Trying To Meet Demand, Ford Ramps Up Production Of Electric F-150
DEARBORN, Mich. (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Ford says it will nearly double the annual production of its electric F-150 Lightning pickup based on a high number of advance reservations.
The company said it will be able to build at a rate of 150,000 pickups per year at its electric vehicle factory in Michigan, by the middle of next year.
Previously Ford had expected to build 80,000 per year at the new factory, which likely will have to be expanded to handle the increased output.
During the February 2021 winter storms in Texas some Ford F-150 hybrid pickup owners used their trucks to power their homes, after winter weather left millions without electricity and heat.
The company says nearly 200,000 people have put down $100 refundable deposits on the trucks. It's now sending out emails asking customers to convert their reservations to actual orders by picking a dealer and agreeing on a price.
Workers are now making pre-production versions of the trucks that will be used for testing. Versions that will be sent to consumers are expected in the spring. The truck has a starting price of just under $40,000 before any federal or state tax credits.
In December, Ford announced that it would triple production of the electric Mustang Mach-E built in Mexico. It plans to have the ability to make more than 200,000 per year by 2023.
(© Copyright 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
