Update on Mach-E launch progress from engineering friends in Mexico

MerryBrown

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That is ME extracting a "wisdom" tooth for a soldier in the field. I am a Vietnam Era Vet in that I served in “The Big Red One” (see me holding up a bloody finger showing "Big Red One"; this was before AIDS and universal precautions, gloves, masks, etc.) from 1973 to 1975 (commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1971 during Dental School). After active duty I was in Inactive Reserves until 1978 when I was Honorably Discharged. I was in B Company First Medical Battalion as a Captain in the Army Dental Corps. The Sergeant pictured with me could have been a Vietnam Era Vet too but I can’t remember him specifically. We were pictured during a field exercise at Fort Riley KS in late summer 1974 and went to Germany in September for “REFORGER ’74 - Operation Certain Pledge”. I know many in my high school and college classes were drafted and served in theater. Some never came back. It was a bad time to serve when I did as we were told NEVER to wear our uniform off post because they were afraid of how we would be treated. I never got over feeling ashamed of my service until I went to a Veterans Day program at my Grandson’s elementary school in 2010. At that ceremony they led us into the gym and all the children were on their feet clapping and saying “Thank You”. I cried like a baby for hours after that! Noboby ever cheered for us or thanked us for our service! It was even worse for the vets serving in the war. Sorry to ramble but you struck a chord in me. Were you a Vietnam Veteran?
My Dad was a Korean Vet, My nephew is an Afghanistan vet. Thank you so much for your service.
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Illinibird

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My Dad was a Korean Vet, My nephew is an Afghanistan vet. Thank you so much for your service.
Thank you and thank THEM for their service!
 

Illinibird

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Did OKTB Day happen yesterday or not? I see that everyone is waiting to hear whether they annonced this so they can know if their cars will be produced as indicated by Ford. Am I missing something here? Please enlighten me as to whether full scale production has commenced or not. As usual, I’m confused! ☹
 
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methorian

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Did OKTB Day happen yesterday or not? I see that everyone is waiting to hear whether they annonced this so they can know if their cars will be produced as indicated by Ford. Am I missing something here? Please enlighten me as to whether full scale production has commenced or not. As usual, I’m confused! ☹
As far as I'm aware OKTB mainly refers to the plants ability to start shipping Mach-E's. They have already been producing for dealer demo's and customers for a few weeks now. Until OKTB is met, the cars will sit on the lot at the plant.
 

Mike16

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My car has been built 6 days later then initial date. Hope whole production didn’t fall back that much ?
Week of nov 16 had 2 days delay (from my dealer demo car)
Week of nov 24 has 6 days delay (from mine)
 


Illinibird

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My car has been built 6 days later then initial date. Hope whole production didn’t fall back that much ?
Week of nov 16 had 2 days delay (from my dealer demo car)
Week of nov 24 has 6 days delay (from mine)
Thanks for the update guys and explaining what OKTB really means and it’s not lookin’ good if the cars are just sitting in lots! Does anybody know why they are just sitting there (I mean the real reason - is something wrong with a part or system like BLIS for instance?)? How about our Ford employee (Trutolife27) and his contact at manufacturing plant in Mexico? Has he heard what the holdup is? This is starting to feel like when the Thunderbirds were released only to be recalled by Ford a few weeks later. I hope it’s not deja vu as a lot of hearts were broken. One doesn’t want a car that isn’t ready but everyone also knows things made by man are never perfect. Ford must be hurting from their recent ratings drop and perhaps overcompensating?? This is untested waters for Ford; producing their first all electric Mustang and they don’t want to get it wrong - I get it. Just seems to be killing those on this forum who have been waiting for so long.
 
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This is starting to feel like when the Thunderbirds were released only to be recalled by Ford a few weeks later. I hope it’s not deja vu as a lot of hearts were broken. One doesn’t want a car that isn’t ready but everyone also knows things made by man are never perfect. Ford must be hurting from their recent ratings drop and perhaps overcompensating?? This is untested waters for Ford; producing their first all electric Mustang and they don’t want to get it wrong - I get it. Just seems to be killing those on this forum who have been waiting for so long.
Which I assume is precisely why the holdup - they need to get the release right. They don't want a PR disaster, and the fact that they are still producing the cars but not releasing them suggests that there is a minor snafu as opposed to a significant issue. While it would be nice to get the cars soon, it is probably far better for everyone if they don't have a situation like polestar or tesla.
 

dbsb3233

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Thanks for the update guys and explaining what OKTB really means and it’s not lookin’ good if the cars are just sitting in lots! Does anybody know why they are just sitting there (I mean the real reason - is something wrong with a part or system like BLIS for instance?)? How about our Ford employee (Trutolife27) and his contact at manufacturing plant in Mexico? Has he heard what the holdup is? This is starting to feel like when the Thunderbirds were released only to be recalled by Ford a few weeks later. I hope it’s not deja vu as a lot of hearts were broken. One doesn’t want a car that isn’t ready but everyone also knows things made by man are never perfect. Ford must be hurting from their recent ratings drop and perhaps overcompensating?? This is untested waters for Ford; producing their first all electric Mustang and they don’t want to get it wrong - I get it. Just seems to be killing those on this forum who have been waiting for so long.
They intentionally ramp up production slowly to work out any kinks in the highly complex assembly process and associated supply lines. And let many vehicles build up on the plant lot so they can test them for quality control before giving the OKTB. That way they identify any items that need to be adjusted on the line itself so that all the rest don't have issues that need to be adjusted afterword. Plus, it's much cheaper and easier to fix anything at the plant (even after it comes off the line) than it is to issue recalls later.

I wouldn't worry about there being anything major going on. There's usually a few little things that need to be tweaked. Good chance OKTB will still be this week (whenever there's a Monday target date, it commonly just refers to that week, not necessarily that exact day).

I know a week or two longer sucks for anyone hoping to get their car in 2020 for tax purposes. I was in that boat before I ended up with a January build date, meaning I'll officially miss out on $1500 in state tax credit I hoped for. Sucks, but being so late in the year, I knew that was a possibility.
 

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Nothing to be alarmed about yet. Maybe they are fixing a software issue. It’s not like they have been sitting for months like the ID3 when it first came out.
 

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What I do know from my contact is that production is still underway. Not sure if they have finished all the FCTP but they should be producing customer units now, so maybe both. Any delay to OKTB is influencing shipping them out, it's not stopping the line.
 

ChasingCoral

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What I do know from my contact is that production is still underway. Not sure if they have finished all the FCTP but they should be producing customer units now, so maybe both. Any delay to OKTB is influencing shipping them out, it's not stopping the line.
@trutolife27 confirmed on the OKTB thread that OKTB is delayed and they are now reconsidering the decision daily. That means OKTB could be issued any day now. I prefer them to err on the side of quality than rush the cars out.
 

Illinibird

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Which I assume is precisely why the holdup - they need to get the release right. They don't want a PR disaster, and the fact that they are still producing the cars but not releasing them suggests that there is a minor snafu as opposed to a significant issue. While it would be nice to get the cars soon, it is probably far better for everyone if they don't have a situation like polestar or tesla.
I agree with you about this but want to know the real reason for the holdup. Is it a “minor” problem that will be solved relatively quickly or a major one that will throw a monkey wrench into everyone’s expectations and delivery dates. Inquiring minds want to know (ha, ha).
 
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Illinibird

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@trutolife27 confirmed on the OKTB thread that OKTB is delayed and they are now reconsidering the decision daily. That means OKTB could be issued any day now. I prefer them to err on the side of quality than rush the cars out.
Who exactly is “they?”
 

Illinibird

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@trutolife27 confirmed on the OKTB thread that OKTB is delayed and they are now reconsidering the decision daily. That means OKTB could be issued any day now. I prefer them to err on the side of quality than rush the cars out.
Agree. But I don’t think they’ll be rushing the cars out.
 

Illinibird

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@trutolife27 confirmed on the OKTB thread that OKTB is delayed and they are now reconsidering the decision daily. That means OKTB could be issued any day now. I prefer them to err on the side of quality than rush the cars out.
OKTB is not based on taking the entire car apart down to the screws is it? I remember reading about this somewhere on this forum but can’t remember if this is associated with OKTB date.
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