Ford has launched a loyalty and incentive package aimed at showing motorists the value of franchised network servicing.

Entitled Ford Blue Service, the package includes electronic vehicle health checks, guaranteed service levels such as vehicle collection/delivery or shuttle bus, online service booking and a Ford One Call helpline open 24/7 for any query, from whether customers want information on an accident repair, a brochure or have a question about a feature on their car.

In addition, any Ford owner who uses the authorised repair network for their scheduled maintenance will automatically get 12 months free Ford Assistance UK and European breakdown cover through the AA.

Providing Ford Blue Service will be a mandatory element of the franchise standards from June 1.

Jon Wellsman, director of Ford Customer Service, told AM there are more than 5m Fords of all ages in the UK, and the longer-term aim is to win some of these back into the network as well as demonstrate to existing customers the added value they receive through the franchised network that independents and fast-fits cannot offer.

He added: "We have to ensure that the customers we have will stay with us and come back for franchised servicing.

"We should be in the situation as franchised dealers where there is nowhere else that a consumer buying their new Ford should want to go.

"We can be as competitive as independents with the products we supply. Ford Blue Service is a package that says to the consumer 'you need to think about why you use anything other than the franchised network'."