Investor News

• Some 70 percent of consumers who participated in nearly 3,500 SYNC® demos as part of Ford’s national partnership with consumer electronics leader Best Buy say they are now more likely to consider buying a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury product
• Of those who participated in the demos, 80 percent also stated that understanding how to use the hands-free Ford SYNC system improved their overall opinion of Ford
• The success of the demo pilot program, which was hosted in conjunction with local Ford dealerships and Best Buy locations in the Dallas area, now goes viral as Ford dealerships work with local Best Buy stores in Pennsylvania and California to kick off independent customer clinics

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 30, 2009 – Just one month after announcing a retail partnership, Ford Motor Company and electronics giant Best Buy are on the verge of revolutionizing the owner experience when it comes to the merger of the vehicle and mobile electronics.

Ford and Best Buy just completed a unique 30-day pilot program in the Dallas area aimed at helping build awareness of the SYNC® in-vehicle connectivity system, as well as providing mobile technical support through Best Buy Mobile stores and Geek Squad nationwide. The results have been eye-popping for both companies.

“In combination with our terrific Ford dealership network, we’ve given consumers through our Best Buy relationship a way to fully experience the power and performance of SYNC,” said John Felice, general marketing manager, Ford, Lincoln Mercury Divisions.

Local Ford dealerships teamed up with 30 Best Buy locations to offer consumers free SYNC demos outside a Best Buy store in a SYNC-equipped vehicle, along with providing phone upgrade checks. Meanwhile Ford, Lincoln and Mercury owners could sign up for personal SYNC tutorials and phone compatibility testing and upgrades. Nearly 3,500 demos and 400 owner clinics were completed.

For Ford, the demos further proved the positive power of SYNC, with 80 percent of participating consumers – who were not current owners of a Ford product – saying their overall opinion of Ford dramatically improved after completing the SYNC demonstration. A further 70 percent of participants went as far as to say they would be more likely to consider purchasing a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury product as a result of their hands-on experience with the SYNC system.

The owner clinics also proved fruitful in helping current owners of SYNC-equipped vehicles understand all the system has to offer – specifically 911 Assist™, turn-by-turn directions and information services, and Vehicle Health Report. Prior to the owner clinics, a combined average of 28 percent of Ford owners knew the ins and outs of these features. After the 400 clinics, a combined average of nearly 69 percent of Ford owners knew and would use these features. The clinics also revealed that nearly 36 percent of Ford owners consider the hands-free phone capabilities – one of many features included with the technology – the most appealing feature of SYNC.

For Best Buy, the pilot acted as a traffic generator, with more than 1,600 consumers in Dallas, Fort Worth and west Texas conducting mobile phone upgrade checks over the 30-day program period. Prior to the owner clinics, 36 percent said they would consider a phone purchase from Best Buy Mobile. After the clinics, that number jumped to 72 percent – a 36 percent increase. Offering more than 90 different mobile phones and all major carriers, Best Buy Mobile focuses on smartphones, an important device for maximizing SYNC capabilities.

“Smartphone technology is rapidly gaining popularity, in part because consumers are realizing just how central mobile devices are to connecting them to all aspects of their lives,” said Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile. “And with Ford SYNC, the benefits of smartphone technology now extend to the automobile.

“The success of the pilot program in Texas and the organic developing of relationships between our stores and Ford dealerships across the country are tremendous proof points that consumers are hungry for support and guidance in getting the most out of their increasingly mobile lives,” he added.

Based on the success of the Texas pilot program, Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers across the country, including Sturman & Larkin Ford in Pittsburgh; Advantage Ford Lincoln Mercury in Duarte, Calif.; and Galpin Ford in North Hills, Calif., are also beginning to cultivate relationships with their local Best Buy outlets, and starting their own grassroots efforts to continue the positive momentum generated by this partnership.

“Our partnership with Best Buy provides another touch-point for customers to experience the full capabilities of our world-class SYNC system,” said Sam Pack, dealer principal of Five Star Ford in North Richland Hills, Texas. “While Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers ensure customers have a full understanding of SYNC, Best Buy makes the process even more seamless for customers looking to upgrade their portable electronic devices so they are able to fully maximize their SYNC experience.”

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.