Ford Motor Co. announced Tuesday that it is expanding its dealership Mobile Service program by adding nearly 1,000 Ford Escape SUVs to its remote service fleet. The automaker plans to have the additional Mobile Service vehicles on the road by the end of the year after reporting a 45% increase in mobile service requests since Q4 2022.
Mobile service bookings are rising across the industry as automakers try to better compete with Tesla, which, without a network of franchised dealerships, was an auto industry pioneer in offering remote service options. Ford, in particular, is trying to go head-to-head with the EV powerhouse as it moves toward its goal of producing 2 million electric vehicles by 2026.
By growing its remote service fleet, Ford puts itself in a better position as future software-based vehicles hit the road, providing more opportunities to offer customers remote servicing, as well as over-the-air software updates to address any potential vehicle issues, including recalls.
“Adding the Escape to the mobile maintenance fleet now gives our smaller-volume dealers the ability to provide this convenient service to more customers,” said Todd Rabourn, CX director for Ford’s North America Regional, in the news release. “These Escape vehicles are hitting the road to provide everything from software updates to light repairs, plus offering the ability to accelerate how we resolve current recalls.”
For Ford dealers, participation in the Mobile Service program is voluntary. Once a dealer enrolls, they are permitted to use an in-stock 2022 or 2023 model year Ford Escape SUV for remote service. If a dealership does not have one available, they can order one from Ford.
Each Escape SUV will be equipped with a jumper cable charger, inverter and harness, and the dealer will provide various vehicle service tools. In addition, all vehicles in the program must include embedded Wi-Fi or other means of internet access.
The expansion of the mobile service fleet will also free up more service bays at dealerships by performing minor repairs and maintenance at a customer’s home or at another location of their choice.
Westfield Ford, a dealer partner in Countryside, Illinois, said its Escape mobile service vehicle is helping to resolve up to 10 recalls a day for customers, which frees up its service departments to address Ford vehicle repair and maintenance needs that require an indoor service bay.
