As Ford looks to grow its Model e EV business, the company believes its dealer network can be a significant asset. Ford announced Thursday itβs enabling all dealers to sell EVs, meaning 90% of Americans will live within 25 miles of a Ford dealership that sells electric vehicles.
Ford introduced its Model e EV dealer program in 2022. The company asked its dealers to take part in its βrevolutionaryβ transition to electric
The program was intended to streamline EV sales, getting models into dealerships that expressed interest. Dealers could choose between two tiers: Certified or Certified Elite.
In December 2022, CEO Jim Farley revealed that 1,920 dealers joined in. However, Ford Spokesperson Marty Gunsberg confirmed a year later, βenrollments are just over 50%,β down from roughly two-thirds.
Ford has since eased requirements as the market has evolved over the past few years. After meeting with dealers and taking in feedback, Ford is now opening its network so all dealers can sell EVs.
Ford is allowing all dealers to sell EVs
Marin Gjaja, COO for Ford Model E, told Electrek on a media briefing Thursday that itβs officially sunsetting the Model E program.
All Ford dealers will now be able to sell and service EVs. Opening its network means over 90% of Americans will live within 25 miles of a Ford dealership that can sell or service an EV.
Ford said the move comes amid a widening gap between where EVs are right now (regarding range, charging, and performance) and buyersβ perception. By introducing a simple, hassle-free way of selling EVs, Ford believes it can help close that gap.
The Model e dealer program will be retired at the end of the month with changes rolling out starting on July 1, 2024.
For dealers that have already invested in the program, Ford says itβs still in discussions. However, Gjaja noted that invested dealers will still have a competitive advantage. With charging infrastructure, dealers will generate more traffic, leading to higher sales, service, and charging revenue.
The announcement comes after Fordβs EV sales surged 65% in May. Fordβs F-150 Lightning remained the top-selling electric truck in the US, with 4,255 units sold.
The Ford Mustang Mach-e was the second best-selling electric SUV, behind Teslaβs Model Y. Meanwhile, E-Transit sales increased 77% YOY with 1,450 units sold.
Ford remains the second best-selling EV brand in the US (not including combined Hyundai and Kia sales), with over 37,200 electric cars sold through May. Thatβs nearly double the 19,809 EVs sold at this time last year.
Overseas, Fordβs first all-electric Explorer rolled off the assembly line at its new Cologne EV plant in Germany last week. Ford will reveal a second EV, an electric sports crossover based on VWβs MEB platform (the same used for its ID series), with production slated to begin by the end of the year.
