Not being able to speak for other dealerships or brands, I can safely and confidently say that all of us here at Ramsey Ford Lincoln Mercury and Ramsey Ford of Elkton truly, truly care. Even if you didn’t start your relationship with us on the sales floor, we truly care for our customers. The biggest misconception, I believe, is that we are more expensive than the “local guy’ and even if we are, that we will refuse to discount anything. All not true.

 We are very competitive with labor rates, parts costs and service times. Our greatest advantage is having the training directly from the Manufacturer as well as a massive network for information, parts and equipment. As of this writing a new battery, installed would start at $104.95** a new set of brake shoes or pads, installed would start at $125.95**and tires, installed start at $95.00**. These are very competitive and actually below most of our “local guys” prices. Even with these low prices, you can rest assured we are using quality, Genuine Ford or Motorcraft replacement parts, who knows what the “local guy” is using.

 Even oil changes are affordable. Starting at just $29.95*** we’ll change the oil (and it’s a synthetic blend!) and filter rotate and inspect 4 tires, check your air filter and cabin filter, inspect your brake system, test your battery, check all belts and hoses and top off all fluids! What does your “local guy” do? In most cases, the “local guy” just drains the oil, removes the filter, screws on a new oil filter and fills the oil back up, for the same price!

 We even offer the Ford Lincoln Mercury Owner Advantage Rewards program. Here are the details:

• $10 enrollment bonus toward future parts or service purchase
• 5% credit on all parts and service purchases that can be applied toward future service visits
• Rewards on every vehicle in your household – REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE BRAND!
• Special complimentary oil change offers*
• Competitive prices on every service
• Expert Technicians ready to help
• Convenient hours that fit your schedule

Here’s how Owner Advantage works: Bring in any vehicle in your household for service, no matter what make or model. Show your membership card or key tag when you’re in for service, and your rewards will be posted to your account. It’s that simple. You can even view your rewards online! Visit www.flmowner.com and give us your e-mail address. You’ll get personal updates about the rewards you’ve earned, regular member e-statements, special vehicle offers, and other important service information.

Now the question is: Why would you NOT choose Ramsey Ford for all your service needs?

*Taxes extra. Disposal fee not included in some locations. See Service Advisor for details. For complete program terms and conditions, visit www.flmowner.com or call 1.866.58.OWNER.

**Most makes and models. Taxes extra. See Dealer for details

***Includes $10.00 mail in rebate. Other restrictions may apply.

Alexander Graham Bell invented the Telephone in 1876, it’s come alone way but, is it really different? Nope. In 1916 radio broadcasts officially began, although radio has changed significantly with the release of Satellite Radio in 2002, it’s basically still the same. Television was introduced to the United States in 1940, while it has changed with respect to quality, it’s still basically the same. Then came the Internet….

With the creation of the Internet dating back to the 1960′s but not really gaining any public popularity until the mid-1990′s our ease and speed of communication is like nothing we’ve seen before. Email. Email has certainly changed the way in which we communicate. I remember just 5 years ago in 2005, nearly no one I knew had an email account and most didn’t even have an internet connection! So, really in the last 5 years is when I consider the early years to light years worth of growth in the way in which we communicate.

 I don’t think we’ve even begun to tap into the possibilities of what the internet can/will do for us with respect to communication. We currently have several “private” means of communicating. Instant Messaging, Video Chat, Email just to name a few. But, let’s look at those and relate them to what we’ve been using for years. Email, isn’t this the same thing a writing a friend or colleague a letter and dropping it in the mail? Instant Messaging would be the equivalent to passing a note in class but, now we can pass a note to anyone, anywhere. Video Chatting, takes radio and television and smushes them together but, even better, we are our own producers and get to pick, when, where and who will view it.

Social Media is now the “hot” venue to communicate with masses of people. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, WordPress , just to name a few. These new resource outlets further allow us to communicate with specific people or complete strangers. Anyone and I do mean anyone can join for free, and add content. For businesses, this can be a double edge sword. 1 negative comment could potentially reach thousands of people, that never would have been possible even just 20 years ago. The same goes for positive comments, this is where Social Media can make your business shine. We strive for excellence in everything we do for this simple reason – people are communicating easier than ever and we want to be the spotlight, not in it.

Ramsey Ford is striving to take advantage of all communication avenues. Knowing full well the potential, we have joined in all the major Social Media sites and actively monitor and participate with them. Check out what’s going on at www.ramseyford.com .

It’s the most daring of advertising ploys, Ford actually swapped various people’s “rides” for 1 week. The idea is to allow average people to test and discover the quality,performance and technology Ford has been and is bringing to the automotive market.

So, what vehicles were ‘swapped’?  A Civic for a Focus, a Camry for a Fusion, an Audi for a Taurus, a Murano for an Edge, a CRV for an Escape and last but not least a Silverado for an F150 (who didn’t see that one coming!). And what was the general consensus? TECHNOLOGY. Everyone whom swapped their rides commented on the ease of use and functionality of the Sync system which was included on each vehicle and is available on all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.

Bluetooth, check. Voice commanded, check. USB for digital media players, check. Auxillary inputs, check. Traffic conditions, check. Local weather, check. Turn by turn voice directions, check. Seamless integration, check. What other vehicle manufacturer offers all of this – NONE. So, to say that Sync was nearly hands down the key factor that made each of the ‘swappers’ enjoy their Ford would be an understatement. However, many also complimented on power, space, comfort and convenience as well.

Care to delve into this a bit deeper? Check out the link posted below to Ford’s website dedicated to the entire campaign.

Ford Swap Your Ride Campaign

According to the Smithsonian, the Internet was born of a Government project to be able to continue communications in the event of a nuclear war. This started in 1969. By 1994 there were over 4 million ‘nodes’ or machines connected. As you can tell, the amount of ‘nodes’ or users grows exponentially every year, yet there are some people whom still believe all of this is just a ‘fad’. That train of thought is exactly what holds us back.

I’m a mid 30′s something guy who has embraced the internet and all technology with open arms. This is not to say I’m still not cautious about the newest of the new but, if somethings sticks, I’m all for it.

This is partially why I love Ford Motor Company. Since 2006 when Alan Mullaly came to FoMoCo from Boeing he has also embraced technology. The Sync system in Ford Vehicles is a great example. It is based on WindowsCE and is an open platform, meaning the support 3rd party developers. This will prove to be a huge step in the right direction. There are already plans to bring Pandora Radio and Twitter to the car via Sync. You can currently get directions beamed to your vehicle, gas prices, traffic alerts, movie times and listings.

Justs imagine what you’ll be able to do in the next 5 years with Mr. Mullaly at the ‘wheel’! I’m fairly certian that not only is Sync going to open the doors to great advancements in automotive technology and helping us to stay connected but, also smarter and safer. So, whether you love it or hate it, technology and it’s advancements are here to stay, just not for long, it’s an ever changing world, by the minute.

We are all excited and proud that Ford has chosen our Rising Sun location (Ramsey Ford Lincoln Mercury) to be part of the initial launch as well as be a starting ground for all things Fiesta. Training, first shipment of the new vehicle, grass roots marketing, fun and games and much, much more.

This is not to take away from the all new, eco-friendly 2011 Super Duty that is due to hit our lot around the same time. As a matter of fact, we have several employees going to Virginia for some 1 on 1 time with the all new Super Duty in an exclusive training set up by Ford Motor Company.

 These are just a couple of the latest additions and changes for Ford, there are many more to come. Including, “My Touch”, Inflatible Seatbelts, advanced technology integration, including Pandora Radio and Twitter! Stay tuned, Ford Motor Company and Ramsey Ford of Elkton and Ramsey Ford Lincoln Mercury are ready to take 2010 and beyond by storm.

“Let’s get rollin’”