Mannequin but no test drives?

[metroshot]

What’s this term “mannequin” I’ve followed the auto industry for a while and even worked at a dealer at one point, but I’ve never heard the term “mannequin” before.

It's another way of saying the dealer demo for show.

Ford calls it FCTP.

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[p52Ranch]

What’s this term “mannequin” I’ve followed the auto industry for a while and even worked at a dealer at one point, but I’ve never heard the term “mannequin” before.

Mannequin is the term used for vehicles enrolled in Ford’s FCTP (Ford courtesy transportation program). Ford has time in service and/or mileage requirements for the vehicle before it can be sold by the dealer. The requirement for the Lightning is six months in service with no mileage requirement.
Think of a mannequin vehicle like a clothing outfit on a mannequin in a department store.

 

[TaxmanHog]

The requirement for the Lightning is six months in service with no mileage requirement.

This is what I recall reading a few weeks ago, hold for 6 months then sell for huge markup.

 

[ilkhan]

What’s this term “mannequin” I’ve followed the auto industry for a while and even worked at a dealer at one point, but I’ve never heard the term “mannequin” before.

Its Ford's way of saying "not for sale vehicle for people to climb around on before any will be sitting on dealers' lots because we have a HUGE backlog and otherwise you wouldn't be able to experience them at all"

 

[PA Lightning]

My dealer did not get their Mannequin yet, but they told me I could take it for a few days whenever it shows up. It is already "sold" but they cannot deliver it until allowed by the Ford rules.

My guess is that most mannequins are already sold, so the price is already negotiated with the person willing to wait to take delivery. Maybe the dealers that do not allow test drives were able to negotiate a higher ADM

 

[EVBill]

Exactly this. It will never be loaned out.

Totally defeats the purpose that Ford had in providing Mannequins

 

[FordLightningMan]

I called my dealer when the mannequin showed up on the website. He said that it's not actually in stock yet, but he is going to call Lightning order holders to come test drive it when it is on the lot. It's a XLT SR, so I'm excited to get to test drive my trim before my actual order arrives.

 

[vandy1981]

Maybe Ford should require a certain mileage before it can be sold.

 

[SteffanG]

Maybe Ford should require a certain mileage before it can be sold.

That wouldn't help anything...the managers would just be driving it as a personal vehicle to get the miles up.
They need to make it so they are required to use it for test drives and if a reservation/order holder complains that a dealer won't let them, Ford should take the demo unit back and apply no further allocations to that dealer.

 

[TRP]

Here's an example of how a local dealer handled their MME Demo car.

Car showed up and I guy I know called and was interested in it. The Dealer owner had been using the car as a daily driver. So future owner went to look and decided to buy it. Was told dealer had to hold it for 4 most before it could be sold. I think there was a mileage requirement or time but don't remember the facts here. So anyway, he puts a deposit on the car and the dealer parks it, no more demo rides for anyone. Future owner however can show up and drive the car all he wants. He ends up putting over 1500 miles on it before he could take it home.

Dealer did not charge an ADM either.

Similar happenings with a Lightning Demo at other dealers? Perhaps

 

[YankeeCP]

Confirmed with one of my local dealers they have a Lightning listed as in transit for demo use. They will allow test drives when it arrives

 

[ExCivilian]

That wouldn't help anything...the managers would just be driving it as a personal vehicle to get the miles up.
They need to make it so they are required to use it for test drives and if a reservation/order holder complains that a dealer won't let them, Ford should take the demo unit back and apply no further allocations to that dealer.

To what end? Orders are currently frozen. The only people who want to test drive these vehicles are tire kickers and people who already have one coming.

 

[rdr854]

That wouldn't help anything...the managers would just be driving it as a personal vehicle to get the miles up.
They need to make it so they are required to use it for test drives and if a reservation/order holder complains that a dealer won't let them, Ford should take the demo unit back and apply no further allocations to that dealer.

I’m not sure that Ford should mandate that dealers allow test drives if there is only one mannequin. When the Bronco Sports mannequin came in, my local dealer placed it on the showroom floor as a static display with various available after market accessories shown. The truck was unlocked so that you could explore the vehicle. This is no different than what Ford does at the regional auto shows every year.

 

[EVTruckGuy]

I just saw a dealer mannequin that cannot even be fully viewed... Forget about test drives.

It's locked up in the showroom. Dealer won't unlock it, open the frunk... Nothing. They want to keep it in perfect condition for the person who bought it and is taking possession in several months.

Completely defeats the purpose in my opinion.

At least some of you can sit in the demo trucks. I can't even see the inside of one.

 

[asu2011]

My dealer called when they got theirs and said I could schedule a test drive but was limited to 10 minutes. I passed and laughed at the obvious attempt to keep miles down.

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