Transparency?

[Newtotrucksvt]

I'm wondering how, or if it's even possible, to get Ford to listen and/or respond to so many questions that are out there.

I'm new to Ford, new to truck ownership, and new to ordering rather than buying off the lot. I feel like that's exactly the demographic Ford claims to be targeting, but the experience is truly leaving a bad taste in my mouth. If there were another option for an open bed vehicle with great gas mileage, I'd be dumping my order and going there, but alas, Ford has me over the proverbial barrel. I am so excited for the Maverick, and one customized just as I want it; I WANT to be converted, but I need help from Ford.

I've ordered a Lariat lux hybrid and in my area of Vermont most people are going with the 2.0 engine so my build will be unique and dealers are not stocking hybrids as a practice. Mine is an especially low priority build, I accept that.


The questions I have are:

1. How many actual orders are out there? Not reservations. What are the breakdowns, ie 80,000 orders, 30,000 of which are hybrid, 20,000 of those hybrids are XL/XLT/Lariat trim, etc? With orders closing, it seems that a pretty simple table could cover it.

2. If the trend and desire is to draw committed buyers, why are those builds not prioritized over dealer stock? I've read a handful of posts where people are abandoning their order to take a stock vehicle which is similar to the one they ordered; is that part of the ploy, come in and get a more expensive vehicle because you've waited so long? But then their personalized truck is still taking up a spot in the order cue... Feels disingenuous on Ford's part. I can't fault the consumer who is tired of waiting well beyond the expected delivery date.

3. Why isn't Ford communicating with those of us with actual orders? WE are your customers. I know many of us are already hooked and booked, but I'm a loyal consumer and I've always been a Toyota guy, I'm looking to convert because of this amazing product, please don't slap me in the face because I swear, if an open bed Rav 4 comes out, Ford will be dead to me.

I do apologize for the mini book, but I don't think I'm alone with these questions...

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[Old Ranchero]

here we go again...

 

[Thrillhouse]

1. What does it matter to you how many orders Ford has? What exactly does that do for you and why exactly are you entitled to that information?

2. Most dealer stock are customer orders that the customer did not end up buying. I'm doubting there is a whole lot of dealer stock orders out there.

3. What exactly do you want Ford to tell you? The hybrids aren't being released until December 8th due to EPA certifications. There's not much more to say. BTW, Toyota cut production by 40% in October. In case you haven't noticed, there is a supply chain shortage and all manufacturers are being impacted

 

[fourwheelsandadream]

Amazon prime shipping ruined the world. Nobody has patience anymore wow

 

[Newtotrucksvt]

Don't feel like you're obligated to read or respond. Sorry to have wasted your time.

here we go again...

 

[06Warrior]

You can always cancel your order and get a Santa Cruze which is similar to the Maverick in many ways.

 

[TSAINTS1115]

The era of modern social media. Everything is always a conspiracy.

 

[Newtotrucksvt]

I like to be an informed consumer, that's all. Right now I don't feel very informed, at least not from the source. There are many posts speculating and asking the same questions, but spread around various threads, so I thought I'd put them in one place because I have the same questions.

Not sure the hostility is necessary, but thanks for taking the time to respond anyway.

1. What does it matter to you how many orders Ford has? What exactly does that do for you and why exactly are you entitled to that information?

2. Most dealer stock are customer orders that the customer did not end up buying. I'm doubting there is a whole lot of dealer stock orders out there.

3. What exactly do you want Ford to tell you? The hybrids aren't being released until December 8th due to EPA certifications. There's not much more to say. BTW, Toyota cut production by 40% in October. In case you haven't noticed, there is a supply chain shortage and all manufacturers are being impacted

 

[James D]

Don't feel like you're obligated to read or respond. Sorry to have wasted your time.

Sorry Luke! A lot of people love to criticize on this forum if you ask questions. You have a right to ask and a company (especially a public company) should be transparent with its customers. If you buy a new phone, the salesperson needs to answer your questions or find out the answers from the manufacturer. Wanting to be properly informed about a vehicle purchase is no different.
I have been asking Ford or its authorized dealers like LM why the ecoboost got shipped not long after EPA was issued while the hybrid EPA was released but it is still on hold and won't be delivered for another 1 1/2+ months in Jan. Saying they have to go through the EPA process with all 50 states makes no sense. Yes Ford should be transparent, is it chips, an engine problem? They should just tell us we should not have to guess or speculate.

 

[Newtotrucksvt]

You can always cancel your order and get a Santa Cruze which is similar to the Maverick in many ways.

I actually considered that, but the mpg is nowhere comparable! Still... You make a good point. Thanks.

 

[clavicus]

I wonder if you’re expectations should be tempered by comparisons to other makers. Do other companies publish the realtime orders and build information from the factory, or like Ford do they just publish sales reports every month?

 

[Thrillhouse]

It's my understanding that Hyundai doesn't actually take orders for the Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz was originally supposed to be released in 2020.

 

[Wanted33]

Luke, welcome to the wizarding world of the Ford Motor Company. You should see/hear what's going on with the Bronco. It will make the Maverick look like a walk in the park.

1 -There's really no way to know how many Maverick orders Ford has. Even if we did it wouldn't give any insight into when a certain unit will be built, and delivered. The dealer allocation system plays a big part in build/delivery dates. And along with that you have option constraints as orders for options may be greater that the supply of that option.

2 - Herein lies one of the problems with the Bronco. Ford promised us that all Bronco reservations would be built before any dealer stock. That didn't last long after the mega dealers cried that they wouldn't get enough Broncos to sell with a stupid high ADM (Adjusted Dealer Mark-up). So now the Bronco I reserved that should have been delivered in late summer/early fall of '22 will, if I'm lucky, be a '24 delivery.

3 - Forget about it. Ford will dribble/drabble out useless information that won't help us one bit as to when we may get our vehicles. That's been their M.O. with the Bronco, and I don't see them doing any different with any of the new vehicle releases they have planned.

As I said in another post I used to defend Ford a little, because of the supply problem plauging every business today. But, after they screwed me on my Bronco reservation my outlook is screw 'em. It seems now, even though they say different, the customer if not their priority.

 

[sseiler]

So, the back story is that many of us who have been on the forum since June or July have expressed the same questions, with no answers. Then, more people asked the same questions, with no answers. Now, we’re just a tad cynical and the question feel tired and redundant. It’s definitely nothing personal at all - and you’re certainly entitled to ask them. This board has been a place for us to express our frustrations. It just happened that some times we direct them to others.

The comments expressed to you were similar to conclusions we all reached.. Basically, we either suck it up and wait or we don’t. I still have those same questions, but we won’t get any answers from Ford.

i think we’re all just a bit tired. If there was even one comparable hybrid on the market that could actually produce what they promised somewhere close to when they promised, I’d definitely jump ship. (I know, I know, it’s still fall, but Ford’s email suggests it’ll be quite some time before we will get them.) Anyway, I hold no loyalty to Ford. They just happen to be the company that at least promises they can make the truck I’ve been hoping for.

Also, the Santa Cruz sucks. It’s ugly as and the mpg is abysmal.

Basically, I’m in for the long haul - unless someone else suddenly announces a small hybrid truck they can actually produce or my current car goes to before my Mav is built. … but dang I wish they’d start delivering the hybrids.

 

[Redneck Garage]

Amazon prime shipping ruined the world. Nobody has patience anymore wow

Even folks using Amazon Prime get upset when they order and they are told overnight delivery and a month later they still havent received their order. Ford certainly hasnt been transparent on the hybrid communications and most if not all folks ordering from their dealer weren't told - oh yeah it might be 10 months to a year before you see your truck. Add to that people that have ordered two trucks from two different dealers seeing which one arrives first - knowing they will only buy one leaving one for dealer stock with folks still waiting for their ordered truck that is sad on Fords part allowing that. I feel that Ford certainly could do a MUCH better job on the production communications. I ordered beginning of Aug and havent heard anything else other than the dealer calling me and revising their original "couple months" for delivery to "maybe Feb or March" and personally I feel that is optimistic.

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