Feb. 6, 2013—More than 900 Ford Motor Company dealers will be certified to sell plug-in electrified vehicles (EV) by this spring, according to a Ford press release.
The 900 dealers represent about one-third of all Ford dealers in the U.S., and is an increase from 200 dealerships in November of 2012. Ford also expects to have EV-certified Ford dealers in all 50 states by spring.
Ford delivered a record January hybrid sales month, following a record-breaking EV sales quarter in the fourth quarter of 2012.
"Research indicates that 60 percent of new vehicle shoppers are considering hybrid products,” said C.J. O'Donnell, Ford Electrified Vehicle marketing manager. “With this demand for more fuel efficient vehicles, early sales of Ford’s five electrified vehicles has been phenomenal, creating a tremendous amount of excitement among our dealers.”
Certification means the dealerships have met the automaker’s guidelines for dealers selling electric vehicles, including installation of at least two on-site charging stations and participation in highly specialized training in the field of electric vehicles.
