While incentive spending is down significantly thanks mostly to a lack of inventory stemming from the semiconductor chip shortage, it isn’t unusual for new, hot-selling vehicles to be exempted from incentive programs. This includes the 2021 Ford Bronco, which wasn’t eligible for Ford’s X-Plan pricing when it launched, though the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was eligible for Ford Plan Pricing. However, like the Mach-E, Ford has asked dealers not to advertise the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning below MSRP, while the all-electric pickup is also not eligible for the automaker’s Red Carpet Lease discount and Ford’s X-Plan pricing, according to a dealer bulletin seen by Cars Direct.
This isn’t a huge surprise, as new and popular Blue Oval models are generally excluded from X-Plan pricing, which is available in two forms – Ford Partner Recognition and Friends & Neighbors pricing. For around $275, customers get a 0.4 percent discount on Ford’s invoice pricing on new vehicles, though some employers and suppliers cover that cost for their employees.
Regardless, it’s an interesting move on Ford’s part given the fact that the Mach-E was eligible for the special discount, though the Bronco was not. However, as the automaker pointed out in the bulletin, this exemption could stem from the fact that the F-150 Lightning has a far more complex invoice pricing structure than ICE-powered F-150 models. “Due to system calculation formulas, printed X-Plan Price may be higher than MSRP,” the automaker notes.
While it may not be eligible for X-Plan pricing, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is still eligible for other forms of Plan Pricing, including the A-Plan for Ford employees, D-Plan for dealer employees, and Z-Plan for Blue Oval retirees. Buyers can also take advantage of various other state-specific incentives for EVs, and the Lightning is also eligible for the current $7,500 federal tax credit, which lessees may only be able to get if they opt for the Ford Options Plan, a type of balloon financing.
We’ll have more on the 2022 F-150 Lightning soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, F-150 Lightning news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comment
The biggest advantage to Plan pricing, imho, is how it limits dealer shenanigans and markups. X-Plan was a cheap and easy way to stop dealers from playing games.