Automakers have been making an attempt 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 singular program for rideshare drivers that’ll allow them to drive a Mustang Mach-E, nevertheless it’s not low cost.
This system known as Ford Drive. Whereas the location 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 present 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. 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 fee and embrace auto insurance coverage, upkeep and the flexibility to modify plans at any time. So mainly, determine simply over $1,000/month for the fundamental plan and $1,236 to get the plan with limitless miles.
What’s wild is that proper now, each single Mach-E lease is a greater deal than all the Ford Drive program. The most cost effective Mach-E lease in Southern California proper now’s $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 worth is correct what it needs to be for those who embrace insurance coverage.
Even with insurance coverage although you’ll nonetheless come out forward with a daily lease. I managed to work up a quote with Allstate on a Mach-E Choose. Be mindful California automotive insurance coverage charges are a bit nuts proper now as a result of the insurance coverage business is freaking out as a result of they truly should do what individuals are paying them to do. Even with a superb 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 fundamental 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. Till then, if you end up on this as a ride-share driver, do your self a favor and simply lease one from Ford as an alternative. It’s actually cheaper.
