Ford Motor Co. has selected OEConnection (OEC) for a comprehensive mechanical parts ordering and fulfillment program through the OEC RepairLink solution.

With the Ford and Motorcraft STARS (FAMS) pricing program, Ford certified parts wholesale dealers are able to offer competitive pricing to their mechanical repair shop customers on program parts utilizing the RepairLink platform. Over a pilot period of five months, program parts sales increased 182 percent year-over-year, according to OEC.

“What was more interesting, though, was that the program lifted parts sales overall,” noted Jon Palazzo, OEC vice president, Mechanical. “We saw a 150-percent jump in parts sales, which exceeded our expectations. The program achieved those results by giving the shop the best price while sourcing parts.”

Another benefit to the program is that it builds loyal RepairLink customers, which benefits all OEM dealers using RepairLink.

“Shops coming to RepairLinkShop.com to order program parts notice that the OE part prices are comparable to aftermarket parts, so they can order more OE parts at the best available price,” Palazzo said.

OEC describes RepairLink as “the preeminent online mechanical OE parts ordering solution, providing the mechanical repair market with best-in-class data and parts program capabilities.” RepairLink currently boasts six OEM programs, including the Ford FAMS program. More than 20,000 shops across the United States access the application daily, according to Richfield, Ohio-based OEC.

“The pilot was a huge success … our FAMS program part sales grew, but most importantly all of our parts sales grew in the RepairLink channel during the pilot,” said Carey White, aftermarket operations manager at Ford. “We are excited to move forward with the FAMS program. We see huge potential in growing our mechanical presence throughout the United States.”