Ford's new Econo Check service will help its customers reduce fuel bills by up to 25 per cent.

Ford Econo Check offers both a vehicle inspection, an extended analysis of driving style and advice on how to improve fuel economy.

Aimed at most vehicles up to 12 years old, the Econo Check starts with a check of all components which influence fuel use.   A Ford technician will carry out checks including tyre pressure and condition, oil and air filter cleanliness during the 15-minute inspection.

The technician will also fit a small detachable data logger to the vehicle, which remains discretely and securely in the cabin for seven days.   Once removed, either by the dealer or by the customer, and returned by post, the logger will reveal enough data on driving speed, anticipation, braking and gear change to issue a personalised report.

The emailed Econo Check report will recommend the driving style adjustments that could lead to reduced fuel consumption and emissions.   The Ford Econo Check package can save up to 25 per cent on fuel – or £470 annually for the 12,000 miles a year motorist. ¹

Andy Barratt, Ford customer service director, said:   "Ford is first in offering an Econo Check to so many owners, almost regardless of their vehicles' age.   The Blue Oval brand already includes a range of product choices for customers prioritising the environment, such as ECOnetic diesel models and EcoBoost petrol-engined vehicles.   Now our dealers' service departments are helping to cut rising fuel and other running costs on Ford models by smarter driving."

A Ford Econo Check costs £29.99 (RRP), with £15 refundable against the next scheduled service.   An additional £15 BP Ultimate fuel cashback voucher is on offer, for a limited period.  

Available at Ford dealerships from July 9th .

Visit www.fordeconocheck.com for more information.

¹            Based on: 12,000 miles per year, £1.20 per litre, 35 mpg

 

Scott Romaine, a technician at Gates of Harlow, joined the company back in 2001. He started off as an Apprentice, where he progressed to become a fully qualified technician.  

Scott plays Rugby for the Harlow Club and has been dedicated to his team for the past 13 years. He is now proudly the team captain. Gates have recognised this achievement and have decided to sponsor the club to show their support to Scott and the team. Gates have got involved with various sponsorship activities to help the Rugby club continue their success. They have sponsored Scott's shirt, and contributed to advertising activities to help raise money for the club.

Scott said 'it's really nice to know Gates have noticed my interest in Rugby, outside of work,   and the support they have given me and the team is great!'

The Service manager at Harlow, Richard Ormsby, is happy with Scott's achievement and says 'Scott is very committed to anything he does and always gives of his best. We are pleased to help him with this project.'

Gates would like to wish the Harlow Rugby Club the best of luck for future.

 Gates of Letchworth Sales Executive James Heger had double cause for celebration last week. As if celebrating over 20 years continuous service was not enough James also took delivery of his new Ford Focus RS, being the latest acquisition in a long succession of performance Ford vehicles that he has owned and driven throughout his many years of involvement with the brand. When not at work 38 year old James who lives in Stevenage lists football and martial arts as his hobbies.  

James said "It all started with a Fiesta XR2 from which I progressed to an XR3i, since then I have also owned an Escort RS Turbo, both a Sierra and an Escort Cosworth with my last car being the previous model Focus RS". So what is it that James finds so appealing with Ford performance cars ? "you get the best of both worlds with Ford" said James "stunning performance and styling and the practicality which you need from a car that you want to use every day"

Gates have been established Ford Main Dealers since 1920 and remain family owned and operated with nine Ford Dealerships across Herts & Essex. In recognition of James' long service, Group Director Martin Cottenden recently visited Gates of Letchworth and together with Sales Manager Duncan Peacham was pleased to present James with an inscribed carriage clock and welcome him into the Gates 20 year club. The Club now has 40 members with a combined length of service in excess of 1,000 years.

 

 Gates of Stortford Service Manager, Colin Stevens was pleased to welcome new Apprentice Technician Helen Radley to his team recently.   Local girl Helen, who lists playing the piano and tennis amongst her interests has always been interested in cars and is determined to make the most of her opportunity with Gates, "the workshop is a great place to be, every day I learn something new and the other technicians have been very welcoming and helpful to me".   Prior to beginning her apprenticeship, Helen had to sit a tough aptitude test run in conjunction with Ford Motor Company- a test which she passed with flying colours.

Technician Sam Burton should prove to be an inspiration to Helen.   Having started with the company as an apprentice himself 4 years ago, Sam has recently qualified through the Ford Masters scheme as a fully fledged Technician and is looking to continue his training and develop his skills further. "Finishing your apprenticeship is only the start" commented Sam "developments in car manufacturing move at a fast pace and it's important that I continue to learn and keep myself equipped to deal with the latest technologies".   Service Manager Colin is delighted with the achievements of Sam "the Ford Masters Apprenticeship programme requires a great deal of effort and dedication to pass, Sam has shown a great deal of application and we were pleased to be able to offer him a full time position as a reward for his efforts".

The Gates Group have an enviable reputation within the industry for their training and development programmes born out by the fact that currently over 50% of the qualified technicians across the nine Gates sites and the Bodyshop in Stevenage started out as apprentices with the company. Indeed, Group Aftersales Operations Manager, Peter Bosher started his career as an apprentice with Gates and commented "the apprenticeship programme is of great importance to the company.   It presents an opportunity for enthusiastic youngsters to learn a skill and trade that will stand them in good stead for the future and for the Gates Group, it ensures that our customers can be confident that their vehicles will be serviced and repaired by technicians who have received the best possible training and who understand Gates' commitment to excellent customer service and outstanding value for money".  

 

 

The successful Gates Motability Event held on 18th of August this year in Broadwalk, Harlow Town Centre attracted many customers both new and old. This years event was the first held away from the showrooms in Edinburgh way and New Car Sales Manager at Gates of Harlow Bruce Sparks was impressed with the response. "The event always attracts many customers who are keen to learn about the Motability Scheme" said Bruce "but by way of a change we decided that this year we would take Gates to the Town Centre and I must say that the enquiries generated and the number of customers who came to see us actually surpassed our expectations" There were similar comments from staff at Gates of Epping and Waltham Cross who were also in attendance.

Proud of their status as a Motability dealer, the Gates Group are always pleased to welcome new and existing customers to their showrooms where you will find Sales Executives and Service Advisors who meet the exacting standards set out by Motability designed to enable qualifying users to get the most out of the scheme.

 

 

'"A resounding success" declared Gates of Bishops Stortford Sales Manager Simon Pitts when asked about the Gates Motability day held at the showrooms in Stansted Road Bishops Stortford last week. With a representative of the dept of Work and Pensions, Ian Smith, on site for the day and local company Skill Mobility from Jackson Square in attendance providing a display of Motor Scooters it was certainly an informative day for the many customers old and new who attended.

As ever the comprehensive range of Ford and Mazda vehicles on show proved the main attraction with interest in the New Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2, many available under the Motability scheme with little or no advance payment, keeping the Gates of Stortford and Dunmow Sales Consultants busy throughout the day.

Of special interest were the two Ford Vehicles on display which had been fitted with conversions designed to make life easier for those users with specific driving requirements.

Gates were also delighted to welcome local Mayor Colin Woodward who kindly opened this year's event.

The Gates Group were once again pleased to provide support vehicles to the Hertfordshire County Show which took place on the 23rd and 24th of May.
 
Show Secretary Mike Harman, seen above receiving the keys to a Ford Kuga from Mark Felton (Gates Group General Manager Group Commercial Sales), was keen to express his thanks commenting "we are extremely grateful  to  the Gates Group for their exclusive and invaluable sponsorship of support vehicles for the show, and we look forward to welcoming Mark and his team back to the 2010 Hertfordshire County Show.  As a show that is proud to promote Hertfordshire, we are also proud of our close association with the Gates Group".

This year's show attracted in excess of 38,000 visitors over two days with a wide range of displays and demonstrations providing an excellent day out for all the family.  The Gates team were certainly kept busy not only selling vehicles at the event but also generating an unprecedented amount of enquiries on the versatile range of Ford Light Commercial Vehicles.
 
For more information or to arrange a test drive of a Ford light commercial vehicle contact Mark and his team on 01279 421166 (Harlow) or 01438 366000 (Stevenage).