- WSJ report: Ford is weighing discontinuation of the F‑150 Lightning; Ford says it will restart EV‑truck output “at the right time” but gave no date. [1]
- Dividend: Shares trade ex‑dividend today for the regular $0.15 quarterly payout (payable Dec. 1) under the company’s Oct. 23 declaration; with T+1 settlement, most U.S. stocks go ex‑div on the record date. [2]
- Quality & safety: NHTSA correspondence shows owner notification letters for windshield‑visibility recall 25V730 are slated to be mailed Nov. 7, 2025. [3]
- Backdrop: The Novelis aluminum‑plant fire continues to weigh on production and guidance; Ford trimmed its 2025 outlook in October. [4]
‘Lightning’ on the line: What’s new and what’s confirmed
A Wall Street Journal story (summarized by Reuters) says Ford executives are considering scrapping the F‑150 Lightning, the brand’s flagship battery‑electric pickup. Ford declined to confirm the move, noting it has inventory on hand and will bring the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center back up “at the right time,” without giving a restart date. The pause traces to a September fire at aluminum supplier Novelis, which constrained body‑panel metal for F‑Series. [5]
The potential Lightning exit would extend Ford’s 2025 pivot away from large, capital‑intensive EVs and toward smaller, cheaper electrics—after previously delaying the next‑gen full‑size EV pickup and E‑Transit van to 2028. [6]
Dividend day: Ex‑dividend today (Nov. 7)
Ford’s board declared a fourth‑quarter $0.15 per‑share dividend, payable Dec. 1, 2025 to shareholders of record Nov. 7, 2025. Because U.S. markets use T+1 settlement, the ex‑dividend date generally falls on the record date—so Ford (NYSE: F) trades ex‑dividend today, Nov. 7. [7]
Why it matters: Ex‑div trading typically subtracts the dividend amount from the share price on the morning of the ex‑date; dividend capture strategies and short‑term liquidity can add noise to intraday moves.
Stock snapshot
As of 16:04 UTC today, F last traded around $13.12 after ranging between $12.92–$13.21 intraday. (Real‑time figures referenced for context.)
Quality & safety: Owner letters go out today on a 56,841‑vehicle recall
In a formal NHTSA acknowledgement letter for campaign 25V730 (Ford internal 25C60), regulators note owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 7, 2025. The issue: potential air bubbles in windshield glass on certain 2025–2026 Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Corsair vehicles that could obscure visibility (FMVSS 205). Dealers will inspect and replace windshields as needed at no charge. [8]
Supply chain context still driving decisions
The Novelis fire’s ripple effects continue. On Oct. 23, Ford lowered full‑year EBIT guidance to $6.0–$6.5 billion, citing the aluminum shortfall’s impact on F‑Series throughput—a key reason Lightning build remains paused. [9]
(Separate reporting in late October/early November has described timelines for partial restarts at Novelis; any acceleration would be a material tailwind for Ford’s truck cadence.) [10]
Around the world, today at Ford
- Retail experience: Ford launched a new “Signature 2.0” global showroom concept at Ford Caminho in Campinas, Brazil, designed to integrate digital and in‑store journeys and elevate hospitality—one of the first 20 stores to adopt the format this year. [11]
What to watch next
- Lightning decision path: Expect continued scrutiny of dealer inventory, order banks and supply recovery as management weighs the program’s future. [12]
- Dividend sustainability vs. cash priorities: Today’s ex‑div comes as Ford balances tariff costs, EV investment pacing and quality spending against shareholder returns into 2026. (Background: guidance cut tied to Novelis; ongoing EV timing shifts.) [13]
- Recall follow‑through: Owners of affected Explorer/Aviator/Corsair vehicles should look for mailed notices starting today and schedule inspections promptly. [14]
References
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.fromtheroad.ford.com, 3. static.nhtsa.gov, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.fromtheroad.ford.com, 8. static.nhtsa.gov, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.wsj.com, 11. media.ford.com, 12. www.reuters.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. static.nhtsa.gov
