Part shortages

at 12 Jan 2005, Quiet Desperation [ snipped-for-privacy@nospam.com] wrote in news:120120051607426623% snipped-for-privacy@nospam.com:

The problem appears to be in the 'Have it your way' instrument lighting. It seems somebody patented the technology before Ford and is now taking legal action.

There's 2 solutions:

1. Ford settles and keeps on using the technology.
2. Ford does not settle or loses the suit and can't make more cars with this technology. Making some people have rather collectible cars.

It's in Ford's interest to get this issue resolved ASAP...

Geesus, it's just an RGB LED setup, isn't it? You wouldn't think it was patentable. There have been tri-color LEDs on the market for years.

no, the patent isn't the problem. They demand for the 18G option was way more than Ford's estimate, and they can't supply the parts quickly enough. They are still shipping cars from the factory with the 18G option and the MyColor instrument lighting now, but they've had to slow production of that option until the supply catches up.

Read TMS 2005 Mustang forum for more info.

-Bill J.

95 GT

That's where I'm stuck. I almost feel sorry for my dealer. There's about $750,000 worth of Mustang sales being impeded by this (they took orders with no money down).

I heard that Ford expected 30% to 40% with the 18G IUP, but got 80%. You think they would have expected higher because the side air bags require the IUP.

Which imples 80% of Mustangs are being held up?

I went to the dealership again today to ask about the status of my order (with 18G). The Ford regional rep was just at this dealership two days ago, determining the Mustangs to be built for this dealer's allocation.

My dealer has allocation for two Mustangs to be built during the weeks of

1/20 to 1/26 and 1/27 to 2/2. But they have to be "buildable" Mustangs. For this build period, that means no 18G cars, and also no rear spoilers. If the dealer has no buildable orders for their allocation, then Ford will build them cars in whatever configuration that is best for that build period, and that's what the dealer will get...in this case, it sounds like V6 models, or possibly a non-IUP GT with the spoiler delete option.

According to the rep, the earliest that current orders with 18G can be scheduled will be sometime in February. I know it's frustrating, but it's a simple case of supply and demand.

Ford is just making the situation worse, IMO, by not being more forthright with information. But then maybe they don't want to say when 18G will be available again because they don't know themselves?

-Bill J.

95 GT '05 Premium GT on order since 12/30/04

That's also a classic sales trick to build hype for a product. The rareness and exclusivity results in panic buying of whatever is around, and encourages people to commit to the purchase.

-John

I don't know if I believe that's happening here. Seems Ford doesn't need to resort to such a trick. Try finding a GT now. They are literally few and far between. I'm searching CT dealers through FordDirect.com, and there are plenty of V6 models, but very few dealers have even one GT.

Also, if you order a GT without the 18G option right now, it will get built, right away pretty much. Why would they want to intentionally short themselves out of the profit from the option?

-Bill

95 GT