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Ford Tests Internet Used Vehicle Sales

8 May 1998

Ford Testing Internet Used Vehicle Sales in Boston, Houston

    DETROIT, May 8 -- A pilot Internet program from Ford Motor
Company is giving customers in Boston and Houston a convenient new
method for purchasing pre-owned Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles.
    Ford Motor Company's new Internet website -- http://www.fordpreowned.com --
brings a large inventory of Ford Quality Certified, Mercury Quality Certified
and Lincoln Assured vehicles to the shopper's home or office via the Internet.
Customers in the Boston and Houston metropolitan areas can order vehicles
online -- directly from Ford Motor Company inventories -- and accept delivery
through their choice of participating dealers.
    "Ford has designed this process to be convenient and hassle-free," said
Robert L. Rewey, group vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford
Automotive Operations.  "We know that many people are using the Internet to
shop for all types of day-to-day activities and we are using this pilot to
measure their willingness to buy used vehicles via the Internet."
    Customers can search a database of select vehicles, choose models and view
pictures, review equipment specifications and see the no-haggle price of the
actual pre-owned vehicle they are viewing on their computer monitor.
    Ford also enables consumers to purchase Ford Extended Service Plans and
apply for credit approval for financing or leasing through Ford Credit via the
website.  Ford Credit's new online credit approval process, called AutoApply,
is being launched in conjunction with Ford's Internet used vehicle showroom.
After customers specify a vehicle and dealer to handle delivery, the customer
may complete a credit application encrypted with a password which is sent
instantly to Ford Credit. Ford Credit provides a decision electronically to
the customer and the preferred dealer within minutes of receiving the credit
application.
    Vehicles offered on the website are three model years or newer and have
less than 36,000 miles.  In addition, all vehicles are factory certified, have
passed a 100-point inspection and are backed by a minimum 12-month/12,000 mile
warranty -- or the balance remaining on the factory warranty, whichever is
greater.
    Ford has taken additional steps to make customers feel comfortable with
this new concept in used vehicle shopping.  Following order placement, the
chosen vehicle arrives at the delivering dealership within 48 hours, and the
customer may test drive the vehicle prior to delivery.  If the customer is not
satisfied, he or she is not required to accept the vehicle.  Additionally,
vehicles may be returned within three days or 300 miles after purchase if the
customer is not satisfied.
    "This program is being tested initially in Boston and Houston to determine
the level of customer interest in used-vehicle Internet shopping," Rewey said.
"We believe that customers who prefer Internet shopping as well as the
participating dealers who serve them will be delighted with this new
opportunity."

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company