I’m a current Tesla owner and was about to get a new Ford Lightning, but I have some concerns:
I heard they stopped production last year, and my assumption was that it was because of low demand. Now, the dealer I’m talking to says Ford isn’t taking any new orders for Lightnings.
I loved the truck when I test drove it, but I don’t want to end up buying a vehicle that Ford stops making right after I buy it.
What do you think? Should I go for it?
Honestly, the worst part of getting this truck is dealing with the dealers before you can even sit behind the wheel.
EV sales have been growing steadily every year. Ford only paused production because they’re prepping for a smaller electric truck, kind of like the Maverick, and they’re also working on a Lightning 2.0.
My dealer can’t even keep Lightnings in stock, and I see them everywhere. I have a Lightning and a Tesla Model Y, and I love both (though I’m not a fan of Elon Musk’s recent antics). My advice: get the extended range battery and avoid the Pro version.
Here’s some context:
Ford has been adjusting production, which has led to pauses here and there.
Dealers are hit-or-miss. Some are all-in on EVs, while others avoid them.
Demand has been slower than Ford expected, but it’s still growing. Jim Farley seems committed to making EVs work for Ford. Among the big automakers, Ford seems the most focused on figuring out a successful EV strategy.
That said, the Lightning might eventually be replaced when Ford shifts to their next-gen T3 electric truck. But that’s still a few years down the line.
@Peyton
Didn’t Ford pause production to retool the assembly line? I think they’re just making improvements, not abandoning it.
Ford resumed production recently. Here’s a link for more details.
I switched from a Model Y to a Lightning, and it’s better in almost every way. The computer system isn’t quite as good, but it’s not bad either.
We traded our Model Y for a 2024 Lightning Flash trim last week. Just go for it—you won’t regret it.
Your dealer is wrong. Ford is accepting orders for 2025 models. The website hasn’t updated yet, but they can still place an order for you.
Casey said:
Your dealer is wrong. Ford is accepting orders for 2025 models. The website hasn’t updated yet, but they can still place an order for you.
The dealer probably just wants to sell you what’s on their lot. Check Ford’s website and don’t overthink it. The Lightning is a fantastic truck, and Ford isn’t going anywhere. Go for it!
Casey said:
Your dealer is wrong. Ford is accepting orders for 2025 models. The website hasn’t updated yet, but they can still place an order for you.
Dealers lying to customers? Not surprising at all!
Honestly, with the direction Tesla seems to be heading, the Lightning might be a safer long-term bet.
I’d be more concerned about EV tech becoming outdated over time, not Ford dropping the Lightning entirely. Tech in EVs is evolving quickly, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Ford is definitely continuing the Lightning. They’re even set to release 2025 models soon. I have both a Model YP and a Lightning, and I’m driving the Y less and less these days. Don’t let the dealers sway you too much—they’ll say anything to get you to buy the cars they want to sell.
The Lightning isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. EVs and hybrids are driving Ford’s growth right now. Last year, sales of Ford’s ICE vehicles barely grew, while EV sales jumped by 34.8% and hybrid sales by 40.1%.
I’d expect Ford to keep making the current Lightning until at least 2026. After that, they might release a second-generation Lightning along with their T3 smaller electric truck.
Ford has been selling Lightnings, just not in the numbers they originally hoped for. In 2022, they sold 15,617 Lightnings, and by 2024, that number grew to 33,510. That’s solid growth, but Ford was aiming for double those figures.
If you’re worried about ordering, dealers should still be able to place orders for 2025 models. But if you find a 2024 Lightning on the lot that matches your preferences, you might get a better deal than waiting for a 2025 model. Either way, the Lightning is a solid choice.