- The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is starting production, meaning the electric pickup truck is heading to customers.
- Ford has already closed retail orders on all 2022 Lightning models, citing high demand.
- The Lightning is built at Ford’s new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan.
The hotly anticipated 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning finally starts production today at the company’s new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The launch should be welcome news for customers who already reserved a 2022 Lightning, but those who haven’t will have limited opportunities to get their hands on one.
Ford has closed retail orders on all 2022 models due to high demand, according to a disclaimer on its consumer site. The company recently made a similar move by closing orders for the 2022 Mustang Mach-E, again citing high demand. However, as CarsDirect reported yesterday, people will still have the chance to buy Lightning models that are in stock on dealer lots, but it’s possible they’ll have a price markup. The other option is to wait for 2023 models, with orders expected to open this summer.
The 2022 F-150 Lightning is the second electric pickup truck to hit the market after the Rivian R1T went on sale late last year. The Lightning starts at $41,179 for the entry-level Pro model with the 426-hp dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain and standard-range battery, which Ford CEO Jim Farley said will be EPA-rated at 230 miles of range. The EPA has not yet published these official ratings on its website. The Lightning’s estimated range is said to rise to 320 miles with the available extended-range battery, which also brings more powerful electric motors with a combined 563 horses. The top-of-the-line Platinum trim level is only available with the latter configuration, and it starts at $92,669.
The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center where the Lightning is being built was recently constructed as part of a $700 million investment in the Ford Rouge Center. Ford also invested $250 million in the Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center and the Rawsonville Components Plant. The former will supply the electric motors and transaxles for the Lightning, while the latter will assemble the batteries.
At the Lightning’s launch today, Farley addressed the crowd at the Rouge Center and those watching via a livestream on YouTube, saying that Ford plans to produce 150,000 Lightnings per year. He also claimed that the company will produce 600,000 EVs per year by the end of 2023 and 2 million annually in four years. Farley said Ford is eventually planning to build more electric trucks at its new BlueOval City complex in Stanton, Tennessee.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
