Financing Small Business Fleet Needs with Ford Pro FinSimple

A familiar name in fleet financing has received a facelift. Previously known as Ford Credit Commercial Lending Services, Ford Pro FinSimple offers flexible financing for fleets of any size.

With various financing options, including a commercial line of credit, vehicle leasing and purchasing, charging infrastructure, and specialty needs, Ford Pro FinSimple has a lot going on.

Work Truck connected with the team to learn more about their offerings, securing a commercial credit line, what to consider when seeking financing for upfits, electric vehicle considerations, and more, specifically for smaller business and service fleets.

Keeping Commercial Credit ‘FinSimple’

Fleets don’t always have the cash to purchase the necessary vehicles and equipment. Financing is a popular option for many fleets but can be complicated.

Ford has been involved in vehicle financing since its 1923 launch of the Weekly Purchase Plan. The credit arm of Ford was created in 1959. So, the automaker knows a thing or two about vehicle financing. With the latest change to Ford Pro FinSimple, several new and updated options are available for fleets.

For example, the Commercial Line of Credit (CLOC) for fleet financing is free to set up and offers quick vehicle purchase approval, among other benefits.

“There are a few main benefits with a Ford Pro FinSimple CLOC. For example, it’s free to set up and easy to finance with speedy credit and vehicle purchase approval. It also frees operating capital, so businesses can better manage cash flow and save bank lines of credit for other business needs,” said Mark Samhat, U.S. Sales Manager for Ford Pro FinSimple.

Discounted rates are also available.

“It’s a great way a company can grow its fleet and manage replacements and upgrades without sucking up cash flow needed for the core business,” Samhat added.

Vehicles aren’t all that Ford Pro FinSimple can help with.

“We are also proud to finance upfits and do it all the time. Managers should consider the type of upfit they need, so they understand the cost. This may affect the available financing, because certain upfits may require a specific type of financial product,” Samhat explained.

Small Businesses Have Big Challenges

Small businesses and work truck fleets have different challenges and needs than larger corporations.

“We realize a business doesn’t run itself. We have to provide an always-on experience that makes it simple and easy to finance one or two vehicles or use a CLOC to replace or grow a fleet of 50 vehicles,” said Melodye Miles, director for Ford Pro FinSimple Product Organization. “With our digital applications, we meet customers where and when they want to be met and when it’s most convenient. Our digital experience includes conveniences like autosave if you need to step away and return later, a progress bar, and a dealer locator.”

Once a CLOC is approved, customers can add fleet vehicles when needed for up to a year without applying for credit every time.

Throughout the process, your unique small business fleet needs are kept front of mind.

“You are dealing with specialists across your experience. This is what we do and what we understand. By helping commercial customers build and manage their fleets as easily and quickly as possible, we allow them to focus on running their businesses — which is what they really want and need to be doing. We are 100% aligned with that,” Samhat said.

Ford Pro knows that small and medium businesses are the backbone of our economy.

“These smaller fleets are critical to helping us all thrive and grow. So, we deliver convenient experiences that let them work with us in a way that works best for them — online, by phone, and in many cases in person,” Miles added.

Helping Small Fleets Accelerate into the Future

Ford Pro FinSimple is part of a one-stop experience with Ford Pro.

“Our experience also encompasses vehicles, service, software, charging, fleet management, and other resources. We are designed to help businesses accelerate and keep their fleets on the road,” Samhat said.

As the company continues focusing on what businesses need and bringing those solutions into the Ford Pro ecosystem, it is working hard to understand more about specific fleet needs. And not only learn but leverage that knowledge and use it to improve their experiences.

“We can see a future where vehicle telematics and our work with you as a trusted financial adviser help us know you might be ready for a replacement vehicle even before you do and then recommend what you need when you need it,” Miles said.

Until that future comes to pass, Ford Pro FinSimple has a team of specialists who can help companies assess their fleet needs to get exactly what they should have, enable them to expand when they’re ready, and keep those vehicles delivering as much as humanly possible for their customers.

“It’s about finding the right tools, software, and services to keep our customers’ businesses on track and their crews on the road,” Miles said.

Trends in EV Fleet Financing

Ford Pro FinSimple is adjusting to the trend toward a growing EV fleet by thinking about how it helps businesses finance and fuel their EV fleets — which means electricity.

“We are financing the non-vehicle assets needed for the conversion, such as chargers, depots, and other infrastructure,” Samhat added.

And for those still unsure about whether the transition is the right fit, Ford Pro has the resources to help.

“Working with teams at Ford Pro, we can help customers ensure EVs fit their business needs and understand the tax benefits of electrification. And then, we can engage the Ford Pro charging team and other Ford Pro teams as needed to serve the customer holistically,” Miles explained.