Ford sends out Lightning survey email - Help us plan for your F-150 Lightning Order

[RickLightning]

I’m not sure about the majority, but I know there are abandoned customer orders for ID4s and E-Trons sitting on dealer’s lots near me. Abandoned because the buyers lost the tax credit. Small sample size, of course.

When you read across forums and other social media including Facebook, it's very clear to me that the majority don't understand. Nor do they understand the non-refundable part (for the pre-new-bill tax credit). They think their withholding taxes are their tax liability. And more.

Unless it's widely publicized as something like "nearly all Lightnings sold won't qualify for any federal tax credit" (this is just an example), people will buy totally clueless and then be pissed off.

And, while some F-150L buyers are EV-focused and knowledgeable, a lot of them are not. Read a post the other day about someone buying it, and then selling it within days because it was too hard for the wife to park, and very tight in the garage, all things that could have been figured out before buying the vehicle.

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[Maquis]

When you read across forums and other social media including Facebook, it's very clear to me that the majority don't understand. Nor do they understand the non-refundable part (for the pre-new-bill tax credit). They think their withholding taxes are their tax liability. And more.

Unless it's widely publicized as something like "nearly all Lightnings sold won't qualify for any federal tax credit" (this is just an example), people will buy totally clueless and then be pissed off.

And, while some F-150L buyers are EV-focused and knowledgeable, a lot of them are not. Read a post the other day about someone buying it, and then selling it within days because it was too hard for the wife to park, and very tight in the garage, all things that could have been figured out before buying the vehicle.

“Consider how stupid the average person is. Then realize that half the population is stupider than that!”
- George Carlin

 

[F-150 Prius]

Not much of a "survey" … all it asks is "do you want to pay a non-refundable deposit to cut the line and order two days ahead of others?" … the antithesis of what Ford (I think) should be trying to do: make the order process clean and tidy, free of profiteering, gouging and dishonesty.

 

[F-150 Prius]

The logical thing this survey asks is about having deposits on other EVs, but it gathers useless data ("which vehicles?") instead of "why?" … the difficult, uncomfortable questions … to explore the criteria informed customers apply. e.g.

1. will you choose the Silverado over the F-150 because it has unique features the F-150 lacks?
2. are you waiting for battery and charging performance to improve?
3. will you choose the Cybertruck when available?
   (I think many will choose the CT out of some Tesla cult-like devotion)
4. would you prefer a Maverick EV or a Ranger EV over the F-150?
5. are you waiting for a SUV bodied EV like the Expedition, Explorer or Escape?
6. …

I think these sorts of questions would help Ford anticipate and mitigate its 250K+ preorders disappearing into some percentage of delayed or neglected orders.

If it were my business, I'd aim to make a million F-150s in '22-'23 and sell 'em all at prevailing market prices.

 

[Coolbreeze704]

The logical thing this survey asks is about having deposits on other EVs, but it gathers useless data ("which vehicles?") instead of "why?" … the difficult, uncomfortable questions … to explore the criteria informed customers apply. e.g.

1. will you choose the Silverado over the F-150 because it has unique features the F-150 lacks?
2. are you waiting for battery and charging performance to improve?
3. will you choose the Cybertruck when available?
   (I think many will choose the CT out of some Tesla cult-like devotion)
4. would you prefer a Maverick EV or a Ranger EV over the F-150?
5. are you waiting for a SUV bodied EV like the Expedition, Explorer or Escape

Really?
Could it possibly because proven engineering, Incredible charging network, will be priced better than the F150 and won't jack you around in the ordering process, no dealers to jack you around, won't have outrages dealer mark ups, will offer more miles per full charge at price point. Has cold rolled exoskeleton that won't rust out. Integrated battery pack that is light years ahead of any product on the market, 4680 battery's, seats 6 comfortably, truck bed that has retractable top that creates an air conditioned fault. I am sure I am missing a lot

 

[RickLightning]

“Consider how stupid the average person is. Then realize that half the population is stupider than that!”
- George Carlin

Thief!

 

[cdubculvy]

Everyone who got this survey should fill it out now and say they only want the Pro! At least that's what I did. I've got a CT and Chevy reservation and I'm not afraid to use them. Quit messing around Ford!

 

[Bill from King Ranch]

Everyone who got this survey should fill it out now and say they only want the Pro! At least that's what I did. I've got a CT and Chevy reservation and I'm not afraid to use them. Quit messing around Ford!

You go @cdubculvy! You and your awesome Ridgeline .

 

[MickeyAO]

Ford just keeps finding new ways to f up this reservation process. First they can't just follow the common sense approach of first to reserve equals first to order. Then they up the price on those they skipped over. Now they want to allow those further back in line to pay to jump forward. Then they are saying they may just kick you out of line if you don't order the expensive trims we never wanted. I just want the 40k pro they hyped up during the launch. Now it looks like I won't even be likely to get the 47k pro. I hope Chevy is taking notes on what not to do. It is looking more likely I will be getting a silverado EV even though I wanted the lightning more.

Yes, Chevy is watching! You can order the First Addition EV Avalanche for $100k very soon or wait for the $40k sometime later.

 

[cdubculvy]

You go @cdubculvy! You and your awesome Ridgeline .

Did you, uh, just make fun of my car? lol

You know what they say.... people who drive a Focus, should not throw stones.

 

[Bill from King Ranch]

Did you, uh, just make fun of my car? lol

You know what they say.... people who drive a Focus, should not throw stones.

Don't drive a Focus. Bought an ST for my then 16-year old! He's still mashing pedals.

 

[cdubculvy]

Don't drive a Focus. Bought an ST for my then 16-year old! He's still mashing pedals.

Ah my bad, didn't realize I was talking to an adult!

 

[Kev12345]

the reservation page has completely disappeared for us Canadians on ford.ca. no email. no contact from dealer.

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

Yes, Chevy is watching! You can order the First Addition EV Avalanche for $100k very soon or wait for the $40k sometime later.

I am number 1 at my local Chevy dealership, I reserved within seconds of it going live.

I'll probably buy both and sell my least favorite.

I cancelled my CT reservation. I just realized that even if I can get a CT at a reasonable price, I wouldn't want to drive that metal turd.

 

[Coolbreeze704]

Lol, metal turd. We will see.
I'm excited to experience the Lightning but certainly not ignorant enough to call anything Tesla a turd.

Believe me the F-150 lightning would never happened without Tesla and especially the Cybertruck

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