Ford resumes F-150 Lightning manufacturing after a six-week shutdown

Ford has resumed F-150 Lightning manufacturing after a retooling interval. Following a six-week shutdown to develop and prep the plant for faster turnarounds and better output, the automaker has reopened its Rouge Electrical Car Middle in Dearborn, Michigan. That ought to assist Ford meet the demand for the favored EV after its latest $10,000 value drop spurred a sixfold spike in orders.

Beginning this fall, the automaker says the Dearborn plant can produce the F-150 Lightning at an annualized fee of 150,000 models — triple its earlier output. Though it should nonetheless fall properly wanting that quantity this 12 months as a result of shutdown and slower speeds pre-revamp (it estimates 70,000+ models for 2023), the corporate expects the manufacturing spike to make ready occasions much less of a headache. Ford just lately adjusted expectations, bumping again its estimated date for reaching its objective of 600,000 complete EVs produced to someday in 2024 from its authentic 2023 goal date.

Ford says the manufacturing facility’s improved capability can even assist it to supply extra common trim ranges like XLT. As well as, Lightning Professional models are actually obtainable via retail channels, and “new trim ranges are set to hitch the lineup quickly.”

A part of the plant’s output increase will come from new tools. The Rouge Electrical Car Middle now has machines to “routinely measure and validate exterior physique match for margin and flushness precision,” a primary for Ford’s North American vegetation. The manufacturing facility additionally has an additional station to validate wheel alignment and headlamp purpose for driver-assist tech. As well as, the plant now employs 1,200 new staff, a probable boon for productiveness and the Detroit-area financial system.

Ford says it’s additionally growing output at its close by Rawsonville Parts Plant and Van Dyke (Mich.) Electrical Powertrain Middle. The automaker expects battery pack and EV energy models to “match the dimensions of F-150 Lightning meeting on the Rouge Electrical Car Middle.”