Ford Canada has extended the deadline for dealers to join in its electric vehicle programmes once more, as the two parties work to settle the issues that some shops are spending up to $1.3 million to advertise and repair the automaker’s EVs beginning in 2024.

Ford’s 440 dealers have until February 17 to participate in the Model e Certified or Model e Certified Elite programmes, according to Automotive News Canada. Ford has not specified how many sellers have signed up so far. It had set a deadline of December 16 but later extended it to December 30.

“The dealer consultation process on the Model e programme began last spring, and the company has extended the enrolment deadline to continue these essential talks,” Ford said in a Jan. 13 announcement.

In a sign of persistent vendor dissatisfaction, Toronto lawyer Shaun Laubman indicated that he had been retained by a number of outlets, though he did not specify how many. Neither Laubman nor Ford would confirm whether or not sellers had taken legal action.

Some larger-market stores have signed up for Model e packages, claiming that the infrastructural enhancements are comparable to owning a Ford franchise. Others are collaborating with the Ford Dealers RoundTable Association (FDRA) to fix issues, retailers told Automotive News Canada.