Lightning sales down 42 percent in May

[taraafico]

I think car sales are down cross the board, seen Toyota Tacoma, once the best small truck for years? How about Jeep,Dodge , you name it, overpriced and higher interest rate plus tight job market and on top of that uncertainty about the economy is pushing everyone to stay away from any long term investment/commitment. Ford been in the business for a long time they will figure something out, but when I see $5 gas prices? And driving this beautiful truck I just want to enjoy this moment, let Ford worry and stay competitive in the EV market or China will take over.Meantime everyone please enjoy your Lightning, I’m sure I do enjoy and still people can’t stop talking about it as they see me driving down the road, groceries, malls, it’s still and will be one of the first most practical and beautiful EV truck ever invented. I , I mean I am soooo happy to OWN one.

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[MaintGrl]

Lightning is an F150 which helps it's cause to continue production as a low volume vehicle. It's on a separate production line than other F150s though. That can't help.

My guess is Ford produces the Lightning as long as they don't need to reengineer it. A new generation F150 would kill the Lightning.

I don't think the T3 is going to make it to production. Too much cost and too much uncertainty in the market.

One of it's saving graces is, while it may be on a separate production line, it uses many of the same parts as it's sibling F-150 ICE"S do.

 

[ashadkc9]

I went to the Nashville Nascar race this weekend and Ford had their vehicles on display. Just for grins I went over and pretended to look at the Lightning just to hear what people are saying. So many people spouting blatant lies and propaganda they have heard. In the span of five minutes I let 3 different groups of people that I had driven over 500 miles to get to there from Kansas city and would have another 500+ miles home. The looks I got because people think these are glorified golf carts and you have to throw them away after 100 miles is just shocking. If these manufacturers would let the people sit, drive, and ask questions they would sell a lot more. Ford just seems to put a product out there and just let it sell itself. Hell, if they would have thrown me a couple infield passes I would have happily sat there for a few more hours and talked to people about it or the MachE. Its really sad to see that Ford just seems to be giving up on this endeavor.

 

[doggod]

unless they can fix the software it will continue to fall. Most EV manufacturers are failing with the software. they have not realized EV's are about the software. where as ICE is about the hardware, ie. sound, shifting, buttons, violent moves, ease of gas filling. EV's are what can the software deliver entertainment, information, quietness, smoothness, charging control.

 

[MaintGrl]

I went to the Nashville Nascar race this weekend and Ford had their vehicles on display. Just for grins I went over and pretended to look at the Lightning just to hear what people are saying. So many people spouting blatant lies and propaganda they have heard. In the span of five minutes I let 3 different groups of people that I had driven over 500 miles to get to there from Kansas city and would have another 500+ miles home. The looks I got because people think these are glorified golf carts and you have to throw them away after 100 miles is just shocking. If these manufacturers would let the people sit, drive, and ask questions they would sell a lot more. Ford just seems to put a product out there and just let it sell itself. Hell, if they would have thrown me a couple infield passes I would have happily sat there for a few more hours and talked to people about it or the MachE. Its really sad to see that Ford just seems to be giving up on this endeavor.

Thank you for your help shooting down the lies and propaganda , but sad that ford is acting this way. I feel they have a great product, but don't seem to want to help themselves....

 

[sotek2345]

I truly believe this is a global train that will not stop. It may slow down and speed up as markets change, but it will continue down this path and, like the global economy, will continue to grow despite disruptions, peaks and valleys.
I'll drive on.

Agreed, but there is a very real danger that the rest of the world moves on and leaves the US behind until we look like Cuba, driving old outdated POS vehicles.

 

[Nikos]

Sky not falling. I just want to see this truck succeed in the long run.

It will do fine. I have mine for 3 years. I have seen both sides of the coin. I am not worried about. Also, I am looking at the other competitors, are they doing better, worse or the same.
That Big Beautiful Abomination Bill has spooked a lot of folks. Most of us love those Tax Credits to help with our taxes.
No more or who knows what will happen this month.
Even Elon realized how bad this Bill is.
I have my own opinions and they have nothing to do with the Lightning.
It is a solid truck.

 

[MountainAlive]

Agreed, but there is a very real danger that the rest of the world moves on and leaves the US behind until we look like Cuba, driving old outdated POS vehicles.

Yeah not having Lightings on the lots very much anymore also doesn’t help anyone who might be even a little bit curious.

 

[Maxx]

I am sure someone in a Ford meeting has a chart comparing the money they are making from Lightning vs ICE. Including warranty repair costs, volume, projected sales considering future tax incentives, political climate, ... I would love to be a fly on that room's wall.

I see a ton of lightnings around me. It feels like it is about to replace ICE. I am sure there is some bias since I am driving one.

The way I see it, slow down is the best thing that can happen to me. I already got a Lightning at a great price. Now I can travel with it a little longer before charging stations are all packed.

 

[Quibbs]

It would be a real shame if they discontinued the Lightning. It really is a great EV. Also, conversely, the only reason I ended up driving a Ford.

As long as it is legal to sell EVs in the country, someone will produce a compelling vehicle. The technology is there and so is the proof of concept (now called reality).

I bought our 86kwh of battery and solar panels, all my vehicles are electric (zero turn, etc.), all my appliances are electric...and guess what, my life is more convenient because of it. It would have been self defeating to continually buy all these things otherwise.

My electrical equipment just works, low maintenance. Batteries can be recycled and electricity gives you one benefit that gas does not...the ability/possibility to capture and use your own fuel.

The rest of the world sees the benefits and will continue on, the US, for several reasons, is about to relinquish any lead it had in this space.

Regardless, given the ability, I will convert any and all gas powered gadgets to electric. Not out of spite, or a particular ideology, but because of convenience, and really because its about just being pragmatic.

 

[Indra]

It is a great truck, and Ford should be more aggressive in its sales pitch.

As a new owner (less than 2 weeks + 1 recall fixed), but not a newbie to trucks, I can attest to the awesomeness of the lightning. I've driven several ICE trucks in the past, and will be hard pressed to go back to them.

 

[WilliamRobert]

It’s just the push back on electric vehicles from the current US administration. I don’t think manufacturers are going to make ice cars for just the US while the rest of the world converts to electric. Here’s an article from the horses mouth about sales:

https://fordauthority.com/2025/05/f...umbers-figures-results-first-quarter-2025-q1/

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

May 2025 year over year sales show a steep decline of 42% for the Lightning. Mach-E sales increased 11%. The E-Transit is down a whopping 97%. Anyone else getting nervous about the future of the Lightning?
https://electrek.co/2025/06/03/fords-ev-sales-fell-25-may-despite-employee-prices-more/

Interesting.

 

[Maineiac12]

Unless gas prices unexpectedly rise, I feel like the Lightning isn’t getting a second generation as an EV.

The Lightning pro may continue as a fleet option but I feel like the next generation of Lightning will be a PHEV or EREV like the new Ram. Even though very few people actually tow or do truck things, most people want the option to do those things. It’s very much about image for lots of truck buyers. The EREV can give the electric torque and speed combined with the gas generator to bring towing range. We’ll probably have to sacrifice the frunk but I could live with that if I could tow more than 100 miles between charges.

 

[ka-chow]

I'm gonna agree with everyone that thinks Ford is not marketing the Lightning well, at all. I'm doing a better job than them! lol I've let multiple people drive it and their heads almost exploded with joy! Everyone that has seen mine has fallen in love with it! Even people who don't like EVs at all!

I do think that current sales fall more in line with what Farley was initially thinking they would be when they started. I believe he wanted to start much smaller but then fell into the reservations trap.

I mean we currently have the best-selling EV truck. Has Ford made a peep? Nope. Seen any ads? Nope.

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