2023 Ford F-150 Lightning prices increase up to US$8500 as CEO quips 'Take that, Elon Musk' on Cybertruck availability

Ford sold 4,500 of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks last month and its CEO couldn't help but gloat over releasing it way ahead of Tesla's Cybertruck that was announced many moons ago and yet is only arriving in mid-2023. We are "the leader of all EV pickup trucks in our industry in the United States. Take that Elon Musk," quipped Ford's CEO Jim Farley during a press conference announcing its 650 megawatts renewable energy partnership with DTE, a record purchase from a US utility.

While Jim Farley is on record admiring Tesla's profit margins which are currently the highest in the industry, he also advised that Ford's US$50 billion electric car push is meant to make it the preeminent EV maker in the US, explaining yesterday's "Take that, Elon Musk!" bit. Ford sells the most electric cars in America after Tesla, and recently spun off its EV efforts as a separate Model E entity with the quest to become "the true EV leader," with 40% of its portfolio consisting of fully electric vehicles by 2030.

After the Mustang Mach-E success which earned a Top Pick designation by Consumer Reports, Ford is now ramping up the production schedule of its electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning. Unfortunately, Ford is not immune to the supply chain disruptions and runaway battery materials inflation plaguing the EV industry. "Due to significant material cost increases and other factors, Ford has adjusted MSRP starting with the opening of the next wave of F-150 Lightning orders," says the press release.

As if to soothe the 2023 F-150 Lightning price increase, Ford announced that the standard models which will come with the new fall orders will also offer a slightly increased - from 230 to 240 miles - EPA range estimate on a charge. Here are all the new 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning prices for the different trim levels:

• Base F-150 Lightning Pro: US$46,974
• XLT: US$59,474
• XLT High: US$68,474
• XLT High Extended Range: US$80,974
• Lariat: US$74,474
• Lariat Extended Range: US$85,974
• Platinum Extended Range: US$96,874

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