The carmaker is to open 200 flagship FordStores across Europe this year with plans to confirm a total of 500 FordStores by the end of 2016.

The new FordStores, which will be located primarily in metropolitan areas, will include dedicated areas for Transit and business customers as well as the new Vignale Lounge for customers of Ford’s new upscale product and personalised ownership experience.            

The FordStores will also showcase new models such as the Mustang, performance vehicles such as the forthcoming Ford Focus RS, and the full line-ups of Transit commercial vehicles and Ford SUVs as well as the new Ford Mondeo Vignale, the first vehicle in the Vignale line-up, which will be available from July.

“Our ambition is that FordStores provide a seamless best-in-class customer experience both in store and online. FordStores represent the very best of Ford and will be the new face of the company in Europe’s largest towns and cities,” said Gaetano Thorel, vice president, marketing, Ford of Europe. “Many customers arrive at the car dealership already very well‑informed, and increasingly expect the retail experience to be just that – an experience.”

Exclusive services will be on offer in the Vignale Lounge, including the Vignale Service app, which offers GPS-enabled parking, fuelling and information, and collection and delivery for vehicle servicing – from a home address or office location – alongside servicing scheduled to suit the owner.

Ford Vignale consumers also will be able to call upon knowledgeable Vignale One Call advisors 24 hours a day for additional support.

“Today’s customer demands more from their brands than just the product alone and want personal attention that reflects their needs,” Thorel added. “Ford Vignale provides an important opportunity to extend and strengthen our appeal to this type of customer. The Vignale product and ownership offer is a refined and relaxed driving experience with quality and craftsmanship taken to a new level.”