Ford deleting Lightning Platinum features without telling the customer!

[metroshot]

First year model expected.

Next refresh models - not expected.

If it's not perfectly equipped to your liking, then skip it.

Wait until you can order it exactly what you wanted.

I am not happy getting a Lariat trim, but then didn't have much choice since only 15K are being made.

I'll live it's shortcomings as it's a coveted first year new model.

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[FordLightningMan]

I'm excited that Ford values the Max Recline Platinum seats at $300. When the supply constraints go away, I'll happily go to my dealer and pay $300 + installation to have this seat upgrade added to my XLT SR.

 

[Beaux]

My Platinum came with everything as ordered. I do have the max recline seats also.

 

[idahospud]

My Platinum came with everything as ordered. I do have the max recline seats also.

ditto

 

[RDeFran]

In zero specifications did an XLT have any of those features.

Maybe a generic image that says computer generated and having caveats.

It did not, but it was all specifically itemized as part of the 312a option package. The value of the package is significantly less without them, and I would not have ordered the XLT trim level without it. I will order another when I take.delivery, "just don't buy it" is not a realistic answer.

 

[Theo1000]

My Platinum came with massager. Not sure what max recline is, never used it.

It would have been a serious bummer if the massager was deleted on a Platinum. It is a really nice massager, easily worth $2,500 +.

At least Ford didn't move to a monthly subscription for the heated seats or massager. BMW wants to turn these into subscriptions.

 

[DrZoidberg]

My Platinum came with massager. Not sure what max recline is, never used it.

It would have been a serious bummer if the massager was deleted on a Platinum. It is a really nice massager, easily worth $2,500 +.

At least Ford didn't move to a monthly subscription for the heated seats or massager. BMW wants to turn these into subscriptions.

Does the massaging go to the seat bottom or is it just the seat back?

 

[Theo1000]

Does the massaging go to the seat bottom or is it just the seat back?

To the seat bottom on mine.

 

[Amps]

XLT Packages attached. The 312A package was originally teased at the reveal as the 'XLT+ Premium Package'.

 

[GOP.EV.Driver]

I had an Active Motion removal & Max Recline deleted….then it was re-added last week for my 8/15 build. Maybe Ford is re-adding them…which would be smart, because I’m new to Ford and a high-value repeat customer.

 

[PiMatrix]

Ditto, waiting 1.5 years for this delivery, expect Ford pulls out all the stops for Lightning like they promised they would. Maybe spoiled but Mercedes, BMW, and Audi will do anything to keep customers happy and the Platinum is in that price range for the best they have to offer. Ford engineering on this is aggressive yet evolutionary so I wanted to give them a chance. Success for this model will change the market permanently so I want to support that. But in these times maybe a cybertruck would be a better choice to prepare for a dystopian future like Mad Max? kidding...I hope.

Curious if your dealer notified you of option deletions or when added back or did you get them involved at all? Have you checked the window sicker yet as it's about a month from production for you and it's usually in the 3-4 week range it's printed. Just in case you do not have the link.... here is link to view it.

https://www.windowsticker.forddirect.com/windowsticker.pdf?vin=

My wife wants to change to Lauriet if they don't fix it or have dealer add chip or replace seating later. -$300 won't be an option, more like -$12-14K

 

[Jerry The Cowboy]

I don't know if your the forum spreadsheet tracks options such as Max recline or even the built-in multi-contour seats with active motion (massaging seats standard with Platinum). We have serious problem for some owners in that Ford seems to be deleting these from the Lightning Platinum models without telling the customer. This is totally unacceptable. Oh and they are giving a $300 credit for what was a 12K Lauriet to Platinum upgrade to many who upgraded ONLY for those (in our case mandatory wife options) useful for long distance driving. 22" wheels most consider a negative. If you tried to add these standard multi-contour active motion and optional max recline options after delivery they certainly would be $4,000 or more. Not good Ford! So instead of the Platinum massaging chairs and max recline you get -300 instead. Really?

It was reported elsewhere that once the VIN number was assigned and build date established that it meant all the parts for your particular vehicle had been allocated and these chip shortages would not affect your build. Ford also said earlier that Lightning would not be deallocated supplies as it was their number one priority. Apparently Ford is reneging on that, I assume in order to cram incomplete cars into the quarter vs wait for late supplies.

Seems like an easy dealer chip upgrade in the future vs rip out the whole multicontour seat and/or Max Recline? Someone is really not thinking at Ford to do this detached from customer especially for their showcase Platinum Lightning. Even the dealers are aghast on how this is being done. Seems to be purposely hidden from customer until delivery. Then surprise, take it or leave it, and sign you are ok with it.

Anyone who ordered a Platinum should check their order option page and you'll see these deleted:

"code": "BX2AB",
"description": "Multicontour seats with Active Motion®",
"guxCategoryLabels": "",
"code": "BYPBL",
"description": "Max Recline Driver and Passenger Seat",
They are replaced with:

"Multicontour seats with Active Motion® Removal"

Sorry Ford, you are not keeping the $12,000 delta payment of Platinum owners to Ford and not supplying what is ordered. Either supply what was ordered, upgrade the missing chip in future, delay delivery, or downgrade us to Lauriet, or allow cancellation with full refund.. Customer should choose their option. This is my first Ford, and I hope this gets clarified fast.

They Only offer $300 because that's what it costs them!!
Total rip off and another reason to hate unionized corrupt legacy audio companies.

 

[Amps]

another reason to hate unionized corrupt legacy audio companies.

Yet here you are.

 

[Jerry The Cowboy]

Well I have gone overboard, bought a Tesla Model X, Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 5 all within the last 3 months, and now awaiting the Lightning,
They are all love/hate relationships, but I have bought many cars over the years and I truly detest dealing with dealers and I love buying directly from Tesla, great experience. Even the Ioniq 5 experience sucked with many lies and false promises and hours of stressful waiting and signing, etc at the dealership.
And I have two Cybertrucks on order.....

 

[SmoothJ]

If you had the delete, it will appear on your window sticker as well.

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