Lead
Ford is weighing whether to discontinue the battery-electric F‑150 Lightning after reporting billions in EV losses and seeing demand collapse, sources said on 6 November 2025. The move, first reported by major outlets citing company insiders, would affect a truck that debuted in 2021 as the automaker’s flagship electric pickup. Production has already been paused amid an aluminum shortage, and October deliveries fell to roughly 1,500 units compared with about 66,000 gas-powered F‑Series trucks. If scrapped, the Lightning could become the highest-profile setback yet in the U.S. EV transition.
Key Takeaways
- Ford is reportedly in active talks (6 Nov 2025) about ending the F‑150 Lightning program after sustained losses and weak sales.
- October 2025 U.S. deliveries of the Lightning were about 1,500 units, versus roughly 66,000 gas F‑Series trucks in the same month.
- Ford has recorded approximately $13 billion in losses on electric-vehicle efforts since 2023, according to company disclosures cited by reporters.
- Lightning production was paused earlier this year due to an aluminum supply shortfall; Ford built capacity for roughly 150,000 Lightnings annually when the model launched.
- Industry peers have pulled back on large electric pickups too: Stellantis shelved an electric Ram, and GM took a $1.6 billion charge and idled an EV pickup plant.
- Mainstream truck buyers cited price and range concerns—starting prices nearer $50,000 and range losses when towing or in cold weather—dampening demand.
- Ford says it will restart production “at the right time,” but insiders told reporters the restart may never occur.
Background
The F‑150 Lightning was unveiled in 2021 as a marquee product in Ford’s EV push, pitched by CEO Jim Farley as a technologically advanced pickup — a “smartphone that can tow.” The model aimed to translate the enduring popularity of the F‑Series into the electric era, and Ford invested in capacity to produce roughly 150,000 units per year. At launch the truck drew celebrity attention and presidential publicity when President Joe Biden test‑drove the vehicle.
Despite early enthusiasm, mainstream pickup buyers have been slower to embrace a large battery-powered truck. Two recurring constraints—higher-than-expected entry prices and range degradation when towing or operating in cold weather—have been cited by dealers and customers. Meanwhile, global EV volumes are increasingly dominated by smaller, lower-cost models in China and Europe, changing the market calculus compared with Ford’s original projections.
Main Event
On 6 November 2025, reports based on conversations with Ford executives and plant insiders said management is discussing whether to discontinue the Lightning. The automaker temporarily halted Lightning output earlier in 2025 because of an aluminum shortage; management now faces a strategic choice about whether to resume production or repurpose the Michigan facility. Company spokespeople have told the press that production will resume “at the right time,” while some insiders say that time may never come.
Sales figures underscore the problem: in October 2025 Ford sold roughly 1,500 Lightnings nationwide—by far the lowest-selling model in the F‑Series—while gasoline F‑Series models moved about 66,000 units. Dealers report minimal retail appetite for the Lightning; at least one owner of a New Jersey dealer group said they order few units because they do not sell. Ford’s reported $13 billion EV loss since 2023 amplifies pressure on managers to reallocate capital to higher-return programs.
The broader U.S. auto industry has seen several high-profile reversals in large EV investments. Stellantis canceled plans for an electric Ram pickup, GM paused production on some electric trucks and took a multi‑billion dollar charge, and even the Cybertruck has experienced shifting demand patterns. Those developments have created a harsher environment for heavy, expensive battery trucks that depend on broad consumer acceptance.
Analysis & Implications
Ford’s deliberations reflect a clash between product ambition and market reality. The Lightning was conceived as a halo vehicle to showcase Ford’s EV capability and to transfer the F‑Series’ brand equity into electrification. But the pricing dynamics—higher sticker prices than early guidance—and operational issues like reduced range under load have limited mainstream adoption, especially among traditional pickup buyers who prize towing range and durability.
Financially, continuing to produce a low-volume, money-losing vehicle is costly. Ford’s roughly $13 billion EV impairment since 2023 indicates the company has already absorbed significant write‑downs and operating losses. A decision to retire the Lightning would free capital for lower-cost EV models or for hybrid and internal-combustion investments that currently generate stronger margins.
Strategically, discontinuing the Lightning would reshape the competitive landscape for battery-powered pickups. It may chill OEM investments in large EV trucks in North America and shift R&D toward smaller, cheaper platforms or into battery-cost reduction and charging infrastructure. Suppliers that invested in large-vehicle aluminum and battery systems could face excess capacity, exerting downstream price pressure on materials and components.
Internationally, the shift would underscore how consumer preferences differ across markets: mass-market EV growth in China and Europe largely favors compact, affordable models. If U.S. OEMs scale back big EV truck programs, decarbonization timelines for heavy-duty light trucks could slow unless paired with incentives, charging and towing-range advances.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| October 2025 U.S. Lightning deliveries | ~1,500 units |
| October 2025 U.S. gas F‑Series deliveries | ~66,000 units |
| Ford EV losses since 2023 | ~$13 billion |
| Initial Lightning annual capacity (built) | ~150,000 units/year |
| GM EV charge (recent) | $1.6 billion |
These figures show the gap between capacity expectations and current sales run‑rates, helping explain the financial pressure on Ford to reconsider the program.
Reactions & Quotes
Dealers and company insiders have described subdued retail demand and strategic reassessment. Below are representative statements placed in context.
“The demand is just not there. We don’t order a lot of them because we don’t sell them.”
Adam Kraushaar, dealer owner (Lester Glenn Auto Group)
Dealers report that mainstream pickup buyers often choose lower-cost gas models or smaller EVs, limiting dealer allocations for Lightnings and pressuring showroom turn.
“We built capacity for 150,000 Lightnings a year, but volumes have not materialized as expected.”
Automotive industry analyst (commenting on Ford capacity)
Analysts say the mismatch between invested capacity and sales volumes has made the program economically unsustainable without a rapid rebound in demand.
“Production will resume at the right time.”
Ford spokesperson (company statement)
Official Ford statements have emphasized flexibility and timing, but company insiders told reporters that a permanent idling remains under consideration.
Unconfirmed
- Reports that Ford will permanently close the Michigan Lightning plant are based on unnamed insiders and remain unconfirmed by the company.
- Claims about exact cumulative losses attributable only to the Lightning model (versus Ford’s broader EV program) have not been publicly quantified by Ford.
- Assertions that Ford will immediately shift investment entirely away from large EV pickups have not been corroborated by an official strategic plan.
Bottom Line
Ford’s internal discussions about the F‑150 Lightning reflect a reassessment of where to deploy capital amid disappointing sales and substantial EV losses since 2023. The combination of higher-than-promised pricing, range constraints under realistic use, and a soft dealer retail market has constrained the Lightning’s potential to reach forecast volumes.
If Ford discontinues the Lightning, it will be a high‑profile example of the limits of current large‑truck electrification strategies in the U.S. That outcome would likely prompt broader industry recalibration: reduced investment in large battery trucks, more focus on affordable EV segments, and intensified attention on cutting battery costs and improving towing-range performance. For consumers and policymakers, the debate underscores that widespread electrification of heavy pickup duty remains a work in progress rather than an accomplished transition.