About 700 employees who build the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning will be temporarily laid off, but it has nothing to do with the 2023 UAW strike, Ford Motor Co. told the Detroit Free Press on Saturday.
“We are adjusting the schedule at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center due to several constraints, including the supply chain and the processing and delivery of vehicles held for quality inspections after production resumes in August,” said Ford spokeswoman Jessica Enoch.
Ford has asked the “C” crew not to report to work starting Monday. After that, the different teams would rotate layoffs for several weeks, she said.
Cost reductions for some F-150 Lightning trucks
Meanwhile, Ford is also offering a $7,500 incentive for the 2023 XLT and Lariat models. The XLT starts at around $55,000 and can go up to $73,000 depending on options. The Lariat starts at around $70,000. These prices do not include shipping costs and taxes.
Ford is wrapping up the model year and beginning production of the new 2024 F-150 Lightning, which has unique new features and incentives are intended to make room for new inventory, Ford spokesman Marty Gunsberg said.
Certain Lightning models are also eligible for a $7,500 tax credit.
Ford has halted production of the F-150 Lightning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn for six weeks to increase production capacity this year.
From January to September, Ford sold 12,260 Lightning trucks. The company unveiled its 2024 Lightning in September. Ford has increased its focus on hybrid trucks for buyers who aren’t yet sold on the idea of an electric vehicle.
Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or [email protected]. Follow her on the site formerly known as Twitter @phoebesaid.