Ford “Video Snacks” Teach Customers About Their Vehicles

Ford Motor Co. is giving customers in the U.S. the ability to learn about new-car features by browsing through 100 short videos about everything from headrests to remote start systems.

The idea is to offer a menu of "video snacks" that buyers can view on tablets at the dealership and e-mail to themselves to look at again later. They also can view the videos on their smartphone.

Ford says the system will enable sales people to zero in on features that interest the buyer rather than plowing through the same delivery checklist for everyone. The company points out that the orientation snippets also give customers control over when and how they learn about their vehicle's features.

The videos expand on a selling tool called the iPad showcase app that Ford rolled out last year for its dealers. The app enables a sales person to check the dealership's inventory and show available options to customers in the showroom, on the lot or at the customer's home.

Each of the new snippets being introduced nationwide this week focuses on a feature rather than a specific model, thus enabling it to be used across multiple vehicle lines. Ford says it also will post the videos on YouTube's popular "Know Your Vehicle" channel.