Next-gen Ford F-150 production on hold until 2028

A move by Ford to push back the production of its next-generation F-150 pickups could be a sign of something bigger at play, as the Detroit Three automakers look to mitigate the changing dynamics of the industry.

The details: According to a report (via Detroit Free Press), Ford will not start producing the popular pick-up's next-gen gas and hybrid models until April 2028, a year later than planned. Insiders contend that the industry could see more vehicle delays—as automakers look to offset EV challenges and mitigate the impact of new federal policies being implemented by the Trump administration. 

• Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at Auto Forecast Solutions, told the Detroit Free Press that Ford, GM, and Stellantis are delaying "a significant number of vehicles," as they shift their investments from EVs to hybrids and ICE vehicles. 

• Stellantis announced last Thursday that it was pausing production on its next-generation Jeep Compass at its Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, as it reevaluates its North American product strategy. 

Big picture: Though sales of electric vehicles have increased (with a record 1.3 million in sales in 2024), the overall sector has fallen short of early projections, requiring Detroit automakers to reassess their product strategies to meet consumer demand and profitability goals. 

• In 2024, Ford (as reported by Car Dealership Guy) saw EV losses totaling up to $37,000 – $100,000 per vehicle.

• But Ford isn’t the only one—in early 2025, Stellantis announced that the all-electric Chrysler Airflow SUV was being paused as well.

Between the lines: President Trump could meaningfully impact new EV sales, from revoking a goal set by Biden that called for EVs to make up half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 to plans to discontinue the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles.  

Why it matters: The delay of the next-gen F-150 could have a ripple effect on sales of the Ford pickup, which lost its sales crown last year after being the best-selling model for 42 years. 

• The current-generation F-150 will likely remain in showrooms longer, potentially limiting fresh incentives and redesign-driven demand spikes that typically boost sales cycles. 

• On top of that—the delay signals that Ford is further reassessing its investments between EVs, hybrids, and internal combustion engines (ICE), which could further impact dealer allocations, floorplan costs, and profit margins in the coming years.

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