[FordMaverickLover]

that is so interesting. they just want to make more money

 

[The Weatherman]

I think it has more to do with demand and production availability. They are dedicating more production to retail orders than dealer stock.

I may be wrong, but that’s how I read it.

 

[gearboxphilly]

I saw an article that Ford ceo wants to move away from stocking and selling off dealer lots to a direct order model. I imagine the reservation/order process for bronco and Maverick have been testing this methodology. Once a vehicle is released and in full production, of they could get order to delivery time down to 4-6 weeks, depending on production location, they may be somewhat successful with this model. They'd most likely sell closer MSRP and be less dependent on incentives.

 

[Ed Thierbach]

I think it has more to do with demand and production availability.

That's how I see it as well. I think Ford greatly underestimated demand for the hybrid, and they probably don't want to cut into the production of the other C2-based hybrids. Can't you just see the Escape and Maverick product managers arm-wrestling over hybrid drivetrains?

 

[Chris McD]

Jalopnik posted an update to the article at the bottom:

"The demand for the standard hybrid powertrain is very strong. As we ramp up production, we are doing everything we can to make sure we allocate vehicles to customers who placed retail orders but plan to have stock inventory to view at local Ford dealerships, as well. "

 

[MattJ]

I'm actually okay with this. All other things being equal, I'd rather they fill existing orders before building stock trucks to sit in dealer lots.

 

[Fishchris]

Okay, I can understand Ford not wanting to have 20 of them sitting around on every lot, while dealers try to sell them, But at the very least, I think every dealership should have a few, of different trim levels, for potential customers to see, feel, and touch, as well as for test drives... no ?

 

[grumpyunk]

Being at the start of production for the vehicle AND the CVT powertrain(it is not exactly the same as previous), I expect they will fulfill orders for the hybrid as they are available, and likely more ecoboost equipped as it is already being produced. Once the initial 'reserved' vehicle orders are fulfilled, I expect the dealer stock levels will be increased, including hybrids.
The 'traction motor' (electric) used in the hybrid has been re-designed by Ford, to be lighter and more economical, along with more powerful. It has not been in production, (so far zero) and first units will go to those who made a reservation and order. Stock, dealer lot vehicles will be made later in the production run.
tom

 

[bpcooper14]

From what I've read, they are ramping up to the 60/40 split as mentioned above. My interpretation of the initial thinking is that 100% of the 40% that are hybrids are going to customer orders vs. the 60% production being ecoboost motors that are being split between customer orders and stock orders to sit at the dealerships. My line of thinking based on this is there is a stronger demand through orders for the hybrid which is why they aren't splitting the production between customer orders and stock orders.

 

[bulldog53207]

According to new reports, Ford dealers won't be storing Maverick hybrids on their lots. Apparently they will only be shipped when ordered by customers.

Ford is also reportedly moving toward a 60/40 split in terms of production priority, with EcoBoost models getting the edge.

Does this mean that Ford is expecting to sell more EcoBoost Mavericks? Or is it a sales plan to try and get people to but the top of the line models instead?

Ford Won't Stock Hybrid Maverick At Dealer Lots, According To A Dealer

If you want the cheaper, 40 MPG Maverick, you're going to have to special order it.

jalopnik.com

According to new reports, Ford dealers won't be storing Maverick hybrids on their lots. Apparently they will only be shipped when ordered by customers.

Ford is also reportedly moving toward a 60/40 split in terms of production priority, with EcoBoost models getting the edge.

Does this mean that Ford is expecting to sell more EcoBoost Mavericks? Or is it a sales plan to try and get people to but the top of the line models instead?

Ford Won't Stock Hybrid Maverick At Dealer Lots, According To A Dealer

If you want the cheaper, 40 MPG Maverick, you're going to have to special order it.

jalopnik.com

Ford just gave customers the middle finger. Ford isn't going to produce those bargain Mavericks in large numbers. Then they take off the towing package off the hybrid model so you have to buy the Ecoboost. Ford just gave you the other finger. Ha ha ha why does anyone buy ford's? Class action lawsuits over Ecoboost engines. I'm cancelling my order!

 

[grumpyunk]

bulldog, cancellation will just give someone else a chance to get their Mav a bit sooner.

The FWD 4k tow package likely was a handling mess when tested. At least I think it may have been a bit more difficult to tow that much with only FWD, and drivers who ended up in a ditch or worse would have taken the legal route and presented a liability to FoMoCo.
Building hybrids vs ecoboost, it seems the ecoboost was THOUGHT to be the more popular drivetrain. It may or may not be, but they have to project something.
Stocking vehicles on lots scattered throughout the country is just a convenience. It also costs in two ways: The funds needed to have stock on a lot are not free, so interest is accruing the whole time. THe vehicle that sits is deteriorating every day. The paint is being aged by sunlight, rain, etc. The fuel in the tank and system is aging, the battery is aging, and the tires are being subjected to ultra-violet rays.
So, would you rather have a fresh off the truck, only weeks old at most, or a vehicle that sat through the winter and part of the fall when you go to buy?
I am not really standing up for Ford, per se, but pointing out things that are likely influencing Fords projected tactics. All other manufacturers are also likely to trend in the same direction. Stocks of pre-built vehicles of any brand are at a low, so this situation may have given a push to the 'build to order' concept. If they can get their current orders-in-hand produced, then subsequent sales, built to order, could become a lot quicker option. I have yet to find an on-the-lot vehicle that matched what I would have selected as options, so always had a bit of hesitation at buying what someone else ordered.
tom

 

[Wallace]

This could decrease or eliminate FORD’s incentive plans because they will have >buyers for < vehicles.

Additionally, this could also create mark ups over MSRP at dealerships. The days of same day new car buying with good pricing maybe lost.

 

[Trucklic]

bulldog, cancellation will just give someone else a chance to get their Mav a bit sooner.

The FWD 4k tow package likely was a handling mess when tested. At least I think it may have been a bit more difficult to tow that much with only FWD, and drivers who ended up in a ditch or worse would have taken the legal route and presented a liability to FoMoCo.
Building hybrids vs ecoboost, it seems the ecoboost was THOUGHT to be the more popular drivetrain. It may or may not be, but they have to project something.
Stocking vehicles on lots scattered throughout the country is just a convenience. It also costs in two ways: The funds needed to have stock on a lot are not free, so interest is accruing the whole time. THe vehicle that sits is deteriorating every day. The paint is being aged by sunlight, rain, etc. The fuel in the tank and system is aging, the battery is aging, and the tires are being subjected to ultra-violet rays.
So, would you rather have a fresh off the truck, only weeks old at most, or a vehicle that sat through the winter and part of the fall when you go to buy?
I am not really standing up for Ford, per se, but pointing out things that are likely influencing Fords projected tactics. All other manufacturers are also likely to trend in the same direction. Stocks of pre-built vehicles of any brand are at a low, so this situation may have given a push to the 'build to order' concept. If they can get their current orders-in-hand produced, then subsequent sales, built to order, could become a lot quicker option. I have yet to find an on-the-lot vehicle that matched what I would have selected as options, so always had a bit of hesitation at buying what someone else ordered.
tom

I don’t think most cars sit on dealers lots for more then 10 to 20 weeks . But if Ford builds something like the Ranger and puts a little tiny 2.3 engine in it for $40,000 bucks . Yeh, I could see it sit there for ever !

 

[grumpyunk]

There is a site where you can see the 'on the lot' time at a dealership. My brother has used it to find 'stale' cars that have been advertised and remain unsold. If interested, he contacts the dealership, notes the 'staleness', and makes what he considers to be a calculated offer. Lower than normal, to say the least, and also knows what his current vehicle should be valued at.
Some are on the lot for more than 90 days. A VW at a Cadillac dealership may not be what the average Caddy used car buyer shops for... Or a "Pink Cadillac" may not be such a hot seller when the Revlon Saleslady up and quit... and did not pick up her special order.
One thing likely is less 'cash on the hood' - rebates - to incentivize sales of slow-moving product. I do not know for sure. The particular problems with the Maverick leading to 'funny' lead times are not the norm, and should not be the norm in the future(hopefully). Order one to your liking and it should be on the lot within a 30-60 day timeframe. I do think there will be 'stock' units on the lot. Once they get past the 'lump in a snake' of startup demand being so high. If you were alive in spring 1964, and wanted a Mustang, you had to wait. ADM was a BIG business at dealers across the country. Ford put a couple plants on round the clock production. And sold a LOT of Mustangs. They have seemingly put Bronco Sport and Maverick and Escape all in the same plant at the same time... Why? Dunno. I think the plant can do 25,000 cars a month(somewhere on one if these sites), and that is not 24X7 production.
There is a formula that indicates when to go to overtime and when to add another plant .. and Ford knows all this.
Given all the F-150 production sitting in race track infields, etc, awaiting 'chip' install, it must have put a scare into the assembly plant managers. They now have 3-4 months, MONTHS of deliveries to do to get those already built trucks out to the dealers. If they keep assembling and stacking them up in lots, the transport drivers will not be available as they are not allowed to drive more than xx hours a week. In short, they should be shipping them as quickly as possible to the selling dealers for completion of the last bit locally. They could get them self in a real bind with limited transport capacity.
The 2.3 in the Ranger has a bit of hp and torque. The same engine is used in other lines, such as the Edge and maybe the Explorer. There is a 'performance' kit offered by Ford, approved for warranty acceptance, that adds hp and torque. Trucklic, have you driven one? Do you know how well they tow a trailer? My brother has one, and towed from MD to CO and back, getting just under 20mpg doing the whole trip, including a side to Wyoming and up to the Continental Divide. No. Problem. He drove with the A/C on, from 65-68, and lengths at 70mph. I told him to keep it closer to 65 and he'd gain 2-3mpg, and his results seemed to agree. Today, the average transaction for a new vehicle is over $36,000. Ranger can get there readily, but you have to add everything but the kitchen sink to get a Maverick at that price.(exaggerate, yeah I know). The 2.3 has been used for some time and the only thing I have learned is that there was a coolant/head gasket problem that has been fixed, AND change the oil. The Maverick ecoboost is a 2.0 version of that engine as I understand.
tom

 

[Fishchris]

Or a "Pink Cadillac" may not be such a hot seller when the Revlon Saleslady up and quit... and did not pick up her special order.

If I could get a really great deal on a "pink" vehicle ....or maybe worse yet a "white" one ! ..... that wouldn't be anything a plasti dip job, or a wrap wouldn't fix. Honestly, I think "most" factory paint jobs need to be dipped or wrapped anyway..... unless you want to lose your white, silver, charcoal, or sand vehicle in a crowded parking lot. Actually, the pink one might not be too bad But not no stinking pastel. Hot pink or fuchsia can look pretty cool, on the right vehicle. Especially for a female. My GF doesn't like pink though.