Summary
– Ford opening its dealers network to sell EVs
– Changes are being finalized amidst feedback from dealers
– Financial requirements for dealers to sell EVs expected to be reduced
– Changes to program to allow more dealers to participate in EV revolution
– Ford slashing prices on popular EV models to boost sales
Article
Ford is preparing to make changes to its electric vehicle certification program, which will potentially allow all Ford dealers to sell EVs. This comes after the company asked dealers to pause EV investments and is a response to feedback from dealers. Previously, dealers were required to invest a certain amount of money to sell Ford EVs, but Ford is now expected to relax these financial requirements to increase dealer participation in the EV market.
Despite some dealers opting out of the program in December, Ford is looking to open up the program to all dealers as more dealers are expressing interest in selling EVs. Ford’s vice president of EV programs, Lisa Drake, stated that the company no longer believes that having select dealers sell EVs is the right approach. This change is expected to be discussed at an upcoming meeting with the dealer council in early June, and many believe that the financial requirements to sell EVs will be drastically reduced to promote participation.
Ford has already made efforts to boost sales of its popular Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning vehicles by slashing prices and introducing new offers. The prices of the Mustang Mach-E were cut by up to $8,100 earlier this year, and a new 0% APR offer on 2024 models was introduced to attract customers. Discounts on the 2023 F-150 Lightning were also announced, with up to $15,000 off the MSRP and lease prices reduced by over $400 a month. These incentives make it a good time for customers to consider purchasing a Ford EV.
In response to the feedback from dealers and changes in the market, Ford is finalizing adjustments to its EV certification program. Dealers were previously required to invest a minimum amount to sell Ford EVs, but Ford is expected to relax these financial requirements to allow more dealers to participate in the EV revolution. This change comes after a series of meetings between dealers and executives, and the final decision will be made after discussions with the dealer council in early June.
With more dealers expressing interest in selling EVs, Ford is poised to open up its dealer network to all dealers and not require as many certifications or financial investments for dealers to participate in the EV market. Ford has been making efforts to boost sales of its EVs by introducing discounts and offers on popular models like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. The changes to the EV certification program are expected to be finalized in early June, and Ford aims to make training more accessible to all dealers to equip them to sell EVs effectively. Customers in the market for an EV can take advantage of the current incentives offered by Ford to find deals on electric vehicles at a dealer near them.
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