The sixth-generation 2021 Ford Bronco debuted at a time when supply chain issues were quite prevalent in the automotive industry, meaning that its molded-in color (MIC) hardtop supplier, Webasto, struggled to build those units early on and also faced quality issues with early tops as well. Thus, it made perfect sense to see an aftermarket company called Advanced Fiberglass Concepts (ADV) jump in and announce that it planned on making and selling a fiberglass Ford Bronco top of its own back in January 2022. Problem is, it doesn’t seem as if those tops will ever come to fruition, with customers potentially losing out on thousands of dollars.
Back in May 2023, ADV announced that its fiberglass Ford Bronco hardtop had entered the final assembly stage, and promised that those who had pre-ordered one of those tops would be receiving communications soon regarding when they would be ready to ship. Of course, this fiberglass top wasn’t cheap, with a price tag well north of $5,000 sans options, though ADV was quick to point out that it was allegedly a superior option to the factory MIC top, which has since been added to the Ford catalog – albeit, in extremely limited quantities.
Despite this, the YouTube Channel All Terrain Nation recently posted a video outlining the host’s own experience with trying to purchase an ADV hardtop, and it’s rather shocking, indeed. After dropping $7k on a top and waiting a couple of months, they began to get a bit skeptical, and were able to receive a refund – though that doesn’t seem to be the case with other customers, as they’ve received a statement from ADV that effectively places the blame on another company – Automotive Performance Group – which has reportedly scammed ADV on this particular project.
“First, I wanted to genuinely thank you all for your patience and understanding as we have navigated delays and revisions that pushed the availability of this product further out than we ever expected, and I know how frustrating that has been, for you, and for us, as we have been eager to get your order to you.
Unfortunately, ADV Fiberglass has come to realize that our business was targeted and has fallen victim to a business manufacturing and production operation carried out by Automotive Performance Group, APG, in Garden Grove, CA, our business associate on this project. APG has been misleading us and engaging in deceptive, illegal, and unethical business practices – effectively feeding us inaccurate timelines, breaking promises, continuously requesting more money, and even going as far as filing a patent (solely in his name) for a product we, collectively designed and paid for under their own name. After finally discovering the truth, we realized that this was not the honest partner we thought we were working with.
Without any other avenues to pursue, and in an effort to seek justice for you and our company, we are currently in the process of pursuing legal action. I am sorry to tell you that due to this, the hardtops ordered will not be delivered, and we have removed them as a product offering on our site.
I want to assure you that all the money that you paid toward this product to Advanced Fiberglass Concepts went exactly where we said it would, to the manufacturing and creation of this hardtop. Unfortunately, we trusted the wrong person and we are so sorry for this regrettable mistake. At ADV, we never take your business for granted and it’s devastating that ADV has fallen victim to an operation of this size.
Since learning of APG’s deception, we have also exhausted every possible option to try and manufacture in-house and deliver this product to you without APG’s involvement. However, right now, there is no avenue for us to take to fulfill these orders due to the pending patent that APG filed behind our back, without our business name included, that covered the bolt-together, slant back design. The patent, unfortunately, prohibits us from manufacturing our own design at our ADV facilities. We are so sorry that this has happened, and we are extremely disappointed that we were not able to deliver on this for you. If you purchased a hardtop, you may try to contact your credit card company to see if they are able to assist. Unfortunately, Advanced Fiberglass Concepts is unable to directly assist.
Now, ADV has removed the Ford Bronco hardtop from its page, though it continues to sell other products. Unfortunately for those that that placed an order for one and didn’t yet receive a refund, it seems as if they’ll have to take other avenues if they wish to get their money back.
We’ll have more on this and all new Bronco aftermarket parts and accessories soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Bronco news and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
Sounds like they are scamming their customers because they got scammed. That’s a no-go in my opinion. Customers should seek a refund from the people they gave the money to, not take an “Oh $hit” from them and just walk away.
The patent thing is BS. Build the damn top and fight out the patent issue. Worst case they would have to pay a royalty, and then deduct that royalty from the money they sent to the supplier. That reinforces my belief that this is a ‘double scam’ and should not be tolerated by the customers.
How do we turn this into a contract issue? The product was advertised and paid for. The only thing undetermined was the timing. Shouldn’t ADV be considered the prime contractor? And APG the sub? Find another sub or return the money – all the customers should seek a refund. Did ADV require any performance bonds from APG? Is ADV getting paid for their loss by an insurance company?