3 Signs That the Ford F-150 Lightning Is in Real Trouble
It seems like just yesterday, the Ford F-150 Lightning debuted and struck gold. However, it brought a storm of fame and attention that may not have lasted long. It seems like the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is starting to cool off faster than expected.
1. The 2023 Ford F-150 could lose a production shift
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is one of the vehicles involved in the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, but that’s not why the EV plant is losing a shift.
One of the three shifts at the Rouge EV plant in Michigan is being trimmed due to multiple constraints, including supply chain issues. As a result, 700 jobs will be affected. This comes after Ford pushed to boost EV production, so things aren’t going in the right direction.
The cuts may also be related to declining sales. The electric Ford truck is down in sales by 46% compared to the third quarter of last year. In the third quarter of 2022, the Lighting sold 6,464 models but only sold 3,503 trucks in the third quarter of 2023.
Jim Farley, Ford CEO, admitted that the near-term pace of EV adoption will be slower than expected, and the goal of producing 600,000 EV models has been pushed back to next year.
Plus, Ford Lightning production was finally ramping up after the factory was closed for six weeks to expand the plant. Then, in August, new quality checks led to order cancellations and delays.
2. The F-150 Lightning has huge new discounts
Again, people aren’t going after the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning like they were in the beginning. As a result, we’re seeing new discounts emerge in an attempt to get things moving lightning-fast again.
The new discount provides $7,500 off a vehicle lease or purchase. This discount can be combined with the available $7,500 EV tax credit, creating about $15,000 off for some Lightning models.
The F-150 Lightning Platnium is eligible for $7,500 off but doesn’t qualify for the federal tax credit because it begins at $91,995. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the credit is only available for EVs that start under $80,000.
However, the F-150 Lightning Lariat is eligible because it starts at $69,995. With $15,000 off, you could get this Ford EV truck for about $55,000 after savings.
The F-150 Lightning XLT starts at $54,995 and offers a $1,500 incentive for purchasing or leasing. The F-150 Lightning Pro is the entry-level model, and it’s the only option with no special discount. It has an MSRP of $49,995.
3. Used F-150 Lightning models have significant discounts
There’s a lagging demand for new and used Ford F-150 Lightning models. The Lightning just debuted in 2022, so it’s a little surprising for some many second-hand trucks to be available. You can find used 2023 Ford Lightning models, too.
Currently, there are nearly 400 used Lightning trucks near Asheville, NC. At the moment, there is a Platinum model with 19,593 miles available for $62,998. That’s $28,997 off of the MSRP. We also spotted an F-150 Lariat with 10,959 miles for $62,990.
No matter where you look, the F-150 Lightning doesn’t seem to be moving. New undisclosed quality checks are slowing production down even more, there are supply constraints, and a shift is being closed.
Plus, discounts on new and used models are providing crazy deals. Do you think people will bite, or is the Lightning in real trouble? Stay tuned as we continue to track its progress.
