This is the article I just saw on Ford Autority.

I'm not sure Mr. Lawler has his feet on the ground the rest of walk on; or at least that I walk on. I don't find the ordering process too complex. And after having "built" GM, Chevy, and RAM trucks on line, I don't think it is any more (or less) 'complex' than those.

Maybe he is thinking about folks who just want a simple SUV or Crossover or other vehicles with fewer trim levels and options. Does he understand the complexity of the bigger trucks - the ones with many levels of trim and myriad of options? I'm not so sure and I'm thinking there are other things he should be focused on right now - maybe getting their product in the hands of people sooner???? Focusing on 'fewer clicks' seems a bit simple minded.

 

The "ordering process" is just an excuse, Ford's ordering is the easiest of all manufacturers. He is looking for an excuse to cut out features/options, simple as that, even refers to it in the article. Those features/options will then be moved over to their EVs to entice people to buy those instead. Ford's only concern now is forcing people over to EVs, they are taking the lead with that initiative big time.

They already gave EVs priority on chip orders over combustion engine vehicles, so this is right in line with their goal.

 

Left GM, due to a lack of options and the ability to select rear diff ratios to fit my intended purpose. If Ford follows suit, I'll just go back to GM, as I think their fit and finish is leaps and bounds better.

 

A good sales rep could make it easy for customers not inclined to ordering.

 

How about instead of having 6 trim levels you just pick your cab type and the rest is A La Carte? I hate having to pay for fluff just to get something useful like LED headlights or leather.

 

How do the dealers get the vehicles? Does Ford just make something up to send to them? The dealers order them. What the CFO is really saying goes back to Ford's beginnings. The customer can have any color he wants as long as it's black. He doesn't think "ordering" is too complex, he thinks they can make more profit by not allowing customization.

 

Look around at all the threads where guys are struggling to figure out how to get a certain feature on their build. The inclusions and exclusions of different trims and packages is not simple. It would be nice if the build system allowed for more à la carte selection.

The cynic in me wonders if this CFO might have once been the finance guy at a dealership. Letting owners build what they want instead of getting what's on the lot may be motivating him.

 

He said electric vehicles would be ordered online by the customer and shipped straight to the customer bypassing the dealer all together. I think I read it would save something like $2500 per vehicle.

 

I think he is thinking but not saying is it is to complex to build with all the options. When we bought my wifes Honda, they have like 4 trims, and really no options other than exterior color, they only had 1 interior color. No wheel or tire choice. That makes it easier to know how many of what they need to order/build. Imagine trying to schedule these truck build with all the a la carte options.

 

Used to be when you ordered a car you could choose any item, any color they made, any interior color they had on your order, not you have to have THIS option to get THAT option or you can't have that color interior with that color paint, or this option can only be had with this package.

When I ordered my F150 back in 18, the Platinum 701a had everything except the sunroof. The Limited had everything including sunroof, but NOT the tailgate step. Or how about HDPP is only available on this trim package, not that trim package, why not make a grand towing truck like a Platinum HDPP with an 8K GVWR so it can tow big and get the premo stuff. It's not like it would put the truck in a different class since the class is up to 8K.

I would like a basic lariat to get the leather seats, push button start should be standard on all models by now, LED headlights should be standard, not an option, especially since you can by cheapo econo boxes with LED lights, Adaptive Cruise, since the truck already has the autobraking built in, Sync 4, UTTC, Heated steering wheel, heated seats, dont really need the cooled part seldom use it and feels like my undies got wet when I do, 5th wheel prep and a few other towing related items.

Instead to get some of the above you need the $4K package
• Ambient Lighting – Fixed Color <- Was cool when it was multcolor, now not worth it
• LED Box Lighting (incl. LED Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL)) <- there are other options out that provide more light
• Power-Adjustable Pedals with Memory <- nice to have, but once set, never used again, especially if only one person drives
• Easy Entry/Exit Memory Driver’s Seat Feature < Have it now, never used it
• Power Heated/Ventilated Driver/Passenger Seat with Driver Side Memory
• Intelligent Access with Push-button Start (PEPS)
• Power Telescoping/Tilt Steering Wheel/Column, memory and audio controls <- Again, once set, never used again, manual works just fine and does the same thing
• PowerScope® Trailer Tow Mirrors with Memory
• Remote Start System < have it now, never used it
• Remote Tailgate Release < Have it now, never used it
• Tailgate Step
• Voice-activated Navigation System with HD and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio <- Don't need, Car Play does all this and more
• Wireless Charging Pad (only included when 40/console/40 seat is ordered) <- Don't need, usb cable works for me just fine, rarely need to charge the phone while driving anyway.


You can get Heated Steering wheel, rear heated seats, but only with the Ultimate package. Tailgate step can be ordered on just about all trim levels, LED and Adaptive cruise are separate order items, but only with the LU package. These are the things that Ford can change, make it so you don't need a full blown expensive package to get frequently used options that are beneficial to the driver, and not some luxury item.

 

Not having push button start on a basic Lariat is crazy, and having to go to LU and then pay more for LED headlights is crazy. I've driven for 35 years with out them, I guess another 10-15 won't hurt me.

Living south of Atlanta, I'm looking forward to the cooled seats, but I can do with out the heated seats. I've got heated in my current truck, and it is nice a few mornings a year, but have to turn them off within 5 min.

 

Someone else will have better knowledge than me. But it is an allocation system, the more you sell the more inventory Ford sends you. For Toyota the dealer would submit a 'wish list' and then get what they get based on their allocation volume.

This is why some dealers try to talk people out of their orders (offer them a good deal on a lightly used truck etc) while the customer waits on the build. If someone backs out of the order then that dealer gets a free piece of inventory (and can add a market adjustment), since the dealer is not allowed to order a vehicle like a customer is allowed to do.

 

How would that save $2500 per vehicle? The consumer is on the hook for the shipping fee. My dealer did nothing other than have me sign paperwork, which I would have loved to avoid. I built what I wanted, gave it to the sales guy and he submitted it...

 

Fewer combinations is a good solution for the manufacturer. More pre-set packages and fewer standalone options, that is coming. That's not the preference of us enthusiasts, but we are a small part of the market, the "average" buyer will adapt just fine.

 

Stock orders are really just packages Ford thinks People will want and will sell and not sit on the lot for a year.

Dealers get a list of builds from Ford they can pick and choose from for stock orders. Basically packages that make the most profit for the dealers and Ford. In order for Ford to get some items they need to buy so many of each item. Sunroofs for example. Ford has to commit to so many being sold, so when you look at in stock vehicles, majority will come with a sun roof. If you don't want a sunroof, you have to order it. Ford puts together pre-built order sheets with items they want to push the most so all a Dealer has to do is select the packages they wish to stock without going out and building each truck order. Only thing dealer does is select the color.

F150 stock orders, for the most part will not come with Max Tow, but normal tow package and 36 gallon tank, and usually FX4 package to get the 9.75" rear axle that is part of the Max Tow package. If it has Max Tow AND FX4, you actually are paying for the rear axle twice as it is part of both packages, no discounts when both are selected. The thing about Max Tow is the name is misleading. Most think it gives the truck 13,500 (or whatever it is today) towing to the truck, adding more payload, but actually its a tow package that adds all the proper towing items needed minus the mirrors. It includes all the items you would normally order separately, but with a heavier duty receiver and frame. It is meant to be used with the basic HDPP option, order an XLT HDPP add the Max Tow and bingo you now have a truck that can tow the maximum per J2807. For any other truck though its an savings package since it costs less to add that option than the individual items. That's why you usually find stock trucks with line item options instead of packages. They make more money for the Dealer and Ford.