Back in April 2021, Ford launched a new VIN decoder tool for the owners of 2018 and up trucks that displays vehicle specifications and calculates payload and towing capacity. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, the automaker announced a new partnership with DataOne Software – a leading provider of automotive data and software solutions – that will add Ford vehicle build identification information to that company’s VIN Decoder API web service, giving customers greater access to Ford vehicle build data from the 2011 model year and up. Now, another Ford vehicle build data sharing agreement has been signed, this time with J.D. Power ChromeData.
The agreement will utilize Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury build data to further enhance J.D. Power’s ChromeData Vehicle Description Services, which now has access to that particular type of data for approximately 80 percent of the automotive brands sold in the U.S. across 30 years and billions of VINs. This data includes standard and optional equipment, packages, advanced safety, technology, and comfort features, interior and exterior color codes, and the original manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
This information is critical for dealers, marketers, remarketing companies, finance and insurance companies, valuation services, and the retail shopper to ensure that transactions are made using accurate data.
“Ford’s initiative to utilize its build data to help dealers, lenders, and other industry partners will bring more clarity in understanding exactly what features and content are included on each vehicle,” said Craig Jennings, president of the Autodata Solutions division at J.D. Power. “This enhances our primary objective of providing the most accurate information to drive precise valuations, inventory listings, and the merchandising of vehicles with all notable features and installed equipment that other VIN decodes do not provide.”
We’ll have more on Ford’s initiative to share vehicle build data soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
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I sure hope Ford handles this data better than they did with their VIN decoder and trailer tow and payload calculator. Although initially any customer could access it, this data now appears to be accessible only to fleets with a valid FIN (Fleet Identification Number). Come on Ford – please make this fantastic tool available to all of your owners again!!