What is this barcode on my window sticker?

There’s something new appearing on Ford dealers’ lots! Ford’s Digital Marketing team has been working with FordDirect to create more consumer-friendly window stickers. Now all new 2012 Ford and Lincoln vehicles will have enhanced window stickers. One of the major changes to the new window stickers is the addition of a QR code.

A QR code (quick response code) is a 2d barcode that can be scanned by a smartphone for specific marketing purposes. Once scanned by a mobile device, a QR code can take the consumer to a mobile website, coupon, enter them in a sweepstakes and more. Most smartphones have several apps that can be downloaded for free to give the user the ability to scan.

On the new window stickers, the QR codes will appear on the bottom right corner. Below is a sample window sticker of a Ford Fusion Hybrid. Do you see the QR code?



Once the QR code is scanned, the customer will be taken to a mobile website which will display information specific to that particular vehicle they are standing in front of. We tested the QR code out on a new 2012 Ford Focus that we have on our lot. After I scanned it with my QR code reader app on my iPhone, I was brought to a mobile website and this was the first screen.



The website actually continued on if you scrolled down so here are a couple more shots of the first screen.





Once on the site, you can see the features on that vehicle, share the vehicle information, request a price quote, or search for similar vehicles on the lot.







Today, everything is driven by technology. Customers literally can access information by the touch of one button. These QR codes on the window stickers will not only be beneficial to customers, but also to dealerships. If a customer is really excited about their new car, they may decide to share their vehicle’s mobile website with a friend or family member. This will help spread the word about the dealership, creating even more excitement and floor traffic.

Do you think existing and potential Ford buyers will use QR to help in their research process? Would you?

Ford Keeps Customers Coming Back

How did Ford become the best-selling brand in America? One way is by keeping their existing customers in a Ford model. Loyal and repeat buyers are the core to success for any dealership and automobile manufacturer. According to a recent report released by Forbes and Experian Automotive , Ford has the second largest percent of loyal buyers. According to the data, 46.5 percent of Ford’s sales are from repeat buyers.

While Ford was not number one overall, the automaker still dominated the Top Ten Most Brand-Loyal models . Out of the top ten cars that were ranked as having the most brand-loyal buyers, i.e. had previously owned another Ford model, six were Ford models. Ford’s top six brand-loyal models are:

1. Ford Fiesta:
63% of all Ford Fiestas were purchased by brand-loyal Ford owners

2. Ford Fusion:
61% of all recent Ford Fusion buyers remained loyal to the Ford brand

3. Ford Flex: 58%

4. Ford Edge: 58%

5. Ford Taurus: 56%

6. Ford Focus: 54%

With Ford continually expanding their four core initiatives (Drive quality, Drive green, Drive safe, and Drive smart) it really isn’t a surprise that customers who purchase a Ford, fall in love with the brand and vow to never drive anything else .

If you currently are driving a Ford, can you see yourself driving any other brand in the future?

Ford's Big Tire and Brake Event

Save big on vehicle maintenance during Ford’s Big Tire and Brake Event! What better time than before the winter season arrives is there to purchase new tires and brakes? During the sale, if you buy four tires (Goodyear, Dunlop, Continental, Hankook, Pirelli and Yokohama), you will get a $100 rebate. There is also a $40 rebate for a complete Motorcraft brake service on front or rear axles.

If you need to find out when your tires and brakes should be inspected and when they should be replaced, please give one of our knowledgeable service advisors a call. They will be happy to answer your questions and set up an appointment for any service you may need.

For more information about our service department or to make an appointment, visit www.murphy-carsservice.com or call 610-494-8800.

Ford's Box Tops for Education Program

Help Drive Dollars to a School of Your Choice!


Since 1996, General Mills Box Tops for Education program has helped America’s K-8 schools earn over $400 million. Consumers earn cash for their designated school by clipping Box Tops coupons or shopping online from hundreds of participating products and merchants.

At Ford we know it takes dedication and dollars to support school activities that give students more opportunities to learn. That's why we’ve become the first automaker to team up with Box Tops. We’ve created FordDrivesBoxTops.com, a unique website designed to enable consumers to earn cash for their designated schools in a variety of ways by engaging with Ford’s products. The program will run now through December 1, 2011.

Ford is providing consumers’ three ways to earn cash for their local schools:
• Earn 250 Box Tops with the purchase of any new Ford vehicle.
• Earn 10 Box Tops when you request a Ford vehicle brochure.
• Earn 5 Box Tops for each Ford video you watch – up to 25 Box Tops total if you watch all five videos available.

With any new Ford vehicle purchase and/or brochure request, customers will receive a code in the mail to redeem at FordDrivesBoxTops.com to earn eBox Tops for their schools. All codes MUST be redeemed by 3/31/12 to earn allocated Box Tops.

We’re also giving away 250,000 Box Tops in the Ford Drives Box Tops Sweepstakes. Consumers will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of several prize amounts each time they log on to www.FordDrivesBoxTops.com. Consumers will have the ability to share the sweepstakes with friends to earn more entries.

Columbus Day Sale at Murphy Ford

This Columbus Day weekend, stop into Murphy Ford and you will discover your best deal! Also, for every new vehicle sold throughout the month of October, Murphy Ford will make a donation in the fight against breast cancer in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.