In a significant pivot that highlights the growing pains in the electric vehicle (EV) market, the iconic Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck may be on the chopping block. A new report from the Wall Street Journal suggests that Ford executives are in active discussions about permanently ending production of the battery-powered version of America’s best-selling vehicle.
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This high-visibility deliberation comes after an unexpected halt in production at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Assembly of the F-150 Lightning was recently put on an indefinite pause following a fire at a key aluminum supplier. While the plant is idled, Ford is taking the opportunity to re-evaluate the truck’s future entirely. In a telling sign of shifting priorities, the company simultaneously announced a third production shift for the highly profitable, non-electric F-150 and Super Duty models, redirecting personnel to focus on the traditional and hybrid trucks.
The Profitability Problem: Lightning as a ‘Loss Leader’
The F-150 Lightning was initially heralded as a landmark vehicle, an “inflection point” that would cement Ford’s leadership in the electric transition. However, industry insiders note that the current model has become a “loss leader,” costing the company significant capital compared to its gas and hybrid counterparts. This move is part of a broader re-evaluation of EV strategy under CEO Jim Farley, who has made it clear that profitability is paramount.
See more photos, check this link. This wouldn’t be the first time a major project has been scrapped under Farley’s watch. Other recent casualties include a planned three-row EV SUV, which was reportedly canceled in 2024 to focus resources on hybrid vehicle production instead. Farley’s tenure has seen Ford’s U.S. lineup strategically reduced, prioritizing profitable truck and two-row SUV segments.
A Shift to Affordability: The Universal EV Platform
Should the F-150 Lightning’s run end, Ford is reportedly considering a bold new direction for the Dearborn plant. The company is pondering replacing the Lightning with new vehicles based on the recently announced Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.
This new UEV architecture is at the core of Ford’s strategy to deliver more accessible, mass-market EVs. CEO Farley has championed the UEV platform as a masterstroke of engineering “cleverness” designed to drastically reduce costs by simplifying development, cutting the parts count, reducing complexity, and lowering vehicle weight. The platform’s goal is ambitious: to produce a new line of affordable electric vehicles, including a small, mid-size electric truck with an entry price targeting around $30,000.
This strategic shift highlights the challenging market realities facing full-size electric pickups, which are expensive to produce and have experienced slower-than-anticipated sales growth compared to their gasoline counterparts. Ford’s focus is clearly moving toward vehicles that can capture a wider customer base and deliver stronger financial returns in the rapidly evolving EV landscape.
As of this publication, Ford has not made a final decision on the fate of the F-150 Lightning. We have reached out to Ford for an official comment on the speculation and will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.
FAQs
Why is the big electric truck being canceled?
The main reason is money. The electric truck is expensive to build and is not making enough profit right now, especially compared to the regular gas and hybrid versions of the truck. The company is losing money on its electric vehicle business overall.
Is the electric truck already canceled?
No. The company has not made a final decision yet. Right now, production is paused because a factory that supplies aluminum had a fire. Executives are using this pause to talk about whether to bring the electric truck back at all.
Why did production of the electric truck stop?
It stopped because there was a fire at an aluminum supplier’s factory. Aluminum is a key material for building the truck. The company decided to send the limited aluminum they still have to the factories building the more profitable gas and hybrid trucks instead of the electric ones.
Are they still making the gas F-150 trucks?
Yes, even more than before. The company is prioritizing the regular gas and hybrid F-150s because they are much more profitable. They even added more workers and shifts to those assembly lines.
What will replace the electric truck if it is canceled?
The company is planning to replace it with a new family of electric vehicles built on a brand-new, cheaper system called the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.
What is the new Universal EV platform?
It’s a completely new way to design and build electric cars and trucks. The goal is to make the vehicles with fewer parts and simpler steps. This makes them much cheaper and faster to build.
Will the company make another electric truck?
Yes, but a smaller and cheaper one. The first vehicle planned for the new platform is a new electric pickup truck. It will be smaller than the current full-size electric truck.
How much will the new, smaller electric truck cost?
The company is aiming for a starting price of around $30,000. This is a big drop in price compared to the current electric truck
Why is the company suddenly focused on cheaper electric cars?
They believe the future of electric vehicles is in smaller, more affordable models that everyone can buy. They want to make a simple, cost-effective car that can compete with smaller, cheaper electric cars from other countries.
Has the CEO canceled other vehicles recently?
Yes. The current CEO has been focused on cutting vehicles that don’t make enough money. This includes a three-row electric SUV that was canceled last year so the company could focus more on hybrid vehicles.
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