After waiting many years for the Ford Bronco to return, fans waited several more years following the announcement that the rugged off-roader was coming back before Ford revealed it last summer. The automaker started taking reservations for the 2021 Ford Bronco that very day, with the expectation that deliveries would begin this spring. However, a number of supply chain issues soon pushed deliveries back to summer. And while a handful of order holders have received scheduled for production emails now that production has begun, many are still waiting. Today, however, Ford provided a 2021 Bronco production update for all order holders.
Unfortunately, it isn’t good news, nor does the email, which we’ve included in its entirety below, provide any specific details about when order holders can expect to see their vehicles enter production. Instead, the 2021 Bronco production update email largely reiterates the fact that a number of supply chain issues are causing delays, most specifically, the molded-in color hardtop.
Ford’s production capacity for MIC hardtops is far exceeded by the number of orders it received for them, and its supplier simply can’t keep up. The automaker said that it is “investing millions of dollars to fix our roof supply issue,” but admits “that investment, unfortunately, won’t materialize overnight.”
According to Bronco Nation, hardtops aren’t the only thing holding back a number of orders from reaching production. It also suggests that those who want to ensure they receive a 2021 model year Bronco also consider switching to trim levels other than Wildtrak and Badlands and remove the Sasquatch Package and tow package. According to a Bronco Nation source, “a Big Bend four-door automatic with the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 engine will catapult you to about as close to the front of the line as you can get.”
Otherwise, this email doesn’t contain any sort of specific information and is rather vague in tone. Ford admits that it cannot provide order holders with any specific delivery window, but also provides a bit of a consolation prize for those waiting – priority access to the Bronco Off-Roadeo. But for those awaiting some sort of idea of when their Bronco might actually enter production, well, they’ll just have to keep waiting.
We’ll have updates on Bronco production as soon as they’re available, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Bronco news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Hello,
We’ve all been waiting to get back to the wild for a long time now.
You’ve been patient. And we thank you for that.
We’ve been doing everything we can.
Through the pandemic.
Through unprecedented demand.
Through supply-chain hurdles and countless other things you don’t give a damn about.
All you want is a Bronco.
The reason this email is down to the wire is because we’ve been doing everything we possibly can to avoid the need to send it. This launch has scuttled our best intentions and assumptions, so we want to set things right by talking to you straight: we are not yet able to give you a delivery timing update.
This is due to our Achilles heel in this launch, the hardtop roofs. Our production capacity doesn’t match up with the actual orders we received. And while we are investing millions of dollars to fix our roof supply issue, that investment unfortunately won’t materialize overnight.
Given these challenges, we unfortunately can’t provide you with a definitive delivery window. Instead, we will alert you as your Bronco achieves every milestone in the production process:
Scheduled for Production – This email will provide an approximate build week.
Built – This email will confirm your vehicle is produced and awaiting final calibrations and accessory installs. It will include the estimated arrival date at your dealership.
Shipped – This email will confirm your vehicle is on its way to your dealer and include the latest estimated arrival date.
We know those emails can’t come soon enough. So for those who need to get off-road right now, we’re offering priority access to our complimentary off-road driving experience, the Bronco Off-Roadeo. Register here. We’ll also keep creating opportunities for you to experience these beasts in person in your local area, which you can learn more about through Bronco Nation here.
We are deeply grateful for your undying love for this vehicle and we thank you again for bearing with us. We’re going to get these Broncos out there, and we can’t wait to see you out there. Doors off. Roof off. Way off of any paved surface.
Sincerely,
The Entire Bronco Team
Good thing they didn't overreact.
A quiet model year for the luxury crossover.
Featuring an infotainment center that was ahead of its time.
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Well I’m not waiting for a email as Ford of Canada has done absolutely nothing to inform its bronco customers. We are told to go to the Ford of Canada website to check the progress on our bronco with updates, all it says is to contact your dealer. The dealer is pissed because they know nothing. This is the worst vehicle introduction and your customer service is a joke a poor one at that.
hilarious as usual that a manufacturer doesn't understand it's target buyer. of course everyone wanting a bronco will want a badlands or wildtrack. Then you offer a pure off road package with 35's and are surprised that everyone orders that? hahahaha
way to go Ford
Ford's new vehicle production foot-dragging must be doing wonders for the sales of Jeeps and Land Rovers. Who made the brilliant decision to contract out the manufacture of roofs and other key components of the new Bronco. What happened to the days when Ford manufactured every part of the old Broncos?
Yesterday I checked the websites of twelve jeep dealerships within three hours from where I live. Not one had any Jeep’s in their inventory one had three on route. So if I even wanted to drop my order and purchase a jeep I would be waiting.
Frustrating times, I agree why did Ford not either build their own roofs or at the least have two manufacturers supply the product.
Because China told them they couldn’t thats why
I'm 59 years old and a lifelong Ford buyer. This launch has been terrible . I am now forced to go hunting for something else in a sky high used vehicle market since I sold my king ranch f150 too early in anticipation of getting my Bronco this summer. If I buy new it certainly will not be a Ford :(
Brett, the email I got said the Achilles heel was the painted roofs, so apparently Ford has 2 Achilles heels. Does this mean they cannot ship ANY hardtops?
Why not just build and ship sans hardtop, to be supplied later.
You can opt for the soft top and get bumped up the list, according to Ford. The painted hard top has been pushed back to the 2022 model year already, but the MIC top is also proving to be a problem as well.
Just read an article to what the major cause of the delay is. Seems if the report is correct the problem is not with Ford manufacturing but a suppliers inability to perform and deliver.
Guys, don't feel too bad, at least you get updates. I ordered the Ford Bronco SPORT 3 months ago and have NEVER RECEIVED ANY NEWS!. Dealer says the same, we know nothing, until we are notified we do not know what to tell you. But I do see in the news that plants will be idled for 2 weeks, so more delays and yet the SPORT model doesn't have too many problems with roofs, etc. It is primarily chips.
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Ford Edge
The Off Roadeo is also a failed launch. It doesn't exist. Just another empty promise by Ford. Oh, sure, you can register....but you can't make a reservation because the venues aren't set up yet, and one has folded completely (Vermont).
When I tried to register for the Roadeo, the website couldn't even confirm my purchase. (No access to Ford's purchase data base. What?) They've only had two years to figure this out and have completely dropped the ball. The website looks and operates like it was designed by grade schoolers.
And now Ford will give priority Roadeo reservations to those with a Bronco order but no vehicle ? What about those of us who have already paid for and received our Bronco Sport?
"Back of the bus, you losers! We already have your money, so get out of the way! Fresh fish are on the hook. Once they're in the boat we'll talk to you. Maybe."
I'm so disappointed with Ford's unrealized expectations that I'm almost ready to walk everywhere.
I mean why would they invite a Ford Edge to the bronco off roadeo?
This is all very frustrating to be sure........ but life happens and there has been a ton of interference coming at FORD from so many quarters that they have no control over. For those of you that still think only your issues matter, please cancel your order and move along to a competing brand. I suspect that they also will not relish having you as customers either! Now before you start setting your hair on fire, really think about it and what you sound like.
Here's my thoughts on the whole "no control" thing...
1. You exercise control when you choose to relinquish control over aspects of a plan, to third parties. Thats still your problem when they cant come through. Slight excuse because thats basically how everything is done these days.
2. If you truly cannot control the performance and delivery of something, then the product you're offering is communication. You have to be on top of this so I dont feel like I just gave you some money and have no idea what's happening. I've been hearing "well based on allotments and your delivery group, we think June/July is when you'll see delivery." Sure, this was from my dealer, but Ford cant use the excuse that the dealer shouldnt have given that timeline, when the only info on my ford reservation page is "contact dealer"
3. I was already asked to switch from dual tops to carbonized hard top, to avoid delays. I was supposed to get a credit (still havent gotten that) to compensate for that -- and now its this same hard top thats causing Ford to issue this "you'll know when you know" bs? Clearly they severely missed the mark here.
Im in an OK position because I have until end of year to make a decision on my current car, but it would be nice to take advantage of the used market and make some nice coin of the sale. Hoping that might still be the case whenever Ford gets around to making good on my order.
And yeah, I've been poking around my local dealers for a wrangler 392. it scratches a different itch and is actually available, so, I dont know maybe I'll just do that.
$75K price tag for the 392 is nuts, though.