Bait and switch

[GPSMan]

Example of Bait and Switch:

"Click here to see a picture of Donald Trump in his underpants."

You click on it and get a photo of Don Jr. at 6 months old.

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[RR - All the way]

Example of Bait and Switch:

"Click here to see a picture of Donald Trump in his underpants."

You click on it and get a photo of Don Jr. at 6 months old.

An example of a bait and switch which is actually a positive one!!

 

[adamgrattan]

Or 3.9/60 months financing then "oops we can't build your truck, hope you can afford 7%!"

7 and we lost your private offer.

 

[jsus]

What am I missing here? I guess I did not read the memo that circulated a few days ago regarding engine change in order to have a better chance of getting it built. If I am correct, it appears a EB Lariat is about $2K more than a Hybrid Lariat. Is someone saying here people who ordered can switch to the EB for the same price as the Hybrid?

Lariat EB requires AWD, that’s the $2220 up charge you see.

 

[710-oil-614]

Anyone else think Ford’s ordering process borders on a bait (Hybrid) and switch (Eco)? The hybrid is a cheap and probably not a very profitable model. It drew us in. Now, we’re told they can’t deliver, and we’re given an untenable option. Ford stands to make a bundle.

Nobody is forcing you to order anything. An order is a request it isn't a guarantee of delivery.

 

[OrCoaster]

Anyone else think Ford’s ordering process borders on a bait (Hybrid) and switch (Eco)?

You are WHACKO! How many screamed give me an option to buy and ECO just so I can get one of these truck? Not that many switched over but some did as they wanted a Maverick in any style rather than go without.

Ford calls that customer appreciation.

Most of us ordering a Hybrid want it as it is and no other so we didn't jump ship.
Were we smart not to be distracted by the offer, they bait and switch, No we just didn't want that in the first place and were not budging from our want. We will sit in line like we knew we might and enjoy all those driving by until one day we get to do the same.

Not what I call a B&S.

 

[OrCoaster]

So as I stated - why is XL models constrained and XLT not ? Ford wants to make every XL order that was placed ? Nope- they are bean counting because the "global everything shortage" argument only works if the XL had MORE parts and features not LESS.

Not necessarily. XL parts are different not just less of them. I think the seats are the problem. But trim inside the XL is different than Lariat and so if they only expected to sell a given percentage of XL's and they have more of them on order than they are constrained by that amount available.

I don't think it has much to do with more or less parts as much as the specific parts.

 

[OrangeBlue]

Whisky Sours?

 

[jsus]

According to Lexus, the hybrid costs more to produce than the ICE version - in 2021 when I bought my Lexus Hybrid the ICE model which was identical on the outside was approx 3K less than my hybrid. I believe the ICE Maverick vs the Hybrid ( both 2wd) that the Hybrid has a higher cost to manufacture. Blue Oval Bean counters determined that it would first benefit Ford to sell Eco boosts at the same price as the hybrid then said - wait a minute - we need to "constrain" the hybrid especially the XL due to profit margins and let people switch to ICE . While Ford may blame it on "supply chain blah blah blah" its really more about profit margins. How in the world could someone make the argument - the XL is constrained but the XLT is not ......... its all about profit boys and girls.

1.5L EcoBoost is the lower priced option on this platform. It’s only available on Bronco Sport and Escape, not Maverick, because truck. And to make Hybrid the base option. “Under $20k base Hybrid 40 mpg compact pickup 🛻” (before destination..) was an intentional marketing strategy. Why undercut that with 1.5L EB ?

Ford for years actually charged the same amount for Hybrid and 2.0L EB MKZ (and I believe Fusion). Also something they pushed with marketing - Hybrid at no extra cost.

With 2020 Escape and 2022 Maverick, they actually brought the Hybrid price down relative to 2.0L EB. Only in 2023 Maverick did they go back to pricing them the same.

Toyota (Lexus) and Honda (Acura) only offer their C2 competitors (RAV4, CR-V respectively) with hybrids as AWD. That’s ~$1500 from Ford, on top of the $1800 Hybrid charge. You’re just looking at Maverick that doesn’t offer the lesser ICE that you might compare Toyota and Honda with

So as I stated - why is XL models constrained and XLT not ? Ford wants to make every XL order that was placed ? Nope- they are bean counting because the "global everything shortage" argument only works if the XL had MORE parts and features not LESS.

Nobody ever wants to sell to the base model of anything. Noodles & Co doesn’t want to sell you a small bowl, they want you to see the price, realize it’s under $2 to double that with a regular, and feel like you got a good deal.

XL is the stripped down base model that for 2022 was missing something many consider basic car features these days, cruise control, lane keep, electronic tailgate lock, etc. The seats are cheaper (but some on here prefer them, at least the pattern). The interior is more bland (again, some prefer that). You can’t get the luxury package features, nor FX4, Tremor, etc.

They don’t make much money selling the base model. It’s all those upgrades where any company makes their real money. Much like dealers with their pricey LoJack, paint/fabric/underbody protection, warranties, etc.

XL Hybrid exists to get you in the door. They hope you’ll then realize that you can spend “just a little more” to get an XLT. Ooh, heated seats. Hmm, maybe I could use AWD, after all it’s a truck! Before you know it, what you thought was a sub $20k truck is $30k-40k with destination charges and upgrades.

As for Hybrid, it’s still a remnant of Ford’s compliance car culture. If they sell highly efficient Hybrid Mavericks, they can sell more Expeditions, F-Series, etc. without paying hefty fines. They’re not terribly interested in spending money to increase Hybrid/plug-in Hybrid production for NA as they don’t see the long term ROI with the push toward full electric vehicles. They did invest in a modified eCVT for Maverick but no word of significant investments planned to increase production of the engines or battery packs, again shared with Escape/Corsair GT.

Meanwhile, they’ve announced increased Hybrid engine production capacity in Valencia, Spain, for the European market.

So no, they would rather not sell any XLs but it’s part of the marketing play. They’re not terribly interested in hybrids, either, except as a side project, an initial step to dip their toes in electrification, and so they can sell large, inefficient trucks and SUVs that have long been their and 🧈. Due to industry supply chain issues, they can’t build enough of those. They keep having to store trucks waiting on parts at Kentucky Motor Speedway, amongst other places, until the parts come in. If they can’t keep up with demand on the most profitable models, then what’s the rush with what’s ultimately a parts bin special intended for emissions compliance and to utilize excess capacity at Hermosillo?

 

[IwannaMav]

No not bait and switch just a simple case of over promise and under deliver.

 

[gte105u]

The entire premise I'd this thread is stupid. Not sure OP knows what a Bait and Switch is.

 

[Lonnie gee]

I could not remember the details but wasn't the ECO originally an upcharge of maybe $1,000ish? Now they offer it at the same price.

425.. upcharge

 

[jsus]

425.. upcharge

At launch, it was $1,085 for EcoBoost and the same $2,220 for AWD that it is today for 2023. Interestingly, AWD doesn't seem to have increased in price yet.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2022-ford-maverick-price/

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