Strong demand for the F-150 Lightning ahead of its launch next year has prompted Ford to increase the all-electric truck’s production output. Sources familiar with the matter revealed to Automotive News that the Blue Oval plans to spend another $850 million to increase production to more than 80,000 units in 2024. That’s double what was originally projected according to one of the sources who asked to not be identified.
“They (Ford officials) were pleasantly surprised by the demand for the Lightning,” one of the sources told Automotive News. The big driver of the more optimistic sales targets is strong initial launch demand from commercial customers, the sources added. Earlier this month, Ford announced that preorders for the F-150 Lightning have surpassed 120,000 units.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is part of the Blue Oval’s larger electrification offensive. This will see Ford spend up to $30 billion toward electrified vehicles and has teamed up with Korea’s SK Innovation to help develop the next generation of batteries and open two production facilities. By 2030, Ford’s electrified offerings will make up 40 percent of its global lineup. Pressure from Europe and China to cut emissions has also pushed automakers including Ford to cut emissions from their vehicles. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has started that push with an investment of $174 billion to boost production, sales, and infrastructure.
Ford will be ahead of everyone in the all-electric truck game when the F-150 Lightning arrives next year. Like the standard F-150, it will be available in commercial and retail versions. The standard range battery is good for an estimated 230 miles and 426 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. Ford says the extended range battery increases the total range to 300 miles while horsepower grows to 563. You can also use the F-150 Lightning as a power source thanks to its ProPower Onboard, which can produce between 2.4 kW to 9.6 kW of power, the latter of which is optional.
Maximum towing capacity checks in at up to 10,000 pounds while payload tops out at 2,000 pounds depending on the variant you choose. You’ll only be able to configure the F-150 Lightning as a crew cab with a 5.5-foot bed. Competitors to the Ford F-150 Lightning include the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV, and the Tesla Cybertruck.
As part of its electrification offensive, Ford will introduce two new platforms: one for trucks and a second for RWD/AWD vehicles, which will include electrified versions of its iconic models. That will likely include an all-electric version of the Ford Explorer and the Lincoln Aviator. A plug-in hybrid and an all-electric version of the Bronco could also be in the cards. The next-generation Ford F-150 Lightning will swap to the new platform in 2025. The current truck uses a heavily modified version of the existing F-150 platform.
Currently, Ford offers hybrid variants of the Escape, Explorer, and F-150 alongside the all-electric Mustang Mach-E. The Lincoln brand is expected to get its first EV in 2024. It currently sells the Aviator Grand Touring as its sole electrified model with the discontinuation of the MKZ Hybrid. The Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring will be the second plug-in hybrid model in Lincoln’s lineup, slotting below the Aviator. Ford has also established Ion Park in Romulus, Michigan as the center of its research for electric mobility.
