Ford’s AXZ Plan is a set of special new-vehicle purchase/lease pricing programs designed to reward Ford employees, retirees, and qualifying partners (plus certain eligible relatives/household members). The letters matter:
- A-Plan = typically for current eligible Ford employees
- Z-Plan = typically for eligible Ford retirees / surviving spouses
- X-Plan = typically for Ford Partner Recognition (partner company/organization) participants and “friends & neighbors”–style eligibility where allowed
The big benefit is simple: you buy (or lease) at a predefined plan price rather than negotiating from scratch—then you may still stack eligible public rebates/incentives depending on the offer and your location.
Below is a complete, SEO-friendly, plain-English guide that covers who qualifies, how PINs work, how pricing is calculated, what documents you’ll need, and common mistakes that get deals delayed.
What Is the Ford AXZ Plan?
The Ford AXZ Plan refers to Ford’s new-vehicle purchase programs (often called A/Z Plans plus X-Plan Partner Recognition). These programs provide plan pricing to eligible participants, generally on most new Ford (and often Lincoln) vehicles, with specific rules, exclusions, and documentation requirements.
AXZ Plan vs Employee Pricing for Everyone
Sometimes Ford runs broad promotions marketed as “employee pricing” for the public.
That’s different from being an actual AXZ participant with plan rules and a PIN. Ford has, in the past, offered public campaigns that mimic employee pricing structures.
AXZ Plan Pricing Basics (How the Price Is Determined)
While exact formulas can vary by plan type and vehicle, the core idea is:
- Plan price is preset (not a mystery “discount”)
- It’s usually below MSRP and commonly positioned as near or below invoice depending on plan and model
- You may still qualify for consumer incentives (rebates, APR offers, lease specials) if you meet the offer rules
Many dealers explain AXZ as a structured price (A/Z typically strongest, X slightly less), but the real source of truth is the official plan rules and pricing tools on Ford’s program sites.
Important: Dealers can still add certain permitted fees and taxes (state/registration/titling), and plan rules commonly address what’s allowed.
A-Plan vs X-Plan vs Z-Plan: Key Differences
A-Plan (Employee Pricing)
Generally intended for current eligible Ford employees and, in many cases, eligible immediate family (per program rules).
Z-Plan (Retiree Pricing)
Generally intended for eligible retirees and often surviving spouses plus eligible immediate family (per rules). Many dealer guides note Z pricing is often similar to A-Plan.
X-Plan (Partner Recognition / Friends & Neighbors Path)
X-Plan is connected to Ford Partner Recognition (partner companies/organizations) and also supports PIN-based eligibility workflows. The official Partner Recognition site focuses on X-Plan access and pricing tools.
Who Is Eligible for the Ford AXZ Plan?
Eligibility is the #1 thing that trips people up. The simplest way to think about it:
- A/Z: You’re a Ford employee/retiree/surviving spouse (and potentially have eligible relatives depending on rules)
- X: You’re in the Partner Recognition ecosystem (partner org/company), or otherwise qualify through recognized pathways that generate a valid X-Plan PIN
Official documents emphasize that not everyone qualifies, and some relationships (like “friends” or certain extended relatives) are not eligible under A/Z/D rules, even if they feel close personally.
Typical A/Z Eligibility Themes (Examples)
Dealer and program FAQs often summarize A/Z eligibility as:
- Current eligible employees (A)
- Retirees and surviving spouses (Z)
- Certain immediate family members (varies by plan rules)
Typical X-Plan Eligibility Themes (Examples)
Partner Recognition generally focuses on:
- Employees/members of partner organizations
- The PIN system and program rules for X-Plan transactions
Best practice: Treat dealer blog summaries as helpful, but verify your situation using official program portals/rules, because eligibility and caps are rule-driven.
What Is a Ford AXZ / X-Plan PIN and Why Do You Need It?
A PIN (Personal Identification Number) is essentially your authorization code to purchase/lease under plan pricing. You generally present the PIN at the dealership so they can validate your plan eligibility and apply the correct plan price in their system.
Ford maintains official PIN-generation portals:
- Partner Recognition PIN generation for X-Plan
- MyPlan portal explains access for invited participants and points employees/retirees to AXZ tools for PINs
Many plan FAQs also explain you can view previously generated PINs via official portals (PIN history).
How to Generate a Ford X-Plan PIN (Partner Recognition)
While screens can change, the standard flow looks like this:
- Go to the official Partner Recognition PIN page
- Verify your identity as required (the site may request details for verification)
- Generate your PIN
- Save/print your PIN confirmation
- Bring it to a participating dealer when you finalize the deal
Ford’s Partner Recognition program pages clearly state a PIN is required and provide the official “Generate PIN” workflow.
How MyPlan and AXZ Sites Fit In
Ford runs multiple portals that serve different participant types:
- MyPlan: Often used for qualified participants who receive an email invitation (family members, friends & neighbors paths, etc.). The MyPlan login page explains this and directs employees/retirees to the AXZ site for generating or approving PINs.
- Partner Recognition (X-Plan): Focused on partner-member access, program rules, PINs, and pricing tools.
Step-by-Step: How to Use the Ford AXZ Plan at a Dealership
Step 1: Confirm Your Plan Type (A, X, or Z)
Before you shop:
- Determine which plan applies to you
- Confirm your eligibility under the official rules
Partner Recognition rules and plan documents are especially useful for X-Plan understanding.
Step 2: Generate Your PIN (and Keep It Handy)
Use the correct portal for your plan path:
- X-Plan PIN via Partner Recognition
- If applicable, MyPlan instructions and employee/retiree routing to AXZ tools
Step 3: Pick an Eligible Vehicle (and Confirm It Qualifies)
Some trims, high-demand models, or special editions can have restrictions. Always verify in the official pricing tools or by dealer plan verification. Program rules exist because not every configuration is treated the same.
Step 4: Visit a Participating Dealer and Present Your PIN Early
Don’t wait until finance to mention AXZ—tell the salesperson up front and provide:
- Your PIN
- Your ID
- Any proof documents required by the plan rules
Certain plan documents stress proof requirements (for example, household/address rules in some contexts).
Step 5: Review the Buyer’s Order Line-by-Line
Your buyer’s order should clearly separate:
- Vehicle plan price
- Taxes/registration
- Allowed dealer fees (varies by state and program rules)
- Optional products (extended warranty, maintenance, GAP, etc.)
Partner Recognition rules include FAQs about fees and dealer profit/commission concepts.
Step 6: Apply Incentives You Qualify For
Ask the dealer to check:
- Current public rebates
- Regional incentives
- Finance/lease programs
Incentive stacking depends on the offer terms and your location, so it’s always “verify at time of purchase.”
AXZ Plan Limits and Common Restrictions (What People Miss)
Rules change over time, but common plan-rule themes include:
PIN Limits Per Year
Some dealer explanations and FAQs claim up to four PINs per calendar year for A/Z participants (and sometimes different caps for X). Treat these as guidance and confirm against current official rules.
Household/Relationship Restrictions
Official plan documents can be strict about who counts as eligible under a plan. For example, an AXZD plan pricing agreement document explicitly notes some groups aren’t eligible under A/D/Z and describes household proof requirements in certain cases.
Titling/Registration Requirements
Plan programs commonly require the vehicle to be titled/registered in an eligible participant’s name (and may allow certain co-title situations depending on rules). Dealer summaries often mention this, and it’s consistent with how plan compliance is enforced.
Dealer Participation and Inventory Reality
Most franchised dealers can process plan deals, but inventory shortages and high-demand models can influence availability. Plan pricing is a price structure, not a guarantee of a specific unit being available tomorrow.
Ford AXZ Plan Required Documents Checklist
Bring these to avoid delays:
- Your plan PIN confirmation (printed or on your phone)
- Government-issued ID
- Proof of eligibility (employee/retiree verification as required)
- Proof of relationship/household if the rules require it (often driver’s license address matching, etc.)
- Insurance card (for delivery)
- Trade-in title/loan info (if trading)
AXZ Plan Pricing vs Negotiating: Which Is Better?
AXZ advantages
- Less stress: plan price is defined
- Faster buying process
- Transparent structure
Potential trade-offs
- In rare cases, an aggressive dealer discount or special promotion may beat plan pricing—especially at month-end, model-year transitions, or if a dealer is overstocked
The smart move is to compare:
- Plan price (A/X/Z)
- Any public promotions
- Your total out-the-door cost
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Ford AXZ Plan only for new vehicles?
AXZ is widely described as a new vehicle purchase program. Always confirm eligibility for your exact vehicle and model year in the official pricing tools/program rules.
Where do I get my Ford plan PIN?
For X-Plan, Ford provides a dedicated Partner Recognition PIN generation page.
Program FAQs also describe retrieving previously generated PINs via PIN history on official portals.
What is MyPlan, and why does it say I need an invitation?
Ford’s MyPlan login page explains it’s for qualified participants who received an email invitation and points employees/retirees to the AXZ site for generating or approving PINs.
How many PINs can I generate per year?
Many dealer FAQs state A/Z may generate up to four PINs per year, and X-Plan may have different limits depending on the program rules. Verify in the current official plan rules for your plan type.
Can a dealer refuse AXZ Plan pricing?
A dealer generally must follow program rules to process plan deals correctly. In practice, participation and vehicle availability can vary, and high-demand inventory situations can complicate things. If you face issues, reference the official program rules and consider contacting Ford program support through the official portals.