Ford Slashes Lightning Production... Again
In late December last year, reports surfaced that Ford would cut F-150 Lightning production. That day has come, with Ford cutting Lightning production down to just a single shift at the Michigan Rouge Electric Vehicle Center as of April 1. In October, the Blue Oval had three full shifts dedicated to Lightning production. However, Ford puts a positive spin on the news, saying that despite the cuts, demand is still there: “ F-150 Lightning is America’s best-selling electric truck with sales up 55% in 2023 and further growth forecast for 2024.”
1,400 employees are set to be affected. Half will be transferred to the MAP (Michigan Assembly Plant) and “others” will either be moved to the Rouge Complex, or other facilities or offered Ford’s Special Retirement Incentive Program as agreed to in the brand’s UAW contract last year. Under this, some employees could be offered a $50,000 gross pretax sum upon retirement. Meanwhile, strong demand for the Bronco and Ranger pickup has pushed Ford to add a third crew at the MAP to increase production of the two popular vehicles. 900 jobs will be created as a result.
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Chase is an automotive journalist with years of experience in the industry. He writes for outlets like Edmunds and AutoGuide, among many others. When not writing, Chase is in front of the camera over at The Overrun, his YouTube channel run alongside his friend and co-host Jobe Teehan. If he's not writing reviews of the latest in cars or producing industry coverage, Chase is at home in the driver's seat of his own (usually German) sports cars.
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