A short transcript of a YouTube clip (Service Driving Revolution) discussing Ford's new Ford Model E sub-brand for electric vehicles, implications for dealer franchise relationships and potential direct-to-consumer moves, and Ford’s Illuminator crate motor retrofit kit for classic trucks. The speakers speculate on dealer-manufacturer dynamics, service/warranty challenges if Ford sells direct, and mention a retrofit motor producing 480 horsepower with the original truck having ~17 hp and a parts cost of about $4,100. The clip closes with show sign-off and a listener phone number.
Questions this video answers
480 horsepower
Approximately 17 horsepower (as spoken humorously in the clip).
About $4,100
8333-ASK SDR (spoken as '8333-ASK SDR')
Chapters
So Ford Model E is the name of the new branch of Ford that will only produce electric cars. So I'm sure that a lot of you have seen the lightning and then they've got that Mustang Mach E that is like a little suv. It looks like the Tesla Model X. All that stuff's going to come under one badge of the Ford Model E. And, and then the original ICE engines are gonna be under the Ford blue.
So essentially combustion engines are gonna be under blue.
That's right. So very interesting stuff. And just remembering that the Ford Model E company does not have franchise agreements with any dealers in any state.
Yeah. So we've said this, and I've been saying this for a long, long time and it's been unpopular, but I actually sat in a meeting.
And they were talking about how the, you know, the third, fourth generation dealers are impossible to deal with. They won't train their people, they won't invest, etc.
Etc.
And this is either going to be huge leverage to get dealers to do what they want them to do, or it's going to be their way to go to start going direct to consumer. Even though they're saying they're not it. Every time we get a little step closer.
Yeah, it seems that way. So, and what department does that make more focus? Online service.
Because the one thing they can go direct to consumer but they, they're not going to be able to roll out service centers and staff them. That's just not going to happen. And so they're going to need, they're going to need service.
That's right.
They're going to break, they're going to need warranty.
Yeah, it's the one zone where I feel like the manufacturer needs the dealer more than the dealer needs the manufacturer. And that particular part is the fixing of the vehicles. Yeah, Ford has announced that they have the illuminator crate motors back and this is super cool. So essentially Ford has like a performance parts branch of their company and they have made a retrofit electric motor that can go into like these classic trucks. So those of you that can't see my piece of paper, which is everyone but Chris, I, I've got a picture of a 1979, 78 F100, which looks like the 1972. Yeah. Or the 73, 74, 75, 76 or 77.
Such a cool truck though.
It's retrofitted with an electric motor in it and that's super cool. Just giving you an idea. This particular truck got an electric motor put in it that has 480 horsepower, as opposed to the original 78F100 that had 17 horsepower. And that was if you actually did the Fred Flintstone move your feet thing. But this is really cool that you can buy.
The secondary market's gonna go up for these sort of vehicles retrofitting. And I would buy that in a second. Like, I love that old Ford pickup. Like, my grandpa had that. And I was bummed when he passed away. One of my cousins got it. But I thought about stepping in and trying to buy it because it was the coolest thing.
Yeah, you stop gas tanks. Oh, that's right. With the two doors. You're right. Oh, that's great. I love it. So just guessing, how much do you think that electric engine is installed or the part? Just the part.
So you probably have to do something with batteries, right? You gotta install a battery in there, I would guess. And the range probably isn't very far, but for around the city, for me, it'd be great.
So fun. Yeah. So they have the. And essentially they just have a kit. You gotta get a traction inverter, a battery pack control system, like an ECM of sorts to complete the swap. But it's all really, really doable. Looking for the people that wanna spend the weekend in the garage. I think this is fascinating stuff that they found a market for this.
If anybody listening to this has an older 1970, preferably 72 or 73. Cause that's when I was born.
Ford that you want to do that on. I'm. I'm a customer.
Thanks so much for watching this clip.
Of Service Driving Revolution.
We're uploading new stuff every day, so make sure you subscribe and click the bell icon so you don't miss out. If you have a question you'd like us to answer on the show, call 8333-ASK SDR and we'll answer your question on the show. That's 8333 Ask SDR. For special deals on our books and training, head over to offers.chriscollinsinc.com now that's offers.chriscollinsInc.com I'm Chris Collins and I'll see you in the next video.
