BRENTWOOD, 21 March, 2018 – Ford has announced a new retail partnership with Next stores to increase representation of the brand.
Ford will open a new-look five-car showroom in the refurbished Next store in Manchester’s Arndale shopping centre. Test drives will be available from the Arndale Centre, and new cars can be handed over there. A new Ford team of 15 product experts and support staff are being recruited for Ford in Manchester Arndale, which is due to open in July.
At the same time Ford will launch an online car sales pilot for customers to specify, finance and order a new car for delivery to participating dealers, Ford in Manchester Arndale or to a home address anywhere in the country.
Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: “We have the most extensive dealership network, which has already received significant investment in new FordStores, Transit Centres and Mobile Service Vans to offer customers specialist retail, van and service assistance.
“These will remain to serve the many consumers wanting to visit a dealer. There is also a growing appetite to browse for cars in other retail environments and online which we are meeting with these new 2018 ventures.”
Ford’s display at Manchester Arndale will be changed regularly, and will initially feature new 2018 ranges including Fiesta, EcoSport and Mustang. All complementary online offers will be supported by Ford Options, the company’s Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) scheme, and be accompanied by Ford’s usual warranty and roadside assistance terms.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 54,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 69,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and eight unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
