DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 19, 2024 – In a move that mixes more horsepower with a touch of lightning, Ford Motor Company today announced a major shift in its production gears. Nearly 900 new jobs are revving up at the Michigan Assembly Plant, as Ford adds a third crew to fuel the growing demand for its Bronco and Ranger lineups. The company’s strategic maneuvering comes with a twist: a slight power down of its electric champion, the F-150 Lightning.
“Ford Shuffles the Deck: Bronco Bucks and Ranger Rides High, Lightning Strikes Less,” could be the talk of the town as Ford plays its latest hand. The Bronco and its Raptor sibling, along with the all-new Ranger and its Raptor variant, are the new stars in this automotive saga. To accommodate these rising stars, Ford is expanding its Michigan Assembly Plant’s workforce, adding nearly 900 new roles. The plant is shifting gears to a seven-day work week with three crews, up from the current five days.
In an electrifying plot twist, Ford is dialing back on the F-150 Lightning production. Despite being the top-selling electric pickup in the U.S., Ford is adjusting its wattage to strike a balance between production, sales growth, and profitability. This decision aligns with their broader strategy to cater to a diverse range of customers, offering vehicles powered by gas, hybrids, and electric powertrains.
Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, energized the announcement, stating, “We’re shifting gears for growth, balancing our portfolio to give our customers what they want and our business what it needs. The Lightning continues to spark interest, but we’re adjusting its current to match demand. Our future is electric, but today’s demand is diverse.”
While the Lightning’s production current is being lowered, Ford reassures that its electric journey is far from over. With an eye on 2024, the company is gearing up for the next generation of electric vehicles, promising a future as bright as a bolt of lightning.
Approximately 1,400 employees at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center will feel the shift, with many transferring to the Michigan Assembly Plant or finding new roles within Ford’s expansive network. The company’s agile strategy ensures that while some lines slow down, others speed up, keeping the Ford family fully charged and ready for the road ahead.
In Dearborn, where automotive dreams are engineered, Ford’s latest announcement is more than just a production update. It’s a bold statement of adaptability, a commitment to employment, and a roadmap to a future where every vehicle has its place under the sun, or in this case, under the Ford blue oval.
