DETROIT – Ford Motor is delaying buyer deliveries of its electrical Mustang Mach-E crossovers and a few Bronco SUVs – two of its most high-profile new automobiles – as a result of manufacturing points.
The automaker confirmed Thursday it has recognized an issue with the molded-in coloration hardtop roofs on 1000’s of Ford Bronco SUVs constructed thus far, which is able to negatively affect manufacturing and delay deliveries to prospects by months.
The automobiles have a high quality subject that may create an “unsatisfactory look when uncovered to excessive water and humidity,” in response to messages to sellers and prospects that had been confirmed by an organization spokesman. It doesn’t affect the operate of the car, in response to the corporate.
Present house owners are anticipated to be despatched a alternative roof freed from cost starting in October. Clients who’re nonetheless ready on their orders will likely be notified of their new anticipated supply date within the coming months. Some orders will likely be delayed from the 2021 mannequin yr to the 2022 mannequin yr, in response to the corporate.
“On account of continued roof challenges, we will likely be producing fewer 2021 mannequin yr Bronco automobiles than initially deliberate,” Ford mentioned in one of many messages that had been posted on a web-based Bronco discussion board.
The roof downside comes days after Ford confirmed it was getting ready to inform future Mustang Mach-E prospects that supply of their automobiles could also be delayed not less than six weeks as a result of a worldwide scarcity of semiconductor chips.
“The worldwide semiconductor scarcity continues to have an effect on international automakers and different industries in all elements of the world,” Ford mentioned in an announcement. “We’re working carefully with all of our key suppliers to handle manufacturing constraints tied to this international semiconductor scarcity so we will proceed to construct Mach-E automobiles, and get them to our prospects as shortly as we will.”
Ford and different automakers have considerably lower manufacturing this yr because of the chip scarcity, which consulting agency AlixPartners estimates will price the auto business $110 billion in income.
Ford spokesman Stated Deep mentioned the fee to exchange the roofs and different actions “aren’t materials.” In July, Ford raised its expectation for full-year adjusted earnings earlier than taxes by about $3.5 billion, to between $9 billion and $10 billion.
TV
WATCH IN THE APP