9% of Ford vehicles were sold through Internet referrals

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers sold more than 210,000 vehicles from FordDirect Internet referrals last year, FordDirect reports, accounting for 9% of total Ford division sales in 2004. FordDirect is a joint effort of Ford Motor Co. and its dealers to sell cars via the Internet. Formed in August 2000 with 15 dealers in New Jersey, it now represents over 3,900 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers nationwide. FordDirect.com hosts more than 3.5 mln monthly visitors and delivered to dealers more than 1.5 mln referrals on new vehicles. FordDirect allows dealers to sell new and used vehicles online and track online customers.