Are MME sales this bad?

[shutterbug]

They said they would be sending (selling? not clear on that, but available) adapters out to all existing EV owners Spring 2024, the 2025 would be for implementing NACS directly into the vehicle for next gen EVs.

The adapter isn't going to fix one glaring problem. The charge port location on MME and Lightning and short cord on superchargers make this essentially unusable. One would hope that by the time Ford actually adapts NACS, the charge port will be located where it does some good. Otherwise Ford EVs will lose CCS without really gaining NACS.

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[Blue highway]

Had to chuckle when I read some of these comments. A majority of the members of this forum are early adopters, and also technology geeks. Fun fact - the general public either doesn't care about this stuff, or doesn't understand / know about it.

I have gone to about 1/2 dozen EV events, where people come to learn more about EVs. This isn't California, there aren't huge crowds, but a few dozen people wander through over the course of a few hours. The bulk of the questions show the general cluelessness of the general public as to all aspects of EVs.

You find this at fast chargers also. People pull up to the 350kW because it's the fastest, having no idea that their Bolt cannot utilize the speed. Nor do they care.

I talked to people last July at an event, and gave out an email address because I was selling my 2021 Mach-E. 8 months later, I was contacted by a guy from the event, asking if the car was still for sale... Answered some questions. He mentioned not being able to test drive the vehicle as his main reason for not buying yet. He's a doctor (email address gave it away), making big bucks. I referred him to the Ford dealership (after securing a referral fee if he bought). He likely wouldn't qualify for the tax credit, but I mentioned it, and how it was changing soon. And how the dealership had several in stock. Despite another push by me a week later, and two contacts from the Ford dealership, he never responded.

The Mach-E isn't dying. Prices aren't going to plummet, until raw materials drop, and it won't happen for a long time. Resale, will be resale like ICE cars, maybe. Most people buy an EV just like they buy other cars, with little research and little understanding of the features and capabilities.

^^^ Excellent post

 

[21st Century Pony]

I still have people admiringly asking me what my car is. Even walking across the lot to talk to me as I get in or out. A few people have told me the MME is on their wish list. Which I think translates to: they want one but can't afford it (or don't think they can). So yah the reduced tax credit probably isn't helping.

^^ This ^^

 

[doogie63]

Maybe sales drop because of the laughable subscription fee for blue cruise. Or maybe because of the loud wind noise coming from the outside mirrors.

 

[heisnuts]

Again, all Mach-Es fully qualify for 1/2 tax credit. HOW MANY TIMES ARE PEOPLE GOING TO REPEAT THIS INCORRECT INFORMATION?

As to your comments about the agreement with Tesla, do you think that Farley would announce it without a signed deal? You might want to watch the video or do some reading, they are going to integrate it into FordPass, so there is work to be done so you can use Plug and Charge. Why would Farley want us using the Tesla app? Why would he want us having cords that don't reach?

I keep reading what people post and wonder what's so hard to understand?

I understand it qualifies for the $3,750, but it does not qualify for the $7,500 like Tesla does, it is priced higher than a Tesla MSRP, and public charging is not as much of an issue with the Tesla right now vs the MME.

Again, if Tesla and Ford have an iron clad agreement to open up the Tesla superchargers to the Ford EV's, then why not open them up now? Why would it take until "sometime" next year before this could happen? That is why I still have some doubt as it actually happening. Very much like I highly doubt by 2035 California will be 100% new EV sales with no new ICE vehicles being sold in the state even with all the "agreements" in place.

 

[RickMachE]

Again, if Tesla and Ford have an iron clad agreement to open up the Tesla superchargers to the Ford EV's, then why not open them up now? Why would it take until "sometime" next year before this could happen? That is why I still have some doubt as it actually happening. Very much like I highly doubt by 2035 California will be 100% new EV sales with no new ICE vehicles being sold in the state even with all the "agreements" in place.

Asked, and answered already.

 

[Mirak]

I think you’re way off the mark.

This car is still very unique on the market.

Show me a better looking, better performing crossover BEV on the market for around the same $$ and I’ll buy it right now.

I agree that the Mach E looks better than any other crossover BEV on the market. As for "performance," that's highly debatable. Comes down to what you mean by performance and prioritize - charging? comfort? acceleration? software? efficiency? tech? etc. etc. Other models could be better buys depending upon what is most important to you.

Couldn’t car less about fast charging. Never done it and never plan to.

Ok. But that's a fairly rare use case, no? I'd suspect that most BEV owners fast charge at least occasionally.

 

[kodiakng]

If you really were going to allow this to happen, why not open it up right now to all Fords and allow them to use an adapter? Why would it take until sometime next year before this could happen?

short cords primarily. probably some software compatibility to work out with the great sea of unwashed non-teslas out there.

elon knows how to play the hype game but much of tesla's reliability is due to controlling both the supercharger and the cars that connect to it. i expect that "reliability" (however one defines it) will take a hit when it is finally opened up.

 

[awp0]

In my state, the MME is about $15k more expensive than the similarly spec'd Model Y (after incentives). But when I bought the MME last year, it was cheaper than the Model Y.

Value is very important to me as a shopper, and I wouldn't buy an MME today. I don't think manufacturing delays are the reason for MSRP-priced MME's sitting on lots today, so I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that $15k is just too much of a premium.

 

[heisnuts]

short cords primarily. probably some software compatibility to work out with the great sea of unwashed non-teslas out there.

elon knows how to play the hype game but much of tesla's reliability is due to controlling both the supercharger and the cars that connect to it. i expect that "reliability" (however one defines it) will take a hit when it is finally opened up.

Except, Tesla has already opened up their charging network to all in other countries (to comply with laws). I don't know if those chargers have longer cords than the US, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are the same length as the US chargers.

 

[kodiakng]

Again, if Tesla and Ford have an iron clad agreement to open up the Tesla superchargers to the Ford EV's, then why not open them up now?

adding on to my previous answer but specifically for the ford agreement: farley stated one of their walk-away issues was plug&charge from MMEs. i'm guessing that was an "at launch" issue and not an "in 2025 with new models" one. if that is the case, the tesla has zero non-tesla plug&charge capability now and both ford and tesla would need to implement it. that takes time.

 

[kodiakng]

Except, Tesla has already opened up their charging network to all in other countries (to comply with laws). I don't know if those chargers have longer cords than the US, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are the same length as the US chargers.

did you see the shitshow going on with the existing limited magicdock locations? i'm sure that is your answer why tesla hasn't rolled out more in the intervening months.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

I talked to people last July at an event, and gave out an email address because I was selling my 2021 Mach-E.

Let me guess: [email protected]

 

[Vulnox]

adding on to my previous answer but specifically for the ford agreement: farley stated one of their walk-away issues was plug&charge from MMEs. i'm guessing that was an "at launch" issue and not an "in 2025 with new models" one. if that is the case, the tesla has zero non-tesla plug&charge capability now and both ford and tesla would need to implement it. that takes time.

Exactly, not only does Ford and Tesla need to get all MME VINs into the SuperCharger network so P&C works, but Ford needs to deploy the communication software to even talk with the SC network to all MMEs, an update nobody has received yet and may still be in testing. Even when done, deployment will be as slow as most OTAs still are so expect six months to get it deployed and I suspect Ford will want the OTA rolled out to most if not all in the field MMEs before they sell the adapter to avoid people showing up with an adapter and no software support on their vehicle.

So yeah, the agreement and rollout make sense. It isn't like they are taking the magic dock approach where they will expect MME owners to activate using the app, they clearly want to go for a Tesla or EA experience of plug and charge, that takes time.

 

[Vulnox]

The adapter isn't going to fix one glaring problem. The charge port location on MME and Lightning and short cord on superchargers make this essentially unusable. One would hope that by the time Ford actually adapts NACS, the charge port will be located where it does some good. Otherwise Ford EVs will lose CCS without really gaining NACS.

Yeah that is an issue, but the Tesla 4th gen SuperChargers which the announcement mentioned/is targeting has longer cables. It won't be an overnight fix, but it won't be entirely unusable either in a year based on previous SuperCharger rollouts.

https://electrek.co/2023/03/15/tesla-supercharger-v4-revealed-twice-as-powerful/

I suspect Ford will be kicking in some cash to help expedite v4 deployment to some of the higher volume spots too, but that's just guessing on my part. I have to imagine that Tesla is getting something more out of this and the longer v4 cables aren't an accident.

Time will tell! Trying to stay optimistic though that between the two companies they have thought this out a bit.

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