What's the issue with Webasto exactly? (ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS)

[Mattwings]

Seriously

Walmart could have sources the tops better than Webasto.

Really? They ran out of Kayaks when the literally could have sold tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands more last year. They are almost out again for the year and it’s Memorial Day. It must be a conspiracy to keep people off the rivers and lakes. I am not trying to be a jerk, but supply issues are a problem across many industries. Ford made a deal with Webasto and it hasn’t gone well. Webasto is a major supplier with a history of success, in this situation they failed, along with Ford. Stuff happens.

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[Scott1911]

My recollection of BroncoGuy's participation on this forum is quite different than yours, but I freely admit that I didn't see everything that occurred. However, if you really insulted him -- you did say, "we", didn't you? -- and I simply missed it, then you shouldn't have done so, and hopefully you learned from the experience.

All kidding aside, what I remember about BroncoGuy was a person who publicly stated that he worked at Webasto and wanted to be acknowledged as an expert, without being challenged about the source of his insider knowledge. He frequently got annoyed when people didn't immediately accept his claims, and posted about how frustrating that was for him.

Let's be frank... he was walking a tightrope, acting as an expert with inside information, but also trying to maintain anonymity on social media, when he was likely putting his job at risk by posting inside information often critical about his employer's product on a public forum in violation of the supplier's &/or buyer's policies.

Towards the end of his membership, he got into a pissing match with a well-known member and MAP employee. His comments were both critical and insulting, questioning whether this member even worked at MAP or had any knowledge or influence on the subject matter. Shortly thereafter, his account and posting history vanished in a puff of smoke.

And so now we have NO information from Webasto.

I am from Arkansas, you should be nicer to me.

 

[Compta38]

1. company run by morons
2. Ford is run by fucking idiots
3. people are worthless and don't want to work.

MANY of us regardless of when we ordered are going to get fucked out of a 2021 because of the above.

 

[harpo]

This forum had a Webasto insider back around December. We insulted him and he stopped providing information. From him we know that the production facility was still under construction in December.
1. When was it completed?
2. From what I understand, Michigan is still under Covid lockdown, this causes delays.
3. This is a new product/process. Where are the experts located? In a Covid lockdown country?

I know nothing about the process of making these tops, but I assume that mold temperature, plastic temperature, time, removal and cooling are critical. I also assume these variables are based on experience, not math. I propose that new equipment and lack of on-site experts is what has caused the delays.

Math and experience.

Ignore math at your peril...

 

[Razorbak86]

And so now we have NO information from Webasto.

I am from Arkansas, you should be nicer to me.

I kid because I love you, man!!!

But seriously, although we all crave information, no one made BroncoGuy leave. He asked Doug to have his account and posting history deleted. Blame him.

 

[Scott1911]

Math and experience.

Ignore math at your peril...

I have a degree in Engineering, I work in heavy industry. I don't ignore math, but I do recognize that some "things" are art, not science.

 

[Drex]

The supply chain was disrupted well before launch. Why launch something that you can’t deliver? If your ducks aren’t in a row then DELAY THE LAUNCH. Don’t launch and delay delivery. Don’t scam people!

They did delay the launch, about three months, should have delayed a year it looks like. It was the first publicly known missed milestone.

 

[Scott1911]

I kid because I love you, man!!!

But seriously, although we all crave information, no one made BroncoGuy leave. He asked Doug to have his account and posting history deleted. Blame him.

He probably got caught. I always say "heavy industry" rather than "the largest paper mill in North America" so nobody can trace me.

He had some good info, too bad we don't have an update. I'll bet there are some great Webasto stories to tell having a beer around a campfire.

 

[Headsong]

1. company run by morons
2. Ford is run by fucking idiots
3. people are worthless and don't want to work.

MANY of us regardless of when we ordered are going to get fucked out of a 2021 because of the above.

Go buy a jeep fiat whatever then.

 

[Stache12]

1. Workforce
2. That "plastic" you write about - requires a resin that comes from....you guessed it, oil.

Yep... petroleum is in everything.

 

[BearWithMe]

Solution: design a metal, permanently-affixed roof.

I never wanted a removable roof anyway! Plenty of off-road SUVs in history without a soft-top or removable hard top.

 

[shoelessjoe]

This forum had a Webasto insider back around December. We insulted him and he stopped providing information. From him we know that the production facility was still under construction in December.
1. When was it completed?
2. From what I understand, Michigan is still under Covid lockdown, this causes delays.
3. This is a new product/process. Where are the experts located? In a Covid lockdown country?

I know nothing about the process of making these tops, but I assume that mold temperature, plastic temperature, time, removal and cooling are critical. I also assume these variables are based on experience, not math. I propose that new equipment and lack of on-site experts is what has caused the delays.

Michigan isn't under Covid lockdown

 

[kje22kje]

Think about the "free" interior fabric liner offered for the hardtops. That was not done because of lack of workers or materials. Probably it was done to hide cosmetic defects or deal with some noise/cabin comfort issues. And that gets back to manufacture and design.

This felt like they realized it was better installed at Webasto in that part of the process than selectively installed here and there at MAP. A margin of error play.

 

[Scott1911]

Michigan isn't under Covid lockdown

Awesome!! my only source for information is the national news. Also, I very much appreciate the information you have given us.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!!!

 

[TJconvert2.7]

Really? They ran out of Kayaks when the literally could have sold tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands more last year. They are almost out again for the year and it’s Memorial Day. It must be a conspiracy to keep people off the rivers and lakes. I am not trying to be a jerk, but supply issues are a problem across many industries. Ford made a deal with Webasto and it hasn’t gone well. Webasto is a major supplier with a history of success, in this situation they failed, along with Ford. Stuff happens.

They cut it way too close, probably share price related. Penny pinching over going over and above and making sure they hit a home run.
Period.
As soon as Ford knew about when Webasto was planning warehouse assembly (RIGHT before launch), they should have had a back up plan.
In fact, Webasto probably bid on this contract, no?
So who did they bid against?
Webasto fails to meet needs, Ford reworks the contract and sub contracts to other providers, to MEET DEMAND.

why was the bronco sport released no problem?

why are there 2021 wranglers with white hard tops on lots now?

seriouslt, way to be on the right side of history, how dare you take the side of a huge arrogant builder? Please.

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