – is that this isn’t a story about California’s ports, which mandate EVs. Instead, YMX is truly deploying these trucks throughout the country, with at least four currently in Chicago (and more on the way).
“Our collaboration with YMX Logistics represents a powerful stride in delivering sustainable yard solutions at scale for enterprise customers,” explains Wayne Mathisen, CEO of Orange EV. “With rising demand for electric yard trucks, our joint efforts ensure that more companies can access the environmental, financial, and operational benefits of electrification … this is a win for the planet, the workforce, and the bottom line of these organizations.”
We interviewed Orange EV founder Kurt Neutgens on The Heavy Equipment Podcast a few months back, but if you’re not familiar with these purpose-built trucks, it’s worth a listen.
HEP-isode 26
SOURCE | IMAGES: YMX Logistics.
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On today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 9 and its “a “rolling living room” pivoting captain’s chairs, Kia gets a go-fast 7 passenger SUV and an updated EV6, while Honda announces plans to start producing solid-state batteries at its new facility in just a few weeks.
We’ve also got big news for American workers – a Minnesota power company is ditching coal for solar while ExxonMobil and LG Chem get to work extracting thousands of tons of lithium out of Tennessee’s soil.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations sitewide. Learn more by clicking here.
You can watch the episode, below.
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Read more: Farm-fegnugen? Volkswagen rolls out an electric tractor.
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Arevon Energy has kicked off operations at Vikings Solar-plus-Storage – one of the US’s first utility-scale solar peaker plants.
The $529 million project in Imperial County, California, near Holtville, features 157 megawatts of solar power paired with 150 megawatts/600 megawatt hours of battery storage.
Vikings Solar-plus-Storage is designed to take cheap daytime solar power and store it for use during more expensive peak demand times, like late afternoons and evenings. The battery storage system can quickly respond to changes in demand, helping tackle critical grid needs.
Vikings leverages provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that support affordable clean energy, strengthen grid resilience, boost US manufacturing, and create good jobs.
The Vikings project has already brought significant benefits to the local area. It employed over 170 people during construction, many local workers, and boosted nearby businesses like restaurants, hotels, and stores. On top of that, Vikings will pay out more than $17 million to local governments over its lifespan.
“Vikings’ advanced design sets the standard for safe and reliable solar-plus-storage configurations,” said Arevon CEO Kevin Smith. “The project incorporates solar panels, trackers, and batteries that showcase the growing strength of US renewable energy manufacturing.”
The project includes Tesla Megapack battery systems made in California, First Solar’s thin-film solar panels, and smart solar trackers from Nextracker. San Diego-based SOLV Energy handled the engineering, procurement, and construction work.
San Diego Community Power (SDCP) will buy the energy from the Vikings project under a long-term deal, helping power nearly 1 million customer accounts. SDCP and Arevon have also signed an agreement for the 200 MW Avocet Energy Storage Project in Carson, California, which will start construction in early 2025.
Vikings is named after the Holtville High School mascot, and Arevon is giving back to the local community by funding scholarships for deserving Holtville High students.
Arevon is a major renewable energy developer across the US and a key player in California, with nearly 2,500 MW in operation and more than 1,250 MW under construction.
Read more: Minnesota’s largest coal plant goes solar: Sherco Solar comes online
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