Ford execs reportedly discuss ending the F-150 Lightning

Ford executives are reportedly considering discontinuing the F-150 Lightning, their flagship electric pickup truck, according to The Wall Street Journal. This discussion follows Ford's decision in late October to pause production of the Lightning to focus on hybrid and gasoline-powered versions of the F-150. Production challenges have been exacerbated by a fire at aluminum supplier Novelis’ factory in New York earlier this year, impacting the supply chain. The F-150 Lightning was introduced in 2021 with a base price target of $40,000 and began sales in 2022, though actual prices for most buyers were significantly higher. Despite being one of the top-selling electric trucks in the U.S., Ford has struggled to sell more than a few thousand units per quarter. The electric truck market has faced additional headwinds due to the elimination of the federal EV tax credit by Republicans in Congress and regulatory rollbacks under the Trump administration, which have dampened incentives for electric vehicle adoption.