Smokewagun
Well-known member
- First Name
- Bob
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2021
- Threads
- 28
- Messages
- 215
- Reaction score
- 147
- Location
- N. Illinois
- Vehicles
- 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat 3.0L Stroke
- Thread starter
- #1
If any of you have hung on any other truck forums, you may know I’ve been a big Ford Truck proponent for well over 45 years, owned close 30 Ford trucks, and logged about 2.5 million miles in them. I’ve always thought Ford was #1. Now I’m afraid the Lightning may prove otherwise in the future. I’m hoping I’m wrong.
So far, I’m on the fence. There is not much reassurance coming from Ford’s mouthpiece. It’s all about Hybrids now, as Ford has basically jumped ship on EV’s. Fords commitment today offers no reassurance they will not be leaving us early EV adopters at the starting gate. We invested in Fords dream, and now Ford is backing off on EV’s. Here we are, gineau pigs, that bought into the hype, paid the price, and now will likely pay a BIG price in the end.
We are bearing the brunt of massive depreciation worse than buying a Kelly green F150 with a hot pink interior. And really, will it ever come back? No. Why should it? We are old news. Our truck’s technology is old news. And I think we have to thank ourselves for that.
Our trucks are providing constant feedback directly to Ford. We press the dash button and record our “ways to improve the platform” and really…. Anybody seen a change resultant from OUR feedback? I quit counting the surveys, questionnaires, feedback requests, etc., but know that even a guy who Ford has record of each and every of my close to 30 purchases, and could really provide some feedback, has never been contacted.
Is the Lightning going to be any different for me? For any of you? No. Why should it be? Ford has found a way to get quick feedback. OTA. My dealer knows of my problems and trouble codes before I call him. They know all the data on how and where the vehicle was driven. Loads and loads of data. And despite what some may believe, I think the Lightning gathers/communicates more data with Ford than any other Ford vehicle. Let’s face it, they were heading for a full electric lineup before the brown stuff hit the fan. They HAD to be gathering any and all data to ensure survival. WE are that source. It’s not the lab or some stiff driving a test loop. It’s the users of TODAY. Real-Time Thomases.
My biggest concern is now that I have been forcefully committed to my Lightning relationship for what seems to be eternity, what will Ford do for me and you? Our feedback is making Ford better. Is that new? No. We’ve been doing it for years. Problem is, today, it’s in real time. And Ford HAS to make corrections and updates as quickly as possible to keep their bottom line fluffy. Or do they? What prevents Ford from discontinuing the Lightning? Production has all but stopped. Promised updates are like unicorns, if you even see one, and sales have about stopped. What motivation does Ford have to continue to push and support OUR model and technology? Nothing. It was fun while it lasted. EV trucks don’t sell. Hybrids are in. We have a small more-efficient T3 platform on the horizon. It’s new and improved. Thanks for the feedback. See ya.
Okay. Say They DON’T stop production. We are still old news. Technology changes today faster than the attitude of a hormonal teenager. Yes, we knew our trucks would be outdated shortly after purchase, but OTA updates would save us! We’d be cutting edge and running with the newest updates on a periodic basis… or so we thought. Let’s face it… Our support and feedback is feeding into technologies developed for integration to the next model year Lightning, or even built as early as tomorrow. We get a crumb here or there, but the real data is dumping into Ford’s pocket. I believe the Lightning is Ford’s biggest grasp at gathering information from their users (or are we losers?) to help THEM, and it’s at our expense. WE are providing necessary feedback in real time for Ford to adapt, overcome, and build a better product overnight, all while I believe we may very well be unknowingly ushered out quickly and silently to Shady Pines without even a handbag.
Regardless, what is Ford’s plan for us? We are not the standard ICE owners, who with regardless of the newest technologies, still drive the same “turn the key, put in drive, and press the gas as was done 100 years ago”. It’s clear, that tech is here for quite some time more. No significant change there. Our technology rides on the major need for improvement and innovation in the immediate future: improved charge times, batteries, ranges, OTA updates, etc. Will we see this? US, the major support of Ford’s Lightning Movement? We who bought into the promised hype and drank the blue kool-aid Ford sold and is now slowly and silently retreating in favor of the hybrid. Someone, please assure me we will be thrown a bone here. When issues surface in a year or five later, and we are driving dinosaurs Ford has either upgraded into much better vehicles, or even ditched all-together (I say at OUR expense), tell me WE will be tossed a bone. Maybe upgrades to better batteries at a substantially reduced cost because we OWN Ford’s back. Its parked in our garage. We supplied FORD with feedback, data, testing, and REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES, so they could profit. Maybe a substantial discount to upgrade to an extended range battery vehicle to continue to support Ford in their goal to build a better vehicle. How about a Lightning loyalty program for those when we trade. Maybe add in lifetime service on a vehicle that has basically none. Or a battery warranty that substantially increases. What’s your exposure here Ford? None. The volume of Lightning’s sold today are a pittance in your your pocketbook. What it would do for us is exponentially greater: build assurance Ford has our backs, drive our vehicle values up, drive resale/trade prices up, assist it reversing negative equity, and enforce customer appreciation and loyalty.
Am I the only one who thinks if these gestures hit the media, Ford Pride would explode? Does Ford ever really go above and beyond? Oh, wait. Yup. If you ordered, bought, or own a Bronco, your mailbox is stuffed with crap from playing cards, calendars, to hammocks, to flags, etc. I have a stack of service bulletins for a truck that has been in the shop more times in 6 months than the total of the last dozen Ford trucks I’ve owned.
Listen up, Ford. WE are your source for REAL information. Unbiased. Not skewed by the media and political agendas. We have the experience. Our pocketbooks prove our commitment to Ford. I sure hope you are listening! Most financed our way into your Lightning Hype, and are now upside down. I think if many of us could, we’d bail out if it wasn’t such a financial burden. Give us a pep talk and some signs we are not getting thrown out with the bath water.
My opinion. Yours may vary.
So far, I’m on the fence. There is not much reassurance coming from Ford’s mouthpiece. It’s all about Hybrids now, as Ford has basically jumped ship on EV’s. Fords commitment today offers no reassurance they will not be leaving us early EV adopters at the starting gate. We invested in Fords dream, and now Ford is backing off on EV’s. Here we are, gineau pigs, that bought into the hype, paid the price, and now will likely pay a BIG price in the end.
We are bearing the brunt of massive depreciation worse than buying a Kelly green F150 with a hot pink interior. And really, will it ever come back? No. Why should it? We are old news. Our truck’s technology is old news. And I think we have to thank ourselves for that.
Our trucks are providing constant feedback directly to Ford. We press the dash button and record our “ways to improve the platform” and really…. Anybody seen a change resultant from OUR feedback? I quit counting the surveys, questionnaires, feedback requests, etc., but know that even a guy who Ford has record of each and every of my close to 30 purchases, and could really provide some feedback, has never been contacted.
Is the Lightning going to be any different for me? For any of you? No. Why should it be? Ford has found a way to get quick feedback. OTA. My dealer knows of my problems and trouble codes before I call him. They know all the data on how and where the vehicle was driven. Loads and loads of data. And despite what some may believe, I think the Lightning gathers/communicates more data with Ford than any other Ford vehicle. Let’s face it, they were heading for a full electric lineup before the brown stuff hit the fan. They HAD to be gathering any and all data to ensure survival. WE are that source. It’s not the lab or some stiff driving a test loop. It’s the users of TODAY. Real-Time Thomases.
My biggest concern is now that I have been forcefully committed to my Lightning relationship for what seems to be eternity, what will Ford do for me and you? Our feedback is making Ford better. Is that new? No. We’ve been doing it for years. Problem is, today, it’s in real time. And Ford HAS to make corrections and updates as quickly as possible to keep their bottom line fluffy. Or do they? What prevents Ford from discontinuing the Lightning? Production has all but stopped. Promised updates are like unicorns, if you even see one, and sales have about stopped. What motivation does Ford have to continue to push and support OUR model and technology? Nothing. It was fun while it lasted. EV trucks don’t sell. Hybrids are in. We have a small more-efficient T3 platform on the horizon. It’s new and improved. Thanks for the feedback. See ya.
Okay. Say They DON’T stop production. We are still old news. Technology changes today faster than the attitude of a hormonal teenager. Yes, we knew our trucks would be outdated shortly after purchase, but OTA updates would save us! We’d be cutting edge and running with the newest updates on a periodic basis… or so we thought. Let’s face it… Our support and feedback is feeding into technologies developed for integration to the next model year Lightning, or even built as early as tomorrow. We get a crumb here or there, but the real data is dumping into Ford’s pocket. I believe the Lightning is Ford’s biggest grasp at gathering information from their users (or are we losers?) to help THEM, and it’s at our expense. WE are providing necessary feedback in real time for Ford to adapt, overcome, and build a better product overnight, all while I believe we may very well be unknowingly ushered out quickly and silently to Shady Pines without even a handbag.
Regardless, what is Ford’s plan for us? We are not the standard ICE owners, who with regardless of the newest technologies, still drive the same “turn the key, put in drive, and press the gas as was done 100 years ago”. It’s clear, that tech is here for quite some time more. No significant change there. Our technology rides on the major need for improvement and innovation in the immediate future: improved charge times, batteries, ranges, OTA updates, etc. Will we see this? US, the major support of Ford’s Lightning Movement? We who bought into the promised hype and drank the blue kool-aid Ford sold and is now slowly and silently retreating in favor of the hybrid. Someone, please assure me we will be thrown a bone here. When issues surface in a year or five later, and we are driving dinosaurs Ford has either upgraded into much better vehicles, or even ditched all-together (I say at OUR expense), tell me WE will be tossed a bone. Maybe upgrades to better batteries at a substantially reduced cost because we OWN Ford’s back. Its parked in our garage. We supplied FORD with feedback, data, testing, and REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES, so they could profit. Maybe a substantial discount to upgrade to an extended range battery vehicle to continue to support Ford in their goal to build a better vehicle. How about a Lightning loyalty program for those when we trade. Maybe add in lifetime service on a vehicle that has basically none. Or a battery warranty that substantially increases. What’s your exposure here Ford? None. The volume of Lightning’s sold today are a pittance in your your pocketbook. What it would do for us is exponentially greater: build assurance Ford has our backs, drive our vehicle values up, drive resale/trade prices up, assist it reversing negative equity, and enforce customer appreciation and loyalty.
Am I the only one who thinks if these gestures hit the media, Ford Pride would explode? Does Ford ever really go above and beyond? Oh, wait. Yup. If you ordered, bought, or own a Bronco, your mailbox is stuffed with crap from playing cards, calendars, to hammocks, to flags, etc. I have a stack of service bulletins for a truck that has been in the shop more times in 6 months than the total of the last dozen Ford trucks I’ve owned.
Listen up, Ford. WE are your source for REAL information. Unbiased. Not skewed by the media and political agendas. We have the experience. Our pocketbooks prove our commitment to Ford. I sure hope you are listening! Most financed our way into your Lightning Hype, and are now upside down. I think if many of us could, we’d bail out if it wasn’t such a financial burden. Give us a pep talk and some signs we are not getting thrown out with the bath water.
My opinion. Yours may vary.
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