Big Changes Potentially On The Way For Ford Dealers In 2025 (per Ford Authority)

[dbtgt]

https://fordauthority.com/2024/10/big-changes-potentially-on-the-way-for-ford-dealers-in-2025/

If Ford Motor Company thinks it can convert it's sales model to an "online, digital experience" it first is going to have to fix it's pathetic 9 to 11 month custom order process.
Worst customer service by far with no meaningful communication. No one in their right mind wants to be put through that experience.

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[fordtruckman2003]

I saw how well that worked out for someone with the paint defect thread.

 

[runner61627]

Just what Ford needs…..further detachment from their customers…

 

[v8440]

My new 1975 Granada finally arrived at the dealer!

 

[Forumlurker24]

Just what Ford needs…..further detachment from their customers…

I'm not sure how bypassing dealers detaches ford from customers, dealers are not ford

 

[Buyer2021]

It's a risky balance that needs very careful transitioning and compensation provisions to protect dealers, IMO. I assume that dealers would have some role in local delivery of direct online sales, and be compensated for that, but likely not generating nearly the net revenue they get from inventory sales.

I didn't buy my truck from the local dealer (went to Granger after trying hard to give my local dealers a chance to come even close to the pricing, to no avail). But I need that local dealer's service department to survive in the long run for my extended warranty work.

Direct sales will certainly cut into dealer revenue to some extent, if local dealers can't make the retail sales revenue needed to stay in business / cover their overhead, IMO we all lose, big time.

 

[Probity]

I don't know what to think of the Ford Authority article, nor of Ford for that matter. I opened it, read what Jennifer Kolstad said (my WTF moment for the day, basically incomprehensible to me), had to websearch Jennifer Kolstad (global design and brand director at Ford Motor Company), read a few more articles, I stopped after the Detroit New article on future car-less dealer showrooms that said things like:

Kolstad described a more community-oriented coffee house feel in an age when a physical car may not be necessary to making a sale.

It's also about how to leverage the passion behind Ford's brand and products, she said, such as thinking about ways to connect Bronco enthusiasts with each other, for example.

It just made me very aware of how completely out of touch I am with what others evidently think new vehicle buying should be these days. I don't give a rat's behind if it feels like a coffee house or not, I want my concerns and questions addressed.

A Granger build-to-order dealer model makes sense to me (once Ford can narrow the estimated arrival time at dealers to weeks instead of months/years), what is being envisioned in articles I read would make me avoid like the plague 'showrooms' like those described.

 

[Fox146]

If I’m spending any amount of $$ on a vehicle I want to sit in it, drive it, and look at in person. I don’t want some pictures on a computer in a coffee house . Once I’ve experienced it I may order it but only if it shows up in 4 weeks or less

 

[Womps]

My new 1975 Granada finally arrived at the dealer!

How‘s the paint job??

 

[JJSnell]

My new 1975 Granada finally arrived at the dealer!

The coveted Ford 9" rear end is well worth the wait in that car....
That was a very hidden gem to many '65-'68 Mustang enthusiasts back in the day.

 

[JJSnell]

 

[Kodiak]

My new 1975 Granada finally arrived at the dealer!

I think the Corinthian Leather was the hold up.

 

[Antimatter22]

During my process of ordering a truck, I received little to no communication from Ford about it's status and even less communication from my salesman at the dealership who basically told me not to bother him about updates during the process, in a more polite way. I learned about my deletes from here.

My salesman new little about the truck options compared to me and my little research I did while shopping. If it's his job to know about them then he basically just sits around waiting for people instead of learning about the vehicles he sells. All he did was click a few buttons I could have done myself. I didn't feel bad for not buying that truck from him.

I would prefer to order online like what Tesla does and receive a truck 4 week later.

 

[v8440]

Alas, though it might have the 9", it lacks the sought after rear disk brake setup.

 

[cjm83]

Ive been so adamant about waiting for Ford to offer 0% on 2025s before placing an order.. I already know what I want and how I want it built... But I cant help but wonder if the best play is to get the order in now before the end of the year... lock in the 3.9% Ford is currently offering... and then if it ends up taking the 10-11 months that I keep hearing about, there is a pretty good chance that Ford will have some stronger incentives available in the late summer to fall of next year that I could switch to at the time of purchase and delivery.... Just food for thought.

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