Ford Pro Telematics Helps Dealership Recover Stolen Vehicle

Some situations seem more like something out of a movie than real life. Colin Ailes, sales manager for the fleet and commercial division at Ohio-based Ricart Ford, found himself unexpectedly involved in a criminal investigation when a Ford Bronco Sport® SUV from their loaner fleet was used in a crime. Ailes received an urgent message from the dealership’s rental manager: a suspect who had dropped off their vehicle for service earlier that day had used the dealership’s loaner vehicle to flee the scene of a crime. The police needed help tracking down the stolen Bronco, and fortunately, Ailes had the perfect tool at his disposal—Ford Pro™ Telematics.

Ford Pro Telematics, which comes with built-in tracking capabilities, uses the vehicle’s modem or a plug-in device to provide real-time location data. In this case, the suspect didn’t realize that the Bronco was easily traceable. Ailes quickly accessed the vehicle’s location via Ford Pro Telematics, allowing him to help the police track the vehicle’s movements as it made its way around Columbus. 

As a Ford Pro Elite Commercial Service Center, Ricart Ford is equipped with the resources needed to provide high-quality, efficient service, and this tracking feature is just one of the many benefits the dealership enjoys. The software, which Ricart Ford uses to manage its fleet of service vehicles and customer loaners, helps boost productivity, reduce costs, and increase vehicle uptime. Ailes relies on the Ford Pro Telematics platform to keep a close eye on the dealership’s fleet, and in this particular situation, it proved to be crucial in locating the stolen vehicle.

Normally, Ailes would monitor the fleet from his desktop at the dealership, but during the investigation, he needed to use his mobile phone. He was impressed by how seamlessly Ford Pro Telematics worked on his phone. “This was the first time I’d tried to log in to our Ford Pro account from my phone, and I was super impressed,” Ailes said. “All I had to do was plug in the VIN, and within minutes, I was able to see where the vehicle was located.”

With the live GPS data from the system, Ailes could track the suspect’s journey through the city, pinpointing stops at various fast-food restaurants. Using this data, he was able to work with the police to guide them in recovering the vehicle. “We got our vehicle back, though it wasn’t in the best shape,” Ailes remarked.

This incident highlighted the power of Ford Pro Telematics in more ways than one. Not only did it help recover a stolen vehicle, but it also underscored the importance of using Telematics to maintain a dealership’s fleet. Ricart Ford uses Ford Pro Telematics to monitor a large fleet of delivery vans, parts-runner vehicles, and their Ford Mobile Service fleet. Ailes uses the system to stay on top of scheduled maintenance, ensuring that every vehicle stays in top condition and avoids unnecessary downtime.

“I meter all of my demos once a week,” Ailes explained. “I open Telematics, check everything, and update service reminders for oil changes, fuel filters, and tire rotations. Then, I update all the services that are complete.”

This system allows Ricart Ford to keep its Mobile Service fleet running smoothly, which is a huge benefit for customers who prefer having vehicle maintenance done on-site, without the need to visit the dealership. “Every single customer we have on Mobile Service is head over heels,” Ailes said.

As Ricart Ford continues to leverage Ford Pro Telematics, the software’s versatility becomes even more apparent. From tracking stolen vehicles to managing vehicle maintenance, Telematics is proving to be an indispensable tool for the dealership. Whether it’s improving fleet productivity or helping in an unexpected situation, Ailes and his team at Ricart Ford are reminded time and again of the value that the right technology brings to their operations.

This experience serves as a powerful reminder that the right tools, like Ford Pro Telematics, can make a significant difference in the day-to-day operations of a business—whether you’re tracking a vehicle across town or ensuring your fleet stays in optimal condition.

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