Ford Threatens Dealerships.

[Peragrin]

I realize that but after waiting for 25 years for the Bronco's return there were so many waiting to get one. To have over 100K reservations in the first couple days tells it all so whether or not "it's their bread and butter" they still screwed everyone by changing to an allocation and allowing big dealers to mark them up. By doing this with the Lightning Ford is really showing they could care less about its customers and are only worried about profits. Otherwise they wouldn't have changed the rules with the Bronco and every reservation holder would've had theirs by the end of '22 baring major parts constraints. Now some like myself have to wait 4 years.

While Ford did screw it up, They also screwed it up during supply chain shortages and a pandemic randomly closing plants in the 6months prior to launch.

They also don't want to have it happen again. They know that dealers are charging 5K over MSRP for stock vehicles. and they can't seem to figure out why.

Dealerships used to sell at or below MSRP and get a discount from that. dealerships had enough vehicles on the lot that they were selling 100+ cars a month. That added up enough to pay for them.

now with build to order and 6week to 6 month lead times the number of new cars sales daily is way way down. They need those markups to make up for losses. used cars help but they don't solve all the issues and that supply is all screwed up too.

At least in New england drive by a dealership. all the best cars used to be out front. now they are almost always used cars. and not of the primary brand anymore.

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[rydfree]

Ford has webinar and sends out letter threatening Dealerships on F-150 Lightning. Should have done this for the Bronco.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ford-threatens-dealers-wont-send-171821933.html

This is only addressing the practice that some dealers engaged in where they would sell their priority orders Ford allowed them to the highest bidder . Dealers can get anywhere from 1 to 10 "priority" orders that they can put ahead of reservationist and they were basically auctioning them off to the highest bidders . They can still add ADM and also have you sign a No Sale for 1yr clause all with Fords blessing . Ford hasn't changed a thing to curb dealers adding ADM.

 

[rydfree]

I wouldn't want a Lightning, even if it wasn't the price of a house and the complexity of an F16.
That being said, those restrictions sound a lot less draconian than some from the past.
In fact they seem down right reasonable and in the best interest of both Ford and the buyer.

Actually the Lightning has far less moving parts than an ICE version and most of the electronic tech is in the current ICE version of the trucks anyway .

 

[VAMike]

Ford hasn't changed a thing to curb dealers adding ADM.

That's a tricky one. If supply/demand lead to increased prices, artificially keeping prices low just means you run out of supply. Probably the right answer is for the car manufacturers to have more dynamic pricing so they can capture some of the demand-based value themselves rather than watching it all go to the shadiest dealers, but the car market is a stupid, broken, obsolete market.

 

[TomC]

This is only addressing the practice that some dealers engaged in where they would sell their priority orders Ford allowed them to the highest bidder . Dealers can get anywhere from 1 to 10 "priority" orders that they can put ahead of reservationist and they were basically auctioning them off to the highest bidders . They can still add ADM and also have you sign a No Sale for 1yr clause all with Fords blessing . Ford hasn't changed a thing to curb dealers adding ADM.

whole thread on it here. These dealers are probably the good ones. This is one of the reasons I love forums - information.

List: F-150 Lightning dealers that do / don't apply ADM (price markup) | F150gen14.com -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Lightning EV, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | Owners, News, Discussions

If you want to read the letter...

 

[rydfree]

That's a tricky one. If supply/demand lead to increased prices, artificially keeping prices low just means you run out of supply. Probably the right answer is for the car manufacturers to have more dynamic pricing so they can capture some of the demand-based value themselves rather than watching it all go to the shadiest dealers, but the car market is a stupid, broken, obsolete market.

Just to be clear , I have no problem with dealers adding ADM to stock vehicles or ones that have been abandoned for some reason by the customer that ordered it . If the market can demand a higher price then go for it . There is absolutely no excuse for a dealer to tack on ADM to a customer that pre-ordered and waited on their vehicle to arrive only to be surprised by a dealer tacking on "Hardship" fees when it is finally delivered . Ford should come up with a method of the customer knowing the final price when they actually place the order. Misleading a customer with a Build & Price MSRP when they click a button and then handing them over to a shady dealer is just wrong .

 

[rydfree]

whole thread on it here. These dealers are probably the good ones. This is one of the reasons I love forums - information.

List: F-150 Lightning dealers that do / don't apply ADM (price markup) | F150gen14.com -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Lightning EV, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | Owners, News, Discussions

If you want to read the letter...

I've had a year and a half to catch up since reserving the Bronco so I have seen and read it all . I reserved both the Bronco and Lightning with the first dealer on that list so I'm not worried . Heck , I think I put that dealer on the forum list , LOL . Still no clue when I will ever get the Bronco though .

 

[TomC]

I've had a year and a half to catch up since reserving the Bronco so I have seen and read it all . I reserved both the Bronco and Lightning with the first dealer on that list so I'm not worried . Heck , I think I put that dealer on the forum list , LOL . Still no clue when I will ever get the Bronco though .

Same dealer - different state.

 

[VAMike]

Just to be clear , I have no problem with dealers adding ADM to stock vehicles or ones that have been abandoned for some reason by the customer that ordered it . If the market can demand a higher price then go for it . There is absolutely no excuse for a dealer to tack on ADM to a customer that pre-ordered and waited on their vehicle to arrive only to be surprised by a dealer tacking on "Hardship" fees when it is finally delivered . Ford should come up with a method of the customer knowing the final price when they actually place the order. Misleading a customer with a Build & Price MSRP when they click a button and then handing them over to a shady dealer is just wrong .

The real best answer here is that if you pre-order a car there shouldn't be a dealership involved at all, and you should just get the damn thing from Ford. But, again, the car market is a stupid, broken, obsolete market, so that's not going to happen anytime soon. In that ideal world you'd get your car quickly enough that you're not trying to lock in a price 6-12-18-24 months in the future, and Ford could set the price at time of order to reflect market demands. But as long as we're in this world, with stupid protective dealership franchise laws and such, you're going to get stupid shit that's designed to take advantage of the market that the dealerships built for themselves over the past 100 years.

Note that customers are happy to get less than the MSRP. It works both ways if the MSRP is a completely fictitious price from a company you aren't actually doing any business with.

 

[docarter]

At least in New england drive by a dealership. all the best cars used to be out front. now they are almost always used cars. and not of the primary brand anymore.

Apparently many dealers make more, or as much, on used sales.

 

[Floyd]

Actually the Lightning has far less moving parts than an ICE version and most of the electronic tech is in the current ICE version of the trucks anyway .

Today electronics are far more complex and problematic than moving parts for the average tech,
Not to mention that many dealers are reluctant to spend the time or money for training.
I'm sure that the Lightning is a fine truck, just simply not practical for my needs.
The price per mile would certainly justify an UBER or maybe even a tow truck to take the old Tacoma everywhere you need to go!

 

[wanted33]

What a joke! Screw over 100,000+ Bronco order holders but lets now try and save face with the Lightning.

Absolutely, I think there was hope when Farley took over. But, that hope was quite misplaced. I stand by my statement in another post, "Ford couldn't build a kids corner Kool Aid stand without screwing it up". Before the trolls hit I understand the problem with suppliers, and this covid hysteria. But the Bronco launch had gone far beyond ignorance. And, now they defend the Lightning buyers while Bronco buyer still lanquish in the bullshit.

 

[Floyd]

The real best answer here is that if you pre-order a car there shouldn't be a dealership involved at all, and you should just get the damn thing from Ford. But, again, the car market is a stupid, broken, obsolete market, so that's not going to happen anytime soon. In that ideal world you'd get your car quickly enough that you're not trying to lock in a price 6-12-18-24 months in the future, and Ford could set the price at time of order to reflect market demands. But as long as we're in this world, with stupid protective dealership franchise laws and such, you're going to get stupid shit that's designed to take advantage of the market that the dealerships built for themselves over the past 100 years.

Note that customers are happy to get less than the MSRP. It works both ways if the MSRP is a completely fictitious price from a company you aren't actually doing any business with.

The dealership network is essential to get the best price. A dealer network is also essential for service from car companies who have effectively shut out aftermarket repair shops and DIY owners.
Unless we all get forced into leasing, then we will continue to need dealers for trade-ins.
Also dealer stock is a source for immediate(even same day) purchase of a new vehicle.
I for one want to see a world with plenty of local dealerships who will be there for support and one on one price negotiations.
I have never and will never pay MSRP for a vehicle, let alone "dealer markup"

 

[OCL]

All this can be solved if people could just wait a year before jumping on the Lightning bandwagon. Just like the Bronco Bandwagon.

Can't wait a year?

Dealership greed feeds off customer impatience. Anyway, my attitude towards Additional Dealer Mark ups is that of complete disgust. I would rather buy some other vehicle or none at all rather than pay such an upcharge just to get the latest and greatest, which really isn't the greatest once the dust settles.

 

[wanted33]

There is a massive amount of info here:

Lightning - Reservations, Ordering, Pricing, Production, Delivery | F150gen14.com -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Lightning EV, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | Owners, News, Discussions

get in the weeds here:

Ford Warns Dealers Against Additional Deposit / Payment Requirements For Lightning Orders. Supports No-Resale Provisions in Purchase Contracts | Page 6 | F150gen14.com -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Lightning EV, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | Owners, News, Discussions

I ordered a chevy electric silverado because the model I want (lightning PRO) is being produced in relatively small numbers %-wise, and the dealer can't tell me what models will be available when they get to my wave. Not interested in the Platinum/Lariat ext range. just too pricey. I have yet to get an email from the FORD dealer I ordered the lightning from (bought 4 other Fords there) and already have 2 emails and a phone conv. with the Chevy dealer. Apparently someone is paying attention to Ford's launch.

Hard to believe after the launch of the explorer and Bronco Ford will screw this up just as bad.

After reading a bit of the forum post I don't think many of the folks there know what they are in for. If they would go over to the Bronco forum, and just look they would curl up in the fetal position, and cry like a baby.

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