Ford is going to a 100% fixed price online sales model for EV's

It sounds like Ford is going to get out from under the binding contracts of the franchised dealerships. I don't know how this works for parts, service, warranty claims, etc.
 
Jimmy_Russells said:
My wife and I have a Forester on order and the dealer is selling everything at whatever price is current on Subaru's website, so it seems this is becoming a thing. Seems fair enough.
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Your dealer knows about their own brands website?

Half the time I go into the dealer they are always flabbergasted that such a site exists and with lower numbers to boot!
 
thescreensavers said:
Your dealer knows about their own brands website?

Half the time I go into the dealer they are always flabbergasted that such a site exists and with lower numbers to boot!
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Right? I've been down that road with a local dealership chain. Dumbfounded on how you can up with a price, when it was clearly given to you by their site.
 
The Tesla direct sales model is changing the auto business. Ford and others have long said direct sales and zero advertising are Tesla's cost saving advantages.
I see a few issues with Ford adopting the direct sales strategy...
Tesla offers virtually zero options. You pick AWD/FWD and battery, exterior and interior color (few choices), wheel/tire (few) and FSD.
Ford offers tons of options, some of which negate other choices.

As far as dealership negotiation, Tesla ups its MSRP all the time. Not exactly yhe same, but they get you anyways.
I have to wonder what Ford's dealerships have to say about this...

Interesting, but I give Ford kudos for its forward looking business model. In business you grow or you go.
 
Terminate the franchises, and utilize some (not all) smaller existing dealership showrooms so people can lay their hands on what they can order online, have a couple of knowledgeable, non-commissioned advisors wandering around to answer any questions and assist with the ordering process. Keep the service departments operating as is. Death to the current stealership way of doing business, with their expensive regional tv ad campaigns and the huge megaplexes with high-dollar overhead.
 
WylieCoyote said:
Terminate the franchises, and utilize some (not all) smaller existing dealership showrooms so people can lay their hands on what they can order online, have a couple of knowledgeable, non-commissioned advisors wandering around to answer any questions and assist with the ordering process. Keep the service departments operating as is. Death to the current stealership way of doing business, with their expensive regional tv ad campaigns and the huge megaplexes with high-dollar overhead.
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I don't think this alone would change much given the number of financially immature people that exist now. I remember back when I chuckled at dealerships quoting monthly payments instead of full price, thinking what sort of schmuck would that apply to? Apparently a lot.
 
Not impressed. I would like to drive it before signing any paperwork. Ive said no to a truck that had issues with it but purchased a different truck from the same dealer. Fit and finish in a picture might look good but its crap in person. So many reasons why you want to see it in person.
 
FastLane said:
Not impressed. I would like to drive it before signing any paperwork. Ive said no to a truck that had issues with it but purchased a different truck from the same dealer. Fit and finish in a picture might look good but its crap in person. So many reasons why you want to see it in person.
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I think thats leap.

Who says you wont be able to drive a car you will get at the same dealer anyway - ? They arent going away.

Part of the reason Ford cant tell them what to sell for is that they technically own the inventory -

Going forward Fords EVs wont be owned they'll be "floored" by Ford and therefore Ford retains control - and the dealer will have bo say in selling price but receive a fixed fee for their "trouble" .

They'll make their cut - they just cant control sales price.
 
FastLane said:
Not impressed. I would like to drive it before signing any paperwork. Ive said no to a truck that had issues with it but purchased a different truck from the same dealer. Fit and finish in a picture might look good but its crap in person. So many reasons why you want to see it in person.
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I used to share your opinion until I realized it's a crapshoot either way and most online deals come with a 3-5 day return policy which most stealerships don't offer. So... in a way, you can test it out for a few days in private instead of being limited to a test drive. Yes the paperwork is tedious but it could potentially allow you to get out of a very bad vehicle without warranty headaches and having to prove to a dealer that no, they don't "all do that"!
 
FastLane said:
Not impressed. I would like to drive it before signing any paperwork. Ive said no to a truck that had issues with it but purchased a different truck from the same dealer. Fit and finish in a picture might look good but its crap in person. So many reasons why you want to see it in person.
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I am not sure what Ford will do, but when our Tesla was delivered to us in Dec 2018 we got to drive and inspect it. There was a full return option for some length of time.

This is the future. As a customer, we benefit because Ford is cutting out the middle man.
 
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