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Ford refines Model E dealer program to address dealer concerns

Ford has been working for several years on its strategy and on the reorganization of its sales, an initiative which created the Blue (ICE), Pro (commercial) and Model E (electric) divisions. On the Model E side, part of the continuing overhaul of the EV branch has been in response to lawsuits filed by dealers in many states, since the Model E not only stipulated investments ranging from $500,000 to 1.2 million dollars, but the automaker initially wanted dealers to set no amount. haggle over prices, offer remote pickup and delivery for service appointments, and build chargers that would operate 24 hours a day. Another important element of the Model E’s modifications is the continually unstable terrain on which the entire electrical project. In order to understand what dealers face and how to spin electric wheels, Automotive News reports that the automaker held 11 meetings with dealers this year in six cities. Based on the feedback, more changes will be made to the E model starting next month.

During the roadshow, Ford asked dealers to pause their investments in obtaining certification for the Model E. The directive followed a change in the company’s plans as Ford pulled back its investments in electric vehicles to battery in favor of consumer choice for hybrids. The head of Ford Blue – the internal combustion division which, along with Ford Pro, pays the bills as the E model posts big losses – said A“We don’t want them to make decisions by mid-June, when maybe you can have a more informed decision-making process based on what we have worked out with council in the coming weeks.”

OhA change has already been made public, the vice president of EV programs told a AutoNews Business Conference Audience: “What we’re seeing is more and more dealers want to get involved and we don’t want to be exclusive to just a handful, and so we’re making a change by opening this up and not by requiring so many certifications or investments for a dealer to participate in the electric vehicle revolution. » Don’t take this comment as a revelation; From the beginning, dealers have complained about being left out and having to invest so much money into the program. Take this comment as Ford needs to find a better solution in a “rapidly changing” environment.

The official list of updates won’t be available until next month, when Ford meets with its dealer council, and it’s expected to touch on topics beyond electric vehicles. This Ford Blue Big Boss Said AN Meetings Covered “Simplification and Reducing Complexity,” Ford Credit, Floor Plan Support, “Longer Term Remote Experiences,” Costs warranty, and more.

CEO Jim Farley attended all eleven meetings, it’s so important to the automaker. Chief Financial Officer John Lawler said last March that Wall Street should view Model E as a startup and give it the same leeway when it comes to profitability. For example, since Tesla’s founding in 2003, the Model Y maker has only recorded a full-year profit in 2020, or 18 years of red ink per year. Wall Street continues to ignore Lawler’s request, however, so Farley must be ahead in explaining the Model E’s projected $5.5 billion loss for 2024 – after about $10 billion in losses on the electric vehicle side over the past three years – and how he is transforming it. around.

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