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For just the next two weeks. (Bet it is longer than two weeks). This is apparently due to a critical microchip shortage and it is also affectoing some other makes.
F150 Production Cut
F150 Production Cut
F150 Production Being Cut
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Related GM headline (at bottom of Ford article) links to article where analysts think chip shortages are expected into 3Q21!!! Ouch!
Working in the computer/IT industry for a company who still manufactures hardware, I've witnessed the huge consolidation of chip foundries across the world over the past 30 years, including the company I work exiting the chip manufacturing business in 2015. The race to keep up with Moore's Law (observation that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles about every two years) is reaching the limits of lithography due to simple physics and has whittled that field chasing Moore's Law down to only three (3) companies leading the charge to 5nm process/technology: Intel, Samsung, & TSMC
While there are still lots of foundries making chip at >5nm process (where I assume these automotive chips are), these articles highlight the limits on global chip manufacturing capacity and the impact of globalization on US automotive manufacturers.
It had looked like Ford just about got production lines back up-to-speed (based on the steady flow of vehicles being replenished at my local dealership) after the supply chain and manufacturing pauses in 2020 due to COVID-19, only to now be sidelined again by what looks to be an industry-wide shortage on chips. I agree with Doug that this will be much longer than 2 weeks...
I was about to buy some Ford stock (as I thought they were poised for a strong post-COVID comeback) but looks like Ford and GM will both be taking hits in their 2021 revenues due to this chip shortage and lack of chip manufacturing capacity.
Working in the computer/IT industry for a company who still manufactures hardware, I've witnessed the huge consolidation of chip foundries across the world over the past 30 years, including the company I work exiting the chip manufacturing business in 2015. The race to keep up with Moore's Law (observation that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles about every two years) is reaching the limits of lithography due to simple physics and has whittled that field chasing Moore's Law down to only three (3) companies leading the charge to 5nm process/technology: Intel, Samsung, & TSMC
While there are still lots of foundries making chip at >5nm process (where I assume these automotive chips are), these articles highlight the limits on global chip manufacturing capacity and the impact of globalization on US automotive manufacturers.
It had looked like Ford just about got production lines back up-to-speed (based on the steady flow of vehicles being replenished at my local dealership) after the supply chain and manufacturing pauses in 2020 due to COVID-19, only to now be sidelined again by what looks to be an industry-wide shortage on chips. I agree with Doug that this will be much longer than 2 weeks...
I was about to buy some Ford stock (as I thought they were poised for a strong post-COVID comeback) but looks like Ford and GM will both be taking hits in their 2021 revenues due to this chip shortage and lack of chip manufacturing capacity.
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GM & Ford are warning investors of billions in lost earnings this year due to the global chip shortage
Unclear to me why Ford stock has been trading higher over the past few weeks....
Unclear to me why Ford stock has been trading higher over the past few weeks....
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1,008 Posts
Now the cold weather in the Central US is forcing Ford to shutdown the Kansas City F150 line/plant:
Ford shuts F-150 plant due to natural gas shortage caused by winter storm
When it rains, it pours...
Ford shuts F-150 plant due to natural gas shortage caused by winter storm
When it rains, it pours...
Because of push to go electric
Today's young investors are green
They have a little more faith in fords new ceo
Also my opinion its about time after years of record sales and yoy profits while stocks stayed stagnant
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One of the reasons I am looking at Ford stock is because as a Ford stock holder, I have confirmed that you are eligible for Ford X-Plan pricing.
I get X-Plan pricing thru a corporate partnership at work, and have used X-Plan pricing for purchasing my last three (3) F150 Platinums. I love walking in the door at the dealership and watching the salesman face when I slide the X-Plan PIN code across their desk, knowing that the sales price has been pre-negotiated (Invoice - 0.4% + $275 program fee) = takes all of the haggling out of the equation and more importantly crosses-out one of the squares in the "4 square method" of negotiation. If there are Ford Corporate sales incentives or rebates in effect, you can do even better on your final price.
With Ford stock currently trading in the $10-$12/share range, I'd say that is a pretty cheap and easy way to get $4K-$5K off the F150 upper trim levels. With the prices of these trucks now exceeding $75K on the high end, I'll take any discount on pricing that I can get...
I get X-Plan pricing thru a corporate partnership at work, and have used X-Plan pricing for purchasing my last three (3) F150 Platinums. I love walking in the door at the dealership and watching the salesman face when I slide the X-Plan PIN code across their desk, knowing that the sales price has been pre-negotiated (Invoice - 0.4% + $275 program fee) = takes all of the haggling out of the equation and more importantly crosses-out one of the squares in the "4 square method" of negotiation. If there are Ford Corporate sales incentives or rebates in effect, you can do even better on your final price.
With Ford stock currently trading in the $10-$12/share range, I'd say that is a pretty cheap and easy way to get $4K-$5K off the F150 upper trim levels. With the prices of these trucks now exceeding $75K on the high end, I'll take any discount on pricing that I can get...
I use X-Plan pricing knowing going in that is the highest amount for the vehicle to pay. Ususally end up saving some off of it. YMMV
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Ford and GM chip shortage woes continue:
General Motors idles more auto plants over chip shortage - The Washington Post
Looks like Kansas City Line is being idled and Dearborn Line being shut down temporarily in April:
General Motors idles more auto plants over chip shortage - The Washington Post
Looks like Kansas City Line is being idled and Dearborn Line being shut down temporarily in April:
Article references GM not getting their chip supply issues sorted out until 2022
Looks like 2021 to be another bad year for automotive sales
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Almost a year later and Ford is still shutting down lines due to chip shortages:
Ford to halt F-150 pickup output in Kansas City due to chip shortage | Reuters
As for vehicle pricing/gouging at dealers, this is where I see X-Plan pricing as the solution, as there can be no dealer mark-up on the contracted/pre-negotiated price defined by Ford Corporate.
Ford to halt F-150 pickup output in Kansas City due to chip shortage | Reuters
As for vehicle pricing/gouging at dealers, this is where I see X-Plan pricing as the solution, as there can be no dealer mark-up on the contracted/pre-negotiated price defined by Ford Corporate.
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775 Posts
Great points. That is a good way to look at owning Ford stock.
Back in about 1991 I toured a new AT&T chip manufacturing facility in Orlando Florida. I doubt it’s there now. It is a shame the US did not keep up with manufacturing but instead trusted the world market as their sole source.
Back in about 1991 I toured a new AT&T chip manufacturing facility in Orlando Florida. I doubt it’s there now. It is a shame the US did not keep up with manufacturing but instead trusted the world market as their sole source.
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