Ford Update: 2021 Bronco Will Have Its World Debut This Spring

[North7]

Here is a tidbit I found in some Friday news, take it for what it is worth...

Ford Bronco:
By Keith Barry
April 24, 2020
Ford would not confirm a release date for either vehicle, but Jominy—who worked in product development for several automakers prior to joining JD Power—told CR that he expects the Bronco won’t make a virtual debut like the 2021 Hyundai Elantra did in March. “Because of the importance and the history, I just suspect they’re going to wait for some opportunity to do it in person,” Jominy says. “They’re looking for just the right moment.”
https://www.consumerreports.org/aut...-e-chevrolet-corvette-debuts-pandemic-impact/

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[Carolina Jim]

“They’re looking for just the right moment.”

uhhh....that would'a been April 2019

 

[FirstOnRaceDay]

Here is a tidbit I found in some Friday news, take it for what it is worth...

that’s basically what I thought. Wait for everybody to be able to get back together. Do the show the right way. And get the entire Ford company to rally behind the new bronco. I still say late May early June.

 

[Evanm14]

that’s basically what I thought. Wait for everybody to be able to get back together. Do the show the right way. And get the entire Ford company to rally behind the new bronco. I still say late May early June.

That's all fine by me. In the meantime, I'll be happy with more leaks of the 2 door Ford Bronco.

 

[Mustang313]

Not that this necessarily affects the Bronco's timing much or at all, but for an idea of how much the stoppages are affecting the launch of the new 2021 F-150, here's the new order bank and start of production dates (compared to old dates):

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/new-2021-f-150-official-order-production-dates.61/

 

[FirstOnRaceDay]

Not that this necessarily affects the Bronco's timing much or at all, but for an idea of how much the stoppages are affecting the launch of the new 2021 F-150, here's the new order bank and start of production dates (compared to old dates):

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/new-2021-f-150-official-order-production-dates.61/

So Bronco Sport delayed 2 months, F150 delayed 1 month. Now both of those are Fall start dates. Bronco is set to start 3 months later. I wonder if that gap will help them set up or if it will Domino.

 

[Carolina Jim]

Analyst says Ford needs to 'rip the Band-Aid off' after $2B loss: What he means


https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...-2020-worst-since-great-recession/3045688001/

 

[North7]

Analyst says Ford needs to 'rip the Band-Aid off' after $2B loss: What he means
https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...-2020-worst-since-great-recession/3045688001/

Very interesting article, some highlights:

"their finances are teetering on the brink of uncertainty"
(a euphemism for... "their finances are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy")

Stone said, noting that the company is cutting marketing, advertising, deferring costs and working to shore up spending wherever possible
(meaning slashing the Bronco budget)

about consolidation or a merger in light of the intense demands for cash and liquidity over the next year or two – possibly with Volkswagen.
(yup, the Bronco Baja is coming soon, no more Raptor)

We don’t think they can necessarily do what some of their Detroit brethren have done in Europe in terms of a full exit so quickly.
(European regulations are tough to get out of.)

'Are we a global automaker anymore?' I know that might be a tough pill to swallow when you’re from Ford. ... But you’ve just got to rip the Band-Aid off."

Jim Farley, chief operating officer, said, "I know we'll come out of this a lot stronger. We need to be agile and have a bias toward action and be very transparent."
(Executive double-speak to convince the Wall Streeters they have it under control, even if they don't.)

No Rivian deal: Also Tuesday, Ford and Rivian put their plans on ice indefinitely to jointly develop a Lincoln-branded electric vehicle. The current economy has created new and unexpected challenges, so this particular project is "eliminated,"

Ford has the Ford F-150, Bronco and Mustang Mach-E planned. The company has declined to reveal how launches have been impacted though media briefings have been postponed indefinitely.

Garrett Nelson, senior equity analyst at CFRA Research, downgraded Ford shares to a "sell" from a "hold" recommendation

So in summary, my opinion, take it for what it is worth:

So the results are the Bronco will be a 2022 introduction with no frills, few options, any color you want, so long as its black., Maybe only one or two packages, unless you count the VW Baja model?

Or, will this be a to big to fail product, going after Jeep sales, so they have to make it work?

Take either option for a roadmap, or somewhere in between, or do they cancel the Bronco all together??? and what do they do with the bronco Sport???

 

[Carolina Jim]

So in summary, my opinion, take it for what it is worth:

Funny how different things jump out to different people. Most impactful for me was: "The average transaction price for a Ford is $43,311". Too high. According to KBB:

Manufacturer	December 2019 Price (Avg.)
Honda	$29,152
Fiat Chrysler	$41,513
Ford	$44,989
General Motors	$42,141
Hyundai Kia	$28,694
Nissan	$30,985
Subaru	$30,936
Toyota	$34,997
Volkswagen	$44,329
Industry	$38,948

ALL those average prices reflect the current assembly line design - which may or may not continue in a world more aware/concerned with infectious disease transmission. I'd guess modifications would only result in even higher costs. How likely is major change in vehicle assembly? I don't know; but I know 9/11 caused security changes that continue even today.

The bottom line is we might be in the dawn of a new era for vehicles.

 

[Spooled]

The Borg Warner plant hit by the tornado is also restarting limited production also which is good news since they supply parts for the F-150 and will for the Bronco also most likely.

 

[Ride Em Bronco]

To make a big change to an old phrase: "What's Good For Ford Is Good For America"

 

[North7]

Here is an encouraging tidbit from another article posted by member "west":

"Additionally, Farley said the company is moving forward with several long-planned product launches, including the revival of the eagerly anticipated Bronco SUV. The company did not have any launch dates to announce Tuesday."
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/b...als-5-billion-loss-second-quarter/3039658001/

However, none of us know what, if any, of these cuts will affect the Bronco:

"We have identified billions of dollars of opportunity thus far, and we are going to keep addressing opportunities to improve fitness and redesign the business so we come out of this more well-positioned than ever.”

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