Project Summary

● Client: Ford

 

● Service: Automotive Translation Services

 

● Language Pairs: English → French (France), German (Germany), German (Switzerland)

 

● Specialisation: CTB (Customer Transactional Business) & Stock Locator

 

● Volume: 19,318 words

 

● Website: ford.com

 

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About the Company

Ford is one of the world’s largest and most recognised automotive manufacturers, with operations spanning six continents. Founded in 1903, the company has a long history of innovation, from pioneering mass production to shaping modern vehicle design. Today, Ford continues to lead the automotive industry by combining engineering excellence with cutting-edge technology to deliver safe, sustainable, and reliable vehicles worldwide.

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Background

Renaissance Translations partnered with Ford to translate 19,318 words of CTB and Stock Locator content from English into French and two variants of German (Germany and Switzerland). The project aimed to enhance the customer experience on Ford’s website by providing accurate, localised vehicle stock information and streamlining the online buying journey for European customers.

With the content blending technical specifications and marketing messages, translations had to be precise, culturally relevant, and delivered within a short turnaround time.

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Challenges

High Client Expectations for Communication

Ford requested immediate communication, requiring project managers to respond to queries within 30 minutes. This level of responsiveness placed significant demands on coordination and client support.

Managing Language Variants

The project involved both German (Germany) and German (Switzerland), each with distinct linguistic preferences and terminology. Ensuring the right localisation for each market was crucial to maintain clarity and authenticity.

Balancing Technical and Marketing Content

The CTB and Stock Locator text combined highly technical vehicle specifications with persuasive marketing language. Achieving accuracy without sacrificing fluency and engagement presented a complex linguistic challenge.

Consistency and Terminology

Consistency across multiple languages and content types was essential to avoid discrepancies that could undermine customer trust or create confusion in the buying journey.

Short Turnaround Time

The translations needed to be delivered quickly to meet Ford’s internal deadlines. Managing this project efficiently while upholding quality standards required careful scheduling and backup planning.

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Solutions

Effective Communication & Client Support

We assigned a dedicated account manager and project manager to the Ford account, ensuring responses within the requested 30-minute window. Regular updates were shared, keeping the client fully informed at every stage.

CAT Tools for Quality and Consistency

Using advanced CAT tools with translation memory and terminology management, we ensured consistent use of key automotive terms across all languages and content types. This also reduced turnaround times and improved accuracy.

Local Subject-Matter Experts

Specialised linguists from France, Germany, and Switzerland were selected to work on the translations. Their deep knowledge of the automotive industry and cultural nuances guaranteed precise localisation of both technical specifications and marketing messages.

Backup Linguists for Continuity

To meet the tight deadline, we assigned backup linguists for each language pair. This ensured the project could continue seamlessly in case of unexpected delays, safeguarding timely delivery without compromising quality.

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Accomplishments

The project was delivered successfully within the short timeframe, meeting all client expectations and supporting Ford’s online sales strategy.

Key results included:

● 19,318 words translated into French and two German variants with 100% on-time delivery.

 

● Strict adherence to Ford’s 30-minute communication requirement, ensuring seamless collaboration.

 

● Consistent use of technical and marketing terminology through CAT tools and glossary management.

 

● Accurate localisation for both German (Germany) and German (Switzerland), respecting regional language preferences.

 

● Positive feedback from Ford highlighting translation quality, speed, and reliability.

 

By localising its CTB and Stock Locator content, Ford successfully improved its website’s usability for European customers. The translations streamlined the vehicle buying journey, increased trust in product information, and supported direct sales in key markets.

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Conclusion

This project demonstrates Renaissance Translations’ expertise in delivering automotive translation services under demanding conditions. By combining fast communication, specialist linguists, and advanced CAT tools, we ensured Ford’s content was both accurate and market-ready within a tight timeframe.

From technical manuals and product catalogues to marketing campaigns and digital platforms, we help automotive leaders like Ford engage customers across borders with precision and cultural fluency.