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ANNOUNCEMENT & NOTICE TO BOF MEMBERS… After nearly 35 years managing the new vehicle inventory and running the in-house advertising agency for the Dealer Principal’s automotive and non-automotive (real estate development, air charter, Arabian horses, etc.) interests over the years, in addition to my 15-year history in the entertainment business along with my advertising production background, I have resigned my position effective September 5, 2020. I will still be available to provide services to the dealership as needed but don’t know how long afterwards that I’ll have access to the FMCDealer.com portal, the Ford Fleet site, etc. I’ll continue to provide my services here on BOF for as long as possible but wanted to let everyone know that my status will be changing soon. I’ll upload the revised Ford and Lincoln Order Guides that are available as of September 1st and update the Production Scheduling Information that I provide weekly as long as I have access to that information. The same applies to providing vehicle Window Stickers. I won’t disappear and will continue to provide whatever assistance I can to help the BOF members. Now after all these years I have to become a customer and decide what to do for a vehicle to drive! I’m considering a “D Plan” 2-year, low mileage lease on the 2020 Mustang EcoBoost Fastback I’ve been driving (#101A, Automatic, Safe & Smart, Navigation). The other option is a 2020 EcoSport SES or Titanium AWD w/Navigation only because of the $6-7,000 incentives being advertised by Ford. I’ve driven nothing but Mustang’s for my company car since 2004 and driven GT’s 95% of the time but now I’m looking at it all from a consumer perspective… monthly payments, insurance costs, taxes, etc. I’ll probably do a deal on the Mustang but will still have to consider the options even though I really hate the idea of driving an SUV.

Excellent analysis. I think #2 is inevitable and probably where Musk planned to end up all along.

A few fun facts followed by some musings. Granted, none of these have, so far, in any way influenced Tesla stock's meteoric rise, which reminds us that market timing is a loser's game. - Tesla stock currently trades at more than double VW’s market capitalization. - VW sold 11 million cars last year. Tesla sold just under 370,000. Tesla hopes to sell about 500,000 cars this year. - All of Tesla's recent paper profits have come from selling electric vehicle credits to other automakers. Without those credits Tesla would have lost $300 million in the second quarter of this year alone. - Tesla projects these credits to decline 50% in the second half of this year as other car makers ramp up their electric vehicle production. - Tesla has developed superb electric vehicle technology, but still lacks the vehicle production expertise of legacy car companies and has not yet been able to profitably build and sell its vehicles in the retail market. It also rates poorly in build quality ratings. One of several things might happen: 1. Tesla might crack the nut of efficient auto manufacturing with the world seeing soaring near term electric vehicle sales, thus making unprecedented profits from the actual sale of its vehicles and blowing the rest of the auto world to bits. 2. Tesla might transition into more of a pure technology company and make profits from developing and selling electric vehicle technology to the legacy automakers. 3. Tesla might merge with, be bought by, or buy out a legacy automaker to obtain expertise and production facilities it currently lacks. 3. Current trends might continue with Tesla's stock, at some point, plunging to Earth.

I have a number of options available but won't make any decisions for at least another month. All of the opportunities are non-automotive and one is something that I've been involved with for over a year as a business consultant that has a lot of potential. In any event, I'll be able to better utilize my business background, set my own schedule, etc.

I hope you enjoy your retirement. I know that I have enjoyed mine. Best decision I ever made.

Vehicles ordered for delivery in states requiring 2 plates automatically include a front plate bracket. On some vehicle lines the front plate bracket is factory installed but in most cases it's shipped with the vehicle for dealer installation. For all vehicle lines the front plate bracket (153) is also available as a no charge option for dealers in single plate states that may want the brackets. The vehicle prep process may vary between dealers but in our case it's the service technician that preps the vehicle, not the detailer, that installs the front plate bracket. If the customer specifically requests that the front plate bracket not be installed, it's specifically noted on the work order. Our dealership policy regarding Mustangs is that the front license plate bracket is not to be installed unless the customer specifically requests it. The vehicle is delivered with the bracket in the trunk for future installation should the customer request the installation at a later date. Years ago we lost a deal on a Shelby because a front plate bracket was installed and the customer did not want the vehicle repaired. Along with the discussion here about front plate brackets, there's a similar issue with dealers that install or used to install their dealership badges with types that were riveted. The law was changed in CT years ago requiring dealers to pay any costs related to repairing the damage should a customer request that no dealer branding be installed. Most dealerships now use adhesive branding that can be easily removed.

If you can sell outright then do it, you will get a better deal

Not usually but check your lease fine print to be sure. What you could do is purchase the vehicle and sell it or make a deal with the Lincoln dealer to take it in trade if the value is a lot higher than the lease buyout. The dealer may even do the paperwork for you and treat it like a normal trade-in with a leinholder.

Hi ice-capades. You have been very helpful to myself and innumerable others over the years and I thank you for that. Hope you stay around as you say you will. Best of luck in all your future endeavors.

Nice selective quoting.

Congratulations, Ice! You have been very helpful with your valuable information and insight. Good luck with your future endeavors!

x2

Sad to see you go as a resource but I'm glad you’re not planning on being a stranger around here. what’s next?

all the best my brother...understand fully your decision, there are definitely better fiscal opportunities in other industries...to that I can attest, yet Im a creature of habit and still enjoy the job somewhat. Please stay in touch and all the best for the future. Cheers. Dean

You have been a valuable resource. I've appreciated all of you insight and information over the years. Good luck on the next chapter!

Congratulations and thank for your contributions on BON but know that your insight, perspective and fellowship are valued way beyond the Ford information you've regularly provided. It's easy to forget that the years roll on and people get older and we want to do different things in our later lives. Please stick around and post when you can.

Good luck....buy a Bronco!!

Congrats Ice, and best wishes on your next endeavor. I appreciate your contributions to this forum over the years, as they have been very insightful and helpful. Much respect for your principled position not to work for a competitor, although you could certainly do so. I’m glad to hear you have a number of opportunities available to you, and I hope they are highly rewarding. I also hope to see your continued presence here on the board.

Thank you for all ! Good luck for the future

Good luck and I've no doubt you'll be super successful at whatever lies next for you. Sad to lose your dealership insight but glad to keep your other insights on the new stuff and your contributions in general.

Best wishes to you ice-capades sir, and thank you very much for all the excellent information you provided in this forum such as order guides and stories about Ford and the automotive industry from a dealer perspective.

I've got a lot to keep me busy for the next month or longer before I make any decisions regarding the new opportunities. Some I've already been involved in on an international basis. Don't worry, I'm still a a diehard Ford fan so I'll be around to contribute in any meaningful way I can. Thanks so much!

I keep telling people this but it's getting lost on some people. MAP has the best launch team in the company. Fight me.

Because Ford bad everyone else great (except GM)

CR recommends both the Edge and Nautilus and praises them in their reviews. They are very competitive in their segments, at least for now as long as Ford keeps them fresh. Hard to know if Ford values the nameplates like they do F-Series, Mustang, and upcoming Bronco family. I guess you can add in the Explorer and verdict is still out with Escape considering the new Sport and how it sells and whether there is a hybrid version.

What's weird is that it looks like more was planned, even if you look at the 2020 owners manual it makes reference to power folding mirrors, 360 camera, and the IC in the drawings has a large digital section in the center in some of the sections. The Edge really is one of the best vehicle in that segment still, only glairing issue now are the outside mirrors are small, center stack needs a design tweak and material change, and stop every dealer from only ordering ones with the Ebony interior, the Ceramic interior is beautiful and changes/opens the whole cabin.

I think the 7.3L V8 would be a great addition for Raptor. It'd be the perfect vehicle to get aftermarket support going for the 7.3L, starting with Ford Racing Performance Parts.

Yes, a blown Godzilla aces a T-Rex but how about this, a HP Godzilla with PHEV? a Big Block with a ton of power and torque that's also CAFE friendly. Only Ford could do that...