Ford is cutting production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck due to weak demand.
The automaker is cutting production of “America's best-selling electric pickup” to achieve the “optimal” balance of profitability, sales growth and production. The company announced on Friday. The move marks the latest cuts in the electric vehicle (EV) sector as customer demand was lower than expected.
“We are leveraging our manufacturing flexibility to balance growth and profitability while offering our customers choice,” said Jim Farley, Ford President and CEO. “Customers love the F-150 Lightning, America's best-selling EV pickup. Particularly with the upcoming digitally advanced EV and access to Tesla's charging network starting this quarter, certain consumer electric I think cars have a bright future.”
The company will cut F-150 production at its Rouge Vehicle Center in Michigan, impacting about 1,400 employees and reducing it from two shifts to one shift starting April 1. Some employees will be shifted to gasoline vehicle production.
Approximately 700 employees will be transferred to the Michigan assembly plant. Others are placed in the Rouge complex or elsewhere.
The company plans to add 900 new jobs to meet production demand for Bronco and Ranger pickup trucks. The company plans to add a third worker to its Michigan assembly plant.
Ford said Lightning sales are expected to increase 55% in 2023 and “further growth” in 2024.
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