Ordering-has Ford lost it?

[roadPilot]

My recent car was NOT a ford and my truck decision is still out. I hate to say it but Chevy is looking like an option.

This isn't the airport. No need to announce your departure.

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[Smokewagun]

I’ve been a Ford loyalist for about 50 years. That’s quickly being snuffed out.
Ordering my 2024 Lightning was as easy as it gets. Few options. Already built, sitting at a distribution center in Chicago with many others, waiting for a dealer to order it shipped to their dealer. Five days.
Seeing the push to the premium packages at $80k+, and STX’s starting in the low to mid $60’s, I’ll drive this simpleton as long as I can. Then, I hope Fords had their wake-up call. Maybe a swift knock off the best selling platform will do it. I think Mr. Drive by China is pushing Ford into ruins.

 

[Buyer2021]

Not F150 specific, but perhaps of interest ,,,,

US vehicle sales rose 2.7% in 2024 and bigger price discounts expected this year | AP News

"It [2024] was the best year for sales since 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic hit. But prices were still 27% above what they were in 2019."​

"General Motors finished the year with the U.S. sales crown, posting a 4.3% increase for the year, its best performance since 2019. Toyota reported a 3.7% sales jump, while Ford sales rose 4.2%."​

I agree that changes in Ford's F150 trim-content, option availability / bundling, and MSRP since ~2021 really suck for many of us. But if you believe the data in that article the overall trend seems favorable for both Ford and their consumers.

Still and all, would I want to be ordering an F150 today? No way!

I'm damned glad I ordered my now-unicorn 2022 Lariat SuperCab in December of 2021, and it was delivered exactly to the spec I ordered (no factory removals / deletions). Maybe a fluke of luck, maybe good karma, but I love my truck, the equipment it has, the Granger price deal, and the easy ordering process. But that's all in the past except for my continuing daily driving enjoyment. It's a long-term keeper for sure.

 

[HammaMan]

This isn't the airport. No need to announce your departure.

Dubai is a 'silent' airport, they just let nature take its course, so this could be the airport.

Ford has done many cost cutting measures and a lot of their modules are cheaper today to purchase than just 3 years ago. Their labor makes up a small percentage of the cost as well. They're raising prices to pay for all of the recalls. Feature deletes plus higher costs while not delivering a better product. Vote with your wallet and they'll be forced to pivot. The V8 mustang has lost its primary competitors in the market while at the same its sales have fallen over 40%.

 

[CaptainAmericaRob]

Do you understand how cumulative/compounding inflation works? From 2021 until today, it's at 16.43%.

I have no idea what you paid for your '21 PB, but $65,000 in 2021 dollars is $75,680.08 in today's dollars. That's literally $10,680.08.

Why is that Ford's fault?

I understand the inflation aspect. the base F150 only went up 2k. They've repackaged things to get buyers into a more expensive package/pricepoint... THAT'S the issue i have. I know, i've worked at Ford 34 years!
either way.. the new truck has been built for weeks, and isnt being relieased to the dealer for some reason.
Hence... another reason to just keep the one i have. i didnt want a number of features i was being forced to get.

 

[Asphaltman]

I understand the inflation aspect. the base F150 only went up 2k. They've repackaged things to get buyers into a more expensive package/pricepoint... THAT'S the issue i have. I know, i've worked at Ford 34 years!
either way.. the new truck has been built for weeks, and isnt being relieased to the dealer for some reason.
Hence... another reason to just keep the one i have. i didnt want a number of features i was being forced to get.

Thats exactly my issue. Forced to a higher package. Whats funny, I still spent a bunch to spec out the Lariats I used to order. Now they are devaluing the Lariat package so much. Used to be a good trim.

 

[Fox146]

Thats exactly my issue. Forced to a higher package. Whats funny, I still spent a bunch to spec out the Lariats I used to order. Now they are devaluing the Lariat package so much. Used to be a good trim.

They might as well go back to the XLT Lariat like it used to be ? as an add on fancy package

 

[Asphaltman]

They might as well go back to the XLT Lariat like it used to be ? as an add on fancy package

I remember my first new truck was in 1997. XLT was what just about everyone ordered. Then in the 2000's Lariat seemed to be the new popular thing, and now its Plat / Limited. Reminds me of the airline business....take away business class, but then devalue first class enough that its worse than the old business class...lol

 

[roadPilot]

America is a beautiful place where you're not forced to buy a product you don't want. If you don't like what Ford is offering or how you have to order it, then hit the road and buy a Toyota, Ram, Chevy, or whatever.

 

[Graygoose2021]

If you do look at Chevy, get the "tow package". Not the one for heavy hauling, the one that gets your broken truck back to a local dealer.

 

[Whoosh]

I’ve been a diehard Ford loyalist for nearly 3 decades. For half of that time purchasing new trucks about every other year. This is the first time that ordering something has not been enjoyable, finding it impossible to get what you want is extremely frustrating. I understand them wanting to simplify ordering and I can appreciate that. A couple of my new trucks were raptors, and those were super simple to order because there just wasn’t a lot of extra options, everything was included in the packages, but this time around with the standard F150 lariat it’s completely different. Options I want aren’t available such as the blackout package in the 157 inch wheelbase. Then in addition, the amount of cuts is super frustrating, example would be the lower LED running lights on the lariat. For giggles I went over to Chevrolet’s website to build price a truck and was amazed that you could spec out a completely loaded truck with a mini diesel, and be significantly cheaper than an F150 platinum. Not wanting to start a Chevy Ford war but has Ford lost their minds with this ordering debacle? I think it’s fine to simplify ordering and include things and packages, but it almost seems like Ford is trying to steer people obviously to the higher price point trucks, what also gets me maybe even more so is the amount of cut items from a lariat trim. Am I the only one that feels this way? I wish there were a way to get some feedback to FMCO.

It certainly feels like their attitude is “take it or leave it”

 

[Whoosh]

America is a beautiful place where you're not forced to buy a product you don't want. If you don't like what Ford is offering or how you have to order it, then hit the road and buy a Toyota, Ram, Chevy, or whatever.

As much as I agree with you, I can get get four of me (6’5”, 300lb) in my super crew in relative comfort, the others don’t offer that, I look every time I order a new vehicle

 

[roadPilot]

As much as I agree with you, I can get get four of me (6’5”, 300lb) in my super crew in relative comfort, the others don’t offer that, I look every time I order a new vehicle

There are plenty of Ford and non-Ford options. That's all I'm saying.

 

[roadPilot]

It certainly feels like their attitude is “take it or leave it”

Well, they sure ain't Burger King, either.

 

[roadPilot]

If you do look at Chevy, get the "tow package". Not the one for heavy hauling, the one that gets your broken truck back to a local dealer.

And the heated tailgate - so your hands are warm when you have to push it in the winter months.

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