After a number of weeks of shutdown, the Rouge Electrical Automobile Middle resumed manufacturing of the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup on March 13, 2023.
The information was formally introduced by the corporate’s CEO Jim Farley, who wrote:
“#F150Lightning production restarted this morning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Proud of the team’s commitment to put quality and safety above all else. This is the engineering standard we aim to deliver consistently.”
Manufacturing of the electrical Ford F-150 was quickly halted in mid-February, as a precaution as a consequence of a possible battery problem.
We do not know what the manufacturing fee is correct now (earlier than the pause, it was in all probability round 2,000 items a month), but it surely’s promised to extend considerably later this 12 months (the goal fee is 150,000 per 12 months or 12,500 monthly, by the top of 2023).
The Ford F-150 Lightning’s manufacturing (and transport to clients) was halted in mid-February after an assembled F-150 Lightning caught hearth whereas charging, throughout a top quality inspection. Initially, the manufacturing pause was just for every week or two, however in the end it was prolonged a number of occasions to a complete of about 4 weeks. In early March, manufacturing was reported to renew on March 13, which occurred as promised.
In response to reviews, the foundation reason for the fireplace was shortly recognized after the fireplace – a battery cell manufacturing defect – and Ford along with its lithium-ion battery cell provider (SK Innovation’s SK On), utilized some adjustments to the manufacturing of the battery cells at SK On’s battery plant in Commerce, Georgia.
The corporate doesn’t reveal the precise problem, however it appears that evidently it was one thing minor associated to particular person battery cells (a minimum of minor in comparison with a number of the different battery remembers).
Out of some 20,000 Ford F-150 Lightning offered thus far in america, Ford recalled solely 18 items (2023 mannequin 12 months). It is actually optimistic information that solely a really small variety of autos could be affected by probably faulty battery cells. The autos can have the battery pack changed without charge.
Curiously, Ford acknowledged that the vehicles can nonetheless be pushed and charged, but it surely’s advisable to make an appointment for a battery pack substitute service as quickly as doable.
Ford additionally famous on the time that was not conscious of any accidents or accidents associated to the Ford F-150 Lightning recall.
