Bronco Sales Are Still Bucking but Ford is Halting Manual Transmission Production
Ford has struggled to keep pace with Bronco production since the beginning, and demand doesn’t seem to be waning. Buyers may wait months for their preferred configuration after ordering, and that’s if orders are being accepted. When it rains, it pours for Ford, as the company now faces an uphill battle to prepare for next-generation Ranger production. One of the ways it hopes to smooth the launch of its new midsize truck is to streamline Bronco production, leading it to pause production and orders for manual transmission variants, the Base trim, and the new Everglades model.
Jalopnik first reported the story and spoke with a Ford rep, who told the publication that the automaker wants to “maximize commonality on the assembly line to ensure a quality launch for the new Ford Ranger.” As a result, the automaker is not accepting new orders for the configurations and is guiding customers to check for inventory on dealers’ lots instead.
Ford plans to hold off production of those variants until at least the end of the year but declined to provide a timeline. The snorkel-equipped Everglades is a unique SUV, and there seemed to be a healthy demand for the manual transmission at first, so let’s hope Ford brings them back eventually.
[Image: Ford]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Still awaiting my Bronco since my early reservation date. I've made several changes which have pushed back it's production date and several of Ford's options constraints have also necessitated changes. What started as a base, 2dr. manual with Sasquatch has turned into a 4dr Big Bend V6/Automatic to try and speed the process. I now have a build date of 4/10 so maybe I'm close, but wonder what happened to my initial plan for an under 40k beach runner. Lots of issues conspired against my plan; crazy demand, chips shortages, logistics challenges, defective hardtops, ordering constraints around basic items like trailer hitches, etc. I'm committed to going through with the purchase but wonder how long I'll keep the Bronco. I'm already eyeing a Camaro SS 1LE as an alternative....
Mini temporarily halted manual transmission production but brought it back as it was a surprisingly good seller. The downside is that they should have made awd standard with the manual instead of nixing it. Ford said recently that 4dr were 7% manual take rate and I think the two door was 15%.
Ford just informed me today that the build I am waiting to order for 13 months is no longer available. This is the 2nd time they have made me change what I want to order from them. They are not letting dealers place orders for 2 door base models. You have to step up to the next trim level in order to even have one built. Shame on Ford and the crappy level or service they provide. I am so mad right now.
Disappointing news. Cheapest manual Bronco I have seen was still listed for $5K over MSRP. I'm sure there is a dealer somewhere that will sell at MSRP, maybe, maybe not now.