• Ford has delayed the release of the next-generation F-150 gasoline/hybrid truck, pushing production to April 2028.
• Analysts believe Ford is exercising caution due to potential changes in tariffs and regulations.
• The delay could impact Ford dealers who may have to offer more incentives to sell the current F-150 model.

Ford Motor Co. will delay the next generation of its F-150 gasoline/hybrid trucks for one year, sticking with the current generation until production scheduled for April 2028, Auto Forecast Solutions confirmed last week to the Detroit Free Press.

Ford spokesman Mike Levine said the company had no comment on the F-150’s future production dates noting, “We don’t comment on speculation about future products.”

F Series trucks, led by the F-150, have been the bestselling vehicles in the United States for more than 40 years and are a major profit driver for the automaker.

Crain's Detroit Business, citing three supplier executives from different companies, first reported the delay.

Analysts said one likely reason for the move is significant uncertainty surrounding the auto industry and economy under the new Trump administration. President Donald Trump has proposed raising tariffs as high as 25% across goods from all countries and on Tuesday said auto tariffs would likely be at that level, which could raise prices for carmakers who import parts to make products in the United States. While Ford’s exposure to imports is lower than some of its competitors, the unknown of what changes might come from Trump could be enough to make Ford exercise caution.

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“Ford needs to tread carefully, given all the swirling changes in the Beltway,” said Dan Ives, managing director and senior equity analyst at Wedbush Securities. “This is a prudent, but smart move for Farley and Ford.”

Ives said if there are no sweeping changes from the White House to regulations, tariffs or other policies, Ford could always reinstate the next-generation F-150’s 2027 target launch.

A delay this far into the future is unlikely due to issues with Ford’s supply chain, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at Auto Forecast Solutions. The Detroit automaker could prioritize investment in other areas or the technology it plans for the 15th generation of the pickup.

More automotive industry:Trump says auto tariffs likely to start at 25%, increase gradually

Auto Forecast Solutions produces closely followed reports that monitor vehicle production. It releases regular reports on production disruptions such as semiconductor and microchip shortages. 

“Suppliers will have to carry the same parts for another year and dealers won’t have their new model for another year,” he said. 

Morningstar autos analyst David Whiston said the most logical reason for a delay would be Ford wanting to watch its spending. But it would be hard to predict how the delay might impact Ford’s profits, he said.

“It would hurt a bit on pricing as the product ages, but probably not a disaster from a profit point of view,” Whiston said. “More of an incentive headwind as discounting would likely have to rise for a year.”

Meanwhile, production delays could impact how Ford dealers can market these vehicles.

“If you have a truck that’s getting long in the tooth, it might require more incentives to get it to sell,” Fiorani said. 

Jamie L. LaReau is the senior autos writer who covers Ford Motor Co. for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.