ice-capades

2024 Ford F-150 Dearborn Track Inventory Situation Explained https://fordauthority.com/2024/02/2024-ford-f-150-dearborn-track-inventory-situation-explained/ Last week, Ford Authority reported that a number of 2024 Ford F-150 and Ford F-150 Lightning pickups were spotted at the automaker’s Dearborn test track, which was previously used to store incomplete pickups that were partially assembled and then stashed away as the automaker awaited parts that were difficult to come by due to various supply chain shortages. At that time, it was unclear if this was why The Blue Oval was parking a number of 2024 Ford F-150 pickups at its test track, but now, the automaker has shed a little light on the situation, according to Automotive News. Hundreds – or perhaps even thousands – of 2024 Ford F-150 and F-150 Lightning pickups have been piling up at the test track over the past few weeks, and as far as the EV variant is concerned, this action stems from a stop-sale implemented by FoMoCo due to an undisclosed quality issue. That stop-sale was issued back on February 9th, though it’s unclear when it will be lifted at the moment. As far as the 2024 Ford F-150 goes, The Blue Oval noted that it has begun shipping the refreshed pickup, but didn’t disclose if it had discovered any quality issues that might have caused this backup. “We started shipping the first newly designed F-150 pickups to dealers this week,” Ford said in a statement. “MY24 Lightnings started shipping last month. We expect to ramp up shipments in the coming weeks as we complete thorough launch quality checks to ensure these new F-150s meet our high standards and delight customers.” Over the past year or so, The Blue Oval has also paused production of a few refreshed or redesigned models when it discovered quality issues early in that process as well – a list that includes the F-150’s F-Series counterpart, the 2023 Ford Super Duty – though that process proved costly. Regardless, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently stated that the automaker is using the Toyota Tundra as a quality benchmark for the 2024 F-150, so it’s certainly possible that it’s working to complete thorough inspections or rectify any potential issues it discovered early in the production process prior to shipping those models to dealers.

2024 Ford Mustang Ups Personalization with Factory Matte Clear Film https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2024/02/26/2024-ford-mustang-ups-personalization-with-factory-matte-clear-f.html# Available to order starting Feb. 27, optional new Matte Clear Film can be applied to any currently available Mustang paint color to produce a smooth, satin-like finish Covered by Ford’s standard factory warranty, Matte Clear Film gives customers another way to personalize their Mustang and better paint protection than a vinyl wrap Deliveries of Matte Clear Film for Mustang coupe to start in June 2024, available on Mustang convertible by year-end DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 26, 2024 – Mustang customers have an all-new way to personalize their ride with the car’s first-ever factory Matte Clear Film, giving Mustang a stylish satin-like finish while also protecting the car’s paint. Mustang Matte Clear Film joins other personalization options, including wheel choices, interior colors, contrasting seatbelts, factory painted brake calipers, and bold and exciting paint colors. Matte Clear Film is available on all Mustang coupe models (EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse) and in all factory paint colors, with first deliveries slated to begin in June. It will be available on all Mustang convertible models in the fourth quarter of 2024. “Mustang has been about driving freedom and freedom of expression for 60 years, and our new Matte Clear Film provides a whole new way for customers to make Mustang their own,” said Laurie Transou, Mustang Chief Program Engineer. The 2024 Mustang Matte Clear Film is a product of PPG. It’s designed to withstand harsh detergents used at hand or touchless car washes, as well as road salt, bird droppings, bug splatter, and asphalt residue. Available to order starting Feb. 27 and priced at $5,995, this new option comes with the same 3-year/36,000-mile factory warranty that applies to all 2024 Mustang cars. Customers who order the Mustang Matte Clear Film for the Mustang Dark Horse will not get the standard Hood Accent Stripe or be able to select the Painted Racing Stripe; Matte Clear Film is not available with the GT California Special package, or the optional graphics packages on the Mustang EcoBoost and GT. Graphic delete will also be a standalone item on the Mustang Dark Horse for customers who prefer a more under-the-radar appearance on the most track-capable 5.0-liter Mustang ever*.# # # *With the 2024 Dark Horse Handling Package.

It could be waiting for parts or installation of options (Spray-In Bedliner, etc.) installed at an off-site facility.

Oops! I must have clicked on the wrong forum... I thought this forum was about Ford delaying the EV Bronco and Maverick, but the recent discussion is about everything else including tons of speculation!

2024 Ford F-150 Pickups Being Stashed at Dearborn Test Track https://fordauthority.com/2024/02/2024-ford-f-150-pickups-being-stashed-at-dearborn-test-track/ As Ford Authority originally reported back in April 2021, The Blue Oval’s Dearborn test track has previously been used to store incomplete Ford F-150 pickups, which were partially assembled and then stashed away as the automaker awaited parts that were difficult to come by at the time due to various supply chain shortages. This trend continued into 2022 and even included the Ford F-150 Lightning as well, and now, sources familiar with the matter have told Ford Authority that there are a host of 2024 Ford F-150 pickups being stashed at the Dearborn test track, too. There are currently a number of 2024 Ford F-150 pickups parked at the Dearborn test track, along with some 2024 F-150 Lightning pickups, too, though it’s unclear why this is the case. It’s possible that the launch of the refreshed 2024 F-150 pickup, specifically, is being impacted by supply chain issues or potentially even quality checks, however. In fact, as Ford Authority reported early this month, even though production of the refreshed 2024 Ford F-150 is already underway, that process was paused at the Dearborn Truck Plant from January 25th-31st, resulting in the temporary layoffs of around 5,200 UAW workers. The same was true of the Kansas City Assembly plant, where assembly was paused from January 25th-February 1st, impacting around 4,500 workers, though production has since resumed at both plants. Both production pauses stemmed from a supplier parts issue, though FoMoCo didn’t reveal which supplier, nor what part caused these temporary shutdowns. Over the past year or so, The Blue Oval has also paused production of a few refreshed or redesigned models when it discovered quality issues early in that process as well – a list that includes the F-150’s F-Series counterpart, the 2023 Ford Super Duty – though that process proved costly. Regardless, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently stated that the automaker is using the Toyota Tundra as a quality benchmark for the 2024 F-150, so it’s certainly possible that the automaker won’t begin deliveries until it rectifies any potential issues it has discovered early in the production process.

This afternoon's gas prices in Hamden, CT (New Haven) $3.19 Regular (Cash) @ Gulf $3.29 Regular (Cash) @ Citgo

GM could do whatever they want with trying to create a Colorado based competitor to the Bronco and it wouldn't make a difference. The new generation Bronco struck a chord with the modern consumer and re-established the Bronco as the worthy successor. A Colorado based Bronco competitor doesn't have the heritage or ability to compete successfully. GM does have decades of sales leadership with their large 3-row utilities and Ford's Excursion was killed off by the environmentalists. Ford doesn't compete in my opinion with the C8 Corvette, whether it be the Mustang Dark Horse, a new Shelby or GT3 version. The Corvette and Mustang serve different niche markets, with their own interests and loyalty, with little of the crossover interest and sales that existed years ago.

Thanks for the update!

GM Cancels Fully Electric Ford Maverick Rival https://fordauthority.com/2024/02/gm-cancels-fully-electric-ford-maverick-rival/ The Ford Maverick has been a smash hit since it launched for the 2022 model year, immediately becoming one of the most sought-after vehicles on the market. As such, it’s no surprise that other automakers have been considering adding a compact pickup to their respective lineups as well, a list that includes both Toyota and General Motors, the latter of which was spotted benchmarking the Ford Maverick by Ford Authority not too long ago. GM was reportedly considering an all-electric Ford Maverick rival as recently as January 2023, in fact, but now, it seems as if such a model is no longer in play, according to GM Authority. As Ford Authority reported last year, this prospective all-electric Ford Maverick rival was so far along in the development process that the automaker shared details regarding its vision for the pickup with the press at its EV design studio in Warren, Michigan. It was reportedly slated to be smaller than both the Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, with just two doors, a low roofline, and a 4- to 4.5-foot bed, with a planned starting price of less than $30k. The pickup reportedly had a sportier, more futuristic design that was intended to appeal to younger customers who enjoy recreational activities. Now, that will no longer be the case, it seems, as GM is scaling back its EV strategy in response to softer demand. As Ford Authority recently reported, GM is now working to instead add plug-in hybrids back to its lineup for the interim, with PHEV versions of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra reportedly being “rushed” to market as quickly as possible. Of course, this won’t be the first time GM has neglected to follow FoMoCo’s lead in terms of tapping into a hot segment, as it has also chosen to forgo creating a proper Ford Bronco rival, too. As for the Ford Maverick and the possibility that it may one day add to its powertrain options that currently including an ICE and hybrid variant, it doesn’t seem as if The Blue Oval is planning on adding a PHEV to that list either, as Ford Authority reported last May.

I would doubt it considering how close they are to balancing out production for the Edge and starting the conversion to future BEV production.

It'll be interesting to see how dramatic and how quickly the new pricing actions will impact the 2023MY Mustang Mach-E inventory. It'll take some time to see results, but I'd expect to see a substantial drop in inventory over the next couple of months. If Ford can start "right sizing" the inventory level with these new 2023MY pricing actions, I'd expect Ford to implement similar changes to the 2024MY Mach-E's but not as extensive. Time will tell!

Ford Sweetens 2023 Mustang Mach-E Price Even More for Employees, Friends, Family, Retirees https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2024/02/21/ford-mustang-mach-e-price-cost-friends-family-employees/72682250007/ Ford Motor Co. revealed Wednesday a special price break for Ford employees, their family members and friends in addition to price cuts announced a day earlier for the electric 2023 Mustang Mach-E. The amount: $2,750 more off the purchase of the all-electric SUV in addition to cost cuts of up to $8,100 and offers including 0% interest. In southeast Michigan alone, the Dearborn automaker employs a estimated 50,000 employees who qualify for the price break, Ford spokesman Marty Gunsberg told the Detroit Free Press. Ford retirees also qualify, he said. The company ramped up production of the Mach-E at its plant in Mexico just as consumer purchases slowed. Now production has been reduced to reflect slower demand. There's plenty of inventory to fill 2023 Mach-E orders, Gunsberg said. "EV pricing across the industry has become increasingly dynamic over the last year and price changes like this reflect present market conditions," he said. "Updated pricing is available for any customer who has a Mach-E on order and/or takes delivery of a Mach-E from Feb. 20, 2024." Traffic on the Ford website after the news of price cuts spiked 600% on Tuesday, Gunsberg said. Ford CEO Jim Farley and CFO John Lawler have told Wall Street analysts that Ford is losing money on its electric vehicles that's covered by the profits generated by gas-powered and hybrid pickups. Ford is trying to compete directly with Tesla to establish a stronger base in the U.S. as the industry transitions. While the price reductions do not apply to 2024 Mustang Mach-E SUVs, Gunsberg told the Free Press that Ford is "constantly monitoring the market and will continue to adjust to achieve the right mix of sales growth and customer value."

Rivian Cuts 10% of Salaried Staff as Output Forecast Misses Expectations https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2024/02/21/rivian-cuts-10-of-salaried-staff-as-output-forecast-misses-expectations/72691371007/ Rivian Automotive Inc. revealed plans to cut 10% of its salaried workforce and set production guidance well below Wall Street's expectations as the maker of electric vehicles grapples with stagnant demand and economic turbulence. The company will build 57,000 vehicles this year, roughly in line with its 2023 output, according to a statement Wednesday that also detailed fourth-quarter results. The forecast fell far short of analysts' average estimate of more than 80,000 units in 2024. Rivian also said it expects an adjusted loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $2.7 billion, guidance that was influenced by "economic and geopolitical uncertainties and pressures, most notably the impact of historically high interest rates." The shares had dropped 17% to $12.78 as of 4:24 p.m. after regular trading in New York. Rivian had already tumbled 34% this year through Wednesday's close. The layoffs, part of an aggressive cost-cutting effort, follow job reductions last year and in 2022. Capital expenditures this year will rise to more than $1.7 billion, Rivian said, up from a little over $1 billion in 2023. The Irvine, California-based company builds two consumer EVs and a battery-electric delivery van at a sole plant in Normal, Illinois. There's a second factory in the works near Atlanta, where Rivian plans to build its first mass-market, lower-priced EV starting in 2026. Rivian reported an adjusted loss last quarter of $1.36 a share, compared with an average $1.33 deficit in estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Revenue of $1.32 billion narrowly topped expectations. The company lost more than $40,000 on every vehicle it delivered in the last three months of the year, more than the loss of a little over $30,000 per vehicle in the third quarter. However, that compares more favorably with the $124,000 it lost on every vehicle a year ago as its production lines were hit hard by supply chain issues.

With actual vehicle pricing changes, Ford issues revised Dealer Invoices and sends new Window Stickers. Rebates and other incentives are not reflected on either the Dealer Invoices or Window Stickers and are treated separately. Perhaps @Deanh can confirm this as I'm not aware of Ford making any changes to this longstanding policy which also complies with federal pricing disclosure requirements.

Ford cuts price of 2023 Mustang Mach-E by up to $8,100, offers 0% financing https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2024/02/20/ford-mustang-mach-e-price-lower/72661435007/ Ford cuts pricing on 2023 Mustang Mach-E https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2024/02/20/ford-cuts-pricing-2023-mustang-mach-e/72671001007/

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Prices Slashed Amid High Inventory https://fordauthority.com/2024/02/2023-ford-mustang-mach-e-prices-slashed-amid-high-inventory/ After getting off to a hot start, demand for the Ford Mustang Mach-E – along with EVs in general – has tapered off as of late, for a variety of reasons. Part of that decline can be attributed to high pricing, of course, and Ford has responded by offering a variety of discounts on its EV crossover, while also making it eligible for X-Plan pricing and a new dealer rental program, to boot. Regardless, high inventory levels and the fact that the Ford Mustang Mach-E is no longer eligible for federal clean energy tax credits aren’t helping matters, and as such, The Blue Oval has decided to slash the price of its 2023 model year EV crossover to help make room for 2024 models, according to the Detroit Free Press. This latest round of price cuts for the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E varies by trim, but all are significant, regardless. At the lower end of the trim level lineup, the Select has received a price cut of $3,100, followed by the Premium Standard Range at $4,100, the GT at $7,600, and the Premium Extended Range and California Route 1, which are now a whopping $8,100 cheaper than before. This means that the entry-level Select – the cheapest 2023 Mach-E – starts out at $42,995, though it’s worth noting that Ford has also raised destination and delivery charges by $500 as well. According to this report, Ford chose to cut its 2023 Mach-E prices due to high inventory, while also aiming to better compete with Tesla, which has dropped the price of its Model Y crossover several times as of late. On top of that, Ford Credit is also offering zero percent financing for 72 months, plus a $7,500 cash incentive on leased vehicles that can be applied immediately to lower monthly payments. “We are adjusting pricing,” said Ford spokesman Marty Gunsberg. “As we continue to adapt to the market to achieve the optimal mix of sales growth and customer value.”

FYI... Ford Dealers are restricted in the stock order specifications that can be ordered as part of changes implemented in mid-2022CY to simplify the available stock order configurations. I've attached the most recent copy of the 2023MY F-150 Stock Order Guide Addendum (09/28/2022) that I have as a general reference. Unfortunately, I don't have access to the current Stock Order Guide Addendums.

The quality issues at Ford go back decades. It's been addressed repeatedly in marketing campaigns including the "Quality is Job #1" campaign that was used for so many years, but the reality is that little has changed so far overall. All too often over the years, management at different levels have tried the "Ford Has a Better Idea" approach with little results up to today. Ford has gotten more serious about the quality issues with delivery holds on certain models to address quality issues before releasing vehicles for shipment to Dealers. It appears that recent actions have helped address and improve the quality issue, but it's still early in the process regarding the quality issues to decide whether the actions taken will be successful long term. Hopefully, Ford is turning the tide on the quality issues, and they'll finally benefit from the warranty cost savings.

Ford CEO Farley Regrets Not Tackling Quality Issues Sooner https://fordauthority.com/2024/02/ford-ceo-farley-regrets-not-tackling-quality-issues-sooner/ It’s no secret that Ford has faced plenty of quality woes over the past few years, ones that made it the most recalled automotive manufacturer in the U.S. in 2023. Ford CEO Jim Farley is well aware of this fact, noting that the company has made improving quality a priority, and proceeding to set varying “best-in-class quality” targets for its vehicle lineup in that regard. Farley previously blamed this downward trend on corporate inefficiencies that disappeared and wound up growing back, and chairman Bill Ford later noted that he’s pleased with the actions the company’s CEO has taken to right the proverbial ship. However, while speaking at the recent 2024 Wolfe Conference, Farley admitted that he didn’t act aggressively enough – or perhaps soon enough – to rectify these problems before they grew. “So, in line with that, I wished I had had the same laser focus on transforming our industrial system,” Farley said. “The capability atrophy in engineering, supply chain and manufacturing in Ford, John and I talk about this every day was much more – needed a much more fundamental reset than I had realized. And if I had – if we had approached same vigor that we restructured and got out of India, restructured South America, restructured China, restructured Europe, if we had approached, as a management team, tackling the industrial system at Ford the same vigor, and is actually a quite different execution, would have required a quite different execution. It’s not just getting rid of people – we’ve got rid of 20,000 people – it wasn’t that. It’s a totally different muscle.” “I think you would have a much stronger Ford. We would have a much stronger base. The irony of that, though, is that if we had done that quicker, would we have really trusted that organization to disrupt itself like we have? I think one of the biggest gifts, turns out one of the biggest gifts the management team has given ourselves, is the small skunkworks team, who really came up with a way of executing an affordable platform with a completely different orientation that my industrial team would have never been able to do. So it’s not perfect, but, yes, I think we all have regrets. And that’s a big one for me. So a humbling thing.” This admission comes on the heels of Farley noting that it could take a number of years to completely correct Ford’s quality woes, though that process is already underway. In fact, starting with the launch of the redesigned 2023 Ford Super Duty, the automaker began shutting down production when it identifies a problem, then proceeding to fix it before restarting assembly lines – a process that has since been emulated with multiple new vehicle launches.

Agree on your XLT opinion. As for the ST vs. ST-Line, I think it's confusing for customers and possibly deceptive in many regards.

Edmunds - How to Get the Most for Your Trade-In Edmunds article for information purposes. If only customers took a few steps to help maximize their trade-in value! Las Vegas Review-Journal_2024-02-17_Edmunds_How to Get the Most Money for Your Trade-In.pdf

So true in many industries, professions, etc.!

The vehicle MSRP DOES NOT reflect rebates or any retail incentives. If it did, Ford would be sending out replacement Window Stickers constantly! Rebates and other incentives all have conditions such as customer location, creditworthiness, etc. which cannot be reflected in the Window Sticker's content. Dealers are responsible for the stock inventory they order from Ford. The "Final Pay" incentive is the final incentive and isn't an "offer" to Dealers. When the Final Pay" incentive is implemented, it's well after the new model year becomes available, and replaces all consumer rebates. ADMs became commonplace in the past few years due to low inventory, supply chain and commodity issues, vehicle quality holds, etc. but are not part of the regular sales process in normal times for most Dealers, with the exception of select, limited production vehicles.

The VinView system, introduced in October 2022, replaced the Vehicle Visibility system which I used multiple times each day and found it to be a critical and reliable resource. Instead of adding additional resources to Vehicle Visibility, I think that Ford fell back on one of its common cultural faults. Instead of improving and/or enhancing an established resource, someone instead follows the "Ford's got a better idea!" model, comes up with a new version with enough changes so it looks and operates differently, slaps a new name on it but in use it's not as good or worse than the previous platform. There are a lot of communication problems at Ford, with its Dealers and its customers, but I'll state again that the Dealers are responsible too. Ford provides resources such as VINView, with questionable content or reliability according to reports over the past 2 years, that many Dealers don't even bother to use. A critical resource is a dealership's relationship with the various transport companies dispatch departments at the final rail destinations. The ramps have advance information on the vehicles in transit to the ramp (VIN Number, Rail Car, Location, ETA). I always found that having a good relationship with the dispatch department, only contacting them when it was important to get assistance for particular retail vehicles, not pestering them with constant requests, being professional with expedited delivery requests produced a lot of cooperation and results. Almost always (99%) I'd have the information within 5-10 minutes with a reliable delivery ETA which was almost always within 24-48 hours. Sure, the transportation and logistics process has gotten a lot more difficult in recent years due to labor and equipment shortages, but when you need assistance it's often just as important how you ask for the assistance, as it is what you ask and who you ask. Ford_EFC11244_VINView_Vehicle Tracking Platform Replacing Vehicle Visibility_2022-10-17_Page 01.pdf

Incorrect! As I thought I explained, Dealers pay the "Dealer Invoice" price which is the "wholesale" price, and all Dealers pay the same prices for vehicles. The Dealers normally sell vehicles to customers at retail prices that are usually negotiated and agreed to between the two parties. The margin or mark up between the Dealer Invoice and MSRP is a different subject.