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While Ford plans to start limited production at its North American assembly plants on May 18th, returning workers won’t see a next-generation F-150 slide pass their stations for a number of months.
The redesigned full-sizer was to be one of the Blue Oval’s big 2020 reveals, joining the still-unseen Bronco in the spotlight, but the coronavirus pandemic made short work of product timelines. Already delayed once, the 2021 F-150 has reportedly moved further into the future.
According to the f150gen14 forum, Ford’s latest Fleet Distribution News Bulletin revealed a new production schedule for the country’s best-selling vehicle. The updated document apparently shows the new truck hitting the production line at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant on October 12th — two weeks after the previously reported Sept. 28 start date. That revised date was originally pegged for Aug. 17.
Kansas City F-150 production won’t kick off until Nov. 9, the document reads; another two-week delay. The plant had originally scheduled Job One for September 14th, later pushing that date back to Oct. 26.
As for order books, those reportedly won’t open until July 15th, a month over the previously reported date. In late April, it was reported that the 2021 F-150’s order books wouldn’t open on May 11th, after all — and history now bears this out.
Spotted months ago wearing an evolutionary face and body, the 14th-generation F-150’s reveal remains in limbo, with public events forbidden in the age of COVID-19. The automaker will surely go online for the Bronco’s debut, though the F-150’s place in the production pipeline makes its reveal locale an open question. Will there be auto shows in New York and Los Angeles late this summer and fall? Who feels like betting?
While the basic Gen-14 F-150’s isn’t expected to see drastic architectural changes, unlike its aluminum body-debuting successor, the same can’t be said of its powertrains. Ford plans to release hybrid and all-electric variants, though you’ll have to wait a bit to get your hands on (at least) the gas-free model.
[Image: Ford]
Not surprising, they need get the line cranking to fill the orders they have now and they also need to try and use up the stocks of parts that they have or have committed to purchase, before they change over the production lines.
Hopefully this time will be used to ensure a smooth launch and avoid any issues from eliminating any form of quality from new Ford vehicles.
@ EBFlex, with Joe Hinrichs “retired”; a clueless maker of cheap office furniture and a flaming a-hole left running the show, the outlook remains doubtful. A vehicle has 30,000 parts more/less, good luck to everyone starting back up. Just In Time and Lean production methods will be tested throughout the industry. Billy Ford should sell it to Volkswagen.
A friend of mine, 3 decade GM pickup owner switched to an F-150 several years ago. It’s been spending a LOT of time in the service bays of the local Ford store, with a multitude of warranty issues. Currently being evaluated for an engine (5.0 V8) replacement due to massive oil consumption. It’s a fine riding and performing machine, but he’s thinking about another switch.
He should ride in a Ram. Quality, features, ride and a price that Ford cannot match
Any Ram without the air suspension.
@SC5door – LOL. True. One of my colleagues has an air ride Ram. Freezes up almost every time it gets cold. He was told to keep it in a heated garage.
Agreed. Also, they did a nice job on the interiors.
You can easily get an affordable work truck version as well.
Fiat buyout and M. Manley were the best things that ever happened to them.
“Any Ram without the air suspension.”
There’s nothing wrong with the “air” suspension (it’s not actually air).
I live in a state that sees extremely cold temperatures every winter (20+ below zero) and having owned a Grand Cherokee for the past 5 years with QuadraLift, I haven’t had one single issue.
When is reveal date for 2021 F-150 anticipated?
I’m very curious for powertrain details for the hybrid as well as cost.
Cost will be astronomical and quality will be in the toilet. It will follow the Explorer.
Just imagine if production of the 2021 F-150 got pushed to… 2021. Horrors!
Having seen pictures of the “refresh” there is absolutely nothing here that will lead to conquest sales. So whether it’s this years model of the F150 or the 2021-it’s only the Ford faithful who will buy them.
The RAM is the best looking truck-and the GM twins are selling like crazy despite of having (at best) controversial front ends.
I’m as critical as anyone about truck buyers, but even I would guess that they base their decisions on more than grill appearance.
deanst
It’s a “refresh” and not a “re-design”. As far as I can tell the power train choices remain unchanged, as do payload and towing numbers.
And yes-based on the AVERAGE pickup truck buyer (read replacing a family sedan) I wouldn’t be too sure that the grill alone doesn’t sell a vehicle these days.
It doesn’t take much for a refresh to make the old trucks look stale, or other brand’s pickups. The current GMs and Rams still look “fresh” enough, but it’s a very competitive segment.
A complete redesign would be silly this early in the platform cycle, as would new engines for no real reason. But consumers don’t typically check out the chassis or cab/door sheet-metal for signs or proof of a factually “new” generation.
“A complete redesign would be silly this early in the platform cycle, as would new engines for no real reason.”
This early? This truck has been around since 2015. Which means it was designed in 2011-2014.
Ford introduced a all new F-150 in 2009 and then did it again in 2015.
2021 is supposed to be a completely new truck. But it’s a mild refresh.
Gotcha! The ’09+ “all new” 12th generation F-150 was just a refresh. The ’04+ platform went 11 years and that’s short if you ask me.
The ’99+ Super Duty, regardless of when it was “designed” (it first appeared early ’98 for fleet sales), went some 18 years.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with up to 20 year cycles for pickup platform/chassis’. The current F-150 was crazy expensive to design, R&D and implement.
That’s why it would be totally silly to trash it now, at least for the 1/2 tons.
“ Gotcha! The ’09+ “all new” 12th generation F-150 was just a refresh. ”
Hmmm. New frame, new body, new interior, new suspension, new features but only a refresh.
Ok then. Ford called it all new but whatever
All pickup makers do that, since most consumers are easily fooled. Look closely at the current Tacoma and last Gen, beyond the cosmetics.
But what makes you think the 12th Gen F-150, ’09-’14, came with an all new frame/suspension?
The most glaring example is the 7th, 8th and 9th generations F-150/F-series. That’s 1980 to ’96, and what’s known as the Old Square Body. Relatively and laughably minor changes for each Gen.
“All New!” can mean a lot of things and you might want to pay closer attention for the expert you think you are.
DenverMike- the 09-14 was a completely new truck from the 2004-2008. The engines in the 09-10 were carryover. A refresh would not include a completely new body, different sized doors, different roof, etc.
The 2021 is a refresh that should be a completely new design. This is, after all, THE segment that makes the company.
“…The 2021 is a REFRESH that should be a completely NEW DESIGN…”
Thanks, I take it you’re not real familiar on the topic. Except it proves automakers can get a lot of extra miles (years) from a platform, with just a few changes/trim and cosmetics.
Consumers feel they’re getting a lot more for their money, it attracts conquest trade, for very minimal expense to the automaker.
CKNSLS Sierra SLT- I’m no GM guy, but I do admit that the look of the new trucks has grown on me, even to the point I think it may be the best exterior now in my opinion.
Do these f ing pig ups even fit in a regular garage????
It’s a tight fit, but mostly due to their width, which hasn’t really changed in 50 years.
Typical garages are 24X24 ft with a 12X20 minimum, the last 100 years or so. Code isn’t vague nor doe it allow weird numbers like 93X197 inches. Don’t forget fire codes that don’t approve of having to climb over a car to exit/escape a house or garage in a hurry.
Regardless, it doesn’t affect sales, since the vast majority of pickups, midsize and up are condemned to a life outdoors.
Mostly Americans have too much junk in their garages anyways. And or need to fully swing the car door open, thanks to health reasons plus loading car seats and whatnot.
Amazing that so many suburban garages have nothing in them but junk.
I own a 2018 Silverado-even tho I tow a trailer-the towing mirrors are a no go for me. The truck wouldn’t fit in the garage otherwise. The truck is 119.5″ and it barely fits-lengthwise as well. My wife’s car cannot exceed 72″ in width or both will not fit in the garage. I tow a travel trailer-my manhood or anything else is not tied to truck ownership. So if the trailer ever goes away-so does the truck.
The rear doors of either vehicle basically cannot be opened while in the garage. Needless to say-I have to back my truck out before my wife can get in to it.
Looking real close at that new Genesis GV80 SUV as the replacement for the truck when the day comes…..