Some Ford Mustang Mach-E Deliveries Delayed up to 8 Weeks
While we can’t exactly call it a false start, the launch of the anticipated Ford Mustang Mach-E is not quite going according to plan. But don’t blame COVID-19 this time.
Due to undisclosed quality issues, Ford has decided not to ship “several hundred” units of its new electric crossover, which is built in Cuautitlan, Mexico.
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Additional inspections and engineering analysis need to be performed, potentially delaying deliveries in both Canada and the U.S. by up to eight weeks.
Affected customers have received an email from Ford telling them about the bad news.
While she declined to elaborate, a Ford spokeswoman, Emma Bergg, told Electrek that these new quality checks aim to ensure the vehicle meets the expectations of customers. The models under scrutiny were built before dealer shipments started last month.
Clearly, Ford doesn’t want to repeat the situation that followed the launch of the redesigned Explorer (and its luxury equivalent, the Lincoln Aviator) in late summer 2019. Various quality issues were discovered after the first few units reached driveways, which impacted profits and led to leadership changes at Ford.
Though its sales won’t be nearly as strong, the Mustang Mach-E remains an extremely important product for the Blue Oval. Purists may not like the use of the Mustang name, but this crossover has been largely praised so far, even winning the 2021 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award.
As reported recently, there will be delays with the new Ford Bronco, as well. Both two- and four-door variants will be ready in the summer instead of in the spring. That’s because COVID-19 temporarily suspended operations at Webasto, the company that supplies the Bronco’s removable roof.