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One-stop lease shop
May 28, 2010
With a totally in-house approach, Ocean Park Ford is the place to lease a vehicle in British Columbia.
Special to The Province May 28, 2010
Automotive dealers across the country could give seminars on survival in tough times given the events of the past couple of years.
One of the lesser-known challenges that Big Three dealerships throughout North America have experienced is the throttling back on the number of leases processed by their respective parent company. Done initially in response to slowing demand for vehicle leases coming from the business world as it fought economic demons of its own, limiting leases also made for a better balance sheet, and at places like GM, with Washington's Congress and Canada's Parliament looking over its shoulder, that was good for business.
But not for customers, as dealers across Canada continue to turn away prospective customers because they can't authorize a lease for them.
But not Ocean Park Ford, which hasn't turned a qualified lease customer away from its King George Highway location since opening its doors 22 years ago.
Known throughout the province as the number one F-Series truck dealer, and for the classic Fords positioned throughout the gallery-like dealership, Ocean Park Ford also has the distinction of running it's own lease program.
"We do everything in-house, and you don't even have a bank involved," explains Ocean Park Ford owner Ron Ford. "As long as the customer meets our credit standards, we can get them rolling right away."
Ford notes that leasing has changed and grown significantly since he opened the Surrey store back in 1987, and while other dealerships don't offer leasing -- "They give the excuse to customers that it's too complicated," says Ford -- Ocean Park Ford has a dedicated lease division right in the Surrey dealership.
"We also have everything in stock, so no matter what kind of vehicle you want to lease, we'll have it here," adds Ford, noting Ocean Park has the largest lease inventory in Metro Vancouver.
"We also do all-make leasing," adds Ford, cracking his experienced staff could even get you a camel on lease if you wanted one.
Walking into Ocean Park Ford, a large portrait of Henry Ford presides over the lobby, a man who found success and founded a business on the simple premise that if you give people what they want, and what they need, you too will find success.
Though no direct relation to the legendary man, Ron Ford shares Henry's vision, especially if you're looking to lease.
