Ford is finally exporting the F150 Lightning, its electric pickup, but only to Norway for now


In October 2022, Ford France gave us the pleasant surprise of giving us – briefly – the keys to the F150 Lightning, the most badass of electric pick-ups. At the time, when the drafting of Digital had asked the question of a possible marketing in Europe, even in France, the persons in charge of the mark had answered us that the question was under consideration.

Seven months later, the answer fell: yes. However, do not rush to your dealer, unless you live in Norway. Indeed, Ford decided to first export its F150 Lightning to the land of the midnight sun. The reason is simple, it is THE country where electric vehicles are kings and thermal combustion vehicles are heavily taxed. A paradox for the world’s 12th largest oil producer.

FORD F150 LIGHTNING NORWAY NORWAY

This all-electric policy has meant that in 2022, 79.3% of new vehicles on the market did not have a combustion engine, according to a report by the Norwegian Road Federation. In addition, the Ford Mustang Mach-E was the best-selling electric vehicle in Norway in 2021 and remains in the top 5 in sales. Norwegian customers represent 22% of European sales of the American SUV.

Beyond the local conditions favorable to electric, Ford has been inundated with requests from Norwegians for whom the F150 Lightning meets the “friluftsliv“, the culture of relaxation in the wilderness. Incidentally, Per Gunnar Berg, Managing Director of Ford Norway, said that in “25 years at Ford, I have never seen such passion and demand from drivers to get behind the wheel of our F-150 Lightning. Customers literally knocked on my door and begged us to introduce the electric pick-up in Norway“.

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Although Ford has decided to export its electric pick-up to Norway, the volumes – not communicated – will be limited. Thus, only one configuration will be offered: the Lariat Launch Edition (twin electric motor of 337 kW) with Ford’s Super Crew Cab body and Antimatter Blue exterior paint. As for the price, it should start from €102,000 with a battery with a capacity of 98 kWh. The first copies are expected in 2024.

On the other hand, Ford did not indicate if other European countries would have the chance to see its F150 Lightning land. The brand’s next electric vehicle will be the Explorer 2, a European version of the Explorer based on the MEB platform of the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4.

Reopening of order books

This European landing follows Ford’s recent announcement concerning the reopening of its order book after having reinforced its production tool in its Michigan plant (Rouge Electric Vehicle Center). It was a battery problem discovered in mid-February that forced the blue oval brand to stop manufacturing its electric pickup. It resumed on March 13. Ford took the opportunity to announce its intention to triple production of the Lightning and double that of the Mach-E in 2023.

FORD F150 LIGHTNING NORWAY NORWAY

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