As Ford pursues the development of its Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle venture, the company recognizes its dealership network as a vital asset in this effort. Ford announced Thursday that it is allowing all its dealerships to sell electric vehicles, effectively making 90% of the US population live within 25 miles of a Ford dealership that offers EVs.
Ford introduced its Model e electric vehicle dealer training program in 2022. The corporation requested its sales teams to participate in its “groundbreaking” shift towards electric.
This innovative system aimed to simplify and accelerate the process of delivering desirable electric vehicle (EV) models to dealerships eager to stock them in their showrooms. Sellers have the option to choose from two distinct tiers: Licensed and Licensed Elite.
By December 2022, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley announced a significant milestone: the addition of 1,920 new sellers to the fold. Notwithstanding the passage of time, Ford spokesperson Marty Gunsberg revealed that enrollments had dropped to more than half, a significant decline from around two-thirds.
As the market has evolved significantly over the past few years, Ford has adapted by streamlining its operations and simplifying requirements to better respond to shifting demand. Ford is expanding its community to allow all sellers to showcase electric vehicles (EVs), following consultations with market participants and incorporating their feedback.
Ford is now allowing all dealerships to market and sell electric vehicles (EVs).
Ford’s Chief Operating Officer for Model E, Marin Gjaja, revealed at a media briefing on Thursday that the company is officially discontinuing its Model E program.
Ford dealerships will now have the capability to sell, service, and repair electric vehicles. As Ford expands its electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, nearly 95% of customers will have access to a nearby location where they can purchase or receive maintenance for their EV, with the majority being within a 25-mile radius of a Ford dealership offering these services.
Ford attributes the transfer to a growing gap between where electric vehicles currently stand in terms of range, charging, and efficiency, and consumer expectations. To bridge this gap, Ford is committed to making the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) an effortless and stress-free experience.
The Mannequin e-seller program is slated for potential retirement by the end of this month, with updates commencing rollout on July 1, 2024.
While Ford has already committed to this system for some sellers, the company remains in ongoing talks with others. Despite this, investors who commit to selling early will still enjoy a competitive edge. With enhanced charging infrastructure, sellers are poised to attract more site visitors, ultimately leading to increased gross sales, elevated customer service, and a significant boost in revenue from charging services.
Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) gross sales skyrocketed by 65% in May. Within the US market, Ford’s F-150 Lightning retained its position as the best-selling electric pickup truck, with a total of 4,255 units sold.
The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning is available in three trim levels: Pro, XLT, and Lariat. The Pro starts at $39,974 with a standard battery, while the XLT begins at $48,874 with an extended-range battery. The top-of-the-line Lariat costs $52,474 with the same extended-range battery configuration.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E was the second-best-selling electric SUV, trailing only Tesla’s Model Y in sales. Meanwhile, E-Transit’s gross sales soared an impressive 77% year-over-year, with a staggering 1,450 units sold.
Within the United States, Ford ranks as the second most popular electric vehicle model, with a total of more than 37,200 units sold through May, excluding combined figures for Hyundai and Kia models. The company has nearly doubled its existing fleet of 19,809 electric vehicles offered last year.
In a significant milestone, Ford’s inaugural all-electric Explorer left the production lines at its newly established Cologne Electric Vehicle (EV) plant in Germany last week, marking a major step forward in the company’s electrification strategy. Ford is set to unveil a second electric vehicle, a high-performance crossover built upon Volkswagen’s modular electrification platform, or MEB, which also underpins VW’s ID series, with production expected to commence by year-end.
