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Dealer sales through referrals from FordDirect, a dealer-controlled joint venture with Ford Motor Co., has sold more than 1,070,000 vehicles since its inception in 2000.
FordDirect accounted for 15 percent of total retail sales for Ford and Lincoln Mercury divisions in 2006, the company said.

"The internet plays a huge role in how people shop for and ultimately select their next vehicle," said Cisco Codina, Group Vice-President, Ford Motor Co. "We have an advantage in the online market because through FordDirect we are able to unite the marketing power of Ford with the distribution expertise of our local dealers."

"To us the internet is more than an advertising tool, it is our second showroom," said Stewart Evans, who was named Internet Dealer of the Year. "We have a strong internet team and one of the key factors for their success is our organization's attitude about the internet."