Dealers
Our dealers are a vital part of our success. They represent the public face of Ford and provide employment, tax support, leadership and customer service in our communities.
Our Dealer Network
To improve facilities and create loyal advocates of our products and services, we collaborate with our U.S. Ford dealers through the Ford Trustmark Facility Assistance Program. We also work closely with our Lincoln dealers to improve the retail experience for the luxury car customer.
We continue to help dealers connect with their communities, through educational resources and training, and by providing capital loans to minority dealers. We also work with our Ford Minority Dealers Association (Ford MDA) and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers to sustain and strengthen their viability, and to gain new partners.
Dialogue With Dealerships
Our Ford and Lincoln Dealer Councils play a vital role in facilitating open dialogue. Through these forums, dealers can share their concerns and opinions openly and productively. Details are published annually, along with Ford management input, for added transparency.
Dealer Council members also participate in Ford’s National Dealer Advisory Panels, addressing a range of issues, including customer experience and satisfaction, new product development plans, dealer training, marketing and advertising.
Beyond everyday interactions, dealer satisfaction is measured through the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) biannual survey.
Access performance data about dealer attitude
A Tradition of Giving
According to our annual survey on Dealer Giving, U.S. Ford and Lincoln dealers gave around $114 million and over 800,000 hours of volunteering to local causes and nonprofits in 2016. Nearly 80 percent said their teams give both time and money to local causes.
In 2016, the main areas they supported were:
- Children’s charities (69 percent)
- Education and scholarships (62 percent)
- Veterans’ causes (56 percent)
- Police, fire and other first responders (46 percent)
Our Salute to Dealers
Watch a video about our Salute to Dealers
We recognize the hard work and dedication of the thousands of Ford and Lincoln dealers through our annual Salute to Dealers program. The scheme demonstrates our commitment to those who go above and beyond to give back to the communities in which they live and work.
We’re very proud of the contributions made by those nominated and selected as honorees since the program was launched in 2001. In 2016, our 17th annual awards recognized the generosity and community spirit of the following dealer principals, each of whom receive a $10,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The six winners were selected from a global field of nearly 80 nominees.
Ken Crowley, Crowley Ford Lincoln, Plainville, Conn., United States
Ken Crowley’s annual JDRF Golf Tournament has raised more than $1 million in the fight against Type 1 diabetes, and he is actively involved in Operation Embracing Lonely Families (ELF), hosting an annual Christmas party and supporting the families of deployed troops with food, toys and money. Crowley Ford Lincoln was also one of the first U.S. dealerships to participate in the U.S. Army Reserve’s Employer Partnership Initiative, which trains and hires veterans in civilian careers after their discharge from active duty. Dealership personnel serve as event ambassadors in the Drive 4 UR School and the Lincoln Driven to Give programs, guiding other dealerships on how to help schools and charities host fundraising events.
Natalie Tindol, Tindol Ford, Gastonia, N.C., United States
Natalie uses her dealership to strengthen lives in the community, raising money for the local Boy Scouts, the Gastonia Police Foundation and schools across the county through the Education Foundation. She is passionate about her role with the local Girl Scouts, working as a troop leader for 13 years to develop leadership qualities and self-confidence. As a former president of the Community Foundation of Gaston County, Tindol has also helped coordinate an annual event where more than 100 nonprofits raise money for their charitable organizations, generating more than $12 million over the past 12 years.
Alan Jay Wildstein, Alan Jay Ford Lincoln, Inc., Sebring, Fla., United States
In addition to donating to hundreds of charities, events, organizations and individuals, Alan Jay Wildstein encourages philanthropy among his 400 team members, who actively give their time, money and efforts throughout the community. The Alan Jay Wheels for A’s program gives one graduating senior at each of five local high schools a late-model vehicle as they start the next chapter of their lives. Seniors earn entries into the draw with each “A” they receive during their senior academic year, and nearly 70 vehicles have been given away to date. In addition, Wildstein has sponsored 16 Habitat for Humanity homes and, for each holiday season for more than 20 years, Wildstein “adopts” a local elementary school. Wildstein and his team dress as Santa and elves, distributing toys to the children.
Vaughn A. Wyant, Jubilee Ford Sales Ltd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Vaughn Wyant led a team of fellow dealers and local businesses to create and auction a custom-designed Ford F-100 truck, raising $450,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. For more than 25 years, Wyant’s company has been the lead sponsor of the Black Tie Bingo for Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, raising over $2 million for critical services and equipment. Wyant also donated $1 million toward the construction of a new, world-class art gallery, and made a $500,000 donation to the University of Saskatchewan toward the construction of a new sports and recreation facility for community use.
Paul Brown, John Andrew Ford, Auckland, New Zealand
Paul Brown is a dedicated advocate and supporter of Camp Quality, a charitable initiative that focuses on improving the quality of life for children living with cancer through summer camps and year-round activities. Proceeds from his dealership’s many fundraising efforts to date exceed $950,000. Furthermore, Brown is a generous supporter of the BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge, a seven-day, cross-country event that raises money for charitable causes. Each year, his dealership donates vehicles to the winners of the corporate challenge race, which in turn assign the vehicles for use by selected charities, including the Cancer Society and Ronald McDonald House. Brown has also completed two terms on local school boards, spearheading fundraising efforts and donating his personal time to important educational projects.
Turgay Mersin, Sadıkoğlu, Uşak, Turkey
Turgay Mersin has donated funds to help build several schools, and initiated a business club with a local university that pairs students with industry and business. Mersin supports the Association of Disabled Persons and a local nonprofit organization that raises cancer awareness through the Today One Hour and Tomorrow One Life campaign. He has built a new mosque for the community, and raises awareness and social sensitivity regarding violence against women. His environmental contributions include the creation of a “Memorial Wood,” planting more than 3,000 trees, and the creation of a new well to provide much-needed water in Tanzania.