The Ford Model e Certified EV sales program got off to a bit of a rocky start, with Ford dealers expressing concerns over the cost of the program, as well as some of its stipulations. Some went so far as to file lawsuits over the move, though after a few changes were made to the program’s requirements, most Ford dealers ultimately not only opted in, but the majority chose to go with the higher-tier Model e Certified Elite, while those that opted out will get a second chance to sign up in a few years. However, as those dealers work to install public chargers – which has proven to be a more difficult task than some expected – a small group have also decided to drop out altogether, according to Automotive News.
A grand total of 29 Ford dealers have decided to exit the Model e Certified program, a reduction of 1.5 percent, meaning that 1,891 retailers are now enrolled versus the 1,920 that initially signed up. Meanwhile, 24 dealers opted to switch to the lower-tier Model e Certified program, meaning that 1,606 are now enrolled in the Elite tier, with the remaining 285 falling in the other category.
Meanwhile, 46 North Carolina-based Ford dealers have filed a petition challenging the Model e Certified programs with that state’s commissioner of the division of motor vehicles. “The dealers waited to see what changes Ford would make to the Model e program at NADA, and unfortunately, those changes were insufficient to address these dealers’ concerns,” Shawn Mercer, an attorney at Bass Sox Mercer, which represents the dealers, told Automotive News. “It was not enough to address unlawful aspects of the program or to remove the valid concerns about excessive intrusion by Ford into dealer day-to-day operations.”
“It is important that dealers have the option to do what they believe is best for their business and their customers for the 2024-2026 period,” a Ford spokesperson said in a statement. “As we continue to scale our EV volumes, our second enrollment period will open up for 2027-2029.”
We’ll have more on the Model e Certified program soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comments
I sure wish GM and FORD would put more effort into the vehicles they make and stop trying to force dealers to install mostly useless charging facilities that only have a point if they are used for profit center operations, such as rental car electric fuel ‘fill ups’ which the rental customer is billed for – same as gasoline usage in an ice rental car.
But just to have a lot of inaccessible chargers around (due to real estate at dealerships is typically dear) is silly.
Any accountant who knows how to sharpen a pencil would agree.
The chargers have to be publicly accessible and dealers can set prices for charging. Are you under the impression that the Model e charging stations are supposed to be free?
Where is the Maverick I offered to pay cash for in 2021????
Sorry to hear you haven’t received yours yet, which model did you order. I was shocked when my dealership called me and said it would be here within two weeks. I ordered a XLT Lariat luxury pkg Hybrid. It did have two constraint items that were on the order but not installed. (spray in bedliner/adaptive cruise control) What else shocked me was that they hid a $3995.00 ADM to the price. I guess thats the price you have to pay if you get lucky enough to win the Maverick lottery.
Our local dealer did not sign up due to low overall demand for EVs. There were news articles just last week stating that Americans aren’t interested in EVs. Why waste money on something customers don’t want.
That’s not what the news articles said, John, and you would know that if you had read them.
I still do not understand why Ford even offered 2 levels of dealership participation. The take up statistics don’t reveal any real benefit to anyone.
From a marketplace and consumer point of view, it is needlessly complicated and sure to result disappointed customers who will find the levels of dealership service possibly worse than they already are.
As the BEV transition moves along, the cheerleaders are leading the public down a rabbit whole that is not particularly honest, transparent or beneficial… but here we are!
The NEW POP-UPS are really intrusive and disliked!
I’d like to tell you what you can do with those electric cars!!!