The Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck – which is arguably one of the most anticipated EVs set to hit the market – has finally begun full production at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. The new EV first made headlines after accumulating 200,000 reservations, which caused Ford to re-evaluate their production plan and ramp up to 150,000 units by the end of 2023.
The beginning of production marks a “Model T” moment according to Ford executive Bill Ford. “Today we celebrate the Model T moment for the 21st Century at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center,” he shared. “The Rouge is where Ford perfected the moving assembly line, making it a fitting backdrop as we make history again. The stunning anticipation for F-150 Lightning is a credit to the work of our Ford engineers and designers, and the UAW team members who are building these trucks with pride.”
Ford F-150 Lightning from the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center
Ford’s president and CEO, Jim Farley, also expressed his excitement, noting that the F-150 is ‘just the beginning’ of American’s transition to EVs. “America’s real transition to electric vehicles starts now,” he said. “F-150 Lightning is just the beginning of our ambitions for growth and leadership in digital, electric vehicles. We continue to expand our EV manufacturing footprint across the U.S., including the start of site preparation at BlueOval City, which will enable us to meet the ever-increasing customer demand for our exciting EV line-up.”
The Ford F-150 Lightning starts at $68,000 for the XLT, $80,000 for the Lariat and $110,000 for the Platinum. It has a range of up to 482 km, depending on the trim level selected.
