What happened to the Ebony/Area 51 interior option for the Badlands??

[sajohnson]

As of today, the "Area 51" interior is still listed as an available option for the Badlands on Ford's webpage:
https://shop.ford.com/configure/broncosport/config

This past Friday we were told by our salesman that Area 51 is no longer available. It occurred to me that he might have been just trying to push us into buying the 'premium package' (which still has orange on the dash and doors) so I confirmed it with an out of state salesman.

Anyone know why Ford has eliminated the Area 51 interior and if/when it will return?

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[seoden88]

i dont think it is. go to another dealer

 

[sajohnson]

i dont think it is. go to another dealer

Needless to say, I hope you're right, but I checked with a second salesman at a dealership in Kansas who told me the same thing. He said something about Ford trying to speed up production by eliminating certain options.

I tried to contact Ford but that was a huge waste of time. I called 2-3 different numbers, got put on hold for a total of over an hour, and was cut off twice.

 

[ChefDank]

I believe the "orange" trim is default with the premium package with leather. The area 51 interior trim comes with the non-leather seats; another reason I didn't get the premium package. The other trim color does not appeal to me

 

[mustangmech]

The premium package insert color isn’t “orange “ it’s bronze like in the Outer Banks trim level. The “orange” is the cloth Option vs the Area 51 cloth.

 

[mustangmech]

The bronze looks very nice in person! The pictures don’t do a lot of the colors on the web site justice.

 

[ChefDank]

The premium package insert color isn’t “orange “ it’s bronze like in the Outer Banks trim level. The “orange” is the cloth Option vs the Area 51 cloth.

Orange/bronze....?‍
Wasn't for me; to each thier own.....

 

[sajohnson]

Just an update: As far as I can tell, the "Area 51" interior is no longer available. I'm curious as to a) why, and b) if it will be available again anytime soon.

In another thread, a forum member posted photos of their BS with the premium package, and it does look nice -- the color on the door panels is more subdued than the "Active Orange". Either the premium or Area 51 would be fine, but of course the premium package costs ~$2,100 and we really aren't very interested in most of the features included in the package. Paying $2,100 just to get an interior color you like is extreme.

I'd be willing to cancel our order and wait if I knew the Area 51 was going to be an option again.

 

[Jill]

As of today, the "Area 51" interior is still listed as an available option for the Badlands on Ford's webpage:
https://shop.ford.com/configure/broncosport/config

This past Friday we were told by our salesman that Area 51 is no longer available. It occurred to me that he might have been just trying to push us into buying the 'premium package' (which still has orange on the dash and doors) so I confirmed it with an out of state salesman.

Anyone know why Ford has eliminated the Area 51 interior and if/when it will return?

Are you referring to the Navy Pier leather interior? I don’t believe it was ever available on BL. It was available on OB and FE. Has it been discontinued?

 

[sajohnson]

Are you referring to the Navy Pier leather interior? I don’t believe it was ever available on BL. It was available on OB and FE. Has it been discontinued?

The 2 (standard) interior options on the Badlands are "Active Orange" and "Area 51":
https://shop.ford.com/configure/broncosport/config/summary/Config[|Ford|Bronco Sport|2022|1|1.|.R9D.....BLD.]

Both are still shown as options, but apparently the Area 51 is no longer (or not currently?) available.

It is odd that Ford continues to show the Area 51 on the build tool. Seems like poor business practice -- like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown.

 

[sajohnson]

UPDATE:

After I sent an email last night saying that we may have to cancel our order, the salesman just replied with this:

"A Memo went out to all Dealers yesterday from Ford that they had discovered a glitch in the Ordering Program that was causing that restriction. So, your interior color has been corrected to Area 51!"

Obviously, we are very happy about that, but I'm curious -- has anyone else heard the same thing? A 'glitch in the ordering program'?

 

[MJE]

UPDATE:

After I sent an email last night saying that we may have to cancel our order, the salesman just replied with this:

"A Memo went out to all Dealers yesterday from Ford that they had discovered a glitch in the Ordering Program that was causing that restriction. So, your interior color has been corrected to Area 51!"

Obviously, we are very happy about that, but I'm curious -- has anyone else heard the same thing? A 'glitch in the ordering program'?

I suppose it’s entirely possible. You’d think though any restrictions like that would be found & corrected quickly. Glad you’re able to get the interior color / config you’re looking for though!

 

[sajohnson]

I suppose it’s entirely possible. You’d think though any restrictions like that would be found & corrected quickly. Glad you’re able to get the interior color / config you’re looking for though!

Thanks Mike!

Absolutely, it's possible. Since no one else has mentioned not being able to get Area 51, some possibilities are:

* The salesman fabricated the entire thing to get us to go with the Premium Package (and avoid the Active Orange).

* It was true, but corrected quickly and he just forgot about our order until I emailed him.

* It's as he claims.

In any case, I'm glad it's taken care of. As I told him, if Ford offered 10 interior color options and eliminated one (1) that would not be a problem for most people, but when there are only 2 colors and they are dramatically different, then eliminating one is going to reduce sales.

Edit to add this from the sales manager to our salesman:

"e-mail went out yesterday from Ford about the WEBDO color errors and it has just been corrected."

I have no idea what WEBDO is.

 

[PapaHotel]

It was used on the First Edition models. I think it was side-lined after that.

 

[sajohnson]

It was used on the First Edition models. I think it was side-lined after that.

The issue has been resolved. See my posts above. Apparently it was a glitch on Ford's end.

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