Ford to open truck owner-oriented call center in Houston

Ford Motor Company plans to open a customer service call center in Houston that will mean about 500 jobs.

The Michigan-based automaker on Thursday announced the customer service facility will focus on truck owners. The nationwide contact center opens Monday.

A Ford statement says the center will be the prototype for all Ford call centers globally. Service experts will stay with the truck customer from first contact until the issue is resolved, rather than sending the caller to other departments.

Company officials say it's an effort to provide more personalized service to Ford customers.