Ford unveiled its highly anticipated F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup truck (left) at Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, during a tour given by President Joe Biden on May 18, 2021.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
DEARBORN, Michigan – Ford Motor unveiled its new F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck ahead of schedule when President Joe Biden visited the Michigan facility that makes the vehicle on Tuesday.
The highly anticipated truck is similar to the automaker’s current F-150, but features a unique exterior design such as an enclosed grille and a light bar on the front of the vehicle that connects the headlights together. Sitting next to a traditional 2021 Ford F-150, the electric pickup appeared to be about the same size and a smoother, more aerodynamic design.
Ford declined to reveal additional details about the vehicle prior to its official release on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. EDT. The company unexpectedly unveiled the pickup truck for Biden’s tour of the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, where the vehicle will begin production this spring.
During remarks at the plant, Biden jokingly said he would like to drive the electric F-150 if he “could lose the Secret Service and go on the track”.
US President Joe Biden tests the new Ford F-150 Blitzwagen when he visits the VDAB at the Ford Dearborn Development Center in Dearborn, Michigan on May 18, 2021.
Leah Millis | Reuters
Ford made this possible after the event, allowing Biden to drive the F-150 Lightning at a nearby Ford development center with an intelligence agent in the vehicle.
“This fool is quick,” Biden told reporters. He said the vehicle travels about 0 to 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds before spinning off in the truck. “OK, let’s go, ready?”
Ford showed the new F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck ahead of its official unveiling Wednesday evening during President Joe Biden’s visit to the Michigan plant, which will manufacture the vehicle starting next year.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
“I’m a car guy”
Biden addressed the crowd at the factory before testing the pickup.
“My name is Joe Biden and I’m a car guy,” he said as he took the stage in front of the F-150 Lightning at the factory.
At the beginning of his speech, he talked about the automotive industry and electric vehicles before focusing on the need for America to catch up with China in manufacturing new technologies like EV batteries and semiconductor chips.
Biden called for investments in local semiconductor manufacturing to be increased to ensure that a shortage like the one in the US auto industry does not recur.
President Joe Biden speaks during a tour of the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, May 18, 2021.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
He also reiterated his support for new incentives to encourage consumer adoption of electric vehicles and move the government’s fleet to electric vehicles like the F-150 Lightning. He did not elaborate on excluding high-priced electric vehicles from such incentives
“The future of the auto industry is electric,” said Biden during a speech at the plant. “There is no turning back.”
Biden also thanked the United Auto Workers union for their support in the Senatorial election. He reiterated his support for the union and American workers, calling them “the greatest secret we have”. He encouraged automakers to “deepen” their relationship with the UAW.
F-150 flash
Ford executives said the F-150 Lightning will be a true pickup truck designed for commercial work as opposed to expected lifestyle pickups like the GMC Hummer EV or Tesla Cybertruck. It is expected to go on sale in the middle of next year.
“It’s just the best of Ford,” said Jim Farley, Ford CEO, during the company’s annual general meeting last week.
According to Farley, the F-150 Lightning “can provide power to your home during an outage, is even faster than the original F-150 Lightning Performance Truck, and is constantly being improved with wireless updates.”
President Joe Biden with Corey Williams (L), Plant Manager, William Ford, Jr. (2-R), Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, and Jim Farley (R), CEO of Ford Motor Company, tour the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan on May 18, 2021.
Nicholas Comb | AFP | Getty Images
When the vehicle name was announced, Farley compared its meaning to the Ford Model T and the Ford Mustang.
Biden toured the facility to promote his American-made EV agenda and a $ 2 trillion infrastructure package, including $ 174 billion, to advance EV development and adoption.
Pickups are seen as an important way to increase consumer adoption of electric vehicles as they are the best-selling vehicles in the country. They are also of great importance to fleet and commercial customers who are expected to be among the largest buyers of electric vehicles.
President Joe Biden speaks during a tour of the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, May 18, 2021.
Nicholas Comb | AFP | Getty Images
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