WSJ: Ford Considers Scrapping Electric Version of F-150 Truck

[RickLightning]

Yes, most reports over the last few years have indicated that it costs more to produce the Lightning than Ford can sell them for. So, they are losing money on every one sold.

Yes, they soldiered on because the administration was breathing down their neck, which is the precise reason why they used the already existing F-150 and simply swapped out the driveline. Ford even admitted it was a rush job, and that the next generation would be finally put upon an EV dedicated platform.

If you are asserting that they planned this truck 15 years ago, that is garbage. If that were true, they would have had plenty of time to design, build, test, and sell a totally different vehicle.

Ford already was in better shape on CAFE rules because they've had the little EcoBust engines and smaller vehicles in production for many years.

Ford used the existing F-150 to get to market before the competition. Same reason for the Mach-E as far as the vehicle's systems, i.e. they took components from their other EVs and used them at first, then started seeing what they could eliminate in future years. Goal was to get to market ASAP.

In addition, by making the Lightning an F-150, the goal was to lure gas F-150 buyers, vs. coming out with something they were unfamiliar with.

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[02Reaper]

Yes, most reports over the last few years have indicated that it costs more to produce the Lightning than Ford can sell them for. So, they are losing money on every one sold.

Yes, they soldiered on because the administration was breathing down their neck, which is the precise reason why they used the already existing F-150 and simply swapped out the driveline. Ford even admitted it was a rush job, and that the next generation would be finally put upon an EV dedicated platform.

If you are asserting that they planned this truck 15 years ago, that is garbage. If that were true, they would have had plenty of time to design, build, test, and sell a totally different vehicle.

Ford already was in better shape on CAFE rules because they've had the little EcoBust engines and smaller vehicles in production for many years.

While the current Lightning wasn't planned 15 years ago, this video is from 6 years ago. The electric F150 had been prototyped by then.

 

[Firn]

Ford used the existing F-150 to get to market before the competition. Same reason for the Mach-E as far as the vehicle's systems, i.e. they took components from their other EVs and used them at first, then started seeing what they could eliminate in future years. Goal was to get to market ASAP.

In addition, by making the Lightning an F-150, the goal was to lure gas F-150 buyers, vs. coming out with something they were unfamiliar with.

I dont even think it is that complicated. They have the best selling truck. They know what works, what people want in a truck, and how buyers use them. They took all their experiance making trucks and made the exact same thing, but electric. They made an electric truck, not an electric vehicle to act like a truck.

That IS why I love the Lightning and i know im not alone. Its an F150, but electric. Its not a new attempt. Its not trying something different.

And as far as a rush job goes, well I do think they moved with haste, but I dont think its rushed. We are seeing with the other platforms that there isnt much, if any, efficiency to be had. About the only thing they could have done different was an 800v architecture, but when they started making the lightning that was exceedingly rare and with hardly any charger support.

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