The first vehicles ever produced at Ford’s historic Rouge plant were tractors and 101 years later, the first full-size all-electric pickup is beginning production on the same hallowed ground. The F-150 Lightning is a clear landmark not just for Ford but for the electric vehicle transition.
The brand hasn’t laid out a specific date for the first deliveries but with some 200,000 reservations on the books, it shouldn’t be long before we see these trucks on the road. Ford has said that it hopes to build 150,000 units in 2023 once the Rouge plant is ramped up to full production potential.
While Rivian might have beaten Ford and everyone else in the race to get the first all-electric truck to market, the F-150 Lightning is a decidedly different beast. Not only is it a full-size truck which the R1T is not, but it also costs significantly less.
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“Today we celebrate the Model T moment for the 21st Century at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center,” said Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford. “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 is hoping that the electric pickup can change the public perception not just about EVs in general but about Ford as a brand. Linda Zhang, F-150 Lightning chief program engineer, said that “The team has done a phenomenal job ensuring we are offering customers unique features only made possible by the electric power unit. But it’s the drive experience that will blow people’s minds. It is simply effortless.”
This milestone might go down as a significant day in the history of Ford. The blue oval company has managed to beat General Motors and Stellantis to the punch and has likely stolen some customers in the meantime. According to Ford, approximately 75 percent of F-150 Lightning reservation holders are new to the brand. And it might not be a tractor but it sure is a workhorse. Now we have to wait to see if its rivals can find an advantage in being late to the market.
