Ford increasing EV-certified dealerships in US to 900; 3,405 plug-in vehicles sold in total so far
06 February 2013
Ford will have one-third of its US dealers in all 50 states—more than 900—certified to sell the Focus Electric battery electric vehicle (BEV) and C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) by spring. The 900 dealers represent about one-third of all Ford dealers in the US—triple Ford projections for the time frame—and are an increase up from 200 in November 2012, the second full month the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids were available.
For January 2013, Ford reported sales of 81 Focus Electric battery-electric vehicles and 338 C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Cumulative sales since market introduction for the Focus Electric (June 2012, except for 2 units delivered in January 2012) are 693 units; cumulative sales for the C-MAX Energi (October 2012) are 2,712 units, bring the total sales of plug-in vehicles to 3,405 units.
Overall for January 2013, Ford reported sales of all its hybrids (conventional and plug-in) of 5,868 units. The majority of those (3,043 units, or 52%), were the Fusion hybrid, followed by the C-MAX conventional hybrid (2,387 units, or 41%). Fusion Energi—Ford’s second production plug-in hybrid—recently began shipping to dealers.
Ford’s market share of electrified vehicles has increased from less than 3% in April 2012 to nearly 16% in December 2012, second behind only Toyota.
Certification allows dealers to sell Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. Certification isn’t necessary for a Ford dealer to sell C-MAX Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid. Ford announced the certified dealer program in February 2011.
Research indicates that 60 percent of new vehicle shoppers are considering hybrid products. With this demand for more fuel efficient vehicles, early sales of Ford’s five electrified vehicles has been phenomenal, creating a tremendous amount of excitement among our dealers.
—C.J. O’Donnell, Ford Electrified Vehicle Marketing manager
To become certified, dealers have to satisfy a list of requirements, including:
One of the two required charging stations at the dealership must be in the customer area and the other must be in the service area.
At least one Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi must be available at all times for demonstrations and events.
Of the sales consultant, sales manager, service advisor and service manager jobs at each location, 80% must meet specific electric vehicle training certification requirements that cover topics including advanced knowledge of electrification Each showroom will have point-of-purchase display materials including digital assets and window signage.
Participation in a Ford Go Green Dealer on-site facility assessment to identify energy- and cost-saving opportunities with a goal of facilitating energy efficiency, lower operating expenses and carbon footprint reduction Ford took a phased approach to rollout of the EV Certified Ford dealer program that began with phase one and centered on 19 key markets as determined by market research, projected customer demand and other factors. The same approach was used in phase two as the program launched in an additional 23 markets.
With more than 900 EV Certified Ford dealers expected to soon be in the network, the phase strategy is no longer being used.
"..cumulative sales for the C-MAX Energi (October 2012) are 2,712 units"
Think of all the four years of media ink the ~2500 Tesla Roadsters got, yet more C-MAX Energi were sold in four MONTHS - through a fraction of the Ford dealers.
Posted by: kelly | 06 February 2013 at 06:50 AM
A roadster is a tiny car, that only seats 2!.. compared to a soccer mom CUV, no comparison at all.
Better to have 300 dealerships that want to sell you an electric instead of 1200 trying to talk you into an F150
Posted by: Herm | 06 February 2013 at 07:21 AM
Each of those C-MAX Energi sold is an EV, driving electric component and battery prices down while driving customer EV acceptance and familiarity up.
Already, this EV MSRP is within 10% of the average US new car sold price - BEFORE/WITHOUT any tax rebates - and less after rebate.
Every major car maker takes notice of huge sales increases.
But a rain cloud is the C_MAX hybrid actual(~40) MPG vs 47/47/47 EPA/MPG sticker lawsuit.
It might be tempting to customize car software for tests, yet reserve the right to alter vehicle assembly at any time.
Posted by: kelly | 06 February 2013 at 07:54 AM
I keep checking with the Ford, GM, and Nissan dealers in my area to see if they have any of the pulg-in cars yet, and nothing so far. I can order them, but then I have to get service at a dealership that is less than conveniently located. I can find the cars at these dealerships too, but I am going out of my way if I choose them.
This is why all the talk by certain media outlets that the cars are not selling is so much horse doo. The cars are not truly available. If I want to jump the additional hurdles I can get them but they are not on an equal level with the standard ICE cars with respect to availability.
I will say this, there are dealers now in my region who are within the driving range of the vehicles (less than 80 miles)and that is different than just six months ago when I would have had one shipped.
Posted by: Brotherkenny4 | 06 February 2013 at 08:01 AM
I placed an order in December. I am still waiting to hear a ship date.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 06 February 2013 at 09:03 AM
Brotherkenny4 has a very valid point.
Posted by: kelly | 06 February 2013 at 09:05 AM
@Brotherkenny4 - where do you live? There should be a decent number of Volts at dealers.
LEAF supply is definitely basically non-existent right now as US production ramps up for the 2013 model year. Expect another month before there's any half-way decent amount of inventory for the LEAF...
Posted by: Dave R | 06 February 2013 at 10:55 AM