Did Ford lose $36,000 on every F-150 Lightning sold?
The short answer is no—there is no official Ford figure confirming that Ford loses exactly $36,000 on each F-150 Lightning. That number has circulated in media and online discussions, but Ford has not published a per‑unit loss figure for the Lightning, and profitability depends on a range of factors including scale, battery costs, and how development expenses are allocated.
What the claim means and where it came from
To understand the claim, it helps to separate per‑unit profitability from overall program economics. A model can carry losses while the broader electric‑vehicle program moves toward profitability as volumes rise. In practice, analysts and reporters sometimes estimate per‑unit losses by combining production costs, battery pricing, depreciation, and development amortization. The factors below shape any such calculation:
- Battery and raw‑materials costs, a large share of EVs’ cost of goods sold that can shift with scale and supplier pricing.
- Fixed costs and amortization of development: factory investments, software work, and long‑term engineering expenses that get spread over more units as production grows.
- Accounting treatment: negative gross margins on a given model can reflect overhead allocation and other non‑cash items, not just cash outlays per truck.
These elements help explain why a single number can be misleading without broader financial context.
Ford's public stance on F-150 Lightning profitability
Ford has acknowledged that the F‑150 Lightning faced lower or negative margins during its early ramp, which is typical for a new EV program. The company has said profitability should improve with higher volumes, cost reductions, and ongoing pricing improvements, but it has not disclosed a formal per‑unit loss figure for the Lightning in its public filings.
- The emphasis is on scale: more units generally reduce the fixed‑cost burden per truck.
- Cost‑reduction efforts: ongoing supplier negotiations, manufacturing efficiency, and software optimization aim to lower the cost to build the Lightning.
- Battery economics: anticipated declines in battery costs and better integration are cited as key drivers of margin improvement over time.
In short, Ford’s messaging centers on improving economics through scale and cost discipline rather than declaring a fixed per‑vehicle loss figure for the Lightning.
What the numbers show in public disclosures and reporting
Public disclosures, including Ford’s annual reports and investor materials, do not publish a model‑by‑model per‑unit loss figure for the Lightning. Media coverage has sometimes attempted to back‑solve per‑unit losses by aggregating development costs with production costs, but such figures are not Ford‑confirmed. Because there is no model‑level margin data, any claimed number—such as $36,000—should be treated as an estimate rather than an official metric.
Analysts generally frame the issue as a question of long‑term profitability driven by scale, ongoing cost reductions, and favorable battery pricing, rather than a currently fixed cash burn per unit.
The persistent question in the market
The core question remains whether Ford can reach sustained profitability on the Lightning as it competes in a crowded EV field and continues to push down costs. The answer depends on production scale, pricing strategy, and the degree to which fixed costs can be spread over more trucks. Until Ford provides a model‑specific margin breakdown, a single per‑truck loss number remains speculative.
Bottom line: the widely cited figure of $36,000 per F‑150 Lightning sold is not an official Ford figure; the reality is more nuanced and tied to broader program economics that Ford expects to improve with scale.
Summary: Ford has not publicly confirmed losing $36,000 on every F‑150 Lightning. The Lightning’s economics involve a mix of high initial costs, ongoing cost reductions, scaling challenges, and evolving battery pricing. While profitability is the long‑term goal, there is no published per‑truck loss figure from Ford. For the most current, model‑specific insights, consult Ford’s latest quarterly results and investor communications.
Why is the F-150 Lightning not selling?
The Ford F-150 Lightning is not selling well due to a combination of high prices, slower-than-expected demand, and competition. Other factors contributing to the slowdown include the high cost of EV batteries, rising interest rates, and a lack of public education on EVs. Ford has also reduced production and offered dealer incentives to move slow-selling inventory.
This video discusses the reasons why F-150 Lightning sales are struggling: 56sTCcustomsYouTube · Jul 17, 2023
Reasons for slow sales
- High prices: The starting price was initially low, but higher-trim models and the overall cost of EVs have become a barrier for many buyers.
- Lack of demand: Slower-than-expected demand led Ford to cut production. Initial reservations did not translate into immediate sales.
- Rising interest rates: Higher interest rates make loans for expensive vehicles, like the F-150 Lightning, less affordable.
- Stronger competition: New electric and hybrid trucks from Ram and Volkswagen will enter the market, increasing competition for the Lightning.
- Charging infrastructure: Some drivers have concerns about the availability of fast-charging stations, especially for long-distance travel.
- Range anxiety: For some users, the truck's real-world range drops significantly when hauling or towing, leading to range anxiety.
- Dealer reluctance: Some dealerships are reportedly hesitant to sell EVs due to a lack of knowledge about the technology.
- Recall and quality issues: The F-150 Lightning has experienced several recalls, including a significant steering issue that can cause a loss of control.
- Production issues: Ford has had to halt production to address inventory issues and has had to reallocate workers from the Lightning plant to other facilities.
- Market factors: A general downturn in the overall EV market, driven partly by competitors cutting prices, has also impacted sales.
Is Ford making an $8000 truck?
No, Ford is not making an $8,000 truck; this is a hoax spread through clickbait videos and social media, possibly based on outdated information about the original, low starting price of the Ford Maverick. Current information and discussions about an $8,000 truck usually link to misinformation or outdated content, with legitimate reports showing that the cost of new trucks, including the Ford Maverick, has increased significantly.
This video explains why the $8,000 Ford truck is a hoax: 49sCar Reviews hubYouTube · Apr 16, 2025
- Hoax and misinformation: The idea of an $8,000 Ford truck is a widespread hoax fueled by clickbait videos and social media posts that lack factual evidence, as pointed out by Reddit users.
- Outdated premise: The claim might stem from the Ford Maverick's initial low price when it was first released, but its price has since increased substantially.
- Real-world pricing: Ford's current lineup of trucks does not include any model priced at $8,000, and the cheapest models are significantly more expensive than that figure.
Is Ford losing $36,000 per EV?
For some I can't understand this for some reason Ford's losses honest EVS have grown. So they lost 32. And a half thousand basically in the second quarter. Third quarter comes along losses.
Is Ford losing money on F-150 Lightning?
Since going on sale in 2022 in the U.S., Ford has sold less than 100,000 F-150 Lightning models. The Lightning is manufactured at a facility connected to a large F-150 production plant in metro Detroit. Ford's EV operations, including the Lightning, have lost the company billions of dollars annually in recent years.
