Ford’s [De Facto] Exit from NA Leasing
While Chrysler and GMAC are cutting out leasing altogether, Ford is just raising lease prices on its sucky-residual trucks and SUVs to make them “lease proof.” The Wall Street Journal reports Ford officials sent a memo to dealers Monday that said “due to extreme losses Ford Credit is taking on off-lease vehicles, it will be necessary for Ford Motor Credit Company to adjust residuals mid-quarter on the following vehicle lines.” The memo specifies the Ford F-150 and Super Duty pickups, and the Ford Explorer and Sport Trac SUVs. They’re raising lease prices so high customers won’t agree to the terms. [NB: We’ve predicted this de facto exit from leasing for GM.] Last week, Ford revealed that average auction values for 24- and 36-month lease vehicles were down $2.7k and $2.4k each, respectively. In its recent financial statements, FoMoCo wrote-off $2.1b for leasing losses.Â