"However, the automaker will still utilize the dealer network to its advantage."
How? Seems to me they'll be upset.
https://fordauthority.com/2022/06/ford-ceo-jim-farley-wants-100-percent-digital-sales-fixed-prices/amp/
6 replies (most recent on top)
Yeah, wait until the PSMAC(sp?) gets their ducks in a row. For those who have never heard of it, its the dealer council that airs their grievances about how FCSD policies negatively impact their business. They have ENOURMOUS influence on company policies and Ford jumps when they complain. Case in point 1.... dealers used to get audited on their use of A-plan PINS. Many of them were not in compliance and they had a racket of selling PINS. They were cited and told to repay (in some cases > than a million dollars) the money and then pay penalties. The PSMAC made such a stink about this saying that they would go out of business and Ford would lose a sales outlet. The auditing process was ki---d and the money and penalties were forgiven. Case in point 2...... Whenever there are parts issues (ordering, availability, quality, etc), the PSMAC comes into the monthly meeting with their fangs out. FCSD LL5's+ act like puppies in a thunderstorm. They are scared to death of angering the dealers. The point is that when dealers digest this plan and get organized, they will get their Tony Soprano network together and squash this idea.
@dvv - A dealerships main profit center is the service department. Let them continue to ball out on that outsized revenue stream. The sales experience, or rather the pedigree of associates selling cars, is garbage. It feels manipulative and shady af.
Ford has proven many times that they are a failure at retail. This time will be no different.
When you partner with people in business it's preferable to have a mutually beneficial relationship. If that's not the case, bad things result.
@xau where do you plan to take your Ford vehicle for the many necessary recall repairs, to a General Motors dealership?
Who cares if they're upset. Every human on earth hates the dealership experience. Wait....let me go upstairs and confirm that stat with my manager. Actually he said only a few humans do and that's the best answer possible so you'll just have to take his word.