Ford may have to make a painful decision soon concerning one of its most-talked about EVs. The automaker may have to let go of a shift at the F-150 Lightning production facility due to waning demand.
The possibility of a shift cancellation was mentioned in a letter from the UAW chapter of Ford’s Michigan factory. At the same time, the letter adds that Ford plans to increase its ICE pickup production.
The F-150 Lightning has been available for one-and-a-half years but it appears it has not been able to sustain the momentum in demand.
Ford, however, has neither confirmed nor denied the claims in the letter. However, when asked about the letter by The Wall Street Journal, the Detroit-based automaker stated that supply-chain issues and quality checks could force a schedule change soon. These factors, according to a spokesperson, have led to a paused shift affecting 700 workers.
Ford targeted a yearly 150,000-unit run before reporting a 45.8% reduction in Lightning’s sales in the US in the 3rd quarter. Demand failed to pick up even after cutting prices by up to $10,000 in July. The automaker shifted its goal of reaching 600,000 EVs per annum by a year to 2024.
Meanwhile, even as demand decreased, Ford added a new Flash variant of the F-150 Lightning to the lineup, slotting between the Lariat and XLT.
