I can hear a collective sigh and see fist pumping from the Ford dealers of America who have complained about the lack of Broncos and Rangers, while the all-electric Lighting F-150 inventory is building quickly. It appears Ford was listening.
-Jerry Reynolds, Host of the CarPro Show
Ford is announcing plans to build more Broncos and all-new Rangers, and fewer all-electric F-150 Lightnings.
The automaker recently shared that it will create nearly 900 new jobs as part of a new third crew at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne to meet demand for the popular Bronco and Bronco Raptor along with the all-new Ranger and Ranger Raptor.
In addition to nearly 900 net new hires, Ford says the new 1,600-person third crew at Michigan Assembly Plant will also include approximately 700 employees from Ford’s Rouge Complex in Dearborn who applied for job openings.
As for a timeline, Ford plans to add the manpower this summer and says it will support planned future volume increases for vehicle lines assembled at the plant.
Ford says the all-new Ranger and Ranger Raptor are on track to launch this year. The plan is for the Michigan Assembly Plant to transition to producing vehicles seven days a week versus five currently, with three crews working two shifts.
Ford says it also has capacity available to scale production of gas-powered and hybrid F-150 trucks based on customer demand.
Ford says it was America’s No. 2 best-selling electric vehicle brand in 2023, and F-150 Lightning is America’s best-selling electric truck with sales up 55% in 2023 and further growth forecast for 2024.
“We are taking advantage of our manufacturing flexibility to offer customers choices while balancing our growth and profitability. Customers love the F-150 Lightning, America's best-selling EV pickup,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “We see a bright future for electric vehicles for specific consumers, especially with our upcoming digitally advanced EVs and access to Tesla's charging network beginning this quarter."
Ford says making fewer F-150 Lightnings will impact approximately 1,400 employees as the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center transitions to one shift effective April 1. The automaker says that roughly 700 will transfer to Michigan Assembly Plant and the others will be placed in roles at the Rouge Complex or other facilities in Southeast Michigan, or take advantage of the Special Retirement Incentive Program agreed to in the 2023 Ford-UAW contract.
A few dozen other employees could also be impacted at component plants supporting F-150 Lightning production, depending on the number of employees who apply for the Special Retirement Incentive Program. Ford says it will provide placements for impacted employees within Southeast Michigan.
Photo Credit: Ford.