Ford Motor Co. has temporarily suspended shipments of its F-150 Lightning plug-in pickup on February 9 for an undisclosed quality issue. The decision comes just weeks after a reduction in production of the battery-powered model due to a decline in sales. The pause in deliveries was made "to ensure quality," as stated by the automaker in a late Friday announcement.

While no specific timeline for the resumption of Lightning deliveries was provided, Ford indicated that they have already started shipping traditional gas-powered versions of the truck, newly redesigned for the 2024 model year. The company emphasized the need to conduct thorough launch quality checks before ramping up shipments in the upcoming weeks to ensure the new F-150s meet their high standards.

Ford acknowledged the challenge in the electric vehicle market, with EV sales experiencing a significant slowdown due to high prices and issues with charging infrastructure, prompting a recalibration of their strategy. This includes production cuts and price adjustments for the battery-powered Mustang Mach-E, alongside efforts to increase output of gas-electric hybrid models.

The stop-shipment order on the F-150 Lightning was previously reported by Automotive News. As Ford navigates the evolving landscape of the automotive industry and adjusts its approach to electric vehicles, industry observers continue to monitor how these developments will shape the future of the company and the market at large.