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Toyota Benchmarking Ford F-150 Lightning

Benchmarking is a common practice in the automotive world as manufacturers aim to gain a competitive advantage by scoping out rival vehicles, and Toyota and Ford certainly have a history in that regard. Recently, Ford Authority spotted Toyota benchmarkingFord F-150 PowerBoost hybrid, as well as The Blue Oval benchmarking a 2022 Toyota Tundra. Now, Ford Authority has also spotted Toyota benchmarking the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning, too.

As the third all-electric pickup to market behind only the GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T, it’s understandable why rival automakers would want to take a much closer look at the Lightning, and we’ve already seen that happen with both Stellantis and General Motors, both of whom have also benchmarked that particular model. Additionally, a recently-revealed Toyota pickup EV concept shares quite a bit in common with the Lightning, too.

Rather than test just one version of the Ford F-150 Lightning, however, Toyota apparently has two pickups in its stable, as we can see in these photos. One – a Lariat trimmed pickup finished in black – was spotted wearing Texas plates similar in design to some previously-spotted test vehicles from that automaker, while the silver example was fitted with Michigan manufacturer plates. Both trucks were spotted entering Toyota’s Michigan Technical Center, however.

With Toyota placing a renewed focus on electrification, it stands to reason that the Japanese automaker intends to make at least one EV pickup, and perhaps more than one. The previously-revealed Toyota EV pickup concept looked essentially like an all-electric version of the mid-size Tacoma, while an EV variant of the full-size Tundra is also a possibility. In either case, it’s clear that Toyota is taking a close look at the F-150 Lightning for inspiration, however – and perhaps some ideas on how to create a new rival for it, too.

We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford F-Series newsFord F-150 newsF-150 Lightning news, and 24/7 Ford news coverage.

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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