MarkK Posted June 25, 2017 at 08:43 PM Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 at 08:43 PM I've driven my new Energi for about 5 days now, I like it a lot. Since I am retired and I do many short trips with this car, and since I can easily recharge at home or using a fast charger in the parking deck in my gym (free), I have used gas only once for a few minutes. Pretty nice. The car has wonderful features, the Nav and sync3 are excellent, the fit and finish is excellent, the ride is very very good too and comfortable (and VERY quiet). My wife is thinking of a new car, she has the usual luxury car, but after seeing mine, she was thinking about a FF Hybrid. We do need one car with a decent trunk. So I looked online for a Hybrid at all the (many) local dealers. None in stock, at least none in stock with Titanium or Platinum trim (and only one or two total). I had found the situation worse as far as the Energi model, so when I wanted one, I ordered it, then waited almost 4 months. Why doesn't Ford market these cars at all? I can only blame the dealers a bit, since no one wants them, I don't think anyone even knows they exist!!!! --- so they don't stock them. Toyota has plenty of Priuses in dealer stock, Chevy has many Volts, but they market their cars. This weekend, the NY Times had an article about the new Prius plug-in. Not much different price or spec wise then my car, which has Titanium trim plus a few add-ons. Similar electric range. But the Fusion is much bigger, handles better, has more uumph and it is way more luxurious than any Prius (my daughter is visiting with her family, her Prius is in my driveway right now, so I know what I am talking about). The NY Times loved the new Prius. Why doesn't Ford market and advertise, so people know this car exists? Why aren't they hassling the press to get articles, like Toyota does with the Prius and Chevy with the Volt? Ford, if you are reading this, you are missing a great opportunity. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyersnole Posted July 1, 2017 at 08:30 PM Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 at 08:30 PM Any answer on this would simply be a guess, as a Ford exec will not be sharing their strategy on a message board. But I could share my guess. PHEVs and BEVs are not high profit transactions, F150s and SUVs are... guess where Ford is going to put its advertising. Some brands (GM, Nissan, Toyota, etc) are putting real effort to compete in this space as they see an alternative drive platform as inevitable. Manufactures such as Ford, BMW, VW (Audi & Porsche included), Hyundai, Fiat, Daimler AG (Mercedes, Smart), and others are also reacting to this inevitable switch with a more cautious approach. Given the recent price trend in gasoline/oil... maybe that is the better approach. Add in the above stated reasons of salespersons unwilling to learn the product, disincentives for dealerships to promote these vehicles (loss of oil change/brake maintenance) and you can understand where we are. If Tesla was not so disruptive you would have to believe that GM, Nissan, and Toyota would not be so invested. My opinion anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzicman61 Posted July 11, 2017 at 05:53 PM Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 at 05:53 PM I can't address marketing issues but when looking for a new or used car, give truecar.com a try. I'm big on buying factory exec models (new but technically used) and was able to find several on that website. I figure let Ford take the hit on the new car buy. :) I am not affiliated with truecar or their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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