Ford Ends F-150 Lightning Production, Unveils AI Analytics for Pro Fleets
Ford ends F-150 Lightning production and faces competition from Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto, which has 160,000 reservations for a sub-$30,000 electric pickup and just appointed ex-Amazon VP Peter Faricy as CEO. The automaker also launched an AI analytics platform for its Pro commercial fleet customers to boost efficiency and reduce downtime.
1. Slate Auto Names New CEO
Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos, has raised $700 million and holds 160,000 reservations for its under-$30,000 electric pickup. The company appointed Peter Faricy, former Amazon Marketplace vice president, as CEO while founding CEO Christine Barman transitions to president of Vehicles.
2. Implications for Ford’s EV Strategy
Ford recently ended production of its bestselling F-150 Lightning after strong initial demand and is targeting a $30,000 midsize electric pickup for 2027. The entrance of a lower-priced EV pickup with significant reservations intensifies competition in the electric truck market.
3. Ford Launches AI Platform for Pro Fleets
To expand its multibillion-dollar Pro commercial business, Ford introduced an AI-driven analytics system for Pro subscribers. The new platform enables commercial customers to analyze operations, optimize efficiency and minimize vehicle downtime.