Dealers

Our dealers are the face of Ford to our customers and communities. They are key employers and contributors to local economies. Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the United States alone employ 211,000 people, with a payroll of almost $8.0 billion and tax payments of more than $850 million.

We are working to expand our network of dealers in markets where we have growth opportunities. In China, for example, we added 50 new dealerships in 2006 alone to keep up with growing demand for our vehicles. The Ford Dealer network in South America has been strengthened during the last three years with an exciting product lineup, a stronger brand and growing local industry. And in Russia, the opening of a new parts depot in 2005 was a clear signal to dealers that we are committed to their markets and their business.

Dealers are an important part of our product-led strategy. Our new product introductions will be of mutual benefit to Ford and its dealers, and will help strengthen our relationships.

We measure dealer satisfaction within all of our brands and regions through various methods. Day-to-day interaction with our dealers, ongoing meetings with our Dealer Councils and input from third-party surveys assist us in assessing the state of our important relationship with our dealers. Dealer Attitude Survey results for overall satisfaction among Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers remained steady during the summer of 2006 but decreased slightly in the winter of 2006. However, overall Dealer satisfaction remains at a 10-year high.

Salute to Dealers

Ford annually recognizes outstanding dealer contributions to the community through its "Salute to Dealers" program. The program was established in 2001 to demonstrate our commitment to dealers who provide outstanding products and services and improve the lives of those in need. Dealers from all eight of our brands representing more than 6,000 dealership franchises nationally are eligible to be nominated. Ford Motor Company is very proud of the contributions made by the dealers who are nominated for this award and the 58 men and women who have been selected as "Salute to Dealers" honorees over the past seven years. Considering the high quality and community spirit of our dealer body, this is a tribute to their hard work and dedication to make the world a better place.

The 2007 Salute to Dealers award recipients are as follows:

• Randy and Michael Chapman, Chapman Auto Group, Philadelphia, PA:
  Many businesspeople give back to the community, but making a real difference in others' lives is what Randy and Michael Chapman are all about. The brothers, who run seven Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealerships as part of their Philadelphia-based company, are especially devoted to children's causes. They support Special Equestrians – a nonprofit therapeutic riding program for children and adults with physical, mental and emotional disabilities – and the Special Olympics. They are also supporters of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and other local charities, sports teams, schools, orphanages, hospitals, law enforcement and food banks.
• Raymond J. Ciccolo, Boston Volvo Village, Boston, MA:
  Family and children are everything to Raymond J. Ciccolo. So this father and grandfather finds himself driven to share the blessings in his life with children who are less fortunate than his own. Raymond supports the Best Buddies program, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. He is a board member of Medical Missions for Children, which works to provide care for critically ill children in less-developed countries, and he works with The Alliance for Children Foundation, an international relief organization dedicated to improving the physical and emotional well-being of abandoned children living in orphanages in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. In addition, Raymond provides a college scholarship each year to support the education of a student in need, and he is an active supporter of Toys for Tots.
• Irma B. Elder, Elder Automotive Group, Troy, MI:
  Irma Elder was brought up believing it is better to give than receive, and she puts that belief into action through contributions of time and resources to countless charitable groups and community organizations. As the first woman to own a Ford dealership in metro Detroit, she is a strong supporter of empowering others through groups such as LASED (Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development Inc.) in Detroit's Mexicantown. She is also a strong supporter of Oakland Family Services. In addition to volunteering her time and making financial contributions, she provides her financial and strategic advice to the boards of dozens of charitable organizations, including Northwood University and the Josephine Ford Cancer Foundation.
• Marie J. Fritts, Fritts Ford, Riverside, CA:
  Marie Fritts is a beloved member of her community, with which she connects by donating her time, leadership skills and money to support numerous organizations and causes. She has doubled her dealership's contributions to Riverside Against Drugs, an organization her husband founded. She also is actively involved in animal welfare organizations, including contributing generously to the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center's capital campaign. Her contributions to the Arlanza Health Care Center in Riverside allow thousands of underinsured and uninsured families and individuals to receive quality vision care and glasses, regardless of their ability to pay for it. She is also an active contributor to other local organizations, including the YMCA, the local school district and the Riverside Arts Council.
• Marty Giles, Northstar Ford Lincoln, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada:
  Marty Giles's philosophy in business and in community work is to "get it done." He is a strong supporter of increasing access to health care in rural communities, including chairing a $3.5 million campaign for the Northern Lights Regional Health Foundation. He is also a member of Leadership Wood Buffalo, a group that coaches and supports the next generation of entrepreneurs. He is also a strong supporter of United Way, Unity House for Battered Women, the Canadian Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and more.
• Tim Razzari, Razzari Ford/Mazda, Merced, CA:
  Tim Razzari is not just a businessman but a passionate community activist who uses all of his many talents to inspire others to help raise money and support for a wide variety of causes. He is a strong supporter of A Woman's Place, a shelter for battered women. He also helps raise money for Trails of Happy Tails, a nonprofit group that takes animals from the local shelter and places them with rescue organizations throughout the region. He also supports St. Luke's Episcopal School, for which he has raised more than $1 million.
• Paul Rusnak, Rusnak Auto Group, Pasadena, CA:
  Paul Rusnak focuses his efforts on children-oriented causes, such as Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, because he believes children are the future. He is also a strong supporter of the AIDS Service Center in Pasadena, which reaches out to almost 1,700 individuals and families affected by, and at risk from, HIV/AIDS. The Rusnak Auto Group's community commitments also include the Marine Corp's annual Toys for Tots campaign, the Pasadena POPS Orchestra, Loving Heart Hospice Foundation, March of Dimes, Haven House, Pasadena Unified Educational Foundation and many others.
• Bruce Schindler, Bob Davidson Ford, Inc., Baltimore, MD:
  Bruce Schindler believes getting involved is the only way to ensure improvement in one's community. He is deeply involved with his community and holds children and families as his main focus. Bruce is an active board member of Pathfinders for Autism, to which he lends his financial and strategic advice. Bruce's dealership also founded Operation Home Base to support local military and their families. The organization packages and handles all the local contributions to Maryland's troops and assists returning service members and their families. He is also an active supporter of St. Paul's School, for which he and his wife chair the Parents' Association.
• David C. Wintrode, Causeway Ford Lincoln-Mercury, Manahawkin, NJ:
  David Wintrode is passionate about improving the lives of current and future generations through his work to promote literacy and enhance educational programs and opportunities. He has served the Ocean County College Foundation for 25 years, helping the community college expand its offerings, distribute scholarships and raise money for a new daycare center and early learning center on campus. He helped develop the "Reading for Excellence" program in the Stafford Township schools in 1992. The program encourages a love for reading and makes a connection between home and school. Bruce also established the Wintrode Family Foundation in 2003 to provide libraries for the Head Start program. And he supports a summer theater series that reaches more than 8,000 children each year and allows donations to medical facilities.