Ford Australia now hiring Mustangs

Ford Australia has launched a world-first ‘2nd Car' pilot program offering new Ranger and Escape buyers a Mustang to live with for up to two weeks.

In a first for Ford globally, the program was created in Australia where it’s the first of its kind, although other car-makers including BMW and Porsche offer subscriptions services that provide their owners with access to other models in the range overseas.

Ford says the program, which it hopes will drive Ranger and Escape sales, will expose existing customers to Australia’s top-selling sports car (and Ford’s second most popular model after the Ranger).

“With 2nd Car, new Ford buyers can own one vehicle, but drive two,” said Ford 2nd Car program manager, Christine Wagner.

“Why not experience the thrill of the Mustang for a road trip or celebration?

"2nd Car not only offers new Ford buyers a great car ownership experience, it also offers access to a great sharing experience,”.

“We believe this program offers excellent value and flexibility – another reason to join the Ford family.”

Ford says its long-term goal is to expand the program to offer buyers of any new Ford vehicle access to the entire Ford line-up.

However, Ford’s 2nd Car program isn’t free and comes with a long list of terms and conditions.

First you must buy a new Ranger or Escape, then pay a $500 enrolment fee and a further booking fee, which for Ranger owners is $250 for a week ($500 for two weeks) and for Escape owners is $375 and $750 respectively.

The week-long Mustang fee for Ranger buyers is about what you’d pay to hire one for a day from various car rental companies, but there are other strings attached.

Ranger or Escape customers will need to take advantage of the deal within the first two years of ownership, drivers need to be fully licensed and over 25 years old and the program won't be offered at all Ford dealerships.

The deal is only available to private or Blue Business Fleet buyers purchasing a new or demonstrator vehicle, and it’s not clear whether Ford is offering the upgraded 2018 Mustang arriving next month, or the outgoing version.

Of course, Mustang drivers are responsible for all running costs during their drive, such as fuel and any road tolls, fines and infringements accrued.

If the Mustang is returned without a full tank of fuel, you will pay for the additional 95 RON fuel required to fill the tank at $2.50 per litre, and as part of signing up you agree that your credit card may be debited for all additional fees.

The 2nd Car fine print also mentions late return fees and other charges for excess mileage and in the event of damage or loss.

If you don’t return the Mustang by 5:00pm on the day of the return time or within two hours from the return time (whichever is later), a late return fee of $300 per day will be charged.

You can drive a maximum distance of 1500km a week or 3000km in two weeks, but beyond that you’ll pay 50 cents for every additional kilometre.

You can drive your rented Mustang interstate but only in “Permitted Areas”, meaning sealed roads and access roads to camping and accommodation grounds.

However, it “may not be used for any form of racing, pace making, reliability trials, speed or hill climbing contests”, which is listed as a “Serious Breach” of Ford’s terms and conditions.

Other Serious Breaches listed include driving under the influence, driving in a dangerous manner, driving in any manner that breaks the law, driving the car while substantially damaged, using it as an Uber/taxi or as a courier to carry goods, using it to carry more passengers than it’s designed for, using it to carry dangerous, flammable or toxic goods, fitting accessories to it (other than a child restraint) and using it to tow or push anything.

If the vehicle or any third-party property is damaged or destroyed due to a Serious Breach, you will be liable for all costs.

If not, you will be liable for damage and loss up to the Damage Contribution Fee, which $2000.

This excludes wheel and tyre damage, for which you will be charged in full “if it is found that there is damage to wheels and/or tyres during a journey that is not attributable to fair wear and tear and responsible driving”.