Workers attach the engine to the frame as Ford Motor Co.’s F-150 fuel truck is put into production at the Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan on September 20, 2022.
Jeff Kowalski AFP Getty Images
Ford Motor Co It is said that they are studying ways to boost the output of gasoline-powered and hybrid F-150 trucks at the Michigan factory as part of a plan to expand the production of several models.
The No. 2 U.S. automaker said it plans to increase production to more than 80,000 vehicles for the Bronco Sport and Maverick this year, up from 225,000 in 2022.
The automaker reiterated that it is still on track for the third production run of the F-150 Lightning EV this year, with an annual production target of 150,000 by the end of 2023. The automaker was forced to halt production in early February after a battery fire, and plans to resumed production on March 13.
Ford shares rose 3.6% in early trading on Friday.
Ford’s US F-150 sales will drop 9.9% in 2022 to about 654,000, including 15,617 F-150 EV trucks, as the company struggles with production and supply chain issues.
General Motors last month said it will shut down the Fort Wayne, Indiana, assembly plant that builds Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks for two weeks starting March 27 to maintain “optimal inventory levels with our dealerships.”
GM, Ford and Chrysler parents Star dominates the large pickup market in the U.S., and over the past two years has raised truck prices to record levels as supply chains cut back on limited production.
The US Postal Service this week said it will buy 9,250 E-Transit delivery vehicles from Ford starting later this year.
Ford began ramping up production of the Mustang Mach-E this week and plans to nearly double hourly production and bring the annual production rate to a target of 210,000 units by the end of 2023.