Ford Ramps up F-150 Production, Adding 900 Jobs To Keep up With Demand, Focuses on Gas and Hybrid Models

Ford plans to add 900 workers at its Michigan facilities as truck output climbs by 50,000 units in 2026. Meanwhile, the company has paused production of its electric F-150 Lightning.

"The people who keep our country running depend on America's most popular vehicle – F-Series trucks – and we are mobilizing our team to meet that demand," said Ford Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra, according to Business Wire.

At the Dearborn site, output will jump by 45,000 gas and hybrid trucks next year. The stamping plant will take on 90 staff members, while the manufacturing plant adds 80 positions to handle increased work.

In Kentucky, 100 new staff will boost yearly Super Duty truck output by 5,000 units. The company will spend $60 million to upgrade the site's training and production systems.

These changes follow a major fire at supplier Novelis' aluminum plant in Oswego, New York on Sept. 16. The blaze damaged critical equipment, disrupting Ford's materials supply.

The Novelis incident might cost Ford up to $2 billion in fourth-quarter profits. Combined with $1 billion in tariff expenses, this has forced the company to cut its 2025 profit target from $6.5 billion to $6 billion.

The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center sits idle while Ford shifts focus to traditional models. Workers from this facility will move to a new third shift at the main truck plant.

Recent data shows why Ford made this choice. While they sold just 10,005 Lightning trucks in 2025's third quarter, total F-Series sales hit 207,732 units.

"We have good inventories of the F-150 Lightning and will bring Rouge Electric Vehicle Center back up at the right time, but don't have an exact date at this time," said Ford spokesperson Ian Thibodeau, according to TechCrunch.

Novelis aims to restart its damaged mill by December 2025, which could affect when electric truck production returns to full capacity.