Aside from investing heavily in all-electric vehicles and the batteries that power them, Ford has long been working to make the process of purchasing an EV easier, too. Much like Rivian and Tesla are already doing, Ford CEO Jim Farley has long pined for a fixed price, online only sales model for the company’s all-electric vehicles, though we aren’t quite at that point yet – rather, the automaker will instead allow Model e Certified dealerships to sell EVs as well. Regardless, Farley remains adamant that those purchasing a new Ford EV in the future – as soon as next year, in fact – will find that process to be much easier.
“These great EVs will be paired with modern shopping and buying experiences that are transparent, will have non-negotiated pricing, and a streamlined checkout and delivery that will come to life early in 2024. And this is also a significant cost reduction,” Farley said while speaking during the automaker’s Q3 earnings call with investors recently.
Thus far, most Ford and Lincoln dealers in the U.S. and Canada have signed up not only for the Model e Certified program, but the majority of those entities also opted for higher-tier Elite status. Model e Certified Elite dealers won’t have restrictions on how many EVs they can sell in a year, though it also requires a larger up-front investment. Ford also recently made changes to the program, most notably giving dealers more time to install public fast chargers, too.
In any event, Ford has made improving both the purchase and post-purchase experience a priority lately, hiring former Apple veteran Peter Stern to serve as the president of the newly formed Ford Integrated Services division, and rolling out pickup, delivery, and mobile services across the entire U.S. early this year.
We’ll have more on Ford’s new EV purchase process soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
I wouldn’t have one if they were free. None of them.
By 2035 you will have to buy one, or else keep the gas model until it drops dead or you do.
Ah, the sweet smell of progressive totalitarianism. However, you are wrong. We are finally realizing the real answer is an “all of the above” solutions with ICE, hybrids, and EVs.
Where is your Escape EV, Corsair EV, Edge EV, Nautilus EV, Explorer EV (not VW MEB), Aviator EV, Expedition EV, Navigator EV, Maverick EV, Ranger EV
Kudos to the fixed price/internet buying model! Now lower the price of the vehicles or offer 72 month 0% financing to compete with Tesla if you want to get market share.