Is this a (welcome) game changer in car servicing and maintenance? I can't see it taking off quickly but is it the start of something?
DETROIT -- Ford Motor is expanding its customer service division with a new Omnicraft brand of aftermarket parts to cover non-Ford vehicles.
Officials say the addition will allow dealers to service between 85 and 90 percent of competitive makes, generating more business. It is the first time the automaker’s service division has added a new brand in 50 years.
“Omnicraft is a significant benefit to any vehicle owner who needs parts or to have their vehicle serviced,†Frederiek Toney, president, Global Ford Customer Service Division, said in a statement. “Now, owners of non-Ford vehicles have access to quality parts at a competitive price, backed by Ford and installed by Ford’s world-class certified technicians.â€
Toney said the global business for automotive parts, which is now estimated at more than $500 billion, and service will expand by 70 percent in the next six years or so. He would not say how much of the global market Ford wants to capture, but said that in 10 years the company would be pleased if 10 percent to 15 percent of its parts sales were from Omnicraft.
Suppliers will make the parts, and Ford will sell them at a profit, but says they will be competitively priced, in part to attract independent repair shops as well as its own dealers.
Having the parts for non-Ford vehicles will allow dealers to increase repair and service business, as well as offer an opportunity to convince owners to look over new Ford cars and trucks while they are at the dealership.
At first, Omnicraft parts will be sold at Ford and Lincoln dealerships, of which there are 3,200 in the U.S. and 10,500 globally. Omnicraft will be active in Ford's major markets around the world, Toney said.
As the average age of vehicles increases, especially in mature markets such as the U.S. and Europe, there is more of a need for auto parts, Toney said.
The first wave of parts will include those most commonly requested, such as oil filters, brake pads, rotors, starters and alternators.
Brett Wheatley, executive director of North America Ford customer service division, said the decision was about growth. “It’s something where we have a parts pie, and we just want to have the largest slice of that,†he said. “We’re very, very bullish.â€
Ford’s Quick Lane service centers have serviced non-Ford and non-Lincoln vehicles, Wheatley said, but had to purchase the parts from third-party vendors. “The training is already out there; they know how to do it,†he said. “They just haven’t had the supply.â€
Omnicraft joins Ford's established Motorcraft which makes parts for Ford vehicles.
Reuters contributed to this report
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Ford used to have Rapid Fit, which was good value for money on older vehicles. That seems to have mostly disappeared.
I'd happily take my MX-5 (which has a Ford-based engine) to Ford if the offer was competitive.
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That's a US thing;our local Ford(UK)dealer has been selling parts for other makes for years.
Last edited by: jc2 on Tue 24 Jan 17 at 12:09
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Do they have multi brand dealers in the USA?
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I don't see who would go for this.
At least in the UK, the choice is generally franchised dealer, specialist indie, general garage.
Once you take your car away from its own franchised dealer for servicing, why would you choose to use a franchised dealer of another brand?
I asked a Skoda dealer about servicing a SEAT once (SEAT dealers are thin on the ground around me) and they made a right drama about it even though, of course, they're essentially the same cars.
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>> I asked a Skoda dealer about servicing a SEAT once (SEAT dealers are thin on
>> the ground around me) and they made a right drama about it even though, of
>> course, they're essentially the same cars.
>>
Toyota get all wobbly if you ask them to service a Lexus. I wonder if they are given explicit instructions not to?
We've got a rapid fit here but never used it - the local indy is waling distance and although not cheap very honest. My past experience with Ford dealers wasnt positive
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Possibly aiming at fleets, all our vans go to the local vx dealer regardless of make. Its probably quite a big market.
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>> Possibly aiming at fleets, all our vans go to the local vx dealer regardless of
>> make. Its probably quite a big market.
>>
Hmmm...we're always told large company fleets (of cars, I suppose, not commercial vehicles) is a UK thing. If that's true then that can't be the reason for this initiative in the US.
Some fleets do use fast-fit places aready - I read of an Audi driver being dismayed about being told to take his car to Halfords for a service.
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> Hmmm...we're always told large company fleets (of cars, I suppose, not commercial vehicles) is a
>> UK thing. If that's true then that can't be the reason for this initiative in the US.
>>
Not sure tbh, perhaps it's a different market but with the same end result?
>> Some fleets do use fast-fit places aready - I read of an Audi driver being
>> dismayed about being told to take his car to Halfords for a service.
Why?
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I imagine in the US where they tend to have oil changes carried out more often its that kind of stuff that Ford are aiming at......and the upsell into other faults maybe.
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My concern with these places that say they will service any make is whether they stock all the various flavours of oil needed. Halfords should in theory be in a strong position on that point but I would want reassurance first. Although if it's a lease car I probably wouldn't be too concerned.
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>> My concern with these places that say they will service any make is whether they
>> stock all the various flavours of oil needed.
I'm always bemused by the range of oils available. I don't know, but it seems odd to me that one engine would so vitally need a different oil to another engine.
My own car is a Mercedes and I know other MB owners agonise over which oil to use. In the back of my service book there's a chart and it seems just about anything slippery would be OK.
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> My own car is a Mercedes and I know other MB owners agonise over which
>> oil to use. In the back of my service book there's a chart and it
>> seems just about anything slippery would be OK.
>>
I know people seem to get themselves in such a knot about it all. I doubt many engines are as sensitive as people imagine.
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>> I know people seem to get themselves in such a knot about it all. I
>> doubt many engines are as sensitive as people imagine.
>>
Someone on another forum had an engine failure, but the last service had been at an independent. Before paying up for a new engine, the UK distributor insisted on an oil test to ensure it met the standard. Fortunately for the chap, the oil was fine.
So, even if the car doesn't mind so much, if the car is under warranty it may be best to stick to the manufacturers exact spec.
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>> My own car is a Mercedes and I know other MB owners agonise over which
>> oil to use. In the back of my service book there's a chart and it
>> seems just about anything slippery would be OK.
>>
My Lexus runs on the slightly obscure 0W-20, but when you read the book:-
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil†is used in your Lexus vehicle. Lexus
recommends the use of approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oilâ€.
Another motor oil of matching quality can also be used.
Oil grade:
0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30:
API grade SL “Energy-Conservingâ€, SM “Energy-Conservingâ€,
SN “Resource-Conserving†or ILSAC multigrade engine oil
15W-40 and 20W-50:
API grade SL, SM or SN multigrade engine oil
I read this as I can chuck just about anything in it within reason
Last edited by: mikeyb on Thu 26 Jan 17 at 12:38
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>> Some fleets do use fast-fit places aready - I read of an Audi driver being
>> dismayed about being told to take his car to Halfords for a service.
>>
I wonder if it has anything to do with Halfords originally being Lex autocenters? Maybe on lease from Lex so some historical reason?
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Ford to service and sell parts for other makes - Tigger
