Ford F-150 Supplier Fire Slows Pickup Production
A plant fire at a major Ford F-150 supplier in Eaton Rapids, Mich., will shut down Ford F-150 production at Missouri's Kansas City Assembly Plant through May 14.
According to Automotive News (subscription required), Meridian Lightweight Technologies, which produces instrument panel components, suffered a fire and explosion May 2; two people were injured. Although the cause of the fire is not yet known, Meridian plans to bring the plant back online as soon as possible.
Exact production numbers for the Kansas City plant are difficult to nail down; however, a week of shutdown for the F-150 line is likely to result in a loss of as many as 5,000 units per week. Obviously, Ford can't do that for too many weeks before it will affect dealership inventory. Approximately 3,600 employees at the plant have been given temporary furloughs for at least a week while Ford assesses its next steps. The F-150's second production plant in Dearborn, Mich., is unaffected by the supplier fire.
Cars.com photo by Mark Williams
Comments
When can I order my new 2019 Ford Ranger? I have seen the light and I am switching to Ford. Boom.
Hopefully no one got hurt. But wow, Ford fire issues has worked it's was into the supplier chain. This is ugly.
Considering the number of Ford models that exhibit temperatures "higher than room temp" during the course of their lives, Ford probably makes its suppliers demonstrate the ability to achieve combustion as a condition of doing business, no?
this presents Ford execs with a good excuse for them to switch reporting to a 90 day format, instead of monthly sales figures.
GREAT !
that means there will be a shortage of new F-150's so my used 2016 F-150 will increase in value
Not only is the F-150 the best, it's an investment too !
LMFAO!!! FORD and FIRES go hand in hand!!
LMFAO!!! FORD and FIRES go hand in hand!!
that means there will be a shortage of new F-150's so my used 2016 F-150 will increase in value
Posted by: Ecoboost Rules | May 8, 2018
This ill formed logic presumes that there is a demand for F150s in the first place. Considering that Ram, Nissan and GM all have new or nearly new products in the market and Ford limps along with its current truck, with only a well worn Ranger to keep things interesting, demand may not be all that great.
Ford and Toyota trucks are up. Ram is down. Titan is dead. Chevy is apparently so weak they won't report. These are just the facts. I will be looking at the new 2019 Ranger when it comes in and the 2020 Hybrid F150. I don't care if papajim hates it. Thank God not everyone has to think like you.
I will be looking at the new 2019 Ranger when it comes in and the 2020 Hybrid F150. I don't care if papajim hates it. Thank God not everyone has to think like you.
Posted by: Jeff S | May 8, 2018 3:41:34 PM
Haha, why wait for the ranger when you could buy a proven solid mid size GM twin right now. Ford fans are always wishing and waiting.
Look how the scum have arrived.
Haha, why wait for the ranger when you could buy a proven solid mid size GM twin right now. Ford fans are always wishing and waiting.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | May 8, 2018 3:51:56 PM
Stop trying to persuade people into buying a more inferior product. Nobody cares, and in addition, people buy what is best for them and their pocket. Clearly, we all know where their money is going.
It was more than likely a F150 that started the fire, Ford's and Fire's go hand in hand.
More Rams have started fires but whatever.
Roman traded the Raptor in on a Fiesta. Disgusting? We report. You decide.
If I see that Fiesta one more time I am in subscribing.
unsubscribing
I am glad I drive a Ford Ranger.
#metoo
Look how scum have arrived
@ Frank
Stop talking about yourself like that....did u buy that helmet I advised u to get. The more your head rattles from the f250 fire hazard the more brain cells u lose....poor guy
@ sierra
I'm.glad u drive a ranger to BC only people with common sense drive real trucks.....guy like u, your brother frank would rather start on fire and take their trucks in for recalls very week
@TNTGMC:
That Frank is a few fries short of a Happy Meal.
Aww poor Ford, looks like all white low end fleet trucks, Looks like sale numbers will take a big hit, as they can only push sales to fleets for low low low very low profits. The retail customers sure aint buying them over priced JUNKERS!
Apparently Ford fires are factory installed š
TFL sold the Raptor so they could fix up that broken down Chevy truck.
Only a Ford would catch fire before it's even built.
Stop trying to persuade people into buying a more inferior product.
Posted by: Frank | May 8, 2018 4:08:23 PM
You're admitting that Ford is an inferior product...hahaha!
That's a fact!
F-150, Tacoma, and Ridgeline has the HIGHEST resale values of any truck.
GM is next
Ram, is dead last, right now you can buy a used 2017 Ram 1500 with all the options, mega cab 4x4, with the 5.7 V8 for around $25K where a 2017 sumular F-150 sells for $39K
New Ram Owners feel like a loser as soon as they drive their new truck off the lot it loses 50% in value, they are instantly under water on the truck loan owing more than what the truck is worth then you hang your head in shame discovering those really cool looking chrome wheels are just cheap plastic hubcaps.
I really care about you guys cause I understand the remorse you feel after going broke buying a new truck and finding out later you got cheated and hate your new truck.
I want the best for you so buy a new F-150 with the Eco-Boost and you can't go wrong, you'll be much happier !
This site is infested with people who Can't Understand Normal Thinking.
That's a bummer.
All those people and business effected through something totally not related to or they have any control or influence over. That's just life but what a pain.
Hopefully they get back on track fast.
SABOTAGE !!!!!!
Mark, I think you are seriously misrepresenting the situation. First off, it was an explosion. The building and tooling dies are said to be a total loss. Dearborn truck plant will likely be affected if not already.
This isn't a Ford fire, you dopes. Meridan Magnesium Products had the fire. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan and the GMC Savana and Chevy Exprexx vans are also effected. GM said it had halted production of it's full-size vans. FCA, BMW and Mercedes are also canceling production. Educate yourself and try not to sound so stupid next time.
@Swordman, It was reported that Ford retreived all of it's tools and dies from the facility and none were damaged. Ford is working with Meridian to get the plant back up and is also working to restart casting at other facilities.
As of this morning, ALL F-Series production is halted!
If this goes on for a month or two, and with ford deciding cars are a thing of the past, this could kill them for a very long time.
This isn't a Ford fire, you dopes. Meridan Magnesium Products had the fire. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan and the GMC Savana and Chevy Exprexx vans are also effected. GM said it had halted production of it's full-size vans. FCA, BMW and Mercedes are also canceling production. Educate yourself and try not to sound so stupid next time.
Posted by: Dave Z. | May 9, 2018 7:08:09 PM
This fire is affecting Ford much more than any other automaker hence all the publicity.
This is another shining example of Ford having all their eggs in one basket. Some analysts now believe that the F series is worth more than the parent company that produces it. Think about that for a minute.
This fire should be manageable for Ford but apprently they did not do the proper homework on supply line choke points.
While GM has said the express vans may slow/stop production, the plant will continue to produce the colorado/canyons with no stoppage. They are diversified enough to deal with it. Ford on the other hand is considering revising outlooks because of 1-2 weeks of F-150 production being halted due to this. Revising corporate outlooks because your last shining product is propping up your business? This type of all eggs in one basket is how companies go bankrupt.
This type of all eggs in one basket is how companies go bankrupt.
Posted by: andrwken | May 10, 2018 7:01:00 AM
and we all know which 2 companies have experience in this field
This type of all eggs in one basket is how companies go bankrupt.
Posted by: andrwken | May 10, 2018 7:01:00 AM
and we all know which 2 companies have experience in this field
Posted by: DLE | May 10, 2018 9:41:32 AM
/////
To your comment,
Considering they have lived through this recently, with āloansā outstanding to this day, you would have thought Ford would have better positioned itself rather than axing the entire car lineup.
For all the trucks rolling out the door, its interesting to see them as the most unfit of the 3 you mention right now.
Fordās own words...
Cue Hemi V8
Only a Ford would catch fire before it's even built.
Posted by: BD | May 8, 2018 11:43:48 PM
Amen brother. 2011 they burnt on the assembly line with zero miles. https://jalopnik.com/5721354/ford-recalls-2011-f-series-after-two-fires
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkLw-sCQEFM
BUYER BEWARE!!!
https://globalnews.ca/video/4031497/ontario-mans-ford-truck-catches-fire-5-days-after-possession
Fake news. Good thing the new trucks at the competitors aren't ready. The new Rams are stuck on the assembly line with a host of electrical problems.
@Tom Lemon
You're kidding right?
The comments to this entry are closed.