Ford is canceling the F-150 Lightning in a major EV pullback, but don't count U.S. electric vehicles out yet

Core Insights - The U.S. automotive industry is experiencing a shift away from fully electric vehicles (EVs), as evidenced by Ford's recent announcement to scale back its EV-focused business strategy, including scrapping plans for a new electric truck and converting its F-150 Lightning to a hybrid model [1][2][9] Industry Challenges - Manufacturing costs for vehicles in the U.S. have risen due to higher labor costs, stricter environmental regulations, and supply chain issues, leading to increased investment risk [4][5] - Regulatory changes and the elimination of federal tax credits for EVs have added uncertainty to investment decisions in U.S. manufacturing [5][6] - Ford's flagship EV, the F-150 Lightning, has faced profitability issues, with the cost of production rising significantly from an initial price of $40,000 to around $55,000 for the 2025 model [6][7] Market Dynamics - Despite record-high EV sales in the U.S. this year, the market is still heavily influenced by consumer sentiment, which has shown signs of decline, particularly among gas and hybrid vehicle drivers [15][16] - The global EV market is dominated by China, which accounts for approximately 70% of global EV production, highlighting the competitive challenges faced by U.S. automakers [11][12] Future Outlook - While Ford is scaling back on larger electric vehicles, it plans to focus on smaller, more affordable models and expand its hybrid offerings [10][19] - Experts remain optimistic about the long-term potential of EVs, citing advancements in battery technology and the overall positive experience of EV ownership [18][19] - The U.S. EV industry has faced fluctuations before, and while current economic conditions may justify a pullback, there is a risk of falling behind when the market rebounds [20]