DETROIT — Ford can't make enough auto Focus to keep pace with the increased demand due to equipment problems that have caused a shortage of dashboards, two people familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.
Machinery that makes the skin that covers the dashboard in a factory Ford parts outside Detroit works intermittently. That is forcing the company to take the unusual step and expensive to fly in parts from Europe to keep its assembly lines moving, people said. Despite these efforts, you cannot run the focus near Detroit at full speed, they said.
The problem comes at a time when high gas prices and a shortage of small Japanese cars have driven demand for focusing. Retailers say they are having difficulty reaching the newly redesigned compact, and that you have been forced to put customers on waiting lists.
People, who don't want to be identified because they aren't allowed to talk about the matter, said Ford is working to solve the problem of equipment at the plant in parts of Saline, Michigan, but so far the company has not yet found a solution.
Ford spokesman Todd Nissen said the company policy is not to comment on the internal workings to your plants. But he said the salt factory continues to make dashboards for focusing.
Despite the problems, Ford sold more than 21,000 focuses last month, making the passenger car sold. But sales were 3,500 under rival General Motors Chevrolet Cruze compact. Cruze is made in a factory in Lordstown, Ohio, which operates in three shifts round the clock to meet demand. Ford Assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan, where the focus is made, is running on two shifts.
GM was better able to capitalize on the lack of small car Honda and Toyota, who have had to slow down their factories due to parts shortages caused by the earthquake in Japan in March. GM and Ford have been largely influenced by problems related to the earthquake.
It is not clear how long it will take to resolve the problem and whether Ford will raise the production of focus. Mark Fields, Ford President for the Americas, not to comment last week, but said that at the rate specified the company manufactures the focus.
"For the most part, whenever you have a (new model) launched there are always some problems to launch that you are dealing with," he said. "Don't say was impeccable, but the good news is there is a lot of demand for it and we will continue to get those machines."
Jim Gillette, an analyst with the automotive company which advises the IHS suppliers of car parts, said the problem could affect the bottom line of Ford because it is expensive to fly in parts. He said that is relatively rare, they have a problem, and there would be a lot of pressure on the manufacturers of equipment to quickly resolve the problem.
The Focus of five seats, which hit showrooms in March, has a starting price of $ 16,500 and can run over $ 27,000 depending on how is equipped. Automatic transmission, with most models getting 28 miles per gallon (12 kilometers per liter) in city and 38 (16) on the highway.
Sam Pack, owner of four Ford dealerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan area, said he was told by Ford executives who cannot obtain full orders of fires because the factory has met the shortage of parts.
"I know who are working 24/7, trying to deal with any component issues have," said Pack. "It is a matter of high visibility with Ford Motor Co., and senior management are very concerned and very involved".
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