FORD OPENS NATIONAL ONLINE AUTO SHOPPING SERVICE
By Adnews Staff
Ford Motor Company of Canada, based in Oakville, ON, has constructed a new national auto shopping service at <http://www.ford.ca>. The online service allows consumers to "build" a vehicle and obtain the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Consumers can also comparison competitors' prices, receive an estimate for a trade-in, calculate lease or purchase payments, apply for financing, search local dealer inventories, arrange a test drive, negotiate a price or place an order. The service is based on a pilot project undertaken last year by Ford in Ottawa, Hamilton and Niagara Falls in which consumers could customize, price and order three Ford models online. Ford has expanded the service to include all 2001 Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Next year's models are expected to be available online later this month. Ford's online shopping service is being promoted with public relations from Cohn & Wolfe of Toronto. The Ford.ca address is also displayed in all of Ford Motor Company of Canada's corporate advertising done by its agency of record Young & Rubicam.