Legacy_Lightning
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I’ve started to wonder whether the cancellation of the Lightning may have had some political influence behind the scenes. I don’t want to dive into a political debate here, but the timing does make me curious.
About two weeks before the cancellation announcement, Jim Farley visited the White House. At the same time, we’ve seen broader shifts in federal priorities around climate policy, support for oil and coal, EV incentives, and charger funding. It’s hard not to wonder if those factors played some role in the decision.
That said, I understand the Lightning wasn’t highly profitable for Ford. But canceling it entirely feels like a drastic move. There is clearly a market for electric trucks. Pricing and towing range were likely major reasons sales didn’t meet expectations, but those seem like issues that could be addressed with a redesign.
In my view, a smarter path might have been to iterate on the platform—improving cost structure, refining the interior, and possibly offering both BEV and EREV options. An EREV version alongside the Lightning from the beginning could have appealed to a broader group of truck buyers concerned about range and towing limitations.
Given the prices the Lightning commanded, there seemed to be room for strategic redesign and product improvement rather than a full cancellation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ford revisits a BEV truck again in the future.
What do you all think?
About two weeks before the cancellation announcement, Jim Farley visited the White House. At the same time, we’ve seen broader shifts in federal priorities around climate policy, support for oil and coal, EV incentives, and charger funding. It’s hard not to wonder if those factors played some role in the decision.
That said, I understand the Lightning wasn’t highly profitable for Ford. But canceling it entirely feels like a drastic move. There is clearly a market for electric trucks. Pricing and towing range were likely major reasons sales didn’t meet expectations, but those seem like issues that could be addressed with a redesign.
In my view, a smarter path might have been to iterate on the platform—improving cost structure, refining the interior, and possibly offering both BEV and EREV options. An EREV version alongside the Lightning from the beginning could have appealed to a broader group of truck buyers concerned about range and towing limitations.
Given the prices the Lightning commanded, there seemed to be room for strategic redesign and product improvement rather than a full cancellation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ford revisits a BEV truck again in the future.
What do you all think?
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