Last Spring, Ford decided to implement a simple yet genius marketing scheme: Employee pricing for all. The incentive was exactly what it sounded like. Offer discounted pricing on new cars normally reserved for Ford employees to the public, giving people the opportunity to score big discounts.
The promotion was a smash hit, with Q2 sales for Ford jumping by 14% and Lincoln sales increasing by 31% in the same period. This happened for a couple of reasons. Not only did it unlock instant savings for shoppers, but it also capitalized on a rush of buyers who wanted to secure a deal on a new car before tariff-related price increases kicked in later that year. Ford even called the promotion “From America, For America” to flex on competitors that weren’t as American as Ford.
It’s no surprise to hear, then, that Ford is bringing back the employee pricing for all scheme for 2026. This time around, the company is doing it to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, and calling the promotion “American Value. For American Values.”
A name like that is marketing jargon gold, aimed directly at patriotic buyers. Ford really leans into it through their press release, too. Here’s an excerpt you can read for yourself:
It is our way of sticking up for the people who keep this nation moving. We show that value every day by employing more American hourly workers and assembling more vehicles here than any other automaker. We are deeply invested in the American worker and the neighborhoods where we live – a mission shared by our more than 2,800 dealers, who do so much for the local communities in which they operate.
“American Value. For American Values” is our commitment to the workers and families who drive this country forward. To us, that means more than just a century of history – it means offering employee pricing to provide the right value at the right time.
While that sounds very noble, deep down, Ford is still a publicly traded company that’s legally obligated to do everything in its power to make as much money as possible. Just make sure to remember that next time you see a particularly convincing ad from them (or from any automaker, for that matter).
Here’s How Much You’re Actually Saving
All that being said, there are some pretty nice savings to be had with this deal. Depending on the car, employee pricing can slash between 4% to 5% off MSRP, which could add up to over $2,000 on cars like, say, the Mustang.
For 2026 model year ‘Stangs, employee pricing comes in at $32,328, including destination, down $2,307 from the car’s normal price. The discounts extended to 2025 model year cars still on the lot, too, which means you can grab a new ’25 Mustang Ecoboost for as little as $31,666, or exactly one dollar more than a brand-new, 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest thing in Ford’s lineup, you’ll have to turn to its trucks. The Maverick gets around $1,400 worth of discounts thanks to employee pricing for all, with both 2025 and 2026 models now starting at $28,616, including destination charges. The price cuts mean the remaining 2026 Ford Escapes sitting on dealer lots right now also come in under the $30,000 mark, with suggested retail prices starting at $29,726.
Looking for something a bit more utilitarian? The Bronco gets a price cut of nearly two grand, for a new starting price of $40,547, including destination. The F-150 is even cheaper, with bare-bones models starting at $37,207, a massive $2,878 discount from normal pricing. The smaller Ranger and the bigger Super Duty have similar discounts as well. If something electric is more your style, Ford will sell you a Mustang Mach-E for as little as $37,863, around $2,000 lower than the standard price.
Ford says that, like last year, the promotion will run until the week after July 4th to give buyers ample time to take advantage. While there isn’t the looming threat of tariffs pushing people to showrooms this time around, I suspect this will mean another nice sales bump once Q2 numbers are released this summer.
Before you ask, top-level performance products like Raptors and the Mustang Dark Horse are excluded from this incentive, as they were the first time around. I’ve reached out to the company to confirm, and a representative gave me this comprehensive list:
- NEW 25MY/26MY Transit Wagon
- Ranger Raptor
- F-150 Raptor and Raptor R
- Mustang GTD
- F-450 & F-550 Chassis Cabs
- E-Series: E-450 Cutaway & E-450 Stripped Chassis
- F-Series Stripped Chassis: F-53 Class A Motorhome Chassis & F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis, F-650 & F-750 Chassis Cabs
- 26MY Bronco Raptor
- 26MY Bronco Stroppe Edition
- 26MY Super Duty (Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum trims)
- 26MY Mustang Dark Horse SC
So if you were planning to buy your business a new fleet through the employee discount plan, I’m sorry to burst your bubble.
Top graphic images: Mazda; Ford
Purchased my 2020 Mustang during the chip shortage and covid lockdown with Z plan pricing; saved almost $3k off MSRP.
Miata sells for below MSRP too.
Just for fun I did an inflation adjustment on a past 4 cylinder Mustang, from 1987. Adjusted for inflation, that car would be just over $25000, making it about $8k cheaper than a current one. Ill admit that isn’t small potatoes. However, let’s put it into perspective. The 1987 came with an AM/FM radio, no airbags, no ABS, no traction control, no back up camera, or really safety anything. Intermittent wipers is listed as a feature. It had no power locks, windows, mirrors or even any power under the hood. It came with a gutless 2.3L 4 cylinder making 88 horsepower. Put another way, the current Mustang basement is making nearly QUADRUPLE the power. As in, each cylinder of the current Mustang is making almost as much power as that ones entire engine. And its doing that while meeting vastly more restrictive current emissions regulations. No cruise control. The chassis had the rigidity of fresh Lo Mein. No 20″ staggered wheels. The old one likely had 15″ steelies. Etc. Etc. My point is, the car of yesteryear that was $25k, which isn’t dirt cheap, is a car that likely not one of us would consider today. For roughly 30 some percent more the new car offers vastly more of everything. It seems we’ll worth it.
Man, I loved the previous gen Mustang. Such an elegant design. The new one looks like what you’d get if you asked AI to imagine what a mashed together Mustang and last gen Camaro would look like. Complaint over.
Unless you actually want a convertible, which in that case the lowest sticker on a Mustang is ~$43k and there are 125 base model convertibles in the country according to Visor.vin.
Looking at $60k if you want a V8 convertible, which just seems nuts.
How about Ford offer a four door (and reliable) Stang for that price?
Mach E?
I have owned and mostly enjoyed three different V8 Mustangs over the years. I have nothing against the Mach-E but find it a Mustang in name only.
Who’d want a Mustang without a V8 more than a Miata?
Someone that’s not small?
I used to say that, given that I own two V8 Mustang convertibles. But I can’t deny that that 2.3 Ecoboost makes 315 HP, far more than either of my V8 Mustangs made stock (which they haven’t been for some time, but still…) A Miata making 181 HP in a car that small is engaging, sure, but the Mustang can hold it’s own, as well as 4 people, if begrudgingly (the back seat is for small children and amputees, I’m convinced).
How about limiting it to vehicles actually assembled in America? But that would be not that many since a bunch are “hecho en Mexico”. Nothing wrong with building in Mexico but implying everything is US built when that’s not the case is stretching the truth. Enough people will fall for it, though.
“Thanks To Renewed Employee Pricing, A Ford Mustang Now Costs About As Much As A Miata”
And the point is??
Comparison of prices to show relative value.
Apples to oranges. Utterly different car for different use cases.
Yeah, well gotta buy those Callahan brake pads!!!
“I make car parts for the American
working man, because that’s what i am
and that’s who i care about.”
“That’s why i’m here, Ray.
You see, back in Sandusky, Ohio,
there are 300 American
workers at “Callahan Auto”.
We make the best parts money can buy.
And right now those workers are
in danger of losing their jobs.
They’re praying that somebody’s
gonna step up and help ’em.”
“Is that why you’ve strapped
a bomb to your chest?”
“Oh, this isn’t a bomb.
These are road flares.”
“Road flares?
Did you live under power lines
as a kid or something?”
“I’ll tell you what, i can get a good look at
a T-bone by sticking my head up a bull’s ass,
but i’d rather take
the butcher’s word for it.”
“Ray, we’re not looking for a handout here.
I’m offering you a great deal.
This is an order for half-a-million
“Callahan” brake pads,
to be sold in your stores.
Made by the American working man,
for the American working man.”
“Absolutely. It’d be my great pleasure.
What have i got to lose?
A great American product, right?”
“I don’t believe it. Tommy just
sold half a million brake pads!”
Ya can’t teach that, just come natural.
Quit playing with your dinghy!