Ford Sells 27,307 F-150 Lightnings in 2025 but Remains Unprofitable on EVs
Ford halted production of several electric vehicles and refocused on hybrids and gas models after CEO Jim Farley conceded missteps in its EV strategy. Although it sold 27,307 F-150 Lightnings in 2025 versus 20,237 Cybertrucks, Ford lost money per unit and blamed pandemic-driven price hikes of 30%–40%.
1. Strategy Shift and Production Halts
Ford has stopped production of several electric vehicle models and shifted its growth focus back to hybrids and gas-powered vehicles. CEO Jim Farley acknowledged he would have executed the EV roll-out differently, citing unforeseen cost and market challenges.
2. F-150 Lightning Sales and Profit Losses
In 2025, Ford sold 27,307 units of the F-150 Lightning, surpassing Tesla’s 20,237 Cybertrucks, but disclosed losses on each Lightning. The volume win did not translate to profitability, prompting a reconsideration of EV priorities.
3. Pandemic-Driven Price Inflation
Farley said the COVID-19 pandemic gave automakers a ‘‘false signal,’’ allowing them to raise prices by 30%–40% and mask underlying EV production costs. This inflated pricing contributed to unprofitable unit economics once demand normalized.
4. Technical Shortcomings Revealed
In a teardown session with Ford’s EV chief, Farley discovered the Mach-E’s wiring harness was 70 pounds heavier and 1.6 kilometers longer than Tesla’s equivalent. This highlighted inefficiencies in Ford’s EV component design and cost structure.