Online ordering for Ford

Ford trucks and other vehicles can be purchased online though a new independent Internet-based enterprise formed by the Ford Dealer Council. FordDirect.com will allow customers to configure, select, price and finance, as well as initiate the purchase and schedule the delivery of a new truck from participating Ford dealers within minutes, 24 hours a day, 7days a week, according to Jerry Reynolds, chairman of the national Ford Dealer Council. Reynolds says a local Ford dealership chosen by the customer will complete transactions. That dealer will also provide customer support during and after the sale.

The new online purchasing service opens for business in California this month and is expected to be available across the U.S. by next year.

FordDirect is jointly owned by participating Ford Div. dealers and Ford Motor Co., with an independent management team appointed by the venture's board of directors. Trilogy Software of Austin, Tex., is providing the technology to create the e-commerce platform.