Dealer Mannequin Program

@Gloff can answer your question.

Automator59

How does the Dealer Mannequin program work? They are beginning to show up at dealer locations and some allow test drives, and others not. My salesman said that Ford is supplying the units without the dealer purchasing upfront, and they don't like them to be driven. He commented that a dealer allowed a test drive of a Mach-E that was totaled and the dealer got in trouble with Ford. I have heard the units can be sold after a time period, which I would assume the dealer would then pay Ford for the unit.
Any dealers out there with knowledge of the program?

They can sell after 6 months on the lot

I have a test drive booked for tomorrow morning. The sales guy and I talked today. He will not be at the dealership until later in the afternoon. He said the keys will be ready for me to take it out and have fun.

I suspect Ford might repeat the same process they established with the Bronco Sport. I expect these demos to be sold long before the 6 month period is up. Ford said the Bronco Sport demos had to be sold early due to great customer demand! Is the demand for the Bronco any less? I do not think so!!

BuzzyBud

I expect these demos to be sold long before the 6 month period is up.

I think this would be spitting in the face of those that ordered, but have yet to recieve

My dealer has indicated that they plan to invite every order holder to take their unit for an overnight use.

HikerAT22

My dealer has indicated that they plan to invite every order holder to take their unit for an overnight use.

That’s quality customer relations.

Although if I were the dealer giving that offer, I’d make sure they provided copies of current insurance, and signed a notarized “borrowed vehicle agreement” (BCA) stating that they’ll return it with a full tank of gas, clean, and unharmed or pay for the damages. BCAs are extremely common at dealerships but not very well adhered to.

Automator59

How does the Dealer Mannequin program work? They are beginning to show up at dealer locations and some allow test drives, and others not. My salesman said that Ford is supplying the units without the dealer purchasing upfront, and they don't like them to be driven. He commented that a dealer allowed a test drive of a Mach-E that was totaled and the dealer got in trouble with Ford. I have heard the units can be sold after a time period, which I would assume the dealer would then pay Ford for the unit.
Any dealers out there with knowledge of the program?

My dealer gets their's soon and I can only look and sit inside. Otherwise they can't sell them as "new". sucks :eek:

HikerAT22

My dealer has indicated that they plan to invite every order holder to take their unit for an overnight use.

Dang!! wow! That's awesome!

my dealer told me they could not sell until 6 months or 4,000 miles which ever comes first, and they offered to let me come in and drive it. I am sure some are going to wait the 6 months to sell as new and others will sell as Demo units for a decent price still as quickly as they can get those miles on them.

I believe it is 6 months or so many miles. They're called "demo" vehicles for a reason. If your local Ford dealer is garbage and wont let you test drive it even after you've ordered one, I'd call around and find a dealer that would. They're meant to be driven by customers not sit there will zero miles to be sold new.

With the Mach-E it was a little different for us. I believe 8 months or 8k miles. We had two Bronco Sports and they were 6 months or 4k miles. I like that people can come drive the units, but it also makes things a pain in the butt when somebody finally decides to purchase. Our 2dr Bronco should be arriving probably by the end of the month.

Think of it as a "Program Vehicle." The dealership must hold onto the Bronco for a set time or mileage before they are able to sell with Ford usually offering an additional rebate.

It is up to the individual dealership as to how they handle their Bronco, give it to the dealership owner's wife to drive or allow customers to test drive. My local dealership has a two door Wildtrak that they are allowing select customers to drool over and test drive.

Program is it has to be in program for at least 6 months and no longer than 8 months. Miles do not come into play at all.

Automator59

How does the Dealer Mannequin program work? They are beginning to show up at dealer locations and some allow test drives, and others not. My salesman said that Ford is supplying the units without the dealer purchasing upfront, and they don't like them to be driven. He commented that a dealer allowed a test drive of a Mach-E that was totaled and the dealer got in trouble with Ford. I have heard the units can be sold after a time period, which I would assume the dealer would then pay Ford for the unit.
Any dealers out there with knowledge of the program?

Overnight test drives are not encouraged. Also a double edged sward, as I am Bronco specialist for a dealership looking at this as a whole, we have a 4 door Wildtrak 2.7 Ecoboost as our Mannequin that Ford Requires us to have a list of accessories on. When it comes down to it that's a hard one to say yeah lets send this out on overnight test drives, then have to sell it in 7 months with all these miles and not get any additional money from Ford in incentive to pass along to the customer who now is bringing up all the miles, who had it, what did they do in it. VS Having the unit on the lot for people to see sit in possibly drive for an hour. There are a lot of possibilities, as this is been left up to the dealers for the most part, each will have a different approach or view on it and at the end of the day it wont matter which direction the dealer goes someone wont be happy or understand. (I try to keep a very open mind here and look at both sides)

My suggestion for when your unit arrives was that we notify all order and reservation holders and allow them the opportunity to schedule a time to come by go over the vehicle and go on a test drive with me the specialist who has also been to Austin Texas, so I can also show them specific things and functions of the unit. As i am more proactive specialist from what i have seen in online forms, I also highly encouraged our management team that we should allow test drives but with a specialist one to protect us from all of the "what ifs" but second to provide a more positive experience for the potential customer and to be able to show/explain things more in-depth to them.

Just my take on the subject i try to look at it from a business point and a customer point and find the even medium. End of the day every dealer is different and every state also has different laws and regulations for loaner vehicles as well. I would say look for a dealer who has a Bronco Specialist, shop who has what units as each dealer will have different Broncos.

Any positive questions please feel free to message me i always try to help.

ChrisP

ChrisP

Overnight test drives are not encouraged. Also a double edged sward, as I am Bronco specialist for a dealership looking at this as a whole, we have a 4 door Wildtrak 2.7 Ecoboost as our Mannequin that Ford Requires us to have a list of accessories on. When it comes down to it that's a hard one to say yeah lets send this out on overnight test drives, then have to sell it in 7 months with all these miles and not get any additional money from Ford in incentive to pass along to the customer who now is bringing up all the miles, who had it, what did they do in it. VS Having the unit on the lot for people to see sit in possibly drive for an hour. There are a lot of possibilities, as this is been left up to the dealers for the most part, each will have a different approach or view on it and at the end of the day it wont matter which direction the dealer goes someone wont be happy or understand. (I try to keep a very open mind here and look at both sides)

My suggestion for when your unit arrives was that we notify all order and reservation holders and allow them the opportunity to schedule a time to come by go over the vehicle and go on a test drive with me the specialist who has also been to Austin Texas, so I can also show them specific things and functions of the unit. As i am more proactive specialist from what i have seen in online forms, I also highly encouraged our management team that we should allow test drives but with a specialist one to protect us from all of the "what ifs" but second to provide a more positive experience for the potential customer and to be able to show/explain things more in-depth to them.

Just my take on the subject i try to look at it from a business point and a customer point and find the even medium. End of the day every dealer is different and every state also has different laws and regulations for loaner vehicles as well. I would say look for a dealer who has a Bronco Specialist, shop who has what units as each dealer will have different Broncos.

Any positive questions please feel free to message me i always try to help.

ChrisP

Welcome to the Bronco Nation ChrisP.

Thanks for the insight on the mannequin program. My LFD is getting a WildTrak also. They are going to allow those of us who ordered through them the chance to drive it. Not sure if they will allow others to drive it.

Bronco_Girl

My dealer gets their's soon and I can only look and sit inside. Otherwise they can't sell them as "new". sucks :eek:

They put 51 miles on my "new" car doing demos and running errands before they told me it was delivered.They certainly can and do sell them as new after using them.

Automator59

He commented that a dealer allowed a test drive of a Mach-E that was totaled and the dealer got in trouble with Ford.

I'd say "Who totals a vehicle on a test drive??" But my dad did that once. Steering wheel fell off 2 blocks from the dealership, crash ensued. He walked back, handed them the steering wheel, said he'd pass on the car and left.

ChrisP

Overnight test drives are not encouraged. Also a double edged sward, as I am Bronco specialist for a dealership looking at this as a whole, we have a 4 door Wildtrak 2.7 Ecoboost as our Mannequin that Ford Requires us to have a list of accessories on. When it comes down to it that's a hard one to say yeah lets send this out on overnight test drives, then have to sell it in 7 months with all these miles and not get any additional money from Ford in incentive to pass along to the customer who now is bringing up all the miles, who had it, what did they do in it. VS Having the unit on the lot for people to see sit in possibly drive for an hour. There are a lot of possibilities, as this is been left up to the dealers for the most part, each will have a different approach or view on it and at the end of the day it wont matter which direction the dealer goes someone wont be happy or understand. (I try to keep a very open mind here and look at both sides)

My suggestion for when your unit arrives was that we notify all order and reservation holders and allow them the opportunity to schedule a time to come by go over the vehicle and go on a test drive with me the specialist who has also been to Austin Texas, so I can also show them specific things and functions of the unit. As i am more proactive specialist from what i have seen in online forms, I also highly encouraged our management team that we should allow test drives but with a specialist one to protect us from all of the "what ifs" but second to provide a more positive experience for the potential customer and to be able to show/explain things more in-depth to them.

Just my take on the subject i try to look at it from a business point and a customer point and find the even medium. End of the day every dealer is different and every state also has different laws and regulations for loaner vehicles as well. I would say look for a dealer who has a Bronco Specialist, shop who has what units as each dealer will have different Broncos.

Any positive questions please feel free to message me i always try to help.

ChrisP

Thank you, Chris, for being a part of our community and your insightful posting. Today I completed my first test drive, and it was a joyful event. The only suggestion I would make is to encourage the potential owner to learn how all the great features work. I was along in the Bronco, and I knew a great deal but wanted to test my knowledge. Many of my tests were performed safely in a Mall parking lot. Listed below are just three of the features/functions I tested during my test drive. I tested many more.

• Program the Navigation system prior to returning to the dealership.
• Use the 12’ monitor to assist backing up the Bronco into a parking spot.
• Test out multiple GOAT mods and observe the color relationship in the digital cluster.

BuzzyBud

Thank you, Chris, for being a part of our community and your insightful posting. Today I completed my first test drive, and it was a joyful event. The only suggestion I would make is to encourage the potential owner to learn how all the great features work. I was along in the Bronco, and I knew a great deal but wanted to test my knowledge. Many of my tests were performed safely in a Mall parking lot. Listed below are just three of the features/functions I tested during my test drive. I tested many more.

• Program the Navigation system prior to returning to the dealership.
• Use the 12’ monitor to assist backing up the Bronco into a parking spot.
• Test out multiple GOAT mods and observe the color relationship in the digital cluster.

So bottom line: do you still want one?