Mobile Generator Coming to 2021 Ford F-150

Lots and lots of speculation continues when it comes to the next generation of the best-selling vehicle in America – the 2021 Ford F-150. And since Ford’s PR team remains tight-lipped, speculate is all we can do about what some of the new features might be. As the official launch of the 2021 F-150 grows near (reportedly June 18), we anxiously await to see what of our speculations and rumors will prove to be true.

One thing we know for sure, as the confirmed puzzle pieces are there, is that the 2021 F-150 will have some kind of on-board mobile generator. Mike Levine, North American Product Communications Manager tweeted it out as clearly as possible just this week.

On his Twitter feed he reshared something from 2017 that alludes to the F-150 getting a mobile generator (pictured above), at least in the electrified and hybrid version. Other news outlets are reporting that this mobile generator could be in the standard gasoline version too, but Levine himself has alluded to this feature on more than one occasion and only ever talked about it for the hybrid or EV version that’s coming.

So we can be sure this excellent feature is happening in some capacity for the 2021 Ford F-150. A separately-powered generator for the F-150 would be a big-time addition to the 14th-generation F-150. It would show that America’s best-selling vehicle is not just a daily driver, but a fully capable work truck, which is still a key segment of the truck consumer.

Since we know this is happening, I’m giving Ford an atta boy on this great feature and look forward to learning more about it.

2021 Ford F-150 production dates and reveal date
Two different Ford news sites reported that the official reveal of the 2021 F-150 would June 18. I saw a couple items on social media refuting that. I took this inquiry to Dawn McKenzie, Ford Truck Communications Manager, and asked to confirm that date. She said:
“We’ll be sharing additional information about the F-150 reveal later this week. We’re very excited about this launch and eager to share our all-new F-150 with you.”

So, more ambiguity from Ford regarding the reveal. We can assume it’s coming and likely sometime the week of June 18. As I wrote earlier, Ford would do well to mimic what Toyota did with their virtual reveal of the Sienna Hybrid and the Venza.

While we were left unable to sit inside or even see inside, we saw plenty to offer us information and answer many questions. I do hope that when the 2021 F-150 is revealed that Ford goes further than Toyota and lets us see various trims, and also lets us see the inside. There are so many things we want to know, specifically about the big infotainment screen and also any changes to the interior.

Spy photos we’ve seen don’t show anything too radically different on the exterior. My big question surrounds changing the tailgate, which as I reported is likely going to happen.

And of course, we have plenty of questions about the engines and powerplants, although I think we have that information confirmed as I reported here.

Here are the order and production dates for the 2021 Ford F-150:
Order date: July 15

August 13, 2020: Scheduling begins at the Dearborn Truck Plant (DTP)
October 12, 2020: Job One production begins for 2021 F-150 (DTP)

August 27, 2020: Scheduling begins at Kansas City Plant (KCAP)
November 9, 2020: Job One production begins for 2021 F-150 (KCAP)

Ford’s PR team is good at their job. Almost too good. Frustratingly so. As someone who covers Ford daily I thirst for more information and get very little from them. It gets tiring writing about rumors or speculating. But Ford isn’t here to keep me rich in inside information. They make me work for that.

I do wish they’d play coy less and offer up real information instead of vague tweets or mentions on social media. But, there’s nothing I can do to change their mind. All I can do is keep covering the F-150 for you here at Torque News. And hopefully we see the new F-150 in all its glory very soon!

Does a mobile generator interest you? Would it incentivize you to buy the 2021 F-150? I'd love to hear your comments.

Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.