Bad news... (the One and ONLY thread about the shortage of Tuxedo Black paint)

[badger]

Latest Paint update.....

randy
-----------------------------------------------

April 25, 2011
To: All Ford and Lincoln Dealers Subject: EFC00312DC Paint Availability Update A month ago (3/25/11), we notified you of an industry-wide supply chain issue which would disrupt the supply of pigments for some of our vehicle paints. Since then, a cross-functional Ford team has developed a comprehensive plan to ensure dealers retain the ability to order and stock a full range of colors with minimal scheduling disruption.

Actions are being implemented at all manufacturing facilities that will include replacement paint choices where necessary. We also continue to have a significant number of vehicles in dealer stock and in the system available for sale to retail customers. Between current inventories and our comprehensive paint plan, we do not expect to experience any color shortages.

The purpose of this communication is to provide an update on scheduling of early balance out paints and our plan to manage through this change.

Vehicle Scheduling Update

Previously, we communicated early balance out of Tuxedo Black, Red Candy, Royal Red and Redfire paint for some vehicle lines.

Additional colors will balance out in the coming weeks and months including:

Bordeaux Reserve
Lava Red
Kona Blue

Sangria Red
Earth
Bright Magenta


Updates with specific balance out dates/details will be provided via normal communication channels - Weekly Commodity and Constraints letter and updates from the Field Order Schedulers.

Replacement Paints

The action plan includes replacement colors for all paints affected by this shortage. Three color replacements impact 2011 models while the remaining replacement paints will be available for the 2012MY.

Below is a summary of the 2011MY vehicle order guides that will be updated:

Current Paint
Replacement Paint
Models

Tuxedo Black (UH)
Black (UA)
Taurus, Edge, Explorer



F-150, Super Duty, Expedition,



Navigator, MKS, MKX

Red Fire (G2)
Toreador Red (FL)
Ranger

Red Candy (U6)
Red Candy (RZ)
F150


Dealer Recommended Actions

Significant efforts have been taken to reduce scheduling disruption during this transition. Dealers are encouraged to:

Review weekly scheduling notes for information on replacement paint timing and the publication of updated order guides.
Monitor the unscheduled order bank (USOB) and change orders impacted by balanceout paints.
Ensure salespeople have the most current information to manage customer expectations regarding color availability and retail order scheduling.
This remains a very fluid situation and is subject to change. We will continue to provide additional details as soon as they are available. Thank you for your support as we work through this challenging business environment.





so if a order was placed 2 weeks ago but has not yet been "pulled" what is the chance it still will be avail in tux black vs reg black??? when do we have to pick the color if tux black is not avail???
thx

 

[HARLEY6LF250SDU]

so if a order was placed 2 weeks ago but has not yet been "pulled" what is the chance it still will be avail in tux black vs reg black??? when do we have to pick the color if tux black is not avail???
thx

Your chance at a 2 week old order with Tux Black is very slim, but only your ordering dealer will know if they have to change the paint code on your order, before it gets picked up/pulled and VIN'ed.


randy

 

[badger]

does anyone have an opinion on what the raptor would look like in reg black vs the tux black?

not sure when the dealer calls if i would want reg black vs silver???

 

[Fordx4]

I personally would say go for black still. I was ready to make the switch myself to the other black if the time came.

 

[Vash]

Based on what others have said it seems that the main difference from the Tuxedo Black and the Ford Black (UA) is that the replacement color is non-metallic. There won't be the sparkle you get with a metal-like flake added. The mirror-like quality when clean, however, might be more pronounced with the new black. On the flipside, minor dust and dirt may be more visible since there's no sparkle to break up the mirror finish. You can look at the current Ford Ranger or other vehicles that come in either color to compare.

 

[Vash]

Not a Ford update, but it does directly relate to the Xirallic paint pigment shortage:

Production restored at Japan paint pigment plant
Christine Tierney / / The Detroit News

German chemical firm Merck KGaA has resumed operations at the Onahama factory in Japan that produces a pigment widely used in car paints to add luster to the colors.

Merck also said today that it will establish another production site in Germany for the Xirallic pigment before the end of the year to ensure supplies to its customers. The shortage of Xirallic prompted many automakers, from Ford Motor Co. to Toyota Motor Corp., to halt orders for vehicles in certain colors.

"Our top priority is to ensure as soon as possible an uninterrupted supply of Xirallic pigments to our customers around the world," Peter Halas, head of the Pigments & Cosmetics business unit at Merck, said in a statement. "The resumption of production in Onahama is a major milestone toward this objective. I would like to thank our employees in Japan for their tremendous efforts."

The Onahama site resumed production on Sunday, ahead of schedule, Merck said. Repair work at the factory, damaged in the March 11 quake, began on April 4. The plant, south of Iwaki City, is 36 miles south of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant, outside the evacuation zone.

Merck said it was monitoring all public directives regarding radiation to ensure the safety of its employees. The company also is testing the products being shipped from Merck Japan to ensure that they comply with all regulations and safety standards.

From The Detroit News: Production restored at Japan paint pigment plant | detnews.com | The Detroit News