Who would be stupid enough to buy after ford cancelin the lightning

[PrimeRisk]

So,
What batteries will Ford then use in the new hybrid truck? Surely they will use the same…..not?

Ford has ended its major EV battery joint venture, BlueOval SK, that produced the batteries for the Lightning, so not likely.

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[bc1]

In recent years it seems that old ICE vehicles are getting harder to get serviced as the technicians who can actually diagnose problems and/or turn a wrench are getting rare. Modern techs want to scan with a computer, order the part, and plug it in.

Say What? Modern techs are charging a fortune for doing the same thing the parts persons at O'Reillys and Autozone are doing for free? And still go through a half dozen parts before maybe fixing it (or not). Who would have thunk.

 

[ridgebackpilot]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 2025 Lightning right now. Especially now! Here's why:

1. Ford isn't going anywhere; it's a stable company.
2. Ford will support the Lightning for the foreseeable future.
3. The Lightning is an F150; parts will be available beyond the next century.
4. The new EREV will have the same high-voltage battery as our Lightnings.
5. There are tremendous bargains available now on the remaining Lightnings.

In many respects, it's the best time to buy a Lightning. Let's not panic needlessly over inflated rhetoric about the "death" of the Lightning...

 

[PrimeRisk]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 2025 Lightning right now. Especially now! Here's why:

1. Ford isn't going anywhere; it's a stable company.
2. Ford will support the Lightning for the foreseeable future.
3. The Lightning is an F150; parts will be available beyond the next century.
4. The new EREV will have the same high-voltage battery as our Lightnings.
5. There are tremendous bargains available now on the remaining Lightnings.

In many respects, it's the best time to buy a Lightning. Let's not panic needlessly over inflated rhetoric about the "death" of the Lightning...

1. Probably
2. While parts are still available
3. Body and suspension, probably; EV specific parts, highly unlikely
4. Nothing I have read says anything beyond "similar". Unfortunately similar = incompatible
5. Yes, as they are a dead-end

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

Ice truck body parts commonality is fairly limited outside the cab and doors..

Interior has a lot of commonality.. the Expedition has some dash parts shared.

XLT Lightning dash is the same as the ICE trucks.

The bed is different

The Fenders and front clip is different

The rear suspension is different

The MAIN concern for me is the battery pack. The motors.. and modules have proven to be pretty reliable. At least I havent seen or heard of many motor failures. The battery modules have had SOME issues. I feel the 24-25 would be the more reliable for the battery modules.

I have seen many incredibly smart people figure thing out to make use of older Electric cars and Hybrids. Im sure there will be a market for people to move into in the future to make these trucks avoid the scrap pile. There are companies in China producing new batteries for the I3 BMW and Nissan Leaf.

Possibly we could see a new pack or module upgrade from China for the Lightning.

I know I would help as much as I could with modules and programming

I bought my Lightning specifically because I was convinced they were going to cancel the LIghtning. I had leased a Flash and decided to buy a Platinum while I could.

I still have a 21 Gas Truck and I put gas in it last night. Even at 2.50 a gallon 25$ gave me less than half a tank which the Cluster stated 175 miles. I drove 200 miles this weekend for a couple bucks in electricity.

My wife has 21k miles on her 24 Mach E and it has simply been her favorite vehicle ever and has saved up a lot of money in fuel and oil changes. Plus its been rock solid in terms of reliability.

Its still a matter of is the Lightning the best vehicle for you. For me it is, I look at Raptors and go those are REALLY cool but at 15 miles a gallon and 60 miles a day for my commute.. it would be not so cool pretty quick.

I think that right now would be the BEST time to buy because you probably can get an absolute smoking deal. Dealers are probably going to be pushing their inventory of these.

Ford made a fantastic Truck with the Lightning. I will keep mine until I cant anymore.

 

[NoRegretFORD]

Call me an idiot, I did. Loved my first one, rather have last model year vs. First.

 

[It's Just Me]

I agree, I will never buy a Ford again either. The dealers can’t even fix the one I have and quality and Dealer experience is the worst.

I have to disagree with this part. I bought from my local dealer, used to pass by it on the way to middle and high school as a kid. Family owned. The guy that owns it now inherited it from dad, who got it from his father. It isn't all shiny and flashy like the other larger dealers closer to me.

The sales folks never hassled me when I bought her, and every issue I have had or recall that has come out was handled quickly.

One update was going to take like 6 hours for some reason. I couldn't stay, had no way home and they don't do loaners. The owner of the dealership drove me home in his F-250, and when it was time to go get the truck, he came and picked me back up.

Now I realize that this is an aberration with dealers of any make nowadays, but I was impressed that they did this. So much better than the huge operations that bend you over the barrel and rob you blind.

I'd buy an ICE F-150, or even a hybrid version. I love the Lightning, but for the occasional longer trips it just doesn't fit my needs. If I drive more than 90 minutes away to the mountains or the beach, the charging is less than adequate for whatever reason. That may change, but it's at a molasses pace.

And I am not worried about the Chinese EVs. Not yet. I think they have a long way to go before they get here regarding quality. And if I go down the conspiracy rabbit hole, I will never buy a Chinese vehicle.

 

[Oafy44]

Deals for existing lightnings aren’t as good as January /February/march of 2025, (and I’m not just looking online , I’ve gone in person to the dealership to see what a deal would look like (own a company with 15 trucks and would use another lightning for a Forman run around truck. - if you already have the charging Infrastructure , it’s a great deal and will buy a flash when the time is right)

I got a better deal on my platinum 2024 in February of 25

Right now I can get $8-9k off plus 0% for 72 months or take $13k off with normal financing.

My 2024 lightning I got $13k off plus 0% for 72

Now with the ax - I think once January 5th/6th rolls around (new monthly announcement for incentives ) my guess is they will get more aggressive. At least that’s my non professional reasoning.

 

[LakeWorthLuke]

I have to disagree with this part. I bought from my local dealer, used to pass by it on the way to middle and high school as a kid. Family owned. The guy that owns it now inherited it from dad, who got it from his father. It isn't all shiny and flashy like the other larger dealers closer to me.

The sales folks never hassled me when I bought her, and every issue I have had or recall that has come out was handled quickly.

One update was going to take like 6 hours for some reason. I couldn't stay, had no way home and they don't do loaners. The owner of the dealership drove me home in his F-250, and when it was time to go get the truck, he came and picked me back up.

Now I realize that this is an aberration with dealers of any make nowadays, but I was impressed that they did this. So much better than the huge operations that bend you over the barrel and rob you blind.

I'd buy an ICE F-150, or even a hybrid version. I love the Lightning, but for the occasional longer trips it just doesn't fit my needs. If I drive more than 90 minutes away to the mountains or the beach, the charging is less than adequate for whatever reason. That may change, but it's at a molasses pace.

And I am not worried about the Chinese EVs. Not yet. I think they have a long way to go before they get here regarding quality. And if I go down the conspiracy rabbit hole, I will never buy a Chinese vehicle.

I’m glad for you! I just have not had that experience and for spending almost $70,000 on a truck that I can’t drive without issues I have no faith in Ford going forward. If they had a better dealer network and supported them better that might change my mind. My 2023 BMW runs perfectly and any issues have been singled quickly and easily.

 

[Deleted member 21405]

I’m glad for you! I just have not had that experience and for spending almost $70,000 on a truck that I can’t drive without issues I have no faith in Ford going forward. If they had a better dealer network and supported them better that might change my mind. My 2023 BMW runs perfectly and any issues have been singled quickly and easily.

I love my Lightning and won’t get rid of it, but I’ll also say I’ve had about 10 new BMWs (ICE and EV) and in all that time I’ve had one recall for an airbag. Other than that not one issue outside of routine maintenance. It’s kinda night and day. And the dealer experience has been great at several dealers. I like my Ford dealer too but it’s a shithole facility. I bought my mother a Maverick which is pretty great but it’s had at least 6 recalls or customer bulletins in 2 years. Unreal.

I’ll say it again though... this truck kicks ass and got me into an American brand again. I even flew to Detroit for the opening of Ford’s new HQ which is pretty damned amazing. So was Detroit for that matter. The seeds are there, but a lot of work to do still.

 

[rdr854]

1. Probably
2. While parts are still available
3. Body and suspension, probably; EV specific parts, highly unlikely
4. Nothing I have read says anything beyond "similar". Unfortunately similar = incompatible
5. Yes, as they are a dead-end

This is no different than the discontinuance of the C-Max, first gen 2010-2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid or the Escape hybrids. Those cars are still on the road and I see them in the service department from time to time. When those vehicles ended, I did not see anyone freak out. And now that the Ford Escape is ending, are those owners worried that there will be no support?

Ford has discontinued plenty of cars and continued to provide parts for more than 10 years. And where OEM parts are not available, the aftermarket is. I fully expect batteries to be in this category as well given the track record with hybrids.

 

[bc1]

Deals for existing lightnings aren’t as good as January /February/march of 2025, (and I’m not just looking online , I’ve gone in person to the dealership to see what a deal would look like (own a company with 15 trucks and would use another lightning for a Forman run around truck. - if you already have the charging Infrastructure , it’s a great deal and will buy a flash when the time is right)

I got a better deal on my platinum 2024 in February of 25

Right now I can get $8-9k off plus 0% for 72 months or take $13k off with normal financing.

My 2024 lightning I got $13k off plus 0% for 72

Now with the ax - I think once January 5th/6th rolls around (new monthly announcement for incentives ) my guess is they will get more aggressive. At least that’s my non professional reasoning.

Or if the bottom has fallen out of the resale market, get him one coming off lease or re-lease one coming off lease. Might be some deals in least buy outs and renew. Just about get two for the price of one new. If you have to buy new then take the new and give him yours.

I may look around and get one coming off lease for my daughter/son-in-law for the price except he is Navy and due to PCS again in a year and I don't know if it would work in Japan in base housing or wherever they go.

 

[Coolbreeze704]

Call me an idiot, I did. Loved my first one, rather have last model year vs. First.

Flash? I have an identical 2024. Purchased the 8 year warranty at big discount at time of purchase. I love my Lightning. Keeping it until warranty is done.

 

[Oafy44]

Or if the bottom has fallen out of the resale market, get him one coming off lease or re-lease one coming off lease. Might be some deals in least buy outs and renew. Just about get two for the price of one new. If you have to buy new then take the new and give him yours.

I may look around and get one coming off lease for my daughter/son-in-law for the price except he is Navy and due to PCS again in a year and I don't know if it would work in Japan in base housing or wherever they go.

The new rates at 0% vs standard used apr - and the fact you have 0 miles with a full warranty vs one off lease will justify a new purchase

 

[Coolbreeze704]

Deals for existing lightnings aren’t as good as January /February/march of 2025, (and I’m not just looking online , I’ve gone in person to the dealership to see what a deal would look like (own a company with 15 trucks and would use another lightning for a Forman run around truck. - if you already have the charging Infrastructure , it’s a great deal and will buy a flash when the time is right)

I got a better deal on my platinum 2024 in February of 25

Right now I can get $8-9k off plus 0% for 72 months or take $13k off with normal financing.

My 2024 lightning I got $13k off plus 0% for 72

Now with the ax - I think once January 5th/6th rolls around (new monthly announcement for incentives ) my guess is they will get more aggressive. At least that’s my non professional reasoning.

Same boat. Purchased early 2025. Got a 24 Flash, 7500 ev tax credit, dealer discounts and 0 percent.

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