The highly anticipated all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup is back in production after a temporary shutdown due to a potential battery issue. The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center resumed production on March 13, 2023, following a safety check and adjustments to the production process.
The news was officially announced by Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, who praised the team’s commitment to quality and safety. “This is the engineering standard we aim to deliver consistently,” Farley wrote on social media.
#F150Lightning production restarted this morning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Proud of the team's commitment to put quality and safety above all else. This is the engineering standard we aim to deliver consistently. pic.twitter.com/zhhejmeBdD
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) March 13, 2023
The production pause was triggered by an assembled F-150 Lightning catching fire while charging during a quality inspection in mid-February. The root cause of the fire was quickly identified as a battery cell manufacturing defect, and the issue was resolved through changes to the production process at SK Innovation’s SK On battery plant in Commerce, Georgia.
Despite the production halt, the impact on consumers is minimal. Out of the 20,000 Ford F-150 Lightnings sold in the United States, only 18 units from the 2023 model year were affected, and Ford has already recalled them. The battery pack replacement will be performed at no cost to the owner, and the trucks can still be driven and charged in the meantime.
The incident highlights the importance of safety and quality control in electric vehicle manufacturing. As the market for electric vehicles continues to grow, manufacturers will need to ensure that their production processes are robust and reliable, and that any issues are addressed promptly and transparently.
Looking ahead, Ford is committed to ramping up production of the F-150 Lightning, with a target rate of 150,000 units per year or 12,500 per month by the end of 2023. The F-150 Lightning has generated significant interest from consumers, with over 150,000 pre-orders placed since its unveiling in May 2021.
The F-150 Lightning is a game-changer for the electric vehicle market, combining the power and performance of a traditional pickup truck with the efficiency and sustainability of an electric drivetrain. With production now back on track, consumers can look forward to getting behind the wheel of this innovative vehicle in the near future.
