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Ford To Nearly Double F-150 Lightning Production As Order Books Open This Week

GM’s cross-town rival Ford has announced that it will nearly double production of the new F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup truck as the first wave of reservation holders begin placing orders later this week. Ford says that it expects to produce an estimated 150,000 units of the F-150 Lightning annually.

Reservation holders will be invited to place orders in successive waves over the next few months. Those reservation holder who do not receive a 2022 model year vehicle will be given an opportunity to order future model years of the pickup. Ford says that more than three-quarters of F-150 Lightning reservation holders are new to the Ford brand. Pricing for the pickup starts at just under $40,000.

Full-scale production of the F-150 Lightning will begin in the spring at Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, located in Dearborn, Michigan. Customer deliveries will follow shortly thereafter.

Ford also recently announced that it is tripling production of the new Mustang Mach-E to 200,000 units annually. In total, Ford expects a global electric vehicle production capacity of 600,000 units annually. Ford is also poised to begin sales of the all-electric 2022 E-Transit early this year.

The new Ford F-150 Lightning will rival the soon-to-debut Chevy Silverado EV, which is set for a reveal tomorrow in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The new Chevy Silverado EV was originally set to debut at CES in Las Vegas, but due to health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, General Motors instead elected to debut the new Silverado electric pickup truck digitally.

Based on the GM BT1 body-on-frame all-electric architecture, the Chevy Silverado EV will feature GM’s Ultium battery and Ultium drive motor technologies. Range-per-charge is expected to be between 300 and 400 miles, depending on the model and powertrain.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. The more competition the better, but lets be realistic here, the F-150 Lightning is a great vehicle no doubt, but feels rushed to claim the “First” title and seems to have everything thrown at it in hopes that it just works. Silverado EV needs to impress more on the performance and portability rather than just on cosmetics, of course cosmetic is a bonus but if the numbers don’t make you go “WOW I want that” then everyone would go for the lightening. Also the Silverado price needs to support new comers, hell if I just want a truck to drive around and nothing more anything below < $35K~40K will be fantastic with a 250~300 range (But I doubt it).

    Reply
    1. gm, late to the party as usual with an overpriced SilvyErado. Tried that with an overpriced Camaro, how’d that work for you?

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      1. Ford has Over Priced its customers on the Ford Lighting just by having a Reservation alone in order to get one and they can’t get their money back if they opt out of that Reservation, let’s not forget about that.

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        1. The reservation is fully refundable, so uh, go ahead and forget about that.

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          1. Currently it’s not, and Ford cannot intervene on how the Dealerships choose to Mark Up those prices on it’s customers, so at this time, it’s unforgettable.

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            1. Yes, it is. I cancelled MINE when the XLT ER was priced higher than I expected and have already received the money back in my account. Now if someone paid their dealership a “reservation fee” on top of Ford’s reservation before they could even place an order, well, there’s a sucker born every minute.

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              1. And that’s the point I was getting at because that is exactly what happened to some of the potential customers at my Dealership.

                Reply
  2. Not to be that guy to say I told you so but I told you so. Most everyone thought I was crazy touting EV Pickup Trucks years ago.
    Once consumers get an EV Pickup they will not be going back. Maybe the HD Trucks stick around longer but the 1500’s Days are starting to get numbered.

    Reply
    1. Still think your crazy. Considering how many hybrid and current Sedan EV buyers return to strait ICE, and the current climate of abysmal EV sales, I don’t see these going anywhere.

      Year 1998, large BOF SUV’s are dominate! GM doesn’t invest in smaller fuel efficient car platforms.

      2003, prius is the future! Large V8 SUV’s are dead!

      2010, GM-sedans are the future! Invest in new sedan platforms!

      2020, Ford and Buick are done with sedans, Chevy has only 1 remaining.

      If history is any indication, when these people claim EV’s are the future, bet your bottom dollar they are wrong.

      Reply
  3. Given the pricing revealed by Ford today, there’s a sweet spot here for Chevy to charge a little more to start (say, $45-50k), but absolutely crush Ford with features and performance. Here’s hoping they leave the luxury to their GMC electric pickups and reveal a great all-arounder tomorrow.

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    1. I think a high country or loaded long range model is necessary if they can keep it around the $80k or less mark. I truly hope they have a low priced work truck model that offers a decent cab for local contractors, regional deliveries, etc. That Ford will sell, and if they don’t have something to compete it’s a big mistake.

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  4. This truck will age fast as this is yesterday tech.

    The Chevy we will see soon will age this truck overnight.

    EV is still a growing segment. 150,000 is not much for trucks unless you are a Ridgeline.

    I expect Chevy to offer a more advance longer range truck in various Half ton applications. We should see a base work truck up to a full luxury truck. I expect GM will make this a separate line of products since it is not the same truck as the gas one.

    The Chevy will have more range. A lower price for the work truck. More tech and some new things with some old carry over things.

    Even then the Chevy is a transitional model as this is not for everyone but as time moves on it will cover more of the excuses many post ups.

    Reply
    1. Yea you sound like a straight hater.

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    2. Ford has electric Rangers and Mavericks under tests, so their EV trucks will cover every market, except Super Duty which will be gas and Diesel for several more years . GM has to promise an electric Colorado and bring back the electric S-10 to compete.

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      1. The electric Maverick is just a rumor and the only confirmed “electrified” Ranger is a PHEV for 2024 at the earliest.

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      2. They have an S-10, but unfortunately it won’t be for the US, I do agree with you and hope that gm will have an Electric Colorado in the making either for 2023 or 2024 in order to compete with the recently unveiled Tacoma EV.

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        1. They have said the coming Colorado is the last Gas Mid Size platform they are doing. Note it was moved to a update on the old platform vs a new one as the new one will be electric.

          Much is going on just not announced. You have to pick up often on not just what is said but what is not said.

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  5. I need 500 miles on a 15 minute charge before I consider an E-Truck. Seems like all these manufacturers are shooting for a sub 3 second 0-60 instead of a longer range.

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    1. It’s easier for EVs to get sub 3 second 0-60 runs than it is to eek out 500 miles of range. Especially when you throw in dual/quad motors, AWD, and natural enemies to battery range, such as winter or highway driving.

      But I agree that 500 miles is a good target to hit. Hopefully mainstream EVs will get there soon.

      Reply
      1. Right! It’s easy In an ICE truck, but that requires low profile all season tires and an air suspension to lower the ride, as well as complex AWD. That’s all not stuff the traditional truck buyer wants, but according to Ford, most their lightning buyers will be coming from BMW anyways, so no big deal.

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    2. I bet you never drive for 500 miles without stopping. Besides, EV owners charge overnight while they sleep, and some charge for free.

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    3. The 400 plus range is here now and the 15 min charging is coming. This is a transition and it is coming. It is a matter of getting the tech and lowering the cost so it can be released.

      The 3 second stuff is going to go away as there is no need for it in most cars. That will be replaced by range.

      Reply
  6. I have a hunch that after GM formally announces the Chevy Silverado E, Ford will announce an early production start date for the F-150 Lightning, such that the first deliveries begin this year. If Ford does this, they will get more that a year head start over GM.

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    1. What? Ford’s stated plan the entire time has been to begin deliveries this Spring. They don’t need to “announce” anything…

      Reply
    2. This is not a sprint race it is a marathon. Ford had to say something now as the GM truck would put them 2 years behind once it is announced.

      Reply
  7. Good for Ford, we will need these Lightning trucks on the road to recharge all the dead evs during next winter on I-95.

    Reply
  8. Good luck with that 150k annual figure. Just ask the Bronco and Maverick order customers. Still waiting for my Maverick. Looks like maybe spring.

    Reply
  9. GM and Stellantis RAM should seriously consider the use of non rust aluminum pickup truck bodies / beds. Especially for the folks living in salty areas and wet environments East of the Mississippi, such as the rust belt states and New England. The aluminum pickup bodies have been a huge winner for Ford.

    Reply

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