Discontinued Ford F-150 Lightning Sees Used Market Boom
The discontinued Ford F-150 Lightning is experiencing a surge in used sales, moving in about 20 days at prices around $50,000. This demand highlights a market appetite for affordable electric trucks, even as Ford prepares to launch the cheaper Fathom in 2027. Meanwhile, BMW leads US luxury sales, and UAW president Shawn Fain won re-election with 68% of the vote.
Key points
- Used Ford F-150 Lightnings are selling rapidly, with an average turnover time of 20 days compared to 44 days for the average used vehicle.
- Prices for used Lightnings have risen 4% year-to-date, reaching approximately $50,000, driven by high demand from buyers seeking affordable electric options.
- Ford ended new Lightning production in December 2025 due to high costs and low sales, but the used market success suggests potential demand for the upcoming, cheaper Fathom EV pickup.
- BMW is leading the US luxury market with over 100,000 sales in Q3, outperforming Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, driven by strong sales of the 3 Series and X-series SUVs.
- UAW president Shawn Fain was re-elected with over 68% of the vote, despite a court-appointed monitor criticizing his handling of internal dissent.
Background
Ford discontinued the F-150 Lightning in December 2025 after struggling with high production costs and low sales volume. The vehicle was engineered to share parts with the gas-powered F-150 to reduce costs, but it still failed to achieve profitability. Ford plans to replace the Lightning with the Fathom, a more affordable electric pickup launching in 2027, which is built on a new platform and priced significantly lower than the Lightning. The current used market success may indicate a shift in consumer behavior toward affordable EVs, but it is unclear if this demand will translate to the Fathom, which has a different design and feature set.
Why it matters
The rapid sales of used F-150 Lightnings suggest that price is a critical factor in EV adoption, particularly in the truck segment. This market behavior could influence Ford's strategy for the Fathom and other automakers entering the EV space. Additionally, BMW's strong performance in the luxury market and the UAW's internal dynamics highlight broader trends in the automotive industry, from consumer preferences to labor relations.
What to watch
Ford is expected to launch the Fathom EV pickup in 2027, with a base price of around $28,350. The success of the used Lightning market may provide insights into consumer demand for affordable electric trucks. BMW is set to launch a redesigned X5 crossover in the coming months, which could further solidify its lead in the luxury market. The EU and China have reached a deal on hybrid imports, which may impact the global automotive landscape.
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