FORD now charging for customers to use the Mach-E "Frunk"

97K15004WD

97K15004WD

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Ford is charging for the use of the Mach-E "Frunk" - on your own car:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a70495585/2026-ford-mustang-mach-e-frunk-495-dollars/

This is insane to me. This licensing "type of deal" for continual income streams for these companies is just crazy. If I buy a car, then the trunk should usable. What's next, a lock on the glove box that I have to "level up" for - just in order to use something on my own car.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/ford-now-charges-495-for-a-frunk-on-the-2026-mustang-mach-e

Just like Toyota trying to charge for the use of key fobs, remote start - or BMW for heated seats, etc. At least it seems the FORD charge is one-time, but who knows what is next.

Not me, not if I can avoid it.
 
Well, at least it’s a one time fee for the option. Not a subscription.

I’m actually not surprised by this - it’s a trim package option.

Don’t plan to use the small space left over by electronics and plumbing? Don’t pay for the option.

Want Ford to install the trim for the “frunk”? It’s a $495 option.
 
If I have this right, Ford is taking the most unsaleable and undesirable electric car available, and while that class of cars is in broad retreat, bundling it with the most unwelcome, consumer-hostile packaging imaginable. Great job, guys.

P.S. that thing has already damaged the Mustang brand and reputation.
 
TomYoung said:
If I have this right, Ford is taking the most unsaleable and undesirable electric car available, and while that class of cars is in broad retreat, bundling it with the most unwelcome, consumer-hostile packaging imaginable. Great job, guys.

P.S. that thing has already damaged the Mustang brand and reputation.
Click to expand...
And then Ford will blame dismal sales on the public souring on EVs, not that they didn't make a more desirable vehicle.
 
97K15004WD said:
Ford is charging for the use of the Mach-E "Frunk" - on your own car:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a70495585/2026-ford-mustang-mach-e-frunk-495-dollars/

This is insane to me. This licensing "type of deal" for continual income streams for these companies is just crazy. If I buy a car, then the trunk should usable. What's next, a lock on the glove box that I have to "level up" for - just in order to use something on my own car.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/ford-now-charges-495-for-a-frunk-on-the-2026-mustang-mach-e

Just like Toyota trying to charge for the use of key fobs, remote start - or BMW for heated seats, etc. At least it seems the FORD charge is one-time, but who knows what is next.

Not me, not if I can avoid it.
Click to expand...
Is this really any different than the additional charge for a spare tire?
What's worse is that the charge for a spare tire s rather egregious, so people learned to buy the OE one online after they get the car. But then our state legislature mandated actual spare tires, so you can't even do that anymore. I think Maryland is the only state that does this right now. I have no idea how that would work for a vehicle purchased out of state.
 
97K15004WD said:
Ford is charging for the use of the Mach-E "Frunk" - on your own car:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a70495585/2026-ford-mustang-mach-e-frunk-495-dollars/

This is insane to me. This licensing "type of deal" for continual income streams for these companies is just crazy. If I buy a car, then the trunk should usable. What's next, a lock on the glove box that I have to "level up" for - just in order to use something on my own car.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/ford-now-charges-495-for-a-frunk-on-the-2026-mustang-mach-e

Just like Toyota trying to charge for the use of key fobs, remote start - or BMW for heated seats, etc. At least it seems the FORD charge is one-time, but who knows what is next.

Not me, not if I can avoid it.
Click to expand...
I dont totally disagree with you but I do see a finished "Frunk" ok if Ford wants to charge for one, it's an option. I am not seeing that Ford is "charging for the use" of the frunk as that statement is not correct, without the option the frunk is not finished..

However, when you mention Toyota and BMW the difference there is, those devices were already in the Vehicles and they wanted to charge for their use. BTW- that practice is gone. I am sure they will try other ideas.
 
97K15004WD said:
Ford is charging for the use of the Mach-E "Frunk" - on your own car:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a70495585/2026-ford-mustang-mach-e-frunk-495-dollars/

This is insane to me. This licensing "type of deal" for continual income streams for these companies is just crazy. If I buy a car, then the trunk should usable. What's next, a lock on the glove box that I have to "level up" for - just in order to use something on my own car.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/ford-now-charges-495-for-a-frunk-on-the-2026-mustang-mach-e

Just like Toyota trying to charge for the use of key fobs, remote start - or BMW for heated seats, etc. At least it seems the FORD charge is one-time, but who knows what is next.

Not me, not if I can avoid it.
Click to expand...

A bit of hysteria in the title. You can either pay for a liner to use the little space left - or not.

Because Fords awful design and packaging of the Mach E's HVAC system, once they put a heat pump in it, the frunk shrunk from something like 4.5 to 2.5 Cubic feet.

At least they managed to keep some space in there for a pint of Jim beam and a deck of cards, unlike GM who cant manage give you any.
 
So like a finished vs unfinished basement, current trims come with the finished frunk with the cloth liner and now Ford wants to remove the trunk liner and stuff and put it as a $500 option or the owners will have to see an engine bay?
 
@alarmguy:

BMW subscription or unlockable features like Remote engine start or Dashcam (Drive Recorder) are still in place IIRC.

Or

Mercedes-Benz has performance upgrades via subscription. You can have an acceleration Increase (faster 0–60 performance) for certain EQ models via an annual fee. Unlocking additional motor performance that the car already has capability for and you have already paid for.

Just scratching the surface of the "new" normal and what the market will apparently bear. Again, not me.
 
Seems like you could force it open and convert the cover to a mechanical release.

Gotta wonder if this is even legal since it is a safety and repair risk.
 
This is somewhat misleading. They dropped the base price across the line (varies by trim) and then added this charge back in, if you want it.
 
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TomYoung said:
If I have this right, Ford is taking the most unsaleable and undesirable electric car available, and while that class of cars is in broad retreat, bundling it with the most unwelcome, consumer-hostile packaging imaginable. Great job, guys.

P.S. that thing has already damaged the Mustang brand and reputation.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say it's undesirable. Most people that get one are actually really happy with it. And recently I saw an article that someone put 300K on a Mach-E. So it's even fairly reliable. I do agree it should have been called the Ford Mach-E not the Mustang Mach-E but that matters little. But at the end of the day charging $500 one time for an option that most EV owners don't even use and that many other EVs still don't even offer at all doesn't really sound like an issue to me. My Tesla is my first EV with a frunk and I've used it... 3 times?
 
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