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Ford has recruited 22 new dealers to its network since January and is looking to fill eight further open points as it targets northern counties.
The appointments form part of the rural dealer recruitment programme the carmaker started in May 2007. Tony Lynn, Ford’s franchise business manager, said the brand is likely to have a total of 30 new appointments by the end of the year.
The brand will be discussing representation with prospective dealers at the Motor Trader Open Points Roadshow in Harrogate on 7 October.
By the end of August Ford’s network consisted of 553 sales points and around 630 service points.
Lynn said the brand is looking to increase northern representation as most of its recent openings have been in the south.
“Most of the new appointments have been with family-run businesses who have either decided to move away from the franchise they already have or they’ve decided to add Ford to their existing business.”
Lynn added that dealer profitability was holding up despite sales pressures in the new car market and said the brand was looking at ways of improving levels.
“Dealer profitability is doing reasonably well – it is tough out there at the moment. As a company we are looking at ways and means of assisting our dealers and have some plans which are in the early stages of development.”
* Further details are available from Tracy Knight on tracy.knight@nexusmedia.com and 01322 611201.