[CondorActual]

I had an interesting issue come up recently at my dealership. I went in to request a test drive of the demo Lightning unit that was parked out front after my salesman let me know that the mannequin had arrived. My build has not happened yet and they reached out to me so that I could come down and at least take a look. After talking with the sales folks for a bit, I learned that they couldn't (wouldn't) let folks test drive the truck given that Ford had registered the truck to Ford. It had full plates (MA), and was not wearing some dealer placeholder plate. Is this something that Ford is doing to prevent dealers from "accidentally" selling the mannequins, or is there another reason that Ford would do this? I can understand they likely don't want a lot of test driving miles on a 90K+$ vehicle (this was a Platinum on the lot), but now the truck is basically used, right?

 

[ChasingCoral]

Sounds like BS. If it were a Ford-owned truck it should have MI plates.

 

[Joseywales]

I posted about this yesterday. If they’re like my dealer, they’re keeping mileage low so they don’t have to report it as a demo and can auction it with a clean report. Bleh

 

[SteelTerp87]

Yea, this is total BS. It is not owned by FORD, the truck is assigned to the dealer specifically and they just want to keep the mileage low for 6 months so they can sell it at a premium. What trim level?

 

[CondorActual]

Yea, this is total BS. It is not owned by FORD, the truck is assigned to the dealer specifically and they just want to keep the mileage low for 6 months so they can sell it at a premium. What trim level?

This was a Platinum trim level sitting out on the raised apron.

 

[SteelTerp87]

This was a Platinum trim level sitting out on the raised apron.

That’s a shame!

 

[208]

Dealer I talked to last week was at least more honest about it. "No, we will not let people drive it, because the minute the clock runs out we are going to auction it to the highest bidder."

At least I got to see it.

 

[Bakester]

That is ridiculous. I feel fortunate now. My dealer just received theirs and they called me in for a test drive.

 

[Page Chihuahua]

That is ridiculous. I feel fortunate now. My dealer just received theirs and they called me in for a test drive.

Yep, that's ridiculous, the wife and I took the son over to the dealership and we went on another EXILERATING test drive!!!! I was sitting in the back seat and the G force when he accelerated plastered my body back against the seat. Funny... every time he accelerated we all got the giggles...

 

[BRB]

That is ridiculous. I feel fortunate now. My dealer just received theirs and they called me in for a test drive.

I was emailed the day my Ford dealer received their manequin, inviting me to contact dealer. I called and scheduled a test drive. Due to illness on day of test drive, I called and let them know I could not come in. They called the next week to reschedule me! Great ride, long wait. Skyline Ford, Salem, OR.

 

[02Reaper]

So if its like that for them, then what about the dealers that are letting people drive the heck out of the mannequins? I bet that if they decided to sell the mannequins that they are letting people demo the heck out of that they are still going to sell them for msrp or a premium.

 

[Bandit]

My dealer is using their mannequin in a 1000 mile, roundtrip, EV road rally from Fairbanks to the Arctic Ocean. No virgin showroom demos here.

Arctic Road Rally

Join us in Alaska for the 2022 Arctic Road Rally - an electric vehicle technology proving ground and showcase of transportation technology. Drive your EV from Fairbanks to the Arctic Ocean!

alaskaroadrally.com

 

[Super Duty]

I was emailed the day my Ford dealer received their manequin, inviting me to contact dealer. I called and scheduled a test drive. Due to illness on day of test drive, I called and let them know I could not come in. They called the next week to reschedule me! Great ride, long wait. Skyline Ford, Salem, OR.

How long do you have to wait for your test drive @BRB?

 

[BRB]

How long do you have to wait for your test drive @BRB?

Not long at all. They originally scheduled me for about a week after they rec'd the truck. Then rescheduled me the week after my original appt since I couldn't make the orginal appt. When I went into the dealership and told them my name, they were ready for me. A sales person and I immediately went to go check out and drive the truck. I will say the drive was relatively short (circa 5 miles) but varied in conditions so I got a sense of in town and faster 55 mph areas. No freeway driving.

 

[EFX4]

Not long at all. They originally scheduled me for about a week after they rec'd the truck. Then rescheduled me the week after my original appt since I couldn't make the orginal appt. When I went into the dealership and told them my name, they were ready for me. A sales person and I immediately went to go check out and drive the truck. I will say the drive was relatively short (circa 5 miles) but varied in conditions so I got a sense of in town and faster 55 mph areas. No freeway driving.

Do you know what their initial allocations are like? Took any pictures or videos of the Lightning you got to test?

 

[BRB]

Do you know what their initial allocations are like? Took any pictures or videos of the Lightning you got to test?

No pics and no Intel on their allocations.

 

[ChasingCoral]

You can find the rules for the FCTP program here:

Lightning FCTP (Mannequin) Program Rules

It's interesting to see how Ford tried to go hard into a top-down approach and the dealerships forced them to back off. It's also unique that there is NO mileage requirement. That means dealers can put them on a pedestal or in the middle of the showroom for 6 months with no one driving them.

www.lightningowners.com

 

[SHayes6745604846]

Interesting bc my dealership did the same thing but has accepted a $2000 deposit on the mannequin, and it is tied up to be sold for $96,000 in six months sitting inside the showroom. It’s a lariat $79k truck with a 17k markup! Hmmm seems kind of sketchy to me!