Ford Dealers Elect Representative From Iowa to Serve On the Ford Division National Dealer Council

16 November 2000
Ford Dealers Elect Representative From Iowa to Serve On the Ford Division National Dealer Council
    FORT DODGE, Iowa, Nov. 16 Midwest Ford dealers elected
Casey Johnson, owner of Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln-Mercury in Iowa, to serve as a
representative on the Ford Division National Dealer Council.
    Prior to his election Johnson had served as a local zone representative in
the Kansas City Region for two years.  "By having a position on the National
Dealer Council, I'll be able to communicate key messages and ideas from the
Kansas City Region's 350 dealers to Ford executives in Detroit," said Johnson.
Johnson will represent the Kansas City Region which consists of five Midwest
states; Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and part of Illinois.
    "Casey's dealership has an outstanding sales record with superior customer
satisfaction ratings," said Donald Minogue, Regional Sales Manager for Ford
Division in the Kansas City Region.  "The other dealers in the region are very
confident that Casey will be successful in addressing their key issues and
messages in Detroit."
    Celebrating its four-year anniversary this October, Johnson said that Fort
Dodge Ford Lincoln-Mercury has grown significantly, capturing the largest
market share for car and truck sales in Webster County.  The dealership was
awarded Lincoln-Mercury's Most Improved Dealer during 1999, and the 2000 Dual-
Dealer Top-Five Volume award.
    Johnson attributes Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln-Mercury's success to five key
elements; customer enthusiasm, employee satisfaction, financial performance,
market effectiveness, and ongoing improvement.  "The dealership must strive to
practice these beliefs on a daily basis with the greatest emphasis on the
customer," said Johnson.  "Our mission statement is very simple: Create an
open, honest and friendly environment with the highest values placed on
people."  All Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln-Mercury employees carry this message.
    A unique sales approach would best sum up Johnson's dealership.  This
approach includes salaried sales staff not paid by the traditional commission-
driven sales approach with a five-day return policy on pre-owned vehicles, no
questions asked, and a Best Price or One Price selling, right up front, on all
vehicles, eliminating the negotiation process that customers have disliked for
years.  "All of these elements create a positive, exciting experience for all
involved, including our employees," said Johnson.
    Married for 20 years to his wife Deb, with two teen-age sons, Matt and
Nick, Johnson moved to Iowa eight years ago.  An active voice in the
community, Johnson is a part of the Community Action Network (CAN), serving on
a special board called, Character Counts.
    "The group works with schools and law enforcement to help instill morals
and values within our youth," said Johnson.  "We feel very fortunate to call
Fort Dodge home."