Ford Australia launches 2nd Car

[russellw]

Ford Australia launches 2nd Car, enabling new car buyers to own one vehicle, but drive two

Ford 2nd Car is a membership program that gives eligible new car buyers affordable access to a second Ford vehicle for up to two weeks

The program is a global first for Ford, created and piloted in Australia

2nd Car is currently available to eligible new Ranger and Escape customers at participating dealerships across the country

MELBOURNE, May 23, 2018 – Today Ford Australia announced the launch of 2nd Car, a pilot program that provides eligible new Ford buyers with affordable access to a second Ford vehicle for up to two weeks during their first two years of vehicle ownership.

The membership program is a global first for Ford, and aims to give consumers a taste of how vehicle ownership and mobility may evolve in the future, with new models for vehicle access, ownership and sharing being explored. Created and piloted in Australia, 2nd Car may be expanded to other markets in the future.

2nd Car is available to new Ranger and Escape customers at participating dealerships across the country. To be eligible for membership, customers must be a Private or Blue Business Fleet buyer purchasing a new or demonstrator vehicle. The Mustang, one of Ford’s most well-known and coveted cars, is the first vehicle available to 2nd Car members for up to two weeks. Drivers must be fully licensed and over 25 years of age to drive the Mustang.

Ford’s long-term goal is to expand the program, so that the purchase of any new Ford vehicle will enable access to the entire Ford line up.

“2nd Car not only offers new Ford buyers a great car ownership experience, it also offers access to a great sharing experience,” said Christine Wagner, Program Manager, Ford 2nd Car. “We believe this program offers excellent value and flexibility – another reason to join the Ford family.”

How 2nd Car works
When purchasing a new car, eligible buyers can sign up for 2nd Car membership at participating dealerships for an enrolment fee of $500 (including GST).

When booking their Mustang, customers will pay an additional fee which varies based on the Ford vehicle purchased, and the length of the loan.



Program participants can book their 2nd Car vehicle via a dedicated website, https://www.ford.com.au/ford2ndcar/login, similar to a hotel booking website.

The Ford 2nd Car program offers an affordable way to experience other Ford vehicles, and friends and family can drive the second vehicle for no additional fee provided they meet the driver rules.

“With 2nd Car, new Ford buyers can own one vehicle, but drive two,” said Christine Wagner. “Why not experience the thrill of the Mustang for a road trip or celebration?”

The Ford 2nd Car pilot program is another way Ford is exploring new mobility solutions. More information about Ford 2nd Car is available at https://www.ford.com.au/ford2ndcar.

[Crazy Dazz]

Why not just make the cars available for rent, straight up.
If I was going down south for a Holiday say, I wouldn't mind renting a Mustang for a week.

[Cav]

Thanks Russell

But what advantage is this over normal car rentals seeing as there is an upfront fee involved?

Enrolment fee $550 incl GST

A booking fee

Rental cost 1 week $250-$375

[GO FURTHER]

Originally Posted by Cav

Thanks Russell

But what advantage is this over normal car rentals seeing as there is an upfront fee involved?

Enrolment fee $550 incl GST

A booking fee

Rental cost 1 week $250-$375

It is cheaper than normal car rentals if the scheme allows you to rent a car for more than just one "one or two week periods" in a year.

Let's say you rent the 2nd car from Ford for 4 x 1 week periods at different times.

Assume you own the Ranger and take the Mustang for hire...

Cost is then $500 enrolment including GST + 4 x $250 inc. GST = $1,500 inc. GST.

Cost per each week rented is then = $375 inc GST

Where can you rent a Mustang for $375 a week... Avis, Hertz, Budget ???

I do wonder though what the extras are such as insurance, unlimited kilometres included? and excess in the event of an accident.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Can only rent a maximum of 2 weeks or 2 x 1 week. I’ve done it, not sure it’s worth it.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

It is cheaper than normal car rentals if the scheme allows you to rent a car for more than just one "one or two week periods" in a year.

But it doesn't, that's the whole point.

You have to pay $550 upfront when buying your new car, just to join the scheme, and then have the opportunity to rent for one or two weeks.
And I'd imagine it would be subject to availability, so good luck with that.

And the whole thing just seems rather pointless. Literally, what is the point?

If you were tossing up whether to buy a Ranger or a competitor, and weren't convinced by the Ranger's superiority alone, is the change to pay an extra $550 to join this scheme really going to tip the balance?

If you're trying to get more people to buy Mustangs, then surely opening up the "try before you buy" opportunities to a wider audience would make sense?

[Moo Man]

From the T&C's...

2.11 Using Ford’s MyKey technology, the keys to vehicles available under the Program have been programmed
to: (1) force on the Electronic Stability Control (ESC); and (2) disable the Track Mode feature.

Spoil sports

[GO FURTHER]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Can only rent a maximum of 2 weeks or 2 x 1 week. I’ve done it, not sure it’s worth it.

Okay, below is the cost to rent a Mustang GT from Hertz in Melbourne for 1 week...



Do that for 2 x 1 week periods in one year and that's $2,508 in total.

Under the Ford scheme (owning a Ranger), cost would be $500 enrolment + 2 x $250 = $1,000.

So its less than half the price of casually renting a V8 Stang.

[malazn mafia]

Was imagining a free secondhand fiesta with the purchase of a Ford Ranger, as a complementary spare for when the Ranger breaks down

[JG33]

Ford should focus on making better cars if they want to make more money rather than come up with pointless gimmicks.

[GarethNZ]

Originally Posted by JG33

Ford should focus on making better cars if they want to make more money rather than come up with pointless gimmicks.

Cars are like cheese, it takes time to create masterpieces .. and of course Holden should rename themselves as Isuzu as there is NO holden made now