Advertisement

Ford Dealers Don't Trust Ford

Image: Spencer Platt (Getty Images)
Image: Spencer Platt (Getty Images)

Some would assume that a dealership franchise from a major automaker would have some sort of faith or trust in the brand they choose to sell. I mean, dropping millions of dollars just to sell a brand you don’t trust would be kind of crazy right? Apparently it’s not such a far fetched idea.

Automotive News reports that a dealer survey conducted by automotive data firm Kerrigan Advisors shows that Ford dealers have very little trust in company that makes the brand they sell. Meanwhile Toyota dealers have the most trust in their brand.

Read more

Image: Kerrigan Advisors
Image: Kerrigan Advisors

Ford issued a statement to Automotive News responding to the survey, saying that its dealers are “important strategic partners and we are always listening and making adjustments. Working with our dealers, we have made recent beneficial changes to address dealer feedback and improve franchise value.” Nissan, Lincoln, Stellantis and Infiniti rounded out the top five that dealers trust the least after Ford.

ADVERTISEMENT

Toyota’s dealers trust the brand the most, something Kerrigan says has to do with the brands strategy.

Dealers “trust that Toyota is not only going to do the right thing by producing the right vehicles for the consumer today, but it also will ensure that as the drivetrain changes and as the consumer’s way of interacting with the dealer changes, they’re going to continue to make this a win-win relationship for the OEM and the dealer,” Kerrigan said.

Kerrigan said things like “discontent ignited by EV strategies and too many EVs flooding dealership lots” and concerns about profitability related to over the air updates are driving the mistrust and skepticism for brands like Ford.

More from Jalopnik

Sign up for Jalopnik's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.