I need some help here, because the “supply chain problems” of my consulting mobile dealer and the manufacturer are reaching proportions I have not (personally) experienced before.
The story: On the path to freedom and self-sufficiency, I decided to give up my apartment in Munich and, as a first step, launch into this phase of life with a consulting mobile at a permanent campsite in the Palatinate, near friends.
Fully aware that newly purchased motorhomes have very long delivery times (up to 1.5 years), I decided to purchase a motorhome in “advance”. Such a vehicle had already been ordered by the dealer but can still be partially customized to customer specifications.
Important criterion: it already exists in the manufacturer’s planning, I was told, has an expected delivery date, and should therefore arrive “reasonably” on time.
So I thought!
My mistake: I made an assumption!
I should actually know better, because in my book “Digitalization in Industry, Trade and Logistics” I even wrote about this and advised readers not to rely on assumptions. Well, sometimes even the cobbler has the worst shoes. ☹
One’s own assumption errors can often trigger a shock!
It had looked quite good at one point. As I recall, the vehicle was once listed with a delivery date of August 2022. Somehow, though, this date took on a life of its own and ran straight ahead on the calendar, further and further. First until November. All still acceptable, I thought.
But then came the first blow: nothing more in 2022. Delivery “probably” in January 2023. (I reported in the blog)
I was not quite that naive, because if Fiat no longer delivers chassis in 2022 and Christmas and New Year come, how is the thing supposed to be finished by the end of January? One becomes somewhat suspicious. Especially when you still do not have a chassis number. Because only when that is available is it clear that Fiat is actually planning this chassis as an individual vehicle and it is not just part of a total number on a list.
How, in the world, are the plans actually made?
Rolling dice for dates? Guessing with Rosendahl (for those who still remember) or like with Robert Lemke “which little date pig would you like”?
Could it be that a coffee grounds reader can predict dates better than the companies involved here? By now I believe that.
Does anyone know a good coffee grounds reader?
But now comes the next and at the same time “mega-blow”!
Upon friendly inquiry, the shocking news was delivered to me: “Planning in week 16 (end of April), but I should not expect it before May!”
OK, now I need a drink first.
Somewhat “tipsy,” I get down to business, because now I want to find out why exactly MY consulting mobile is not coming.
I know: alcohol is not a solution either! Hic…
Since I have a press pass, a chassis number, supply chain and digitalization knowledge, and good contacts in logistics and with trade journals, this should be possible.
I am fed up with blanket statements like: The supply chain has problems, parts cannot be obtained on time, etc.
From a private source at a major German automobile manufacturer, I know that it can no longer be due to the “chip problems,” for example.
The Supply Chain Domino Effect
I am currently so “flattened” as if I were lying under the last domino.
Could it be that only one screw is missing and therefore the supply chain collapses, like in the domino effect here in the video? (the stone at the end symbolizes my consulting mobile)
Who can help me now?
Someone who has a connection to Fiat, for example, because I want to know exactly.
Someone who has tips on where I can obtain information on the status using my chassis number (Fiat and Bürstner are already clear, but does anyone know someone there?)
I have already developed several hypotheses about what the issue is in detail. These now need to be confirmed or refuted.
More on this in my next blog entry. I will not give up “that easily”!
Tips and help are welcome here in the post or somewhat “more privately” also directly via email to scc-info@scc-center.de
Image sources: Shutterstock
