Dearborn, Michigan – Ford has decided to halt the shipment of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup to dealers recently, while the company has just started delivering the gas versions of the truck for the 2024 model year. The decision to pause the delivery of the electric pickup was made on February 9 for reasons that have not been disclosed by the automaker.
Ford continues to manufacture the F-150 Lightning at its Rouge Electric Vehicle (EV) Center, but there is no clear timeline for when deliveries will resume. In contrast, the company has begun delivery of the 2024 gas-powered F-150 units, as inventory levels have been increasing since production began in December.
The automaker stated, “We started shipping the first newly designed F-150 pickups to dealers this week. MY24 Lightnings started shipping last month. We expect to ramp up shipments in the coming weeks as we complete thorough launch quality checks to ensure these new F-150s meet our high standards and delight customers.”
While Ford has not provided specific reasons for the stop-sale order on F-150 Lightning shipments, there were concerns about supplier parts affecting production for both the gas and electric versions of the truck in late January. Despite initial plans to begin shipping the new model year pickups in early 2024, many F-150 units have been accumulating in holding lots over the past few months.
Following a production forecast reduction for the F-150 Lightning, Ford also transferred some workers from the Rouge facility in Dearborn to its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne. The company stated that it will adjust F-150 Lightning production to meet demand before increasing it to previous levels.
In addition to production adjustments, Ford recently introduced incentives for the F-150 Lightning, including discounts of up to $15,000 for certain configurations. The automaker ended 2023 with record EV sales, driven by the success of models like the F-150 Lightning, the E-Transit van, and the Mustang Mach-E.
As the situation unfolds, Ford remains focused on managing production challenges while striving to meet customer expectations and maintain its position in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.