DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Credit will transform its U.S. and Canadian sales operations by creating 78 multi-brand offices from the 163 existing branches. The transformation will take place over the next two years, announced the company today. Dealers will benefit from the extended hours and larger, brand-specialized staffs of the new branches.

Each new branch will include sales activities for all Ford Credit brands: Ford Credit, Volvo Car Finance, PRIMUS, Jaguar Credit, Land Rover Capital Group, Mazda Credit and Commercial Lending Services.

The company consolidated branches to provide dealers and consumers the "improved service and flexibility" they need, said Mike Bannister, Ford Credit chairman and chief executive officer. "A common business model will give our sales operations the structure and scale they need to provide superior service," he said.

The new branches will be able to better support dealers at times when they need it, such as weeknights and Saturdays. Dealers will have better access to the Premier Automotive Group finance brands, which are currently at PRIMUS' 32 North American branches. These include Jaguar Credit, Land Rover Capital Group and Mazda Credit.

Although some of the smaller existing branches will close, dealer account managers from these branches will remain in these markets. They will work from home to continue servicing local dealers. "A continued local presence is critical in maintaining our strong relationship with dealers," said Ford Credit President A.J. Wagner.

Roughly 900 Ford Credit employees will be asked to relocate or change positions because of the restructuring. They will be offered jobs within Ford Credit and relocation funds if they choose to stay with the company.