The Ford Motor Company is gangbusters about electrification, as it releases new models and ramps up production. In 2021, the Ford Mustang Mach-E made its debut. In 2022, the Ford F-150 Lighting rolled out. An all-electric Ford Transit van is also available. Ford is pivoting to full electrification and soon a pair of additional electric trucks will join them.
Upcoming Electric Trucks
Yes, Ford is not done with expanding its truck lineup, which was most recently bolstered by the compact Maverick and the electric F-150. In patent filings made with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and reported by CarBuzz, two names are pending: Ford Maverick Lightning and Ford Ranger Lightning. Although Ford is not committed to building models with these nameplates, we expect that they will.
Ford hinted as much that a successor to the F-150 Lightning is in the works. The company previously utilized the Lightning appellation for a performance version of the F-150, then repurposed that name to describe its initial electric truck. When Ford’s CEO Jim Farley unveiled the F-150 Lightning in April, he alluded to a second truck. Notably, that truck will be built in Tennessee once the company’s BlueOval City project opens in 2025.
Struck by Lightning
Beyond the two names, we have little to build on. But there are a few things we can surmise that should give a clearer picture of what is planned.
Ford Ranger
First, an all-new Ranger is in the works. We expect it to debut for the 2023 model year, but likely arriving as late as Spring 2023. The new Ranger debuts first in Australia this summer, but it has already suffered supply chain delays. Originally scheduled to arrive late Fall in the U.S., production has been pushed back because of parts and chips shortages. Yes, supply chain issues continue to undermine the industry.
The 2023 Ranger will come in standard and Raptor models, the latter a first for the product range. The Ranger Raptor joins similar models for the F-150 and Bronco, effectively extending this performance brand accordingly.
Ford Maverick
Second, Ford plans to build on the success of its compact Maverick pickup truck. The company currently enjoys strong demand for this model, offering a standard hybrid drivetrain and an available gas model. The Maverick has no real competitors, except for the Hyundai Santa Cruz. We expect competitors will follow, however. In the meantime, Ford is not about to cede its unique position in the market.
Little is known about the Ford Maverick Lightning. If it follows the Ranger Lightning to the market, we may not see it before 2026. Then again, Ford may release the two electric trucks concurrently, particularly as they will share the same electric platform that underpins all Ford models going forward.
An Electric Future
Just as the Ford F-150 and F-150 Lightning are distinctly different models, the same can be said for the two Lightning variants. Instead of going through the costly retrofitting process to electrify the standard trucks, the duo will be designed separately to fit on the electric platform. This is an approach that all manufacturers are likely to follow and would eventually allow them to wean away from ICE variants.
Ford’s bullish approach to electric trucks should enable it to lead the segment. At present, it does battle with GM as the latter presents Chevrolet and GMC models to drive sales. However, the new Maverick, an updated Ranger, and electric variants of both should help Ford take control of the market. GM and others will not stand by, but for now, Ford has the momentum.
Photo Attribution
Image by FelixMittermeier from Pixabay
BlueOval City banner courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.
