Ford Paid a Big Markup for a Tesla Model X
Ford was one of the first customers to receive a Tesla Model X and the brand paid a $55,000 markup to make it happen.
In total, Ford spent $199,950 on a Model X according to Bloomberg, which is about $55,000 over what the MSRP is for the vehicle. Ford’s Model X was the 64th unit built by Tesla and is a white Founders Series P90D model with the Ludicrous Speed upgrade.
The unit was originally bought by a California man named Wayne Skiles, who had used Tesla’s referral system to sell 11 Model S sedans, qualifying him for a Model X Founders Series. He immediately sold the car to a Chicago-area dealership for profit. It was then sold to Ford by Corporate Auto of Auburn Hills, Michigan.
SEE ALSO: Early Tesla Model X Owners Experiencing Quality Issues
Automakers buying competitors cars to examine them is nothing new, but paying nearly $212,000 once Michigan sales tax and title is added in seems excessive. “It is a common industry practice among many automakers to buy production vehicles for testing as soon as they are released,” Ford said in a statement it released. “Sometimes, this means automakers pay more than sticker price to acquire them as quickly as possible.”
Ford is pushing rapidly into the electric car race with a recent investment of $4.5 billion and it is important to know the competition.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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And, as shown, the price paid is chump change relative to their total EV investment.
Hopefully, Ford learned quickly the error of the "Falcon" doors...