Ford cuts EV ute production
Ford Motor Company has announced it is scaling back production of its F-150 Lightning ute amid a general weakening of demand in the US for electric vehicle (EV) trucks.
The blue oval says it will cut manufacturing of the model at its Michigan Rouge Electric Vehicle Centre in the US to one shift from the start of April.
Ford told suppliers in December it planned to produce about 1,600 F-150 Lightning EV trucks per week starting in January, a significant drop from its initial target of 3,200 units, reports Reuters.
Jim Farley, Ford’s chief executive officer, says: “We are taking advantage of our manufacturing flexibility to offer customers choices while balancing our growth and profitability.”
The move will impact 1,400 employees, with about 700 set to transfer to Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant while the others will be found alternative roles within the company or they can opt for a retirement programme.
Ford says it sees continued growth in global EV sales in 2024 but expects it will “less than anticipated”.
At the same time as making cuts to its EV operations, Ford plans to increase production in Michigan of Bronco SUVs and Ranger utes that feature internal combustion engines.
