VMLY&R: Ford’s Reinventing Car Ownership

For as long as vehicles have been made, the primary focus of automakers has been on selling the vehicle – a limited, singular interaction in a years-long ownership experience. Ford's goal was to change this.

So when it came to launching the new all-electric Mustang Mach-E, instead of planning to market another new vehicle, Ford and VMLY&R worked together to, reimagine the entire Ford ownership experience.

Ford knew from research that they needed to modernise the purchase process and make it more convenient. They also knew owners craved support and engagement beyond the moment of purchase for any new vehicle – especially for what is likely to be their first all-electric vehicle. And they knew that during the time between pre-order and delivery some customers change their minds and drop out.

So together with VMLY&R they invented a first-of-its-kind experience that allowed owners to set preferences in their new vehicles before they were even built. By creating the industry’s first Remote Vehicle Setup in 2020, owners could engage with their vehicle during the long wait period between order and delivery. This ensured that all those who pre-ordered remained engaged and stayed with Ford until delivery.

The new ecommerce experience accounted for 97% of Mustang Mach-E reservations. All of this effort has created millions of interactions in parts of the Ford business that didn’t even exist just a few years ago. This is the new way forward for all Ford launches to come.