Ford is taking the extra time to make sure that their all-electric Ford Lightning pickup truck is up to par. After the production shutdown was first announced, some customers were worried about their vehicles and whether or not they would be able to get a replacement. The company has now extended the shutdown by another week, so that they have more time to fix any problems that might come up.
Ford halted production and shipments of the Ford Lightning due to a potential battery issue that was later identified by SK. The company said that the issue is with its battery cell manufacturing partner, but no customers were affected.
Ford is a company that is willing to change with the times, and is happy to have SK’s recommendations in terms of their cell production lines. The changes will help ensure consistency and quality control within the line, ultimately benefiting both Ford and the customers who purchase their products.
WAUKEGAN, IL (April 17, 2019) – Ford Motor Company is suspending production through the end of next week at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Waukegan, IL to make room for new batteries being produced by SK Innovation. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Commerce, GA, SK Innovation has been a key player in the battery industry for more than three decades. The company is known for designing and manufacturing high-quality lithium ion cells that are used in electric vehicles from several manufacturers. Ford’s suspension of production means that customers who had ordered electric vehicles will not be able to receive them before the end of April.
The company confirmed that during a standard Lightning pre-delivery quality check, one vehicle displayed a battery issue and caught fire on Feb. 4. The fire caused significant damage to the vehicle and impacted the entire production line.
According to the company spokesperson, Ford is not aware of any issues with F-150 Lightnings already in customers’ hands. Ford is currently working to resolve the issue and expects to have a solution available soon. If you have already purchased or are still using a F-150 Lightning, be sure to keep an eye on your vehicle’s warranty status in order to ensure that your vehicle is covered if anything goes wrong.
Ford has been struggling to keep costs in check with their new model, the Ford Lightning. The company has acknowledged that a number of inefficiencies and recalls have slowed down their production. Ford still faces an unknown issue with the batteries on this car. Unlike other recalls that have plagued other models, this battery issue is unclear as to what could happen if not fixed.
