As Ford Authority detailed last week, the all-new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a technological showcase for the future that builds on the proven format and capabilities that F-150 buyers expect. Those traits weren’t just highlighted here, but extensively covered by virtually every media outlet in America, and when combined with President Joe Biden’s improvised test drive of an early prototype, the whole shebang amounted to a massive PR victory for The Blue Oval. Basically, it was a watershed moment for the automotive industry, which is almost certainly why Tesla CEO Elon Musk took the time to figuratively tip his hat to Ford in a recent Twitter thread.
Congrats to @Ford on embracing an electric future!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2021
Oddly enough, Musk didn’t directly tweet The Blue Oval, but instead opted to compliment the company in the form of a reply to a CleanTechnica tweet ostensibly created to promote a recent article published by the website. That piece contained a lot of praise for the F-150 Lightning and was heavily promoted by Twitter users, which is probably why it caught Musk’s attention.
This latest exchange, despite being a bit indirect, follows some back and forth tweeting between Musk and Ford CEO Jim Farley from earlier in 2021, including a playful jab on the subject of Ford’s BlueCruise driver-assist technology. Until recently, Ford and Tesla didn’t really compete against each other, as the former automaker typically produced more traditional vehicles that appealed to customers looking for a different type of car ownership experience. But with new models like the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E and the upcoming 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla has more direct rivals to the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Cybertruck than ever before.
Speaking of the Cybertruck, production is scheduled to begin in late 2021 at the Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, which is still under construction. While less conventional, it is highly anticipated by consumers, allegedly securing over 650,000 refundable deposits of $100 from prospective buyers since it was announced. Time will tell if the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning generates that level of pre-order hype, but within 12 hours of its debut, reservations for Ford’s electric pickup had already surpassed the 20K mark.
Before the official reveal of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, survey data from Cox Automotive indicated that an electric F-150 was most appealing to consumers, out of a competitive field that included the Cybertruck, the 2022 GMC Hummer EV, and the Rivian R1T. Ultimately, the electric pickup segment is rapidly taking shape, and as of right now, Ford and Tesla are quite cordial with one another, although that sentiment could quickly change once electric truck war begins.
We’ll continue to keep an eye on all of Ford Motor Company’s competitors, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, F-150 Lightning news, and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
I don’t really care who buys a Tesla, Hummer or Rivian (I will not be among their customers), but I care that those companies exist. It’s incumbent on Ford to just do what Ford does best: accurately gauge what Americans want to drive, year after year. The platform is proven safe to drive and ride in, economical to repair, and not an arm and a leg to insure. Some people buy vehicles to say, “LOOK AT ME!”, and I hope they’ll be satisfied with their Teslas and Rivians and Hummers. Those vehicles, to me, are about as utilitarian as Hydroxychloroquine and bleach.
I agree I don,t want no EV,s ,
Of course Elon is saluting Ford. Because it means death to his Cybertruck idea. Tesla will have fun refunding all of those one million (supposedly) reservation deposits. But, I also think that this hype over the Lightning is overblown as well.
Thats why Ford doesnt have any micro chips they are going to this electric truck LOL this truck is a good idea but not in North America how about starting with the infrastructure first then put these type of cars on the road
The infrastructure is already there. Open your eyes and do some research. And when you can charge overnight at home and have a 300 mile range, that’s way more than enough for the average person. And should you need more when you’re out and about, we’ll it’s already there in the major areas and corridors
Texas. Ice. Storm.
Not sure what State you live in i live in North Ontario Canada i sure you wont get far from where you live or it will take you days to get here thats why Gas engine will be here for a long time and Very Hard to beat a diesel motor for distance and torque you might have he infrastructure where you live thats great
I doubt it. I’m also surprised by the “650,000” deposits on it, and I think it’s a bizarre bad 80s scifi movie looking design. But just like the apple fanboys buying the $1000 watches and whatnot, the Tesla fan club is going to gobble it up. That’s an insane number of reservations. Even the bronco didn’t get that many, and the hype and excitement for that is way higher and more prevalent than what I’ve seen and heard for the cyber truck
LOL what an idiot you are NCEcoBoost. You are the worst part of the internet and your lack of knowledge is a danger to others online.
Specs for the Lightening are underwhelming to say the least. I have owned 3-F150s and currently own a Powerstroke F250. The lightening needs more range and towing capacity to be something other than an electric bro-dozer.
A little spelling lesson for you;
Lightening – The process of making something lighter
Lightning – An enormous bolt of electricity seen in the sky
Many people average about 30 miles per day, well within the range of all EV’s on the market. Those with solar systems basically get free fuel for the life of the vehicle. One option available to those that may need an extended range vehicle a couple times per year may be to rent rent-a-ride for that special trip? No insurance, no maintenance and no vehicle payment for that ICE vehicle. Competition is great for the economy, go ahead guys, every US manufactures build those EV’s, we will buy them.
Yep, Musk and Farley are cut from the same worn out cloth.
It’s funny that people expect a perfect product when breaking into a brand new segment. Give the technology time to mature. This happens not behind the scenes, but as consumers purchase the product and make viable business cases for further innovation.
We NEED this first limited-range F-150 to fund the innovations to make electric vehicles comparable or better. We NEED this first limited range F-150 to make the business case for expanded charging networks. The innovations don’t come without demand. from customers. Ford found enough demand to build the Lightning, now they can have a business case to innovate.
There’s a reason why EVs haven’t become popular in the last 100 years they’ve existed.
Right now battery tech needs to allow for twice the power density from what is currently available to be competitive with ICE pickups. Businesses that actually rely on their pickups for towing and hauling won’t have any use for this Lightning truck.
Hate the facts, not the messenger.
This truck is great for virtue signaling folks who want a pickup bed and are willing to give up their freedom to travel long distances, for as long as they want, whenever they want.
Me? I do not care what the communists think of me, my career, my life and my proclivity to burn fossil fuel. I might drive 30 miles in a day. I might drive 600. These marxist greenie hacks can go screw themselves.
Well…. that about sums up your credibility on anything, everything. Your virtue signaling is really just about talking ‘smack’ all the time! Too bad because you seem to know a bit about cars and the automotive industry.
Mike says…
Hahaha! There’s nothing incredible about what I said.
If you really actually disagree with any of my points, put on your big boy pants and explain in your own words why I’m wrong. [A good starting point for you would be to look up what virtue signaling is.]
I will stick with tried and true gas engine,s ,I don,t want to ride around worrying about batteries constantly discharging ,who want to drive one into the boonies.
The problem with Texas is that – surprisingly due to their ‘Wokeness’ – and non-cooperation from the federal government – would not let Texas use their Coal plants which would more than make up for any shortages….. Should have been a non-issue and it is time for Texans to seriously consider recalling their Governor. Even with all the silliness going on, they still had adequate supplies.
Winterization or not in this case was *NOT* the critical issue.
I could go into much more detail, but the ‘Peanut Gallery’ does not like any technical explanations.
What this means of course, is that with electric or without electric vehicles – all the ‘woke’ states will be having regular power outages in the future.
Or it’s great for a person like me, who’s commute is about 50 miles, and is sick of buying gas twice a week in my jeep, which will stick around for when I want to go on a longer trip. I’m excited by it.
Don’t worry, you’ll still be paying. Did you honestly think the government is forcing these PowerWheels™ on the people because they’re more economical? Hah! No way. You’ll be paying extra in taxes and insurance to make up for what you “save” at the pump.
Keep voting Democrat.
Elon has always supported awful ideas so it makes sense he would praise Ford for this absolutely pathetic F150 Mach E. Awful range and long recharge times. It’s a pathetic truck that is awful at being a truck. 75 mile range while towing or hauling. What a game changer /sarcasm
Agreed!
Me Ketterer, don’t worry about us worrying. We’re not. As a voting Democrat, let me clue you in. YOU will be coming paying extra in taxes and insurance, as well as higher prices at the pump. In other words, we’ll be pumping you up. Have a nice day.
People complaining about range are like the horse traders who laughed at the model T for only going 25 miles. Electric is just getting serious. I don’t haul or tow big stuff, and if I did I wouldn’t in a standard F150 either. That’s why they make F250s and F350s. For everything I need a truck for, trips to Lowes, moving furniture, getting fire wood… an electric with moderate range that I can top off at home will do. This is just the start of the era.