Ford India's unique 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Service comes to two new cities

Indore, April 21, 2008 -- Ford India today announced the launch of its customer-friendly after-sales service initiative, the 24-hour Ford Service Roadside Assistance [Ford Service RSA] in to two new cities - Indore and Jallandhar. 

Starting 21st of April , all new Ford vehicles sold by authorized Ford Dealer in Indore, and Jallandhar will be offered free* Roadside Assistance for a period of two years from the date of sale of the car. Older Ford customers can buy Ford Service RSA retail packs at a nominal cost from their respective dealerships in the two cities.
 
The 24-hour Ford Service RSA provides Ford's customers a stress-free vehicle ownership and motoring experience.
 
The service is accessible through a national toll-free number providing on-site assistance services including minor repairs on-site; transportation of car to service centre if required; fuel delivery; jumpstart of batteries; assistance to unlock cars; towing assistance and much more.  
 
''This service initiative, combined with Ford’s outstanding quality provides customers with an unprecedented level of value and peace of mind,'' said Nigel Wark, executive director, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford India.
 
Ford India piloted Ford Service RSA in five cities, 15 months back. It was company’s pioneering and industries' first-of–its-kind professionally manned service. Extended in a phased approach, Ford Service RSA quickly moved to widen its reach and covers 14 cities across India.
 
In this year, Ford Service RSA will be added to 5 new locations, including Indore and Jallandhar in April and then moving to Madurai, Thiruvanathapuram and Lucknow. With this RSA will be in a total of 19 cities, targeting more than 75% of Ford's customer base.
 
For Ford India, Mondial Assistance** an internationally acclaimed automotive is the service provider who introduced this speedy, professionally-manned service in India. Run by global experts, it had set new service benchmarks.
 
Ford Service Roadside Assistance programme comprises a fleet of two types of vehicles including flat bed trucks and emergency response motorcycles. Depending on the type of service request, the requisite vehicle will rush to the site to provide assistance, thus delivering fast, accurate and quality service to motorists.
 
The flat bed trucks, being deployed for the first time in India by an automobile manufacturer, allow immobile vehicles to be recovered without the accompanying damages generally experienced during traditional towing. The service provides hospitality experience by offering cold towels and refreshments to comfort customers in the hour of distress or arranging taxi to stranded customers where onsite repair is not possible. 
 
Nigel adds, ''The feedback from our customers has been very positive and the real strength of the service is in its promptness, professionalism and quality. The customers have acknowledged the support and have complemented the concept of vehicle been transported on a truck rather than being towed."
 

Ford India continues to enhance its unmatched customer experience through the expansion of its nationwide dealership base, the introduction of world-class after-sales services and initiatives, and a constant effort to improve the overall quality and convenience of the Ford brand.