2022 Ford F-150 Lightning At 150K Reservations As Pre-Production Begins

Though the Ford F-150 reportedly won’t be receiving a refresh until 2025, there are big things happening for The Blue Ovals’ perenially best-selling pickup in 2022. Namely, the launch of the Ford F-150 Raptor R and the first-ever all-electric F-150 – the Ford F-150 Lightning. Now, Ford has announced that F-150 Lightning pre-production has begun at the new Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center ahead of the model’s launch next spring, while the automaker has also secured 150,000 reservations for the electrified pickup.

That’s a fairly large jump from the 120,000 Ford F-150 Lightnings that were placed by July, signifying strong continued interest in the new model. It’s also why Ford recently decided to double its production target to 80,000 units per year, as well as invest an additional $250 million to add 450 more jobs at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center – where the Lightning is assembled, Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center – which builds electric motors and electric transaxles, and the Rawsonville Components Plant – where batteries are assembled.

“We knew the F-150 Lightning was special, but the interest from the public has surpassed our highest expectations and changed the conversation around electric vehicles,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company. “So we are doubling down, adding jobs, and investing to increase production. This truck and the Ford-UAW workers who are assembling it in Michigan have a chance to make history and lead the electric vehicle movement in America.”

While the Ford F-150 Lightning will likely beat the Tesla Cybertruck to market by a considerable margin following the latter’s latest delay, Ford-backed EV automaker Rivian has already begun producing the R1T, which has become the first EV pickup on the market. Regardless, it’s clear that a large number of customers are willing to wait a bit longer for the Lightning, if nothing else.

We’ll have much more on the F-150 Lightning soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, F-150 Lightning news, and continuous Ford news coverage.