ice-capades

My guess is that the Focus EV will be restricted to fleets, at least initially.

LOL... and then maybe the 2013 will get a 400 CID, the 2014 a 460 CID and then they'll start working their way down as the new CAFE requirements kick in!

Unless there's major retooling involved, weekend changeovers are pretty common these days.

Ford is keeping a lot of information on vehicle development, changes, etc very, very quiet these days so it's really anyone's guess and speculation as to what will change on the 2012 MY Edge. I'd expect that there's something important that Ford wants to introduce in the 2012 MY rather than including something new on a 2011 MY Job #2 basis. Or it could be a matter of Ford simply wanting to pull forward the 2012 Edge so that they're in production and available as early as possible to stay ahead on the competition.

No. I would have included the 2011 MY Job #2 information had it been available.

The following information was released yesterday via the Fleet Distribution News Bulletin - May 28, 2010 01/28/11 - 2011 MY Job Last Date 10/11/10 - 2012 MY Order Bank Open Date 12/16/10 - 2012 MY Scheduling Begins 01/31/11 - 2012 MY Job #1 Date

The following information was released yesterday via the Fleet Distribution News Bulletin - May 28, 2010 01/14/11 - 2011 MY Job Last Date 11/08/10 - 2012 MY Order Bank Open Date 12/02/10 - 2012 MY Scheduling Begins 01/18/11 - 2012 MY Job #1 Date

The following information was released yesterday via the Fleet Distribution News Bulletin - May 28, 2010 11/05/10 - 2011 MY Job Last Date 09/06/10 - 2012 MY Order Bank Open Date 12/09/10 - 2012 MY Scheduling Begins 01/03/11 - 2012 MY Job #1 Date

Our Dealership has had a GT Premium Convertible awaiting shipment as long as your GT/CS and a GT Premium Coupe waitin at the plant for about a month now. Both cars are 6-spped manuals. I've contacted Ford's help desk and our Ford Zone Manager and no one can tell me what the reason for the hold is or when the cars will be released for shipping. We went through the same type of delays last year too!

We'll all see what happens down the road, if and when Ford makes a decision public. I used to drive Mercury Cougar's back in the days of Lincoln-Mercury being known as the "Sign of the Cat" but the times and markets have changed. I've worked for several Ford dealers for over 24 years now and deal on a daily basis with the pressures of day-to-day operations. Two of our best selling models are the Ford Fusion and Escape and we're constantly fighting for more allocation as we continue to increase sales. Mercury's demise could easily be covered by increased production for the Fusion and Escape and further increase Ford's and its Dealers market share.

Per the latest Fleet Distribution News Bulletin - May 21, 2010 11/19/10 - 2010 MY Job Last Date 08/16/10 - 2011 MY Order Bank Open Date 10/14/10 - 2011 MY Scheduling Begins 11/22/10 - 2011 MY Job #1 Date

2011 Fusion Order Guide 2011 Fusion Order Guide.pdf

Reply received from the Ford BAC regarding my inquiry as to why a 2011 Mustang GT has had a "Stop Ship Hold" since the vehicle was produced on April 7th. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are unable to advise as to why this vehicle is on hold. The plant does not release information as to why a hold is issued or when the hold will be lifted.

There is still a shiping hold on at least some of the 2011 Mustang GT's. We have a stock unit (GT Premium Convertible w/6-Speed Manual) that was built on April 7th. According to our Ford Zone Manager the unit is on a "Stop Shipping Hold" but he didn't say anything about why. I've contacted the "Dealers Ask Ford" help desk requesting information on the reason for the hold and an estimated release date. I'll update further once I see if Ford provides any useful information.

No, unfortunately I don't have access to Lincoln-Mercury order guides, etc.

2011 Ranger Order Guide 05/17/10 - 2011 MY Order Bank Opens 06/24/10 - 2011 MY Scheduling Begins 07/26/10 - 2011 MY Job #1 2011 Ranger Order Guide.pdf

2011 Escape Order Guide 05/17/10 - 2011 Escape Order Bank Opens 06/24/10 - 2011 Escape Scheduling Begins 07/26/10 - 2011 Escape Job #1 2011 Escape Order Guide.pdf

Even though the 2011 Mustang shipping release was issued weeks ago, we've still got a 2011 Mustang GT Convertible that was produced on April 7th and still sitting at the plant!

The 2011 Fusion Order Bank opens on 05/17/10 with scheduling to begin on 06/24/10 and a Job #1 production start on 07/26/10.

FYI... all 2011 MY (Model Year) brochures are available for order with Ford Dealer cusomization that includes the Dealer's address, phone number, sales and service department hours and phone numbers, website address, etc and even the Dealership's logo and photo. The order to delivery time is approximately 3 weeks. This new brochure printing option is available to Dealers at no additional cost over the usual brochure ordring fee. Yes, Ford Dealers pay for every brochure ordered above the initial no-charge allocation! Over the course of a model year, most Ford dealers will spend thousands of dollars just to provide brochures to potential customers!

The final order date for 2010 Fusions is 05/14/2010 for all Fusion models. The 2011 Fusion UNscheduled Order Bank (USOB) opens on 05/17/2010. Allocation for the Fusion Hybrid is a non-issue as there is a Retail Verification program in effect to order units that will be scheduled regardless of a Dealer's Fusion allocation. The Dealer only has to scan and upload a copy of the Customer's Driver's License and a signed Buyer's Order to a special Fusion Hybrid Retail Verification Order website. One Ford reviews the documentation and approves the retail order it will be scheduled regardless of the Dealer's Fusion allocation. Ford has similar programs in effect for other vehicle lines... 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, 2010 Escape Hybrid, 2010 Fusion Hybrid etc. Hope that this information helps you!

The following message was posted at FMCDealer.com yesterday. April 23, 2010 To: All Ford Dealers Subject: EFC0202027DC 2011 Super Duty 4x4 Build Status On Monday, we communicated production of the 2011 Super Duty 4x4 had been reduced due to a supplier parts shortage. At that time, we believed this was a short-term issue. It appears now that this may impact production through mid-May. Let me emphasize this is not a quality issue, but rather a parts shortage issue. The production impacts vehicles built at the Kentucky Truck Plant, which also includes Expedition and Navigator. As a result, we are adjusting build dates for Super Duty, Expedition and Navigator…and specifics related to each order will be reflected in your daily scheduling notifications. We will make every effort to restore full production as soon as possible. As you receive specific scheduling information, please proactively reach out to your customers to keep them informed of the situation and maintain open communication with them as details progress, so we can minimize any negative impact to customer satisfaction. We are also experiencing additional parts related shortages driven by transportation delays caused by the recent volcano eruption in Iceland. Subsequently, we have been forced to take unscheduled downtime at the Auto Alliance International Assembly Plant, where we build Mustang, and also at the Wayne Assembly Plant, which is where we build Focus. We will make every effort possible to ensure that these production interruptions are minimized as we move forward. Finally, the Auto Alliance Assembly Plant has been given the authorization to ship the 2011MY Mustangs, so you should begin to see these hit your showrooms over the next couple of weeks. If you have any questions, please contact your Ford Zone Manager. Hal Feder General Manager Ford Lincoln Mercury Sales

The 2011 Edge Order Guide was released on March 15th which I uploaded in a separate message/topic.

With the China market sales increasing so fast, I'd expect that the Beijing Auto Show will become that much important to Ford and other manufacturers in future years to showcase new production and concept vehicles.