Ford has confirmed manufacturing of its electrical Ford F-150 Lightning truck will resume at present, after it stopped producing the in-demand car after one caught hearth on the firm’s manufacturing facility on February 4.
On the time, Ford put an rapid cease to manufacturing whereas it started an investigation into the foundation reason for the battery hearth.
The corporate’s battery provider, South Korean model SK, has since stated it was a uncommon occurence and never a design flaw, which Ford has at present confirmed in its personal assertion.
“On Feb. 4, throughout a typical high quality examine, one car displayed a battery subject and caught hearth. The foundation trigger recognized was associated to battery cell manufacturing on the SK On plant in Georgia,” the model stated in an announcement.
“Ford isn’t conscious of any stories of accident or damage associated to this recall. Along with SK On, we now have confirmed the foundation causes and have applied high quality actions. Manufacturing is on monitor to renew Monday with clear inventory of battery packs.”
As a part of the rectification course of, the 18 different Ford F-150 Lightnings constructed with the batch of batteries recognized to have a possible subject and delivered to prospects have been recalled to have their battery pack changed.
“Ford is recalling 18 F-150 Lightnings on account of a battery cell manufacturing defect, which occurred over a four-week interval beginning on the finish of final 12 months. We just lately established that 18 autos containing cells from that four-week interval had made it to sellers and prospects.”
The hearth incident appears to have performed little to hinder buyer urge for food, with the present wait instances pointing to large order lists. The restricted provide and excessive demand subject goes again to the car’s launch in 2021.
Ford was compelled to shut its order books in December 2021, earlier than manufacturing had even began, and in 2022 introduced plans to double its manufacturing output in an try and get vehicles to prospects sooner.
The Ford USA web site now says this 2023 mannequin 12 months is now not out there to order.
The Blue Oval has now invested greater than $US1 billion ($A1.44 billion) in Michigan for the F-150 Lightning alone, with 1700 jobs created throughout 5 vegetation.
It’s unclear if the F-150 Lightning might be coming Down Beneath, however Ford Australia has beforehand stated it’s bringing a minimum of 5 electrified autos by 2024. It’s additionally bringing the petrol-powered F-150 to market in 2023.
Given the huge North American demand for the F-150 Lightning, don’t anticipate it to return right here any time quickly.