North County Ford - 450 West Vista Way, Vista

Finding honorable dealership helps in car buying process

Military memebers should research dealers before purchasing new, used cars

With so many auto dealers and so many young recruits with ready cash, car buying can be risky business in San Diego. That’s why experts emphasize that when researching a dealership, the buyer needs to focus on honesty and open communication. Finding a dealership that is established and knows the needs of the customer is key.

“Our military buyers have two main dream cars – the Ford F-150 and the redesigned Ford Mustang,” said Gerald Gonzalves, general sales manager of North County Ford. “Among military buyers, the Ford F-150 is a high seller because it’s rugged and the right size. But in the last few years, the Ford car segment has grown by leaps and bounds.”

The Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 and the first-ever moving assembly line was introduced in 1913. That revolutionary machinery prompted Forbes magazine to name Ford as “the most important industrial company in the history of the United States.” The company went public in 1956.

Ford has made significant contributions to alternative fuel models in the last decades. The Ford Escape Hybrid was introduced in 2004. By October 2014, Ford had produced more plug-in electric vehicles, including Ford Focus Electric/Hybrid.

Today’s promising models are the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid and now the Ford Fusion Energi. Since the company has made a commitment to boost fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions; sales have doubled in the last six years.

North County Ford is a family-owned dealership that is part of a family of auto brands. The parent company is the Crowley Car Company, owned by Jim Crowley. North County Ford is located just off Highway 78 in Vista.

“We pride ourselves on how we do business,” said Gonzalves. “We are driven by excellent customer service, using a simple and convenient sales process for the consumer purchasing a car. Our used vehicles are Ford certified and fairly priced at market value or under.”

Gonzalves finds that military buyers appreciate his company because they share a similar outlook – know who you are and what you stand for. His customers are direct, honest, respectful and loyal.

“I say ‘loyal’ because the dealership serves the same customers over and over again throughout the decades. These folks are passionate about their cars and passionate about the Ford brand,” he said. “They know North County Ford and the North County Ford employees will take care of their needs.”

North County Ford is into building relationships with honesty, transparency and integrity. They offer military programs that give rebates to service men and women up to $1,000 on select models. Most others offer $500.

“As the closest dealership to Camp Pendleton, which has more than 70,000 daytime residents, we appreciate what the military does for our country and we want to give them peace of mind. Military buyers can count on us and know they are in good hands in either purchasing a vehicle or servicing one. We take our customers seriously,” said Gonzalves, “because we want our customers for five, 10, 15 years. We want them for generations to come.” 

North County Ford 
Phone: (760) 945-9900
Address: 450 West Vista Way, Vista
Online: northcountyford.com 

The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is Still Menacing, Wonderfully Ridiculous | North County Ford Vista CA

It may be all Ecoboost and 10-speed automatic underneath, but the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor strikes that balance of aggressive and goofy characteristics that made the outgoing model such a hit.

Oh yeah, and the off-road credentials were pretty good, too.

Unsurprisingly, like the 2015 F-150, the new Raptor is a case of same-but-different on the outside. The FORD letters on the grille are still enormous, an endearing characteristic. They've also been added to the tailgate in lieu of a blue oval. The whole look is perhaps more modern and sophisticated, but in person the Raptor still comes off as a tough thing.

Ford didn't let us pop the hood to see the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 that's supposed to be in there. Nor did they let us get too close to the interior, which at least doesn't stray too far from the new F-150's style. The paddle shifters inside were the first thing I noticed, though. And I'm still not convinced they look right in a truck, especially when they bear a similar appearance to the ones in the new Ford GT.

The thing about the Raptor has always been that it's a ridiculous vehicle. It's ridiculously large, ridiculously powerful for its size, ridiculously capable. But at the end of the day, the main attraction to this thing is its looks and sounds. They just make you smile.

This new one may be smarter under the skin, but it looks like it still has a sense of humor on the outside.

Ford Brings Repreve to the 2015 F-150 | North County Ford Vista CA

Recycled Materials in 2015 F-150 Seats

What if we could redirect plastics from landfill and use them to create innovative materials, and then put them in the all-new Ford F-150, part of Ford F-Series, America’s best-selling truck?​ We could make a big difference.

Since 2012, Ford Motor Company has worked with Unifi to bring environmentally responsible, high-performance repreve fiber to many Ford vehicles. Now, this innovative fiber is available in the in the all-new F-150. By substituting with this recycled material, Ford will divert more than five million plastic bottles from landfills this year. 

Ford is the only automaker to use repreve, made from 100 percent recycled materials including plastic bottles, in its vehicles. Ford is currently using repreve in five vehicles around the world, making it a truly global material, and it represents Ford's larger commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle as part of the company’s global sustainability strategy to lessen its environmental footprint.

“By using repreve in the all-new Ford F-150, we are reconfirming our commitment to using renewable and recyclable materials in our vehicles,” said Carol Kordich, lead designer, global sustainability materials strategy development. “We are always looking for ways to incorporate more innovative and sustainable materials into our vehicles.”