Ford's Pickup Production Problems Are Giving GM, Ram An Opportunity To Catch Up - Jalopnik

Ford’s pickup production woes threaten the sales lead its F-Series has held for half a century, as supply chain issues bite the factory floor. A fire at an aluminum supplier in New York last year disrupted output, prompting overtime production to catch up and stoking competitive pressure from GM and Ram. In Q1, Ford sold 159,901 F-Series, a 16% drop from a year ago, while GM’s Silverado and GMC Sierra remained the top contenders. The company reports a 55‑day supply at quarter’s end, below the 60‑day industry standard, with about 60,000 fewer pickups in inventory than a year earlier. GM and Ram have stepped in to capitalize on Ford’s gaps, with GM increasing heavy-duty Silverado and Sierra output in Flint starting in June and Ram rolling out a new line of muscle trucks. Ram reported a 20% sales gain in Q1, aided by the return of the HEMI V‑8 and better warranty offerings, while Ford’s loyalty remains over 80%. Ford says it still has production capacity to meet demand, but catching up after the disruption will be challenging. As the market evolves, industry watchers will monitor whether Ford, GM and Ram can convert the temporary supply gap into sustainable growth.