Ford Korea considers adopting online sales system next year

• Published date: 02 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

Ford is considering selling its vehicles online in Korea from next year as its rivals increasingly adopt the online sales system to boost sales in Asia's fourth-biggest economy.

Ford Korea Managing Director David Jeffrey commented on the U.S. carmaker's possible plan to sell its models online as well on the sidelines of the launching event for the upgraded Ford Ranger pickup truck.

Carmakers, including the country's leading carmaker Hyundai Motor, Tesla, and Honda Korea, have recently introduced online sales platforms to woo local customers in one of the world's most connected countries.

"We are doing that in many markets around the world now, and I think in the not too distant future we will probably start doing that here in Korea probably next year," Jeffrey told Yonhap News Agency.

But he underlined the company needs to offer customers an opportunity to experience vehicles and meet dealers to make a right decision for new car purchases.

"I know some brands here in Korea who have done some online sales maybe kind of have forgotten the customer in that process, and so it's very important for us to get the balance right between making sure the customer has access to the physical vehicle, has access to people who know about the vehicle and also the ease of transaction that comes with using an online system," the executive said.

If Ford Korea can get those two things right and combine those things together, customers will see the company do some online sales...