Issue Date: Warranty Administrator for Ford Dealers Mar 2008, Posted On: 3/1/2008
New vehicle storage policy tops W&P revision Ford made only a few changes in the 2008 W&P edition, but included one major policy addition regarding new vehicle storage.
As luck would always have it, days after the February issue went off to the printer, Ford released the 2008 Edition of the Warranty and Policy Manual (W&P). Every year we do a line-by-line review of the changes. You have not missed too much as most of the major changes in policy were handled by bulletin throughout the year. But watch out for the new formalized new vehicle storage details.
Even with the addition of the 2008 model year coverage guidelines, there are no more than a couple dozen changes in the entire manual. Once you take out the minor edits and inconsequential changes you end up with just a few important items worthy of comment here. But as always, there are a few zingers.
You will find the new troublemaker on page 2-26 dealing with new vehicle storage.
The policy really is nothing but good business practice that Ford has always expected. This includes keeping new vehicles clean to prevent environmental damage and keeping the battery charged and in good condition. Unfortunately, as sales slow there is a greater chance that vehicles will stay on the lot longer and risk problematic damage or failure.
Damage or failure due to poor storage procedure is something that obviously your dealership and Ford would prefer to avoid. Ford gets more insistent on the issue when it appears they are footing the bill for any resulting problems.
Certainly warranty claims submitted while a vehicle is still in inventory will always come under the microscope during a review, but the same is true for warranty claims on recently delivered vehicles.
The other minor issues you should make note of:
The SYNC system, like any computer, is ripe for clever hacking and abuse. Ford makes it clear that they will not be responsible for creative customer use. How you would know this has occurred before shipping the unit out or having to reset the software is beyond me. Not to mention the fact that Microsoft makes the developer kit readily available on their website. SYNC is a cool option that is drawing people to Ford, the worst thing Ford could do is snuff out any customer enthusiasm for a product by being unduly harsh on assisting customers with whatever issues they may be having.
The contact information for ordering navigation DVDs is found on page 3-47.
Do not forget the prior authorization limit of engine and transmission assemblies replaced at a SPW or OTC claim for repairs over $500.
A change that is not indicated as new (via the vertical bar in the side margin) is found on page 5-16, where Ford changed the deadline to send supporting documents from 60 days to 45 days (even though this change took place in July of 2006.) This was obviously an oversight in the 2007 edition that has been corrected this time out.
The TAP section has been rewritten with all the revisions instituted in the past few months. The new procedures begin on page 6-11 and are a worthwhile study guide for whoever makes decisions regarding alternative transportation in your dealership.
