2024 Ford F-150 PowerBoost Platinum hybrid
Ford
DETROIT — Ford Motor plans to double production of a hybrid version of its F-150 pickup truck as the corporate grapples with slower-than-expected sales of its all-electric vehicles.
Ford expects to extend sales of the V-6 hybrid model in the course of the 2024 model yr to roughly 20% within the U.S. The automaker declined to release specific production figures, however it likely equates to tens of 1000’s more of the hybrid vehicles.
Achieving that production goal could also be tougher than usual, as Ford and its crosstown rivals face a possible strike by the United Auto Employees later this week that would shutter some or all of their U.S. factories. Ford, General Motors and Stellantis must achieve separate deals with the UAW for 146,000 autoworkers by 11:59 p.m. Thursday to avoid potential work stoppages.
The hybrid plans follow Ford CEO Jim Farley saying in late July that the Detroit automaker would quadruple the corporate’s production of gas-electric hybrids because it continues to extend EV production but at a slower pace than previously announced.
2024 Ford F-150 Powerboost Platinum hybrid
Ford
“We’re balancing growth, profitability and returns,” Farley said during an earnings call. “At the identical time, we imagine demand for our internal combustion and our hybrid portfolio can be durable with the window of growth … potentially longer and richer than most expected.”
Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford’s traditional “Blue” business unit, said Tuesday he believes the F-150 could change into the best-selling hybrid in North America, a crown historically owned by Toyota Motor‘s RAV4 or Prius.
Ford’s renewed focus of hybrid vehicles, including pushing back a goal to hit 2 million by 2026, could also be good for the union, because it retains many engine manufacturing jobs for the foreseeable future.
Hybrid vehicles typically include internal combustion engines with small batteries that may improve performance and fuel economy. They differ from plug-in hybrid electric vehicles which have larger batteries and have to be plugged in like all-electric vehicles to utilize the advantages of the electrification.
2024 Ford F-150 Raptor
Ford
Ford declined to release specific pricing for the 2024 F-150 with a 3.5-liter V-6 “PowerBoost” hybrid model, which is a minimum of a $2,500 option on current models and standard on a roughly $83,000 F-150 Limited model.
John Emmert, Ford truck general manager, said the choice to extend production followed demand for hybrid models outpacing production capability for the F-150 and Ford Maverick small pickup. For the Maverick, hybrids amount to greater than 60% of its sales.
“I actually think that hybrid, our PowerBoost hybrid, help folks transition into full electric,” Emmert told CNBC. “Hybrid is a step toward electrification, and for some people straight away that electrification is not the most effective solution for them.”
This is not the primary time Ford has announced a dramatic change in its engine lineup to spice up fuel economy and performance. The automaker is well-known for its twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engines, which many questioned when announced for the 2011 pickup but now powers a majority of F-150 vehicles sold.
“We construct an F-150 for each use case for each customer’s needs,” Emmert said, citing some customers still need V-8 engines for towing and range, while the all-electric F-150 Lightning is probably not ideal for some in rural areas.
Ford said the hybrid engine can be available for a similar price as the corporate’s 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine.
The 2024 Ford F-150 features a latest tailgate design that enables customers to access the vehicle’s bed like a standard door in addition to a standard drop-down tailgate
Ford
The doubling of F-150 hybrid production was announced in connection to Ford revealing a refreshed versions of the truck for the 2024 model yr. Ford said your entire lineup will start at $35,570 but declined to release other details. The 2023 F-150 starts at $34,585.
The F-150 hybrid will feature an available 430 horsepower and 570 lb.-ft. of torque. Ford said the hybrid will offer probably the most of any F-Series pickup outside of the Raptor and Raptor R V-8 performance models, nonetheless it didn’t release the complete range of specifications.
Except for exterior and interior updates, the 2024 F-150 features a latest tailgate design that enables customers to access the vehicle’s bed like a standard door in addition to a standard drop-down tailgate and a number of recent safety and convenience features.
