Ford is also reportedly facing difficulties in procuring vehicle nameplates, model badges and chips.
Ford appears to be facing new challenges arising from the supply chain crisis. The automaker is reportedly facing a severe shortage of brand emblems and model nameplates due to delays in completing vehicle production, according to the Wall Street Journal. The report claims that Ford was forced to delay delivery of some cars because it didn’t have enough of the distinctive blue oval badges to put on them. Also, the automaker is struggling to find enough nameplates for the various models.
(Also read: Ford India has reached an agreement on severance pay with the workers’ union)
The report also claims that the shortage has affected some important and highly profitable Ford models. This includes the F-series pickup trucks. Ford has also tried to use 3D-printed insignia as a temporary solution until a final solution is made. However, the automaker had to abandon this effort as the 3D printed emblems did not measure up in terms of quality.
The report goes on to say that Ford will upgrade the badges on any vehicle that has been held up for missing badges. It also said Tribar Technologies, a company that supplies exterior trim and other parts to a number of automakers, including Ford, was forced to halt production in August because it was dumping industrial chemicals into the local sewer system. However, the company is now operating at full capacity. While this may account for the lack of badges, Ford and Tribar have been tight-lipped about it.
The U.S. automaker and one of three U.S. auto companies said it expected to have about 45,000 vehicles in inventory at the end of this quarter as it was unable to ship those vehicles to dealers. These cars are reportedly waiting for key parts. Not just badges and model nameplates, but Ford also faces difficulties in procuring semiconductors and other critical parts.
Date of first publication: Sep 25, 2022 12:01 PM IST
https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/ford-runs-out-of-brand-badges-and-model-nameplates-here-s-why-41664085213333.html
