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With Ford separating its EV division and its ICE division we could see something similar happen with dealerships where some specialize in EVs and some don't.
Ford's reorganization means specialization everywhere - Autoblog
We are beginning to understand how much more will go into the reorganization under way at Ford beyond the break into the Ford Blue, Ford Model E, and Ford P
www.autoblog.com
Making the grand aims real will start with how Ford develops vehicles. Hau Thai-Tang, now chief industrial platform officer after the reorganization, said Ford will increasingly use small development teams with less formal oversight, using new methods, to create vehicles. That approach delivered the first and second Ford GTs, then proved its worth on a mass-market entry with the runaway hit Maverick pickup. Engineering teams working on the Mustang Mach-E and Bronco eschewed building expensive prototypes, instead mocking up ideas in foam core and virtual reality that could be tried and discarded quickly and cheaply if they didn't work. Further benefits of these methods have been reduced development time and increased secrecy.
Because OEMs are legally bound to reach customers through their dealer networks, the mothership revamp means Ford needs its dealers to embrace the changes. Execs are talking to dealers now about what the automaker is looking for, it will be up to dealers to opt in. First, Farley said, "Get ready to specialize." Realizing that certain dealers might do better with ICE vehicles and commercial offerings as opposed to EVs, Ford wants dealers to choose among Blue, Model E, and Pro. Those that don't opt in to Model E, which will mean committing to new operating standards like not carrying EV inventory, and potential facility changes, will be able to sell the brand's EVs until the end of 2023; from January 24, those dealers will only have access to ICE allotments. Said another Ford exec, "We want our dealers to add true value and really be knowledge centers for the customer," the plan now to find the best structure for that. Which, frankly, is another way of saying what dealers were meant to be all along.
