Parts shortages are currently stalling F-150 production.
Ford announced late this week that it must partially assemble F-150 pickups and Edge crossovers without some features thanks to the ongoing global chip shortage. Automotive News reports that vehicles are being assembled without certain modules due to the lack of semiconductors and parts disruptions following last month’s severe freeze. While Ford didn’t specify exactly which parts are not going into vehicles they’re partially building, a spokesperson said the modules are “tied to basic vehicle functions, such as windshield wiper motors and infotainment features.”
Unlike GM’s issue, wherein the automaker will ship trucks without the active fuel management module, Ford obviously cannot deliver trucks lacking basic features. Ford’s solution involves building as much of the trucks as possible at its Michigan and Missouri plants. From there, it will hold the affected vehicles for a few weeks at an offsite location. Once the modules and needed components arrive, workers will install them, complete quality assurance checks, then ship the completed trucks to dealers.
The upshot: If you’re in the queue for a new Ford F-150, you may have to wait a little bit longer. That depends on whether your truck falls in the affected batch, but the current chip shortage is creating manufacturing headaches across the entire industry. Until that abates, buyers may want to take delivery dates with a grain of salt.
Recently, AutoNews also reported Ford had cut a shift from its Louisville assembly plant. Both Friday shifts have been cancelled, and the automaker plans to run with limited output on Monday. By Tuesday, according to the piece, the company hopes to return to full-scale production. Ford’s Cologne, Germany plant will also idle, after going offline between March 1 and March 16.
