No it’s not. Not everyone will have a readily available alternative to take their car to. It’s a very real concern.
If a dealership doesn't join, they can still sell through 2023. Clearly Ford knows that dealerships won't join, and that consumers MAY have to either switch dealers, or they'd be hosed. To assume that they don't realize this would be silly - it's a known issue. I fully expect them to work with dealers to keep an EV certified tech on staff.
Yeah Rick, there's not an easy or quick answer tbh. We're in an unusual situation as, last time I checked, there isn't another archipelago state. Smaller dealers, which is the norm throughout the state, just may not be able to afford to pony up for an EV dealership particularly given the market size. Some might be able to do the entry-level dealership. For all of them, it may depend upon the willingness of Ford to finance or provide other financial assistance. That's going to be true of most rural areas as well. One size does not fit all. I think Ford is aware of that.
Ford pushed that deadline into December now as there was A LOT of dealer pushback. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as the costs to become E certified are not insignificant.
Then don't buy a Ford EV. I wouldn't blame someone without more than 1 dealer nearby to pass up the decision to buy a Ford for that reason.
That's not the issue.
I have a feeling the company line will be, "let me look and find the closest E certified dealer to you" even if that dealer is hundreds of miles away.
^This
