New order. VON to VIN

[Fitz-0518]

Ordered a 2018 2500 on 8-23-2018. I have a VON number but no VIN yet. Any one know how long it takes for the VIN number to be assigned? How long before we can start tracking status in the system?

 

[NCRaineman]

They're still building 2018 models?

 

[Fitz-0518]

They're still building 2018 models?

Yes 2500 at Saltillo plant. In reading the FCA press in June and July. It looks like the 2018 2500 order desk will be open until 11/2018. 2019 2500 order desk will open in 1/2019 when they are assembled at Warren expansion plant.

 

[NCRaineman]

Yes 2500 at Saltillo plant. In reading the FCA press in June and July. It looks like the 2018 2500 order desk will be open until 11/2018. 2019 2500 order desk will open in 1/2019 when they are assembled at Warren expansion plant.

Ah... so they're extending the 2018 model year to use up the remaining stock of parts at Saltillo. Interesting.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Ah... so they're extending the 2018 model year to use up the remaining stock of parts at Saltillo. Interesting.

From what is being said. Once the last 2500 comes off the line at Saltillo, they will begin retooling that plant for passengers cars. The only FCA that will be made in USA will be the Ram and Jeep lines.
Also reading that build times out of Warren for 1500 and Mex for 2500 are running 12-14 weeks. Claims are, the stamping plant is running short of sheet metal. Sheet metal suppliers are holding back on shipments until tariff uncertainty is resolved. This may be why some members trucks are in BGL status for so long.

 

[NCRaineman]

From what is being said. Once the last 2500 comes off the line at Saltillo, they will begin retooling that plant for passengers cars. The only FCA that will be made in USA will be the Ram and Jeep lines.

The most profitable lines. Profit margins on passenger cars are very tight, which is why cheap foreign labor is often used.

 

[Fitz-0518]

The most profitable lines. Profit margins on passenger cars are very tight, which is why cheap foreign labor is often used.

Yep. Ram and Jeep led the revenue/returns in 2017 and are the leading revenue/returns for 2018. Claim that Chrysler and Fiat models are 12% behind projections.

 

[NCRaineman]

Yep. Ram and Jeep led the revenue/returns in 2017 and are the leading revenue/returns for 2018. Claim that Chrysler and Fiat models are 12% behind projections.

People don't want cars anymore... outside of sports cars anyways. That's why Ford is discontinuing all its cars except Mustang.

 

[Fitz-0518]

People don't want cars anymore... outside of sports cars anyways. That's why Ford is discontinuing all its cars except Mustang.

Yep. It was interesting to read that Ram is in number 3 position for "margin return". You know that has nothing to do with sales volume. Ford has the highest and have increased significantly over the last few years. GM trucks are number 2 and FCA goal is to get their margin up to 12%+ as GM has. That simply means that dealer wholesale price is going up. A number of people on the forum have pointed out the cost of Ford trucks and the dealers not being willing to discount like GM and RAM. The only thing that management did not address in their 5 year plan is,,,quality. Not one word of recognition. In Ford's last DM meeting, quality was a topic that got a lot of discussion.

 

[TXCOMT]

Ah... so they're extending the 2018 model year to use up the remaining stock of parts at Saltillo. Interesting.

So what hasn't been addressed yet is the ol' "using up parts" strategy. I'd be curious to know if these last-in-line '18s will be more prone to quality issues than models made in Saltillo before now. I hope for the OP and others I'm dead wrong, but it certainly has happened before. Heck, maybe the opposite will prove true and the hombres and senoritas will take more loving care with each truck...maybe even shed a tear or two?

TXCOMT

 

[Fitz-0518]

^^^It is question that has been on my mind. Can only hope that they do not send me another one with the same or different assembly defect.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Well Gents, just got notice that FCA "hot tagged" my replacement build. Hope that status is not,,,throw it together and get it it out of hear. Still trying to figure out how long it takes for the VON to become the VIN.

 

[TXCOMT]

Fingers crossed, Fitz, your new rig will rock...in a good way! Please continue to keep us posted!

TXCOMT

 

[KarnivoolFan]

Yes 2500 at Saltillo plant. In reading the FCA press in June and July. It looks like the 2018 2500 order desk will be open until 11/2018. 2019 2500 order desk will open in 1/2019 when they are assembled at Warren expansion plant.

So is it confirmed that all the 2019 2500 and 3500 (which I assume will be no different than the 2018 trucks) will be built in Warren and not Saltillo?

 

[BossHogg]

So what hasn't been addressed yet is the ol' "using up parts" strategy.

No worry, the automotive industry uses just-in-time manufacturing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-in-time_manufacturing). When a vehicle is ordered (VON) all components for the vehicle are scheduled with suppliers, once all suppliers confirm they received the order and guarantee part(s) delivery by when, the VIN is issued and the vehicle is scheduled for assembly.

Ordered a 2018 2500 on 8-23-2018. I have a VON number but no VIN yet. Any one know how long it takes for the VIN number to be assigned? How long before we can start tracking status in the system?

Typically about 5 to 7 business days unless your order contains options that are in tight supply.

 

[TXCOMT]

No worry, the automotive industry uses just-in-time manufacturing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-in-time_manufacturing). When a vehicle is ordered (VON) all components for the vehicle are scheduled with suppliers, once all suppliers confirm they received the order and guarantee part(s) delivery by when, the VIN is issued and the vehicle is scheduled for assembly.

Yep, I'm well aware of JIT, lean manufacturing, etc., but quality problems during ramp down are always possible. Of course, they're possible during any part of assembly, as we all know well on this forum!

TXCOMT

 

[Fitz-0518]

So is it confirmed that all the 2019 2500 and 3500 (which I assume will be no different than the 2018 trucks) will be built in Warren and not Saltillo?

That is what the FCA business news is reporting in June and July. The Saltillo 2018 2500 production will end at the end of this year. The 2019 2500 production in Warren will begin in 1/2019. Changes to the 2019 2500 will be mild. "May" use some of the 2019 1500 exterior parts such as the grill. May see significant changes for 2020.
Saltillo will be re tooled for car assembly. i.e. the 300.

 

[KarnivoolFan]

That is what the FCA business news is reporting in June and July. The Saltillo 2018 2500 production will end at the end of this year. The 2019 2500 production in Warren will begin in 1/2019. Changes to the 2019 2500 will be mild. "May" use some of the 2019 1500 exterior parts such as the grill. May see significant changes for 2020.
Saltillo will be re tooled for car assembly. i.e. the 300.

I'm actually really pleased by this news. As long as the manual transmission will be available next year. I'm a union guy so the idea that it will be assembled by union labor is nice when the other HD competitors are built in America by union workers.

Will the 2020 5th gen HD trucks still offer a manual transmission?