FORD TRANSIT CONNECT AND FORD E-SERIES VANS JOIN BEST BUY GEEK SQUAD FLEET

DEARBORN%2C+Mich.%2C+Aug.+26%2C+2010+%E2%80%93+The+Ford+Transit+Connect+and+Ford+E-Series+van+are+joining+Geek+Squad+as+part+of+Best+Buy%E2%80%99s+continuing+efforts+to+build+a+more+fuel-efficient+fleet+and+streamlined+transportation+system.%0D%0A+%0D%0ABest+Buy%C2%AE+%E2%80%93+an+international+leader+in+consumer+electronics+and+entertainment+%E2%80%93+will+soon+take+delivery+of+290+Ford+Transit+Connect+compact+utility+vans+and+738+Ford+E-Series+vans.+The+Transit+Connects+will+be+used+instead+of+larger+cargo+vans+by+Geek+Squad+technicians+who+deliver%2C+install+and+service+home+appliances.+The+E-Series+vans+will+be+used+by+those+who+install+and+service+home+theater+equipment.%0D%0A+%0D%0A%E2%80%9CWe+appreciate+Best+Buy%E2%80%99s+business+and+confidence+in+our+commercial+van+lineup%2C%E2%80%9D+said+Len+Deluca%2C+director%2C+Ford+Commercial+Truck+Sales+and+Marketing.+%E2%80%9CThe+combination+of+Transit+Connect+and+E-Series+provides+a+wide+range+of+utilization+that+will+help+Best+Buy+meet+its+customers%E2%80%99+needs.%E2%80%9D%0D%0A+%0D%0AFord+Transit+Connect+provides+utility+and+fuel+efficiency%0D%0AAccording+to+Jason+Pucely%2C+senior+manager%2C+Best+Buy+Fleet+Operations%2C+the+selection+of+the+Ford+Transit+Connect+was+dictated+in+many+ways+by+the+company%E2%80%99s+new+operating+model%2C+which+drives+to+deliver+superior+client+service+through+more+efficient+scheduling%2C+inventory+management+and+transportation+systems.%0D%0A+%0D%0A%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re+streamlining+all+of+our+activities%2C%E2%80%9D+he+explained.+%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99ve+developed+a+more+effective+routing+system%2C+and+we%E2%80%99re+more+efficient+with+the+tools+and+parts+we+carry+when+we+do+our+work.+That+has+enabled+us+to+put+the+same+technician+doing+the+same+work+in+a+smaller%2C+lighter+vehicle.%E2%80%9D%0D%0A+%0D%0APucely+says+the+Ford+Transit+Connect+offers+the+functionality+Geek+Squad+technicians+require+to+get+their+work+done%2C+while+not+compromising+on+some+of+the+space+requirements+that+a+full-size+cargo+van+offers.%0D%0A+%0D%0AIn+addition+to+the+cost+and+environmental+benefits%2C+Pucely+foresees+other+advantages.%0D%0A+%0D%0A%E2%80%9COur+technicians+typically+carry+diagnostic+equipment%2C+motors+and+other+electronic+parts%2C+so+having+the+side+access+panels+will+make+it+easier+for+them+to+get+to+the+equip%nt+they+need%2C%E2%80%9D%0D%0Ahe+said.%0D%0A+%0D%0AThe+unique+appearance+of+the+Ford+Transit+Connect+promises+to+be+an+added+bonus%2C+says+Pucely.%0D%0A+%0D%0A%E2%80%9CA+distinctive+vehicle+has+been+part+of+the+history+of+Geek+Squad+in+the+marketplace%2C%E2%80%9D+he+said.+%E2%80%9CWe+value+our+fleet+as+a+tool+to+enhance+our+brand+messaging%2C+and+the+Transit+Connect+will+certainly+help+in+that+effort.%E2%80%9D%0D%0A+%0D%0AAll+of+the+vehicles+will+carry+the+familiar+Geek+Squad+branding+%E2%80%93+black-and-white+with+the+orange-and-black+Geek+Squad+logo.%0D%0A+%0D%0AFord+E-Series+vans+provide+functionality+and+improved+fuel+efficiency+for+larger+jobs%0D%0AWhile+Ford+Transit+Connect+provides+an+ideal+solution+for+Geek+Squad+technicians+who+service+home+appliances%2C+a+full-size+cargo+van+is+essential+for+those+who+install+and+service+home+theater+equipment.+With+fuel+efficiency+a+priority%2C+Best+Buy+opted+to+purchase+738+Ford+E-Series+vans+with+smaller+%E2%80%93+4.6-liter+%E2%80%93+displacement+V8+engines+that+provide+better+fuel+economy+than+its+current+vans+with+larger+engines.%0D%0A+%0D%0A%E2%80%9CHome+theater+equipment+is+large%2C+and+it+requires+the+space+of+a+full-size+van%2C%E2%80%9D+said+Pucely.+%E2%80%9CBut+our+technicians+can+do+the+same+amount+of+work+using+a+vehicle+with+a+smaller+engine%2C+which+is+less+expensive+to+run+and+burns+less+fuel.%E2%80%9D%0D%0A+%0D%0AFord+Motor+Company+and+Best+Buy%3A+Teaming+up+in+other+ways%0D%0AFord+recently+teamed+up+with+Best+Buy+to+ensure+consumers+have+a+great+experience+learning+about+and+using+Ford+industry-leading+SYNC%C2%AE+system.+Best+Buy+Mobile+offers+thousands+of+specially+trained+associates+to+assist+with+Ford+SYNC+mobile+device%2Fphone+compatibility+and+basic+feature+setup%2C+and+SYNC+training+for+consumers.%0D%0A+%0D%0ABest+Buy+also+includes+Ford+SYNC+mobile+device%2Fphone+compatibility+results+in+its+monthly+Best+Buy+Mobile+Buyer%E2%80%99s+Guide+to+identify+which+of+the+latest+mobile+devices+work+seamlessly+with+Ford+SYNC.+The+ratings+are+based+on+phone+compatibility+tests+conducted+by+Best+Buy%E2%80%99s+Geek+Squad+and+are+updated+frequently.+The+SYNC+ratings+also+can+be+found+at+www.syncmyride.com.%0D%0A+%0D%0AIn+addition%2C+Best+Buy+is+the+primary+sponsor+of+the+No.+43+Best+Buy%2FInsignia+Ford+Fusion+of+Richard+Petty+Motorsports+in+the+NASCAR+Sprint+Cup+series.+The+Fusion+is+driven+by+A.J.+Allmendinger.+In+August%2C+Best+Buy+and+Ford+will+launch+a+national+sweepstakes+focused+around+the+all-new+2011+Ford+Fiesta%2C+the+Insignia+television+brand%2C+Richard+Petty%2C+Allmendinger+and+Ford%E2%80%99s+Rally+America+and+X+Games+Fiesta+driver+Ken+Block.