The Verge: Around 1800 Lightnings built as of week of 4/17/22

[vandy1981]

The article mostly contains stuff we know already but has a few tidbits of new information, including production numbers thus far. Some highlights:

• The plant had built about 1,800 Lightnings when we spoke, and Farley says that while Ford will be “on plan” with its capacity goals, he simply laughs and says “no” when asked if production will meet demand anytime soon.
• If things go well, Farley predicts Ford will run out of its 125,000 $7,500 EV tax credits sometime late this year or early next year.
• Ford makes around a million F-series trucks a year, which means it buys a lot of chips, and Farley has prioritized making sure the Lightning gets the chips it needs out of that supply. “I don’t see the chips as a constraint for Lightning,” says Farley. “I definitely see it as a constraint for our company. But we’re not going to produce 20 percent less Lightnings because we got 20 percent less chips for the F-series.”
• The Lightning will ship with a new charging-locator map that identifies fast chargers and allows users to report broken or malfunctioning charging stations.... That new charger-locator interface will eventually come to the Mustang Mach-E, which is due for a major software update later this year that will refresh the entire interface displayed on the screens in the car. Farley likens it to an iPhone update, saying “the whole UX is going to change.”
• Of course, the biggest software change of all will come when Ford’s collaboration with Google on an entirely new Android-based Sync infotainment stack that has Google Maps and other services arrives next year..... current Ford vehicles will not be upgradable to the new Android-based Sync — which means these first Lightnings off the line will have Ford’s existing Sync 4 system, while 2023 Lightnings that ship next year will have the new Android-based Sync, a potential silver lining for impatient preorder buyers.

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[pstansel]

I guess I'm surprised its so many already but I don't know realistically how that compares

 

[Sam James]

I guess I'm surprised its so many already but I don't know realistically how that compares

They're making sure the dealers have a demo. I know all our local dealers are now listing their "in-transit" window stickers.

 

[Sdctcher]

I guess I'm surprised its so many already but I don't know realistically how that compares

1800 Lightnings/6 weeks production since 3-11 = 300 per week average but ramping up to current week estimated average of about 500.

 

[Vorador]

Its disappointing they aren't going to upgrade 2022 Lightnings to the new operating system. I would have thought that is something they would have planned in order to keep all the Lightnings in sync for OTA updates.

 

[sotek2345]

Its disappointing they aren't going to upgrade 2022 Lightnings to the new operating system. I would have thought that is something they would have planned in order to keep all the Lightnings in sync for OTA updates.

Probably has different hardware behind the scenes

 

[astricklin]

Its disappointing they aren't going to upgrade 2022 Lightnings to the new operating system. I would have thought that is something they would have planned in order to keep all the Lightnings in sync for OTA updates.

I agree, from a software development standpoint it's really going to be a lot of work to have one model year on a different infotainment system.
I am also curious from a hardware standpoint is there something currently that is going to be upgraded that is why this will not be backwards compatible. Maybe using a completely different chipset for the infotainment system.

 

[RainorshinePNW]

• Of course, the biggest software change of all will come when Ford’s collaboration with Google on an entirely new Android-based Sync infotainment stack that has Google Maps and other services arrives next year..... current Ford vehicles will not be upgradable to the new Android-based Sync — which means these first Lightnings off the line will have Ford’s existing Sync 4 system, while 2023 Lightnings that ship next year will have the new Android-based Sync, a potential silver lining for impatient preorder buyers.

Just logged in to share this same article because of this section right here- the initial launch of the flagship vehicle as an EV *won't* be upgradeable to the major software/UX overhaul that's been in development for years now? If true that's a pretty major mistake IMO

 

[Chuin]

Just logged in to share this same article because of this section right here- the initial launch of the flagship vehicle as an EV *won't* be upgradeable to the major software/UX overhaul that's been in development for years now? If true that's a pretty major mistake IMO

this is a huge issue. Why would they do this?

 

[vandy1981]

Just logged in to share this same article because of this section right here- the initial launch of the flagship vehicle as an EV *won't* be upgradeable to the major software/UX overhaul that's been in development for years now? If true that's a pretty major mistake IMO

I'm not sure the Android-based systems offer much benefit over standard Android Auto at the moment. There will be issues if the MY22 trucks are orphaned from Ford-specific feature updates, though.

My dog will be very sad if she doesn't get dog mode....

 

[Bippers]

This is good news for those who have to wait until 2023+ for an order. First model years always have some sort of unique quirks. I'm sure you can swap a head-unit over later if you really need the android automotive upgrade.

 

[PV2EV]

This is concerning to say the least. The early adopters who took the risk to by in on a MY22 will be left behind? If they migrate everything to the Android based Sync, that likely means no new features, and long waits for bug fixes for MY22 owners!

 

[gorwell]

I don't really care about the infotainment -- as long as it loads Android Auto, I am fine. I don't use the infotainment on any car, unless I am lazy.

From what I've seen from Ford, their current infotainment is not bad and better than most on the market.

I would say i'm only a little annoyed that Ford is talking a lot about being more like Tesla in the Software game and their biggest project launch is already dated from day 1 with no plans to update. They should have 100% thought of a good way to update it.

 

[LightningShow]

Yeah, you don't delay a truck because you are updating the infotainment system. That happens every few years anyway. There's nothing wrong with the current infotainment system.

 

[F150ROD]

Dont really care about the infotainment system, as long as the rest of the car can be updated. I honestly hardly ever used any of the infotainment stuff in the Model 3

If anything the new one will have more bugs than the current one

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