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Tracking Build Dates

342K views 1K replies 238 participants last post by  SBMark 
#1 ·
A number of posters have recently received build dates on their orders [Longboard, dado6, etc.] It would be helpful IMO if these build dates could be tracked for delays, postponements, and so forth.

Also anyone who has received a VIN should soon be able to post a build date and track it.

With all the waiting time for initial orders to show up in Ford's system, and for VIN assignment, tracking the build dates and delivery dates will help everyone get the big picture for how extended this roll-out might end up being.

Thanks in advance.

Peter
 
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#3 ·
My build week starts two weeks from tomorrow.
I'm hoping to report by THREE weeks from tomorrow that it has been built, but it's very possible it could take two months or more to be delivered despite a current delivery week of October 20th.
I doubt there will be any pattern established since the different sizes will be built in batches, and delivery vehicles are still being prepared with a mix of providers including currently being modified rail cars and Ryder rental trucks.
 
#4 ·
Thanks Longboard, good point, but I am just wondering if an overall pattern of further delays develops (or not). Njhw appears to have a similar case in point -- built on 8/22 but he can't find out the delivery date (now over 3 weeks later).

Hmmmmm, Ford . . . . ?
 
#6 ·
Thanks, that's great to see. I had assumed that all high roofs shipped so far had been pre-production models, sounds like maybe the plant is running fine for all configurations and at least some rail cars have been successfully converted to handle the tall ones.
Maybe I WILL start planning on a late October delivery as projected.
 
#7 ·
This 60-day period means that orders placed today should be delivered before Thanksgiving. Hopefully this will hold true, although after the slow roll-out so far, it remains to be seen.

Now the company needs to get actual vehicles with all the basic configurations on dealer lots so we can see the details and place orders. So far this aspect of the roll-out has not happened in our area.

In particular, it will be interesting to sit in the back seats of the wagon in both the low and medium roof versions to check out passenger mobility and clearance to the roof, plus the remove-ability of the bench seats and the rear A/C grey hump on the left vs. sliding a sheet of plywood flat on the floor, clear of the right wheel well.

Good luck to all on the fulfillment of their existing orders!
 
#8 ·
High Roof 148 250 Cargo (NW Michigan)

Dealer submitted Cargo Van order 28 August. Received VIN from dealer today with expected build week of 10/13. Delivery schedule unknown. Location is northwest Michigan.

Van is High Roof 148 Wheelbase (not extended) Silver 250 Cargo, 3.7L with CNG prep kit, full towing with controller. full privacy glass w/2nd row vent, Sirus Sync radio, 4 smart keys, running board, short arm heated turn signal mirrors, cruise, HD alt and dual batteries, user defined switches, rear view camera and backup sensor, keyless entry keypad, front carpet, alloy wheels, aux heat prep kit, and a few more little options.

Went with 3.7 since you can not get 3.5 with 3.73 rear end with high roof, except as part of “Ambulance Package (late availability)”. Towing for 3.5 with 3.31 is about 5800 pounds, 3.5 with 3.73 is about 7000, and 3.7 with 4.10 is about 6600. The 5800 towing was too small for my potential needs (towing car on trailer after camper conversion). Liked the 3.5 eco, but wanted high roof and towing more. I am sure I will get used to 3.7 power levels and expect better reliability than 3.5 eco.
 
#9 ·
fright rail backups may be delaying deliveries

Read a report the other day about the severe congestion of freight rail traffic in the US -- especially in the center of the country and the eastern seaboard.

Rail freight carriers are giving priority to crude oil tanker tains to get the oil from from the Dakota oil fields to refineries in the East and the Gulf Coast. Very good profits for the rail companies with this steady high demand business.

Farmers are complaining bitterly that they are not getting their crops to market because frieght cars to carry them are unavailable.

Getting Transits from the factory in Kansas City to dealers out across the country make also be impacted by this shortage of rail freight capacity.
 
#10 ·
Read a report the other day about the severe congestion of freight rail traffic in the US -- especially in the center of the country and the eastern seaboard.

Rail freight carriers are giving priority to crude oil tanker tains to get the oil from from the Dakota oil fields to refineries in the East and the Gulf Coast. Very good profits for the rail companies with this steady high demand business.

Farmers are complaining bitterly that they are not getting their crops to market because frieght cars to carry them are unavailable.

Getting Transits from the factory in Kansas City to dealers out across the country make also be impacted by this shortage of rail freight capacity.
Wonder why Ford does not allow factory delivery to alleviate their shipping problem. I know for $995 savings I would pickup my van at the factory.
 
#13 ·
Thanksgiving Turkey!

Ordered beginning of June - Tried to avoid any "late availability" options, but otherwise loaded it up.

Middle of June - Rechecked to make sure the were no late availabilities on order. Found one.

Middle of August - Went back thru options ordered - Oh darn, remote starter is now late availability; removed it.

September 10th - The VIN arrived!

September 17th - Build week is November 24th; Happy Thanksgiving!
 
#14 ·
Here's hoping, Dale, that your delivery is on time!

But it sounds like the 60-day order-to-delivery promise in the article posted by KilWerBzz is off a bit.
 
#17 ·
Njhw,

Very possible that your already built van is sitting lined up with many others on a lot next to the factory in Kansas City waiting for shipping availability. See the rail capacity shortage note I posted above.

Does anyone on this forum ever have a drive-by view of the Kansas City Ford plant?
 
#20 ·
O.k., so I put a $500 deposit on mine, if I back out I lose it.
If it's built but can't be shipped, and FoMoCo refuses to allow me to pick it up myself,
it sits and rots and undergoes the very processes that allow the systems to degrade according to their own research, what should MY compensation be?
They in good faith estimated a delivery week, but due to shipping delays beyond their control can't even come close to it, yet refuse my offer to come to the rescue at my own expense.
Look for a guy on the evening news camped under the overpass holding a wad of hundreds totaling over $40,000 with a sign saying "GIVE ME MY VAN Edsel & Mark!"
 
#22 ·
FYI ARI's Corporate Overview page says:

"ARI®, delivers solutions that improve our fleet customer’s business and bottom line. Founded in 1948 by Holman Automotive Group, we have grown into the largest privately held vehicle fleet management services company in the world. With a workforce of more than 2,500 skilled professionals, in offices throughout North America, Europe, the UK, and Hong Kong, ARI is known and trusted across the globe. We manage more than 1,000,000 vehicles in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Europe, and combined with our global associates, account for more than two million fleet vehicles worldwide."

Fleet Management Company | ARI

Seems like this company would have a pretty good sense of the Transit's production delays IMO.
 
#24 ·
I don't read it that way, instead that the middle column of delay times is for all models, and the right column lists specific items which may take longer to resolve. Guess it is not perfectly clear?

For instance, the Buick Regal has "None" in the right column, yet still lists 8-10 weeks from order-to-delivery in the middle column. Thus the right column is not the reason for the delay?


The text at the top of the table says:
___________________________________________________

"The estimated order-to-delivery times (aka “lead times”) shown below are sourced from the latest manufacturer communications. While every effort is made to provide accurate and timely information, lead times are estimated and may not apply at the time an order is placed.

"Estimated lead times do not factor in vehicle carrier delays, inclement weather delays, recalls, quality holds, parts shortages, automotive union worker strikes or other supply chain delays.

"Estimated lead times may or may not reflect plant downtime - it depends where the down-weeks fall on the scheduling calendar.

"Due to varying assembly plant assignments for certain model lines and/or ordered options, the lead times, plant downtime and production delays listed below may not apply to all model configurations.

"RED indicates new or revised information."
_________________________________________________

In any event, it seems clear from all the various posts here that delays are real, and appear to be growing IMO.


How many posters have said, "My Transit arrived earlier than I expected?"
 
#26 · (Edited)
I wouldn't be surprised if delays increase somewhat with time as fleet purchasers start budgeting and then begin placing orders.

Also, since this is a brand new roll-out, with many different basic models, a boatload of available options for each type, coupled with a new assembly plant and loads of JIT suppliers, it is no surprise to me seeing these kinks occur along the way.
 
#27 ·
Agreed Brad, it's just that the Ford rep's 9/11 60-day order-to-delivery time frame seems a bit disingenuous IMO (vs. 14-16 weeks per ARI):

" . . . said Chris Brewer, the vehicle's chief engineer, during a visit with Automotive Fleet editors on Sept. 11 . . . Current order-to-delivery times for the van that's being built at Ford's Kansas City assembly plant now stand at an average of 60 days."


Ford Ships All Transit Van Models - TopNews - Fleet Management - TopNews - TruckingInfo.com
 
#28 ·
Ordered 250 cargo 148" MR 3.2L Diesel on 8/12/14 was told ordered as top priority in dealer allotment with expected delivery at end of October but most likely 12 weeks. Stopped by this morning (6 weeks from order) no VIN, no build date, nothing. Salesman is having Manager check into it.
 
#29 ·
Thanks BW5, please update us when you get the missing information from the dealer. It will be interesting also to hear the sales rep's comments about how Ford has been treating them during this roll out.
 
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#32 ·
Ordered mid-roof diesel LWB w/ windows all around 2/24/14. I have vin and sticker. Built 8/25/14.Still sitting in KC. Estimated delivery 9/1 extended to 9/22. now shows 9/8 (obviously incorrect since its 9/24) The dealer called Ford yesterday to see what's w/the mix up. New estimate 10/6. I've been waiting over a year for something. I can wait. At least it's built! I hate that it is sitting in the sun.
 
#33 ·
There is obviously a problem with moving the completed units out of the Kansas City plant.

Staggering that Ford has not said anything publicly about this . . .

What is going on under the radar, aside from the excuse that rail cars need to be modified? And if so, why wasn't this anticipated years ago?

Labor issues influencing things?

Mind-boggling . . .

HAL, are you monitoring?

HAL 9000 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
#38 ·
Ditto John.

My local sales rep. is not able to get any info. from Ford either, as I have been asking him about the arrival of the passenger Wagon models on Long Island. Yesterday, he said his printout shows one coming to another distant dealer in the next week or two (medium roof -- no low roof 130" WB Wagons in stock on the lot anywhere, from what I can see).
 
#41 ·
Peter, we found the last "late availability" item on the order sheet in mid August, so subtracting 10 weeks to find the date the "clean" order went in, it is about a 15 week wait.
 
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