Ford auto centers to reach 600 stores
Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that its fast-growing Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center business is on track to reach 600 stores by the middle of next year because of growth in the United States and abroad.
Quick Lane is Ford's service center brand and is operated by Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealerships. It doesn't carry the Ford branding or logo. Ford first established Quick Lane in 1997 to compete with service centers such as Jiffy Lube and now has 553 locations in its network.
Quick Lane offers routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter changes and light repair services such as brake repair and tire replacement.
On Thursday, Ford said it plans to open about 25 locations by the end of this month and expects to reach the 600 mark before June 30. Ford also opened a location in Singapore this year and in Costa Rica this fall.
"We've found that Quick Lane has been very advantageous to the growth and service to our customers and dealers," said Frederiek Toney, vice president of Ford's customer service division.
Toney also said the annual revenue for the Quick Lane franchises is expected to top $450 million this year, a 4% increase from 2008. And while about 80% of the locations are at or beside Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealerships, about 25% of the customers who go to a Quick Lane service center are non-Ford customers.
"It brings in incremental revenue to our dealers and it expands our ability to provide service to customers who might not otherwise come to us," Toney said.
Source: Ford auto centers to reach 600 stores
Quick Lane is Ford's service center brand and is operated by Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealerships. It doesn't carry the Ford branding or logo. Ford first established Quick Lane in 1997 to compete with service centers such as Jiffy Lube and now has 553 locations in its network.
Quick Lane offers routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter changes and light repair services such as brake repair and tire replacement.
On Thursday, Ford said it plans to open about 25 locations by the end of this month and expects to reach the 600 mark before June 30. Ford also opened a location in Singapore this year and in Costa Rica this fall.
"We've found that Quick Lane has been very advantageous to the growth and service to our customers and dealers," said Frederiek Toney, vice president of Ford's customer service division.
Toney also said the annual revenue for the Quick Lane franchises is expected to top $450 million this year, a 4% increase from 2008. And while about 80% of the locations are at or beside Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealerships, about 25% of the customers who go to a Quick Lane service center are non-Ford customers.
"It brings in incremental revenue to our dealers and it expands our ability to provide service to customers who might not otherwise come to us," Toney said.
Source: Ford auto centers to reach 600 stores
