Ford workers create the electric powered F-150 Lightning pickup on Dec. 13, 2022 at the automaker’s Ford Rouge Electric powered Auto Heart (REVC).
Michael Wayland | CNBC
DETROIT – Ford Motor options to restart production of its electric F-150 Lightning pickup on March 13 – more than a month after a battery situation induced just one of the automobiles to catch hearth.
The automaker on Thursday told CNBC the production timeline will allow its battery provider, SK On, to develop up output and produce battery packs to the Michigan plant the place the truck is generated.
The fireplace transpired Feb. 4 in a keeping good deal through a pre-shipping high-quality check out although the motor vehicle was charging. Ford suspended creation of the motor vehicles and issued a end-cargo to dealers. Ford declined to disclose facts of the concern that caused the vehicle to capture fire or of the executed resolution. The organization formerly explained engineers identified there was no proof of a charging fault.
“In the weeks in advance, we will keep on to implement our learnings and function with SK On’s team to ensure we carry on providing high-high-quality battery packs – down to the battery cells. As REVC ramps up generation, we will continue holding previously-manufactured vehicles though we function by engineering and sections updates,” Ford explained in a assertion to CNBC.
Ford very last 7 days announced SK experienced begun setting up battery cells once more at a plant in Georgia but reported the automaker would prolong downtime at its Rouge Electrical Car Middle (REVC), where the F-150 Lightning is crafted, through at the very least this 7 days.
The F-150 Lightning is being intently watched by traders, as it can be the first mainstream electric pickup truck on the current market and a big start for Ford. The battery issue provides to ongoing “execution challenges” detailed to traders very last month by Ford CEO Jim Farley that crippled the automaker’s fourth-quarter earnings.
Ford to begin with opened buyer reservations for the F-150 Lightning when it was revealed in May well 2021. Additional than 200,000 reservations were being put prior to Ford quickly closing the approach to attempt to align creation with predicted demand.
Lots of reservation homeowners are however waiting for their autos, as Ford mentioned earlier Thursday it can be marketed much less than 20,000 of the all-electric powered vans because they went on sale final yr.
