In 22 and 23, Ford loaded the XLT Lightning with a ton of accessories. I did a trial build online of a gas XLT adding all those items to make it equivalently eqipped to mine. It would have cost over $8K to add those options; was almost cheaper to go to a Lariat.
Most XLTs in those first years were SR. When new, that extra 33 kWh/100 km range was a very steep $16K upgrade, plus it took the truck above the ceiling for rebates, so most XLT buyers in that early phase went SR and saved the $20+K. If you do find an XLT ER you'll probably get that extra battery capacity for under 10K, which is a much better deal. Battery degradation on Lightning is proving to be very minor so far, the average is under 0.5% per year.
you seriously planning on buying a car with a completely discontinued platform ? wow.
even ignoring the EV part of it, they are shutting it down completely. they arent even going to be producing replacement parts for it. the fire at their aluminum supplier took care of that. by 2028 there isnt going to be any further updates, parts or support for it. its not even a profitable model so there is zero incentive for them to keep it on the road past the warranty period.
they are already advertising the new platform -
Discover the all-new 2028 Ford F-150 Lightning EREV with over 700 miles of estimated range for Fraser Valley truck buyers.
msaford.com
even if it was a regular gas truck i wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole.
The FUD is strong in this one...
As posted on this page, software updates, warranty support and recall notices are all rolling along like normal. Parts, what parts? Motors and battery pack are expected to live as long as the truck itself. Most body and cabin parts are compatible with regular F150.
Similar fears were everywhere when GM killed off some badges in 2009 as part of their rationalization during the global financial crisis. We had purchased a Pontiac just months earlier and had concerns like everyone else. Nope, warranty and recall support continued through full term. Mrs Sly is still driving that little hatchback, now in its 18th year.
GM was in a huge crisis in those years and had to be bailed out by the US govt, yet they maintained support for all the Pontiac, Hummer and Saturn owners. They literally declared bankruptcy, yet maintained support because they knew it was essential to maintain trust in their brand. Ford today is in a much better position, and the same principle applies anyway: to abandon any model owner group would be deeply damaging to the overall brand.
I get that you don't want to buy an EV, but it feels like you're trying to fit the Lightning configuration change into a picture you've painted of the entire EV concept failing. Yet worldwide EV sales continue to grow, at a faster rate than ICE.
Ford built an excellent truck, and it quickly became the world's best selling EV pickup. There's almost 100,000 of them out there. But those are small numbers to Ford (2.5 million F series trucks sold in same time period). I can't say I blame Ford for adjusting their direction. Doesn't make the Lightning a bad vehicle. Owners love them and will continue to do so for many years to come.
