Original Source: USA Today / Detroit Free Press

Expect all automakers to delay a significant number of vehicles, mostly EVs, over the next few years.

The Detroit Three are shifting money away from EVs to focus on gasoline and hybrid launches, which means delays for some next generation gasoline or hybrid vehicles as automakers have to switch gears

Look for a short-term resurgence of V8 engines.

The automotive industry will be turned upside down over the next few years as nearly all automakers are delaying or changing their product plans amid policy uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration and lower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles, a source said.

The Free Press confirmed a report that Ford Motor Co. will delay the next generation of its F-150 gasoline and hybrid pickups for one year. Ford will sell the current generation of the vehicle until production of the new one starts in April 2028 rather than 2027. Ford spokesman Mike Levine declined to comment on the F-150’s future production noting, “We don’t comment on speculation about future products.” Ford has not denied the reports.

It turns out that the next generation F-150 delay is the tip of the iceberg across the industry.

Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at Auto Forecast Solutions, said the Detroit Three automakers are delaying “a significant number of vehicles” as investment money is being shifted from EVs to hybrids and gasoline vehicles. Auto Forecast Solutions produces closely followed reports that monitor vehicle production. It also releases regular reports on production disruptions such as semiconductor and microchip shortages.

Fiorani declined to name the specific vehicles being delayed beyond confirming that the F-150 was one of them. He cited proprietary information from automaker and supplier clients as a reason for not being able to disclose specifics.

But he said, “Money is shifting around, and the next-generation internal combustion engine vehicles have gone back in the plan, while EVs are being delayed across the Detroit Three.”

A source familiar with GM’s plans denied that the automaker has made adjustments or plans delays to its vehicle programs yet as a result of policy uncertainty. The person asked to not be named because they are not authorized to share that information publicly.

GM spokesman Kevin Kelly declined to comment, saying it is policy that the automaker does not comment on future vehicle programs.

Stellantis did not immediately offer a comment on product plans for this report, but on Thursday said it is pausing work on the next-generation Jeep Compass at its Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, as it reassesses its North American product strategy.

“As we navigate today’s dynamic environment, Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy in North America to ensure it is offering customers a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options to best meet their needs,” spokeswoman LouAnn Gosselin said in a statement. “As a result, the company is temporarily pausing work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at the Brampton Assembly Plant. This does not change our previously announced investment plans for Brampton.”

The union that represents Canadian autoworkers pointed to the impact of the Trump administration’s policies and tariff threats.

“The chaos and uncertainty plaguing the North American auto industry, which is under the constant threat of tariffs and a dismantling of (electric vehicle) regulations from the United States, are having real-time impacts on workers and corporate decisions,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said in a statement. “We have been saying this as a union from day one that the threats are also dangerous to our economy and to Canadian jobs.”

EV demand has grown, but trails projections, meaning automakers must refocus their development away from EVs and back to gasoline-powered cars, Fiorani said. For example, Ford had planned a next-generation high-performance Ford F-150 Lightning EV, but the company must now look to making the next-generation gasoline F-150 better instead, meaning the current F-150 has to live longer while Ford works on the next generation.

Industry watchers said that likely will lead to greater sales incentives as models age while automakers shift gears, potential good news for consumers.

While the Trump administration has not yet proposed changes to federal emissions regulations based on the size of the vehicle, Fiorani said it’s almost a “lock that it will happen.” President Joe Biden had signed an executive order to set a target of making 50% of passenger car and light truck sales zero-emission by 2030, which Trump rescinded within hours in his presidency.

“No matter who’s in the White House in four years, the current administration is going to change the emissions regulations going out for the rest of this decade, making it easier to sell internal combustion engine vehicles, and we’ll see more hybrids introduced,” Fiorani said. “We may even see a few V8 engine vehicles coming back — a renewed, but short-lived focus on V8s.”

He said new EVs will eventually hit the market, but at a lower volume than they were initially planned for two years ago.