As Ford Authority originally reported back in April 2021, The Blue Oval’s Dearborn test track has previously been used to store incomplete Ford F-150 pickups, which were partially assembled and then stashed away as the automaker awaited parts that were difficult to come by at the time due to various supply chain shortages. This trend continued into 2022 and even included the Ford F-150 Lightning as well, and now, sources familiar with the matter have told Ford Authority that there are a host of 2024 Ford F-150 pickups being stashed at the Dearborn test track, too.
There are currently a number of 2024 Ford F-150 pickups parked at the Dearborn test track, along with some 2024 F-150 Lightning pickups, too, though it’s unclear why this is the case. It’s possible that the launch of the refreshed 2024 F-150 pickup, specifically, is being impacted by supply chain issues or potentially even quality checks, however.
In fact, as Ford Authority reported early this month, even though production of the refreshed 2024 Ford F-150 is already underway, that process was paused at the Dearborn Truck Plant from January 25th-31st, resulting in the temporary layoffs of around 5,200 UAW workers. The same was true of the Kansas City Assembly plant, where assembly was paused from January 25th-February 1st, impacting around 4,500 workers, though production has since resumed at both plants. Both production pauses stemmed from a supplier parts issue, though FoMoCo didn’t reveal which supplier, nor what part caused these temporary shutdowns.
Over the past year or so, The Blue Oval has also paused production of a few refreshed or redesigned models when it discovered quality issues early in that process as well – a list that includes the F-150’s F-Series counterpart, the 2023 Ford Super Duty – though that process proved costly. Regardless, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently stated that the automaker is using the Toyota Tundra as a quality benchmark for the 2024 F-150, so it’s certainly possible that the automaker won’t begin deliveries until it rectifies any potential issues it has discovered early in the production process.
We’ll have more on the 2024 Ford F-150 soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comments
It’s because no one can afford them, so sales suck.
So there is not any manufacture using the F150 as a benchmark. Gone forever are those days.
They aren’t selling, and dealers don’t want the additional inventory. That’s why.
Why can’t we be honest here?
Ford’s site still defaults to the 23 model.
We’re almost in March and there are tens of thousands of ’23’s sitting unsold on dealer lots.
People got burned on all the “market adjustments”.
I am sure many are going to sit and wait for the inevitable steep discounts.
It is time to buy…1.9 % interest for 72 months…