Rumor: January announcement (release event + build & price)

[mark]

Thanks. Good to know the process Ford uses.

 

[metroshot]

Thanks. Good to know the process Ford uses.

But then we might be surprised with a different game plan going forward with Ford marketing.

Ford could create more excitement by releasing demo models first, allowing test drives and then filling pre-orders later.

The only issue would be customers that do not have a pre-order and wanting one immediately.

That might create more issues with dealers trying to snag your ordered Fathom from underneath you which I have also seen....

 

[mark]

when the MAverick was released, I recall there were vehicles placed at our local dealers to veiw and sit in, but not available to drive. That would be fine with me.

 

[WXman]

I was scratching my head today, wondering why Ford released the price so early. I don't see the value, but I know they did it for a reason. I can't see Ford caring a whit about Slate, so I reject the narrative that they're trying to kill Slate sales. But maybe?

It's a puzzle to me. I see no benefit to Ford to release pricing almost a year before they deliver actual trucks. So many things could change between now and then.

They did the same thing with the Lightning, right?

The release of the $39,999 F150 Lightning spurred an enormous content in the public square. A full sized American EV truck for "less" than $40k

Of course Ford shamefully limited the production number of $40k trucks available to the reservation holders. It's a sting that still lingers with a fair number of folks. Myself included.

Exactly. The $40k Lightning advertising brought in a ton of pre-orders and buzz. But when it was game time those $40k trucks were literally impossible to find. I think I heard of ONE guy who ended up getting one at that price.

As far as the Slate goes, I personally don't think the Slate will even be in the same league as Fathom. After I watched Jay Leno's excellent video on the Slate vehicle it became obvious that it's priced the way it is for a reason. That truck is bottom of the barrel in terms of build quality, features, etc. If we saw it crash tested by IIHS it would be like watching a horror film. There's no way a legacy automaker like Ford would put something like that on public roads.

 

[metroshot]

.....
As far as the Slate goes, I personally don't think the Slate will even be in the same league as Fathom. After I watched Jay Leno's excellent video on the Slate vehicle it became obvious that it's priced the way it is for a reason. That truck is bottom of the barrel in terms of build quality, features, etc. If we saw it crash tested by IIHS it would be like watching a horror film. There's no way a legacy automaker like Ford would put something like that on public roads.

Agree with you on the build quality of the Ford.

Love my heavy steel body Mach E which has proved well in crashes than driving a 3D printed plastic body Slate held with machine screws.....