Ford reimagining the Dealer Network?

[Mav_Not]

Like many others I have been waiting a long time for a Maverick. In my specific case, I have a confirmed order from June 10th (hybrid Lariat lux) with no sign of a build date. My dealer seems to have allocations but only gets one or two builds approved per month. Big dealers, especially those that cast a wide net to include out of state orders appear to get their entire allocation scheduled in the first week of the month. They then go on to get transfer allocations from other (smaller) dealers to fill out the rest of the month. I don't think Ford is unaware of the seeming unfairness of this system and it's not that they don't care but they are fully engaged with the "build to order" model. Car manufacturers have long felt constrained by the Dealer network. What a perfect time (pandemic) to thin out and perhaps permanently remake the Dealer network model by making small dealers economically impractical. If Ford could push small and medium-sized dealers out of business and move to fewer, larger distribution-type dealers they would achieve essentially an Amazon type network of fulfillment Dealers who take less per car sold but push large volumes. Just a thought, without any evidence and this plus $5 will get you coffee at Starbuck's.

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[06Warrior]

They need to move to a Tesla type order/sales model. The Ford model is frustrating to say the least.

 

[LDProductions]

I saw a Ford ad on YouTube the other day that's clearly showing they're heading toward a new model like the OP describes.

The pitch was that if you custom order an F150 or Ranger (not the Maverick yet for obvious reasons) your build gets prioritized in the queue over dealer stock orders and they'll take some money off the MSRP.

 

[oljackfrost]

That idea is fine if you are only considering sales. Big dealer/distributors would only be in big cities, leaving small town Americans to have to travel long distances for sales and more importantly service. I could have driven 3-1/2 hours each way to Grainger Ford in Iowa to get 3% under invoice but I went to my small town dealer 15 minutes away and got X Plan pricing (Mustang Club).

 

[Old Ranchero]

Like many others I have been waiting a long time for a Maverick. In my specific case, I have a confirmed order from June 10th (hybrid Lariat lux) with no sign of a build date. My dealer seems to have allocations but only gets one or two builds approved per month. Big dealers, especially those that cast a wide net to include out of state orders appear to get their entire allocation scheduled in the first week of the month. They then go on to get transfer allocations from other (smaller) dealers to fill out the rest of the month. I don't think Ford is unaware of the seeming unfairness of this system and it's not that they don't care but they are fully engaged with the "build to order" model. Car manufacturers have long felt constrained by the Dealer network. What a perfect time (pandemic) to thin out and perhaps permanently remake the Dealer network model by making small dealers economically impractical. If Ford could push small and medium-sized dealers out of business and move to fewer, larger distribution-type dealers they would achieve essentially an Amazon type network of fulfillment Dealers who take less per car sold but push large volumes. Just a thought, without any evidence and this plus $5 will get you coffee at Starbuck's.

do you have any actual proof of any of this? reads like pure speculation (born of frustration) to me, especially the allocation part. Dealer networks are not going away and serve the critical purpose of front facing customer interface for parts, service, warranty and yes, even sales. F Tesla, Amazon business models.

 

[Old Ranchero]

I saw a Ford ad on YouTube the other day that's clearly showing they're heading toward a new model like the OP describes.

The pitch was that if you custom order an F150 or Ranger (not the Maverick yet for obvious reasons) your build gets prioritized in the queue over dealer stock orders and they'll take some money off the MSRP.

I got a surprise email from Ford yesterday touting Lighting.

 

[rockn]

That idea is fine if you are only considering sales. Big dealer/distributors would only be in big cities, leaving small town Americans to have to travel long distances for sales and more importantly service. I could have driven 3-1/2 hours each way to Grainger Ford in Iowa to get 3% under invoice but I went to my small town dealer 15 minutes away and got X Plan pricing (Mustang Club).

Same. I was thinking about picking a large dealer to order the Maverick as well, but I wanted to be old fashion and start a good relationship with my local Ford dealer and take my future Maverick there for maintenance and oil changes.

 

[Granger Ford]

I actually think Ford is more pro-dealer network than other manufacturers.

I will say that if you don't get on board with Ford's programs (i.e. Electric vehicle, etc.) and drag your feet, you can and will be left behind.

I think they've been more than fair.

 

[n0maverick]

The main benefit is warranty support and customer relations. However most dealers suck at customer relations and warranty repair. The carvanna model is such a fresh breath of air. Factory direct for new and carvanna style for used is definitely disrupting the industry. Evolve or go away.

 

[Redneck Garage]

Nice "Pitch" but Im afraid that is all that is - super hype. They are moving to less options available to packages. Take for instance - this ad online Ford has -

https://www.ford.com/custom-order/

The caption -
Your Ford, Your Way
Order some of our most popular vehicles online.

Then- Custom Order Select Ford Vehicles and Receive a $1000 Bonus Cash Offer*

Pretty sure this is the commercial campaign you saw.

Sadly its the same sales model as the Maverick when you actually try and order a vehicle "online" this is what comes next -

Order your 2022 Ford Ranger
Get a head start on making the new 2022 Ford Ranger yours! Just fill out this Order form, and your Ford Dealer will contact you.

Same old crap in other words as the Maverick.

A new model for Ford- surely they addressed the ADM from Dealers - Ahhhh- NO

Is there an extra cost for ordering a vehicle?
Final sale prices are all negotiated between the customer and dealer, but Ford does not charge extra for customer orders.

They had to do a better job as far as customer communication right ? - NO

Once my vehicle is ordered, how can I track it?
Once your vehicle has been assigned a VIN, you can track your order using this website: https://shop.ford.com/vehicleordertracking#/

Well Certainly if it is a new way to order the allocation system is gone and Ford will ship in more an ordered by customer fashion - NO

How long will it take to have my vehicle delivered?
Lead times will vary by model and configuration, but Ford will make every effort to expedite your order.

Maybe someday Ford will revamp their sales structure but for now they have they same old dealer involved and dealer allocation delivery structure that just adds a layer of crap for the consumer to deal with. Hopefully J Farley can fix it one day.

 

[Mav_Not]

do you have any actual proof of any of this? reads like pure speculation (born of frustration) to me, especially the allocation part. Dealer networks are not going away and serve the critical purpose of front facing customer interface for parts, service, warranty and yes, even sales. F Tesla, Amazon business models.

I believe I said it was speculation. Your speculation is that my post was born of frustration which it is not, just observational. Tim Bartz said Long McArthur's monthly allocation was used during last week's scheduling yet there were reports from people who ordered from LM who got builds scheduled yesterday when LM should be out of allocations for the month. I understand that I can either wait for Ford to build the truck I ordered or I can move on. It is business (whether considered good or bad) and I can afford to wait or not. This process is purely transactional for me and has never risen to an emotional level.

 

[Redneck Garage]

I actually think Ford is more pro-dealer network than other manufacturers.

I will say that if you don't get on board with Ford's programs (i.e. Electric vehicle, etc.) and drag your feet, you can and will be left behind.

I think they've been more than fair.

Your first statement is 100% correct.
Second statement is consumer driven really and Ford is doing great at updating their product offerings.
Third statement - Nope, Ford is Fair to large dealers for sure but not the consumer. In all the sales hype I didn't read - make sure to find out what the dealership allocations are before ordering or you could be waiting many months longer for your vehicle order than if you order from High volume Grainger or Chapman or Long McArthur.
When putting in your fake "online order build" Ford actually picks the closest dealer who then gets an email - hey this guy ( or gal ) wants to buy. For example - My dealership tells me they have sold over 250 Mavericks. They are currently getting 3 to 4 a month delivered. Thats FAR short of what Long is getting and Im sure your dealership or Chapman - had I known this I certainly would have used my superior internet skills to email yall and possibly have my order in 2022 rather than what looks like 2023 for an August order. Ford customer orders the "Allocation model " is the opposite of Fair - it sucks.

To be clear, this is no slam on you or your dealership, its what Ford Corporate has in place and should be revamped for a consumer ordering process rather than lot stocking.

 

[UncleDuke]

Like the OP I too have a 6/10 order dat for a FE hybrid.

I went through my local dealer (3 mile drive, and over the years he and I have become friends).
During my last visit I know that between two locations they have 250 ordered and have received 4!
none of them hybrids.

I have no desire to fly to Kansas to pick up a vehicle and drive it home, of fly anywhere for that matter.

I like my salesman and the service manager and will stick with them, but FoMoCo is just plain pissing me off! The people at the dealership just shrug their shoulders and say " we have no control over what and when we get a vehicle in. Right now they have 0 new vehicles on the lot!!
H0w does Ford expect them to stay in business?

 

[olderbudwiser]

The dealer network is only necessary for repairs, cash or warranty. State laws do there utmost to force customers to buy from franchised dealers.
EX., in Michigan you buy and take delivery of a Tesla, but must be titled in another state. Afterwards title can be transferred.

No one in the auto sales business is there to be your friend it all about $$$$ before , during and after.

 

[LelandJ]

Tim Bartz said Long McArthur's monthly allocation was used during last week's scheduling yet there were reports from people who ordered from LM who got builds scheduled yesterday when LM should be out of allocations for the month.

Are you sure about that? I didn't notice any posts from members who got scheduled who went through LM this week. I did see one person who left in the default criteria for posting their scheduling info though, which could be confusing.

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