mackinaw Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 From today's Detroit News: "Detroit — Ford can't make enough Focus cars to keep up with rising demand because of equipment problems that have caused a shortage of dashboards, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. Machinery that makes the skin that covers dashboards at a Ford parts factory outside Detroit works intermittently. That is forcing the company to take the unusual and costly step of flying in parts from Europe to keep its assembly lines moving, the people said. Despite those efforts, the Focus plant near Detroit can't run at full speed, they said." Full article here: http://www.detnews.com/article/20110728/AUTO01/107280465/Sources--Parts-problem-hurts-Ford-Focus-sales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I saw this both in Focus and Ford Employee boards on here in the past couple weeks....something about the machine not quite cutting it at the rates they need it to make dashes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GapBoyPCS Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 So is the assumption that the same manufacturer is being used on both sides of the world? I swore I read something like this a few weeks back, but I only assumed things resolved itself because the talk subsided. Those of us who have a car on order are probably not happy to hear about such a delay. But I think more of us would be better off in hoping Ford takes steps to make sure the plastic pieces coming from this one factory are up to par before putting them onto cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 So is the assumption that the same manufacturer is being used on both sides of the world? I swore I read something like this a few weeks back, but I only assumed things resolved itself because the talk subsided. Those of us who have a car on order are probably not happy to hear about such a delay. But I think more of us would be better off in hoping Ford takes steps to make sure the plastic pieces coming from this one factory are up to par before putting them onto cars. I work at this plant, And quality is the most important thing to our members. The issue is the machine that makes the skin is sub par and it breaks down alot (Ford approved it, And bought it). Only two suppliers make this IP worldwide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 From today's Detroit News: "Detroit — Ford can't make enough Focus cars to keep up with rising demand because of equipment problems that have caused a shortage of dashboards, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. Machinery that makes the skin that covers dashboards at a Ford parts factory outside Detroit works intermittently. That is forcing the company to take the unusual and costly step of flying in parts from Europe to keep its assembly lines moving, the people said. Despite those efforts, the Focus plant near Detroit can't run at full speed, they said." Full article here: http://www.detnews.c...ord-Focus-sales It is nice that they have the option to import parts from Europe, imagine how bad things Would have been without that option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 It is nice that they have the option to import parts from Europe, imagine how bad things Would have been without that option. I looked into this whole mess today, And the article has nothing but old information. The imported parts were stopped because it was far to expensive to keep doing that. Our plant has been well ahead of MAP for a while now. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 I looked into this whole mess today, And the article has nothing but old information. The imported parts were stopped because it was far to expensive to keep doing that. Our plant has been well ahead of MAP for a while now. . Thanks for the info, sounds like the local suppler is keeping ahead of required deliveries to MAP? If so, this story is a beat up of a problem that is being managed and not restricting MAP at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigander Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 MAP working 2 10hr shifts..at least 5 days a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GapBoyPCS Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I looked into this whole mess today, And the article has nothing but old information. The imported parts were stopped because it was far to expensive to keep doing that. Our plant has been well ahead of MAP for a while now. . Hmm...unless it's a slow news day, I'm wondering why it's being dragged up now. *cue conspiracy theories* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 MAP working 2 10hr shifts..at least 5 days a week That says they are producing plenty, probably around 1,000/day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausrutherford Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 2 shifts of 10 hours for at least 5 days is nice...3 shifts of 8 hours for at least 6 days a week is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 2 shifts of 10 hours for at least 5 days is nice...3 shifts of 8 hours for at least 6 days a week is better. Only if you sell all that you make..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex220 Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I think they are selling pretty well...most dealers can't keep them on the lot long, unless they have crappy option packages...I may not buy a vehicle often, but when I do, I've found ordering is the way to go. This is the 3rd time in 17 years, and best price yet...can't wait for my 2012 Focus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 what happened to the color black? ford.com says it is not available on the Focus. I need a new order guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GapBoyPCS Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 what happened to the color black? ford.com says it is not available on the Focus. I need a new order guide I think whoever is handling the website is out to lunch. The colours affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami were removed in the Build & Price section (Red Candy and Tuxedo Black). But Blue Candy is still available. The firm or person handling it may be going off some really out-to-date info. It's the same on ford.ca. They show every single colour that's available this year (so that includes two Red Candy colours, Tuxedo Black, Black, Blue Candy AND Sonic Blue). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 what happened to the color black? ford.com says it is not available on the Focus. I need a new order guide Fordvehicles.com sows both black and gray and all variations two tones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GapBoyPCS Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Fordvehicles.com sows both black and gray and all variations two tones. Not in the Build and Price section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I am planning on ordering a new Focus tommorrow in BLACK, now its not available in BLACK. WTF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I am planning on ordering a new Focus tommorrow in BLACK, now its not available in BLACK. WTF. Sorry Biker, I was under the inpression you were refering to the interior color. I see on the Focus main page it lists Tuxedo, But not in the build your own section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GapBoyPCS Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I am planning on ordering a new Focus tommorrow in BLACK, now its not available in BLACK. WTF. Try ordering it anyhow. Everything I see from other sites suggest it's wide open under the new paint code (UA), as well as Sonic Blue and "new" Red Candy. It's probably a mixup with whomever handles the website updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I looked into this whole mess today, And the article has nothing but old information. The imported parts were stopped because it was far to expensive to keep doing that. Our plant has been well ahead of MAP for a while now. . how did they fix the issue? there is alot of speculation swirling around about Saline. speculation that the plant has been sold. speculation that ford is looking to in-source the IP production of the focus moving it into the old Wayne Assembly plant. http://www.freep.com/article/20110714/BUSINESS0102/107140528/Ford-may-hire-400-Wayne-plant I have a few questions: Who has the contract for the new escape? Who had the contract for the old fusion? I believe Ford bought the tooling from Collins-Aiken after they went Bankrupt where is ti being made? I have a theory that ford has sold or will sell Saline to Faurecia. Why? Faurecia was the sole supplier of IPs to the C1 focus, and is the Supplier of Record to the 2012 focus, at least in the EU. it is likley that those EU IPs were made by Faurecia. Ford may be looking to finish Flowback of its workers before turning the plant over to them. when that happens I could see focus IPs being moved to Wayne, and Escape IPs and Fusion IPs being moved to Saline. http://media.ford.com/images/10031/hero_022511FocusSuppliers.pdf It all guess right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svtenthusiast Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 If there is not a supply problem, then what is the reason to not go 3 shifts and get more of these cars out? Demand is clearly there, only a 20 day supply at dealers and most are lucky to have 1 or 2 Focus'. It should be outselling Cruze and would be if they could get them to the hands of customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 If there is not a supply problem, then what is the reason to not go 3 shifts and get more of these cars out? Demand is clearly there, only a 20 day supply at dealers and most are lucky to have 1 or 2 Focus'. It should be outselling Cruze and would be if they could get them to the hands of customers. What do you do with that extra shift of people that you just hired when demand settles down after a few months? They would only add another shift if they thought the demand was permanent and it's too early to make that determination. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 If there is not a supply problem, then what is the reason to not go 3 shifts and get more of these cars out? Demand is clearly there, only a 20 day supply at dealers and most are lucky to have 1 or 2 Focus'. It should be outselling Cruze and would be if they could get them to the hands of customers. three shifts would boost production from ~260,000 to ~390,000 Ford will not sell 390,000 focus in North America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 (edited) If there is not a supply problem, then what is the reason to not go 3 shifts and get more of these cars out? Demand is clearly there, only a 20 day supply at dealers and most are lucky to have 1 or 2 Focus'. It should be outselling Cruze and would be if they could get them to the hands of customers. Intel says the IP manufacturer is staying ahead of MAP, that doesn't mean the problem with their equipment is completely fixed. Rebalancing production line for different rate and supply timetables is a complex issue and cannot be done over night. After August and September, sales should start to ease back in the cooler months allowing inventory build up. Edited August 1, 2011 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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