Leaderboard

This country is a joke.

Delaying shipment of retail orders does not help prices or profits.

The base model without the attaching lightbar kinda has a Star Trek Naussicaan alien look to it...

Reading through most of this topic, I was a little apprehensive. I needed a new SuperDuty to replace my ailing and failing 2017 2500HD, and the feedback I was getting from the Ford dealers wasn't sounding good; for that matter, I wasn't liking what I was seeing at the Chevy dealer, either. I had almost committed to buying a Dodge... when my Ford dealer gave me a call. They had dealer traded for a F250 SuperDoody STX CC/LB with a gas engine... and it was mine if I wanted it. It wasn't perfect, but it was the best thing I was likely to see anytime soon... 2023 F250 STX, 7.3L gasser, 4WD, with the trailering package. I didn't want 4WD, and I initially didn't care for the blacked out wheels, but beggars can't be choosers. So far, it's a very nice truck, and I love the 7.3L motor, even compared to the 3-valve V-10 in my '09. It's not as smooth as the V-10, but it certainly pulls! I consider myself pretty darned lucky to pick this truck up, considering the current market.

Im not at all familiar with China’s auto market, but the little I know of Europe’s market suggest to me that buyers there are more willing to embrace smaller vehicles like upcoming Tesla Model 2 (whatever it ends up being named). Consensus (speculation and guesses) seems to be that it will likely be a mini Model Y, and have just over 250 miles of range with 53 kWh battery, making it more affordable than competition. Europeans should love a smaller and lower-cost Tesla. Though not unforeseen, Model 2 could face competition from Tesla’s own updated Model 3 and Y. Updated Model 3 is reported to be out over next couple of months, and Y in 2024. I’m personally curious regarding Model 2’s potential and how it may define BEV affordability. I hope the new compact Tesla platform is significantly smaller than Model 3/Y, and that it is very successful so that other manufacturers will copy.

I heard that last month, China’s BEV sales figures seem to have stalled, I wonder if that’s across all brands or mostly the smaller Chinese brands struggling… While Tesla has a healthy respect for Chinese competition, I think it should be confident, especially if the costs and production improvement coming from the “Tesla 2” are to be believed. I think the Chinese will be closely copying Tesla’s technical evolutions more than overtaking them. It will be interesting to see if Tesla’s predictions about the 2’s sales volume hold up across China and Europe or whether something unforeseen intervenes to mess things up….

In general you can't go wrong with Ford, GM, or RAM. All three have been selling trucks for a long time and have a loyal customer base. At the end of the day it is your money so you spend it on what works for you.

Regularly selling vehicles below invoice is low balling and is a terrible business practice. It doesn’t even cover overhead costs. It’s illegal in some circumstances. They’re obviously making it up on used cars and service but it’s not fair to other dealers in the area trying to make a modest profit. People love them because it gives the finger to the dealers who are gouging but that’s not the point. They could sell $500 or $1000 over invoice and still be thousands less than the competition. It’s especially unfair when they were given more allocation than others based on orders.

I’ll be reaching out to my dealer today. The answers I get to my questions will determine if I walk next door and order a 2024 GMC 2500 HD AT4. I’ve never owned a GM product but the fact that they seem to be able produce vehicles while Ford struggles to get them through the production line tells me they have their act together better at this point in time. It makes me think that might relate to turning out a better product as well. Admittedly, I’m nervous about making the switch but I’m frustrated with what’s happening with Ford and lose more confidence in the brand every day…..

Ford Maverick Rival Ram Rampage Spotted Without Camo: Video (fordauthority.com) Video at this link of a completely uncovered version - ignore the loud unnecessary music in it lol.