Bronco production update 8/9: Commodity issues far beyond MIC tops. Chip shortage reaches Bronco supply chain (NO COVID TALK)

[txozpilot]

So they are going to cancel production of non built scheduled MIC top vehicles?

just curious- I win either way- I have an FE on order (not scheduled/no VIN) and a Badlands scheduled/VIN/MIC

That’s what I’ve heard

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[TheHuntMan]

If anyone is interested I made “Bad Batch” Bronco badges. Some folk over on 6/30 build date have already seen these

 

[Gamecock]

Exactly.. Webasto is done. They produce both so until they sort out another supplier there will be no significant deliveries

That's actually good to hear if true...If BesTop gets the soft top cntract at least we could get some flat windows and a rigid enough structure that the cage doesn't get scratched every time you go up or down.

 

[txozpilot]

Sure is funny people are getting their window stickers and being built that are not FE's

But are the being delivered?
A window sticker may mean they had a plan to build, but due to current constraints they’ve decided to go another route.
It’s about how many end up in driveways and there’s not been a lot of that happening lately

 

[wsdowns]

LOTS of discussion here, and some of the options being brought up jive with *possibilities* being considered. AFAIK, there isn't a firm decision one way or another. All FEs will be built out in MY21 (and honestly those still awaiting a VIN and scheduling shouldn't be waiting too much longer). Some more MIC MY21s are probably going to be built, but I doubt we'll see them any appreciable numbers.

The main thing to watch is scheduling both this week and next (assuming they both end up happening as scheduled). How many members here will see their non-FE MIC units scheduled? If we see many (any?), that's a decent sign. I don't think we will.

Another kick in the sack is that from everything I've been told none of the purgatory units are awaiting any type of inspection any longer. They're just stuck waiting on solution(s).

I've caught wind of several alternatives being considered... some more drastic than others.



Quick note here to say THANK YOU! You guys contributed almost $500 since yesterday to help offset the looming $2,400 freight bill. We have some local businesses here who are interested in stepping up to help as well. If anyone else would like to contribute, we could definitely still use it.

Y'all are amazing.

Agreed. It's clear that they have maybe thousands (?) in the hold lot waiting for new tops, so those have to be prioritized (I don't see how they could possible be 'repaired'). Then FE's also need to be prioritized. That means no MIC tops for other new builds. I'm betting that we'll see 4 door soft-tops rolling off the line for the remainder of the year. If an order doesn't fit into that category it has to push to MY22.

 

[cowman]

But are the being delivered?
A window sticker may mean they had a plan to build, but due to current constraints they’ve decided to go another route.
It’s about how many end up in driveways and there’s not been a lot of that happening lately

Guess you didn't see the pic of 2 door hard tops on a truck in FL yesterday

 

[Monster1926]

Exactly - Ram was able to build two of these for me fully loaded in the last year while I waited for one Bronco. No way Ford is just sit by and lose truck market share.

Why didn’t you get a Jeep?

So they are going to cancel production of non built scheduled MIC top vehicles?

just curious- I win either way- I have an FE on order (not scheduled/no VIN) and a Badlands scheduled/VIN/MIC

i would put money that’s what theyre going to do. Full panic mode, let’s build what we said would only be built in 2021. Then worry about the others.

 

[Monster1926]

That's actually good to hear if true...If BesTop gets the soft top cntract at least we could get some flat windows and a rigid enough structure that the cage doesn't get scratched every time you go up or down.

I sense the value of my first edition going way up.

 

[wsdowns]

I’m not saying they scrap them. If there’s tops left over from the 12000 Webasto is building then maybe they ship some out, but if they have no good replacement tops then I don’t see them shipping anything until the new supplier is ready.

It would seem to me that it's in Ford's best interest to work with Webasto on the quality problems. You can't just turn suppliers on a dime (at least not at the quantity that would be required). An outright dumping of Webasto creates multiple problems - 1) Webasto has no incentive to help, 2) A new supplier has to come up to speed (will their quality be better, can they achieve the needed scale, etc.), and 3) Customers selected the Webasto top on their orders - I doubt you could just make a switch and not give a customer some options.

 

[Monster1926]

Agreed. It's clear that they have maybe thousands (?) in the hold lot waiting for new tops, so those have to be prioritized (I don't see how they could possible be 'repaired'). Then FE's also need to be prioritized. That means no MIC tops for other new builds. I'm betting that we'll see 4 door soft-tops rolling off the line for the remainder of the year. If an order doesn't fit into that category it has to push to MY22.

I hate to say this but any Broncos out in the yard that dont get repaired during the shut down week will be there until the next shut down week. Ford won’t keep the line down to repair vehicles in the float. They’ll use the new tops they have to build the vehicles running down the line. It’s very possible Broncos that get built later will arrive before Broncos that have been built sitting there.

 

[WillisC’onnors]

This.


I'll hint around where I can, but most of what I've heard has been single sourced and I can't risk burning them.

Ross, do you know what the other problem widgets are and can you tell us?



Thank you again.

 

[ATLColonial]

I’m not saying they scrap them. If there’s tops left over from the 12000 Webasto is building then maybe they ship some out, but if they have no good replacement tops then I don’t see them shipping anything until the new supplier is ready.

Serious question - why would they continue to build cars requiring those roofs if they weren't sure how many were usable? It seems silly to even continue building 2drs at this point if they're thinking they might have to mothball them altogether and build all new ones in 6 months.

 

[MaxP]

I have a build date in the week of 8-9 for my FE. Noticed the window sticker was made available over this past weekend. I am still anxiously waiting for the notification that the vehicle is being built, but I am prepared mentally to get bad news. I have been without a car for the past 6 months, but it's all worth it regardless of the ups and downs. I hope everyone will soon take their delivery!

 

[ATLColonial]

Ross, do you know what the other problem widgets are and can you tell us?



Thank you again.

Considering the number of 2drs sitting out there, I have to imagine its something specific to those cars. Other than the MIC top, are there any drivetrain or other parts that are specific to the 2drs?

 

[Gamecock]

It would seem to me that it's in Ford's best interest to work with Webasto on the quality problems. You can't just turn suppliers on a dime (at least not at the quantity that would be required). An outright dumping of Webasto creates multiple problems - 1) Webasto has no incentive to help, 2) A new supplier has to come up to speed (will their quality be better, can they achieve the needed scale, etc.), and 3) Customers selected the Webasto top on their orders - I doubt you could just make a switch and not give a customer some options.

I don't think they are turning "on a dime"....this potential firing has been a long time coming, including a plant takeover to try to fix it. They've already lost the panited hard top contract...and the other two tops are just one more step. Painful...but less painful then continuing to double down on a failing supplier.

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