DEARBORN, Mich. -

FordDirect, which is a joint venture between the automaker and its franchised dealers, has partnered with compliance tech company ComplyAuto to help address  the complex regulatory compliance issues dealerships face.

And ComplyAuto is no stranger to the privacy, security and other regulatory compliance concerns of auto retail stores. In fact, the company — a compliance and privacy tech startup — is owned by dealers familiar with what these stores face on the front lines to make sure they keep the consumer data they have protected every day. 

The new partnership gives the automaker's Ford and Lincoln  dealer body availability to special pricing for ComplyAuto's dealership solutions. These solutions cover topics like consumer data protection, state privacy legislation, phishing, ransomware, security awareness cybersecurity, consumer privacy and more. 

"Consumer privacy and cybersecurity are issues that every dealership should take seriously,"  ComplyAuto co-founder and chief executive officer Chris Cleveland said in a news release. "Not only are they the dealership's biggest legal exposure, but customers legitimately care about how dealerships handle and protect their personal information.

"Automating the complexities of consumer privacy rights is just beginning. The goal at ComplyAuto is to reimagine dealership compliance from customer contact to customer contract. We're using automation and technology to become the ultimate dealership compliance partner."

In fact, the company actually promises a "Compliance Guarantee" to ensure total ensure total compliance with state consumer privacy laws, and its interface integrates with existing dealer systems and works to "speak the language" dealership personnel use, understanding that every dealership is unique, even within the same brand. 

"As more states develop privacy rights laws to protect consumers, we realize the complexities dealerships face to stay in full compliance while marketing to shoppers in different states," FordDirect CEO Matt VanDyke said. "ComplyAuto is a perfect fit to help FordDirect usher dealerships through the evolution of these standards and enhance our focus on the consumer experience. Their roots are in a high-performing California Ford dealership, making them uniquely qualified to understand and build a dealer-focused solution.

"Coming from California, the home of the groundbreaking CCPA (California Consumer Privavy Act) and now the CPRA (California Privacy Acts Right), ComplyAuto has developed its mission and its solutions through real experience. ComplyAuto is not just any compliance company; it is by dealers and for dealers."