[RahulNagaraj]

Ford recently announced that it had started deliveries of the new Bronco in the American market.

Now, according to a media report, owners of the first batch of the SUV have already started reporting issues with the removable hard-top. The Ford Bronco isn't offered with a solid roof and is available only with a removable hard-top. Besides, a soft-top alternative is on offer as well.



The hard-top of the Ford Bronco is built by Webasto in Michigan, USA. The company is said to have been overwhelmed by the demand for the Bronco SUV and is struggling to meet the demand. Webasto is expected to set up a new manufacturing facility near Detroit to increase the production of the hard-top for the Bronco SUV.



Many owners have been complaining about the bad build quality of the hard-top. Issues such as the headliner peeling away within just 3 weeks of purchase, strands of fibreglass sticking out of the roof panel and poor finishing on the top part are said to be the most common problems being reported.

While such issues can be disappointing for vehicle owners, it is not uncommon for early production models to have such problems. Similar to the Ford Bronco, the owners of the early models of the Mahindra Thar also faced issues with the SUV's hard-top. There were reports of water leakage from the SUV's roof. However, Mahindra is said to have resolved this issue.

Source: Motortrend

Link to Team-BHP news

[abhishek46]

Instead of getting a 3rd party to build fiber roofs (which are not strong anyway), why can't ford equip this Bronco with a proper steel roof?

The same argument applies to Mahindra as well.

[Big Smoke]

Originally Posted by abhishek46

Instead of getting a 3rd party to build fiber roofs (which are not strong anyway), why can't ford equip this Bronco with a proper steel roof?

The same argument applies to Mahindra as well.

Offering a soft-top convertible car with a steel hard top integrated with the body needs a separate assembly line. Equipping a fiber glass hard top saves money and time.

[Miel]

Does Webasto supply the tops for the Mahindra Thar too? Or, who supplies the Thar's tops?

Seems Webasto is a known OEM supplier. See link: https://www.webasto-group.com/en/ori.../roof-systems/

They do have an office in Pune, Maharashtra.

[Vikram Arya]

Originally Posted by abhishek46

Instead of getting a 3rd party to build fiber roofs (which are not strong anyway), why can't ford equip this Bronco with a proper steel roof?

The same argument applies to Mahindra as well.

Yes, they can but that will change the whole proposition of Bronco.

Bronco has been designed to compete with the Jeep Wrangler whose appeal to a large extent hinges around its removable roof panels, doors, etc. in addition to its ability to do the rough stuff (ostensibly very important to people with outdoor lifestyle).

Realistically speaking a large chunk of these people are never going to take the roof or the door panels off just as 95% of the Wranglers never leave the pavement (its offroad credentials notwithstanding) but that's the way it is.

Besides Ford has got a whole host of SUVs with a proper steel roof for the regular folks.

[Venkatesh]

Ford has delayed production of the Bronco due to issues with its hardtop supplier.

Every two- and four-door hardtop model built so far is affected, and Ford says the replacement roofs won't be available until October at the earliest.



Ford will replace the roofs of the Broncos that have already been delivered and built. Those who ordered and have not gotten a build date will get a 2022 model or can switch to a soft top model.

Source