Ford Offering Discount on Aluminum Repair and Training to Dealers

Despite for launching their newest truck with a raft of new technologies and standard features, it seems the discussion always comes back to the fact that it’s built out of aluminum. Admittedly, it’s a pretty big deal: The F150 is their biggest seller by far. This huge jump in technology could costs future owners a little bit more in the short term, but we know it’s going to cost dealerships too.

To that end, for is offering dealerships a whopping 20% discount on the tools and training for aluminum work. Dealers will be able to get a maximum of $10,000 off their new tools if they order their stuff before October 21st. Of course, the total cost of the transition will depend on what equipment the dealership already has. Automotive News states the special equipment and training would cost between $30,000 and $50,000. According to Paul Massie, Ford Collision marketing manager, Ford is trying to encourage dealers to “be aluminum-capable before the vehicle launches.”

It’s worth noting that the current generation F-150 already has an aluminum hood. Clearly, that’s not the same as having large structural components built of the stuff, but it’s just another example of how aluminum isn’t exactly an alien material for a lot of shops. Massie went on to say “the majority of accidents can be repaired by any body shop today.”

That statement is debatable, but he’s probably not that far off from the truth.

via [AutoBlog]

src [Automotive News]

Originally on F150online