I imagine the +$20k "market adjustment" markups on the F-150 lightning (and other EV's and hybrids) [0] by dealerships probably factored into this decision.
It 100% factored into my decision to cancel my pre-order for a Lightning. The dealer said to me via email in December 2021:
The latest communication is that order banks will open in January. Ford will be sending invitations to build / order in waves as to keep up with the demand. The invitations will be prioritized based on reservation time stamps. Your reservation is number 138 at our location. I have no way to track where you are in the total reservation list. Once 2022 model orders have been fulfilled, Ford will start the process over again. They expect to start taking orders for 2023 models about mid next year. Given the demand and number of reservation ahead of you, it is reasonable to think that you will not be able to order until mid 2022 for a 2023 model. I also need to mention that Managment has indicated there will be an addendum added to the MSRP. We are expecting that to be about $10,000 but could be a little lower or higher dependant on supply vs demand.
I called Ford corporate who didn't care. So I canceled my preorder and decided not to proceed with becoming a net new Ford customer so long as dealers are involved. This news gives me hope that model is not long for this world - thank goodness.
Count me as another "will buy an f-150 lightning if they will take my money but not if I have to go through a dealer". I don't know how many of us there are but I really hope enough that I never have to go to a dealer again.
I'm interested in a Mach-e......that was until I saw the markup the dealers wanted.
I'm done with dealers. I recently helped purchase a car for my father after his was totaled. I talked to dealer and he promised that they are selling at MSRP. Next morning I call him and he wants above MSRP unless I RESERVE NOW. I told him I'm no longer interested in doing business with him and went elsewhere.
Not to mention the TERRIBLE experience of being treated like a pocketbook by the salespeople. That also call, text, email and pester you incessantly once they have your details. Block them and they will leave a VM twice a day.
It's not entirely on the salespeople though. Their compensation structure and the nature of not respecting return customers, incentivizes this behavior
Those idiots did the same thing with the Focus RS. It was basically a hotrodded mass produced econobox but the dealerships treated it like a rare Lamborghini. I'm convinced it's why that car died so quickly: demand didn't match dealership greed so they just sat on the lot.
I was going to place a preorder deposit on launch day, but as soon as I had to select a dealership in the configuration process, I stopped and changed my mind. Also would have been net new to Ford.
It baffles me that dealerships are raising the prices of cars they already have. Supply shortages causing bidding of higher prices of parts is expected. But increasing prices of cars that manufacturers have already provided to dealerships at the same price, seems like price gouging initiated by the dealership and predicated by greed (and should potentially be illegal?)
This happened to me trying to buy a RAV-4 Prime 1 year ago (advertised a $40k car, they "adjusted" the price to $60k via a bait and switch). So you know what I did? I literally went online the day they told me about their adjustment, and reserved a Model Y.
My only concern is where all the scumbags are going to end up if car dealerships cease being a thing.
Ford doesn't do shit to dealerships. When you have a grievance with one, you realize how little control the manufacturer has (or is willing to exercise) over them.
If some dealership gets sanctioned by a manufacturer for being jagoffs, they'll put up a new sign next week and be a Toyota (or whatever) dealership. The manufacturer knows this and won't alienate them for one customer.