Thursday 12 May 2011



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Tuesday 30 March 2010

Name that Stock Car!




Chris Lewis, who works for @First Parts Solutions in the Midlands, is getting his stock car ready for it’s first race on 5 April, but he needs your help. Chris doesn’t know what to call it!

What do you think? Give us your suggestions so that we can get the car sign written in time for Chris' first race at Grimley Raceway on 5th April!

Who ever choses the winning name will be invited to Heartlands Ford, 971 Kingsbury Road, Erdington, B24 9QB so that they can be photographed with the car and presented with their winner’s prize.

The car will be sign written with the logo of local charity The Kaleidoscope Club which provides play activities for children with disabilities in the Birmingham area. Heartlands Ford are the official sponsors of the KClub for 2010 and are asking all entrants of the Name the Car content to donate generously!

Donations can be made direct to the club or can be sent to Viv Duffy, Heartlands Ford, 971 Kingsbury Road, Erdington, B24 9QB.

Now, put your thinking caps on and see if you can come up with the winning name!

Thursday 25 February 2010

Heartlands go Red in more ways than one!


February is National Heart Month and staff at Heartlands Ford in Erdington have been going ‘Red’ in more ways than one over the last week – through taking part in a series of active challenges in order to raise awareness of heart and circulatory disease.
In a specially organised ‘healthy heart week’ at the Kingsbury Road dealership, employees worked up a sweat during a ‘sit up and push up’ contest, followed by a hula hoop competition in the showroom, where they competed against each other throughout the day to see who could keep the hoop spinning the longest.
During the week they also hosted a charity quiz and a game of bingo, as well as displaying posters and leaflets to inform staff and customers of the many ways they can stay active throughout their day to protect themselves against heart and circulatory disease - the UK’s biggest killer.
Viv Duffy, Heartlands Ford’s ‘healthy heart week’ organiser, said: ““We wanted to promote healthy living amongst our staff and customers in a fun and interactive way. Our health can impact on every aspect of our lives therefore it’s important for people to realise that keeping active can be easily fitted into their daily lives”.
She continued: “We have all enjoyed talking part in National Heart Month, which is organised by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and hope that we have gone some way to help raise awareness of the great work that they do across the UK”.

For more information about the BHF and National Heart Month, or to take part in a fundraising activity of your own, visit www.bhf.org.uk.

You can visit www.heartlands-ford.co.uk to find out more about the dealership which is based in Erdington, Perry Barr and Tamworth.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Heartlands Ford goes Red during National Heart Month

February is National Heart Month and local dealership Heartlands Ford is planning a special ‘Healthy Heart Week’ in support of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to promote the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.
The dealership will be raising money through the BHF’s ‘Red for Heart’ campaign where staff must donate money in return for wearing bright red clothing to work. They also have a series of fun and interactive activities planned over the course of a week, including a “sit up and push up” contest, a charity quiz, Valentine’s raffle, bingo and a hula hoop contest in the main showroom.
Dealership staff will also be displaying posters and leaflets throughout the showroom to encourage and inform staff and customers of the many ways they can stay active throughout their working day – protecting themselves against heart and circulatory disease, the UK’s biggest killer.

Visitors to Heartlands Ford in Kingsbury Road, Erdington between the 12th and 19th of February can also donate money to the BHF through filling out the donation forms available on reception or dropping their spare change into the collection box.
Jackie Skeel, Head of National Campaigns at the British Heart Foundation, said: “The money raised by Heartlands Ford will go towards helping to save lives and fight the UK’s biggest killer. Everyone can get involved with ‘Red for Heart’ so please encourage your colleagues or friends to take part too and help the BHF make a real difference.”
Heartlands Ford’s general manager, Nigel Vollrath said: “Supporting the health and welfare of our staff is important to us, as is helping excellent causes such as the BHF so our Healthy Heart Week should be very worthwhile.”
The national ‘Wear Red Day’ for the rest of the UK is on Friday 26th February and if you would like to find out how you can get involved or would like some inspiration on how to fundraise, please visit www.bhf.org.uk/red, call 0845 2410976 or email red@bhf.org.uk.
For more information on Heartlands Ford visit www.heartlandsford.co.uk.

Ends

Monday 8 February 2010

Show your car some love this Valentine's Day


This Valentine’s Day, while you’re showering your loved ones with gifts and treats, take some time out to demonstrate your affection for the other love in your life – your car.

Our cars have very much become a part of our extended family; they go with us everywhere, we thank them after long journeys, we even name them! So to show them how much we appreciate them, why not invest in a little bit of TLC?

Booking your car in for a service is the perfect way to ensure that it runs well, feels good and continues to ‘purr’ with happiness. To make it easy for you to treat your car, Heartlands Ford is offering a great ‘Value Service’ to owners of Ford vehicles aged three years old or more.
Available at any dealership or Rapid Fit centre, the £99 Ford Value Service includes an oil change, new oil filter and new air filter as well as a comprehensive Visual Health Check covering more than 25 vital maintenance and safety assessments.

Among the items examined are the brakes, clutch, seat belts, tyres, steering, suspension links, drive shafts, wheel bearings, transmission, wheel nuts and several major engine components, including the cooling system.

Included with the Value Service is 24/7 Europe-wide roadside assistance for 12 months (or until the car reaches it’s next scheduled service interval, whichever comes up sooner).  So, if your car loves nothing better than to go for a nice long drive, why not treat it to a weekend away in Europe, safe in the knowledge that if the worst happens, help is always close at hand.

If you decide to take out the Ford Service Payment Plan – a tailored regular payment plan that enables drivers to smooth out the cost of servicing on a monthly basis – you can also treat your car to a pampering session as the Plan entitles you to a free Wash and Vac with every service!

So, to find out more about the many ways you can treat your car this Valentine’s Day, contact your nearest Heartlands Ford dealership today:

Heartlands Ford, 971 Kingsbury Road, Erdington, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 377 3000
Heartlands Ford, Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 344 5252
Heartlands Ford, Saxon Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire. Tel: 01827 306700

Alternatively, visit Heartlands Ford at www.heartlands-ford.co.uk

Ends

Wednesday 3 February 2010

TOP SELLING FIESTA HAS A HEART OF STEEL

While most buyers of the UK's best selling car are swayed by its stylish looks and technology-laden interior, the Ford Fiesta hides an important secret under the skin.

At the heart of the Fiesta’s appeal is an advanced steel bodyshell which combines light weight with outstanding strength and durability.

Light weight means better fuel economy and performance, while the strength of the structure is reflected in the Fiesta’s five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

To achieve this impressive combination, Ford engineers turned to new metals for the body.  Over 55 per cent of the structure is made from ultra high strength steel – helping to make the Ford Fiesta 40kg lighter than the model it replaced.

Bernd Liesenfelder, Ford body engineering manager, said:  “Small cars like the Fiesta need to be as light as possible without sacrificing any strength in a crash.  By using these advanced new steels, we have been able to give Fiesta owners the protection of a robust safety cell, combined with excellent fuel economy from a lightweight body.”

The Fiesta bodyshell features a range of different high-strength metals, including boron steel – one of the strongest weldable materials available.

Sophisticated computerised design tools allow Ford engineers to locate the high-strength steels exactly where they are required to provide maximum protection in a crash.

High-strength steels can be used more efficiently than normal steels without reducing strength, allowing components to be lighter.

This light weight helps to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions across the Fiesta range, including for the exceptionally frugal ECOnetic model, which achieves combined fuel economy of 76.3mpg* and 98g CO2/km emissions for road tax-exempt motoring.
HIGH-STRENGTH LIGHTWEIGHT STEEL BODYSHELL
What is it? Advanced bodyshell design which uses special steels to combine maximum strength with minimum weight.
How to get it All new Ford Fiestas have a bodyshell which uses over 55 percent of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels.
What's the cost? No additional cost.

* Note
: Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy Directive EU 80/1268/EEC and will differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world.

Heartlands Ford: TOP SELLING FIESTA HAS A HEART OF STEEL

Heartlands Ford: TOP SELLING FIESTA HAS A HEART OF STEEL

Tuesday 2 February 2010

FORD S-MAX AND GALAXY DO THE DOUBLE AT THE BUSINESSCAR AWARDS

Just announced by Ford!

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 01 February, 2010 – Ford's S-MAX and Galaxy models have been confirmed as favourites for business customers following two wins at the 2010 BusinessCar magazine awards.

The Ford S-MAX was voted Best Mini-MPV while the Ford Galaxy was awarded the top slot in its class with Best MPV for the fourth consecutive year. The BusinessCar Awards are nominated by readers of the magazine, who are key participants in the business car industry.

Commenting on the Ford awards, BusinessCar Editor @paul_barker said: "The S-MAX and Galaxy have proved their worth to the business car market, with the people that experience and rely on the products every day – the readers of BusinessCar - voting in their droves for the two models in their respective categories"

He continued: "Both models have a market-leading combination of practicality, great running costs and an excellent driving experience, and these awards are well-deserved."

Commenting on Ford's success, Nigel Sharp, Managing Director, Ford of Britain said: "The Mini-MPV and MPV markets are very competitive and we are delighted that BusinessCar readers have elected these two models best-in- class. "We are confident that the new Ford S-MAX and new Ford Galaxy launched later this year will continue to lead the market, especially with enhanced exterior and interior styling and the introduction of our fantastic new Ford EcoBoost engine and latest Ford Powershift twin clutch automatic transmission into the range" he added.

The new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy debuted at the 2010 Brussels Motor Show earlier this month, boasting a fresh new Kinetic design, innovative safety technology including the Blind Spot Information System and exciting new high-efficiency EcoBoost four cylinder, advanced turbocharged, petrol direct injection engines.




Friday 22 January 2010

£20 for 20 minutes of your time with Heartlands Ford’s Motability team


For people with disabilities and their carers, choosing a car can be an extremely confusing process. The importance of selecting a car that meets your needs now and in the future is paramount and with a huge range of vehicles currently available - expert advice is vital.


Heartlands Ford is the UK’s leading dealership group for mobility needs, having won Motability’s prestigious “Dealer Group of the Year” award for the last four successive years.


Their enthusiasm for the Motability scheme means that they are now “putting their money where their mouth is” and offering anyone who is eligible for the scheme but does not have a Motability car at the moment, a £20 supermarket voucher in return for 20 minutes of their time to learn how Motability can help provide worry free motoring – no purchase necessary!*


Each dealership has four or more of the UK’s best-trained sales and service Motability specialists to advise you on your purchase. They can also arrange for any special adaptations to be fitted to your chosen car to suit your requirements.


Malcolm Tutton, Heartlands Ford’s Head of Motability said: “Whether you drive yourself or prefer to be driven, with a car from Motability you really can look forward to worry free motoring – get out and about and enjoy life with more independence. Whether it’s a trip to the shops or a day out in the countryside, a Motability car can make your journey more relaxed and “Worry-free”.

To benefit from the Motability scheme, you simply exchange your mobility allowance – either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (currently £49.10 a week) or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (currently £54.85 a week) – for a brand new car.

Your car comes complete with a host of benefits including insurance, tax, breakdown cover, servicing, replacement tyres and a wide range of free adaptations. Many cars are also available at "Nil Advance payment" so all you will need to budget for is your fuel!

Heartlands Ford’s “20/20” offer is open until 31st March 2010 so to receive your £20 voucher in return for 20 minutes of your time, get down to your nearest dealership now to find out more!

Further details can be found on www.heartlands-ford.co.uk or by contacting:

Heartlands Ford, 971 Kingsbury Road, Erdington, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 377 3000
Heartlands Ford, Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 344 5252
Heartlands Ford, Saxon Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire. Tel: 01827 306700


*one voucher per household

Wednesday 20 January 2010

Twitter ignored by dealers?

According to Car Dealer Magazine, TWITTER and Facebook are opportunities being missed by the vast majority of UK car dealers reveals one expert.


GForces* has found that less than 10 percent of the UK’s top 200 car dealers are represented on social networking sites. Methods include having a Page on Facebook, communicating via Twitter, or simply posting thoughts and insights on a blog.


Commercial director Tim Smith said car dealers are thus missing out on a prime free PR opportunity. ‘Blogs, Facebook and Twitter can be a very useful addition to a dealer’s marketing arsenal - having a blog, for example, improves your business’s online visibility by using keywords related to your activity and products, and back-links to your website, to improve traffic.


Smith revealed some huge numbers. ‘In August, 14.5 million people in the UK visited at least one blog, representing 41 per cent of the total internet audience. ‘If just 0.01 per cent of these find their way to a blog maintained by your business, then you have an opportunity to market your stock to a wider, previously untapped audience. ‘Customers are already engaging with social media, and dealers would do well to think about how to tap into its true commercial potential.’ 


Smith even revealed some advice for car dealers starting out on social networking. How many are you following? 
GForces’ Top Tips for social networking 
• Maintain it – Make sure you do so regularly and react when interacted with. 
• Offer something – People ‘friend’ companies because they’re looking for a reward. Disappoint them and they won’t be back. 
• Give it impact – Be relevant. This will mean more links and more traffic. 
• Combined approach – Establish your presence in a variety of social media. 
• Ensure accuracy – Despite their informality, Tweets and blogs still need to be correct. 


* GForces is a web management company
Does this ring true? How many other industries are missing out on a great opportunity without realising it?


If you'd like to follow us on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/HeartlandsFord