📣 Ford announces MIC hardtop solution (program 21B49): unscheduled orders will get MY2022, delivered & built Broncos will have tops replaced

[survivormanca]

Maybe someone can help answer this:

I ordered OBX with the constraints of MIC and tow package and have no VIN/build date.

I'm thinking at this point, I will drop the tow package and switch to soft top. Yes, the MIC and tow are my preference, but neither are deal breakers as they can be added later on.

My main question is should I bother making this change right now or just wait until MY22 B&P opens? I noticed a note in the FAQ that said "soft tops will continue to be produced", but it also said if you don't currently have a build date, then you're automatically MY22.

I've been expecting to be in the MY22 camp basically this whole time anyhow, I'm just curious when would be the best time to change my order? If they're going to continue producing soft tops, is there a chance mine could be picked up in the MY21 batch?

I would change it now. You never know if it might get pulled earlier.

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[AK SNO RIDER]

Who would be stupid enough to cancel a First Edition? Especially at this point. The price just went up considerably for re-sale. Hey, all idiots wanting to cancel their FE, I will gladly take ALL of your reservations.

The price might go up for the immediate future but not really for the long run. It wouldn't be stupid to cancel, and I wouldn't blame anyone for doing so. They are going to be delivering these MY21 FEs in 2022 like it's somehow an acceptable solution. Spoiler alert- it's not. That alone kills resale.

 

[Blood_and_Mud]

Thank you for your time and all the information you’ve shared. My build date for 4dr FE was/is tomorrow 8/13. Are you saying I’m getting pushed to Novemberish?

Yes

 

[xcxv]

Ford ignoring the MIC water leak issue worries me. I bet they will deny the warranty claim if I let the snow and ice sit on the MIC Top for a week and it leaks and damages the interior….I will go back to leasing a new BMW every two years where they treat me like a king and showers me with free stuff all the time… once I flip the bad batch Bronco.

 

[First Edition Sport 51]

Happy to see Ford own it - could be worse

 

[Brongo]

Agree. They didn't want/plan things to go this way. Of course they would want a successful launch.

But still, we can't commend for their communication. We're getting our info from a third-party forum (thankfully).

Instead of the "Stay Pumped" messages, posters, and nonsense, Ford could have been way more transparent leading up to this.

 

[Bronco4lyfe85]

Knew this was coming.

 

[survivormanca]

Customers impacted won't get a letter until the end of August.

 

[Justin_Kane]

Made this notice into a PDF if anyone is interested. Easier to read and search.

 

[KTP 30]

Ok… For everyone wildly throwing around comments and opinions on this with no basis let me give you my thoughts on this…

First, I’m a former process engineer with an automotive supplier who worked with all the manufacturers. In an 18 month period I brought on a new facility expansion with 35 work centers and 22 new vehicles including the first generation Ford Edge. I have some insights/experience in this.

1) Webasto did not get the normal ramp up period a supplier gets. COVID cut into it when their facility was delayed. Many issues would of been worked out before Build #1 if this had been normal times.

2) Everyone assuming Ford just decided this week to redesign the tops, I highly doubt this. For an issue this size, I’m sure Ford and Webasto have been working multiple contingencies. I’ll even wager that the new top has already been produced in a normal production environment on the production equipment (ie not a prototype under ideal conditions). This leads me to my next point…

3) The timeline given sounds about right for getting the new tooling in place. Not redesign/testing/production ramp up . Might even be using the same tooling with modification. Also, the molds in this application wear out with time, they are constantly being reworked/refurbished/repaired. New tooling in this case is not a big deal.

4) Give the people involved with this a break. I’m betting they have been working non-stop, 80 hrs weeks and are beyond exhausted. When I did this work it was not uncommon for me to come home at the end of the day, lay down in the middle of the living room floor and fall asleep. You don’t know what this is like and frankly, most of you aren’t up to handling it.

Ford has been building vehicles for over a 100 years. They drop the ball! Fire them all!

 

[RockSkipper]

That is a new hardtop supplier for the Modular hardtop (available 2023) not the MIC hardtop.

Now will Ford dump Webasto at the end of this shitshow? Who knows. Sounds like this problem is more to do with Ford's design and less to do with Webasto's manufacturing ineptness.

I just glanced at their website..."a GLOBAL" solution expert to vehicle cooling solutions...gheesh.

I was hoping they would go to Besttop from the start...but have a feeling they would not be able to keep up with the demand and could have a non-compete with Jeep

 

[First Edition Sport 51]

Don‘t worry…. Bronco scented candles are set to be delivered tomorrow to soften the blow.

That’s hilarious!

 

[Smuck]

Probably the reason that 22lb package saying sorry about the hardtop is being sent.

 

[adbennett]

As bummed as I am, I’m going to continue to hold out for what I want and not adjust my build. I’ll just use this time with no car payment to save and pay off anything outstanding I have.

Can I afford a $60k vehicle right now — absolutely. Do I need a $60k vehicle right now —no.

still sad though but the writing has been on the wall.

 

[Brongo]

Don‘t worry…. Bronco scented candles are set to be delivered tomorrow to soften the blow.

Oooh, the smell of burning marine grade vinyl will be soothing!

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