Will the Mach-E have traditional model years?

[Maquis]

Depends on the dealer. Ford recommended an order deposit of $500, but some dealers jacked that up to $1000 or more.

In my case, I got an email from Ford stating that I needed to confirm my order and deposit $1000, which I did. My dealer called and said I needed to come in and "place the order" - basically I watched them click a button on a webpage! I asked about their refund policy of the $1000 and they had no idea that I had paid it! I had to show them my credit card transaction on my phone showing a $1000 transaction to them!

Maybe Ford solicited the dealers and asked how much of a deposit to ask for so they could get it on their behalf?

I'll add that so far, I have been one step ahead of the dealer in all aspects of this ordering experience!

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[generaltso]

Maybe Ford solicited the dealers and asked how much of a deposit to ask for so they could get it on their behalf?

Something like that, though I'm not sure it was a solicitation. The dealers also supplied any ADM at the same time. That's why some of the early order conversions had a number in the "difference from MSRP" field.

 

[jhalkias]

Reservation was a refundable $500, but wasn't the order deposit $1000?
As you state, order deposit refundability is subject to dealer policy.

Yeah, order deposit was dependent on the dealer too. My dealer just made the $500 reservation deposit the order deposit and gave me an email that it was refundable. Some dealers probably made the order deposit more - and may have made it non refundable too.

 

[Mirak]

I guess I'll need to talk to some dealers and get a few things committed in writing before placing an order: X-Plan pricing, financing incentives (though I guess that could change between now and when the sale is completed?), any doc fees or other markups, and deposit refundability.

The timing is important. If I can't get a car delivered until the fall of 2021 anyway (and that sounds probable), then I'd generally rather wait for the 2022 model - UNLESS that means waiting until summer 2022 to get it.

Generally I would shop for a car in the fall, and choose between an outgoing model on sale or the brand new model. If the new model isn't a significant upgrade, you go with the older model. But how's that work when you throw ordering and a 6mo production lag into the mix? I'm very confused about the best approach.

 

[generaltso]

Generally I would shop for a car in the fall, and choose between an outgoing model on sale or the brand new model. If the new model isn't a significant upgrade, you go with the older model.

I don't think that conventional way of car buying is going to work for the MME any time soon.

 

[Mirak]

Totally agree. But with that in mind, what’s best approach? “Get in line” now by ordering a 2021? Wait until they start taking reservations for 2022 (will they even do that)? Ford isn’t providing a lot of transparency here. They want people to line up and pay. The dealers are worthless in terms of getting good info.

A lot of folks here placed their orders months ago, and some made a reservation over a year ago. If you weren’t in the pipeline already, would you wait for potentially updated hardware, given current production delays?

 

[Mirak]

Just following up on this - anybody know or think they know when Ford might start accepting 2022 orders? Or if Ford will convert 2021 orders to 2022?

 

[generaltso]

Just following up on this - anybody know or think they know when Ford might start accepting 2022 orders? Or if Ford will convert 2021 orders to 2022?

Nobody will be able to tell you that. If you want the car, order it now from a dealer that has refundable deposits. If you get info about the 2022 model year before your order arrives, you can make the decision then on whether or not to wait.

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