After the local Australian remanufacturer of the Ford F-150 Lightning went under, some of its electric utes are now for sale.
The final fate of excess right-hand drive converted F-150 lightnings from AusEV has been revealed, as they appear for sale online from a major car dealer.
AusEV, which had been converting the US-built electric F-150 Lightnings to right-hand drive (RHD), went into administration in March, alongside other related businesses under its parent company, BOSSCAP Group Pty Ltd.
A number of “near new” F-150 Lightning models are being sold by easyauto123, which is owned by major car dealership group Eagers Automotive.
An easyauto123 spokesperson was only able to share limited details about any potential deal with AusEV’s administrators.
MORE: Ford F-150 Lightning remanufacturer AusEV goes under
“We can confirm that easyauto123 has access to a limited batch of Ford F150 stock, however we are not in a position to provide details around our transactions and arrangements that are commercially sensitive,” the spokesperson said.
The AusEV converted F-150 Lightnings were subject to a recall notice following the company’s collapse. Rival RHD conversion firm Performax stepped in to perform the required work, which has been completed on the models sold by easyauto123.
“Any applicable recalls have been fully completed prior to sale, including required charging system updates,” the easyauto123 site states.
“All work has been carried out to manufacturer standards by specialist partner Performax, with documentation provided for each vehicle.”
MORE: Ford F-150 Lightning Australian owners thrown a lifeline with recall deadlock
The easyauto123 spokesperson confirmed the cars being sold by easyauto123 have had no previous private owners — suggesting they are unsold stock or demonstration vehicles from AusEV.
“Factory Fresh-range vehicles are often bulk purchases that we are able to acquire through our existing partnership leverage (ex- OEMs) where we market cars that are near-new (not brand new) with low kms and where there have been no previous private owners,” the spokesperson said.
“Ford F-150 Lightning inventory is a batch of cars that easyauto123 is marketing that is near-new, fully compliant with Australian requirements with a three year vehicle warranty and a three year battery warranty.”
MORE: Next-generation Ford F-150 Lightning EREV set for Australian introduction
AusEV’s parent company, BOSSCAP, attributed its collapse to Ford ceasing production of the fully electric F-150 Lightning. However, financial documents seen by Drive from 2024 detailed concerns about the business’s ability to continue operating due to high debt.
Ford will continue making a F-150 Lightning-badged model, but it will instead be a range-extended electric vehicle, rather than a fully electric vehicle.
Range-extended vehicles are powered by an electric motor and have a battery that can be plugged in to charge. They also possess a fuel tank and combustion engine that serves only as a generator to charge the battery.
The post Ford F-150 Lightning reappears for sale after conversion firm goes under appeared first on Drive.
