With the expected adjustments to Ford’s EV certification program, all Ford dealers will most likely sell EVs. Ford is reportedly preparing to open the program following feedback from its dealers.
After asking dealers to suspend their investments in electric cars this week, Ford is finalizing adjustments to the program. Ford already eased its needs last year due to “market adjustments. “
Ford spokesman Marty Gunsberg said several dealers pulled out of the program last December. Gunsberg said: “Sign-ups for 2024 represent more than 50% of the network. That’s down from about two-thirds shown through CEO Jim Farley a year earlier. “
According to Automotive News, after a series of meetings between dealers and executives, Ford will now allow all dealerships to sell electric vehicles.
Ford is expected to update the monetary needs needed to qualify. Previously, grantees had to invest at least $500,000 in the program. For $1. 2 million, dealers could be eligible for the “Elite” tier, which included additional chargers, demo units, and Ford. com presence.
If dealers didn’t want to invest, they wouldn’t sell Ford electric cars. Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president of electric vehicle programs, said the company no longer believes asking some dealers to sell electric cars is the right solution.
“What we’re seeing is that more and more distributors need to be concerned and we don’t need to be exclusive to a few,” Drake said. “So we’re making a substitution by opening that up and not requiring as many certifications or investments for a dealership to participate in the EV revolution. “
Meanwhile, the changes may not be finalized until early June, when Ford meets with its board of agents.
It’s unclear to what extent Ford will reduce the monetary needs to sell electric vehicles, but many will find it particularly easy to announce their involvement.
Drake said Ford will be “more ubiquitous with our education and that virtually all of our brokers will be available to sell” in the future. Ford will have to find a solution for those who have already invested at the next broker council meeting.
Ford has slashed costs on its popular Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning in recent months to spice up sales.
After slashing Mach-E costs as low as $8,100 earlier this year, Ford this week introduced a new 0% APR offer on 2024 models.
Ford also offered new discounts on the 2023 F-150 Lightning this week, offering up to $15,000 off MSRP. The F-150 Lightning’s lease has been reduced by more than $400 per month.
If you’re looking for a new electric vehicle on the market, now is the time to start shopping. You can use our links below to locate deals on Ford electric cars at a dealership near you.
Peter Johnson covers the automotive industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is a seasoned investor, money writer, and electric vehicle enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, basically Tesla, is one of the main reasons he pursued a career in investing. . If he doesn’t tell you about his latest discoveries in the 10K, you can spot him enjoying the outdoors or exercising.