Ford halts Lightning production, repurposes EV plants
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Detroit — Ford announced this week it will stop producing the all‑electric F‑150 Lightning, take about a $19.5 billion charge, repurpose several EV facilities to produce gasoline trucks and battery energy storage, and lay off roughly 1,600 workers at a Kentucky battery plant while shifting focus to hybrids and smaller EVs. Company executives cited sustained EV losses and weaker consumer demand as reasons for the shift, and Ford said it will redeploy capital to higher‑return businesses. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.
Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- Post‑Tesla expansion: automakers increased EV investment following Tesla's market growth.
- Since 2023: Ford reported approximately $13 billion in EV-related losses.
- Early January (announcement week): Ford announced it will stop making the all-electric F-150 Lightning.
- Company disclosed a roughly $19.5 billion impairment tied to EV restructuring and renamed/repurposed plants.
- Ford will lay off about 1,600 Glendale, Kentucky plant workers and convert the facility to battery-energy-storage production.
- Articles Published:
- 11
- Right Leaning:
- 0
- Left Leaning:
- 1
- Neutral:
- 10
- Distribution:
- Left 9%, Center 91%, Right 0%
Ford aims to redeploy capital into higher-return areas — hybrids, commercial trucks, Ford Pro services, and battery energy storage — expecting stronger profitability and reduced EV losses.
Approximately 1,600 workers at the Glendale, Kentucky battery plant face layoffs; local suppliers and regional economies tied to the plant will experience direct negative impacts.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
All 1,600 Kentucky battery plant employees laid off as Ford pivots away from EV business
Democratic UndergroundFrom Center
Ford halts Lightning production, repurposes EV plants
WHAS 11 Louisville WTOP https://www.actionnews5.com 2 News Nevada https://www.wkyt.com https://www.wkyt.com NPR The Star syracuse WKEFFrom Right
No right-leaning sources found for this story.
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