DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford Motor previewed its new electric F-150 Lightning pickup before than planned through a visit Tuesday by President Joe Biden to the Michigan plant that will create the auto.
The extremely anticipated truck resembles the automaker’s current F-150 but has exclusive exterior styling these types of as a shut-off grille and light bar throughout the front of the motor vehicle that connects its headlights. Sitting next to a conventional 2021 Ford F-150, the electric powered pickup appeared to be about the similar dimension with a smoother, a lot more aerodynamic layout.
Ford exposed its extremely anticipated all-electric powered F-150 Lightning pickup truck (still left) at Ford’s Rouge Electric powered Automobile Center in Dearborn, Mich. in the course of a tour by President Joe Biden on May 18, 2021.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
Ford declined to launch further facts about the auto in advance of its official public reveal at 9:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday. The company unexpectedly showed the pickup for Biden’s tour of Ford’s Rouge Electric Car or truck Heart in Dearborn, the place the vehicle commences manufacturing this spring.
Through remarks at the plant, Biden jokingly explained he would like to generate the electric powered F-150 if he could “shed the Solution Services and go out to the keep track of.”
Ford built that take place following the occasion, allowing for Biden to push the F-150 Lightning at a close by enhancement center for Ford with a Mystery Support agent in the car or truck.
“This sucker’s rapid,” Biden told reporters. He said the auto goes about to 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds right before rushing absent in the truck. “Okay, below we go, prepared?”
Ford shown the new electric F-150 Lightning pickup in advance of its official reveal Wednesday night time all through a check out by President Joe Biden to the plant in Michigan that will produce the car or truck starting up coming 12 months.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
‘I’m a motor vehicle guy’
Biden addressed the group gathered at the manufacturing facility prior to exam driving the pickup.
“My name is Joe Biden and I am a vehicle male,” he said as he took the phase in front of the F-150 Lightning at the plant.
He put in the commencing of his speech chatting about the automotive field and electric powered vehicles before concentrating on the require for The usa to capture up to China on manufacturing of new systems these kinds of as EV batteries and semiconductor chips.
Biden termed for an maximize in financial commitment for regional semiconductor creation to ensure a shortage like the just one struggling with the U.S. automobile market doesn’t happen again.
President Joe Biden speaks all through a tour of the Ford Rouge Electric Motor vehicle Middle, in Dearborn, Michigan on Could 18, 2021.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
He also reiterated aid for new incentives to spur client adoption of EVs and switching the government’s fleet to electrical autos like the F-150 Lightning. He did not go into aspects about excluding high-priced EVs from this kind of incentives
“The future of the auto market is electric,” Biden reported throughout a speech within the plant. “You will find no turning back again.”
Biden also thanked the United Vehicle Personnel union for aiding to get him elected as a senator. He reiterated his help for the union and American personnel, calling them the “major magic formula we have.” He encouraged automakers to “deepen” their marriage with the UAW.
F-150 Lightning
Ford executives have claimed the F-150 Lightning will be a genuine pickup truck designed for professional get the job done, unlike expected life style pickups these as the GMC Hummer EV or Tesla Cybertruck. It is expected to go on sale by the middle of following yr.
“It is just the most effective of Ford,” Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO, claimed final week throughout the company’s once-a-year shareholders conference.
Farley has mentioned the F-150 Lightning will be capable “to electricity your home throughout an outage, it really is even a lot quicker than the first F-150 Lightning functionality truck and it will frequently increase by more than-the-air updates.”
President Joe Biden with Corey Williams (L), plant Manager, William Ford, Jr. (2-R), Govt Chairman of Ford Motor Company and Jim Farley (R), CEO of Ford Motor Business, tours of the Ford Rouge Electric powered Car or truck Centre, in Dearborn, Michigan on Could 18, 2021.
Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Illustrations or photos
When saying the vehicle’s title, Farley in comparison its importance to the Ford Model T and Ford Mustang.
Biden toured the facility to encourage his agenda for American-created electric powered autos and $2 trillion infrastructure deal that incorporates $174 billion to spur the progress and adoption of EVs.
Pickups are considered as an vital way to raise purchaser adoption of EVs since they are the bestselling autos in the nation. They are also really critical to fleet and commercial customers, predicted to be among the the premier purchasers of EVs.
President Joe Biden speaks during a tour of the Ford Rouge Electrical Auto Heart, in Dearborn, Michigan on May 18, 2021.
Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Photographs
