@Ryan Everson started a new job this week, and with the new job, comes new work attire.



Big CONGRATULATIONS to @Ryan Everson and his wife Megan for welcoming a new Baby Girl into this world this week. CHEERS to the two of you!!

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Ford has sent a notice to almost 3,000 of its dealers giving them the choice to opt into one of two “EV-certified” programs before the end of October.

In what is likely an attempt to cut costs, increase profits, and compete better with Tesla in the electric vehicle (EV) market, Ford has sent a notice to almost 3,000 of its dealers giving them the choice to opt into one of two “EV-certified” programs before the end of October. Both the “Model e Certified” and “Model e Certified Elite” programs will come at a cost to dealers, and any uncertified dealers will eventually not be eligible to sell Ford’s EVs.

While many factors will come into play when final costs are determined, Ford suggested the Model e Certified tier will cost dealers at least $500,000, a bulk of which will be used to install updated infrastructure needed for EVs. This includes a requirement to install at least one Ford DC fast charger accessible to the public, which can cost up to $250,000. This tier will have access to fewer retail orders each year, which will largely be made up of sales to loyal dealership customers.

Model e Certified Elite members are required to have at least two DC fast chargers, and Ford’s Chief Customer Officer Marin Gjaja reported to Electrek that Ford is estimating these dealers will pay more towards $1.2 million but will have access to more EVs. They will also reportedly “receive an ‘x amount per year’ in EV volume rather than a percentage.”

Ford has also announced that dealers who choose to be Model e Certified and Model e Certified Elite members will not be allowed to haggle with customers over prices. Exorbitantly high dealer markups are currently an ongoing issue throughout the auto industry, and Ford dealers who opt into one of the programs are agreeing to “transparent, non-negotiable pricing.”

Overall, there are five criteria that all EV-certified dealers will need to meet in order to stay in compliance. These include regular employee training, clear pricing, investments in charging infrastructure, offering preferred physical “experiences” (e.g., home delivery), and providing customers with positive digital experiences.

Dealers must make a decision on whether or not to opt-in by October 31st, and those who choose to partake must make the investment by the end of 2022. Beginning on January 1, 2024, dealers who have opted out of both programs will not have authorization to sell Ford’s EVs but will be able to make a commitment for the next round of certification that will start at the beginning of 2027.

Speaking to dealers this week, Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said, “The main message I have for the dealers, which I’ve never said before, because I didn’t believe it was true, is that you could be the most valuable franchise in our industry.”

Of course, one of Ford’s main goals with the new rules for dealers is to further the automaker’s push to compete more effectively with Tesla, which has a hold of most of the EV market in the United States. Ford feels it has an edge on Tesla due to its existing nationwide network of dealerships, but the automaker recently pressed dealers to slash their vehicle delivery costs by $2,000 in an attempt to mirror Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales model.

Farley has referred to a new sales process as a “low inventory model,” which involves customers ordering vehicles and having them shipped to their houses.

In setting the new standards, Ford is also clearly acknowledging the need for fast and convenient charging, as that is one of the major obstacles automakers are facing when trying to convince gas-powered car owners to make the switch to EVs.

Original article on CBT

I searched the forum and didn't see anyone talking about this yet, so if you don't know Gatway One Lending & Finance just shut down on Monday.

My manager was submitting a deal on Dealertrack yesterday and noticed they had disappeared in the portal. He called our rep and was told that they got bought out and the new owners shut it down.

We specialize in cars under $10k and Gateway was our best lender by far and a good resource for customers with 580+ fico and cars up to 15 years old and 150k miles.

We are a small used car dealership located in California doing about 17 units a month. Can anyone make a recommendation for a similar lender?

Thank You, Erik

"Ford Motor Co. is launching a new digital platform for used-vehicle sales, a move aimed at increasing the Dearborn automaker's market share as new online startups compete for the favor of consumers and investors alike.

The platform, branded Ford Blue Advantage, will allow Ford's 3,100-member dealership network to list and sell their used-vehicle inventory in a single digital marketplace. Ford executives announced the new offering during a three-day annual dealers' meeting conducted virtually earlier this week. "

2 levels to the program. Gold is just the current certified program. Blue on the other hand is any vehicle up to 10 Model years old or 120k miles.

Looks like some of the 3rd party platforms many of us use are not going to be ready in time. For those that do our marketing in house, I can see this as an issue.

I sent an email for an enhancement request for tags in VAuto so I can separate the blue and gold levels and it fell on deaf ears. I send all my group feeds to an FTP so I can separate out the things that are important to me. The way it was explained to me. All of the CPO "Blue and Gold" will be tagged CPO. I am afraid I will lose the ability to micro-segment in Facebook based on view contents from my Pixel.

I suppose I am looking for a signal boost from the folks here to get them to make the change or if someone knows a good workaround when it comes to segmentation.

I'm writing a series of articles and I'm looking to interview anyone involved in a car dealership from the 1950s to the 1970s; salespeople, owners, mechanics, etc. It may not be you, but maybe a friend or relative? If you know anyone who might be able to tell some stories, answer a few questions, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a PM and we'll arrange things from there.
Thanks!

Millennials differ substantially from previous generations when it comes to how they shop. This is equally as true for household items and consumer electronics as it is for cars.

Dealers, however, because of the unique complexity to shopping and buying cars, are faced with tremendous new challenges when it comes to embracing e-commerce, but they still need to adapt to accommodate this generation of shoppers.

In this DealerRefresh Web Chat with Rune Hauge, Head of Growth at Drive Motors that aired in September 2017, we explored the shopping behaviors of millennials, their core values, and how dealers can enhance the shopping experience, not only with this demographic, but all modern-day shoppers now and into the future.

Talking points include:

• Who millennials are and their buying habits
• What your dealership can do to win over millennials as customers
• Digital tactics that you can implement today

How to Watch

Go here to view the mini version of this webinar (7 mins) and sign up to receive access to the complete edited version.

Premium Members go here to view the complete edited version now.

Hello All,

I am a new ISM for a new Ford Dealership that will be opening in the next 90-120 days. I am looking to find a solid CRM/ILM that is not outrageously expensive that works well in a Ford Dealership. (If there is such a thing as CRM/ILM that work better with one OEM than another).

Any advice to question you might have for me please let me know.