A major benefit of being a current or former Blue Oval employee, or related to one, is access to exclusive Ford discount offers. Currently, the automaker offers four savings plans for employees past and present, each identifiable by a letter: A, Z, D, and X. Below, Ford Authority outlines what you need to know about each plan, and who’s eligible for what.
Before delving in, there is some terminology that’s critical for understanding the Ford discount offers. MSRP, or Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, is the price displayed on a given vehicle’s window sticker. Invoice represents what a dealer paid for a vehicle, while destination freight charges (DFC) cover transportation of a vehicle to the dealer’s lot. The ad fee is built into the dealer’s price, which covers marketing costs, and holdback is the amount that an automaker pays its dealers, which can affect the dealer’s actual cost. A PIN is assigned to eligible parties, which can then be used to access the discount plans.
The Ford A discount plan is available for current Ford employees, and can also be extended to immediate family. It’s calculated by taking the vehicle’s invoice cost and subtracting the holdback and advertising fees from that total, then adding a $275 program fee. The Ford Z plan is similar, but is specifically available for Blue Oval retirees. Both A and Z plan participants can access four PINs throughout a single calendar year for purchase or lease of a new Ford vehicle.
The Ford D plan is extended to sales staff and other dealership employees who do not work for Ford Motor Company directly. This discount is available for employees and their immediate families. Participants can generate two PINs per calendar year. It’s calculated the same way as the A/Z plans, plus $100.
Finally, the Ford X plan, also known as the Partner Recognition Program, is offered for employees, retirees, spouses, and other household members of select Tier 1 suppliers, business partners, fleet partners, and special organizations that have a unique relationship with FoMoCo. Participation is by invitation only, which is given at the sole discretion of Ford and Lincoln, and qualifying parties can generate two PINs per year. It’s calculated by subtracting 0.4 percent of the vehicle’s invoice cost, then adding a $275 program fee.
This year, The Blue Oval added several eligible vehicles to its X Plan, including the 2024 F-150 Lightning, the 2024 Ford Bronco, and the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E. As previously reported by Ford Authority, the X Plan Ford discount will no longer be extended to shareholders.
Comments
Archaic and outdated practice.
Have used D plan when I worked at a dealership and the pricing really reduced the payments for leasing. During Covid, not working in the Automotive Industry I used X-plan to get rid of the additional dealer markups during the shortage of vehicles. Nice part it capped the doc fee at $100.00 when many dealers were charging almost $1000.00. Great way to save money.
Agreed. Having used the X-Plan a few times, the best part for me is the elimination of pricing games at the dealer. The price is a number on a form – no rounds of offer and counteroffer, no “Let me talk with my manager…”