Dozens of Ford pickup trucks and SUVs have been sitting for quite some time on dealership lots. They are all 2024s and have something in common that will not convince customers to take them home.
With Ford already rolling out 2025 model year units at most of its plants across America, the chances of 2024s to be sold are plunging. Everyone in the market for a new vehicle is going to go for a newer one with upgraded tech and equipment and the latest manufacturing year.
Why would anybody go ahead and buy a 2024 model year that has been sitting in a dealership yard for quite some time, braving the elements, if Ford doesn't offer any financial advantage at all?
But with the dealership yards still full of 2024s and just one month away from 2025, Ford doesn't seem willing to offer any discounts on the outgoing models.
For instance, an F-150 goes for over $78,000. Meanwhile, an XLT with Ford's 3.5-liter engine integrated into a full hybrid system is for sale for $63,110. The automaker will charge $700 more for the premium spray bedliner. Meanwhile, a black-painted F-150 Tremor can be purchased for $67,220.
Their neighbor is an F-150 Lightning, available for $72,890. For the money, you get seats wrapped in fabric. And we all know how fast electric vehicles depreciate. So, the resale value might scare customers off just as much as the high MSRP does.
Photo: Thomas Sieber | YouTube
There are so many F-350 Super Duty trucks, all lined up, waiting for someone to fall in love with them, take them home, and put them to the work they can do. But who would pay almost $100,000 for a workhorse that is just a 2024 when we are so close to 2025?
Classified as a mid-size pickup truck on the US market, the Ford Ranger comes with a full-size truck price. It is a minimum $51,000 affair for the Lariat version.
A Ford Bronco Badlands with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine is sold for $69,275. Thomas Sieber, the one who inspecting the Corwin dealership inventory in Nevada, finally finds a 2025 Ford. It is an Expedition, which is for sale for $48,000.
The pricing for the models in the online inventory is better
Ford does have an inventory that is above the national average. It is obvious that loading dealerships up with expensive high-trim vehicles manufactured in 2024 is definitely not an efficient strategy. They pile up at dealerships, while customers wait for the model sold as a 2025.
Back in June, the brand's CFO, John Lawler, expressed concern about the growing inventory: "It worries me that the stocks are building," he said then.
Unable to sell the surplus, Ford will have to resort to massive discounts to be able to get rid of the 2024 model year examples. However, it is not actually that bad in terms of pricing if you check the inventory online. Customers can buy an F-150 Regular Cab with the XL trim for as little as $37,000. Those who would prefer a four-door pickup truck can choose one for $43,720.
Meanwhile, a Bronco Sport from the inventory can be purchased for around $30,000. Ford has revived the Bronco Base for the 2025 model year, which will start at around $39,000.
A mid-size Ranger with the XL trim goes for as much as $34,810. So, Ford's inventory isreally not just for window shopping.
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