Ford's EV Sales Hit the Skids in November: Tax Credit Gone, Lightning Stalls, Future Uncertain!

TL;DR: Ford's electric vehicle sales hit a brick wall last month, dropping a massive 61% in November. Turns out, when that $7,500 federal tax credit packs its bags, so does a chunk of demand. The F-150 Lightning is still in neutral, and the whole Model e division is bleeding cash.

Meta: Ford's EV sales plunged a staggering 61% in November, with the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E taking huge hits after federal tax credits vanished and production stalled.

Alright, folks, buckle up, 'cause Ford just dropped its November sales numbers, and for their electric lineup, it's lookin' a little like a ghost town. We're talking a whopping 61% plunge in EV sales! That's not a dip, that's a cannonball into the shallow end. Last month, they only managed to push 4,247 all-electric vehicles, a far cry from the 10,800+ units they moved just a year ago. It's almost like taking away a $7,500 carrot makes people think twice, right?

The EV Triple Threat Goes Down

Nobody was safe in Ford's electric stable. The Mustang Mach-E, usually a solid performer, saw its sales chopped by 49% to 3,014 units. But the real stunner? The F-150 Lightning, their much-hyped electric truck, tumbled a dizzying 72% to just 1,006 units. And the E-Transit van? A staggering 82% drop to a mere 227 units. That's a rough month, even for a seasoned pro.

What's the deal, you ask? Well, part of it is the federal $7,500 EV tax credit pulling a disappearing act at the end of September. That incentive was like the bass line in a good funk track – it got things moving. Without it, the rhythm's off. On top of that, Ford's been wrestling with supply chain headaches after a fire at a Novelis aluminum plant put the brakes on Lightning production. Rumor has it, they're even pondering pulling the plug on the electric pickup entirely. Yikes! That's like canceling a concert mid-song.

Hybrid Hopes and Future Plans

With EV inventory piling up faster than laundry on a Sunday and their Model e division losing billions (yes, billions!), Ford is now doing the logical thing: leaning harder into hybrids. It's like they're realizing sometimes you gotta go half electric before you go full electric. CEO Jim Farley is talking a big game about their next-gen EVs, built on what they're calling the Universal EV Platform. These are supposed to be smaller, more efficient, and – get this – actually affordable. We're talking a $30,000 midsize electric pickup slated for 2027. If they pull that off, it could be a real game-changer.

This isn't just about sales numbers; it's about a strategic pivot. Ford, like a lot of legacy automakers, is learning that the EV market isn't a straight line. It's got curves, bumps, and unexpected potholes. The honeymoon phase of early adoption is over, and now it's about making EVs that make sense for the masses, even without those juicy tax credits. It's a tough lesson, but hey, that's showbiz, baby.

What's Next

Keep an eye on Ford's hybrid sales, because that's where they're trying to find their footing while they regroup on their all-electric strategy. We'll also be watching closely for any definitive word on the F-150 Lightning's future and, of course, updates on that promised $30,000 electric pickup. If they can deliver on affordability and efficiency, Ford might just get its groove back.

Until then, it looks like they're back to the drawing board, hoping to turn those red numbers green. And that's the bottom line, 'cause Eddie said so!