Ford Motor (NYSE: F)
announced plans to practically double annual production capacity for its electric F-150 pickup to 150,000 vehicles per year by 2023, amid rising demand. The move is a positive sign for electric vehicles and indicates how much Ford underestimated demand for the trucks as it strives to boost the manufacturing of the model.
The company has received approximately 200,000 reservations for the automaker’s electric vehicle. Production will take place at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center after deliveries commence in the spring.
“Our teams are working hard and creatively to break production constraints in order to get more F-150 Lightning trucks into the hands of our customers,” Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of the Americas and international markets group, said in a statement. “The reality is clear: People are ready for an all-electric F-150, and Ford is pulling out all the stops to scale our operations and increase production capacity.”
Due to the high demand, Ford is creating a wave-by-wave process for those with reservations to order the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. Nevertheless, those that don’t get a chance to order the ‘22 model will be able to order future model years. According to the company, 75% of customers that have a Lightning reservation do not yet own a Ford vehicle.
“The pride and quality UAW members are putting into building the iconic Ford F-150 Lightning is evident in the high pre-production demand for the new F-150 Lightning Electric vehicle,” Chuck Browning, vice president of the United Auto Workers and director of the union’s Ford department, said in a statement. “UAW members are leading the way in doubling the amount of vehicles Ford is producing for this game-changing model of our legendary union-built vehicle.”
Lastly, the boost in capacity will help Ford reach a global EV capacity of 600,000 vehicles in the next two years.
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Ford Set to Double F-150 Lightning Production
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