Ford shuts down order bank for Mach-e
Plan is to triple capacity by 2023 to meet demand
The opportunity to order a 2022 Mustang Mach-e evaporated this week as Ford Motor Co. closed the order bank because the automaker is unable to meet demand.
An ongoing parts shortage has disrupted manufacturing and sales. In February, a lack of semiconductors led to production shutdown. In March, Ford stopped taking orders for the Premium and California Route 1 versions of the Mach-e.
Now no more 2022 Mach-e models will be available for order, as noted on the Ford Mustang Mach-e website this month and first reported by Electrek, an electric transportation news website.
On Tuesday, a Deutsche Bank research note to investors highlighted the issue.
“Longer term, the automaker will be looking to triple its installed capacity for the EV by 2023 to ensure it can meet demand on a go-forward basis,” the Deutsche Bank note said.
Emma Bergg, Ford spokeswoman, told the Free Press on Tuesday: “Due to unprecedented demand, retail order banks are closed for the MY22 (Model Year 2022) in the U.S. We will continue to sell the limited number of units remaining from dealer stock. We will communicate MY23 (Model Year 2023) ordering details as soon as available.”
Demand changes plan
Ford plans to use the entire Cuautitlan Stamping and Assembly Plant in Mexico for production of Mustang Mach-e and will increase production starting this year. The automaker expects to reach 200,000 units per year in 2023, she emphasized. Initially, Ford planned to add another electric vehicle to the plant and that plan has been revised.
Manufacturing of 2023 vehicles will begin in the fall of 2022 and delivery will start early in 2023, Bergg said.
Ford builds the Mach-e in Mexico for customers in global markets outside of China. North America and Europe. It just began building and delivering the Mach-e in China in late 2021 to meet strong consumer demand.
In 2021, Ford sold 27,140 Mustang Mach-e SUVS. It sold another 6,734 in 2022 through March in the U.S, according to Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. sales analyst.
Penske and Frito-lay order E-transit
Meanwhile, orders for the new allelectric Ford E-transit cargo van are flowing.
Penske Automotive announced Monday that it had placed an order to buy 750 electric cargo vans, which will be seen in Southern California first in coming weeks.
“The order is the latest among a growing list of commercial customers to buy the new vehicle, including Fedex, UPS, Walmart and DHL,” Deutsche Bank said Tuesday.
Ford said in January that it had booked more than 10,000 orders for the vehicle, including 1,100 from Walmart. The vehicle, built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri, began shipping in February.
Also Monday, Frito-lay announced purchasing a “fleet” of E-transit vans to serve the Dallas/fort Worth area. The first vehicle is scheduled to arrive by Earth Day, April 22, with 40 more pending delivery this summer, Frito-lay said in a news release.
“Frito-lay has already achieved 100% renewable electricity for all of its U.S. plants, offices and distribution centers. In addition, all Frito-lay U.S. manufacturing sites use LED lighting.”
The company, like so many globally, is working to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a goal of zero emissions by 2040.
“Frito-lay recognizes our opportunity to utilize our size and scale to advance technology throughout our supply chain while reducing environmental impacts as we move our products more sustainably,” David Allen, vice president of sustainability, Pepsico Foods North America, said in a news release.
The Ford E-transit vans are “one of the many ways we’re supporting our local community and committed to improving air quality and reducing Fritolay’s absolute greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
As part of a global corporate trend, Frito-lay is working to make, move and sell products more sustainably. Changes include compostable packaging initiatives and sharing sustainable farming practices with farmers as well as switching from gasoline-powered vehicles to battery electric.
Contact Phoebe Wall Howard at 313618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid.