Odd question about purchasing new vans!

Gettingtherequickly

Hi

We are buying new vans for the company and looking at changing from VW to Ford, in that we can purchase brand new Ford for the same cost as 2/3 year old VW, which in theory gives us an extra couple of years driving without incurring extra charges within London.

However, Ford are not being terribly responsive, not returning calls or replying to emails.  I realise that there are a lot of staff furloughed, but surely to goodness, if there was the prospect of selling 5 new vans, someone would be chomping at the bit?

Anyone else come across this problem?

AdrianC

Gettingtherequickly said:
brand new Ford for the same cost as 2/3 year old VW, which in theory gives us an extra couple of years driving without incurring extra charges within London.

Are you getting confused about the way the ULEZ works? It applies to all Euro6 diesels, and every diesel 2014 or later is Euro6...

I'd hazard a guess that one reason new vans are in short supply is the self-inflicted chaos of Brexit, and the disruption to the supply chain from Turkey (part of the EU Customs Union).

The factory was also furloughed for at least some of last year, further disrupting supply.

Remember, a lot of vans are supplied to organisations which have continued to operate throughout - and expiry of leases means that vans go back... Used van prices have been exceptionally high over the last year, due in part to many businesses not upgrading, but also due to the demand for vans to convert to campers, as well as people furloughed from their main jobs going into couriering.

Car_54

Gettingtherequickly said:

Hi

We are buying new vans for the company and looking at changing from VW to Ford, in that we can purchase brand new Ford for the same cost as 2/3 year old VW, which in theory gives us an extra couple of years driving without incurring extra charges within London.

However, Ford are not being terribly responsive, not returning calls or replying to emails.  I realise that there are a lot of staff furloughed, but surely to goodness, if there was the prospect of selling 5 new vans, someone would be chomping at the bit?

Anyone else come across this problem?

What do you mean by "Ford are not being terribly responsive"? Are you contacting Ford HQ, your local dealer, or whom?

Gettingtherequickly

Thanks guys, we are aware of the rules on ULEZ, as the vans we have are 2014/15, so looking at lower emission ones.

With regard Ford, it is the local dealer, who currently has a vehicle which we only want to look at, but just can't get an appointment arranged..

Car_54

Gettingtherequickly said:

With regard Ford, it is the local dealer, who currently has a vehicle which we only want to look at, but just can't get an appointment arranged..

I'd try a different dealer.

Herzlos

Gettingtherequickly said:

Thanks guys, we are aware of the rules on ULEZ, as the vans we have are 2014/15, so looking at lower emission ones.

With regard Ford, it is the local dealer, who currently has a vehicle which we only want to look at, but just can't get an appointment arranged..

I thought the dealerships were all currently closed so can't really do viewings.  I can see them being reluctant to arrange for you to just look at one vehicle, but I assume you've made it clear that you want to buy 5 and need to look at one first?

Grumpy_chap

Gettingtherequickly said:

With regard Ford, it is the local dealer, who currently has a vehicle which we only want to look at, but just can't get an appointment arranged..

Dealerships are currently closed for lockdown.  Viewing not allowed, only "click and collect" purchase.

Can you view a van by hiring one for a day?  Maybe a pain, but also a way around the lockdown rules.

burlingtonfl6

You might also find that the supply of new vans isn't that great. We've recently had an email from Ford and Peugeot saying they are struggling to keep up with demand and our new orders could be pushed back to 2022.

Gettingtherequickly

Thanks for the comments guys. They are aware that we will need 5, but good suggestion regarding hiring for a day. We shall plod on!

rhino_horn

burlingtonfl6 said:

You might also find that the supply of new vans isn't that great. We've recently had an email from Ford and Peugeot saying they are struggling to keep up with demand and our new orders could be pushed back to 2022.

5 months for a new Ford transit. We just ordered a new one for one of our customers 🙂 (I'm not a Ford dealer) 

Mutton_Geoff

I think the factories have also been furloughing and slowing production so demand has increased.