Day 45 Letter and the UAW Strike and Updates

[RushMan]

Here it is, Day 45 since my order was placed, and I received the "45 day letter" as promised by Ford, in regards to a Build Date. It confirms my order but does not supply a build date. It does not mention that UAW strike.
Concurrently, it seems that the UAW strike is on.
So how will this affect BS orders? The Hermosillo Mexico plant is under a different union, so work likely continues there. However, some of the parts in the BS may be supplied to them by UAW plants, or UAW represented OEMs.
The first thing that comes to mind is the transmission, which are made in the U.S., and I am guessing they come from Ford's Livonia, Michigan transmission plant.
If the Livonia plant strikes and walks out, that is a show stopper for Ford.
Current news today states that so far, only 3 of the majors plants are walking out.
Livonia is still working.

Order Date - Day Zero (Jul 31, 2023): Placed order at my local Ford dealership

Update Day 1 (Aug 1): Ford acknowledges order via email.

Update Day 73 (Oct 12), Text and email - Build week and VIN assigned: Dec. 4th week

Update Day 85 (Oct 24): Text and email - Build week updated to Nov 27th week

Update Day 113 (Nov 21): Text and email - Build Week rescheduled to week of Dec. 4

Update Day 121 (Nov 29): Text and email - Ford Tracker says "In Production"

Update Day 127 (Dec 5): My salesman called to say Build Day assigned to Dec. 7 (no email or texts from Ford on this). A little slow there, sales dude!

Update Day 131 (Dec 9): Vehicle Status changed to BUILT - no call, no email, no text message.

Update Day 132 (Dec 10): I was able to retrieve my Monroney sticker (Link in Status emails always returns a "Window Sticker Unavailable" message)

Update Day 134 (Dec 12): Received message that my car has been Shipped!

Update Day 161 (Jan 8, 2024): Vehicle Status changed to Dealer Prep (I did not receive and email nor text message of this status change)

Update Day 162 (Jan 09): Scheduled Delivery appointment for Jan 11 - Finally, I will be a Bronco Sport owner! salesman emailed a short video walk-around of my car. Keypad not installed, Cross rails not installed, but shipping plastic removed, and floor liners installed.

Sponsored

 

[Bucko]

The plot thickens'...

 

[Bronclahoma]

I read awhile back that Ford had obtained a $30B revolving line of credit. Presumably to prepare for cash needs in a strike. Hope the strike is short for everyone involved. UAW's demands are absurd and extremely inflationary. Autos are over-priced now due mainly to subsidize this march to electric.

 

[SeaJay]

The fact that an automaker can get a $30B line of credit and that they and their bankers believe they can weather a strike may indicate that the demands are not completely absurd? The Union is doing what Unions are supposed to do, playing hardball, and Ford won’t give any more than they can afford in the end.

 

[Glamdring70]

UAW also supplies parts to the Hermosillo plant. One affects the other. You're in a bad spot if you have an active order. I support fair work practices and policies, but frankly, the current UAW demands are ludicrous and laughable. Large pay increases and less work. That makes me think the two sides are a ways off from an agreement or reconciliation.

Henry Ford "created" the 40 hour week. It's not impossible they may get some of the demands. I would be flabbergasted if the auto makers just dropped everything asked in their lap. They are already highly compensated compared to many jobs, with excellent benefits on top of a high straight compensation. Their ask amounts to something like a 40% overall increase in pay just as auto makers are being squeezed with supply issues and re-tooling/re-imagining the product in an EV future. I think it's bad timing but I guess you have to take your shot to get anything. Everyone else seems to be striking or preparing (railroad, SAG, UPS), I guess they don't want to be left out.

 

[wireman]

My 2021 Badlands had a starting price of $32,820.

A 2023 Badlands had a starting price of $38,090. A $5,270 jump in 2 years. Equates to 17%

Excessive, I think so, but what other choice do you have.

Like Bronclahoma said, we subsidize the electric vehicle push.

Ford is projected to lose $4.5 billion dollars this year on its EV division.

They have to make it up somehow, and we pay.

 

[wireman]

https://fordauthority.com/2023/09/ford-ceo-jim-farley-says-uaw-demands-would-bankrupt-company/

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Hopefully the effect on your build is minimal. It’s too soon to tell. The UAW just targeted MAP paint and final assembly but it can have a ripple effect. Ford already had to layoff 600 additional employees that are impacted by paint and final assembly at MAP.

 

[Colonel Angus]

I was a union member for almost 50 years before I retired this past Spring. I have to say that the UAW is making some outrageous demands basing them on the auto industries profits and wanting a piece of the pie. That's not how it works. Didn't matter how well my company did when it came time to renew our contract. We got cost of living increases and were happy we had a job. They better rethink their demands or its going to be a long strike.

 

[rocks]

Somehow this isn't enough. Screw them. Hello Mexico!

 

[rocks]

With Mexico and robots, the UAW will be as irrelevant as telephone operators.

 

[Bill G]

I don’t want to get into a union discussion, but the Colonel makes some great points. Employees get paid, they don’t get a cut of the profits — that’s saved for stockholder (investors who’ve put up cash). No body should expect to work 32 hrs and get paid for 40 hrs, something for nothing only works in fairytales.
The union folks have lost their minds (actors included) and it’s gonna bite us all in the a$$ soon. Just my opinion and we all know about those ?

 

[JKauf55]

Way I understand from my friend that works at a GM plant, right now only about 10% of all UAW are on strike. You need to worry when the workers that build the engines, brake pads, stamping (for examples and specific ones listed) etc are striking.

 

[RushMan]

Way I understand from my friend that works at a GM plant, right now only about 10% of all UAW are on strike. You need to worry when the workers that build the engines, brake pads, etc are striking.

The BS engines come from Spain, but the transmissions are from the U.S., probably Ford's Livonia, Michigan transmission plant.

 

[Mark S.]

Employees get paid, they don’t get a cut of the profits — that’s saved for stockholder (investors who’ve put up cash). No body should expect to work 32 hrs and get paid for 40 hrs, something for nothing only works in fairytales.

On the other hand, it's a free country with a (mostly) free market, and people are free to ask for whatever they want as regards labor compensation. If you can convince your employer to pay you more money for the same (or less) work then more power to you. Just be prepared for the consequences. Employers are free to tell employees asking for too much to pound sand.

The union folks have lost their minds (actors included) and it’s gonna bite us all in the a$$ soon. Just my opinion and we all know about those ?

How will it bite us in the a$$? Either they get what they're asking for or they lose their jobs. I've no doubt manufacturers and entertainers will find ways to operate without the current crop of workers. Bill Maher has announced he's going to start airing his show (Real Time) on HBO sans writers.

Sponsored