Title: Ford Temporarily Lays Off 700 Employees As F-150 Lightning Faces Supply Chain Constraints
Date: [Current Date]
In an unexpected development, Ford Motor Co. announced on Saturday that approximately 700 employees involved in the production of the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning will be temporarily laid off. However, the company clarified that this decision is unrelated to the ongoing 2023 UAW strike, as confirmed by Ford spokeswoman Jessica Enoch to the Detroit Free Press.
Enoch explained that the temporary layoffs are a result of various challenges, including supply chain constraints and the need to process and deliver vehicles that underwent quality checks after production resumed in August. Ford will be adjusting the schedule at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, impacting the “C” crew, who have been asked not to report to work starting Monday. Subsequently, other crews will also experience rotating layoffs for several weeks.
Simultaneously, Ford has introduced a $7,500 incentive on 2023 XLT and Lariat models of the F-150 Lightning. The XLT variant, with a starting price of about $55,000, can potentially reach up to $73,000 based on additional features. The Lariat model, on the other hand, begins at approximately $70,000. It is important to note that these prices do not include delivery fees and taxes.
The incentive program has been implemented as Ford prepares to produce the new 2024 F-150 Lightning, which boasts unique features. According to Ford spokesman Marty Gunsberg, the purpose of the incentives is to make room for new inventory while concluding the current model year. Additionally, certain versions of the Lightning are eligible for a $7,500 tax credit, further enhancing the appeal for potential buyers.
To accommodate increased production capacity, Ford recently halted F-150 Lightning production at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center for a period of six weeks. Despite the temporary layoffs and challenges faced, Ford has managed to sell 12,260 Lightning trucks from January through September. The introduction of the 2024 Lightning model in September indicates Ford’s increased focus on hybrid trucks to cater to consumers not yet fully convinced about electric vehicles.
For more information, contact Phoebe Wall Howard at 313-618-1034 or email her at [email protected]. You can also follow her on Twitter via @phoebesaid.
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