Design your standard business plan and clearly indicate how you intend to manage your business, and the location you have selected. Select a location that is suited for your business and satisfies the legal requirements for your local government's regulations.
Inform the Ford Motor Company of your intentions to sell parts for Ford. Write to them and advise them on the location. This is important as they will inform you if they can work with the set location. The Ford Company has strict laws on non-competition areas, where you cannot set up your business near another Ford dealer. Using Ford's website, locate dealers by using the Zip code of the area you intend to start up a business.
Find out about the Ford Motor Company's franchise bundle. Know the legal and operational implications of doing business under the brand name. Familiarize yourself and fulfill the conditions preset by the agreement that you will be required to enter with the company.
Acquire a business license and a location permit from your local authorities. Inquire from your local authorities' office about the requirement for setting up an auto parts dealer shop. Find out the zoning laws in your area. Also, seek permission to set up other marketing and advertising components, such as signage.
Find financing to acquire a franchise and to set up your business. Ford Company will initially require you to raise an initial franchise investment fee, ranging from $350,000. In most cases, the company will expect you have a group of investors to raise the fee. In rare cases, Ford will source financing for you, if your business plan and choice of location is deemed outstanding for Ford business.
Prepare fiscal and legal paperwork required to start off your auto parts Ford dealership. Ensure that you have your licenses, location permit and access to credit. Fill in the paperwork for your sales tax arrangement with your Secretary of State.
Set up your business premises as per Ford requirements. Establish your office space, business operating space and erect signs to advertise the business. Establish a transaction account to handle payments and other business operations with your clients and with Ford Company.