• Ford Protect offers a suite of service and maintenance plans designed to provide Ford owners with ongoing peace of mind
• Premium Maintenance Plan encompasses scheduled services, selected wear and tear component coverage, and protection against mechanical and electrical failures
• Warranty Plan extends coverage beyond the factory warranty, providing continued protection against mechanical and electrical failures
• The Ford Family Guarantee adds convenience through a range of customer service offerings aimed at enhancing the service experience

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 13 November 2024 – Nothing compares to the exhilarating feeling of buying a new car. It’s more than just a vehicle; it’s a milestone, a symbol of independence, mobility, and personal achievement. A new vehicle also comes with the responsibility of maintaining its performance and longevity, and this can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with a maze of terminology and jargon.

Words like ‘service plan’ and ‘maintenance plan’ often pop up, but understanding what they mean - and the differences between them - can be challenging. This is why it’s important to look beyond the price tag - cars that seem like a great bargain at first glance could become costly if they don’t have a recognised and comprehensive service or maintenance plan.

Without these, you might end up spending more than you expected on servicing and replacing consumable parts, and upkeep down the line. Knowing these distinctions is essential as these plans can offer substantial added value, helping you get the most satisfaction out of your vehicle ownership experience.

Modern cars are more advanced than ever, packed with intricate technological systems and high-performance components, the days of simple DIY maintenance are largely behind us. Today’s vehicles are built to higher standards and finer tolerances, making it essential to use genuine parts installed by technical experts, ensuring they retain their reliability and efficiency standards.

This is why Ford South Africa is committed to elevating the customer experience by providing exceptional convenience through service offerings that reflect the brand's dedication to quality and innovation.

As an integral part of this commitment, Ford Protect offers a suite of warranty, service, and maintenance plans designed to provide Ford owners with comprehensive coverage for their vehicles. These plans can be specifically tailored over years or mileage needs to ensure that your vehicle continues to perform optimally as well as alleviate any stress and variability associated with vehicle ownership.

At the heart of Ford Protect is the Premium Maintenance Plan which is a 3-in-1 solution, encompassing scheduled services, wear and tear coverage on selected components, and protection against mechanical and electrical failures. This plan, which covers over 6 000 vehicle components, provides comprehensive coverage for your vehicle to keep your Ford running smoothly. Below is a breakdown of the key benefits included:

• Scheduled Services: Covers all scheduled services as recommended by Ford Motor Company. This ensures that your Ford receives the essential maintenance to keep it running in optimal condition. This benefit covers all required scheduled services for the duration, time intervals, and mileage you select.
• Wear and Tear Components: Recognising that certain parts naturally wear down over time, the Premium Maintenance Plan covers the maintenance of such components. This includes, but is not limited to brake pads, brake discs, wiper blades, battery, and shock absorbers.
• Mechanical and Electrical Coverage: Offers comprehensive protection against unexpected mechanical and electrical failures, including the engine, transmission, air conditioning, and key safety features. This safeguards against potentially costly repairs.

Beyond the Premium Maintenance Plan, Ford Protect also offers an extended warranty - providing continued protection after the standard factory warranty expires, and a service plan option.

The Ford Protect Extended Warranty Plan extends coverage beyond the standard factory warranty of 4 years or 120 000km, providing continued protection against mechanical and electrical failures for up to 7 years or 200 000km. This extension offers peace of mind to owners after their initial warranty expires.

The Ford Protect Service Plan, as the name suggests, covers just your Ford's scheduled servicing needs in comparison to a Maintenance Plan that will also cover wear and tear components, and electrical and mechanical components. The Ford Protect Service Plan includes the essential services for the duration, intervals, and mileage the customer selects. This comprises routine services including oil changes, filter replacements, and inspections, as outlined by Ford's maintenance schedule.

Furthermore, Ford Protect includes a four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance with the purchase of any new Ford vehicle, and it can be extended for an additional one or two years. This provides 24/7 support in case of breakdowns, offering services such as battery jump-starts, key lockout services, and roadside assistance.

Choosing a Ford Protect plan offers several key advantages:

Ford understands that maintaining your vehicle should be a hassle-free ownership experience. Choosing one of the Ford Protect Plans offers several advantages:

• Stronger Relationships: Choosing a Ford Protect plan keeps your vehicle within the Ford Family network, fostering a stronger relationship with your dealership and ensuring you're kept informed about the status of your plan, and your vehicle needs.
• Guaranteed Ford Parts and Technicians: Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your vehicle will be serviced using genuine Ford parts by qualified Ford technicians who have expert knowledge of your Ford.
• Streamlined Claims Process: The electronic claims process and integration with Ford's systems ensure a seamless experience when you need to utilize your plan.
• No Hidden Surprises: With Ford Protect, there are no monetary limitations on covered components, and you'll receive clear communication regarding your plan's expiry and options for extensions or trade-ins. T&Cs do apply.

The suite of Ford Protect products, for new and used vehicles, are sold at all Ford Authorised Dealerships.

The Ford Family Guarantee

To further enhance the service experience, Ford South Africa offers the Ford Family Guarantee, adding convenience through a range of services including:

o   Online Service Booking: Offers a seamless and convenient way to schedule service appointments through myfordjourney.co.za or through the Ford Pass app - anywhere, anytime without the hassle of traditional booking methods.

o   Pick-up and Delivery Service: Provides the ultimate convenience for customers who prefer to have their vehicles serviced without needing to leave their homes or offices. This unique offering allows dealers to collect the vehicle from the customer’s chosen location, perform the necessary services, and return it promptly post-service completion.

o   60-Minute Express Service: Ensures quick and efficient servicing for time-conscious customers, while you wait, at dealerships nationwide. This revolutionary service is especially beneficial for busy corporate-and-home executives, fleet, and rental customers, for whom minimising downtime is crucial.

o   Online Service Price Calculator: Provides upfront transparency and helps customers budget effectively for their vehicle maintenance. This user-friendly tool generates and compares quotations for the vehicle's next service, enabling customers to get upfront cost estimates before visiting any Ford dealership across the country.

o   Vehicle Loan Car: Ensures a customer stays mobile and minimises disruption to their daily routine should their vehicle need to remain at a Ford dealership overnight.

o   Mobile Service: An extension of the dealership workshop, mobile service vehicles provide customers with a convenient option to service their vehicle at a preferred location, while still receiving the quality and expertise from Ford trained technicians using genuine Ford parts.

With the December holiday season fast approaching, and many of us gearing up for long road-trips, correct servicing and maintenance is more critical than ever to get you to your destination safely and timeously. This time of year is often treacherous on the roads, with increased traffic and long-distance travel putting extra strain on vehicles. A car that’s properly serviced and well-maintained not only enhances your journey but also plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones, helping you reach your destination without any reliability concerns.