The Ford F-150 Lightning has the potential to shake up the automotive industry. The F-150 Lightning appears to be the first EV truck that can appeal to a broad audience while offering real-world utility. The Ford F-150 Lighting does not have the polarizing appearance of the Tesla Cybertruck nor the lofty price tag of the GM Hummer EV.

Ford already has a “Pro” trim of the F-150 Lightning in the works, which will be targeted at professionals and business owners who require the utility that only a work truck can provide. After the F-150 Lightning’s reveal, the demand was so great that customers had placed over 150,000 reservations.

Ford F-150 Lightning pre-production begins

The F-150 Lightning is not due to hit dealerships until Spring, 2022 but Ford is looking to get the ball rolling as soon as possible considering the high demand. We suspect the last thing Ford wants is to delay one of the most anticipated vehicles of the decade.

The first pre-production models of the F-150 Lightning are starting to roll out of the recently completed Rogue Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Due to the large number of reservations, Ford is investing $250 million and adding 450 jobs across several Michigan facilities to meet the demand for the electric truck.

“We are doubling down, adding jobs and investment to increase production,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company. “This truck and the Ford-UAW workers who are assembling it in Michigan have a chance to make history and lead the electric vehicle movement in America.”

F-150 Lighting production target doubles

When Bill Ford said they are “doubling down,” he meant it literally. Initially, Ford was planning on producing 40,000 F-150 Lightning trucks per year. However, when the reservation numbers came in, they exceeded Ford’s expectations. That is why the automaker has invested so much into the facilities that will be assembling the F-150 Lightning.

Due to the high demand, Ford has decided to double their initial target and now looks to produce 80,000 F-150 Lightning trucks per year.

As we mentioned earlier, we suspect the demand for the F-150 Lightning stems from the fact that Ford stayed true to the proven F-series platform but gave it the benefits of an electric vehicle.

“Electrifying the F-Series – America’s best-selling truck for 44 years – and assembling it at this high-tech facility in Michigan – represents a significant step toward mass adoption of electric vehicles in America,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of The Americas and International Markets Group. “F-150 Lightning is intended to be more than a no-compromise zero tailpipe-emissions truck. It’s packed with ingenious features and technology that will improve over time, it’s exhilarating to drive, and it can power your home and worksite.”

Ford is betting big on the F-150 Lightning, and if it pays off, it can mean a massive jump for the wide adoption of EVs not seen since the rise of Tesla.