Michigan-based Ford Motor Company has confirmed that it is making strategic production adjustments in a bid to align production with the demand for specific models. The American automaker plans to increase production for the Bronco and Bronco Raptor SUVs, in addition to the production of the all-new Ranger and Ranger Raptor pickup trucks. However, the production of the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck is being trimmed down. Actually, the decision to trim down the production of the F-150 Lightning pickup is an effort to achieve the optimal balance of production, sales growth, and profitability. In spite of being the best-selling all-electric pickup truck in the U.S. market last year, with more than 24,000 units sold, the company anticipates that the sales growth for this EV in 2024 will be less than initially anticipated.

Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford, emphasized the company's commitment to providing customers with choices while ensuring a balance between growth and profitability. Acknowledging the popularity of the F-150 Lightning as America's best-selling EV pickup, the top executive added that he was foreseeing a bright future for EVs, particularly with Ford's upcoming digitally advanced EVs.

Speaking on the topic, Farley said, “We are taking advantage of our manufacturing flexibility to offer customers choices while balancing our growth and profitability. Customers love the F-150 Lightning, America's best-selling EV pickup. We see a bright future for electric vehicles for specific consumers, especially with our upcoming digitally advanced EVs and access to Tesla's charging network beginning this quarter.”

Meanwhile, some emerging media reports suggest that the automobile giant’s aforementioned adjustment may be linked to recent price hikes for certain 2024 model year trim levels.

Starting 1st of April this year, Ford will implement a reduction in the production of the F-150 Lightning, which is being built at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. The reduction is expected to affect as many as 1,400 employees. Of the total affected employees, nearly 700 will be transferred to the Michigan Assembly Plant, while others may be reassigned within the Rouge Complex or other facilities in Southeast Michigan. Alternatively, the affected workers may opt for the Special Retirement Incentive Program that has been outlined in the 2023 Ford-UAW contract. A few dozen workers in component plants may also be impacted by the reduction in the F-150 Lightning production.