UPDATE 3/2/23: In a press release right this moment, Ford mentioned it should restart manufacturing of the extraordinarily widespread F-150 Lightning electrical pickup on March 13. The extra 11-day delay, it mentioned, is to permit “time for [supplier] SK On’s battery cells to be constructed into battery arrays and packs and be delivered to the Lightning manufacturing line.” Ford’s spokesperson went on to say: “Within the weeks forward, we are going to proceed to use our learnings and work with SK On’s staff to make sure we proceed delivering high-quality battery packs—all the way down to the battery cells. As REVC ramps up manufacturing, we are going to proceed holding already produced automobiles whereas we work by means of engineering and elements updates.” C/D inquired in regards to the nature of the issue with the unique battery, and Ford responded, “We aren’t offering further particulars presently.”
UPDATE 2/15/23: Ford issued a contemporary assertion on Wednesday afternoon stating that it has discovered what the issue is with the F-150 Lightning’s battery. The automaker is now saying manufacturing on the Rouge Electrical Automobile Middle will likely be suspended “by means of a minimum of the top of subsequent week,” which will likely be February 24 or later. “Throughout a normal Lightning pre-delivery high quality inspection, one automobile displayed a battery problem. We imagine now we have recognized the foundation reason behind this problem. By the top of subsequent week, we anticipate to conclude our investigation and apply what we be taught to the truck’s battery manufacturing course of; this might take a number of weeks. We’ll proceed holding already-produced automobiles whereas we work by means of engineering and course of updates.
“We’re not conscious of any incidents of this problem within the subject and don’t imagine F-150 Lightnings already in clients’ fingers are affected by this problem,” the Ford assertion mentioned. The assertion didn’t clarify what the battery problem was, nonetheless.
Ford’s F-150 Lightning pickup truck has proved wildly widespread in its first 12 months of manufacturing, however clients already standing by to get one could have to attend somewhat longer. The automaker mentioned right this moment that it has detected a possible drawback with the EV’s battery and has shut down each manufacturing of the vehicles and delivery of these already constructed however not but delivered to sellers. No date has been given for resumption of manufacturing.
The Lightning is constructed at Ford’s Rouge Electrical Automobile Middle in Dearborn, Michigan, the place manufacturing began in late April 2022. A Ford spokesperson informed Automotive and Driver that the truck is below a “Cease Construct and In-Transit Cease Ship” and defined, “As a part of our pre-delivery high quality inspections, a automobile displayed a possible battery problem and we’re holding automobiles whereas we examine. We’re not conscious of any incidences of this problem within the subject.” Motor Authority reported earlier right this moment that F-150 Lightning pickups already at dealerships will likely be delivered to clients and should not affected by the order.
Digital Director
Laura Sky Brown has been concerned in automotive media for a really very long time, and she or he sees it as her calling to protect the legacy and assist make sure the continued prime quality of Automotive and Driver. She was one of many first staffers at Vehicle Journal within the ’80s and has labored for a lot of different automobile magazines and web sites as a author, editor, and replica editor ever since. It has been her privilege to edit lots of the greats of automotive journalism through the years, together with those who presently write for C/D.
