The following are the rules as explained to Ford employees.
The forum software used by TheDieselStop has a word limit on one post, so I posted it in two parts. These are the unedited rules, so a lot of the rules may not apply us who obtain an X-Plan PIN from a Ford employee.
Note: These rules cover A, Z, X and D Plans. A-Plan is for Ford employees, Z-Plan is for Ford retired employees, D-Plan is for dealership employees, and X-Plan is for the rest of us that either works for a Ford partner or has a friend that's a Ford employee or retiree.
X-Plan is used as the Ford Employees' "Friends and Neighbors" program, as well as the Ford Partners Program. Ford partners are Ford's suppliers, bankers, insurance companies and other business partners. If you work for a big company, they may be a Ford Partner.
Most of the links in the following either will not work at all, or will take you only to a password protected website’s login page.
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1. OVERVIEW
Ford Motor Company appreciates the loyalty of its employees, retirees and their spouses, families and friends. The New Vehicle Purchase Programs (AXZ-Plan) are offered to eligible individuals to drive eligible new Ford Motor Company products, especially those owning competitive products. Eligibility is based upon employment status to Ford Motor Company and their extended family members/friends (as defined under the Program Descriptions and Eligibility section).
If any of the terms or conditions contained in this document are inconsistent with any other existing descriptions of the New Vehicle Purchase Program, the terms of this document and, where appropriate the Red Carpet Lease Agreement, will control. The Company reserves the right to modify or discontinue the New Vehicle Purchase Programs at any time without notice and all provisions are subject to various state law requirements. You should consult with your counsel if you have any questions regarding such requirements. AXZ-Plans are not available in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS AND ELIGIBILITY
AZ-Plan
An eligible Ford employee (A-Plan) or retiree/surviving spouse (Z-Plan) as noted below may generate up to four (4) PINs per calendar year to be used towards the purchase or lease of a new vehicle (see PIN Generation for details):
* All active full-time hourly employees and regular salaried employees, beginning with their date of hire.
* All hourly retirees receiving a normal, early (regular or special) or disability retirement benefit, as long as any medical benefits are being received.
* Salaried retirees who retired under the General Retirement Plan, including salaried employees who terminate between the ages of 50-55 and who are eligible to receive certain deferred retirement benefits, are eligible while they are receiving benefits.
* Surviving spouses of employees who died while actively employed and surviving spouses of retirees who retired under the General Retirement Plan, or who are receiving benefits under the Ford-UAW Retirement Plan.
* All U.S. Temporary Part-Time employees (TPTs) are eligible for A-Plan in the U.S.
* Employees on an approved leave of absence, for the duration of the leave or until expiration of any medical benefits.
* Employees on layoff, for the first 12 months of the layoff.
* Employees taking a separation package, complete details on your AXZ-Plan privileges are included in your packet.
* All regular part-time hourly and salaried employees who are eligible to receive medical benefits.
* Deferred Vested Retirees while they are receiving a Ford pension check.
* Members of the immediate family of the above. "Immediate family" means the following relatives of the employee or retiree:
o Spouse
o Parents
o Spouse's parents
o Grandparents
o Spouse's grandparents
o Sons and daughters (including in-laws and step-children)
o Grandchildren
o Brothers and sisters (including in-laws, half and step)
o Same-sex domestic partners of active eligible employees*
o Immediate family members of eligible same-sex domestic partners*
* Employees of approved subsidiary companies/organizations and approved affiliated companies/organizations as eligibility is defined at the time of approval.
* When both the employee/retiree and his/her spouse are deceased, the surviving family members are no longer eligible.
* When audited, the employee must provide a notarized affidavit, dated prior to the sale date, that a same-sex domestic partnership exists. The Company defines a same-sex relationship between two people who meet ALL of the following criteria:
* Are the same sex.
* Have shared a continuous committed relationship with each other for no less than 6 (six) months, intend to do so indefinitely, and they have no such relationship with any other person.
* Are jointly responsible for each other’s welfare and financial obligations.
* Reside in the same household.
* Are not related by blood to a degree of kinship that would prevent marriage from being recognized under the laws of their state of residence.
* Must reside in a state where marriage between persons of the same sex is not recognized as a valid marriage, or, if residing in a state which recognizes same-sex unions, enter into such union as recognized by the state.
* Each is over the age of 18, of legal age, and legally competent to enter a contract.
* Neither is married to a third party.
X-Plan
Friends & Neighbors:
An eligible Ford employee or retiree as noted below may sponsor up to four (4) PINs per calendar year to be used towards the purchase or lease of a new vehicle (see PIN Generation for details):
* Selected individuals sponsored by a Ford Motor Company employee such as an extended family member (other than those identified as "immediate family members" referenced under Program Descriptions and Eligibility – AZ-Plan), friend or neighbor.
* Sponsors must know the individuals they are sponsoring.
* Dealership employees may not act as a broker by requesting a PIN for a customer from a sponsor.
* Dealerships or anyone connected with or acting on behalf of the dealership cannot purchase or solicit PINS.
Partner Recognition Program:
The Partner Recognition X-Plan Pricing Program is offered by Ford Motor Company to active employees or organization members, retirees, their spouses and members of their households of selected US and Canadian Tier 1 suppliers, business partners, fleet partners and special organizations having a unique relationship with the Company. Odds are, you know a number of people that are eligible to take advantage of the program even if they don't know it! Click HERE for a full list of eligible Partners to see if someone you know is eligible for X-Plan pricing (this list will be updated regularly with ongoing enrollments and deactivations, so check back regularly).
Through the Partner Recognition X-Plan Program, eligible individuals can generate two personal identification numbers (PINs) per year that they may use to purchase new vehicles. Ford Employees/Retirees should direct eligible users to fordpartner.com to learn more about the program, vehicles and pricing, and to generate their PINs when they are ready to take advantage of the program. Eligible users will need to contact their HR Administrator to acquire the appropriate “Partner Code” to access this site.
Ford Employee/Retiree support of this program is a great way to ensure the continued business success of Ford Motor Company and requires little action on your part. The program needs your ongoing support – thank you!
For additional information on this program, Partners should contact their Human Resources benefits representative.
3. PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY
* Purchasers are not required to provide proof of eligibility at time of sale beyond providing their PIN and last 4 digits of Social Security Number. However, the company reserves the right to perform audits of AXZ-Plan sales and may require employees or retirees to provide proof of relationship documentation.
4. PRODUCTS
Eligible Products
* Current Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo model and prior model year vehicles sold in the United States. See your local dealer for vehicle eligibility.
* Vehicles may be ordered from production or, if the dealer agrees, may be selected from the inventory of the dealership. Dealers are not required to participate, but if they do, they must be an authorized Ford Motor Company dealer for the product sold and agree to abide by the New Vehicle Purchase Program guidelines set forth in this document.
* New prior model year vehicles may be purchased or leased up to the date of “final pay" for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products under the AXZ-Plans. Prior model year vehicles may be purchased or leased while supplies last for products under the X-Plan and Volvo products under the AXZ-Plans. See your selling dealer for details.
* Dealer demonstrator units. No additional discount is permitted beyond incentives compatible with an AXZ-Plan deal.
* UAW represented hourly employees, retirees, surviving spouses and their immediately family members are eligible for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury purchases or leases.
Ineligible Products
* Certain commercial use or specialty products and certain "low-supply" vehicles as defined by Ford. Click here for Ineligible Products for specific models or model year vehicles.
* Used vehicles.
* Driver training vehicles.
* UAW represented hourly employees, retirees, surviving spouses and their immediate family members are ineligible for Volvo purchases or leases.
5. PROGRAM POLICIES
Customer/Sponsor Obligations and Rules
* Sponsors are responsible for managing their PIN allocation and making sure the customers follow the rules. If a customer fails to follow the rules (including the length of ownership requirements), the Sponsor’s Plan eligibility is at risk. Therefore, if Sponsors cannot answer all of the following questions, as indicated, it is advised that they do not sponsor the customer.
• Is the customer someone you feel you know and can trust? YES
• Did a dealership employee refer this customer to you? NO
• Are you receiving or being offered cash or gifts to sponsor an X-Plan customer? NO
• Is the customer a government employee or official whose use of the Plan may be construed as influencing a public official? NO
* It is a direct violation of the program rules to provide PINs to customers referred to the sponsor by a dealership employee or to use a dealership employee as a broker to locate AXZ-Plan customers. In other words, you may not use a dealership or dealership employee to find customers, and you may not sell PINs to a dealership or dealership employee. In fact, selling PINs to anyone is a violation of Plan rules and is strictly prohibited. Violations of these rules will result in suspension of AXZ-Plan eligibility and may result in termination of employment with the Company.
* Vehicles purchased or leased by customers sponsored by an employee, retiree, or surviving spouse count against the number of vehicle sales which an employee, retiree or surviving spouse may sponsor during any calendar year.
* Any solicitation or acceptance of money, items of value or discounts off the New Vehicle Purchase Program price not defined in this document from a dealership or anyone connected with or acting on behalf of the dealership in connection with the purchase or lease of a vehicle under the New Vehicle Purchase Program, is contrary to the Plan's provisions and to Company policy and is prohibited.
* If after ordering a vehicle under the terms of the New Vehicle Purchase Program, the customer cannot take delivery from the designated dealership, the customer must promptly advise the proper dealership representative, and the customer must refrain from signing any dealership document indicating acceptance or delivery of the vehicle.
* AXZ-Plan customers are required to arbitrate warranty-related disputes via the Dispute Resolution Program (DRP) before initiating or proceeding with legal action. Failure to seek resolution of warranty-related disputes via the DRP before initiating legal action may result in the suspension of Purchase Plan privileges for sponsor.
o The Dispute Resolution Program (DRP) process is a cost-free program available to
owners or lessees of qualifying Ford Motor Company vehicles. The program is
independently owned administered by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Service or
product performance complaints involving Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln cars, vans, sport
utilities and light trucks, which are within the terms of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
are eligible for DRP review. The Warranty Guide provided with all new Ford, Lincoln, and
Mercury vehicles at delivery contains important information about customer assistance
and the Dispute Resolution Program. For more information about the program, call the
BBB Auto Line at 1-800-428-3718, or the Ford Customer Relationship Center at 1-800-
392-3673.
o Failure to seek resolution of warranty-related disputes via the DRP process before
initiating legal action may result in the suspension of Purchase Plan privileges (as noted
under "What if a Customer Ignores the Conditions?").
Dealership Obligations and Rules
* Participating dealerships agree to comply with all of the terms outlined in this document, including the Red Carpet Lease Option provisions. Authorized Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and Volvo dealerships are encouraged, but not obligated, to participate in the New Vehicle Purchase Program. Participating dealerships must sign a Dealer Agreement located on the AXZD-Plan Pricing Agreement on each New Vehicle Purchase Program sale or Red Carpet Lease.
* Dealerships must be authorized dealers ("under their Sales and Service Agreement(s)") for the product being sold.
* The AXZD-Plan Pricing Agreement must identify the AZ or X-Plan price, the price of each dealer-added option, negative equity on trade, gifts, and any other allowable fees and taxes. A copy of the factory invoice showing the New Vehicle Purchase Program price in the box labeled ”AZ-Plan" or “X-Plan and a completed, signed copy of the AXZD-Plan Pricing Agreement must be given to the customer.
* All commission claims are subject to future audit and possible charge back to the dealership. Participating Dealerships agree to make available such dealership records to the extent considered necessary by Ford Motor Company for audit of the transactions claimed under the New Vehicle Purchase Program. Dealers must retain all records and documents, including the AXZD-Plan Pricing Agreement, journals and ledgers, which relate in any way, in all or in part, to covered transactions- for at least two years.
* All sales or lease contracts with Purchase Plan customers will be conducted by an employee of the participating dealership. Commissions to dealerships will be withheld or charged back if non-employees, including brokers, or agents are used to participate in Plan transactions in any capacity.
What if a Customer Ignores the Conditions?
* The Company cannot ignore abuse of the New Vehicle Purchase Program. Plan abuse may cost the Company inappropriate dealer commission payments. Those unnecessary payments impact all Company employees because the payments detract from Company profits, which provide a basis for future product programs, capital expenditures and, of course, profit sharing.
* The purchase, lease and disposal of vehicles under the New Vehicle Purchase Program are monitored regularly for abuse through a computerized system. Customers who do not comply with the requirements noted above will be contacted and asked to explain the circumstances involved.
* The privilege to participate may be withdrawn or suspended if the Company determines that the employee, retiree or surviving spouse has violated the provisions of the New Vehicle Purchase Program or Company policy. The employee, retiree or surviving spouse may be required to reimburse the Company for the full amount of the dealer commission paid. In addition, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
NOTE: Even if the customer who violates these provisions is not a Company employee, the sponsoring employee, retiree or surviving spouse is responsible and subject to the above sanctions.
Dealer-to-Customer Gifts and Fees
The following are guidelines regarding what is, and is not, permissible.
Nominal Gifts
* Unless prohibited by your state law, Family AZ-Plan and/or Friends & Neighbors X-Plan customers may accept items or services of nominal value (i.e. $50 or less dealership cost) as a gift or reward in connection with an AZ- Plan and/or X- Plan sale or lease. All gifts or rewards offered by the dealership for sponsoring an AZ-Plan and/or X-Plan sale or lease must be comparable with gifts or rewards offered by the dealership on retail sales or leases, and may not exceed $50 in value (dealership cost).
* Examples of acceptable gifts include a wall calendar, Motorcraft apparel, gas card, an oil change, a car wash, etc, provided the item or service does not exceed $50 in value (dealership cost).
* Dealerships may not offer services or items below their market value (dealership cost) to stay within the $50 limit (i.e. $1 for rust proofing or $10 for a bed liner).
* No service, accessory or items valued above $50 may be accepted by AXZ-Plan customers, even if the same offer is extended to non-Plan customers. The only exception would be an FDAF/LMDA promoting a limited time offer which covers an entire group of dealers in a market area (i.e. free bed liners with the purchase of an F-Series). Since all dealers participate this would not give one dealer a competitive advantage over another for Plan business.
Referral Fees
AZ-Plan
* Family AZ-Plan sponsors may accept referral fees of $50 or less in connection with AZ-Plan sales provided the sale occurs after September 11, 2006. All referral fees offered by a dealership must be comparable with referral fees offered by the dealership on retail sales or leases.
X-Plan
* Friends & Neighbors X-Plan sponsors may not accept referral fees.
Document Fees
* Dealers will be permitted to assess up to $75 in documentary fees on each delivery to an eligible purchaser under the terms of the Plan, unless otherwise provided by state or local laws or regulation. Each dealer is responsible for complying with applicable laws or regulations.
* Unless otherwise provided by state or local laws or regulation: In states where dealers are not permitted to charge as much as $75 for doc fees, dealers would be capped at the lesser amount as provided by the state. In states that permitted more than $75, dealers would be permitted to charge the Plan customer $75. In states that permitted more than $75 and also required that all customers be charged the same amount, dealers may charge the Plan customer $75 and indicate any additional fees have been paid by Ford Motor Company as part of the AXZD-Plan Program dealer reimbursement on the buyer's order.
* New Vehicle Purchase Program customers may use the services of FordDirect and participating Dealers may choose to pay FordDirect's fees without violating this section; provided, however, that any such fees paid to FordDirect by participating dealers shall not be passed on to New Vehicle Purchase Program customers.
Financing, Insurance, Titles and Taxes
* Purchase/lease financing may be obtained at the customer's discretion from any source. To learn more about financial services offered through Ford Motor Credit Company, go to
Ford Credit Vehicle Financing
* Each vehicle purchased or leased will be covered by the same warranty and policy as those offered to retail customers.
* The customer is responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes, license and title fees.
* Non-Eligible family members may appear as co-signers or co-makers of the loan or other financing agreement, and may also appear as co-owners on the Vehicle Title or Registration. However, the primary user of the vehicle must be the AZ or X-Plan eligible member.
* New Vehicle Purchase Program customers are required to provide their own liability and collision insurance for both purchases and leases. For leases, there are specified coverage minimums. Lessees should request information about these amounts from the dealer prior to obtaining insurance and signing the final lease papers.
* Titling eligibility is as follows:
o Vehicles must be retained in the customer's possession and registered as provided
above for at least six months from the date of purchase or lease.
o Individuals:
+ Vehicles must be registered or titled to the AXZ-Plan eligible individual.
+ Non-eligible members may appear as co-signers or co-makers of the loan or other
financing agreement, and may also appear on the Vehicle Title or Registration.
However, the primary user of the vehicle must be the AXZ-Plan eligible member.
+ Vehicles leased under the Red Carpet Lease Option will be titled in the name of
Ford Credit or as directed by Ford Credit, but must conform to the above
registration requirements.
+ Vehicles also may be registered in the name of a customer's trust provided that the
customer's name is included in the name of the trust, i.e. "John Smith Trust.”
o Commercial:
+ AZ-Plan vehicles may not be registered or titled in the name of a business. AZ-Plan
vehicles may not be purchased or leased for commercial use.
+ X-Plan vehicles may be registered or titled in the name of a business (excluding
automotive dealerships and their leasing companies). X-Plan vehicles may be
purchased or leased for commercial use.
6. PRICING AND INCENTIVES
* The dealer is required to provide you with a true copy of the factory invoice showing the New Vehicle Purchase Program price on the line labeled AZ-Plan and/or X-Plan. You should also receive a complete and signed AZXD-Plan Pricing Agreement showing each item and its price. Do not sign this form if it is blank or if you do not understand how the price was calculated. All added items must be documented on this form, including negative equity on trade, and gifts.
* The AXZ-Plan price is the amount shown in the box labeled "AZ-Plan" or “X-Plan” near the bottom of the factory invoice. The New Vehicle Purchase Program price includes advertising, finance costs, transportation, fuel charges and Company administrative fees. The dealership may not charge extra for these items.
* The New Vehicle Purchase Program customer is entitled to the price in effect at the time the vehicle was invoiced. Any money refunded to the dealer by Ford Motor Company for price increases occurring after the order is submitted, but before shipment to the dealer, must be refunded to the customer.
* From time to time the Company may offer incentives or rebates. Unless specifically excluded by the Company, incentives or rebates are available to New Vehicle Purchase Program customers in addition to the Plan price. Ask your dealer for details.
Trade-in Allowance
* Trade-in allowance is not covered by the New Vehicle Purchase Program and must be negotiated with the dealership. However, this must be documented on the AZXD-Plan Pricing Agreement form.
Pricing Formula
* The AZ-Plan price is the amount shown on the line labeled appropriately near the bottom of the factory invoice. The New Vehicle Purchase Program price includes advertising, finance costs, transportation, and Company Administration Fee.
AZ-Plan
Dealer Invoice – Holdback – Advertising Assessment + $75 Administration Fee + AZ Plan Surcharge (see sample invoice)
* X-Plan is a pre-determined price based on dealer invoice or A-Plan price depending on brand. The X-Plan price is noted on the dealer invoice.
X-Plan
Ford/Mercury
Dealer Invoice - 0.4% of Invoice + $75 Administration Fee (see sample invoice)
Lincoln
Dealer Invoice + 0.6% of Invoice + $75 Administration Fee (see sample invoice)
Volvo
AZ-Plan + 2% of AZ-Plan
(Continued in Part Two)
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