--- title: "An Aluminum Shortage Is Still Wreaking Havoc on Ford F-150 Production: TDS" date: "2026-05-05" modified: "2026-05-05" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/an-aluminum-shortage-is-still-wreaking-havoc-on-ford-f-150-production-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "F-150" - "Ford" - "pickup" --- # An Aluminum Shortage Is Still Wreaking Havoc on Ford F-150 Production: TDS ![The new Ford F-150 truck goes through the assembly line at the Ford Dearborn Plant on April 11, 2024 in Dearborn, Michigan.]() *Ford F-150s on the production line at the Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan. \Bill Pugliano/Getty Images\* Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short. *The Downshift* is your one-stop shop for all the automotive industry headlines fit to print every morning here at *The Drive*. The best part is, you can still sip coffee as you drink it and you won't get any ink on your fingers. Let's see what's going on around the world, shall we? 🛻 An aluminum shortage that has depressed Ford F-150 production since late last year is still constraining stock of the pickup, with Ford now projecting to spend $2 billion on commodities for 2026—double its original estimation—due to the metal's rising cost. \[*[Wall Street Journal]()*\] 💶 Audi CFO Jürgen Rittersberger said on a recent earnings call that it is "still evaluating a potential impact" of a tariff increase on European auto exports by the Trump administration, "but it’s clear it would be a significant burden on our performance." The luxury automaker is already seeking to cut 7,500 jobs by 2029. \[*[Automotive News]()*\] 🍁 Geely, Chery, and BYD all appear to be gearing up for Canadian market launches, with Geely deploying two SUVs from its sub-brand Jaecoo in Toronto in recent weeks, possibly for testing or exhibition purposes. \[*[Automotive News]()*\] ⬇️ Volvo sold 10% fewer cars in 2026 than in 2025 from February through April. \[*[Reuters]()*\] 🛑 Brembo is now in full production of a brake-by-wire system for an automaker's model line, though we don't know which one yet because suppliers aren't always at liberty to name their customers. \[*[Automotive News]()*\] 🏌️ Volkswagen will field a Golf R with extreme aero, developed with Max Kruse Racing, at next year's 24 Hours of Nürburgring to mark 25 years of the R brand, which first began in 2002 with the Mk 4 Golf R32. \[*[Volkswagen]()*\] 🐂 Red Bull is now engaged in series production of its 50 Adrian Newey-designed RB17 hypercars. Each one costs nearly $6.8 million. \[*[Autocar]()*\] 🔋 BMW just built its 2 millionth battery electric vehicle, an i5 M60, at its Dingolfing, Germany plant. \[[*BMW*]()\] *Got a tip or feedback for TDS? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()