Due to some quality issues that have yet to be revealed, Ford Motor Co. has stopped sending out any 2024 model year F-150 Lightning electric pickups for now.
Even though many trucks have been piling up in holding lots around Detroit since production started in December, some gasoline-powered 2024 F-150s have started being shipped out this week.
(Photo : JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Ford Motor Company unveils their new electric F-150 Lightning outside of their headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan on May 19, 2021.
Pausing Shipments
Ford has temporarily ceased the shipment of its 2024 F-150 Lightning electric truck as of February 9th to conduct thorough quality inspections. This decision comes as gas and hybrid variants of the 2024 trucks have commenced deliveries.
While Ford continues to produce the Lightning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, shipments have been put on hold. Despite reports from various outlets on the pause, the reason behind the quality checks remains undisclosed.
The automaker has not provided a timeline for when shipments will resume, as reported first by Automative News. Ford spokesperson Emma Bergg said such holds are not uncommon during the transition to a new production year.
Although the exact cause of the halt remains uncertain, concerns regarding supplier parts led to a production pause for both gas and electric versions of the F-150 for a week in January.
In a recent announcement, Ford disclosed its decision to raise prices on the majority of its 2024 Lightning models, while concurrently decreasing the prices on its highest-tier trims. This move is aimed at narrowing the cost disparity between various options and streamlining the product lineup.
Additionally, the company is rolling out bonus cash incentives for specific 2023 Lightning models. Furthermore, customers purchasing the Lariat, XLT, and Pro trims may qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit at the point of sale, provided they meet eligibility criteria.
Other Setbacks
The previous year saw a battery fire incident at its Dearborn facility, prompting Ford to halt F-150 Lightning production temporarily and recall certain trucks.
In January, the company announced price adjustments for the 2024 Lightning, increasing prices for the three lower trims while reducing prices for the top two luxury models, citing optimization of sales growth, profitability, and customer access to the IRA tax benefit.
According to a fleet customer, approximately 100 completed F-150 trucks ordered in December remained undelivered, with minimal communication from Ford regarding the situation.
Bergg, stated to The Detroit News that the company intends to increase shipments "in the coming weeks" once the checks are completed.
Towards the end of last year, Ford reduced the weekly production of the Lightning, attributing it to shifts in customer demand. This decision came shortly after the company delayed its $12 billion investment in battery factories and revised its battery manufacturing targets for the Michigan plant.
Other automakers are also prioritizing vehicle quality for their customers, following in the footsteps of Ford. General Motors Co. recently halted sales of the new GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickups due to software issues discovered during validation.
The Detroit automaker has identified a solution for the approximately 15,000 affected trucks and anticipates lifting the hold shortly. Earlier, GM faced a similar situation with the Chevrolet Blazer EV, which also prompted a stop-sale due to software issues a few months prior.
