The badge is just as important to Ford as any other auto company, but it looks like the Detroit automaker is currently facing some issues with its blue oval badge.
First reported by Wall Street Journal citing anonymous sources, Ford is said to have supply chain issues involving its badge. In other words, there’s a shortage of the ubiquitous blue oval badge on every Ford vehicle, including its best-selling F-Series truck. Not only that, even badges identifying model names are becoming increasingly rare.
A Ford spokesperson has confirmed the matter to CNBCalthough the specific number of vehicles affected was not disclosed.
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The main reason for the shortage was also not reported. However, The Journal reports that Tribar Technologies, a Michigan-based supplier that has made badges for Ford in the past, will have to curtail operations in August. This is because of a dispute with Michigan regulators over industrial chemicals being dumped into the local sewer system.
Tribar declined to comment on the issue with CNBC, while Ford declined to comment on Tribar’s alleged connection to the current badge production woes.
Since the height of the pandemic, several auto companies have faced production and supply chain problems, particularly related to health risks and semiconductor chips. Ford is one such company.
Meanwhile, Ford announced last week that it had begun construction of its largest manufacturing facility, which will be online by 2025. The complex will be located in western Tennessee and will be called BlueOval City.
“We’re building the future here in West Tennessee,” said Eric Grubb, Ford’s director of new site construction. “This facility is the blueprint for Ford’s future manufacturing facilities and will enable Ford to help lead America’s transition to electric vehicles.”
