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Ford Model E in 2019


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Ford has a really packed schedule heading into the end of the decade and much of that is the reason for the apparent feet dragging in some key areas of tech and innovation (and why Ford feels compelled to announce spending on products it doesn't have yet). Ultimately Ford has a major global platform renaissance and factory restructuring that all has to happen by 2020 in order to make the leap on Electrification (among other things like modern transmissions, b-segment utilities, midsize trucks, better autonomous tech). Ford should look a little less 'aged' next to the competition once all of those new products and segments start flooding in around 2018. Ford is still dealing with some extremely old high volume platforms and systems that predate OneFord so we aren't quite there yet. The next few years will probably be a little dry and maybe a little light on the sales charts outside of F-150 considering they are production constrained and are not in some growing segments. I think the biggest issue is the lack of a B-Segment utility for both the US and EU markets, that's going to be a major weak spot interms of marketshare for awhile, especially since Escape and Explorer has been maxed out for 3 years. Ford should continue to see larger growth in fleet thanks to vans and trucks.

Edited by BORG
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Ford has a really packed schedule heading into the end of the decade and much of that is the reason for the apparent feet dragging in some key areas of tech and innovation (and why Ford feels compelled to announce spending on products it doesn't have yet). Ultimately Ford has a major global platform renaissance and factory restructuring that all has to happen by 2020 in order to make the leap on Electrification (among other things like modern transmissions, b-segment utilities, midsize trucks, better autonomous tech). Ford should look a little less 'aged' next to the competition once all of those new products and segments start flooding in around 2018. Ford is still dealing with some extremely old high volume platforms and systems that predate OneFord so we aren't quite there yet. The next few years will probably be a little dry and maybe a little light on the sales charts outside of F-150 considering they are production constrained and are not in some growing segments. I think the biggest issue is the lack of a B-Segment utility for both the US and EU markets, that's going to be a major weak spot interms of marketshare for awhile, especially since Escape and Explorer has been maxed out for 3 years. Ford should continue to see larger growth in fleet thanks to vans and trucks.

 

The last thing they need to do is push out another Freestyle and then chase their own tail with an update like the Taurus X to try to save face. The Freestyle/Taurus X was a transitional vehicle until the redesigned Explorer was ready to launch. It had to cost billions to build a vehicle knowing it would have only a 4 year shelf life. Maybe this is going to be a 3-4 year period of existing designs, with easy cosmetic updates like the 2016 Explorer, 2017 Fusion and a B segment CUV will launch in a year or so. Then the entire redesigned line up will be unveiled in 2020, including an expanded EV line up. Just a thought.

Edited by transitman
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It's better to need slightly more than you have than to have a lot more than you can use. Otherwise you do stupid things like create "classic" versions of everything just to keep the factory busy.

It isn't about capacity it's about the plant being incapable of building the products ford could be selling more of today.

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So they should just "Whip Up" this Model E now? Kick it out the door like the Chevy Vega?

 

The first '19 models will be for sale in 2 years, is that really too long? Think how quick it has been since 2014.

 

Some need to quit belly aching and find some other hobby, maybe?

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So they should just "Whip Up" this Model E now? Kick it out the door like the Chevy Vega?

 

The first '19 models will be for sale in 2 years, is that really too long? Think how quick it has been since 2014.

 

Some need to quit belly aching and find some other hobby, maybe?

 

 

 

http://www.wxyz.com/money/auto-news/chevrolet-to-build-bolt-at-general-motors-orion-assembly-plant

 

DETROIT (WXYZ) - General Motors confirmed this morning that the new Chevrolet Bolt will be built at the company's Orion Assembly facility.

GM made the announcement ahead of the Chicago Auto Show.

“We’re proud that Chevrolet has decided to produce the Bolt EV here in Michigan at the Orion Assembly facility,” Governor Rick Snyder said in a news release. “Michigan unquestionably remains the global automotive leader. Chevrolet is tapping a skilled workforce that includes some of the most talented and hard-working people in the world for this cutting-edge vehicle. Chevrolet is an important part of our state’s automotive history, and Michigan-made products like the Bolt EV point to a bright future as well.”

The Bolt EV concept was unveiled last month during Chevy's presentation at the North American International Auto Show. It is Chevy's next generation electric vehicle.....

 

 

Facts about Orion assembly plant

 

Orion Assembly

Orion Assembly is a 4,300,000 square foot General Motors vehicle assembly plant located in Orion Township, Michigan. The plant currently assembles the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano. As of May 30, 2011 the plant employs 159 salaried employees and 1,300 hourly employees.

 

J.D. POWER 2016 DEPENDABILITY RATINGS & AWARDS: From the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), this car reliability study looks at owner-reported problems during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old vehicles. The score is based on problem symptoms and are evaluated in eight vehicle system categories including: exterior; features/controls/displays; seats; interior; the driving experience; audio/entertainment/navigation; heating, ventilation and cooling; and engine/transmission. The 2013 Buick Verano took First Place in the Compact Car Segment having a five star rating in: Overall Dependability, Powertrain Dependability, Body and Interior Dependability and Feature and Accessory Dependability. The Orion Assembly / UAW 5960 American Made Verano beat out the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and Kia Forte.

 

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Is Ford late to the electric game? Probably. But in a time of sub-$2.00/gallon gas, I doubt it matters. Anyway you cut it, electric cars have been an absolute failure in the marketplace. So Ford bringing out the Model E in 2019 isn’t really all that big a deal (though I personally wish it was sooner).

As for the Orion Assembly plant, GM should be congratulated. The plant produces a high-quality product. They set the bar high and Ford’s new Mexico assembly plant will have something to shoot for.

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I still view Ford as a company in a 2nd stage turnaround with significant manufacturing restructuring and platform consolidation company wide that will shape them up for the next decade of products. And I agree, electrification at this moment has limited appeal so Ford's tardiness isn't that critical. I think it ultimately depends on the final product. I do think Ford's lack of planning and production inflexibility shows up within certain segments. I'm not sure if it's just cost/benefit sacrifices that needed to be addressed through longterm contract negotiations, but I think they are doing what's right for their bottom-line and won't be there first but will be there eventually. They are good about addressing their obvious priorities first and obviously can't do everything all at once.

 

As for the Freestyle, that was a miscalculation on their part and probably because they misread where the segment was going because they were too early. The Freestyle was designed not to tread on the Explorer, by which time Ford was still committed to the classic BOF Explorer. Remember it took another 5 years to get the new Explorer out which was itself a 'rush job' after Freestyle flopped and Explorer sales evaporated overnight as the market changed rapidly. This was quite a crisis at the company at the time when they were loosing so much profitable marketshare at a time they were nearly going bankrupt. This was a time when Ford simply couldn't make longterm decisions because the market conditions were changing wildly and they made some bad bets on the future...hey it happens. They fixed it eventually.

Edited by BORG
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Is Ford late to the electric game? Probably. But in a time of sub-$2.00/gallon gas, I doubt it matters. Anyway you cut it, electric cars have been an absolute failure in the marketplace. So Ford bringing out the Model E in 2019 isn’t really all that big a deal (though I personally wish it was sooner).

As for the Orion Assembly plant, GM should be congratulated. The plant produces a high-quality product. They set the bar high and Ford’s new Mexico assembly plant will have something to shoot for.

 

say the Words but do you understand why the plant produces quality products and can do effcently? look at MAP and understand the mistakes that were made when planning that plant VS GM at Orion.

 

Long fast lines, vs Slower short lines.

 

high-volume low flexibility plant vs Medium volume high flexibility plant,

 

 

 

Ford---When production launches in 2010, approximately 3,200 employees will be building the new Focus at Michigan Assembly Plant. FYI 240,000 on 2 shifts.
Orion---The 4.1 million-square-foot plant will be re-tooled to build 160,000 small- and compact-cars per year on two shifts. GM expects preparations to start in late 2010 and production to begin in 2011. 1400 workers

 

 

 

Ford's definition of flexibility in 2010

 

 

http://wardsauto.com/news-analysis/ford-manufacturing-strategy-taking-shape

Ford no longer is playing catch-up with Japanese rivals when it comes to flexible manufacturing, a capability critical to competitiveness and profitability, according to top company executives.

“We’ve spent many years looking at it and defining what we need at Ford, and I believe our level of flexibility is comparable with anyone in our industry,” John Fleming, Ford executive vice president-global manufacturing and labor affairs, tells Ward’s.

Ford-MAP.jpg
Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, currently the auto maker’s most flexible facility.

The meaning of flexibility differs among auto makers – “I could write a thesis on flexibility definitions,” Fleming says – but for Ford, It is the ability to seamlessly shift production between plants and quickly adjust line rates.

For decades, domestic auto makers dedicated assembly plants to singular models, while companies such as Toyota could build multiple models in the same facility.

That gave foreign auto makers the ability to quickly respond to changing consumer tastes by switching models with little cost and ef.......

 

Michigan assembly is flexible enough to Receive 600 million dollars in investment in 2009 to build the Focus and another 700 million in 2018 to build another product.

 

So the plant will receive 1.3 billion dollars in investment over 9 years.

 

What happened to Ford’s most flexible plant

 

Edited by RichardJensen
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