Ford Motor Company has unveiled a new companywide strategy to its dealership network of nearly 3,000 locations. Ford dealers have been alerted that they have until October 31 to decide whether they will invest their own money into one of two “certified” EV tiers to partake in Ford’s Model e business. Only those dealers who buy in will be authorized to sell EVs from January 1, 2024, onward. There’s a lot to unfold here, so let’s get right to it.
Ford is one of a select few automakers we cover on this site that really doesn’t require an introductory course to its progress of electrification. The American automaker has truly embraced EVs in recent years and currently sits as No. 2 in US sales behind Tesla.
Despite only two passenger EVs on the market and one commercial EV through its Ford Pro business, the automaker has been teeing itself up nicely to lean into the electric revolution. As Ford CEO Jim Farley put it during our conversations with him yesterday, “We are only in the first or second inning right now.”
Play ball indeed.
Ford has plenty more at-bats to please hungry consumers, and can already tally a grand slam on the scoresheet with the early success of its Ford F-150 Lightning. This week, Ford invited a very exclusive group of the media to its annual meeting with its dealership network, inviting franchisees from all over the US to come to Las Vegas and experience the automaker’s latest technologies and learn about what they can expect to see next.
As a media outlet focused specifically if religiously on electrification, we were elated to be invited, especially since Ford decided to introduce some major changes coming to its dealer network… should they choose to come along for the ride. No pressure though!
You get Ripped off at ALL dealers !!!! They should all be regulated & held accountable !!! Dirty Business !!!