Ford Motor Company Dealers Sell More Than One Million Vehicles Online through FordDirect

Ford Motor Company and FordDirect Announce Internet Dealer of the Year Winners

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 3 -- As automobile dealers across the country gather in Las Vegas Feb. 3 - 6 for the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention and take a look in their rear view mirrors at 2006 sales, one thing is clear ... Internet sales are larger than they appear.

Dealer sales through referrals from FordDirect, a dealer-controlled joint venture with Ford Motor Co., represented 15 percent of total retail sales for Ford and Lincoln Mercury divisions in 2006. And since FordDirect's inception in 2000, more than 1,070,000 vehicles have been sold through FordDirect Internet referrals.

"The Internet plays a huge role in how people shop for and ultimately select their next vehicle," said Cisco Codina, Group Vice President, Ford Motor Co. "We have an advantage in the online market because through FordDirect we are able to unite the marketing power of Ford with the distribution expertise of our local dealers."

Because of the importance of Internet sales and the role the local dealer plays in the process, Ford Motor Co. and FordDirect recognized their top five Internet dealers at this year's NADA convention with the 2006 Internet Dealer of the Year Award. Steve St. Andre, FordDirect president and COO awarded Ted Britt Ford, Fairfax, Va., the Ford Internet Dealer of the Year award; and Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury, Clinton Township, Mich., the Lincoln Mercury Dealer of the Year Award.

"We are proud to name Stewart Evans and Gardner Britt our 2006 Internet Dealers of the Year," St. Andre said. "FordDirect dealers like Stewart and Gardner sold more than 270,000 vehicles through FordDirect Internet referrals last year. Sales from online referrals will continue to grow and it will become even more important for dealers to have sound Internet processes to maximize these sales opportunities."

Gardner Britt Jr., Dealer Principal at Ted Britt Ford said he doesn't need an award to tell him how important the Internet is to his business.

"Sales that started with an Internet referral account for 25 percent of our overall vehicle sales," Britt said. "The entire management staff at Ted Britt Ford supports the efforts of our Internet department, because that's where consumers start their research process and it's the best place to influence their decision on make, model and dealership."

Sales from the Internet are on the rise for Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury as well. In fact, 10 percent of all their retail sales in 2006 started online with an Internet referral.

"To us the Internet is more than an advertising tool, it is our second showroom and all online customers are treated as a customer who walks in the door," Evans said. "We have a strong Internet team and one of the key factors for their success is our organization's attitude about the Internet."

Three other dealerships received Internet Honorable Mention Awards at NADA: Five Star Ford, North Richland Hills, Texas; Sam Galloway Ford, Fort Meyers, Fla.; and Galpin Ford, North Hills, Calif. Internet Dealer of the Year and Honorable Mention Award winners were selected based on the total number of vehicles sold online, number of Internet referrals received, as well as a dealer's overall close rate (number of Internet referrals received divided by number of vehicles sold).

About FordDirect

FordDirect (www.forddirect.com) is a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and its Ford franchised dealers to create a comprehensive web presence for dealers and provide marketing services that help dealers sell more cars and trucks. Last year, dealers sold more than 270,000 vehicles through FordDirect referrals. FordDirect is the only dealer-manufacturer partnership in the industry. Launched in August 2000, FordDirect has more than 4,500 participating Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover dealers located in all 50 states. FordDirect is headquartered in Dearborn, Mich.