Spied: F-150 Lightning Trucks Stored on Dearborn Track After Production

Administrator · May 9, 2022

Production of the Ford F-150 Lightning began on April 26, and now the factory-produced EV pickups are starting to pile up the company test track in Dearborn, MI.

Numerous convoys of F-150 Lightning trucks have been seen coming from the direction of Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, and entering a side entrance at Ford’s Dearborn test track. The volume of stored Lightning pickups began growing at a steady rate during the first week of May, presumably due to supply chain issues and semiconductor shortages.

A similar scene erupted last year, when a mass of F-150s were stored the track once Ford began production of the refreshed 2021 F-150. Currently, numerous lots in Dearborn are overflowing with Ford Broncos, as they await parts to finalize their build. The supply chain issues continue to plague Ford’s assembly operations, and are affecting some of their most high-profile, and sought-after products. Is the F-150 Lightning the latest victim here?

Ford F-150 Lightning Spied: F-150 Lightning Trucks Stored on Dearborn Track After Production produced-f150-lightning-stored-dearborn-track-1

Ford F-150 Lightning Spied: F-150 Lightning Trucks Stored on Dearborn Track After Production produced-f150-lightning-stored-dearborn-track-2

Ford F-150 Lightning Spied: F-150 Lightning Trucks Stored on Dearborn Track After Production produced-f150-lightning-stored-dearborn-track-3

Ford F-150 Lightning Spied: F-150 Lightning Trucks Stored on Dearborn Track After Production produced-f150-lightning-stored-dearborn-track-4

Ford F-150 Lightning Spied: F-150 Lightning Trucks Stored on Dearborn Track After Production produced-f150-lightning-stored-dearborn-track-5

Ford F-150 Lightning Spied: F-150 Lightning Trucks Stored on Dearborn Track After Production produced-f150-lightning-stored-dearborn-track-6

RonTCat · May 9, 2022

Stlww18 · May 9, 2022

Could explain the "starting with Pros" comment from Ford at launch day. Fewer processors. fewer special components. My Pro build date is 5/30 (not that far away) and it'll be interesting to see how long that one sits around before shipping.

Mike G · May 9, 2022

gorwell · May 9, 2022

Stlww18 said:
Could explain the "starting with Pros" comment from Ford at launch day.

In another video, a ford rep notes that they are starting with all trims. Saying they are Starting with Pro just gives ford the ability to say they totally aren't prioritizing higher trims, even though they are.

p52Ranch · May 9, 2022

Since the Lightning's couldn't be shipped until the OKTB (May 3rd), they had to be stored somewhere. We know from interviews with Farley that somewhere around 2000 Lightning's had been produced as of the Launch event.

Likely that it is 2,500 Lightning's or more that are waiting on transportation. I don't think it would be chips.

metroshot · May 9, 2022

oh WOW !

LightningShow · May 9, 2022

p52Ranch said:
Since the Lightning's couldn't be shipped until the OKTB (May 3rd), they had to be stored somewhere. We know from interviews with Farley that somewhere around 2000 Lightning's had been produced as of the Launch event.

Likely that it is 2,500 Lightning's or more that are waiting on transportation. I don't think it would be chips.

Yeah, they have a big backlog of trucks to ship. This isn't really surprising.

FinsNBolts · May 9, 2022

The good news is that they are building them quickly. I think the question is, why is there a backlog for transport? Are the trucks complete and they can't find convoy trucks? Are the trains full? Are the trucks awaiting a simple part to arrive?

In other words, why not put these on the truck/train and send them to the dealerships?

LagSwag1 · May 9, 2022

FinsNBolts said:
why not put these on the truck/train and send them to the dealerships?

Most likely waiting on enough trucks so that they can fill convoys and rail cars headed to certain destinations. Building a bunch and shipping them to similar destinations together is way more efficient than shipping as they build them. So Ford is likely just building up enough inventory to ship efficiently. Should be soon

sotek2345 · May 9, 2022

LagSwag1 said:
Most likely waiting on enough trucks so that they can fill convoys and rail cars headed to certain destinations. Building a bunch and shipping them to similar destinations together is way more efficient than shipping as they build them. So Ford is likely just building up enough inventory to ship efficiently. Should be soon

Yup - similar thing happened with the Mach-e's - wait a week for 2 for a train, then wait a week or 2 for a truck once you get off the train.

LightningShow · May 9, 2022

Because shipping availability isn't unlimited, labor to load trucks isn't unlimited, etc. If they're staffed to ship 1000 trucks a week and they're making 800 with 2000 in stock, it will take 10 weeks to catch up to production. That's just an example but they aren't going to be able to ship 3000 trucks in a week when production is scheduled for 1000.

PV2EV · May 9, 2022

Logistics, damn it!

F150ROD · May 9, 2022

I knew it. Ford dropping the ball smh

Isnt this what happened with the Bronco? First in last out?(I’m not talking about chip shortage)
https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2022/02/20/ford-bronco-delays-communication-chip-shortage/

Labs4Lightning · May 9, 2022

I think I saw your truck in the photo, isn’t it the black one? I saw mine - it’s the white one on the right side.

Spied: F-150 Lightning Trucks Stored on Dearborn Track After Production

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