DETROIT — An unidentified high quality problem is affecting the launch of certainly one of Ford Motor Co.’s most anticipated new autos.
The corporate stated it’s holding onto “a number of hundred” Mustang Mach-E crossovers to carry out additional inspections and engineering evaluation that would delay supply to prospects within the U.S. and Canada by as much as 8 weeks.
“As a part of our dedication to delivering high-quality autos, we’re conducting further high quality checks on a number of hundred Mustang Mach-E fashions constructed earlier than supplier shipments began final month,” Ford spokeswoman Emma Bergg stated. “We wish to guarantee they meet the standard our prospects count on and deserve.”
She declined to elaborate on what particularly was at problem. The crossover is assembled in Cuautitlan, Mexico.
Whereas supply dates might be pushed again by as a lot as 8 weeks, Bergg stated the delay might be “a lot much less.”
“The workforce is working to expedite these autos, and we hope that prospects obtain them forward of focused dates, offering there aren’t any COVID-19-related transportation delays,” she stated.
The weblog Electrek first reported the delays.
Ford started taking refundable deposits for the Mach-E following its Nov. 2019 debut, and stated first yr output could be restricted to 50,000 items. It is unclear what number of reservations Ford booked, however the First Version shortly bought out.
Ford in September cut the price of the Mach-E between $1,000 and $3,000, relying on the trim. The least-expensive mannequin, the Choose trim, begins at $43,995, together with delivery. Clients are additionally eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit score.
The Mach-E has begun trickling into showrooms across the nation; U.S. gross sales totaled 3 in December.
The crossover is a important a part of the corporate’s future and a logo of the kind of related, electrified autos Ford hopes to promote transferring ahead. On Monday, it was named North American Utility of the Year by a bunch of fifty automotive journalists.
Ford is underneath stress to efficiently launch a slate of recent autos following engineering with the redesigned Explorer that reduce into earnings and led to management modifications.
Supply of one other extremely anticipated automobile, the Bronco SUV, has been delayed just a few months till the summer time due to an issue with roof-supplier Webasto. The automaker has additionally just lately launched the Bronco Sport crossover and a redesigned F-150 pickup.