(JustPatriots.com)- Ford Motor Company said on Wednesday that it would continue to suspend production of its F-150 Lightning electric vehicle (EV) until at least the end of next week because of a battery fire in one of the vehicles that erupted earlier this month.
According to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the second-largest automaker in the United States by sales after General Motors Company, on February 4, one electric vehicle truck burst into flames during a quality inspection performed before delivery in a company holding lot in Dearborn, Michigan, and the fire spread to another vehicle in the lot. The company said that effective the next day, the assembly line for the Lightning would cease at its Dearborn site.
Ford claims to have conclusively identified the root of the problem. The research will be completed by the end of the week, and then the results will be applied to the production process of the truck’s batteries, which might take several weeks.
The automaker said on Tuesday that production and shipments would be suspended. The Detroit Free Press reported the fire, and the corporation confirmed it in a statement released on Wednesday.
Ford said it will continue storing “already-produced automobiles while we work through technological and process enhancements.” The automaker said it does not believe F-150 Lightnings already bought by customers are affected by this issue and is unaware of any incidents of this problem being reported by consumers.
Ford shares lost 0.3% at the closing of trading, closing at $12.93, then another 0.7% in after-hours trading.
Reports from Automotive News indicate that Ford has temporarily paused output at the Louisville Assembly Plant as it fixes manufacturing concerns with the updated 2023 Escape SUV.
According to a document referenced by Automotive News, the problem stemmed from defective computer software in the vehicle’s data display. Workers have been notified that the plant will be shut down from February 13th to the 19th.
