DETROIT: Ford is reopening order banks on Thursday for the next wave of reservation holders of the popular F-150 Lightning, adding new improvements including boosting its standard range battery models to an EPA-estimated targeted range of 386km and adding Pro Trailer Hitch Assist technology.
An industry first, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist automatically controls steering, throttle and brake inputs to make hitching trailers easier.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist is standard on the Tow Technology Package, which is available on Pro, XLT and Lariat trims and standard on certain Lariat trims and the Platinum trim.
Starting in the fall, vehicles built with the standard range battery, available on Pro, XLT and Lariat trims, will have a targeted EPA-estimated range of 386km – up by 16km.
F-150 Lightning customers can choose two new colours among the 10 available options – Avalanche Gray and Azure Gray metallic tri-coat. Those colours replace Atlas Blue, Ice Blue Silver and Smoked Quartz Metallic, which are not available on models built starting this fall.
The new Ford Pro Special Service Vehicle Package is now available on F-150 Lightning Pro models for fleet customers. The package includes police-grade heavy-duty cloth front seats, built-in steel intrusion plates and available roof-mounted LED warning beacons.
Ford is adjusting the prices on the electric pick-up truck for the first time since it was revealed in May 2021 because of rising material costs and other factors. But it said it would keep prices unchanged for those who ordered to date.
The F-150 Lightning is offered in the US in seven versions with new prices from around US$47,000 to US$97,000.
Ford would impose the new pricing with the opening of the next wave of F-150 Lightning orders.
The all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup, part of the Ford F-Series, the best-selling truck in America for 45 years, officially launched in April 2022.
The first customer deliveries began in May with over 4,400 sold year to date.
