DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor has added a 3rd manufacturing shift to its Michigan plant that produces the electrical F-150 Lightning because it appears to be like to spice up output.

The addition of the third shift comes because the automaker is increasing the newly constructed facility to hit a prime capability of 150,000 models by subsequent fall.

Ford is on observe to hit that beforehand introduced manufacturing milestone, Corey Williams, plant supervisor of the Dearborn Truck Plant and Rouge electrical automobile middle, mentioned throughout a tour of the ability Tuesday.

The third shift was added in November, bumping up the electrical truck plant’s employment from 500 to roughly 750 folks.

The plant is now operating three rotating crews of staff on 10-hour shifts seven days every week, Williams mentioned, sustaining a excessive stage of manufacturing whilst development staff scramble to finish an enlargement of the ability.

“That is how we’re doing this quick. We’re constructing product whereas constructing” out the manufacturing facility, Williams mentioned.

Ford had initially deliberate to construct about 40,000 Lightnings per 12 months, in a brand new facility adjoining to its longtime pickup manufacturing facility in Dearborn. However it determined to develop the manufacturing facility to spice up manufacturing after early demand for the electrical truck exceeded its expectations.

Earlier on Tuesday, MotorTrend journal named the F-150 Lightning is its 2023 truck of the 12 months. The journal’s editors mentioned the truck acquired unanimous help for the award, citing its total efficiency and enchantment to conventional pickup-truck patrons.

By the top of November, Ford has offered 13,258 F-150 Lightnings.