BRENTWOOD, Essex, 28 January, 2010 – Ford’s position as Britain’s top choice for learner-drivers has been underlined with the announcement of a major new vehicle supply deal with the AA Driving School.
Ford has equipped AA Driving School on an exclusive basis for the last 12 years, and this new contract extends the partnership to 2012, with 2,700 cars a year being supplied. For the first time, 1.4-litre Ford Fiestas will be introduced to the AA Driving School fleet, alongside the mainstay Ford Focus 1.6, to provide instructors and pupils with greater choice.
Kevin Griffin, Ford’s director of fleet operations, welcomed the news: “Ford and the AA are both very powerful brands in the UK. We are delighted to be extending our 12-year relationship with the AA Driving School. Ford has been the number one vehicle brand in the UK for 34 years and our position in the heartland of the vehicle market supports the AA Driving School in offering new drivers the highest quality introduction to their driving experience from day one. With Fiesta and Focus first and second in the UK car market, AA and Ford are providing the right vehicles for new drivers to start years of enjoyable motoring.”
AA Services CEO Andrew Strong said: “This deal secures a continuation of the quality and high standards delivered under AA Driving School’s long-standing relationship with Ford and will ensure both instructors and pupils have access to a car that meets their needs.”
The opportunity to choose between a Ford Focus and a Ford Fiesta has pleased instructors: “It’s great news that instructors will now have the choice between a Focus or Fiesta for lessons,” said AA instructor Vicki Livermore. “Many pupils go on to buy a Ford after driving one for 40-plus hours as a learner, as they are then familiar with its advantages and the layout of the controls.
“Comfort is the first word that comes to mind about working in a Ford, even after spending eight-plus hours in it every day. Of course reliability is also important and so is the high specification. I have been giving tuition in the Ford Focus for more than four years with no problems whatsoever.
“Many of my pupils comment on how easy it is to drive, especially those with previous experience of driving other makes and models. They are generally impressed by the overall quality plus the extras that they have not previously experienced.”
Deliveries of the new Ford vehicles to AA Driving School’s 1,800 franchised instructors will begin in February and cars will then be replaced at eight-month intervals. AA Driving School is the only national driving school committed to using only fully qualified instructors and 97 per cent of pupils say they would recommend AA Driving School to other learners.
