The reality of aluminum body panels.
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aczlan
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The itemized bill if anyone wants to see it: Aluminum Body Repairs Part 3 (With Video) - 2015 Ford F-150 Long-Term Road Test
Aaron Z
Aaron Z
mikehaugen
Elite Member
Yes, really. The only thing clear from that article is that they tried to damage the aluminum truck, and admitted it was much more difficult than planned. They also admitted they were NOT billed at $120 per hour, and were actually billed at the same rate as if it were steel. 1/3 of the repair cost was due to them breaking the tail light which has nothing to do with aluminum vs steel. They didn't due a fair comparison, and actually do similar damage to a steel truck. Their estimates are wild guesses, trying to draw readers to an article about a test that flopped. They hoped for high repair cost numbers and didn't get them. So after having the facts of the repair, they resulted in adding an inflated guestimate that never happened.
I do agree that repairing the 2015's will be more expensive than the 2014's. I also think the same can be said for every new model vehicle when they add so much new technology over the previous model. The real money will come from replacing parts with the high tech options, not the body panels. Camera's, sensors, heated and cooled seats, computers, etc, (from all brands) are where we'll be spending our money for repairs.
MikePA
Super Moderator
When civilization went from buggies to steel cars, the Luddites screamed, "It will be more expensive. We'll have to get all new tools. We will have to build special facilities to paint steel versus stain/paint wood. The sky is falling. Company X is so stupid for moving away from wood."
Then came fiberglass cars. Plastic bumpers, plastic tail light lenses versus glass.
Now it's aluminum body panels that that has some media outlets trying to make news versus report it.
Yesteryear = Luddites, scare mongers, yellow journalists.
Now = Internet Trolls. I expected better from Forbes. It wasn't news, it was a thinly veiled hit piece.
Then came fiberglass cars. Plastic bumpers, plastic tail light lenses versus glass.
Now it's aluminum body panels that that has some media outlets trying to make news versus report it.
Yesteryear = Luddites, scare mongers, yellow journalists.
Now = Internet Trolls. I expected better from Forbes. It wasn't news, it was a thinly veiled hit piece.
rd_macgregor
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If a new panel is only $1000, wouldn't it have been cheaper to replace the whole panel with a new one, rather than repair the dents?
wawajake
Veteran Member
Obviously that is what Ford owners would say. .....meanwhile Forbes did a article and brought up some good points. Ignore them if you prefer.
MikePA
Super Moderator
I don't own a Ford. Forbes brought up old, and obvious, points that have been true with every change in materials and technology.
New technology costs more and usually requires new tools and techniques. Not a news flash.
wawajake
Veteran Member
yep and that is what article provided proof of..........for all the rest of the reading public that may not of known that and were considering buying into it making assumptions that were probably incorrect.
MikePA
Super Moderator
I am sure this was also news to TBN members and why the link to the Forbes article, and the entire text of the article, was posted here.
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