Automakers have been trying to get in on the recognition that’s ridesharing for awhile. Whereas the outcomes have been blended, some like Ford are nonetheless making an attempt. The automaker has a novel program for rideshare drivers that’ll allow them to drive a Mustang Mach-E, however it’s not low-cost.
This system is known as Ford Drive. Whereas the positioning says it’s solely obtainable in L.A., San Francisco and San Diego, it’s supposedly obtainable throughout California. Which is to say, it’s solely obtainable in California for now and is simply obtainable to people who’re already driving for Uber. It permits drivers to enroll and pay for Mustang Mach-Es to make use of for rideshare.
As with most of those packages, insurance coverage and upkeep are all bundled into the worth. Ford makes use of typical phrases like “flexibility”, “all-inclusive” and “financial savings” to explain this system whereas touting how simple it’s to enroll. And that is all true. Drivers can join — there’s additionally a smooth credit score test and a minimal rating of 600 — select their pricing package deal after which schedule to choose up their Mach-E. Together with the credit score rating requirement, drivers have to fulfill only a few different necessities earlier than they will join: be an current Uber driver, have a minimal rating score of 4.9 and have accomplished a minimal of 100 journeys. The issue is the worth.
Drivers can select between two weekly plans. The most cost effective is the usual plan which was as soon as $289 however has now been dropped to $259/week. That comes with 500 miles and 20 cents for each mile over that. Should you’re going to be doing extra driving, there’s the premium plan. It was $389/week however that’s been lowered to $309/week. That plan will get drivers limitless miles. Each include no down fee and embody auto insurance coverage, upkeep and the power to modify plans at any time. So mainly, determine simply over $1,000/month for the essential plan and $1,236 to get the plan with limitless miles.
What’s wild is that proper now, every single Mach-E lease is a greater deal than the whole Ford Drive program. The most cost effective Mach-E lease in Southern California proper now could be $319 a month for 36 months on a Mach-E Choose. One may even go all-out on efficiency with the Mach-E GT and nonetheless come out cheaper than Ford Drive. Proper now, you possibly can lease a ‘24 Mach-E GT for $487/month for 36 months with 10,500 annual miles. Or if you wish to get slidey the brand new Mach-E Rally is out there for $540 a month with the identical phrases because the GT. Some may say that this value is true what it must be for those who embody insurance coverage.
Even with insurance coverage although you’ll nonetheless come out forward with an everyday lease. I managed to work up a quote with Allstate on a Mach-E Choose. Remember California automotive insurance coverage charges are a bit nuts proper now as a result of the insurance coverage business is freaking out because they actually have to do what people are paying them to do. Even with a great driver low cost and full protection and 15,000 miles a 12 months, I used to be quoted $591 a month. Add within the present Mach-E Choose lease and also you’re at $979 a month, $57 cheaper than the essential Ford Drive plan.
I reached out to Ford to see if the automaker had any plan to supply any cheaper weekly tiers and can replace this once they get again to me. Now I’m not saying exit and lease this factor and use it to ride-share. Nevertheless if you end up on this as a ride-share driver, do your self a favor and ensure you know what you’re stepping into. Simply understand it’s actually cheaper to lease one from Ford as an alternative.
