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 attempting. 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 named Ford Drive. Whereas the location says it’s solely out there in L.A., San Francisco and San Diego, it’s supposedly out there throughout California. Which is to say, it’s solely out there in California for now and is just out there 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 value. Ford makes use of typical phrases like “flexibility”, “all-inclusive” and “financial savings” to explain this system whereas touting how straightforward it’s to enroll. And that is all true. Drivers can join — there’s additionally a comfortable credit score test and a minimal rating of 600 — select their pricing bundle after which schedule to choose up their Mach-E. Together with the credit score rating requirement, drivers have to fulfill just some different necessities earlier than they will join: be an current Uber driver, have a minimal rating ranking of 4.9 and have accomplished a minimal of 100 journeys. The issue is the value.
Drivers can select between two weekly plans. The most affordable 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. For those who’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 cost and embrace auto insurance coverage, upkeep and the flexibility to change 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 all the Ford Drive program. The most affordable Mach-E lease in Southern California proper now could be $319 a month for 36 months on a Mach-E Choose. One might even go all-out on efficiency with the Mach-E GT and nonetheless come out cheaper than Ford Drive. Proper now, you may 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 might say that this value is true what it ought to be if you happen to embrace 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. Take note California automotive insurance coverage charges are a bit nuts proper now as a result of the insurance coverage trade is freaking out because they actually have to do what people are paying them to do. Even with a very good driver low cost and full protection and 15,000 miles a yr, 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 after they get again to me. Now I’m not saying exit and lease this factor and use it to ride-share. Nonetheless if you end up on this as a ride-share driver, do your self a favor and be sure to know what you’re entering into. Simply understand it’s actually cheaper to lease one from Ford as an alternative.
