Ford F-150 Lightning plant idle until 2025, lack of demand

The Ford F-150 Lightning plant idle will be for an extended time due to a lack of demand.

Ford F-150 Lightning plant idle

Ford will idle the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center starting November 15, 2024 through January 6, 2025, according to an Automotive News article. This extends the time the plant will be idled above the traditional Christmas break stoppage.

This news highlights the struggles Ford has had with slower-than-expected demand.

In December 2023, Ford said production at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center would be cut in half as demand has fallen for all of its EV vehicles.

A few months later, it reduced its workforce at the plant, moving some to other facilities and others to early retirement plans.

The plant was supposed to start production of the 2025 model in November and this looks to be pushed back into January.

Overall, the Ford F-150 Lightning is up 86 percent year over year with sales totaling 22,807 trucks through 2024 Q3 sales. However, this pales in comparison to other Ford trucks like the F-Series, the Ford Maverick and even the delayed new Ford Ranger making up for lost time with raising sales.

The bottom line

Electric trucks are still in their early days and with many issues like range concerns, charging anxiety and resale value causing significant concerns among consumers.