Ford needs to get its act together

[JimmyL]

I think Ford needs to consider a separate entity for electric vehicles sales. I like the Tesla model, buy direct, pay one price and get the car/suv from a designated location. . The Ford network dealers can provide servicing. I have never paid MSRP or ADM's on any car I purchased. And, I won't anytime soon.

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[The Black Horse]

I’m not a Fanboy (or a boy for that matter) and I never even considered buying a Ford before now.

I think there’s a ton of things Ford could have done better on with dealerships and customers, but I also think they kinda got caught with their pants down. They weren’t expecting this level of interest, supply issues and I’m sure a million other things that I don’t even understand. I’m willing to cut them some slack.

-There’s good and bad dealerships with every brand.
-ADM exists because of supply and demand and isn’t Ford specific
-Software and car issues are expected with any new car line
-I‘m sure the communication issues are the same with other companies
-Supply chain issues aren‘t Ford specific

I completely understand people‘s frustrations, understand if they want to go elsewhere and hope whatever they decide makes them happy. I just don’t see how it’s Ford’s fault.

lol, I can see you aren't a boy and wasn't talking to you in particular. When it comes to the dealerships I'm not willing to cut Ford any slack. They choose who isn't and are allowed to be a dealer. They have to accept that the dealerships are an extension of their brand.

When it comes to software and car quirks, yep its def going to happen to a new car and I'm okay with it and I actually don't think the car has too many. I personally am so happy with my MachE

Communication is totally on Ford. They need to do better. Some companies do have issues like this but most don't. This car is an obvious Tesla competitor and we don't hear much in terms of communication issues. With Ford people are getting screwed over left and right. Some unsure if their order even went through.

BTW, I read your post on the trip you took after picking up your car and actually think you are a complete badass and think very highly of you. Glad you're loving your car! I'm loving mine too!

 

[Bigfeets]

I’m not a Fanboy (or a boy for that matter) and I never even considered buying a Ford before now.

I think there’s a ton of things Ford could have done better on with dealerships and customers, but I also think they kinda got caught with their pants down. They weren’t expecting this level of interest, supply issues and I’m sure a million other things that I don’t even understand. I’m willing to cut them some slack.

-There’s good and bad dealerships with every brand.
-ADM exists because of supply and demand and isn’t Ford specific
-Software and car issues are expected with any new car line
-I‘m sure the communication issues are the same with other companies
-Supply chain issues aren‘t Ford specific

I completely understand people‘s frustrations, understand if they want to go elsewhere and hope whatever they decide makes them happy. I just don’t see how it’s Ford’s fault.

Agreed. If I were into "blaming", I'd point first at the dealer system and their highly variable ethical standards. Next, I'd blame the bitcoin miners and their ravenous consumption of microchips. Last, I'd blame FoMoCo for inadequately "managing" their archaic "corporate-dealer-consumer" sales model AND failing to address the microchip supply problem in a timely way.
I admit I've been naive and got myself into this frustrating situation without sufficient prior knowledge of Ford and special ordering. Congrats to you for being willing to "drive to Richmond" for an MME. I'm still looking for "local" options and adamantly trying to avoid ADM while also having the MME I seek. (I'm also looking at EV6 and Ioniq 5 but, just as you say, there's good and bad dealers with huge ADM involved there too.)

 

[fictitious_owner]

@fictitious_owner Call your dealer and ask what your priority code is. Back in Oct/Nov timeframe when orders were changed from 2021 to 2022 MY all orders got assigned a priority code of 99 and dealers had to contact customers to reconfirm and change priority the priority code back to 10-19. A code of 99 means the order will not be built. It's possible your dealer forgot to change the priority code so your order would be in indefinite hold. Since you've been waiting so long, you should ask they change your code to 10 (highest priority). Maybe you did all this already last year but wanted to let you know in case.

My priority code is 19. Said that is the highest they can go. I know they can go higher but I'm incapable of being any more annoyed with them. They're meeting my extremely low expectations at this point. Actually, after yesterday I may be back at a priority 99.... If anyone is thinking about placing an order in the Twin Cities I can give advice on where not to go.

At least I know to not order a Lightning pickup from Ford. Judging by their priority system I'd be waiting till 2025 for that. Too bad the Tesla pickup is the dumbest looking vehicle I've seen since the Pontiac Aztek

 

[yngwenli]

I'd blame FoMoCo for inadequately "managing" their archaic "corporate-dealer-consumer" sales model AND failing to address the microchip supply problem in a timely way.

I find it hard to blame Ford (or any of the legacy automakers) for the dealership model since they're all under the same trashy system (now it's trashy for EVs).

Remember that influencer and the $35k or $40k markup on the Mercedes EQS I think it was? Mercedes then added that they felt the mark up was worth it.

Ford mentioned that they are looking to just spin off their whole EV division I think in their earnings call. The dealership model has a lot of lobbying power to keep it as is (it's all about control/power) so it's easy to blame Ford, but I think none of the EV makers like it neither.

I think if feasible, they will just spin it out maybe for that 1 or 2 car models and all future EV models. We don't have to start on salesmen not knowing/understanding how to sell EVs.

With many manufacturers saying they are going 100% electric in so many years, dealerships have to decide if they want to be a part of it. This is why it seems like a lot of dealerships are being sold off now.

Also, look at China, the Mustang Mach-E is already sold direct to consumer. The USA doesn't allow that so we have this current system.

It'll take many years to change probably, easier to just spin off to a new company. I wonder if that resets the tax credits.

 

[All Hat No Cattle]

It's a waste of your time, a waste of paper, a waste of postage, and a burden on the US Postal Service to deliver the letter.

Nonsense. If you don't ask, you don't get, and if you don't complain to the people that are running things, things will stay the same.

I have written other CEO's beside Ford, with legitimate complaints, and have even gotten cash back and warranty extensions.

Just this last November I had an issue with Wells Fargo Bank, concerning a new credit card application. Seems that Wells Fargo has a stand alone department that is dedicated to responding to letters to the CEO.

I was assigned a CS agent, he called me at home and I explained the problem to him verbally. He checked on my complaint, called me back to say that it was resolved, and that they would be changing their credit application procedures.

A week later I received the card, and it came with an $18,000 line of credit. Biggest initial CC line I have ever gotten.

And Wells Fargo is a hell of a lot bigger than Ford.

Don't roll over, write the letters, I'm positive the Post Office can handle it.

 

[ElectrifyCLT]

My priority code is 19. Said that is the highest they can go. I know they can go higher but I'm incapable of being any more annoyed with them. They're meeting my extremely low expectations at this point. Actually, after yesterday I may be back at a priority 99.... If anyone is thinking about placing an order in the Twin Cities I can give advice on where not to go.

At least I know to not order a Lightning pickup from Ford. Judging by their priority system I'd be waiting till 2025 for that. Too bad the Tesla pickup is the dumbest looking vehicle I've seen since the Pontiac Aztek

Sorry for your Frustration. One thing I’d just call out is that this really isn’t Ford, and a symptom of the dealer model in the US. Check out TaycanForum, TahoeYukonForum, and other cars that are in high demand with a desire to order exact specs and you’ll see the same issues.

Should you chose to try another car, want to be exacting in what you order (color, features etc), and happen to pick a vehicle that is experiencing white hot demand, your first question should be about dealer allocation. I got lucky and struck gold and ordered on 8/1 and took delivery 12/10.

Only Tesla and Rivian have found a way around this debacle for now.

 

[Mawby]

A side note about something you said in your original post. Offering a cash payment doesn't entice dealers like it used to. It's actually a turn off for most. With interest rates in the tank they would much rather get you into a lease or finance agreement because that's the way they make money. Especially true with the MME which has a $1 profit to the dealerships. In fact, you should never tell a dealership up-front that you are paying cash. If your intent is to do so, keep it to yourself until the car arrives and you are in the final process of making the purchase.

Especially when they zing you on a finance rate 2x what Ford offered as a Ford rate... "You could walk and that would be fine.." -- it's ok .. I will accept the $2500 and then refinance. Which after 2 mos I just did. Went from 4-year options at ridiculous rate at 4.97 to 7 year 2.24 from a credit union. The only issue was my credit score gets hit again due to the refinance.

 

[Mawby]

Sorry for your Frustration. One thing I’d just call out is that this really isn’t Ford, and a symptom of the dealer model in the US. Check out TaycanForum, TahoeYukonForum, and other cars that are in high demand with a desire to order exact specs and you’ll see the same issues.

Should you chose to try another car, want to be exacting in what you order (color, features etc), and happen to pick a vehicle that is experiencing white hot demand, your first question should be about dealer allocation. I got lucky and struck gold and ordered on 8/1 and took delivery 12/10.

Only Tesla and Rivian have found a way around this debacle for now.

Tesla had a boatload of batteries, boatload of chips to help them sell.

The key to getting a MME is understand allocation at the dealer, MSRP price dealer in writing plus do not customize the car as it will be take longer. MN seems to have low priority as I know of another patiently waiting over 8 mos. It's tough.

 

[FLmac]

lol, I can see you aren't a boy and wasn't talking to you in particular. When it comes to the dealerships I'm not willing to cut Ford any slack. They choose who isn't and are allowed to be a dealer. They have to accept that the dealerships are an extension of their brand.

When it comes to software and car quirks, yep its def going to happen to a new car and I'm okay with it and I actually don't think the car has too many. I personally am so happy with my MachE

Communication is totally on Ford. They need to do better. Some companies do have issues like this but most don't. This car is an obvious Tesla competitor and we don't hear much in terms of communication issues. With Ford people are getting screwed over left and right. Some unsure if their order even went through.

BTW, I read your post on the trip you took after picking up your car and actually think you are a complete badass and think very highly of you. Glad you're loving your car! I'm loving mine too!

lol. I also realized after I said I’ve never owned a Ford that I actually own a 1984 F350 diesel dually (bought the deal not the brand) so I guess I’m kinda a slight fanboy.

I agree that communication sucks. They need to learn from this. Will they? Who knows. I have 2 on order and the only communication I get is confirmation emails months after I placed the order.

I feel like they need to have a designated concierge team for each EV line. The part that sucks is you call Ford directly and whoever answers (I imagine at a call center in a giant room) has no idea about anything past the basics on the computer screen. You can’t get mad at them and their boss doesn’t know anything either. You call your dealer and most are more clueless than we are. I told the dealer that since my car was a Job 2 it came with 2 keys. He had no idea and had to go find the second key. ?

Thanks for the compliment of “badass” as it could have gone the other way I could have easily been a dumbass. I’m glad I’ve had very few software, PAAK, connection, car issues. Knock on wood!

*My biggest advice for people unhappy with Ford is find a car on a lot. It’s the only reason I’m not mad right now. I wish I would have done it sooner. I found my exact build with minimal effort. My dealer experience was great, Ford options was easy, and the car is amazing!

 

[ClaudeMach-E]

Agreed. If I were into "blaming", I'd point first at the dealer system and their highly variable ethical standards. Next, I'd blame the bitcoin miners and their ravenous consumption of microchips. Last, I'd blame FoMoCo for inadequately "managing" their archaic "corporate-dealer-consumer" sales model AND failing to address the microchip supply problem in a timely way.
I admit I've been naive and got myself into this frustrating situation without sufficient prior knowledge of Ford and special ordering. Congrats to you for being willing to "drive to Richmond" for an MME. I'm still looking for "local" options and adamantly trying to avoid ADM while also having the MME I seek. (I'm also looking at EV6 and Ioniq 5 but, just as you say, there's good and bad dealers with huge ADM involved there too.)

From what I have read dealership system is protected by law, and don't you count on politicians to change that has they receive a ton of money from dealers, so it's unfortunate for Ford, in China they don't have any dealers. But the question is how Tesla has worked it's way around these laws?

 

[AndyP]

Sorry for your Frustration. One thing I’d just call out is that this really isn’t Ford, and a symptom of the dealer model in the US. Check out TaycanForum, TahoeYukonForum, and other cars that are in high demand with a desire to order exact specs and you’ll see the same issues.

Should you chose to try another car, want to be exacting in what you order (color, features etc), and happen to pick a vehicle that is experiencing white hot demand, your first question should be about dealer allocation. I got lucky and struck gold and ordered on 8/1 and took delivery 12/10.

Only Tesla and Rivian have found a way around this debacle for now.

I think my situation is totally on Ford. I placed an order 5/4/21. I finally got a build date for 1/27 (which has since been moved back 4 times - a week at a time). Several Mach Es have arrived at the dealer that were ordered after mine and equipped similarly. My order is a scheduled as a "10" and it's not like my order is more restricted than the ones that have arrived. It's a RWD Extended Premium.
There seems to be no rhyme or reason behind Ford's scheduling process.

 

[Bigfeets]

I think my situation is totally on Ford. I placed an order 5/4/21. I finally got a build date for 1/27 (which has since been moved back 4 times - a week at a time). Several Mach Es have arrived at the dealer that were ordered after mine and equipped similarly. My order is a scheduled as a "10" and it's not like my order is more restricted than the ones that have arrived. It's a RWD Extended Premium.
There seems to be no rhyme or reason behind Ford's scheduling process.

For what it's worth, I think your frustration and anger is well earned. Ford's allocation system is certainly NOT first in/first out, or chronological. They probably swing toward ZEV states and high-sales dealers, but they also serve European and Canadian markets with the one assembly plant in Cuatitlan Mexico. Within the plant, perhaps there is some randomness about which MME in a particular batch get the essential part and which does not. There's lots of speculation on this forum but not much fact. Ford doesn't let on. Plant shutdown was supposed to end today (14 Feb) but still no confirmation of that.

 

[strangeengine]

Also, look at China, the Mustang Mach-E is already sold direct to consumer. The USA doesn't allow that so we have this current system.

The US absolutely allows direct-to-consumer.

Some STATES don't allow it. You can thank the legacy auto lobby for that disaster.

 

[Bigfeets]

From what I have read dealership system is protected by law, and don't you count on politicians to change that has they receive a ton of money from dealers, so it's unfortunate for Ford, in China they don't have any dealers. But the question is how Tesla has worked it's way around these laws?

Side note:, A week after the China MME assembly plant built the first ones for the China market, they announced the battery plant was shut down due to Covid spike.
In my case, I thought I was ordering online and was surprised to have to blindly pick a Ford dealer. I still don't know how "the fates" will reward/punish me for that ill-informed decision.

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