Ongoing supplier issues continue to plague automakers worldwide, and Ford is certainly no exception. The Blue Oval recently revealed that it has thousands of unfinished pickups and SUVs sitting on various lots awaiting parts. These so-called “vehicles on wheels” will remain in stasis until supplier constraints are eased. Now, Ford Authority spotted a number of units of the 2022 Ford F-150 that have presumably been impacted by the parts shortages.
While it’s not clear why these particular Ford F-150s are parked, it’s entirely possible that they are affected by the recent shortage of actual Blue Oval badges, although they seem to bear them at least on the front. These badges are produced by Tribar Technologies, Inc., which is currently operating at full capacity despite setbacks caused by an undisclosed issue. Ford reportedly considered 3D printing new badges so it could equip its trucks and ship them, but ultimately abandoned the idea due to quality concerns.
Of course, there are plenty more factors that play into why these Ford vehicles are simply parked on storage lots instead of being delivered to the customer. Ford Authority outlined quite a few of these issues back in July. Perhaps the most glaring issue facing the automotive industry today is the ongoing global microchip shortage, which has forced Ford to restrict availability of many features on its vehicles, including Multicontour seats with Active Motion Removal from the 2022 Ford F-150.
Additionally, logistical issues could play a major role in these “vehicles on wheels” that are parked in Blue Oval storage lot. Staffing issues in the cargo and transport industry mean that even vehicles that are completely built cannot be delivered to their customers. At this time, it’s unclear how long these 2022 Ford F-150s will be parked on this storage lot, but hopefully whatever issue has them on hold will soon be resolved.
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Comments
I have purchased my last new vehicle. These asshat manufacturers can keep their junk that they now build and their “electric is the way to go ” mentality. Keep catering to these uneducated GREENIES. In 20 years there won’t be enough to eat or enough electric to supply this way of thinking. Food doesn’t come from Whole Foods, it has to be grown and this country is one generation away from no one wanting to put the work involved into growing it.
LoL. Based on the self centered tone of your comment, it’s a fair bet that the greenies have more education, foresight, self control, and empathy for man and environment than you do.
There is a reason why Ford is rated 4th by Parts and pieces suppliers.
All those customers out there that ordered most of those trucks, how frustrating. It took me 10 months to get my Ford Maverick, and then one day you get that magic phone call from the dealer. I hope all these supply issues fix themselves in the next year or two, how I miss walking around a car dealership with a lot full of cars ! Sadly, those days are probably over.
I’m confused, Ford just gave me a build date for a King Ranch of Oct 16th. The dealership is telling me delivery will be mid November.
Are these most likely stock vehicles that are parked?
I ordered my 2012 King Ranch and it magically disappeared in October of 2021……The then ordered me a 2022 King Ranch and over a year later, it indicates online it “is in production” since September! It’s now mid November and no change
There’s plenty of disagreement about where the Auto Industry is and what to expect next…
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You likely have been hearing conflicting news about the global chip shortage and how it’s affecting the auto industry. There are plenty of news sources repeating what Ford CEO Jim Farley said a couple of weeks ago, that the shortage is waning and will be over by the beginning of next year. That talking point has been repeated by the U.S. Department of Commerce. However, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger rained on that parade, declaring the chip shortage is going to last another two years.
If Gelsinger is right and Farley is wrong, that means the shortage will last through 2024. Considering that for May of this year, US car sales were down 21 percent year-over-year, even though consumer demand is still strong, it would seem a recovery could very well be a long way off. New car prices are also continuing their upward trend, with many shoppers paying well over sticker.
In an interview at Davos during the recent World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Gelsinger cited equipment shortages for the company’s new production facilities as being a choke point in the process. He also touched on how ramping up domestic semiconductor production isn’t an overnight process, reinforcing the fact a solution is going to take time.
Pretty much everyone agrees the semiconductor fiasco we’re facing today began as the result of pandemic mitigation measures. Manufacturing facilities were scaled back or even shut down as many treated Covid as a civilization-ending condition. When consumer demand for automobiles bounced back much sooner than many in the industry were expecting, the supply chain couldn’t handle the strain. That meant fewer new cars being made, the cost of old cars skyrocketing, and plenty more market weirdness.
While automakers are pushing increasingly advanced onboard tech in new cars, not to mention promoting electrification as the next big thing, there’s little discussion about what these innovations require when it comes to semiconductors. The demand for chips in the automotive market is increasing steeply. That demand is on a collision course with the brutal reality that Russia’s military actions are throwing global supply chains into chaos, especially when it comes to neon.
The global supply of neon has been kinked as a result of the Russian invasion. Ukraine’s two neon-refining facilities have been responsible for about half of neon used in the world. Both facilities stopped production as the Russian invasion kicked off and have become part of the collateral damage of the war.
Neon is essential to control lasers which etch semiconductor chips. Eventually, the decreased supply is going to have serious ramifications for chip production, so the chip shortage problems we’ve been experiencing since the pandemic shutdowns could conceivably worsen if something isn’t done.
Just how long the currently supply of neon gas will last is an item of great debate. Some think it’s already pretty much depleted. Others argue we have at least a few more months. But the production of neon typically happens at steel plants since it uses some of the same processes and technologies, so it isn’t a natural resource only found in Ukraine. After Russia invaded Crimea, some US steel plants adjusted their air separation so they could capture neon. Other countries began taking similar steps. Before those changes, Ukraine was responsible for about 70 percent of the global neon supply.
China is another big neon producer, with several companies in the communist country churning out semiconductor-grade purified gas. Starting in December of last year, Chinese neon prices began climbing rapidly as anticipation of the Russian onslaught heightened. Here in the US, the White House even told semiconductor companies to start looking for new sources of neon since the supply from Ukraine would likely be disrupted.
It’s possible facilities have adjusted laser settings to help neon gases last longer. There’s also a process for recycling neon. Since the industry is notoriously secretive about their practices, we know precious little about what’s actually happening.
A real question is whether too much emphasis is being placed on the neon shortage as a way to cast the Ukraine-Russia war in a certain light? While that’s certainly possible, even as the world moves to pick up the slack in the neon supply, the Russian invasion poses other threats to the semiconductor industry. Russia has been a huge supplier of materials needed to produce chips, like palladium, nickel, and C4F6. Military conflict can absolutely throw global supply chains into disarray, especially when heavily industrialized nations are involved.
Even with the difficulties, Gelsinger put a positive spin on the impact of inflation on Intel’s business. While he said the commercial end is doing just fine, with fewer individuals demanding chips he sees an opportunity to play catchup and hopefully cure some of the supply chain woes. However, there is a risk inflation could wreak havoc instead of becoming a positive for the chip shortage situation.
With competing narratives about what’s happening with the global semiconductor chip supply and when the crisis will end, it’s difficult to know what’s coming next
anybody else out there buying the badge shortage rumor ? Didn’t think so, me either.
A lot of people would prefer that there isn’t a badge. They could do a blacked out appearance package without a badge and actually charge thousands of dollars more for it.
i’d guarantee that there are plenty of aftermarket companies that could instantly make a badge that pops right in with or without Fords name on it, guess Ford won’t allow that though even at the customers dismay, lets piss some more customers off by delaying their deliveries, why not they’re trying to achieve 100% customer dis-satisfaction.
I purchased my last 2 fords 2 years ago and since, then my escape has been back for warranty work 5 times, with the last time being a failed transmission that still is not resolved! My other car is an explorer sport with multiple electrical issues. Both vehicles are under an extended warranty that I paid up for to make sure I was covered from expensive repairs. Well I pretty much can wipe my ass with that warranty as “supply chain” issues have kept my vehicles side lined for going on 6 weeks and with a complete lack of loaner cars we are absolutely screwed! Ford doesn’t care and the dealership, Crossroads Ford Wake Forest, NC care even less! Is this all because of the hype surrounding electric vehicles or Covid or just the fact that Ford’s upper management has NO idea what they are doing, I don’t really know but what I do know is Ford won’t get another dime from me! Brand loyalty means nothing anymore!!
I’m curious to know if any Ford employees or retirees happen to know if the company ever plans to start the executive lease plan again for retirees. I have written several email to the myfordvehicle webpage and not received a response. Thanks.
I am looking for Ford Explorer years 2016
I ordered our new F-150 11/16/2021, a nice well equipped Lariat. It’s in one of the lots in the pictures above. I HOPE to get it by 11/16/2022. Stings a little to be buying a new year old truck.