General EV Conversation
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 1,631
From: FL
If sales are down this year, production has been clearly cut.
If sales don't meet expectations, might have to trim the trained staff to keep costs inline.
We see this all the time with big companies closing locations or cutting staff.
I don't know, just ideas. 🤖
If sales don't meet expectations, might have to trim the trained staff to keep costs inline.
We see this all the time with big companies closing locations or cutting staff.
I don't know, just ideas. 🤖
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 674
From: SC
I hadn't realized they were cutting 2 of their 3 production crews and going to one shift. Was that in the discussion in December? Because that is a pretty big deal.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,033
Likes: 1,675
From: San Diego, CA
Production moved to two shifts in October. But it doesn't matter either way. Shifts can be added back at will. There was no production for much of Q3 last year with factory retooling and part shortages for recall items.
The plant was really built for the next gen EV trucks which are likely to hit the market late next year/early 26.
The plant was really built for the next gen EV trucks which are likely to hit the market late next year/early 26.
Last edited by swajames; Jan 20, 2024 at 10:42 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 674
From: SC
Production moved to two shifts in October. But it doesn't matter either way. Shifts can be added back at will. There was no production for much of Q3 last year with factory retooling and part shortages for recall items.
The plant was really built for the next gen EV trucks which are likely to hit the market late next year/early 26.
The plant was really built for the next gen EV trucks which are likely to hit the market late next year/early 26.
Something doesn't add up. If they were running 3 shifts or even 2 shifts, where were all these trucks going if they only sold 24k trucks all year.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,033
Likes: 1,675
From: San Diego, CA
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 1,631
From: FL
Have no idea, just ideas.
Add, duh that made no sense. Lol
Meant to say, I have no clue.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 674
From: SC
LOL. I found them.
I did a search on Autotrader for new Lightnings nationwide, and I got 10,984 results. Almost 11k Lightnings sitting on dealer lots unsold. For a vehicle that only sold 24k all last year, that's a lot of inventory.
I did a search on Autotrader for new Lightnings nationwide, and I got 10,984 results. Almost 11k Lightnings sitting on dealer lots unsold. For a vehicle that only sold 24k all last year, that's a lot of inventory.
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Lead Lap
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,033
Likes: 1,675
From: San Diego, CA
There was no production for extended periods in 2023, absolutely zero for much of Q3 for example, between recalls/stop sales and factory retooling for 2024.
The roughly 12,000 sold in Q4 sounds like a reasonable go-forward quarterly target, so maybe 45K to 50K for the year. Remember even at 25,000 it was still the best selling EV truck last year, and it did that with factory shutdowns, certain dealers still trying to gouge and interest rates being what they are.
The roughly 12,000 sold in Q4 sounds like a reasonable go-forward quarterly target, so maybe 45K to 50K for the year. Remember even at 25,000 it was still the best selling EV truck last year, and it did that with factory shutdowns, certain dealers still trying to gouge and interest rates being what they are.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,033
Likes: 1,675
From: San Diego, CA
Ford pushes data to dealer websites as trucks are leaving the factory. That's where Autotrader pulls from. So that number includes trucks at the factory, truck en route to dealers and sold inventory en route to the customer.
Both my Bronco and my lightning appeared on my dealer's website (and autotrader and others like cars.com) as they were being built. If you'd asked the dealer, they weren't available for sale, but if you just looked at their website or aggregator sites you'd have assumed that they were.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 674
From: SC
Again, you have information but not knowledge.
Ford pushes data to dealer websites as trucks are leaving the factory. That's where Autotrader pulls from. So that number includes trucks at the factory, truck en route to dealers and sold inventory en route to the customer.
Both my Bronco and my lightning appeared on my dealer's website (and autotrader and others like cars.com) as they were being built. If you'd asked the dealer, they weren't available for sale, but if you just looked at their website or aggregator sites you'd have assumed that they were.
Ford pushes data to dealer websites as trucks are leaving the factory. That's where Autotrader pulls from. So that number includes trucks at the factory, truck en route to dealers and sold inventory en route to the customer.
Both my Bronco and my lightning appeared on my dealer's website (and autotrader and others like cars.com) as they were being built. If you'd asked the dealer, they weren't available for sale, but if you just looked at their website or aggregator sites you'd have assumed that they were.
So, then where did all those trucks that were being produced by at least 2 shifts and sometimes 3 shifts go?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 674
From: SC
Again, you have information but not knowledge.
Ford pushes data to dealer websites as trucks are leaving the factory. That's where Autotrader pulls from. So that number includes trucks at the factory, truck en route to dealers and sold inventory en route to the customer.
Both my Bronco and my lightning appeared on my dealer's website (and autotrader and others like cars.com) as they were being built. If you'd asked the dealer, they weren't available for sale, but if you just looked at their website or aggregator sites you'd have assumed that they were.
Ford pushes data to dealer websites as trucks are leaving the factory. That's where Autotrader pulls from. So that number includes trucks at the factory, truck en route to dealers and sold inventory en route to the customer.
Both my Bronco and my lightning appeared on my dealer's website (and autotrader and others like cars.com) as they were being built. If you'd asked the dealer, they weren't available for sale, but if you just looked at their website or aggregator sites you'd have assumed that they were.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,086
Likes: 4,180
From: Maryland
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 1,631
From: FL
I would go by how many customers have keys in the hand and not by how many are listed as for sale.
Mfg's have the ability to slow the supply to keep prices elevated but eventually when people see cars piling up, we all know they will need to do some major marketing or deep discounts to move them.
Not talking about any car specifically, just in general.
Mfg's have the ability to slow the supply to keep prices elevated but eventually when people see cars piling up, we all know they will need to do some major marketing or deep discounts to move them.
Not talking about any car specifically, just in general.
