Ford probably just recognizes there's a greater chance of these "formerly hybrid" customers changing their mind and going back to hybrids if things ever start looking up for the supply chain. Moving the order into production ASAP seems like just a risk mitigation strategy for Ford and in that respect, it makes sense.
Trims aside - the hybrid lack of AWD decision actually makes some sense. Why should Ford sell you one vehicle now when they see an opportunity to sell you one now and another one later? Until there's another hybrid compact truck on the market, there's no need to offer something more competitive when they can save that play for the future. If they launch it prematurely, they're closing off a segment of customers who might otherwise trade up in a couple of years. I expect the plans are in the works though. Competitors are already benchmarking the Maverick and it's not lost on them that one key area for differentiation would be hybrid AWD.
You're probably right, I'm willing to forgo the AWD for the hybrid now, but (assuming I ever get this hybrid), if they made an AWD hybrid model in the future (available across all trim levels) I would trade this one in for that.
I already stated it in the first post on this subject. Higher profit per vehicle. Fords problem is not finding enough buyers. They sold out 23 production in a week! Their shareholder always want higher profit. An AWD Hybrid would justify a significantly higher price. And they can do like the current EB Lariat which requires AWD. Want a AWD Hybrid, you also have to pay for the Lariat.
This. Until Ford runs out of people buying out their entire production run in a few days, there is little incentive for them to "sell you your next truck." While I still think the Maverick is a gateway drug to the F-150 over the long term, shareholders look at the short term. And short term, it is in Ford's best interest to make as many of these Mavericks as possible.
I think the Maverick was a hit for a few reasons BUT the big one for me is the low price. When I first heard about the Maverick I heard it was 30 K. I just ignored it as 30 K was out of my price range. Then I saw a post on face book about a 22K start price. I was like WHAT. Then I looked into it. Had I know back in 2021 it was gong to start at 22k I would have ordered when it first came out.
I'm waiting on a Hybrid XL and was also attracted to the low price. I doubt I would upgrade to a AWD Hybrid but still think it is a smart thing for Ford to do. Currently if someone wants a 4 wheel drive hybrid Ford truck, the only thing offered is a +$51,000 F150 PowerBoost.
I agree. I also think that if you can get two profits: one high margin and one with any margin you'll come out even further ahead which shareholders would appreciate.
I'm not sold on this idea. Significant cost savings have come from smart engineering decisions, a lower cost of labor assembly facility, an anecdotally lean advertising budget, an extremely rapid development cycle, and of course - inexpensive materials.
Im a first time Ford buyer on this Maverick. I preordered months before the banks opened and got the email early morning of Sept 16th. You are right bc if I went through the trouble to preorder, then get my order in early and if the only thing to keep me from getting my truck is the FACT that Ford KNOWINGLY took more hybrid orders than they could build.... then I will never go for another Ford as this would be a bad experience after waiting possibly a year or more before I find out they wont build it.Ford should have shut down the hybrid orders approx 1-2k after they got to the projected limit in hopes they could maybe get that small amount of over orders in before the end of the year. As a customer, I would have been disappointed if the order banks shut down before I got mine in but its way better than waiting all year with fingers crossed and I would have still had the ecoboost option at that moment. At the very least Ford should fill orders FIFO but that is unlikely because it makes too much sense. Bottom line is that Ford was wrong to continue to take hybid orders they knew they couldnt fill especially knowing most dealerships were taking deposits from people for a truck they will likely never own. I really wish they would at least go ahead and cancel some that they know for a fact wont get built so those of us with no chance can get our deposit back and try another company.
It isn't like they chose to constrain it......
