Ford Improves Availability Of New Parts For Older Models

Motorists driving older model Ford vehicles are set to benefit from a new scheme providing low-volume brand new parts for sale direct to the public.

The first customers were today welcomed to the National Clearance Centre, run by Foray Motor Group. The centre's depot and showroom in Amesbury, Wilts, now offer brand new, slow moving Ford parts and accessories for public sale.

Previously the 26,000 different types of older vehicle parts were stored in Ford's two European parts distribution centres in Daventry, Northants, and Cologne, Germany, and were available to Ford dealers only. As the majority of parts are for Ford cars and commercial vehicles from the early 1980s to mid 1990s, low order levels led to the items being destocked to free up storage space for new product.

Now the range of parts and accessories can be accessed and bought by dealers, garages and owners of older Ford models via www.fordpartsuk.com . Substantial savings are offered on a wide range of parts, from items such as Escort cabriolet soft-tops, Sierra alloy wheels or original Mondeo rear spoilers.

"Ford carries a stock of replacement parts and accessories for all our vehicles ten years after they go out of production," said Axel Wilke, Ford customer service division European marketing director. "Once that period has elapsed, and there are fewer and fewer examples of the vehicle on the road, we can find ourselves with stock still required by some Ford owners but not viable to be held centrally by Ford. The National Clearance Centre is dedicated to holding these special items and finding customers for them among the huge number of owners of classic and performance Fords."

The service and prices from the National Clearance Centre will also prolong the life of accident damaged vehicles which otherwise would have been uneconomic to repair. Prices are lower than those previously charged via dealers thanks to the internet-based National Clearance Centre operation. More than 90 per cent of orders received by 3.30pm at www.fordpartsuk.com are dispatched the same day. Parts can be delivered worldwide.

Today's public launch of the National Clearance Centre follows a two-year pilot of the scheme by Foray, which has also been offering a similar service for Mazda parts to dealers since September 2004. The opening of the National Clearance Centre has initially created eight new jobs, with more to follow if sales exceed expectations.

Howard Jenkins, Foray Motor Group parts director, said: "This is great news for Foray, great news for Ford and even better news for every older model Ford owner. I look forward to seeing the National Clearance Centre concept go from strength to strength."