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Ford to sell vehicles without features enabled


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2 hours ago, lcseds said:

 

 A couple oil changes on a 6.7L is pretty good compensation!

heres whats funny about that...its not the Dealers fault...and they, the Dealer , in this market could just tell the customer to pound sand, it could then  be sold for an awful lot more than the mentioned X plan..Dealer owes this client absolutely NOTHING, zip, nada ZILCH...he wants compensation, take it up with Ford corporate and utilize the same "bully like" leverage tactics  and get back to us on how that goes.,,,, Friggen hilarious customers think dealers owe them anything with all these manufacturing delays and build compromises...and THIS type of attitude gets absolutely no results in todays buying climate. If , I was the customer Id literally pump the brakes a little, so easy to say " Fine, well sell it to someone else " when demand exceeds supply...

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15 hours ago, lukish19 said:

I spoke with my dealer today and he said that dealers need to "opt" in to this program and they are hoping by doing so vehicles will come faster.  They were not sure which features and / or models would be affected but hoped to know soon.

 

Ford has stated that only CONVENIENCE features will be deleted. Safety features of course will not be touched. Many convenience features are rarely used. For example, how many times are rear seat HVAC controls used as 90% of the time only driver in the car. And HVAC in the rear is a luxury feature most vehicles don't have. Or lighted cup holder. Nice feature, but not a big deal to lose.

 

I get it, convenience features become expected over time, but most of us have never had these features if we are old enough. My last car had auto dimming mirror and puddle lamps, and my Escape doesn't. Hardly notice the difference now. 

 

So IMO Ford is dealing with supply chain problems in right way.....delete comfort features, give a credit and chance at getting the feature at a later date. Beats parking the vehicle for months outside as before. 

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I think this could be a great idea if you're given the option of taking it now and waiting on the chips, or taking it later when it's completed. I can see myself taking a vehicle early missing some features as long as i get them later, but I can also understand that those people especially the ones that have a new car every couple of years, won't be interested a car without the features they specifically wanted.

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2 hours ago, FordBuyer said:

 

Ford has stated that only CONVENIENCE features will be deleted. Safety features of course will not be touched. Many convenience features are rarely used. For example, how many times are rear seat HVAC controls used as 90% of the time only driver in the car. And HVAC in the rear is a luxury feature most vehicles don't have. Or lighted cup holder. Nice feature, but not a big deal to lose.

 

I get it, convenience features become expected over time, but most of us have never had these features if we are old enough. My last car had auto dimming mirror and puddle lamps, and my Escape doesn't. Hardly notice the difference now. 

 

So IMO Ford is dealing with supply chain problems in right way.....delete comfort features, give a credit and chance at getting the feature at a later date. Beats parking the vehicle for months outside as before. 

there will be SOME items I guess that may be deemed inconvenient through ommision...but Id rather have the car than not...especially knowing the situation will be rectified...Honda was sending cars with only  one key fob is an example...so its not just Ford. I just hope they learn from this chip fiasco...you can never , ever have all your eggs in one basket...

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2 hours ago, Deanh said:

there will be SOME items I guess that may be deemed inconvenient through ommision...but Id rather have the car than not...especially knowing the situation will be rectified...Honda was sending cars with only  one key fob is an example...so its not just Ford. I just hope they learn from this chip fiasco...you can never , ever have all your eggs in one basket...

Ford…learn?… in all the reformation talk there’s nothing, absolutely nothing about multiple sourcing of critical path components

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3 hours ago, jpd80 said:

Ford…learn?… in all the reformation talk there’s nothing, absolutely nothing about multiple sourcing of critical path components

lol...they also need to stop making promises they cant follow through on, causing conflict and then, kicking the can to the curb with the "contact your Dealer " cop out...I could spin your head with some information that is conveyed to customers from "corporate" that causes us nothing but irate customers...and GASP...bad online reviews...its quite literally like having a little sister that seems intent on getting you into trouble....

Edited by Deanh
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3 hours ago, HarrisonIII said:

I am glad to hear this!

 

It gives me hope that I could see my truck shortly.

I would gladly take it with out features and add them later!

 

If I had to guess, they're probably going to just start with dealer orders. It would be nice if customer orders were given the option though. 

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7 hours ago, Deanh said:

lol...they also need to stop making promises they cant follow through on, causing conflict and then, kicking the can to the curb with the "contact your Dealer " cop out...I could spin your head with some information that is conveyed to customers from "corporate" that causes us nothing but irate customers...and GASP...bad online reviews...its quite literally like having a little sister that seems intent on getting you into trouble....

 

oh that’s right, Ford needs someone to throw under the nearest bus when things get a little bit hard…

Edited by jpd80
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13 hours ago, Deanh said:

lol...they also need to stop making promises they cant follow through on,

 

7 hours ago, jpd80 said:

oh that’s right, Ford needs someone to throw under the nearest bus when things get a little bit hard…

 

Sadly, making promises they can't keep (and then blaming others) is a mistake Ford has done over and over throughout its history. Hopefully the reorganization combined with efforts to get Ford "fit" will chip away at this destructive aspect of Ford's corporate culture.

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35 minutes ago, rperez817 said:

 

 

Sadly, making promises they can't keep (and then blaming others) is a mistake Ford has done over and over throughout its history. Hopefully the reorganization combined with efforts to get Ford "fit" will chip away at this destructive aspect of Ford's corporate culture.

It’s hard to say whether this reorganisation will do anything to speed up customer orders

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3 hours ago, rperez817 said:

 

 

Sadly, making promises they can't keep (and then blaming others) is a mistake Ford has done over and over throughout its history. Hopefully the reorganization combined with efforts to get Ford "fit" will chip away at this destructive aspect of Ford's corporate culture.

I hate to say this, but theres a definite anti dealership mentality from certain sections of Ford Corporate...the classic is how the Lightning in being marketed...basically the Dealer body has been com plketely removed from the equation ( well until theres an issue and it will be the usual "contact your Dealer " buffer ) Ford should tread carefully...VERY carefully...theres no way they could , or CAN handle direct communication with the general public...its a major reason there IS a Dealer base....we ARE their complaints dept, and theres a LOT. And the biggest issue is those in the heirachy maki9ng these bonehead decisions have NEVER ever been on the front line for first hand experience....

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22 minutes ago, Deanh said:

I hate to say this, but theres a definite anti dealership mentality from certain sections of Ford Corporate...the classic is how the Lightning in being marketed...basically the Dealer body has been com plketely removed from the equation ( well until theres an issue and it will be the usual "contact your Dealer " buffer ) Ford should tread carefully...VERY carefully...theres no way they could , or CAN handle direct communication with the general public...its a major reason there IS a Dealer base....we ARE their complaints dept, and theres a LOT. And the biggest issue is those in the heirachy maki9ng these bonehead decisions have NEVER ever been on the front line for first hand experience....

 

Thanks for sharing your experience on the "front line" Deanh.

 

Do you think that Jim Farley's proposals cracking down on things like dealer markups on vehicles will be combined with more and better support to dealers from Ford corporate to help dealers with things like communication to the public, assisting customers with retail orders, reservations, vehicle tracking, etc.? 

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25 minutes ago, Deanh said:

I hate to say this, but theres a definite anti dealership mentality from certain sections of Ford Corporate...the classic is how the Lightning in being marketed...basically the Dealer body has been com plketely removed from the equation ( well until theres an issue and it will be the usual "contact your Dealer " buffer ) Ford should tread carefully...VERY carefully...theres no way they could , or CAN handle direct communication with the general public...its a major reason there IS a Dealer base....we ARE their complaints dept, and theres a LOT. And the biggest issue is those in the heirachy maki9ng these bonehead decisions have NEVER ever been on the front line for first hand experience....


That works both ways.  If dealers were more honest and not adding last minute markups and hidden fees or charging unsuspecting customers 2x for an extended warranty and not giving customers easily accessed order and shipping information and pretending not to know about price protection or incentive protection etc etc etc then maybe Ford wouldn’t feel the need to change things.

 

Dealers are used to competing with the Chevy dealer down the street, not Tesla or Rivian or other BEV specialists.  
 

Does Ford do bad and/or stupid things to dealers?  Of course.  Squeezing them on warranty labor, forcing them to take unwanted inventory.  But like you said they need each other.  But the model needs to change.

 

Customers should be able to order a vehicle online, pay MSRP and a standardized doc fee, have it scheduled immediately or put in queue by order date. Dealer gets paid a set fee or a set percentage for each sale.   Dealer delivers the vehicle and gets the trade-ins, financing, warranty and ongoing maintenance.

 

That is a win/win for everyone including the dealer, especially considering the normal pre Covid selling prices were closer to dealer invoice not MSRP.

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48 minutes ago, akirby said:

Customers should be able to order a vehicle online, pay MSRP and a standardized doc fee, have it scheduled immediately or put in queue by order date. Dealer gets paid a set fee or a set percentage for each sale.   Dealer delivers the vehicle and gets the trade-ins, financing, warranty and ongoing maintenance.

 

That is a win/win for everyone including the dealer, especially considering the normal pre Covid selling prices were closer to dealer invoice not MSRP.

 

This is a great idea. Jonathan Ramsey's article yesterday mentioned that Jim Farley and other Ford executives are working with dealers to help meet corporate goals for an improved customer experience, hopefully to include something like the online ordering and pricing model you described. This should help improve relations between Ford corporate and the dealership body overall too. Ford's reorganization means specialization everywhere (msn.com)

 

Because OEMs are legally bound to reach customers through their dealer networks, the mothership revamp means Ford needs its dealers to embrace the changes. Execs are talking to dealers now about what the automaker is looking for, it will be up to dealers to opt in. First, Farley said, "Get ready to specialize." Realizing that certain dealers might do better with ICE vehicles and commercial offerings as opposed to EVs, Ford wants dealers to choose among Blue, Model E, and Pro. Those that don't opt in to Model E, which will mean committing to new operating standards like not carrying EV inventory, and potential facility changes, will be able to sell the brand's EVs until the end of 2023; from January 24, those dealers will only have access to ICE allotments. Said another Ford exec, "We want our dealers to add true value and really be knowledge centers for the customer," the plan now to find the best structure for that. Which, frankly, is another way of saying what dealers were meant to be all along.

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49 minutes ago, akirby said:


That works both ways.  If dealers were more honest and not adding last minute markups and hidden fees or charging unsuspecting customers 2x for an extended warranty and not giving customers easily accessed order and shipping information and pretending not to know about price protection or incentive protection etc etc etc then maybe Ford wouldn’t feel the need to change things.

 

Dealers are used to competing with the Chevy dealer down the street, not Tesla or Rivian or other BEV specialists.  
 

Does Ford do bad and/or stupid things to dealers?  Of course.  Squeezing them on warranty labor, forcing them to take unwanted inventory.  But like you said they need each other.  But the model needs to change.

 

Customers should be able to order a vehicle online, pay MSRP and a standardized doc fee, have it scheduled immediately or put in queue by order date. Dealer gets paid a set fee or a set percentage for each sale.   Dealer delivers the vehicle and gets the trade-ins, financing, warranty and ongoing maintenance.

 

That is a win/win for everyone including the dealer, especially considering the normal pre Covid selling prices were closer to dealer invoice not MSRP.

 

Good post. Too bad Ford doesn't have the power to standardize dealer practices so that we don't have one dealer charging $695 in document fees and another almost nothing. Or one adding in all kinds of bullshit add on fees and another nothing. Dealers have all kinds of ways to add more revenue without gouging consumers. Many you listed above. For example, Mullinax has 2 times more used vehicles on lot than new. And the value of them is up 40% year over year. So to screw consumers on buying new is short term greed in the extreme that consumers won't soon forget. 

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1 hour ago, FordBuyer said:

 

Good post. Too bad Ford doesn't have the power to standardize dealer practices so that we don't have one dealer charging $695 in document fees and another almost nothing. 


I think Ford is using BEVs as a way to standardize prices and fees, by mutual agreement with dealers.  Going to 100% online orders with no dealer stock makes it possible.

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33 minutes ago, akirby said:


I think Ford is using BEVs as a way to standardize prices and fees, by mutual agreement with dealers.  Going to 100% online orders with no dealer stock makes it possible.

 

Unfortunately, if the final sale is handled by a dealer, there will still be those willing to take advantage and abuse the customer.  All we can hope for is that there is sufficient competition in the marketplace to give consumers a choice in what they purchase.  I may have 30 years of "buying Ford", but I'm not going to pay a premium to do so.

 

HRG

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24 minutes ago, HotRunrGuy said:

 

Unfortunately, if the final sale is handled by a dealer, there will still be those willing to take advantage and abuse the customer.  All we can hope for is that there is sufficient competition in the marketplace to give consumers a choice in what they purchase.  I may have 30 years of "buying Ford", but I'm not going to pay a premium to do so.

 

HRG


Maybe when you place your order and choose your dealer it can show you their Google rating…..

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35 minutes ago, HotRunrGuy said:

 

Unfortunately, if the final sale is handled by a dealer, there will still be those willing to take advantage and abuse the customer.  All we can hope for is that there is sufficient competition in the marketplace to give consumers a choice in what they purchase.  I may have 30 years of "buying Ford", but I'm not going to pay a premium to do so.

 

HRG

 

Many other auto dealers pull this stuff also. Subaru dealer by me does it.....one reason why I went from Crosstrek to Escape. Dealer had $3,000 markups on their stock even before covid and chip shortage. No way was I dealing with this dealership. Ditto for Mazda closest to me with big markups on CX5. Ford dealer by me treated me fairly with no surprises. Now I notice this same dealer since chip shortages marking up Escapes over $2000 over sticker. To give them a break....very small dealer with maybe 10-15 used vehicles on lot and never have more than 50 new vehicles on lot since covid. 

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54 minutes ago, HotRunrGuy said:

 

Unfortunately, if the final sale is handled by a dealer, there will still be those willing to take advantage and abuse the customer.  All we can hope for is that there is sufficient competition in the marketplace to give consumers a choice in what they purchase.  I may have 30 years of "buying Ford", but I'm not going to pay a premium to do so.

 

HRG

Worse, in this current environment where every order takes multiple months there really isn't a mulligan option that isn't very costly in terms of time. I'm brand new to the process and it is a stress inducing event. 

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29 minutes ago, thekingprawn said:

Worse, in this current environment where every order takes multiple months there really isn't a mulligan option that isn't very costly in terms of time. I'm brand new to the process and it is a stress inducing event. 


But eventually the order intervals will get back to a normal 4-6 weeks.

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17 minutes ago, akirby said:


But eventually the order intervals will get back to a normal 4-6 weeks.

From your lips to gods ears...
I'm extra not good at waiting, worse when I'm doing it in the dark, and I'm currently in that dark time between confirmed order and production week scheduled. I hear it will be a growth experience for me...lol.

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15 minutes ago, thekingprawn said:

From your lips to gods ears...
I'm extra not good at waiting, worse when I'm doing it in the dark, and I'm currently in that dark time between confirmed order and production week scheduled. I hear it will be a growth experience for me...lol.


You picked a bad time to order…..

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