New Bronco Delayed...Blame it on Covid!

AbleGuy

Officious Intermeddler
2021 Ford Bronco deliveries delayed ? until next summer because of COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. Manual Tranny Models pushed back even further!


The auto industry is fending off disruption from COVID-19 again.

Ford confirmed Friday that customer delivery of its all-new Bronco will be delayed.

"The all-new Bronco two-door and four-door customer deliveries will begin in the summer rather than the spring due to COVID-related challenges our suppliers are experiencing," Jiyan Cadiz, Bronco communications manager, told the Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"Reservation holders will be notified their orders will now be starting in mid-January instead of Monday, Dec. 7," he said. "Reservation holders now have until March 19 to finalize their dealer selection, place their order and agree to the selling price."
That means, specifically, reservations may go to the dealer they've chosen and start officially choosing specifications of the Bronco they want and putting deposits down. Right now, reservations have been placed with $100 deposits only.

Cadiz said the Sasquatch package with a manual transmission will now move to a 2022 model year rather than a 2021 model year. It was already planned for later in the year but now it's pushed back.

There is no specific timing on delivery of the manual transmission at this time.



The media were driven around in a variety of 2021 Ford Broncos during the event."]https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/...ight=464&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp[/IMG]
Disappointing delay

Ford and its Bronco fans have been counting the minutes until delivery.

"Look, from the day that Ford said, 'We’re bringing the Bronco back,' the world went nuts. They delivered a vehicle that looks terrific and the world went nuts again. They've got all these orders, very high expectations and now, delay," said John McElroy, host of "Autoline After Hours" and veteran industry observer.

Ford declined to comment on whether the supply chain problems would impact other launches or production in general. Ford also declined to say what part of the supply chain was disrupted as it related to Bronco.

"This is total deflation. It's going to be disappointing for everybody. They’re going to get the revenue anyway (at Ford), but it sure would be nice to start booking it right now," McElroy said. "And if it's affecting this launch, what about the Mach-E or F-Series?"

Supply chain worries

Jeoff Burris, the founder of Plymouth, Michigan-based Advanced Purchasing Dynamics, a supply chain consultant to auto suppliers primarily in North America, said the industry is bracing for new problems caused by the coronavirus.

"It's not a surprise. I’ve been hearing stories for the last few months about continued supplier disruption due to COVID issues and auto manufacturers having to deploy resources into supplier facilities," he said. "They’ll supply purchasing, quality and engineering people to suppliers to help manage the situation."

But clearly, the current issues are overwhelming and devastating for a company with a new CEO who is eager to meet customer demand and Wall Street expectations.

"It's a big deal," Burris said. "It’s letting air out of a positive marketing balloon. Ford is on a roll from a brand standpoint with the Mustang Mach-E and the Bronco. The cost of having an assembly line off line and not being productive is huge, in the millions."

Will GM, Toyota have delays, too?
Michelle Krebs, an executive analyst at Autotrader, said Ford is not alone in feeling pain.

"We have seen problems with the supply chain due to the pandemic that have slowed and even forced the halt of production, so this comes as no surprise," she said. "It is not catastrophic. It is understandable."
She pointed to General Motors shutting down Corvette production and said Toyota has had problems with its truck plants.

"It's happening across the board," Krebs said. "Ford has done better than most getting back up to speed. It's frankly shocking the supply chain has held up as well as it has."
The auto industry shut down from March to May at the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
Bronco Nation reaction

Jeff King, vice president and general manager of Bozard Ford Lincoln in St. Augustine, Florida, had just returned from birthday golf to discover the Bronco news.

"I'm not freaked out over it," King told the Free Press. "I wish it didn't happen but we're going to be OK. And it'll be great when it gets here."

Ford notified dealers via email just after 4 p.m. on Friday, he said.

Across the country in California, Mark Brooks said he was grateful for the heads-up.
Transparency from the company is always good, he said. Bronco communication from Ford in the past has had "hiccups" and enthusiasts appreciate knowing that their constructive criticism for more information more quickly is heard. He noted exchanges on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Bronco Nation board sites late Friday.

"I got my reservation back in July," said Brooks, 50, a credit union manager from Sacramento. "I've been on pins and needles since."

A lot of changes have unfolded in recent months, he said. "We waited this long. I'm bummed. But it's not the end of the world."

For now, he'll plan to drive his 2016 Ford Mustang through the summer of 2021 and plans to order the new Bronco in Velocity Blue.

"I'm sure it's going to be worth the wait," Brooks said.

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-222-6512 orphoward@freepress.com.Follow her on Twitter@phoebesaid. Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter.
 
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85_Ranger4x4

Well-known member
AFAIK they just pushed it back a month... not a big deal.

I deal in parts for a living, it is crazy trying to get stuff right now. I have to have a minimum order for small engine stuff so I was going to throw on some chainsaw bars we are out of... still out of stock for month #2.
 

Regcabguy

Oil eater.
My friends own a Dodge Diesel garage but work on anything but a Powerstroke. Parts availability is terrible right now. He had to send one of his mechanics home due to a parts scarcity. The tranny guy he refers work to is having a tough time getting auto trans filters.
 

plainjaneFJC

Deplorable
My friends own a Dodge Diesel garage but work on anything but a Powerstroke. Parts availability is terrible right now. He had to send one of his mechanics home due to a parts scarcity. The tranny guy he refers work to is having a tough time getting auto trans filters.
In the construction sales industry, tons of delays with our manufacturers. Sales have been strong all thru covid regardless of what the media says.....everyone is backlogged and behind months.
 

billiebob

Well-known member
Worrying about when the new Bronco arrives as the world ramps up to deliver the COVID vaccine????
Are we really that shallow?

Yes all industries are back logged, hopefully food and water supplies never fall short.

And quite right plainjane,,,, construction activity in Canada might even be setting records even with delayed delivery of everything from appliances to doors.

UpHere it is hospitality and tourism that is hurting. Three weeks ago Revelstoke had zero COVID cases. Then the ski hill opened, it is world class. Within two weeks Revelstoke had 49 COVID cases. Our Premier finally asked Albertans to stay home. Such a simple concept, play in your own backyard. ENJOY, EXPLORE your own community. Why are so many people so selfish they cannot care about the rest of us.
 
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billiebob

Well-known member
Disappointing delay

Ford and its Bronco fans have been counting the minutes until delivery.

lol..... Jeep has been teasing us with the Wrangler Pickup for 20 years...... lol lets hope the Bronco arrives faster.

I wish they'ed make this...

jeep-gladiator-j6-co-6-2_1600x0w.jpg

The Nukizer? 2010

jeep-nukizer-715.jpg

RESCUE from 2005

2005-JEEP-Gladiator_Concept_pictures-6.jpg

and the JT arrived last year
 
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85_Ranger4x4

Well-known member
Worrying about when the new Bronco arrives as the world ramps up to deliver the COVID vaccine????
Are we really that shallow?

We have one reserved.

It has been kind of a pleasant distraction to follow and think about with everything else that is going on.

For us a little later (hopefully after next winter) is actually a good thing. We have a late reservation (like November) so as I understand it will will be towards the end of the preorders. Yes reservations go for another month and a half yet but the vast majority were in July/August.
 

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