from Dealer Magazine, Issue 19
Beyond 0 percent financing on select models and payment protection for a full year, Ford Motor Company said today it is expanding its Ford Advantage Plan to include donations of $20 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in the name of each prospective customer that test drives a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle through June 1, 2009 -- up to $1 million. Dealers also may match Ford's individual $20 contributions in the name of each customer, up to $1,000 per dealership.
In addition, customers will be able to select the local Komen for the Cure Affiliate of their choice for Ford's charitable contribution.
"Our goal with the Ford Advantage Plan is to rebuild consumer confidence and assist local charitable organizations that also are struggling in this economy," said Ken Czubay, vice president of Sales and Marketing. "The Ford Advantage Plan also delivers a 'community advantage' to remind people that Ford and its dealers will be there to support to support them and the charities they care most about - in good times and bad."
As a national series sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series, Ford supports more than 120 Race events nationwide. More than 50,000 Ford employees have participated in Komen Race for the Cure events, and thousands of local Ford dealers support the Race in their communities creating tremendous awareness for the breast cancer movement. Through 'Warriors in Pink,' Ford captures the true essence of survivorship, celebrating the more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors - the largest group of all cancer survivors - living in the U.S. today.
Additionally, in 2008, more than 18,000 Ford U.S. employees have volunteered 100,000 hours to help people in their local communities; that's the equivalent of nearly $2 million dollars of in-kind corporate contributions.
"This program will go a long way in helping Komen directly serve women and men in hundreds of communities across the country with education, screening and treatment programs that address breast cancer issues close to home," said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "Once again, Ford and its associates are demonstrating the creativity and drive that have made them outstanding Komen partners for the past 15 years."
Since launching the Ford Advantage Plan on March 31, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers have noticed the program is making a difference and building consumer confidence, the automaker said.
"We have definitely seen an increase in showroom traffic since the Ford Advantage Plan was announced," said Dan Heller, Dealer Principal from Heller Ford in El Paso, Ill. "We had a customer come in a couple days before the program looking for an F-150 but told us he was worried about losing his job. Within hours of hearing about the Ford Advantage Plan, he came into the dealership and bought the F-150," Heller added.
