Ford Motor Co. and FordDirect Name Ted Britt Ford 2006 Ford Internet Dealer of the Year

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 5, 2007 -- For the second year in a row, Ted Britt Ford of Fairfax, Va., has been recognized as Ford Motor Co. and FordDirect's Ford Internet Dealer of the Year. The announcement was made by FordDirect President Steve St. Andre at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Las Vegas, Nev.

"We are proud to name Gardner Britt Jr. and Ted Britt Ford our 2006 Ford Internet Dealer of the year," St. Andre said. "Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealerships 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."

Britt, Dealer Principal at Ted Britt Ford, and his General Sales Manager, Tony Nardelli, said they don't need an award to emphasize the importance of the Internet.

"I don't know how to begin to tell you how important the Internet is to our business. We have two showrooms at Ted Britt, the physical location consumers walk in to and our online showroom at Tedbritt.com and FordDirect.com," Nardelli said. "I'm very proud of the team effort in our Internet department. Sales that started with an Internet request account for more than 25 percent of our overall vehicle sales."

Nardelli said it's the convenience and easy access to information that drives consumers to start their research for their next vehicle purchase online. This means that online is the best place for Ted Britt Ford to reach consumers early in their decision making process and influence their final decision on make, model and dealership.

That's why they've worked so hard to make tedbritt.com a virtual showroom and why they focus so much energy on making Internet customers feel special when they come to the dealership. The Internet department has three full-time employees dedicated to answering customer's online requests for quotes and setting appointments for test drives for Internet customers.

"The most important thing to the Internet customer is a quick response with the information they're looking for. When a customer submits a request online, our goal is to get back to them within 10 minutes," said Internet Director Nick Umbs. "And we continue to follow up with that customer for six months."

Umbs and the Internet team focus on getting the consumer in the dealership for a test drive. And when the Internet customer does arrive in the dealership, they'll find a reserved parking spot and their test-drive vehicle waiting for them on a staging ramp. The car will be cleaned and in perfect working order, even warmed up in the winter or cooled down in the summer. Customers will be met, oftentimes by Nardelli himself, and handed off to one of the dealership's top performing salespeople.

"Internet customers are very impressed when they come in," Nardelli said. "I introduce myself and welcome them to the dealership. I let them know their car is ready and introduce them to their salesperson. I assure them that they will have a great experience with Ted Britt Ford."

In the coming year, Nardelli said the team is looking to expand their Internet success to the service department and allow customers to schedule service appointments online.

About Ted Britt Ford

Ted Britt Ford has been family owned and operated since opening its doors in Fairfax, Va., in April 1959. Founder "Texas" Ted Britt was famous in the entire DC area for his white cowboy hat and his "we trade anything" motto. Owned by Gardner Britt Jr. since 1986, Ted Britt Ford has grown to five locations and more than 300 employees through a focus on customer satisfaction and hard work. Ted Britt has been No. 1 for many years in the mid-Atlantic in new Ford Motor Company vehicle sales. Ted Britt Ford is available online at www.tedbritt.com.

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.