After a six-week pause, Ford‘s F-150 Lightning production has roared back to life at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center (REVC) in Dearborn, Michigan. The shutdown facilitated a strategic expansion of the facility, tripling its manufacturing capacity, a move geared towards addressing the surging demand for Ford’s electric truck. By fall, Ford anticipates an annualized production rate of 150,000 units. Though summer deliveries suffered due to the temporary shutdown, Ford now stands poised to expedite the ramp-up process, unlocking a greater supply of the F-150 Lightning.
Ford is also ramping up the production of battery packs at the Rawsonville Components Plant
“We eagerly anticipate putting the F-150 Lightning into our customers’ hands – from the U.S. to Norway. This is a testament to our dedicated team’s relentless efforts,” said Debbie Manzano, director of manufacturing, Ford Motor Company.
Expected to produce over 70,000 F-150 Lightning trucks in 2023, the facility’s new tooling promotes not only increased production but also higher quality. The REVC now boasts innovative tools for automatic measurement and validation of exterior body fit – a first in a Ford North American plant.
Adding a third station to validate wheel alignment and headlamp aim for driver assist technology, Ford is simultaneously training 1,200 additional manufacturing employees, accelerating onboarding with a buddy system.
In a parallel development, Ford is enhancing the production of battery packs at the Rawsonville Components Plant and EV power units at the Van D. Electric Powertrain Center in Michigan, aligning with the increased F-150 Lightning assembly at REVC. These production enhancements promise shorter order-to-delivery times, with a focus on high-demand trim levels like the XLT, which constitutes over half of new orders. Furthermore, the F-150 Lightning Pro is now available in limited quantities, with priority given to long-standing reservation holders.
“Through feedback from our first EV truck customers, we’ve identified a preference for technology and visual differentiation. We’re refining the F-150 Lightning lineup to make the switch to an EV truck an effortless choice for customers,” stated Marin Gjaja, chief customer officer, Ford Model e.
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(Via)
