From CNBC:

Ford Motor is increasing production of its Bronco SUV and Ranger pickup while cutting output of its all-electric F-150 Lightning, citing customer demand. The automaker sees a bright future for EVs, especially with upcoming advanced digital models and access to Tesla’s charging network.

The production cut for the F-150 Lightning comes after Ford slashed planned output roughly in half this year, impacting 1,400 employees at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan. The reduction goes into effect April 1, with roughly half of the affected employees transferring to other plants or participating in a retirement program.

The Michigan Assembly Plant will add a third shift this summer to increase production of the Bronco and Ranger. Ford plans to add 900 jobs at that plant. Sales of the F-150 Lightning were up 55% last year, but vehicles haven’t been selling as quickly recently. Ford expects further growth in sales in 2024 but not as much as the 150,000 production rate it accounted for when up-fitting the plant last year.

Sales of the Bronco and Ranger were down last year, with the plant that produces the vehicles heavily impacted by a UAW labor strike. Ford declined to specify how the eliminated production shift will impact output of the vehicles. Roughly half of the affected employees will transfer to the Michigan Assembly Plant, while others are expected to participate in a “Special Retirement Incentive Program” agreed to in the 2023 Ford-United Auto Workers contract.



Read more: Ford cuts F-150 Lightning EV production, adds to Bronco, Ranger plant