If this is successful, perhaps one day other manufacturers will follow?
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a40175990/ford-online-sales-no-negotiation/
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If this is successful, perhaps one day other manufacturers will follow?
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a40175990/ford-online-sales-no-negotiation/
Makes sense on a vehicle where demand far exceeds supply. Ford (And GM and FCA) have a difficult relationship with their dealers already, they need to do something different. Will be interesting what states and dealer groups sue the manufacturers for this kind of sales model, because certain states have laws against direct sales.
Make sense since the entire service model for the auto industry is going to fundamentally change to be far simpler - and the dealership model along with it.
I would be exiting the car dealer business ASAP if I was in it.
The company also intends to massively scale back advertising for its EVS, another way it has to adapt. "If you ever see Ford Motor Co. doing a Super Bowl ad on our electric vehicles, sell the stock," he said.
dumbest thing ever said by a CEO.
I for one still want to see it drive it etc... before buying it. Not sure how they do that without dealers and online only. even tesla has showroooms ... for the final purchase is online then fine but that is not what they are implying here.
and i do like to "deal" but if everyone does it
Don't worry, there'll be plenty of people getting their battery filter changed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buster
Online for EV's only. This to me implies that there will still be physical dealers and that is where you could book a test drive for the EV's. The dealer network would also facilitate delivery of the EV's and you would likely pick it up from a dealer as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by redline
Great idea.
If this goes well and other manufacturers follow through with it (both EV and ICE), I think the dealerships will end up just facilitating the test drive, F&I, delivery and services.
I assume this is in response to Ford dealers gouging customers on Mach E's. I have zero sympathy for the current dealer model as it's the worst part of the automobile owning experience.
Probably trade-in assessments and used car sales too.Quote:
Originally Posted by HiSpec
I’d be happy to be done with dealers, I just hope they can curb people from buying and flipping.
Buying and flipping is just called making the market.
EVs aren't cars anyway, they are the final move to transportation appliances.
House of Transportation Appliances doesn't have a very nice ring to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buster
There that's better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Swank
The Tesla sales model is pretty good. Order car online. Apply for financing online. Get trade in estimate online. No interactions with greasy salesmen or finance people trying to sell you extended warranties and accessories. It's the manufacturing and QC part they aren't very good at.
My favourite car transaction had my new car show up in my parking spot at work and I went down to the lobby to sign papers. That was great.
Every car I buy is basically an online purchase. The business managers hate me.Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyD
I was actually impressed with the Ford dealer in Methbridge here on cheap F150 lease. Matched Can Clark deal. Did everything email/phone. No admin/extras after either. F&I office didn't push a thing on the wife when she went to sign the papers. They are the exception to the norm though, lol
I'm torn, on one hand I despise the dealership song and dance, on the other hand I also despise paying full price for anything...
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...out-leased-ev/
New info out from Ford. Apparently buying the car out after a lease won't be an option.
I wonder if this would eventually shift to a model where you can't own the vehicle at all? Keep people paying forever and just replace the batteries and re-release them out indefinitely?Quote:
Effective June 15, Ford removed the buyout option for customers leasing EVs such as the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. Ford says the change is to keep batteries in the Ford network.
Ford has made a change to its lease policy that will prevent people leasing the F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, and E-Transit EVs from choosing to purchase the vehicle at the end of the contract. The customers will need to return the vehicle, at which time they can either lease a new vehicle or simply return the car.
The reason, a Ford spokesperson told Car and Driver, is the desire to keep EVs "in the Ford network longer" to maintain control over battery recycling and materials. The news came in a letter to dealers earlier this month and, Ford said, affects 38 states now and the rest by the end of the year, so customers should check with their local dealers to find out where they stand.