Ford, Lincoln Dealers Give Communities $89 Million in 2013

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• 96 percent of Ford and Lincoln dealers contributed financially and 86 percent volunteered time to local causes last year, according to annual Ford Survey on Dealer Giving
• Ford and Lincoln dealers donated $89 million and volunteered 654,240 hours in 2013
• Six dealers honored with this year's Salute to Dealers awards

Ford and Lincoln dealers gave approximately $89 million to local causes and nonprofits in communities across the United States in 2013, according to Ford Motor Company's annual Survey on Dealer Giving.

The survey was administered by Ford to coincide with the 14th annual Salute to Dealers awards at the 2014 National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in New Orleans.

Dealers' generosity reflects the Ford global brand promise to Go Further – a commitment through its global culture to deliver great products, a strong business and a better world.

The Salute to Dealers awards recognize dealers who Go Further when it comes to giving back to the communities in which they live and work. Six dealers were selected from among more than 8,500 Ford Motor Company dealers worldwide. They are being recognized for exhibiting unparalleled giving, dedication and leadership to their communities.

In the recent Survey on Dealer Giving, 96 percent of dealers who responded said they give money to local causes. Eighty-six percent volunteer time to local causes, 92 percent want to make a difference in their communities, and 69 percent support local causes as a dealership tradition.

Ford and Lincoln dealers said they volunteer a combined total of 654,240 hours annually. This donation of time is a boon for local charities, with many reporting budget and staff shortages.

"These amazing results illustrate the breadth of giving from our U.S. dealers – both to local causes and nonprofits around the world," said Edsel B. Ford II, who oversees the Salute to Dealers awards program and is a member of the Ford Board of Directors. "These dealers' passion for making a difference in the lives of their customers and their communities is a value they pass on to their employees and future generations."

Dealers give to causes that address a broad range of community needs, from children's charities to the environment, from education and health care to parks, municipal services, and disaster relief, according to the Ford survey.  Children's causes top the list, with more than 93 percent of dealers donating both time and money, followed by education and scholarships, with 78 percent of dealers contributing.  Religious-driven causes attract 69 percent of dealers, while hunger relief is a favorite cause for 53 percent and veterans for 51 percent of Ford and Lincoln dealers.  

The Salute to Dealers awards were launched in 2001 to demonstrate Ford's commitment to its thousands of dealer principals who step beyond their showroom doors to make a difference.

This year, Edsel B. Ford II and three other judges selected winners from a total global field of 81 nominees located in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Europe, Asia Pacific, Caribbean and Central America, Africa and the Middle East regions.

This year's winners include:

• Divonsir Bastos Cardoso, Autoeste Veiculos; Foz do Iguacu, Parana, Brazil
• Cam Clark, Cam Clark Ford Lincoln; Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
• Sujeet Singh Gehlot, Gehlot Ford; Ajmer District, India
• William Kindle, Kindle Ford Lincoln; Cape May Court House, N.J., United States
• Randy Nehring, Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln; Sioux Falls, S.D., United States
• Randall Reed, Randall Reed's Planet Ford; Humble, Texas, United States

A painted portrait of each honoree features a montage of philanthropic and volunteer activities that led to the award. Duplicates of the portraits will join a Salute to Dealers display in the lobby of Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 180,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company