Ford offers coronavirus cashback and payment holiday on new-car sales

Ford in the UK and its in-house finance arm Ford Credit have introduced measures intended to reassure new-car buyers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Known as the 'Peace of Mind' programme, it covers new car and van orders made during April and May. Electrified models such as the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid (pictured) and Ford Transit Custom plug-in hybrid are covered by the measures.

The programme combines assistance with payments from Ford of Britain (either as cashback paid when the vehicle is collected to help cover the first three average monthly payments, or a vehicle discount of the same value) along with a three-month deferment of finance payments from Ford Credit. Ford says that for vehicles offered with zero percent finance, the measures could equate to six months' worth of payments in value.

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain managing director, said: "Ford wants to reassure customers that unprecedented times should not prevent them opting for a replacement new car or van."

In line with government guidelines, all Ford dealership showrooms are closed, but online and remote sales are still being offered. The company says that select customers requiring new vehicles urgently (key workers, first-time Motability scheme users and companies involved in combating the emergency), dealers can arrange by exception a mutually convenient and safe way to hand over the vehicle.