Ford Model e Dealership

[Motomax]

Trick question, what service? It’s an EV Lol

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[Kamuelaflyer]

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.

Then Ford needs to buy back every single EV they've sold to customers in areas that will suddenly be without an EV dealership because of Ford's decisions and actions. It's not like they announced this before they made their first MME sale.

 

[heisnuts]

I have a feeling you are wrong.

I don't know. They seem to do that now when a a dealer either refuses to work on a car that was not bought there or like we have seen where a car gets towed to a dealer who can't (or won't) replace a HVBJB and then it gets towed to another dealer for repairs.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Trick question, what service? It’s an EV Lol

HVBJB? Bad charging port? Bad CV joints? Anything else that breaks down or there’s a CSP or TSB for? ?‍?

 

[dtbaker61]

If your Mach e dealer will not continue as a Ford Model e Dealer, where is the Mach e owner expected to get service on the car?

I have a feeling that the rules will change again when it becomes clear how many rural/small dealerships cannot afford to buy/own/install a L3 charger. The rest of the investment in EV tools, lift, and mechanic certification are minor compared to the L3 charger.

My bet is that Ford will soften/eliminate that requirement if there is a L3 charger within x miles. That would be the 'reasonable' way to enable more Dealerships to obtain/retain EV sales/service

 

[breeves002]

Then Ford needs to buy back every single EV they've sold to customers in areas that will suddenly be without an EV dealership because of Ford's decisions and actions. It's not like they announced this before they made their first MME sale.

I disagree. There was an EV certification process before and you must be EV certified to sell a Ford EV. However Ford didn't strictly enforce the rules. To be fair it is really difficult to do with a dealer network as extensive as Fords.

If you have a major issue with your vehicle and cannot find somewhere to service it during the warranty period Ford will more than likely buy it back. To say they should buy back all EVs in an area like that is silly.

 

[breeves002]

That's not the issue.

If one BOUGHT a Ford WHEN THERE WAS A FORD EV dealer, then Ford changes the rules and the dealer throws in the towel on the EV side, what's Ford's plan?

I still don't blame Ford. They're trying to get a better dealer expirence. Like I said if you have a major issue with your car under warranty and no nearby dealer Ford will likely buy back the car if requested or arrange an alternative solution.

Either way the EV certification requirements were there before Ford just didn't enforce it strictly. Same stuff I said in the post right above this really.

Crappy situation, but again it's tough to actually blame Ford for it when they're actively trying to make the experience better.

 

[machefan2022]

Ford isn't going to do anything for people if a dealership decides not to become EV certified. Just like they won't do anything when a dealer decides to add ADM once an order arrives.

I bet the best that you will get is that your local non-EV certified dealer will be happy to trade your EV in on an ICE vehicle.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I have a feeling that the rules will change again when it becomes clear how many rural/small dealerships cannot afford to buy/own/install a L3 charger. The rest of the investment in EV tools, lift, and mechanic certification are minor compared to the L3 charger.

My bet is that Ford will soften/eliminate that requirement if there is a L3 charger within x miles. That would be the 'reasonable' way to enable more Dealerships to obtain/retain EV sales/service

Quit talking sense, Dan. We are talking about Ford here. ??

 

[AKgrampy]

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.

However, that may be harder than it seems. My dealership is large. Right now they have ONE EV certified mechanic on staff. Months ago they told me (and I just confirmed it again yesterday), that they will NOT service EVs bought elsewhere, including those bought by current customers. Period.

They do have techs that can do updates, but no one to do things like battery replacements except the one tech.

I specifically asked if I buy a Lightning elsewhere (in 2022, assuming I can find a cancelled order with the features not deleted), would they service it. Answer - no.

If I worked as a mechanic at a car company that has EVs, I would attempt to get certified because it's a golden ticket.

No it’s not. Not everyone will have a readily available alternative to take their car to. It’s a very real concern.

Not as bad as your situation but my nearest dealer if the local does not stay EV is 350 miles and if they also do not go certified then nearest dealer 1500 miles. Personally I think the whole multiple L3 charger requirement is idiotic on Ford’s part. Majority of people charge at home and, for good or bad, the government is subsidizing the installation of many more L3 installations with a minimum of 4 stalls each in the next few years. Unfortunately it is true that electrical infrastructure such as transformers required for chargers is currently greater than 52 weeks out!

 

[Jimrpa]

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.

As for EV mx in general, I think we're going to see some movement in more people and some independent shops getting certified.

Someone is really going to have to develop a technology to allow cars to move between those islands: bridges, tunnels, ferries, big planes, something! Hopping in your outrigger canoes every time you need to run to the store and the store is on some other island seems to be untenable ???

 

[Maquis]

Not as bad as your situation but my nearest dealer if the local does not stay EV is 350 miles and if they also do not go certified then nearest dealer 1500 miles. Personally I think the whole multiple L3 charger requirement is idiotic on Ford’s part. Majority of people charge at home and, for good or bad, the government is subsidizing the installation of many more L3 installations with a minimum of 4 stalls each in the next few years. Unfortunately it is true that electrical infrastructure such as transformers required for chargers is currently greater than 52 weeks out!

IMO, the DCFC requirement is as much to give the dealer a way to better troubleshoot charging problems as it is to give customers a place to charge.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

" You didn't buy your car from us so you don't get XYZ benefit", gonna be fun

I have never had a car serviced at the dealer I’ve bought it from. (I’ve moved a lot). I’ve never been refused any type of service. Are there really dealers that do this???

 

[Maquis]

I have never had a car serviced at the dealer I’ve bought it from. (I’ve moved a lot). I’ve never been refused any type of service. Are there really dealers that do this???

Before Ford purged the separate Lincoln/Mercury dealers, I always took my Fords to the L/M dealer for service just because they detailed the car every time they had it in. And I never bought a car from them. Ever.

 

[bp99]

I have never had a car serviced at the dealer I’ve bought it from. (I’ve moved a lot). I’ve never been refused any type of service. Are there really dealers that do this???

With the current labor issues I could see this as a means to ensure the dealer's customers get timely service. Especially for dealers with only one or two electric certified technicians.

Service is a profit center for dealers. I can't see them turning down money unless they don't have the resources.

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