Mobile Dealer Service

rpaluch1 · Dec 11, 2023

My Bronco dealer in Michigan instituted a new service for their customers. Mobile Service. They have several mechanics making service calls at your house or work location. They do anything that doesn’t require a lift. My dealer called me this morning and informed me that I had 2 recalls on my 22 OBX Bronco. One for the front seat belt, and the other for a windshield wiper motor program update. This is the one for rain sensing wipers that stop working or slow down. Amazingly it was scheduled for the same day. The recalls took 5 minutes to complete in my garage. While the tech was there he checked his computer and found I needed a PCM update. He did as well and that took about another 10 minutes. Outstanding dealer service. I know a lot of 6g members have posted dealer horror stories but I thought I’d share a good one for a change.
The dealer is Bell Ford, Adrian Michigan.

BigBlue7 · Dec 11, 2023

That's pretty awesome. Can't see my dealership ever doing something like that since even when you have an appointment it takes half a day before a tech even pulls it into the shop

DougF · Dec 11, 2023

rpaluch1 said:
My Bronco dealer in Michigan instituted a new service for their customers. Mobile Service. They have several mechanics making service calls at your house or work location. They do anything that doesn’t require a lift. My dealer called me this morning and informed me that I had 2 recalls on my 22 OBX Bronco. One for the front seat belt, and the other for a windshield wiper motor program update. This is the one for rain sensing wipers that stop working or slow down. Amazingly it was scheduled for the same day. The recalls took 5 minutes to complete in my garage. While the tech was there he checked his computer and found I needed a PCM update. He did as well and that took about another 10 minutes. Outstanding dealer service. I know a lot of 6g members have posted dealer horror stories but I thought I’d share a good one for a change.
The dealer is Bell Ford, Adrian Michigan.

I had a similar experience with our Ford dealer here in San Diego(Mossy). Not for the Bronco but needed a battery for another Ford. Price for the battery was the same as NAPA and same day trip, install and check the car was $70, and I didn’t have to hassle with the core or put down my coffee. Can’t beat it. I was thoroughly happy with the service and will call them again.

Tor148 · Dec 11, 2023

I have used the pick up and drop off service with Ford for oil changes on both the Braptor and Bronco. Very convenient. I found fluid on my bell housing, scheduled an appointment and they will pick up. I dont even have to be here for them to pick up. Definitely recomend.
Gentilini Ford, South Jersy

Brian_B · Dec 11, 2023

Almost makes me wish I didn't live in the boonies.

Dr.Ross · Dec 11, 2023

I was just contacted about this service in Phoenix as well.

Eroc88 · Dec 11, 2023

My dealer offers this service. They as well came out to my house and did the wiper motor recall. Saved me time from going and waiting at the dealer.

Jruta · Dec 12, 2023

My dealer offers this mobile service as well, wish I’d done it for my wiper motor programming- took every bit of an eight hour day for them to do it. What is the cost associated with mobile services? (Not that I particularly want a dealer to touch it)

JT58Bronc · Dec 12, 2023

That is awesome, wish it was available around here.

Tor148 · Dec 12, 2023

Jruta said:
My dealer offers this mobile service as well, wish I’d done it for my wiper motor programming- took every bit of an eight hour day for them to do it. What is the cost associated with mobile services? (Not that I particularly want a dealer to touch it)

No extra cost that I have been charged

flip · Dec 12, 2023

Mobile in specific situations can be a huge deal and open the door to a lot of incremental business. Ford has basically bullied dealers into getting a mobile service vehicle, required if you're in the Ford Pro/commercial business.

I've read threads on our dealer message boards of shops, generally in metro areas or in close proximity to large fleets, having more work than one van with two techs can handle and looking to add more. Part of the push is Ford wanting to crow about having the largest mobile network in the nation while doing so on the backs of dealers while with holding new sales "earn back" based on compliance. It's a freaking, nasty dirty game Ford is playing. I was told the reason Farley is pushing this is because of all of the outstanding recalls currently open and ones they're anticipating in the next couple of years. The longer recalls are open the more fines they incur for not being taken care of. They specifically want us to go after recalls and if

Our situation is we have the van which has been sitting since it arrived and had the trainer out. My issue, along with a lot of other dealers in rural-ish areas is the amount of time and manpower it will take (dedicated service advisor and hiring a dedicated technician) to even think about the possibility of breaking even on the truck. That does not count the added cost of the advisor. Some dealers have a BDC which handles some of this scheduling but many don't. I have 3 advisors, one SM who also books repair orders and myself as back up. We're 3-4 weeks out and can't spare taking a tech out of the shop to drive around southern Indiana knocking off .3 recalls. For us, it will require a significant investment in another advisor and then trying to find and train a tech that's capable of also being a service advisor and cashier. God bless the shops that are making it work but like most cookie cutter Ford programs, they just don't work for all of us.

My advice for those that can take advantage of this service, absolutely do it. It can be a huge time saver for you, helps Ford dig out of the recall hell hole they've been excavating for themselves and hopefully bringing new techs into the Ford universe due to incremental hiring. I would love to be in that situation but the numbers just aren't there to justify the loss of shop production if we take a guy out or have to hire 2 dedicated employees to run it. My gut says dealer council will eventually grow some nads and Ford will take this metric out of the Ford Commitment Program qualifiers or at least remove the punitive aspect.

Tor148 · Dec 12, 2023

I am surprised we have it where I am. There is one dealership ten minutes from my house and the one I use (preference) is about 16 minutes away, and they are in the middle of nothing. It is not very dense her at all. But my preferred dealer seams to be a pretty good size fleet dealer so the above would make sense.

Fordified1 · Dec 12, 2023

I just watched a Ford tv commercial about it.

It is really good for customer relations. Even if these trucks break even or loose a little money, they are building and or keeping a customer base.

On a similar note. My preferred dealership is rural and 1.5 hours away. They came and picked up our Mustang twice for recalls they had been waiting on parts for. Came early and had it back to me late same day both times. I bought the car from a different dealership, but the reward this dealership got from me is, I bought a Gladiator off their used lot and ordered a ‘24 Bronco the same day. Made the deal over the phone, they had all the paperwork ready when I got there, and was in and out in a little over an hour including a test drive. I did pay cash.