Ford misses the mark...

[RHSpedden]

Warren Buffett has recommended buying stock in companies whose products you use. About the same time I put in my Maverick Lariat order (June 2021), a stockbroker recommended Ford stock. While I thought the Maverick represented a home run, I was concerned about Ford's ability to execute.

Part of execution is effective and timely communication with both the customers and the dealers. I think Ford missed the mark on this. I was hopeful with their "Track My Ford" website, but not only was the data too general to be useful, but quite often the system was down.

I finally got a delivery date set for between July 6 and July 14 2022 (so over a year after the order, but I understand component availability issues). What I don't understand it that yesterday, July 12, where I was expected a notice to come pickup my Maverick at the dealer, I received the following message from Ford:

To ensure your complete satisfaction, we will require additional time before your 2022 Maverick LARIAT is delivered to Apple Ford. Your vehicle’s previous estimated delivery range of July 8, 2022, and July 14, 2022, has been updated to between July 31, 2022, and August 6, 2022.

Your dealer will contact you to arrange the delivery and pickup details regarding your new vehicle.

Thank you.

My guess is that this is related to the new Safety Recall on the 2.5 Hybrid Engine. They have probably decided that it is cheaper to have team directly employed by FMC to modify the engines at some rail siding than to pay the dealers to do it, which is why it will take a month rather than a day at the dealer. Of course, the salient point here is that I am left guessing.

I am looking forward to receiving my Maverick and I certainly don't regret not investing in Ford stock.

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[RHSpedden]

Should have proofread expecting vs. expected...

 

[Redneck Garage]

Same notice, same time frame. My truck is still sitting in Memphis 3 hours away ........ They wont be doing any recalls on a train transport - the recall takes about 15 mins Im told.

 

[RHSpedden]

Same notice, same time frame. My truck is still sitting in Memphis 3 hours away ........ They wont be doing any recalls on a train transport - the recall takes about 15 mins Im told.

My thought was that they would hold the cars wherever they off-load them and then have small crews of FMC employees work through them one at a time, hence the 3-4 weeks vs 15 minutes at a dealer.

 

[Maverickman74]

I have been buying F when I can since it was $6. Was a month late setting up a direct buy from computers share and missed out on my initial $500 purchase a $3 or $4. But thats all good. Been buying $300 a month for the last 9 months. Had to drop it to $150 as times are tight this summer(wifes medical leave) but I am up to almost 400 shares now. Even with the slip from earlier this year I am up about $1000 over the last 2 years. I doubt it will ever be up as ficticiously as Tesla but Ford is the one car company in position to really making a go at this bleak new future we face.

 

[RHSpedden]

I have been buying F when I can since it was $6. Was a month late setting up a direct buy from computers share and missed out on my initial $500 purchase a $3 or $4. But thats all good. Been buying $300 a month for the last 9 months. Had to drop it to $150 as times are tight this summer(wifes medical leave) but I am up to almost 400 shares now. Even with the slip from earlier this year I am up about $1000 over the last 2 years. I doubt it will ever be up as ficticiously as Tesla but Ford is the one car company in position to really making a go at this bleak new future we face.

Buying blue chips for the long term has always been a solid strategy, congratulations on your strategy. Though, over the last year, F has lost 20%. Since it's high of earlier this year it has lost over 50%. It will come back, but if they don't solve their customer satisfaction/communication issue, it will never be what it might.

 

[NJBob]

Warren Buffett has recommended buying stock in companies whose products you use. About the same time I put in my Maverick Lariat order (June 2021), a stockbroker recommended Ford stock. While I thought the Maverick represented a home run, I was concerned about Ford's ability to execute.

Part of execution is effective and timely communication with both the customers and the dealers. I think Ford missed the mark on this. I was hopeful with their "Track My Ford" website, but not only was the data too general to be useful, but quite often the system was down.

I finally got a delivery date set for between July 6 and July 14 2022 (so over a year after the order, but I understand component availability issues). What I don't understand it that yesterday, July 12, where I was expected a notice to come pickup my Maverick at the dealer, I received the following message from Ford:

To ensure your complete satisfaction, we will require additional time before your 2022 Maverick LARIAT is delivered to Apple Ford. Your vehicle’s previous estimated delivery range of July 8, 2022, and July 14, 2022, has been updated to between July 31, 2022, and August 6, 2022.

Your dealer will contact you to arrange the delivery and pickup details regarding your new vehicle.

Thank you.

My guess is that this is related to the new Safety Recall on the 2.5 Hybrid Engine. They have probably decided that it is cheaper to have team directly employed by FMC to modify the engines at some rail siding than to pay the dealers to do it, which is why it will take a month rather than a day at the dealer. Of course, the salient point here is that I am left guessing.

I am looking forward to receiving my Maverick and I certainly don't regret not investing in Ford stock.

Sure send a bunch of oil changers to do the work. They will probably wait until they have alot to do. Then drill holes into your radiator. Meanwhile customers some of whom have are left waiting over a year. My God what a messed up company. Rather than have to pay the dealer. Unbelievable

 

[garnermike]

I waited 8 months for the delivery of my Mav. I was patient, given all that has happened since 2020 across the globe to mess up supply chains and economies. Received my Mav 5 months ago, and love it. It is a home run design and product by Ford. I am averaging 47.5 mpg.

I have purchased Ford stock. Orders and/or interest in the Mav, the Bronco, and the Lightning are off the chart. I think the company is on a roll, and will continue be so in the EV future.

 

[Maverickman74]

Buying blue chips for the long term has always been a solid strategy, congratulations on your strategy. Though, over the last year, F has lost 20%. Since it's high of earlier this year it has lost over 50%. It will come back, but if they don't solve their customer satisfaction/communication issue, it will never be what it might.

I think they will there are just alot of hands tied at the moment. All manufactures are having big recalls. All are having dwindling supply systems. Ford has been working towards building their own supply systems and still has the real estate to convert manufactuing facilities to fit their needs when 2nd and 3rd tiers suppliers run dry. Raw materials is an issue but Ford has a very long history with the couple different entities that control all of that. Companies like Tesla have alot of cash and other fluid currencies like crypto but those are fickle and fleeting. Ford has the real estate, the relationships, and the worldwide credit(credit in boom or bust economies, im not sure others have that type of credit).

Customer service is big, but Ford has so much commercial sales that customer service issues on new and niche products, while important, doesnt have as huge a impact as momentary issues appear to have.

 

[RHSpedden]

I think they will there are just alot of hands tied at the moment. All manufactures are having big recalls. All are having dwindling supply systems. Ford has been working towards building their own supply systems and still has the real estate to convert manufactuing facilities to fit their needs when 2nd and 3rd tiers suppliers run dry. Raw materials is an issue but Ford has a very long history with the couple different entities that control all of that. Companies like Tesla have alot of cash and other fluid currencies like crypto but those are fickle and fleeting. Ford has the real estate, the relationships, and the worldwide credit(credit in boom or bust economies, im not sure others have that type of credit).

Customer service is big, but Ford has so much commercial sales that customer service issues on new and niche products, while important, doesnt have as huge a impact as momentary issues appear to have.

Excellent points. I, like everyone else, have been very patient waiting for my Maverick understanding the supply chain issues. My issue with this last delay is simply communication. One of the hallmarks of good management of any situation is effective communication. Customers, employees, management, spouses, all are very understanding of issues if the problem is communicated in a timely manner with complete information. With a promised delivery of July 8-14, I shouldn't get a message on July 12 delaying a month with no tangible reason given other than some lofty platitude. Providing the actual reason would have taken no more time and effort than crafting a meaningless phrase that conveys no useful information. At this point, would you trust the new delivery date?

 

[Papotuto74]

Warren Buffett has recommended buying stock in companies whose products you use. About the same time I put in my Maverick Lariat order (June 2021), a stockbroker recommended Ford stock. While I thought the Maverick represented a home run, I was concerned about Ford's ability to execute.

Part of execution is effective and timely communication with both the customers and the dealers. I think Ford missed the mark on this. I was hopeful with their "Track My Ford" website, but not only was the data too general to be useful, but quite often the system was down.

I finally got a delivery date set for between July 6 and July 14 2022 (so over a year after the order, but I understand component availability issues). What I don't understand it that yesterday, July 12, where I was expected a notice to come pickup my Maverick at the dealer, I received the following message from Ford:

To ensure your complete satisfaction, we will require additional time before your 2022 Maverick LARIAT is delivered to Apple Ford. Your vehicle’s previous estimated delivery range of July 8, 2022, and July 14, 2022, has been updated to between July 31, 2022, and August 6, 2022.

Your dealer will contact you to arrange the delivery and pickup details regarding your new vehicle.

Thank you.

My guess is that this is related to the new Safety Recall on the 2.5 Hybrid Engine. They have probably decided that it is cheaper to have team directly employed by FMC to modify the engines at some rail siding than to pay the dealers to do it, which is why it will take a month rather than a day at the dealer. Of course, the salient point here is that I am left guessing.

I am looking forward to receiving my Maverick and I certainly don't regret not investing in Ford stock.

I don’t have any rush to get my Mav they send me the email that will be deliver by last week of July or first week of August and honestly Doesn’t bother me at all. In my head my mode is whenever arrive will be ok. I friends that order cars from othe manufacturers and they have same issues. One of them order a BMW 440 new model 2022 and they told him no Power seats and was stock 3 months at the ship yard waiting for chips.he wait for his car close to 9 months. I order mine 10/21/21 and I will get it when it get here. Nothing is normal and anything can happen at any moment. Same shit is happening with paper products, janitorial products and Floor equipments. All manufacturers have a lot of problems.
Just enjoy life and drink whatever you like.

 

[Rob Cactus Gray]

There isn’t much to love about F stock. I rank car companies in the same category as Airlines. High operating costs, high investment costs, and generally low margins. Combined with a the cyclic nature of car buying and the fact the average price is $48k for a new one, these stocks just aren’t attractive. Sure, let’s pretend that investing $20-30 billion into electric pays off in 15-20 years. Wouldn’t that also mean that technology stocks would prosper? Did we mention the 5 year returns? Other than dividends F is down 1 percent over the last 5 years. I give F stock a C minus overall.

I much prefer ETFs QQQ, or VOO.

I have holdings in F, QQQ, and VOO. This is for entertainment only and not financial advice.

 

[Maverickman74]

Excellent points. I, like everyone else, have been very patient waiting for my Maverick understanding the supply chain issues. My issue with this last delay is simply communication. One of the hallmarks of good management of any situation is effective communication. Customers, employees, management, spouses, all are very understanding of issues if the problem is communicated in a timely manner with complete information. With a promised delivery of July 8-14, I shouldn't get a message on July 12 delaying a month with no tangible reason given other than some lofty platitude. Providing the actual reason would have taken no more time and effort than crafting a meaningless phrase that conveys no useful information. At this point, would you trust the new delivery date?

Its not great for sure, I think they just dont know how to apologize properly and compensate. Its not really something they have ever done and as a corporation if they start doing it. Then the could face a empty all your pockets situation. I mean what does any large company do when they have big delays? Even Amazon with delivery small packages. Sometimes they arrive on Maui where I live, then go to another island, then wait a week, then get sent back to the mainland. They will then say sorry, would you like to re order? Atleast the message wasnt "we wont make our scheduled delivery window, would you like to order a 2023 instead?".

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