Ford dealers skeptical of Model e program
TO THE EDITOR:
Ford CEO Jim Farley brags that two-thirds of dealers have signed on to the Model e program (“Nearly two-thirds of Ford’s U.S. dealers sign on to EV mandates,” autonews.com, Dec. 9). What he didn’t say is that many have formally reserved their right to challenge Model e if Ford attempts to withhold inventory, take any other adverse action against dealers who find the program requirements unreasonable or otherwise violate state law.
Many state franchise laws prevent automakers from enforcing agreements, like Model e, that require dealers to waive their rights. These same laws require Ford to offer fair allocation of ALL vehicles they manufacture, provided the dealer complies with reasonable facilities, equipment and training requirements. So far, dealer cost for charging infrastructure is coming in below Ford’s estimates. That’s good news. If the infrastructure development costs are reasonable, then maybe Ford will be able to enforce these agreements.
But is it reasonable for Ford to require dealers to build public-facing chargers that can’t be deployed? What happens if the utility tells dealers they can install all the infrastructure they want, but it will be months before they have power?
The Model e program is heralded as a sign of Ford’s commitment to an EV future and a way to better serve consumers. How? One-third fewer Ford dealers eligible to sell or service EVs means less access to sales and service facilities and less intrabrand competition. And how does a diminished dealer network demonstrate a growing commitment to an EV future?
JIM APPLETON, President, New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers,Trenton, N.J.