Ford Motor announced on Thursday that it will repurpose its Canadian plant, initially slated for electric vehicle (EV) production, to build larger, gasoline-powered F-Series pickup trucks. The company had previously delayed the launch of its three-row electric SUVs at the Oakville Assembly facility from 2025 to 2027 due to slower-than-expected EV demand growth. Ford remains committed to the electric SUVs and their revised timeline but has not disclosed their new production location. The Oakville plant will add capacity for 100,000 F-Series Super Duty trucks, with potential for future multi-energy technology.
The decision comes as global EV demand growth has slowed, leading market leaders like Tesla and BYD to reduce prices to boost sales, and causing legacy automakers like Ford and General Motors to reassess their EV goals. Ford reported a nearly $4.7 billion loss in its EV business in 2023 and projects up to a $5.5 billion loss this year. The company has emphasized launching the next generation of EVs only when they become profitable and is increasing hybrid vehicle production to cater to consumers hesitant to fully transition to electric vehicles, aiming to quadruple hybrid production in the coming years.
Ford’s move to expand Super Duty truck production, which is highly profitable and popular in the commercial sector, includes a $3 billion investment, with $2.3 billion allocated for assembly and integrated stamping operations at Oakville. This expansion will secure approximately 1,800 jobs at the Oakville plant and add about 220 jobs at engine and component plants. These trucks are also produced at Ford’s plants in Kentucky and Ohio.
