Ford has forgotten who the customers are

[JibbersCrabst]

that's a flawed argument. I've got a July 7 hybrid lux package order and I've seen plenty of people get their scheduled that ordered after me (October being the most recent). If what you say is true, then they've had parts for June/July hybrid orders for a while but keep passing them over

My take is a bit of an over simplification. There's a lot of other stuff that goes into it. First since Ford couldn't even sell hybrids until just recently they've prioritized Ecoboosts ahead of those because they can sell those immediately. If your hybrid also has a spray in liner which has been a constraint the whole time then someone else with a non-lux hybrid may get their build date before you. We could sit here and pick the orders apart but I don't have enough info about your order, or the other hybrids that got scheduled ahead of yours. They did start building some hybrids in September but Ford pretty much stopped building hybrids when the EPA approval delay was announced

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[jhud042002]

My take is a bit of an over simplification. There's a lot of other stuff that goes into it. First since Ford couldn't even sell hybrids until just recently they've prioritized Ecoboosts ahead of those because they can sell those immediately. If your hybrid also has a spray in liner which has been a constraint the whole time then someone else with a non-lux hybrid may get their build date before you. We could sit here and pick the orders apart but I don't have enough info about your order, or the other hybrids that got scheduled ahead of yours. They did start building some hybrids in September but Ford pretty much stopped building hybrids when the EPA approval delay was announced

The other hybrids, according to people reporting here, had the exact same build but ordered after mine. There's no explanation.

 

[DryHeat]

On the differing Models of the Maverick perhaps when parts became so constrained they should have asked us what color do you want your black Maverick. Anyone in manufacturing will tell you if you reduce your Skews you reduce time and increase profit. ... So raise the price by 1k and give everyone the 360, cruise and Sync,, Just a single interior design. Everything else can be taken care of aftermarket and the dealers.

I'm not sure what you are saying, but it sounds like you are suggesting that Ford should have offered even fewer choices than they actually did.

To me, it seems like Ford limited the choices pretty significantly within their typical 3-level trim system. No choice on interior colors, no choice on sound systems, only a very few packages that you have to take or leave as a group. (There are quite a few add-ons, but many of those are the kind that get thrown into the truck and installed by the dealer.)

I'm pretty sure Ford's trim and packaging schemes are designed to do exactly what you suggest... increase profit for Ford.

 

[bobcat]

I'm not sure what you are saying, but it sounds like you are suggesting that Ford should have offered even fewer choices than they actually did.

To me, it seems like Ford limited the choices pretty significantly within their typical 3-level trim system. No choice on interior colors, no choice on sound systems, only a very few packages that you have to take or leave as a group. (There are quite a few add-ons, but many of those are the kind that get thrown into the truck and installed by the dealer.)

I'm pretty sure Ford's trim and packaging schemes are designed to do exactly what you suggest... increase profit for Ford.

 

[DryHeat]

A smart dealer would look at who has ordered the same, or a very similar, truck and offer it at MSRP (or maybe a very small ADM) to whoever was first in line, selling that persons truck , when it came in at a higher ADM. Happy customer and good profits. Win/win.

Maybe so, but here's another way to look at it.

Maybe a smart dealer would think that people who are willing to pay significant ADM now might not be in the future when the wave has passed. So that dealer takes the bird in the hand instead of waiting for the (possibly smaller) bird in the bush. Or maybe the dealer just needs the money now instead of later.

It's hard to say what a smart dealer would do unless you have a good handle on their particular situation and priorities.

 

[bobcat]

Its really been amusing reading all these posts about order dates ,shipping etc.I happen to know first hand that some ,maybe a LOT of dealers placed orders with phantom customer names to get trucks which they then have marked up several thousand dollars and sold. Shame on the customers for buying these units.

 

[Rick Ford]

I currently have two vehicles on order, Bronco Sport ordered for my wife in early September and Maverick ordered in early November for myself. So far all I have is Order Confirmation on both, but I do have a VIN for the Bronco Sport but no build date. I did not expect anything on the Maverick since it has not been long since I ordered.

I agree with the comment that retail customers should take priority along with the first come-first served methodology. I have driven Fords most of my life, except a Porsche and a Jag after retiring, but at 73 time is not on my side and I will not wait forever. I love Fords but I am not a blind loyalist either.

The ordering process is beyond our control, but I can control how long I am willing wait!

After posting the above, I received confirmation that my wife's Bronco Sport is now in production.

 

[Randy H.]

Been using my small local dealer for years. I like to shop locally when I can. He has 7 mav's ordered and I am #1 ordered 6/10. Been priority 10 since day one.
I will never go this route again, if it ain't on the lot I ain't buying it.
In fact if and when I do get my Mav I will drive it into the ground if I have to before I buy another vehicle.

I recently moved from Carson City out of Nevada.. Just curious which "small town dealer" you used? In the past I have ordered vehicles through both Fallon and Yerington and had good results..

 

[RBFGina]

I tried to order through the small-town dealer, in the county seat of my ruralish county. Tried three times to get someone to help me -- twice by email, once by phone.

No response. None. No email, no callback, nothing.

So, I went with the mega-dealer in the adjacent urban county. Boom, no problem, truck ordered and they've been keeping in touch with updates as they get them, and a couple "we know you're waiting, we have no news but don't hesitate to call with questions" touches.

They even called when the EcoBoosts started coming in so I could drop by and see a truck in person while waiting for the hybrids.

Mom and Pop dealers need to step up their game if they can't even bother to return inquiries to a customer with cash in hand, ready to order.

Their loss was Elk Grove Ford's gain. Oh, and they also honored my fleet sales pricing deal through my employer, which one other dealer in the same county refused to do.

I suggest that Ford rethink the dealer allocation system if they want to operate in a Customer Build retail world, The only ones that benefit are the large dealers and the folks that place the order via the small town Mom and Pop dealer has to wait. They need to allocate based on order date - the big dealers will still make a fortune but the smaller dealer will still have a chance to fulfill orders in a timely fashion. Whatever ever happened to first come - first served. I purchased (ordered) two new Fords this year and the Maverick ordered in July has not been assigned a delivery date. Let’s let Ford know what we think of their system. Agree or disagree that is up to you but please input your thoughts in this thread. Hopefully someone like @fordvideoguy can direct the brand manager to this thread.

 

[Hyfly11]

The color is awesome. I debated Alto or Velocity, definitely blue. The Alto just looks classy not that classy applies to me, lol, but at least my truck can be.

Yea that is great to hear! I was almost going with Area 51 but the more I see pics of Alto Blue the happier I am that I ended up going with it. Now just waiting for that dang email to come telling me my truck will get built!!!

 

[jc888888888]

When did you reserve? When I reserved I put in my zip code and it offered nearby dealerships and I could choose which one I wanted to contact me.

I initially reserved 10/23/2021 with a dealer (but I got calls from 4 different dealers in my zip code) ,I went to visit the closest one to me and they just felt shady after 5 or six days after I placed an order I started asking a bunch of questions about rovp ,acquisition fee, etc.(which i learned about from this forum) And the more I asked questions the more I figured out that dealer did not know what he was doing or he was trying to screw me when my sales person mentioned casually that the MSRP could change and he was laying it off on Ford corp. I said F$%K you demanded my $100 dep back , went to Bozard Ford in Saint Augustine. Stand up people no bull shit answered all my questions .I placed an order on 11/3/2021 got weekly updates and screen shots of dealer visibility. and low and behold got a build date yesterday 01/24/2021 I feel real lucky .(eco boost, lariat AWD ,360,inverter,full size spare ,area 51). This dealer was aware of all pitfalls would not let me order anything that would hold my order.He told me we can do all the add ons here and probably save you a little bit of money( bed liner cover etc etc)

 

[brnpttmn]

Its really been amusing reading all these posts about order dates ,shipping etc.I happen to know first hand that some ,maybe a LOT of dealers placed orders with phantom customer names to get trucks which they then have marked up several thousand dollars and sold. Shame on the customers for buying these units.

K. but they have to put an ID down on the order, and from what I've heard Ford is monitoring retail orders that get cancel and sold as stock with potential implication to future dealer allocations.

I initially reserved 10/23/2021 with a dealer (but I got calls from 4 different dealers in my zip code)

Hmm...they must have changed the process when they stopped taking reservations and went to direct orders.

 

[bobcat]

K. but they have to put an ID down on the order, and from what I've heard Ford is monitoring retail orders that get cancel and sold as stock with potential implication to future dealer allocations.

Hmm...they must have changed the process when they stopped taking reservations and went to direct orders.

 

[bobcat]

Maybe we should all still beleive in Santa and the Easter Bunny also?

 

[bobcat]

Maybe we should all still beleive in Santa and the Easter Bunny also?

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