### Ford's Major Shift: A $19.5 Billion Retreat from Electric Vehicles Ford Motor Co. has announced a significant pivot in its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, resulting in the cancellation of several planned electric models, including the highly anticipated F-150 Lightning. This decision comes amid a backdrop of declining demand, rising costs, and regulatory changes, leading to a staggering $19.5 billion writedown—one of the largest in automotive history. The company will redirect its focus towards more conventional vehicles and hybrids, marking a dramatic shift from its previous ambitions in the EV market [https://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2025-12/67238541-ford-to-curtail-ev-plans-take-dollar-19-5-bln-charge-add-thousands-of-u-s-jobs-020.htm]. ### Breakdown of Ford's Strategic Changes 1. **Cancellation of Electric Models**: - Ford will discontinue the production of the F-150 Lightning and other larger electric vehicles due to unprofitability and weak market demand [https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ford-cancels-electric-f-150-lightning-195-billion-u-turn-declares-evs-have-no-path-profit-1763242]. 2. **Financial Impact**: - The company is set to incur a $19.5 billion charge, primarily in the fourth quarter, as it reassesses its EV strategy [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/12/15/ford-scraps-f150-lightning]. 3. **Shift to Conventional Vehicles**: - Ford plans to invest in gasoline engines and hybrid models, moving away from its previous focus on all-electric vehicles [https://www.apnews.com/article/ford-electric-vehicles-trump-f150-a1fcdec9c76cde5d2d6852360d9d42c4]. 4. **Response to Market Conditions**: - The decision is influenced by changing consumer preferences and the impact of regulatory policies from the Trump administration, which have altered the landscape for EV production [https://www.indexbox.io/blog/ford-takes-195-billion-writedown-after-slashing-ev-production-plans]. ### Supporting Evidence of Ford's Strategic Retreat - **Financial Losses**: Ford has reported losses of approximately $13 billion on its EV initiatives since 2023, prompting this strategic reevaluation [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/12/15/ford-scraps-f150-lightning]. - **Market Demand**: The company cited a lack of consumer interest in larger electric vehicles as a key reason for its decision to halt production [https://www.electrive.com/2025/12/16/ford-discontinues-several-evs-in-us]. - **Future Plans**: Ford will focus on developing extended-range electric vehicles that incorporate gasoline engines for recharging, indicating a shift towards hybrid technology [https://www.driveteslacanada.ca/news/ford-confirms-f-150-lightning-is-dead-next-model-gets-gas-engine-backup]. ### Conclusion: Ford's Strategic Realignment in the EV Market In summary, Ford's recent announcement marks a significant retreat from its electric vehicle ambitions, driven by financial losses and changing market dynamics. The key points of this strategic shift include: 1. **Discontinuation of the F-150 Lightning and other electric models** due to unprofitability and weak demand. 2. **A $19.5 billion writedown** reflecting the financial impact of this pivot. 3. **A renewed focus on gasoline and hybrid vehicles**, moving away from all-electric models. 4. **Adaptation to market conditions** influenced by regulatory changes and consumer preferences. This comprehensive realignment underscores the challenges faced by traditional automakers in the evolving automotive landscape, as they navigate the complexities of electrification and profitability [https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/15/business/ford-electric-vehicle-pullback].