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Ford's new path forward


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https://insideevs.com/news/781889/ford-f-150-lightning-erev/
 

Ford officials said today that production of the current Lightning would come to a close, and a planned next-generation full-size truck—known internally as the Ford T3—would be canceled. In its stead, the next Lightning will be an extended-range electric vehicle, or EREV, with a gas engine that charges the battery. With that addition, Ford expects the next Lightning to offer more than 700 miles of total range.

 

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  • Sherminator98 changed the title to Huge EV Shakeup-T3 and Lightning EV dead.

From Automotive News:  

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The Tennessee site, which was set to come online in 2028 as the company’s largest, most efficient manufacturing site, will instead build “affordable, gas-powered” trucks in 2029, Ford said. A spokesperson said the rechristened Tennessee Truck Plant will produce “a model we don’t have today.” Ford said the assembly site in Tennessee will employ about 2,300 workers when it comes online in 2029.

 

The company said it plans to add about 2,100 jobs at a battery plant in Kentucky that now will serve the fast-growing energy storage industry. Ford will now wholly own that site after ending a joint venture with South Korean battery maker SK On.

Ford said its new energy storage business will serve data centers and other customers. Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president of technology platform programs and EV systems, said the automaker needs to invest about $2 billion into the Kentucky battery plant to convert it for such a purpose.

Ford plans to make lithium iron phosphate prismatic cells, battery energy storage system modules and 20-foot DC container systems there.

Ford said it also will produce smaller amp-hour cells for use in residential energy storage at its battery plant in Marshall, Mich. That site in 2026 will begin production of lithium iron phosphate prismatic cells for use in an upcoming midsize electric pickup.

 

 

Edited by Harley Lover
https://www.autonews.com/ford/an-ford-ev-pivot-lightning-death-1215/
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“affordable, gas-powered” trucks in 2029, Ford said. A spokesperson said the rechristened Tennessee Truck Plant will produce “a model we don’t have today.” Ford said the assembly site in Tennessee will employ about 2,300 workers when it comes online in 2029.
 

Sounds like the product that will be a sister to the Bronco Sport or an Edge/Escape replacement 

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From Ars Technica: 

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 The automaker continues to retreat from the big bet it made on Americans embracing full-size battery electric pickup trucks, and will focus instead on cheaper vehicles, hybrids, and range-extended electric vehicles—or EREVs—instead, it announced today.

One of those EREVs will be the Lighting’s replacement. With a gasoline generator that just charges the battery—series hybrid fans rejoice—the next Lightning comes with the towing ability that Ford says its customers consider “non-negotiable,” and up to 700 miles (1,126 km) of range.“Our next-generation F-150 Lightning EREV will be every bit as revolutionary. It delivers everything Lightning customers love – near instantaneous torque and pure electric driving. But with a high-power generator enabling an estimated range of 700+ miles, it tows like a locomotive. Heavy-duty towing and cross-country travel will be as effortless as the daily commute,” said Doug Field, Ford’s chief EV, digital and design officer.

 

Edited by Harley Lover
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/12/ford-ends-f-150-lightning-production-starts-battery-storage-business/
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1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

F-150 Lighting EV dead, Lighting EREV to replace it. 
 

Going by that article above it looks like the T3 is dead too. Wonder what is going on at BOC for the future?!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there an EREV version of t3? I swear I've heard that info somewhere. If so, my guess is we'll get t3, just in EREV form only. 

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1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

“affordable, gas-powered” trucks in 2029, Ford said. A spokesperson said the rechristened Tennessee Truck Plant will produce “a model we don’t have today.” Ford said the assembly site in Tennessee will employ about 2,300 workers when it comes online in 2029.
 

Sounds like the product that will be a sister to the Bronco Sport or an Edge/Escape replacement 

Like a lot of Ford plans, it's kinda unclear what they're trying to say my friend. On one hand, an affordable gas truck sounds like a next gen ranger or maverick. But that's something Ford already offers so it wouldn't be "A model we don't have today". 

 

Maybe it's a EREV or hybrid version of the CE1 truck? Wild card, with ranchero being trademarked, maybe it'll be some sort of lifestyle ute? Lots of options here. 

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Please don’t call the EREV a Lightning. It should just be considered a different powertrain option on the F-150, same as a v8 or hybrid. Ford needs to bring back a true lightning sport truck replacement.


off-road trucks

tremor -> raptor

 

sport trucks

lobo -> lightning

 

As a ford fan, I’m really getting tired of the cancellations. I know that they are necessary, but we’ve been waiting years to see some of these vehicles. T3 and the 3 row EV were some I was most looking forward to. Now we will never get to see them 😂

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9 minutes ago, T-dubz said:

Please don’t call the EREV a Lightning. It should just be considered a different powertrain option on the F-150, same as a v8 or hybrid. Ford needs to bring back a true lightning sport truck replacement.


off-road trucks

tremor -> raptor

 

sport trucks

lobo -> lightning

 

As a ford fan, I’m really getting tired of the cancellations. I know that they are necessary, but we’ve been waiting years to see some of these vehicles. T3 and the 3 row EV were some I was most looking forward to. Now we will never get to see them 😂

 

Makes perfect sense to call it a Lighting. It has a full electric drivetrain.:)

 

Does not make sense to waste resources on a low volume Lighting sport truck!:stirpot:

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8 minutes ago, danglin said:

 

Makes perfect sense to call it a Lighting. It has a full electric drivetrain.:)

 

Does not make sense to waste resources on a low volume Lighting sport truck!:stirpot:

The name does make perfect sense for an EV, if it hadn’t already been used on one of ford’s most iconic trucks. Lightning is a cool name and should be reserved for a cool truck.

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This plan makes a lot of sense. Rather than dedicating plants to products that may or may not sell as expected, it sounds like they're spreading out volume products to keep the plants running. These plants will likely be ready for EVs when the market it, so I am glad that they are working toward that over time.

This REALLY makes me wonder what GM is going to do with Hamtramck/Factory Zero. It's basically GM's version of Blue Oval City. 

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