Half of Ford's dealers still don't want to sell electric cars and trucks

[waitingonanr1s]

Kind of nuts, but I also don't completely understand why Ford is charging them $1m to onboard. It also seems like even the ones who are don't really want to. At some point the results become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

https://www.businessinsider.com/ford-dealers-dont-want-to-sell-electric-cars-trucks-2023-12

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[iansriv]

Thanks for sharing. The dealers may know their customers best or they may be resistant to change. I'm biased and believe EVs will be the majority of vehicles this decade. If that's the case then heaven help the deal network.

 

[Zoidz]

Kind of nuts, but I also don't completely understand why Ford is charging them $1m to onboard. It also seems like even the ones who are don't really want to. At some point the results become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

https://www.businessinsider.com/ford-dealers-dont-want-to-sell-electric-cars-trucks-2023-12

"The company came in dead last in a recent survey of dealers' trust in their franchises, with 46% of Ford dealers saying they had "no trust" in the franchise."

 

[Dark-Fx]

"The company came in dead last in a recent survey of dealers' trust in their franchises, with 46% of Ford dealers saying they had "no trust" in the franchise."

Self fulfilling prophecy.

 

[RivRyan]

Honestly, Lightning sales rates are pretty strong if only half of dealers even have them on offer.

 

[evhelphub]

This is a massive competitive disadvantage for legacy automakers.

I by no means wish their decline or death, but the old model just has so many issues that I'm not sure how they will really compete with direct to consumer long term.

Ford saw that writing on the wall and is trying to change it, but expect tons of negative headlines and doomsday messages being spread for the next 3-4 years.

There's also just a ton of negative EV stuff out there right now but I think that all changes as the fed cuts rates next year and in '25. Once affordability is improved sales will reaccelerate.

People love EVs once they try them. Many of the complaints involve charging infrastructure which is poised to exponentially improve over 12-18 months and access to the SC network will be a game changer.

Tesla will use the extra revenue to improve the deployment rate of their network, which is already going faster than everyone else combined in the US.

I just hope that Rivian can sustain itself from R1 and EDV sales until '26 or '27 when R2 will really ramp.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

With PHEVs becoming more and more common, full BEVs are an inevitability. People will realize that they can do their average commute on battery power. Then, they will recognize the cost differential between battery and gas. That is going to cause many of those people to transition eventually.

This puts dealers like Ford at a disadvantage once that transition point takes place. Basically, these dealers are acting as a stepping stone with people going to places like Tesla or Rivian once they decide to fully convert, as dealer offers of EVs aren't that great.

 

[Zoidz]

There's also just a ton of negative EV stuff out there right now but I think that all changes as the fed cuts rates next year and in '25. Once affordability is improved sales will reaccelerate.

I'm not trying to start a political debate, let's not go there. Just pointing out a hard fact: EVs have become a political tool and football generating part of the negativity. 2024 election results will have a big impact on future sales as well.

 

[maddave12]

"...46% of Ford dealers saying they had "no trust" in the franchise."

How about the trust my local dealer earned when they dropped my Lightning reservation (they weren't 'participating' in the preorders anymore) and then tried multiple times to sell me one at 30% over list? We don't need those parasites.

 

[evhelphub]

I'm not trying to start a political debate, let's not go there. Just pointing out a hard fact: EVs have become a political tool and football generating part of the negativity. 2024 election results will have a big impact on future sales as well.

No debate here but I want to add that I hate EVs are used as a political tool in any manner. I also believe and know for a fact that people on both sides buy EVs.

I think this is because, whether you are a believer in climate change or not, EVs have a lot to offer. There are certainly drawbacks, many of which can and will improve significantly, but the instant torque on a RWD Model 3 sold me in about 3 seconds.

In the worst case right now, EVs make tremendous commuter cars. They are quiet, safer, have buttery smooth acceleration, handle well, and one pedal driving is amazing.

Of course, they are plenty capable on road trips, with some additional planning and time involved.

But, the one thing I'll disagree on is the election. I think consumer money talks louder than any politician and if people really do like EVs as much as I believe when they try them, then it doesn't matter who is in office.

Teslas largest periods of growth occurred when it wouldn't seem to align politically.

 

[Zoidz]

No debate here but I want to add that I hate EVs are used as a political tool in any manner. I also believe and know for a fact that people on both sides buy EVs.

I think this is because, whether you are a believer in climate change or not, EVs have a lot to offer. There are certainly drawbacks, many of which can and will improve significantly, but the instant torque on a RWD Model 3 sold me in about 3 seconds.

In the worst case right now, EVs make tremendous commuter cars. They are quiet, safer, have buttery smooth acceleration, handle well, and one pedal driving is amazing.

Of course, they are plenty capable on road trips, with some additional planning and time involved.

But, the one thing I'll disagree on is the election. I think consumer money talks louder than any politician and if people really do like EVs as much as I believe when they try them, then it doesn't matter who is in office.

Teslas largest periods of growth occurred when it wouldn't seem to align politically.

I agree completely. But politicians can directly affect production and consumer sales by favorable or unfavorable legislation that alters a consumers' perception, and that can speak louder than consumer money. Case in point: Pennsylvania will not allow a Rivian sales or service location but allows Tesla. A pending bill to open up is stuck in a committee for approval, campaign funding from Auto Dealer Associations is guaranteeing that bill will never move forward. I know people in Pennsylvania that want a Rivian but won't buy due to lack of local support. Their money can't talk.

 

[sacramentoelectric]

How about the trust my local dealer earned when they dropped my Lightning reservation (they weren't 'participating' in the preorders anymore) and then tried multiple times to sell me one at 30% over list? We don't need those parasites.

Exact same thing happened to me. Left such an awful impression that I probably wouldn’t risk buying from a Ford dealership regardless of how great the vehicles are. It’s a shame. I’d buy direct from Ford if it was an option.

 

[SDH]

I by no means wish their decline or death,

I do. Big time.

 

[Count Orlok]

The Ford dealer here in God's Country that The Count order his Lightning via has decided to bow-out of the EV program. Considering they have been trying to shift the same 2 Mach-es for over 6 months as well as having to deal with fussy customers such as The Count this is no surprise. Moreover, the owner is not exactly onboard with anything do to with "green" energy.

 

[Tim-in-CA]

How did this work out for horse and buggy dealers 100 years ago?

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