SOhappy

I guess they ran into a hitch with their plan to reduce the number of dealers:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...8/newsletter01

vzdude

Ford tried that a few years back.......it tanked.

pronstar

But its working great for Lexus...although their owners tend to take their cars to the dealer for service more so than non-luxury makes.

It doesn't work when there are so many dealerships around. Ford has way too many. Why put up a service center that is surrounded by dealerships?

But you need to service vehicles in areas where there isn't a dealership close at hand (due to consolidation or what have you). Generally speaking, parts & service makes more money for the average dealership than new-car sales (used car sales makes more than new car sales as well).

It *might* work for Dodge, but I think domestic car buyers can be dealer-averse, and might just as easily take their vehicles to an independent shop.

In the end, they are trying to plan for the end result: a company with far fewer dealers than they currently have.

SOhappy

Maybe they are preparing for the day when the Lifetime Warranty hits the fan.

pronstar

No kiddin'

TAS05CTD610

That's cause ford hopes while your truck is in service, one of there 5 dealer ships will stop you from going accross the street to the dodge dealer

MoParForME

Now that there is some funny stuff, I don't care who ya are!!!