DUCKRACER Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Dear Ford Executives & Management. I am a dyed-in-the-wool Ford Lover. To me FORD has ALWAYS meant First On Race Day. I have owned an '84 Ford Escort, and a new '89 5.0 Mustang LX, a new 2002 F-150 Lariat, a new 2004 PSD F-250 4X4 and a new 2009 Escape V6 AWD Limited. In May of this year, I had my Ford dealer order a 2011 F-150 PLATINUM 4x4 5.0 6.5FT Bed, side box steps and tailgate steps, NAV SYS. My dealer tells me that they cannot deliver the truck with a NAV SYS until "late delivery" in 2012. That order is cancelled. I understand that you had nothing to do with the Tsunami that hit Japan in March. I am just wondering what you are going to do about his. Are you looking for other NAV suppliers? Have you contacted the Japanese supplier as to when they will be able to start production on the NAV SYS? Will they EVER be able to start production? Maybe you are already fervently trying to rectify this, but I have not read or heard of any efforts by you to solve this VERY BIG problem. Please let us know what is being done. I will NOT buy a GM or Chrysler or Nissan or Toyota truck, but I WOULD like to know if I am waiting in vain for a NAV SYS in a 2012 F-150 PLATINUM..... Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Why would you possibly think that Ford isn't doing everything within their power to get more Nav units? They're losing money left and right as long as they're not available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUCKRACER Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Why would you possibly think that Ford isn't doing everything within their power to get more Nav units? They're losing money left and right as long as they're not available. My letter notes that Ford is probably fervently working on this problem. I was just wondering what, specifically, they were doing about it. And of course they are losing money on such a popular option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 (edited) My letter notes that Ford is probably fervently working on this problem. I was just wondering what, specifically, they were doing about it. And of course they are losing money on such a popular option. Whatever they are doing, it wouldn't really be in their best interest to disclose it publicly beyond saying "we're working on it." Frustrating for sure, but you must understand the reasoning there, right? Edited June 21, 2011 by NickF1011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUCKRACER Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Whatever they are doing, it wouldn't really be in their best interest to disclose it publicly beyond saying "we're working on it." Frustrating for sure, but you must understand the reasoning there, right? Nick, Akirby. Good point about keeping their efforts confidential. It did occur to me that several of Ford's competitors may be having the same problem. Just out of curiosity, I looked at Dodge and GM. I could not find where either offered heated and COOLED front seats. The GM 5.3 has less hp than the Ford 5.0 which gets same or better mpg. Yeah, I will wait 'til i can get what I WANT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY93SHO Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 (edited) From what I've read is it's a supply problem from Japan. You know, that whole tsunami/nuclear meltdown trouble? Sounds like several months before they get the flow back up to snuff, per some of the guys at f150online.com Edit: it was also mentioned that you have to get a 2012 to get Nav, the 2011's are done. Edited June 22, 2011 by MY93SHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 My letter notes that Ford is probably fervently working on this problem. I was just wondering what, specifically, they were doing about it. And of course they are losing money on such a popular option. There is no "probably" about it. Unfortunately it will be later in the year until they get back to normal supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUCKRACER Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 From what I've read is it's a supply problem from Japan. You know, that whole tsunami/nuclear meltdown trouble? Sounds like several months before they get the flow back up to snuff, per some of the guys at f150online.com Edit: it was also mentioned that you have to get a 2012 to get Nav, the 2011's are done. That is pretty much in line with what my dealer told me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rscalzo Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Harley is shipping all new bikes without eradios. Problems are all over. Getting another supplier up and running for a dedicdated unit would take months if not years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUCKRACER Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 Harley is shipping all new bikes without eradios. Problems are all over. Getting another supplier up and running for a dedicdated unit would take months if not years. Let's hope you are wrong about that. Like it was mentioned before, FoMoCo is doing all it can to secure the NAV SYSTEMS, hopefully for MY2012. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donaldo Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Why does Ford have to source these? Your local car stereo shop can get them all day long for less cost and the same or more features. It's not like there's a lot of secret sauce in OEM navigation units, the OEM suppliers are the very same ones supplying the aftermarket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Why does Ford have to source these? Your local car stereo shop can get them all day long for less cost and the same or more features. It's not like there's a lot of secret sauce in OEM navigation units, the OEM suppliers are the very same ones supplying the aftermarket. And exactly where do you think the local car stereo shop gets them? They just have a bigger stockpile of consumer units. And the OEM units are integrated into the vehicle and usually made to their specs - it's not like they can just swap in an off the shelf unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerM Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 .....it's not like they can just swap in an off the shelf unit. IMO, that's unfortunate. In the past, you could replace your factory unit with an aftermarket since the DIN openings were standard. As my vehicle ages and products improve (developing newer and better features), it would be preferable (to me, anyway) that I could swap my factory unit with something better. I know you can still get adapter plates for cars, but some cars look really awful with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donaldo Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 (edited) And exactly where do you think the local car stereo shop gets them? They just have a bigger stockpile of consumer units. And the OEM units are integrated into the vehicle and usually made to their specs - it's not like they can just swap in an off the shelf unit. A competent stereo shop can integrate aftermarket headunits with steering wheel controls, satellite service, Bluetooth cell phone, remote start, alarms, backup cameras, video screens, factory speakers/amps/subwoofers, etc. With cell phones and other devices having GPS built in, it's possible that in-dash GPS will be going the way of fixed-mount in-vehicle cell phones. Edited June 25, 2011 by Donaldo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OAC_Sparky Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 With cell phones and other devices having GPS built in, it's possible that in-dash GPS will be going the way of fixed-mount in-vehicle cell phones. Must be pretty uncomfortable having that cell phone with the 8" touch screen in your pocket. Can you use a cell phone? I guess. Do I want to try to strain my old eyes looking at a 3" phone screen? No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 I do see Ford heading that direction with Applink - the nav is in the phone but the display is on the MFT screen. Best of both worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford850 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Let's hope you are wrong about that. Like it was mentioned before, FoMoCo is doing all it can to secure the NAV SYSTEMS, hopefully for MY2012. Ford's already said that Nav will not be available for MY2012. Are you willing to wait until MY2013? I'm not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Ford's already said that Nav will not be available for MY2012. Are you willing to wait until MY2013? I'm not. No, they said it won't be available for job 1. It should be available before the end of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUCKRACER Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 No, they said it won't be available for job 1. It should be available before the end of the year. GOOD NEWS!!! End of what calendar year 2011 or 2012?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 GOOD NEWS!!! End of what calendar year 2011 or 2012?? Novermber 2011 is what I heard but I don't remember the context (which models, etc.). This came from a dealership employee from a Ford memo (supposedly) so maybe somebody can chime in with more details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksurber Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Yeah, I ordered a 2012 Fusion Hybrid last week with 502 package. Its on hold (late availability) because of the Navigation. My dealer called his area Ford rep & they dont think it will take until November. The rep did say they will fullfill sold cars such as mine before stock units. Keep us posted if you hear anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford850 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 No, they said it won't be available for job 1. It should be available before the end of the year. That is great news. I had only seen dealers posting about the message from Ford stating no more in 2011 and none for MY2012. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUCKRACER Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 Novermber 2011 is what I heard but I don't remember the context (which models, etc.). This came from a dealership employee from a Ford memo (supposedly) so maybe somebody can chime in with more details. Thanks for the update. Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't Nov of 2011 be about the beginning of MY2012? If so, it would make MY2012 Job2 when the nav will be available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpolson Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 It'd be nice if they offered trim conversion for aftermarket navs for free, or make it an ordering option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Thanks for the update. Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't Nov of 2011 be about the beginning of MY2012? If so, it would make MY2012 Job2 when the nav will be available? I think it's job 2 for most models but not 100% sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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