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Is the Ford F-150 at Risk of Going Extinct in Texas? Industry Experts Weigh-In

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In a surprising turn of events (to say the least), Ford’s inventory level of F-150s in Texas has been up for discussion. Rumors are circling that the May 2 fire at the Meridian Magnesium Products plant (which left a smelting area badly damaged and forced the layoff of approximately half the plant) has resulted in a massively decreased production of the popular truck.

The best-selling pickup in America (according to reports) is now reported to only be stocked for the next two months as a result of that fire. The aftermath led to a halt of production, and it’s unclear, for the time being, as to when two assembly lines for the Ford F-150 can be restarted. In Texas, this is practically akin to saying the barbecue’s busted and therefore we won’t be having brisket any time soon. Proportionally, it’s just as disastrous.

Is the Ford F-150 at Risk of Going Extinct in Texas? Industry Experts Weigh-In

Photo: Facebook/AnzoUSA

At present, dealers and company analysts appear confident that the company will come to fast terms with the matter. This series, which is wildly attractive to Texans, due in part to the King Ranch branding, makes up at least 10 percent of all American automobile production. However, the shutdown has current customers in a nail-biting state. “In terms of Texas culture, I don’t think it’s a big deal short term, but if it’s a sustained problem it will be an issue,” explained W.F. Strong, a University of Texas Rio Grande Valley communications professor. “I think for about 100 years we Texans were judged by our horses on their size and strength, and now we’re judged by our trucks.” The trucks generally list for as low as $27.7K to as high as, or higher than $70K for one with all the bells and whistles. It’s the whistles that people like Strong are worried about. He’s not doubtful that production will find a way, but wondering if accessories and options will be limited as a result.

According to Frank Pierce, general manager at Houston’s Sterling McCall Ford, that likelihood is minimal at most and urban legend at best. Having an abnormally high inventory of F-150s (due to the pending remodel of the line), he’s seeing signs that the company will rebound and that buyer incentives are still strongly being pushed. “I think we’re just going to go hard until there’s an actual problem,” he explained. “I don’t know that it’s actually going to go that far.”

In the meantime, according to Michelle Krebs, an AutoTrader senior analyst, it’s doubtful that F-150 fans will jump-ship and support another brand. At 70 percent, she’s noted that the loyalty rate for full-size pickups such as these is the highest across the industry, and Ford’s biggest worry comes with new releases or redesigns from other competitors, not from lack of F-150 model optimism.

Is the Ford F-150 at Risk of Going Extinct in Texas? Industry Experts Weigh-In

Photo: Facebook/Timothy Dyer

Ford Motor Company has reassured its investors that any impacts from the Meridian Magnesium Products plant fire will be short-term. The company has also informed media outlets that a crisis team is presently on-site in one of the Michigan plants in the process of moving tools from there just across the border to a plant in Canada, to once again resume production. Last but not least, the Detroit Free Press reported that Ford indicated Meridian had high hopes of becoming fully operable in 120 days.