| The Edge, a midsize crossover sport utility vehicle | | | | said. "We've got a lot of problems that are good ones |
| under the Ford marquee, has become controversial | | | | to have." |
| not only for of its distinctive appeal but due to last | | | | But dealers still waiting for the new crossovers felt |
| year's delay in scheduled delivery to dealerships. | | | | the other way around. Randy Fuller, the owner of |
| According to the Ford Motor Corp., the delay was | | | | Pinetop Motors in Lakeside, Ariz., did not receive his |
| triggered by last minute supplier concerns, stubborn | | | | first Edge until three weeks ago and has been unable |
| weather that includes ice storms in Texas, and other | | | | to get additional models notwithstanding having |
| quality issues. The Ford Edge was finally delivered on | | | | customers waiting for them. All of those purchasers |
| December instead of the scheduled early part of | | | | want the 18-inch rims, and that automaker has yet to fill |
| November. | | | | those orders. But Fuller said such delays are not |
| The CUV from Ford is off to a nice start, with | | | | unusual in any launch. "It usually takes about six months |
| January's first full-month sales greater than those of | | | | to catch up," he said. |
| the Ford Fusion sedan which is the big hit of Ford's last | | | | Despite the delay, the Ford Edge still yields increasing |
| year's. Moreover, the automaker expects to yield | | | | demand. Bob Jamison, the owner of James Ford in |
| more sales this February. | | | | rural Half Moon Bay, Calif., normally sells mostly pickups |
| Ford knows that one wrong move in these crucial | | | | and vans. He has already received two Ford Edge |
| phase of its turnaround plan could cost the company | | | | units and has sold both of them already. "It's the best |
| its future. This is why the automaker was obviously | | | | vehicle Ford has had in awhile," Jamison said. "We're |
| vigilant with the production and delivery of its two new | | | | extremely happy with them and look forward to |
| crossovers - the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX. | | | | getting some more and selling them." |
| According to Ford, about 10 percent of Ford dealers | | | | Nonetheless, a number of dealings are lamenting foul. |
| still have not received their first batch of Ford Edge | | | | "Someone ends up waiting, and it's usually the little guy," |
| units. The company added that all of them will receive | | | | said Michell Van Vorst, the executive director of the |
| their initial allotment by the end of this month. Smaller | | | | Ford Dealers Alliance, a trade group representing Ford |
| Lincoln dealers will have to wait longer for their Lincoln | | | | dealers. She said dealers have complained to her |
| MKX orders though. This is because the company | | | | organization about the delays, adding that lawyers are |
| intends to build up inventories at high-volume dealers in | | | | reviewing Ford's allocation policy. |
| major metropolitan areas first. | | | | The Ford Edge which debuted at the 2006 North |
| Sources familiar to the delay issues said that the | | | | American International Auto Show is a vehicle that |
| automaker discovered a minor quality issue with the | | | | bridges the gap between minivans and truck-based |
| ball bearings in the rear axle that prompted a | | | | sport utility vehicles. The crossover is designed to rival |
| last-minute redesign. As a result, some of those who | | | | the Chevrolet Equinox and the Hyundai Santa Fe. |
| had pre-ordered the ford Edge did not get it on the | | | | Ford is also in the process of enforcing its turnaround |
| scheduled time. | | | | plan to alleviate its standing in the industry. Ford brands |
| "It's never easy to launch anything in the middle of | | | | like Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo are also modified to |
| winter, but we've been working real hard to get units | | | | boost the restructure plan. |
| out with the right quality," Ford spokesman Jim Cain | | | | |