Ford's quality issues have been well-documented to this point, long before The Blue Oval secured the "honor" of being the most recalled automotive manufacturer in 2022. Regardless, Ford has placed a newfound focus on improving that metric, bringing in talent such as Josh Halliburton - the automaker's new executive director of quality - who says that these problems will begin to subside in the coming months. In the meantime, Ford CEO Jim Farley believes that improving initial quality will be the first progress metric for the company.
"And on warranty, we'll see it in initial quality. And then obviously, the warranty cost to be lagging, but you'll see very quick progress on initial quality. That's where it's going to - our fitness there will show up there first," the Ford CEO said while speaking at the 2023 Wolfe Research Global Auto, Auto Tech, and Mobility Conference.
To date, Farley has taken a much more pessimistic view of Ford's quality problems than Halliburton, noting that he believes it will take "years" to correct those issues. The automaker is focusing on making improvements in some key areas in an effort to right the ship - improving engineering robustness, reducing complexity, thoroughly testing new vehicles prior to launches, fixing software bugs, elevating supplier quality standards, reducing the number of defects it experiences at its plants, and improving communications with customers regarding recalls.
In the short term, Ford is facing an $8 billion dollar cost gap compared to its rivals - which can largely be attributed to these quality-related factors - along with various inefficiencies and overstaffing problems. Regardless, Ford executive chair Bill Ford recently reiterated that he has confidence Farley will right the proverbial ship, and that the company is heading in the right direction.
We'll have more on Ford's efforts to improve quality soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
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If only this thing could talk...
It features some extensive modifications throughout, too.
Another feature slowly being phased out.
With lovely minimalist coastline-inspired graphics.
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Step 1: Acknowledge the issue...check. Good on Jim Farley for being realistic on the timeline; now to right the ship!
👍
And how are these quality metrics tied to compensation?
You bet your ass they are !
My question is how does it get to this point, culture of quality has obviously been ignored. Marketing elevated while pushing subpar product out to a trusting consumer. Build a quality product and create customer loyalty. To many companies just accept churn rate,
Let’s see there was Q1, ISO14001, employee involvement, and on and on.
How many iterations of the same program before they get it right?
How much credibility will the latest version have when like all the others turns into a looks good on paper.
For years Ford has had higher expectations for its suppliers than it does for itself.
The people in the plants will just say here we go again.
Fix Or Replace Daily lives on!
You are right on the money. I lived through I can’t remember how many of these bull$hit programs.
These are all just different names for window dressing. The last time Ford SERIOUSLY addressed quality was their efforts in the early sixties on rattles, fit, finish, and cooling system issues. The 1965 full-size Fords and Mercurys were tight, rattle-free, and seemed to go forever.
Seriously, when did you retire, the 1970’s?
Q1 and ISO14001 are not two different versions of the same program.
Q1 is more like ISO9000 or TS16949 as all are quality operating system standards that progressively built on the older ones.
ISO 14001 is an environmental operating standard.
Maybe they should also put effort into producing the cars they sell..like the Maverick. Thousands of very angry customers are fed up with the run around, and as a result are furious with Ford. Maybe to never return.
Got a call that my vehicle was at the dealership. We want to pick it up. It took 3 hours and I walk out to see that my order was changed. The tonue cover was deleted from the order so I was not charged. Still paid the same price I am not done with the dealership.
Fire this bum !!!
Start there and make some meaningful core changes.
Ford has been a profit before all else company and it is really biting them
In the ass now. Issues with just about everything. Now their wet dream lightning F150 is on hold due to fires !!!
Absolutely junk.
Ford needs to clean house now if it’s going to memorize their recall problems.
Yes, it’s very important to memorize such things.
Once he removes focus and resources away from pointless EVs then quality will progress. Until then Ford will continue to struggle.
Last Chance Vance of the K-street troll team making the elusive perfected ICE the enemy of the good BEV.
Mr. Farley' comment... 'years to fix' is' the wiggle room Halliburton will need. This is 'corporate speak' at its best. While I commend MR. Farley for being upfront about Ford consistent quality issues.... the clocks ticks. Ford needs to hope that Honda and Toyota do not expand their commercial product lines... Ford would be dead in the water.
Toyota will be in rough spot for the next 5-10 years due to being a BEV laggard.
Honda will just be struggling to survive.
Neither will challenge Ford here.
"Years to Fix" -- Meaning there are year's of previous model out there. Mr. Farley expects coming models to have less problems with Mr. Haliburton in charge.
This is the right take. Also includes models in production but near the end of their lifecycle that will be superseded by simpler BEV PT’s and body and chassis benefiting from more emphasis on Zero Defect, DFQ and DFMA.