karlhenk Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Ford dealers are racing to stockpile 2014 F-150 pickups ahead of the launch of the next-generation model. Some dealers have requested as many as 20 percent more F-150s than usual, fearful that a shutdown of Ford Motor Co.’s Dearborn Truck Plant for retooling next summer could strain the supply of the best-selling vehicle in the country. Ford’s other truck plant, in Kansas City, Mo., will be retooled later next year. Production of the current-model F-150 could drop as much as 10 percent next year because of the planned stoppages. For buyers, that could mean a shortage of trucks and the sweet deals that normally accompany model-year changeovers. From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131213/AUTO0102/312130038#ixzz2nN7iGyHq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Why would they be pissed? There will still be shutdowns, just later in the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Dealers are like farmers. They like to tell you how bad they've got it, until you try and buy them out. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 It's always hard to balance out production when an old vehicle is being replaced by something new. Witness the difficulties GM had last year with the Silverado. They'll figure it out and everybody will (eventually) be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerM Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 I'd thought they made them in two plants, allowing for a staggered changeover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 I'd thought they made them in two plants, allowing for a staggered changeover. They do, Dearborn and Kansas City, MO, so there will be a staggered changeover. However, that doesn't change the fact that each plant will be down for a couple weeks, followed by slow production for a while as they work out the kinks, thus reducing the number of trucks produced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 (edited) Would it be in Ford's interest to delay switch over of the second plant while '15 production issues get ironed out, that way Ford effectively extends '14 inventory while limiting the production and pace of new '15 trucks.... I know this is happening anyway but further delaying the second plant switchover could be a way out...... Edited December 13, 2013 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted December 14, 2013 Share Posted December 14, 2013 It's always hard to balance out production when an old vehicle is being replaced by something new. Witness the difficulties GM had last year with the Silverado. They'll figure it out and everybody will (eventually) be happy. They updated/changed the Silverado?? Hadn't noticed.... :reading: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted December 14, 2013 Share Posted December 14, 2013 I'm not sure why the guys over-ordering on the '14s would be PO'd if there's a delay--they'll have trucks in stock to sell. I'd think they'd be more concerned if there aren't any delays, as they could end up with lots full of lame ducks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Jansas city now has three shifts running as of August, I'm not sure why the guys over-ordering on the '14s would be PO'd if there's a delay--they'll have trucks in stock to sell. I'd think they'd be more concerned if there aren't any delays, as they could end up with lots full of lame ducks... This is just dealers wanting to hedge their bet on whether the '15 will be delayed or not. They complain that Ford's allocation formula may deny them sufficient stock to get through if there are delays but don't want excessive stock if '15 is on time... Looks like there will be a decently long phase in with the '15 truck as Kansas city is now on three shifts and will build '14s through to December next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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