Ford Motor Company used its head-turning 2010 Ford Taurus SHO in an attempt to break up Tonight Show host Conan O’Brien’s “marriage” on national television.
The TV star’s long-running relationship with his 1992 Ford Taurus SHO was challenged when the all-new 2010 Taurus SHO made an appearance on the late-night comedy show on Oct. 29. A national audience saw firsthand whether O’Brien’s steadfast love for his Jewel green SHO could be tempted with this latest sexy head-turner from Ford.
O’Brien’s second-generation ‘Super High Output’ Taurus has been the focus of the late night comedian’s skits many times including during O’Brien’s premier as host of “The Tonight Show” earlier this year.
During the skit O’Brien, who is confident there could never be a better performance sedan than his ’92 Taurus SHO, is tempted by the 2010 model’s 365-horespower V-6 and its high tech features. Amy Marentic, Ford’s Group marketing manager for Taurus, teaches O’Brien a thing or two when it comes to the Taurus SHO.
Find out if the new 2010 Taurus SHO can win over O’Brien at www.thefordstory.com.
Quote
“We were very excited to get the chance to expose Conan to a much more modern and innovative Taurus SHO. There’s no comparison when it comes to comparing his nearly 20 year-old SHO to our new flagship but it was a lot of fun challenging him to find something about the new SHO to joke about.”
— Amy Marentic, Ford’s Group marketing manager for Taurus
So, you’re a small business owner looking for a way to cut your fuel cost by getting a pure electric vehicle, and your choice is an expensive boutique two-seater sports car with zero cargo room or an affordable compact but super roomy commercial van. Yep, some business decisions are just that easy.
Ford and Azure Dynamics have joined in a collaborative effort to deliver a pure battery electric Ford Transit Connect van for the United States and Canadian markets in 2010. Azure will integrate its Force Drive™ battery electric drive train in the Transit Connect van for commercial fleet and retail use.
The collaboration with Azure Dynamics for the Transit Connect BEV will build on the existing business relationship between Ford and Azure as well as their shared experience with battery supplier, Johnson Controls-Saft.
The Transit Connect BEV will be built on Ford’s global commercial vehicle platform as part of the company’s One Ford global product vision. It is the first of four electrified vehicles from Ford that will become available over the next three years in the U.S. and Canada including:
Battery electric Transit Connect van in 2010
Battery electric Ford Focus passenger car in 2011
Next generation hybrid vehicle in 2012
Plug-In hybrid vehicle in 2012
Collaboration builds on existing business relationship
Azure Dynamics develops hybrid electric and electric drive technology for shuttle buses and commercial trucks, such as the Balance™ Hybrid Electric, which is built on the Ford E-450 cutaway and strip chassis for the medium duty commercial vehicle segment.
Oak Park, Mich.-based Azure Dynamics will integrate its proprietary Force Drive™ battery electric drive train into the Transit Connect BEV, which will have a targeted range of 80 miles minimum on a full charge and zero tailpipe emissions. Force Drive™ components have previously been deployed in more than 40 vehicle integrations and have more than 25 million miles of on-the-road experience. The Transit Connect BEV will offer fleet owners the opportunity to eliminate the use of gasoline and help to lower operating costs. The vehicle will be badged with both the Ford Blue Oval and Azure’s Force Drive logo.
Azure Dynamics has selected Johnson Controls-Saft as the supplier for lithium-ion battery cells and battery packs for the Transit Connect BEV. Azure Dynamics and Ford both currently utilize Johnson Controls-Saft battery technology for other products. The Transit Connect BEV will use the same proven cell technology that is currently deployed in the Ford Escape plug-in hybrid fleet that is on the road today. In addition, Azure had previously announced it would use Johnson Controls-Saft lithium-ion batteries for its E- 450 Balance Hybrid Electric beginning in the second half of 2010. The shared supplier business relationship is expected to provide additional synergy between Ford and Azure in the Transit Connect BEV project.
Transit Connect commercial platform ideal choice for battery electric power
The Ford Transit Connect already is a proven global success. Ford introduced the gasoline-engine Transit Connect to North America this year. With a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, cargo capacity, accessibility and low purchase and operation costs, it is an ideal choice for electrification. Commercial users often travel predictable, short-range routes with frequent stop and go driving in urban and suburban environments. For customers seeking sustainable mobility solutions, the Transit Connect Battery Electric Vehicle with Azure Force Drive™ will provide a zero emissions option.
The Transit Connect was designed, engineered and manufactured on a dedicated global commercial vehicle platform to beat tough commercial vehicle durability standards. The final manufacturing location for the Transit Connect BEV has not yet been determined.
Quotes
“We recognize an increasing interest in electrified vehicles and have an aggressive strategy to bring these vehicles to the marketplace. Our work with Azure to create a pure electric battery Transit Connect vehicle will allow us to offer our commercial customers an additional option for environmentally friendly transportation.”
– Nancy Gioia, Ford Director of Global Electrification
“The opportunity to work with Ford on the Transit Connect BEV is a breakthrough advancement for us at Azure and for the light commercial vehicle market. For Azure, it’s an important evolution of our existing relationship with Ford. From an industry standpoint, we are seeing delivery fleet and utility vehicle operators move to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. The Transit Connect BEV will come to market at an ideal time to meet this growing trend.”
– Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO
Even if you don’t know why, you probably have heard the name Funkmaster Flex. For more than a more than a decade Flex has been one of America’s top radio personalities, reaching more than 2 million listeners per week.
He’s also an avid car enthusiast, customizing new vehicles and building vintage cars with special attention to style and performance. Most recently, Flex customized the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, which he will debut at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. He has also developed his own car-customizing television programming.
He’ll be hosting a live chat from the show. This trade show attracts 100,000 automotive enthusiasts who are part of the industry. And you have to be in the industry to attend, as it is closed to the public.
Tune in on this Web page Wednesday, November 4, at 4:00 p.m. EDT to see what the Funkmaster has to say about the SEMA show and his latest Ford rides, and see where the conversation goes.
Because the show is not open to the public, we’ll give you a peek into the show with an article from the event, in addition to this chat. Check back during the week of November 2.
Not only does Flex represent his own line of hi-octane automotive accessories, but he also developed and promotes an annual eight-city Funkmaster Flex Custom Car & Bike Show Tour, bringing the most exclusive and expensive candy-colored rides to fans in cities from Canada to Miami.
Who better to ask about the in-car technologies of tomorrow than the millennial generation, right? And what better time to ask than right now.
Ford Motor Company and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor are working together to discover the next frontier of in-car-communications. The two have joined forces to launch a project that gives students access to a Ford developmental operating system so these students can test and program new applications in search of the “what’s next” for in-car connectivity.
The two-phase advanced research project called the “American Journey 2.0,” is aimed at finding new ways to harness the power of social networks and cloud computing to deliver the future of a grand tradition, the great American road trip.
Millennials’ market force
Ford is the industry leader for in-car connectivity and its award-winning SYNC system, co-developed with Microsoft, is the first to seamlessly integrate a variety of technologies providing emergency, diagnostic and information services as well as traffic reports and directions all through a user’s Bluetooth-paired mobile phone. Current technologies include: on-board text-to-speech engine, data-over-voice technology, a GPS receiver, and an off-board routing engine and information services network accessed through a voice portal.
The next breakthrough in the connected car experience – especially amongst the emerging market force of the Millennial generation – will be responsibly accessing social networks, including Twitter and Facebook, plus other internet data to further improve the driving experience.
The Microsoft “Millennials in Automotive Survey 2009” reported that 77 percent of those surveyed use social networking sites, 50 percent subscribed to more than one site; 64 percent frequented them daily; and 33 percent reported spending 30 minutes or more for each visit. In 2010, the Millennials will make up 28 percent of the driving population, up 9 points from just 2004, making it a powerful consumer group to target.
Such reach-out and collaboration with a university’s student body represents a developmental shift for Ford as it looks for ways to use novel models of open-source collaboration similar to how ideas are cultivated in Silicon Valley. This new way of innovating is aimed at delivering the driver with relevant and personalized content that is tailored for the individual driver’s unique in-car experience.
Phase One – Testing the Platform
Phase one of the project starts with a small group of computer and electrical engineering students beta testing a Ford prototype in-vehicle connectivity software platform that supports navigation, cell phone and digital music players, and has the enhanced ability to access vehicle performance data and act as an interface for newly-developed social networking applications.
The intense six-week student “test drive” of the open platform began in early October, with students tirelessly running multiple combinations of applications, trying to break codes and force the system to crash.
Phase Two – American Journey 2.0
The winter course will be open to 25-30 students of multiple disciplines, and will feature small teams collaborating on the Ford developmental software platform and building upon its connectivity capabilities with new applications.
A panel of judges from Ford, University of Michigan, Microsoft, Maker Faire, and other professions will pick the winning application set at the end of the course and the chosen student team will install their new connectivity programs in a specially prepared Ford Fiesta for what Ford has dubbed the “American Journey 2.0” – a group expedition to test and show off their efforts at the 2010 Maker Faire, the world’s largest do-it-yourself convention held next spring in California.
Quotes
“Already with SYNC, we have proven that we can access information in the ‘cloud.’ This research gives us the opportunity to harness the power of student innovation to explore beyond those capabilities and develop what’s next. We want the students to get creative and develop ways to responsibly connect the car to communicate and share with the outside world.”
– Venkatesh Prasad, Group and Technical Leader of Ford’s Infotronics team in Research & Advanced Engineering
“Research like this pushes the envelope of current technology and helps us identify and solve the next set of challenges in the evolving arena of vehicle connectivity. What excites me about this project is that it gives our students the opportunity to unleash their creativity using cutting-edge technologies to find the best ways to connect the vehicle and the ‘cloud.’”
– Dr. Jason Flinn, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan
“We are doing a complete shakedown of the development platform. It’s an awesome project because we are working on the bleeding edge, able to add our knowledge, insight and interests that could have real-world impact on how we drive, and how our commutes impact the environment and each other.”
– Dr. Brian Noble, Associate Professor of EECS at the University of Michigan
Editors at Popular Mechanics today announced the winners of the magazine’s 2010 Automotive Excellence Awards, and Ford Motor Company set a precedent, winning more categories in a single year than any other automaker in the history of the awards.
The Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Awards recognize the best in automotive design, execution and technology for 2010 model year vehicles in 10 categories. Ford’s Mustang Shelby GT500 won the award in the Performance category, Transit Connect took top honors in the Workhorse category and F-150 SVT Raptor earned the award in the Off-Road Ability category.
Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company, accepted the awards on behalf of the Ford team.
To determine award winners, Stewart says editors of Popular Mechanics travel the globe and spend thousands of miles behind the wheel of every new car and truck introduced by the world’s automakers. After months of hands-on testing and research, the team nominates a list of vehicles in each category, then votes on the winners.
2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – Performance Category Winner
The editors of Popular Mechanics describe the Mustang Shelby GT500 as a new superpower to contend with in the 21st-century muscle car wars.
“The Mustang Shelby GT500 – with its incredibly potent 5.4-liter V-8 engine – certainly impressed us,” said Ben Stewart, automotive editor, Popular Mechanics. “But it was Ford Special Vehicle Team’s (SVT) refinement of the chassis that made our staff declare the GT500 the best Mustang in the model’s long 45-year history.”
2010 Ford Transit Connect – Workhorse Category Winner
Popular Mechanics editors praise the Ford Transit Connect as a fresh alternative to a full-size van that is packaged to address the pressures of the economy, urban congestion and fluctuating gas prices.
“It was the brilliant combination of the Transit Connect’s efficient use of space – and fuel – that won over our team,” said Stewart. “This vehicle proves that small vehicles can handle big jobs, and it comes at an ideal time when contractors and other business owners are looking to downsize and save on fuel.”
2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – Off-Road Ability Category Winner
“The most extreme high-speed 4x4 pickup ever produced,” is the way editors of Popular Mechanics describe Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor.
“We spent time riding along with Ford SVT engineers at near race speeds and had a chance to climb behind the wheel of the truck ourselves,” said Stewart. “For the avid off-roader, the Raptor is the truck we’ve all been waiting for.”
Stewart says he was particularly impressed with the tuning of Raptor’s long-travel suspension.
“It soaks up high-speed desert terrain better than any production pickup truck we’ve driven,” he said.
Quotes
“Ford’s sweep of three categories in this year’s awards speaks to the onslaught of great products coming from Dearborn.”
– Ben Stewart, automotive editor, Popular Mechanics
“This important recognition reflects the strength and diversity of the Ford product lineup. From a performance car to a workhorse vehicle to an off-road pickup, Ford is building quality products that people really want.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company
Editors at Popular Mechanics today announced the winners of the magazine’s 2010 Automotive Excellence Awards, and Ford Motor Company set a precedent, winning more categories in a single year than any other automaker in the history of the awards.
The Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Awards recognize the best in automotive design, execution and technology for 2010 model year vehicles in 10 categories. Ford’s Mustang Shelby GT500 won the award in the Performance category, Transit Connect took top honors in the Workhorse category and F-150 SVT Raptor earned the award in the Off-Road Ability category.
Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company, accepted the awards on behalf of the Ford team.
To determine award winners, Stewart says editors of Popular Mechanics travel the globe and spend thousands of miles behind the wheel of every new car and truck introduced by the world’s automakers. After months of hands-on testing and research, the team nominates a list of vehicles in each category, then votes on the winners.
2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – Performance Category Winner
The editors of Popular Mechanics describe the Mustang Shelby GT500 as a new superpower to contend with in the 21st-century muscle car wars.
“The Mustang Shelby GT500 – with its incredibly potent 5.4-liter V-8 engine – certainly impressed us,” said Ben Stewart, automotive editor, Popular Mechanics. “But it was Ford Special Vehicle Team’s (SVT) refinement of the chassis that made our staff declare the GT500 the best Mustang in the model’s long 45-year history.”
2010 Ford Transit Connect – Workhorse Category Winner Popular Mechanics editors praise the Ford Transit Connect as a fresh alternative to a full-size van that is packaged to address the pressures of the economy, urban congestion and fluctuating gas prices.
“It was the brilliant combination of the Transit Connect’s efficient use of space – and fuel – that won over our team,” said Stewart. “This vehicle proves that small vehicles can handle big jobs, and it comes at an ideal time when contractors and other business owners are looking to downsize and save on fuel.”
2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – Off-Road Ability Category Winner
“The most extreme high-speed 4x4 pickup ever produced,” is the way editors of Popular Mechanics describe Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor.
“We spent time riding along with Ford SVT engineers at near race speeds and had a chance to climb behind the wheel of the truck ourselves,” said Stewart. “For the avid off-roader, the Raptor is the truck we’ve all been waiting for.”
Stewart says he was particularly impressed with the tuning of Raptor’s long-travel suspension.
“It soaks up high-speed desert terrain better than any production pickup truck we’ve driven,” he said.
Quotes
“Ford’s sweep of three categories in this year’s awards speaks to the onslaught of great products coming from Dearborn.”
– Ben Stewart, automotive editor, Popular Mechanics
“This important recognition reflects the strength and diversity of the Ford product lineup. From a performance car to a workhorse vehicle to an off-road pickup, Ford is building quality products that people really want.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company
Mike Hardie has responsibility for what may be one of the most challenging aspects building vehicles: Quality. Specifically, he develops the quality plan to drive quality processes and discipline throughout the design and production of Ford vehicles.
Join the live chat here on Friday, October 30, at 11:30 a.m. EST to see what Hardie has to say about quality, and what the team is doing to protect and improve quality at Ford.
During his career at Ford, Mike has held many positions in problem solving, reliability engineering and statistical applications. Prior to working at Ford, Mike was in the aerospace business, developing aircraft simulation systems for military programs.
Hardie, a native of Salem, Oregon, holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, and a masters degree in Engineering Management from the University of Michigan.
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Fiesta Movement agents have traveled more than 1 million miles, and they surpassed that mark as they were completing their adventure-themed missions for September. These missions weren’t easy, but they were definitely fun and unusual. Agents tried their hand at racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, went sailing in Chicago with Outside Magazine and even experienced what zero gravity feels like.
As part of the Fiesta Movement social media initiative, 100 young trendsetters are test driving and living with a European-spec Ford Fiesta for six months, traveling as agents on special missions. They then go on to relate their experiences through a variety of social media sites. Throughout the Fiesta Movement, agents have generated more than 4.8 million YouTube views, more than 600,000 Flickr views and nearly 3.2 million Twitter impressions
Missions accomplished
September missions had agents doing new things that got their blood pumping and their adrenaline running. Fiesta Movement agents are known for trying out the unusual, but these missions took that to a new level.
Videos that pushed the limits of creativity include:
“Outside Magazine: Chicago,” by Derek D., who teamed up with a staffer from Outside Magazine to have an urban adventure in Chicago, complete with a sail on Lake Michigan.
Derek D. started off his adventure by meeting up with a graphic designer from Outside Magazine at a marina. After getting situated on the boat and helping get the sailboat out of the marina, Derek D. began to take in the scenery and enjoy the sail, and he’s quick to point out the viewer should be jealous of this awesome experience. Check out “Outside Magazine: Chicago” at http://fiestamovement.com/missions/view/638.
“Who Needs Gravity,” by agent Natasha T., who took on an adventure that’s (almost) out of this world, by showing viewers the closest thing to zero gravity at Zero-G.
Following a 32-hour road trip to Houston, Natasha was ready to experience what zero gravity felt like with the company Zero-G. Natasha had her symptoms of hypoxia (loss of oxygen supply) tested, then headed to the airplane that would simulate the loss of gravity. After achieving zero gravity, Natasha flashes a bright smile and thumbs-up to show her delight. Check out “Who Needs Gravity” at http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/646.
“What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas…Unless…,” by agents Brad and Emma, who set out on an adventure to Sin City, where they headed to Las Vegas Motor Speedway to see how the Fiesta would look zooming around the track.
With two friends along for the ride, Brad and Emma put their Fiesta to the track test. They drove around the superspeedway and bullring to see what their Fiesta could handle, and had a blast in the process. Check out “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas…Unless…” at http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/637.
Operation: Entertainment
Fiesta Movement agents are entering their final month of missions, and October has them having a blast with missions planned around the theme of entertainment. Missions include hanging out in the recording studio with Jukebox the Ghost, creating a music video for the band Parachute and watching them perform live and visiting Turn10 Studio, Microsoft’s racing studio. Throughout the month and after its completion, followers can keep up with agent activity on the Fiesta Movement Web site’s live feed – www.fiestamovement.com
Chance to drive a Fiesta
With a kickoff in May and running through December, five regional test drive teams representing the Fiesta Movement are traveling across the country to engage consumers with the opportunity to test drive a European-spec Ford Fiesta.
The Fiesta Movement test drive is drawing huge numbers by engaging more than 137,000 consumers, with more than 28,000 taking a Fiesta for a test drive.
The teams are visiting at least 200 cities over eight months, stopping in small towns and big cities, as well as making appearances at major and regional events and festivals. Information about drive stops, including monthly calendars, is available on www.fiestamovement.com under the “Test Drive” section. Site visitors also can sign up to receive test drive updates as they become available.
Quotes
“These adventure mission videos are fantastic, in every sense of the word. They put the agents in their element and let them share the Fiesta story in an exciting way.”
– Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand Content and Alliances Manager
“Our test drive tour is achieving exactly what we set out to do – build awareness for the Fiesta and let people experience it. They can see it, touch it and most importantly, experience it.”
– Jeff Eggen, Ford Car Experiential Marketing Manager
For two nights beginning on Monday, Oct. 26, Ford World Headquarters will glow pink to show support for breast cancer patients and survivors across the country. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Ford Motor Company is a 15-year supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and has dedicated over $100 million to the cause to date through its Warriors in Pink program.
Warriors in Pink
Ford Warriors in Pink is a campaign designed to recognize the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer 365 days a year. The Warriors in Pink program features symbols signifying hope, strength and unity to offer support for all those affected by this devastating disease.
Limited edition Ford Warriors in Pink apparel is sold exclusively at www.fordcares.com, and 100 percent of the net proceeds directly benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. More than half a million pieces of Ford Warriors in Pink apparel and gear has been sold over the past three years, generating over $1.8 million for the Susan G. Komen foundation.
When you test-drive a Ford vehicle from now until December 31, 2009, Ford will donate $20 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® on your behalf – to the Komen Affiliate in the city of your choice.
Ford’s commitment runs well beyond raising funds. Because awareness leads to early detection and early detection saves lives, the Ford Warriors in Pink campaign is committed to raising awareness of breast cancer.
Nearly 200,000 women and 2,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2009, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Quotes
“With the Ford Warriors in Pink program, we continually strive to encourage women and men everywhere to join the fight and be a part of the cure for breast cancer. For 15 years, Ford has been committed to fighting breast cancer, standing up for the cause no matter the month. Tonight’s ceremony is designed to show our support for all those affected by the disease.”
– Mark Fields, President of The Americas, Ford Motor Company
There are songs of love and hate. And there are songs of recklessness, too. So how about songs of safety?
Kate Voegele, recording artist of the new hit song "99 Times," is asking teens to write their own special songs that send a message about the importance of safe driving behavior. Vehicle crashes remain the No. 1 killer of teens in America, with teens accounting for three times as many fatal accidents as other drivers.
The nationwide "Belt it Out" promotion begins Oct. 23rd at www.DrivingSkillsforLife.com where soloists or small bands can send songs that incorporate Ford Driving Skills for Life (FDSFL) – the company's nationwide, award-winning teen safe-driving program.
In spring 2010, the public and Voegele will select the teen with the most creative and effective song submission for a top prize of savings bonds up to $5,000.
Quotes
"Music is such a great outlet and this gives teens a chance to create their own music about something important in their lives. I am doing this to encourage people my age to stay focused on their future and to understand the importance of their own driving behaviors. They need to learn to avoid driving distractions such as hand-held texting. Maybe music can help them remember that."
– Kate Voegele, Singer, Actress, Teen Driver Safety Advocate
"Teens listen to their friends and music more than anything else, which is why we are combining the two so our youngsters can help stop their friends from hand-held texting while driving.”
– Jim Graham, Community Relations Manager of Ford Motor Company Fund
The claim of “seeing sound” used to be reserved for the likes of Dr. Timothy Leary and other advocates of psychedelic recreation, but neuroscientists have since determined that mixed-up sensory perception is both real and natural. Now, seeing sound has a practical application as well.
Ford is using a new technology that allows engineers to actually see unwanted sounds and eliminate them during vehicle development to ensure new vehicles have the quietest interior cabins.
Ford is the first automaker in North America to use the new “Noise Vision” tool, which is part of Ford’s drive to lead the industry in top vehicle quality and customer satisfaction. Customers connect an ultra-quiet cabin with overall product quality and satisfaction, and quietness is one of the top reasons to buy a vehicle, according to third-party customer satisfaction studies.
How it works
Noise Vision is a small sphere that is placed inside the vehicle cabin. It is equipped with more than 30 highly sensitive microphones and 12 special cameras. Powerful software reads data from Noise Vision and creates a computerized image showing interior noise “hot spots,” including wind noise, a squeak or rattle, or unwanted feedback from the engine or the road.
Ford began using Noise Vision – formally known as the Noise Source Identification Tool – to develop new vehicles for the 2010 model year. The high-tech tool is similar to technology used in military work and medical research.
In the past, Ford engineers worked long and hard to identify unwanted rattles, squeaks or knocks. Finding an unwanted sound often was a process of elimination, which could take days or weeks.
Noise Vision streamlines the process to hours, and it’s saving money, too. In the past year alone, the technology has allowed Ford’s North American NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) engineers to reduce 200 hours of wind tunnel testing time a year – saving more than $300,000 in testing costs.
Quietness and quality leadership
Today, Ford’s initial vehicle quality is equal to Toyota and Honda. Ford vehicle interior quietness also rivals many luxury brands, including Lexus, according to third-party consumer research.
In fact, Ford has the fewest wind noise, squeak and rattle issues of any full-line vehicle manufacturer, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. Ford brands also have higher interior quietness customer satisfaction scores than Asian counterparts, according to the RDA Group’s Global Quality Research System. Ford’s U.S. vehicle leadership includes:
The Ford F-150 is the top model in its segment for quietness, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. F-150 also is No. 1 in quietness customer satisfaction, according to the RDA Group.
The Lincoln MKZ beats the current Lexus ES350 in key interior quietness attributes, such as road noise at 30 mph and wind noise at 80 mph, according to the RDA Group.
Ford Escape is tied with the Honda CRV for first place in the small utility segment for interior quietness customer satisfaction, according to the RDA Group.
Quotes
“The key to world-class interior quietness is to pinpoint the source and location of every unwanted sound, no matter how subtle it is. Noise Vision already is paying off for Ford, with the new 2010 Taurus, Fusion and F-150 achieving the quietest interiors in their class.”
– Bill Gulker, Ford’s Leader of Wind Noise Engineering
“We used to rely on trial and error to make a vehicle quieter. It was a process of elimination that often led us to mask the issue with thicker glass or more sound insulation. Noise Vision literally shows us where the noise is and allows us to eliminate it once and for all.”
– Bill Gulker, Ford’s Leader of Wind Noise Engineering
While Ford’s rumored development of a flying car is greatly exaggerated, it’s fair to say that the future of hybrid vehicles is in good shape. In fact, Ford and the University of Michigan are working together on a new project to accelerate the development of future hybrid vehicles.
Researchers are analyzing data from 2,500 road trips to determine how internal electronic vehicle controls could be tweaked to further improve fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive attributes.
Working with U of M, Ford has tested nearly 1 million design simulations of hybrid vehicle control systems to date and continues to conduct about 50,000 a week – a development speed that otherwise would not be possible.
Other academic work in hybrid vehicle technology primarily has been focused on fuel economy – often at the expense of drivability. Ford and U of M are looking at the marriage of both.
The new hybrid controller design method has the potential to offer consumers more choice in efficiency and drivability. They may have multiple operational modes or offer customers the ability to customize their driving experience.
The research is still in its early stages, but initial results are promising.
Read more about Ford Motor Company’s hybrid vehicles.
Quotes
“The Ford Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan available, and its performance is second to none. Our work with U of M is helping us develop the next generation of Ford hybrids and bring them to market even faster.”
– Ryan McGee, Supervisor of Vehicle Controls Architecture and Algorithm Design in Ford’s Research and Advanced Engineering.
Working together with the University of Michigan research team, we are testing the boundaries of hybrid vehicle technology, exploring innovative ways to raise the bar on fuel economy and drivability. This joint work on hybrid software development shows great promise in helping us lead the development of more efficient hybrid systems for the future.”
– Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, chief technical officer, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering
Are you a social media mover and shaker? Do your friends hang on your every word or at least enjoy your online photo galleries and YouTube videos? Most importantly, are you a Fusion fanatic? Then, your moment in the spotlight may have just arrived?
Ford is conducting a nationwide search for passionate 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid owners to participate in Fusion 41, a consumer program designed to build awareness and excitement around the all-new 201 Ford Fusion.
The Fusion 41 program – named for the unsurpassed 41 mpg fuel economy that makes Fusion America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan, and the 41 participants – builds on the success of the Ford Drive One advertising campaign, which focuses on actual customers experiencing new Ford vehicles and sharing their stories with others. The Fusion 41 consumer story will come to life on the Internet, through social networking sites like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
How Fusion 41 works
Eight 2010 Fusion owners from throughout the country will be selected to participate in the Fusion 41. They will be chosen based on their passion for Fusion and their ability to share compelling information about the vehicle on the Internet. Applicants must have a current Facebook profile with a minimum of 100 friends and an active photo collection.
Each of the eight Fusion owners will then choose four friends or family members to join their team, and each team will be given a 2010 Ford Fusion or Fusion Hybrid to drive in an automotive relay race. To complete the relay, each team member must fulfill an assigned task within 41 hours, tracking competitive variables such as miles driven, stops made or the number of passengers picked up.
The winning team will be chosen based on their ability to complete the activities and provide proof by uploading photos and videos to various social media sites, including Facebook. The Fusion owner of the winning team will have their vehicle paid off, and team members will win free gas for one year.
2010 Fusion owners interested in competing in Fusion 41 may apply at www.fusion41.com between now and November 6.
Ford fuels social media
Research shows that social media sites are increasingly one of the best ways to reach out to consumers. Prior to the development of the Fusion 41 program, Ford expanded its presence on Facebook with a new application for its “Fusion + Hybrid” profile called “You Speak Green” that enables visitors to share their sustainable lifestyle suggestions. Since its launch in mid-July, more than 104,000 Facebook users have downloaded the application to their profile pages and 15,000 have posted tips.
Another example of Ford’s groundbreaking social media outreach is its support of the Fiesta Movement campaign to promote the company’s sporty, savvy new small car through social media agents. Agent postings have garnered significant numbers on social media sites, including more than 4.8 million YouTube views (www.fiestamovement.com), more than 600,000 Flickr views and more than 3.2 million Twitter impressions.
Quote
“Fusion 41 is a fun way to engage customers and get them talking about the all-new 2010 Fusion. There’s no better way to spread the word about our new products than by putting them into the hands of prospective customers and enabling them to experience our vehicles firsthand.”
– Jeff Eggen, Ford Car Experiential Marketing Manager
As part of their research into the cause and effects of distracted driving, Ford Motor Company researchers are using high-tech goggles that measure the amount of time drivers take their eyes off the road to help validate in-vehicle technologies such as GPS navigation systems.
The special “occlusion” goggles are used in testing at Ford’s Human Machine Interface Verification Laboratory – or “Distraction Lab.” Ford engineers and technologists use the data to accelerate the safer design of telematics systems that keep drivers connected and informed.
How it works
In occlusion studies, the test subject wears goggles equipped with small liquid crystal display (LCD) screens that rapidly blink open and closed in a regulated sequence while the subject views graphics and text information on a new device such as a navigation screen. Open goggles represent eyes-off-road time, or when the driver is looking away at a device. Closed goggles represent eyes-on-road time.
If 85 percent or more of test subjects are able to complete a task on screen in the time allowed – such as reading and selecting an address on a navigation screen – the task is considered compliant with industry guidelines. However, if the test subject cannot complete the task in time, the function is designed to be locked-out when the vehicle is in motion, and can only be operated when the vehicle is stopped.
Thanks in part to occlusion testing, the information displayed on Ford’s latest-generation navigation system is purposely limited to comply with industry guidelines and help reduce the risk of driver distraction.
The hands-free, voice-operated advantage
Occlusion testing also was instrumental in determining the appropriate amount of information provided to drivers who use the latest SYNC application – Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI).
The feature leverages SYNC’s industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS and Bluetooth-capable phones to provide simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather. This information is provided through the car’s audio entertainment speakers, allowing the driver to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
A recent study showed that SYNC, Ford’s fully integrated voice-operated in-car communications and entertainment system, significantly reduced the level of distraction when test participants selected a phone number or chose a song on their MP3 player compared with the same operations using hand-held cell phones and music players. For example, the research conducted by Ford shows study participants spent an average of 25 seconds with their eyes off the road to select a song with a hand-held MP3 player compared with two seconds for those choosing a song using SYNC. Read more about this and other related research here.
Quotes
“Occlusion testing is faster and a lot more efficient than other methods for determining eyes-off-road time and the potential for visual distraction. In the past, we used occlusion testing primarily to verify other research, but over the past couple of years we’ve been able to develop test models with the technology that allows us to rapidly complete research faster than ever before.”
– John Shutko, Ford Technical Specialist in Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics
“Studies show voice-operated systems like SYNC offer significant safety benefits over hand-held manual devices. If people are going to use nomadic devices – and there’s no reason to believe that they will stop – Ford wants to offer our customers a safer way to use them, through SYNC.”
– Dr. Louis Tijerina, Ford Senior Technical Specialist
Customers for years have turned to the Ford F-Series Super Duty as the right work truck for the most demanding work. In short, it’s the right tool for the job.
Like the new 2011 F-Series Super Duty, Chris Brewer is the right choice as the vehicle’s chief engineer. His background includes degrees in engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and business from The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), plus he’s a native of Texas – the epicenter of tough trucks.
“Yeah, yeah, I sound like a Super Duty commercial,” Brewer said with a laugh. “But I really enjoy being part of the Super Duty team. No other Ford vehicle has such a diverse set of customers – retail, ‘fleet-tail,’ fleet and commercial accounts – who buy a wide range of trucks from work trucks to chassis cabs to high-end Lariat and King Ranch pickups.”
Join the chat on Friday, October 23, at 2:30 p.m. EDT to see ask Brewer your questions and to see what he has to say.
Serving all those customers in a challenging economic environment isn’t easy, but Brewer draws on his acumen in engineering and business to help deliver the best Super Duty possible. He started his career at Ford on the business side, working as a product planning analyst between his first and second years in business school.
“I found that I really enjoyed working on what’s easily the world’s most complex consumer product, and came back to Ford full-time after business school,” Brewer said.
Super Duty attributes mirror engineer’s talents
Brewer stays busy away from Ford watching and coaching his kids’ soccer games, going to a park or pool with his family or heading out to a baseball game. He has been to more than 30 Major League parks (past and present) and hopes to get to all of them someday.
In his spare time, Brewer also plays duplicate bridge, a form of bridge where skill, rather than luck of the draw, determines success: just like the new Super Duty.
“Super Duty customers are diverse and demanding,” Brewer said. “They absolutely depend on them for their livelihood – in many cases it’s literally their office. The 2011 Super Duty has more capability than ever before and is ready to exceed the expectations of our customers.”
Brewer lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., with his wife and four children – three girls and a boy ranging in age from 8 to 3. He describes himself as low-key but intense, and someone who likes to have fun while getting the job done.
Cowboy hats, chili cook-offs and Ford trucks – some things just never go out of style in the Lone Star state.
The 2010 Ford F-150, powered by the all-new SVT Raptor, was named 2009 “Truck of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), the seventh consecutive time a Ford F-Series truck has won the award. Additionally, F-150 SVT Raptor was named best “Full-size Pickup Truck.”
Ford trucks also took the “Truck Line of Texas,” a distinguished honor recognizing the best-in-class capability and durability of Ford’s lineup.
Another top honor, “Outstanding Feature,” went to Ford Work Solutions, a suite of productivity technologies developed for the commercial truck owner. The system includes an in-dash computer that connects with the home office; Tool Link that keeps track of costly tools and equipment; Cable Lock, which locks up tools in the open truck box; and Crew Chief, a telematics system, giving the fleet manager more control of his/her fleet of vehicles.
Class-leading capability
Ford F-150 delivers class-leading towing capability of 11,300 pounds and hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds – a combination no other competitor can match.
With the launch of the all-new 2009 model, the truck improved its fuel economy by an average of 8 percent across the entire lineup, thanks to a wide range of engineering enhancements. The fuel economy gains reach as high as 12 percent versus the prior model year on F-150 models equipped with the high-volume three-valve, 5.4-liter V-8 engine. Plus, the F-150’s SFE package – which is available on highest-volume XL and XLT series – delivers unsurpassed fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
This summer, Ford introduced the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, designed as a purpose-built, high-speed off-road truck ready for adventure. Raptor also is versatile enough to handle the daily commute. To test the capability and durability of Raptor, Ford took a modified pre-production Raptor to the grueling 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 this past November. The early-build Raptor not only survived Baja, it earned a podium finish in its class.
Key enablers to the Raptor’s impressive performance are functional design cues and impressive suspension technology. The Raptor is seven inches wider than a base F-150 to make room for the additional suspension components that give Raptor its off-road abilities. The wider stance also gives the truck an aggressive appearance.
Internal triple-bypass shocks by FOX Racing Shox – the first on a production truck – provide position-sensitive damping and extra suspension travel for extreme off-roading and a smooth ride on the road. In addition to the shocks, Raptor has unique cast-aluminum front control arms and SVT-tuned 35-inch BFGoodrich® All-Terrain TA/KO 315/70-17 tires. These components give Raptor 11.2 inches of front suspension travel and 12.1 inches of rear suspension travel.
The F-150 SVT Raptor comes standard with the proven 5.4-liter SOHC V-8 engine that produces up to 320 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. In early 2010 customers will have the option of an even more powerful new 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
Customer anticipation has been extremely high, with 3,000 orders already received for the 5.4-liter F-150 SVT Raptor. In fact, initial dealer orders have the Dearborn Truck Plant building Raptors at maximum capacity, reflecting the strong demand for the first-ever factory high-speed off-road truck.
Starting price for the F-150 SVT Raptor is $38,995 including destination and delivery charges.
In total, Ford won eight of 18 awards, including Lincoln MKX as “Mid-size CUV,” Ford Flex as “Full-size CUV,” and Ford F-150 King Ranch as “Luxury Pick-up Truck,” and Ford Expedition as “Full-size SUV.”
More Information Ford F-150 Fact Sheet
Quote
“Winning the Truck of Texas is a distinct honor. Texans know their trucks, and this award is further proof of why the F-Series remains America’s number-one selling pickup. We built F-150 SVT Raptor for truck enthusiasts. And we’re gratified it’s gaining recognition for both its unequaled off-road performance and confidence-inspiring on-road demeanor.”
– Mark Fields, President, The Americas, Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company was announced as one of the 2009 Fellows’ Choice Award Winners for Brand of the Year by the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR). The foundation awarded Ford this honor because of the innovative way the company has been using social media to improve communication with its stakeholders.
Ford continues to experiment and interact online by engaging with influencers over many popular online platforms, including its social media hub TheFordStory.com . In addition to having a daily presence on social networks, Ford is noted for the Fiesta Movement, in which 100 digital influencers were loaned European-spec Ford Fiestas in advance of the 2010 launch of the small car in North America. Their videos, photos, tweets and more are captured in real time on FiestaMovement.com and Ford has collected their feedback to share with engineers before the vehicle goes into production. The Fiesta Movement and test drive program have resulted in more than 50,000 hand-raisers; 97 percent of whom currently do not drive a Ford. And the Fiesta Movement has driven brand awareness for the small car to levels equivalent to models that have been on the market for two to three years.
SNCR is a global non-profit research and education foundation and think tank that focuses on the latest developments in new media and communications. They measure these tools’ impact on business, media, culture and society.
Ford Motor Company’s, Scott Monty, will be on hand at the award ceremony November 5-6th at the Harvard Faculty Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Quotes
"We are honored and humbled that SCNR and its fellows have chosen us for this award. The past year has been a tumultuous one for the global automotive industry and we've managed to demonstrate how Ford is different with our strong business plan and our great products. We aim to make the world a better place by integrating social media into our marketing and communications efforts and humanizing the company at every turn. We realize that our success is not only about how and where we tell our story, but how we listen and engage with our communities. Our customers will decide if our efforts and our products resonate with them, and we've already begun to see the forward momentum."
-Scott Monty, Global Digital & Multimedia Communications Manager for Ford Motor Company.
Smith College and Ford Motor Company today celebrate the dedication of Ford Hall, a $73 million, 140,000-square-foot, “green”-certified facility that serves as home for the college’s Picker Engineering Program and computer science, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology curricula.
The Ford Motor Company Fund’s $10 million lead gift, pledged in 2001, represents the company’s strong support for advancing opportunities for women in engineering, as well as its commitment to environmental sustainability. The celebration includes a traditional ribbon cutting, open house and panel discussion about the future of engineering and the sciences at Smith College.
In addition to the building investment, the Ford Fund contributed an additional $2.6 million for a variety of activities in support of the engineering program at Smith, including scholarships, curriculum development, K-12 outreach programs and sustainability efforts on campus.
Sustainability for scholars
Ford Hall is certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “green” facility – the first LEED-certified structure built on the Smith College campus. It incorporates green roofs, porous pavement, vegetated swales, environmentally responsible mechanical systems and the use of a combined heat and power cogeneration system.
A student design team, under the supervision of project professionals, developed a unique combined heat and power cogeneration system used to support a portion of Ford Hall’s energy needs through renewable means. Smith also installed other innovative energy technologies including fuel cells and solar panels to provide additional environmental and financial benefits.
The emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency for Ford Hall places the building in the forefront of energy efficient architecture. The building’s designers incorporated numerous initiatives to reduce the consumption of energy resources and the cost of operation. In addition, Ford Hall serves as a learning lab and a teaching tool for sustainable design. The emphasis on sustainability in the new building is the largest undertaking in a campus-wide effort by Smith College to promote and implement energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
That’s Miss Smith to you
Established in 1999, Smith’s Picker Engineering Program is the nation’s first and only accredited all-women engineering program. It is focused on developing broadly educated, well-rounded engineers capable of assuming leadership roles in corporations, nonprofit organizations and technology-related fields. Thirty percent of Smith students major in the sciences – more than three times the national average.
Smith College is the largest undergraduate women’s college in the country, enrolling 2,800 students from nearly every state and 61 countries. By linking the power of the liberal arts to excellence in research and scholarship, Smith is developing leaders for society’s challenges.
Quotes
“We’re proud of our partnership with Smith College and the opportunity to participate in the building of Ford Hall. We are confident that together we can make real advances to safeguard the health of this planet and protect its resources. With Ford Hall, we are joining with faculty and students of Smith College as engineers of a better world for future generations.”
– Jim Vella, President, Ford Motor Company Fund
“Ford Hall represents the essence of a sustainable future. It is an example of how we need to think and build going forward – with sustainable materials, energy efficiency and environmental compatibility. Ford Hall is also a challenging and enabling environment for our future generations of women scientists and engineers – those who will generate the ideas and make a reality tomorrow’s collaborative solutions for long-term sustainability.”
– Nancy Gioia, Director of Global Electrification, Ford Motor Company
“In location and design, Ford Hall is a crossroads. The most pressing problems of our time lie at the intersections of engineering and other disciplines.”
– Linda E. Jones, Director of the Picker Engineering Program and Rosemary Bradford Hewlett ’40 Professor of Engineering
Techno troglodytes rejoice! Tech assistance is at hand!
Ford Motor Company has teamed up with the industry’s largest electronics retailer, Best Buy, to help bring consumers closer to the industry-leading SYNC® in-car communications system. Through Best Buy Mobile, the retailer will offer thousands of specially trained associates to assist with Ford SYNC education, training and phone compatibility tests to ensure consumers are maximizing the SYNC experience.
Get expert assistance
Beginning in October, Best Buy stores in Texas will conduct a pilot program involving more than 30 Best Buy locations where consumers will be able to experience live SYNC demos and Ford, Lincoln and Mercury customer clinics. The SYNC demos will show participants how their mobile phones can interact with the voice-activated system, while customer clinics will help new Ford customers improve their understanding of SYNC capabilities using their actual phones and vehicles. Local dealers will participate to offer additional expert assistance on SYNC.
Local dealers will remain the primary touch point for consumers interested in purchasing SYNC; however, Best Buy Mobile experts will serve as another resource for consumers looking to learn more about the compatibility of their mobile devices. Under the agreement, Best Buy Mobile associates will provide Ford owners with phone pairing information, helping them get comfortable with SYNC and enabling them to either connect their existing handset or choose a compatible mobile phone.
Best Buy also will include Ford SYNC mobile phone compatibility results in its monthly Best Buy Mobile Buyer’s Guide to identify which of the latest mobile devices work seamlessly with Ford SYNC. The ratings are based on phone compatibility tests conducted by Best Buy’s tech services unit Geek Squad, and are updated frequently. The SYNC ratings can also be found at www.syncmyride.com.
National SYNC ad campaign rolls out
Earlier this month, Ford launched its new advertising campaign for SYNC, called “SYNC: Say the Word,” to further increase awareness around its current voice-activated applications. The SYNC ads will target young, tech-savvy drivers and appear in various print and online mediums.
“SYNC: Say the Word” will feature robotic “voice agents” that act as personal assistants as voice commands are activated. There will be a total of nine robots that will each showcase the various applications of SYNC including turn-by-turn navigation, 911 Assist, music search, audible text message reading, hands-free calling, business search, Vehicle Health Report, real-time traffic and My Favorites – news, sports, weather.
To complement print advertisements, Ford will also release 30-second video spots with select robotic voice agents to build awareness of how each SYNC application can be activated by simple voice command. The company will also make available a total of 11 instructional videos that highlight each SYNC feature on its redesigned consumer education Web site, which can be found at http://www.fordvehicles.com/innovation/sync/.
As SYNC capabilities expand, more experts essential
Ford SYNC seamlessly integrates a variety of technologies such as an onboard text-to-speech engine, a customer’s mobile phone and network, data-over-voice technology, an off-board routing engine and voice portal. Combined, these technologies enable:
Voice dialing allows users to press the “Push to Talk” button on the steering wheel, then say the name of the person they wish to call. SYNC will automatically connect with the names in the mobile phone’s contact list.
Voice control of MP3 devices lets users browse the music collection on a connected digital media player, mobile phone or USB drive by genre, album, artist and song title using simple voice commands, such as “Play Genre Rock,” “Play [artist]” or “Play Track [song title].”
911 Assist can place a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an accident involving the activation of an air bag or, on certain vehicles, the emergency fuel pump shutoff. If an occupant cannot respond, SYNC can deliver a recorded message to the 911 service to alert an operator that a crash has occurred.
Vehicle Health Report gives customers the ability to monitor and manage their vehicle’s health in a single, easy-to-read report and receive important notifications. The report includes diagnostic systems’ statuses, scheduled maintenance, needed repairs from the last dealership visit, and will even alert owners of any open recalls.
Traffic, Directions & Information, SYNC’s newest application, can deliver personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather – without the need for a built-in or aftermarket navigation system.
New SYNC applications introduced in 2009 have dramatically expanded the system’s capabilities, and continue to set the standard for ease of use. SYNC allows customers to move seamlessly between their home, car and office, staying connected wherever they go.
Quotes
“With the ever-changing technology landscape, it was a strategic decision to work with Best Buy to provide our customers another expert resource on the Ford SYNC platform. “As we expand the capabilities of SYNC, we will need to educate our customers on the full benefits and expanded services of newly added applications. We couldn’t think of a better way for consumers to learn about new SYNC features than from the experts at Best Buy that they’ve learned to trust.”
– John Felice, General Manager, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Marketing
“We have a strong belief that mobile technology should serve people and help them stay connected whether it’s at home, at work or in the car. We are excited to partner with Ford to educate consumers on its SYNC technology. Best Buy Mobile helps thousands of consumers every day get connected with mobile devices and services that make their lives better, and now we’re ready to do the same thing for Ford SYNC users.”
– Shawn Score, Best Buy Mobile President
“With the cadence of new product releases, we’ve found it is essential to assist our consumers with education on features, benefits and usage. While very intuitive, we’ve taken a proactive approach to SYNC marketing because it’s important that consumers understand just how SYNC has evolved beyond voice-activated music controls. Through these efforts, Ford has provided a touch point for drivers both online and offline to help maximize their driving experience while staying connected to the information they want, when they want it.”
– John Felice, General Manager, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Marketing
Ford Warriors in Pink, in its 15th year of support for breast cancer health, is joining forces with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) to focus on breast cancer treatments and awareness with a special Warriors in Pink episode of the daily syndicated how-to series, “The Martha Stewart Show” airing on Oct. 16 (nationally syndicated, check local listings).
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will help support Ford’s fight against breast cancer with an entire hour devoted to this important cause. Homemaking icon Martha Stewart will host a special studio audience of Warriors whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. This important initiative will culminate with the giveaway of two 2010 Ford Tauruses outfitted with Martha Stewart-inspired items.
Symbols of a Warrior
Ford creates limited-edition Warriors in Pink apparel and accessories featuring important symbols signifying the message of hope, strength and unity in its commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Sold on FordCares.com, Ford donates 100 percent of net proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure 365 days a year.
As a special addition to this year’s campaign, Ford Warriors in Pink is unveiling an all-new stamp kit inspired by the team of crafting experts at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. This crafting tool provides Warriors with a creative way to show their support for the fight against breast cancer. Each stamp features one of Ford’s “Symbols of a Warrior,” evoking themes of peace, healing and strength in the battle against breast cancer. Because personal connections to breast cancer are varied, every symbol represents a distinct message of power that is personalized for every Warrior’s journey.
Raising awareness
As a long-standing partner of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ford has dedicated more than $100 million to the breast cancer cause and remains committed to innovative ways to drive breast cancer awareness. The company’s commitment runs well beyond raising funds – as a national series sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Ford is present at all 121 races nationwide. For more information please visit www.FordCares.com.
Quotes
“This partnership helps broaden the reach for Ford Warriors in Pink with a different approach by teaming up with the biggest name in home design. As a 15-year partner of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, we know that awareness leads to early detection and early detection saves lives. This special episode of ‘The Martha Stewart Show’ brings a new element of creativity to drive awareness and further our commitment in the fight against breast cancer.”
– Connie Fontaine, Brand Content and Alliances Manager for Ford Motor Company
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Ford Warriors in Pink to help raise awareness about breast cancer. Breast cancer touches the lives of so many women and their families. We’re proud to be tapping the power of our media platforms to develop a creative, integrated program that resonates with our passionate consumers and spurs action.”
– Janet Balis, EVP Media Sales and Marketing at MSLO
“One of the unique elements of the Warriors in Pink initiative is its ability to unite people who have been touched by breast cancer. Warriors in Pink apparel and accessories demonstrate support for the cause while making a contribution, and now this year consumers can personalize their support with the stamp kit. It allows people to feel as though they are a part of a larger force – an army of Warriors fighting the disease together.”
– Connie Fontaine, Brand Content and Alliances Manager for Ford Motor Company
While the economic forecast is still a bit overcast, there are some bright spots shining through. Ford’s hybrid vehicle sales have risen 73 percent this year in sharp contrast to a 14-percent decline in hybrid sales across the industry.
The fuel economy and durability of hybrid versions of Ford Fusion and Escape, Mercury Milan and Mariner also are winning over large numbers of conquest customers, many of whom are previous import owners. Through September, Ford has sold 26,016 hybrid vehicles, up 73 percent versus the same period in 2008, according to figures from Autodata Inc.
Hybrid customers increasingly are considering Ford. More than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been from non-Ford owners, and more than half of those are customers coming from import brands, mostly from Toyota and Honda.
Ford’s strong 2009 hybrid sales have been fueled by the introduction of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans on the road. Both vehicles deliver a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.
Durable and fuel efficient
While the introduction of the Fusion Hybrid has spurred sales from non-Ford owners, Ford’s longest-running hybrid nameplate, the Escape Hybrid, has proven particularly popular with Ford customers operating taxi, lifeguard and government fleets due to the combination of fuel efficiency and durability. The front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid delivers 34 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway, making it the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market.
In 2005, San Francisco became one of the first cities to adopt hybrids into taxi service, with hybrids accounting for 14 percent of its current fleet. Each of the original fleet of 15 Escape Hybrids exceeded 300,000 miles per vehicle before being retired and replaced with more Escape Hybrids. There are almost 200 Escape Hybrid taxis on San Francisco’s streets today.
New York has more hybrid taxis in service than any other city in North America with 13,237, of which more than 2,000 are Escape Hybrids. The Big Apple recently has begun retiring its original fleet of Escape Hybrids put into service in the 2005 model year after accumulating 300,000 to 350,000 miles per vehicle.
“Greening” the federal government fleet
Government fleets also are seeking cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles and hybrids are filling that need. In 2009, federal agencies have purchased more than 3,000 hybrids from Ford, more than any other automotive brand. Included in the sales were 1,900 vehicles acquired through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the purpose of improving the fuel economy of the federal fleet. The U.S. Army was the single largest purchaser among the government fleets, acquiring 400 Fusion hybrids.
Saving lives and conserving fuel
In 2008, Ford began delivery of a fleet of 45 Escape Hybrids to the Los Angeles County Lifeguards, a division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, for use on rescue patrol along 72 miles of Southern California coastline. After the first 11 months of service, lifeguards reported that Escape Hybrids had played a crucial part in thousands of rescues and more than a million rescue preventions at L.A. County beaches.
The Escape Hybrid fleet enabled L.A. lifeguards to reduce their entire fleet’s fuel usage by 25 percent – more than 5,000 gallons of gas – during the first six months of service. That fuel cost savings has helped L.A. County to maintain its critical front line staffing despite the economic downturn.
Quote
“We’re extremely pleased with the performance of the Escape Hybrid in taxi service. Not only have they proven very reliable, they’ve also saved taxi drivers money on gas and contributed to lower tailpipe and greenhouse gas emissions in the cities that use them in taxi fleets.”
– Gerry Koss, Ford’s Fleet Marketing Manager
Break out the cuff links and cummerbunds. Lincoln dealerships across the country will be celebrating the brand’s all-new lineup of cars and crossover vehicles Thursday as part of an evening event designed to give customers an up-close look at the new 2010 models.
The Lincoln Star Studded Evening dealer program, the largest single-day customer event in Lincoln history, will allow dealers to highlight three new Lincoln models for 2010 – Lincoln MKS with available EcoBoost, Lincoln MKZ and the all-new Lincoln MKT, a three-row crossover that delivers the optimal blend of distinctive design, interior spaciousness, fuel economy and technology.
More than 1,200 dealers were invited to participate in the nationwide events. Not only will customers get to drive the new Lincoln models to feel their exceptional performance and handling capabilities, but they also will learn about the class-leading technology that sets Lincolns apart. Customers can experience Active Park Assist (Ford’s hands-free parallel parking system) and see demonstrations of the latest application of SYNC with new turn-by-turn voice-activated directions. They will also have the chance to experience the remarkable Neural THX Surround Sound system that improves the sound of MP3s or digitally stored/compressed music.
Customers also can enter the Star Studded Sweepstakes at participating dealers, with visitors having the opportunity to win a 65-inch plasma TV, a home theater and Best Buy Geek Squad installation.
Support a cause
The events also provide the opportunity to give back to the community by raising money for breast cancer research. For every completed test drive a customer takes during Lincoln’s Star Studded Evening, a $20 donation will be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® on behalf of the Lincoln dealer who staged the test drive.
To find participating Lincoln dealers, visit www.lincoln.com and click on the link “A Star-Studded Evening You’re Invited,” located above the image of the all-new Lincoln MKT.
Quote
“These events let customers get up close and personal, touch, feel and drive the vehicles, as well as experience Lincoln’s innovative technologies. They are a more interactive, more engaging experience than a traditional television spot – they let Lincoln dealers really share these great new products with their communities.”
– Kate Pearce, Lincoln MKT Marketing Manager
Common knowledge tells us that silver, black and white are the most popular vehicle color choices. Closer examination of sales data reveals that San Francisco, New York and Phoenix are the leading markets for those respective colors. But what city loves red cars the most? Hint: The one famous for another kind of “Big Red Machine.”
What the numbers say
Ford analyzes sales data for insight into consumer preferences by region, helping the company ensure ample supply of popular vehicles, colors and options for different parts of the country. Not only does correct vehicle mix result in better sales performance for dealers, it also has a positive effect on customer satisfaction when buyers can find what they want quickly.
Much of the Ford data followed logical patterns, but there were some results that weren’t easily explained. For example, white is most popular in Phoenix, where the color’s reflective properties are a boon to car seats and air conditioners – no surprise there. But the second most popular market for white Ford vehicles is Memphis, Tenn., for reasons yet to be determined. Is it the heat, or is it due to the fact that one of Memphis’ largest employers is FedEx – known for its stark-white vehicles and aircraft?
The color red is most popular with customers in Cincinnati, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Detroit, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. One possible explanation: Customers who live in regions with longer winters and drearier weather prefer brighter and more cheerful colors.
Red might also reflect Midwestern optimism however, since New York City, an area not known for its mild winters, is in the bottom three markets for percentage of red Ford vehicle sales. Instead, New York tops the lists for black and grey.
And the Top Five are…
The charts below represent the top five markets for various Ford, Lincoln and Mercury colors, features and options in 22 major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Colors
Black
Blue
Brown
1.
New York
Philadelphia
Boston
2.
Los Angeles
Washington
Minneapolis
3.
Chicago
Boston
Phoenix
4.
Miami
Seattle
Chicago
5.
Detroit
Detroit
Pittsburgh
Gold
Gray
Green
1.
Orlando
New York
Boston
2.
Miami
Boston
Seattle
3.
Pittsburgh
San Francisco
Philadelphia
4.
Denver
Los Angeles
Pittsburgh
5.
Washington
Pittsburgh
Washington
Red
Silver
White
1.
Cincinnati
San Francisco
Phoenix
2.
Minneapolis
Phoenix
Memphis
3.
Detroit
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
4.
Kansas City
Charlotte
Denver
5.
Pittsburgh
Washington
Dallas
Quotes
“If you have to suffer through a long, cold winter, a little splash of color can brighten the mood.” – Susan Swek, Ford Group Chief Designer, Color and Materials Design
What happens when a couple of 100+ year olds share a stage? A Vaudeville variety act? An ornery rant about “young whippersnappers.” A tearful reminiscence of the “good ole days.” Think again.
Popular Mechanics, favorite 107-year-old magazine of geeks everywhere, saluted 106-year-old Ford Motor Company’s fuel efficient EcoBoost™ engine Thursday evening in New York with its Breakthrough Award.
Now in its fifth year, the Breakthrough Awards recognize products and celebrate innovations poised to change the world, and the passionate, smart creators behind them. Ford is the only automaker this year to receive the accolade. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development accepted the award on behalf of the company.
It Gives You Wings
EcoBoost, which uses turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to boost engine output, reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency by as much as 20 percent marks a major milestone in the Ford strategy to deliver technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains.
The Ford powertrain management strategy uses hundreds of thousands of lines of computer code and related parameters that are adjusted to optimize the engine and transmission operation. It’s these processes that largely make up the more than 125 EcoBoost patent contributions and makes Ford’s use of direct injection and turbocharging of its engines like no other automaker in the world.
By 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford’s North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost technology.
Quotes
“From flying cars to robots to wind turbines for homes, the innovations honored by the 2009 POPULAR MECHANICS Breakthrough Awards not only capture the imagination, they hold the potential to improve and even save lives. We are pleased to honor this year’s diverse list of visionaries, Dean Kamen among them, and applaud their efforts to address such concerns as climate change, pollution, energy shortages and medical care in the developing world.”
– James B. Meigs, Editor-in-Chief, Popular Mechanics
"Ford engineers looked at every available engine configuration, comparing power, price, economy and emissions, determining the best way to power Ford vehicles in the future. EcoBoost technology gives us everything: a combination of the performance buyers expect and fuel economy improvements they demand that, until now, only has been achievable with the latest-generation turbo-diesel powertrains."
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company
Have you heard about that California parolee who tried to rob a bank while wearing a GPS-enabled electronic tether? No joke. File under: stupid criminal tricks. Isn’t GPS great? And you thought it was only good for confirming that you are indeed quite lost and being stalked by vultures and wolves.
It turns out that GPS may be good for something even more useful than tracking dumb criminals.
A groundbreaking research project by Ford Motor Company and Auburn University shows that global positioning system (GPS) satellites that can “talk” to cars could help prevent serious accidents in the future.
The researchers have found potential for a GPS satellite to act as an early warning system that detects when a vehicle is about to lose control and communicate with the vehicle's stability control systems and other safety features to prevent a rollover or other serious accident.
The research findings will be presented next week at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 11-14.
The project is part of Ford Motor Company’s $4 million investment in university research programs in 2009, including 16 safety projects.
Auburn University’s GPS and Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory, directed by Dr. David Bevly, received a three-year, $120,000 grant from Ford in 2008 as part of company's University Research Program. The research team is investigating the use of combining GPS and inertial measurement units data to provide precise information on a vehicle’s motion. The data could be used to improve performance of a vehicle's electronic stability control system, a computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicle’s stability by detecting and minimizing skids.
The project’s breakthroughs include developing algorithms combining data from sensors in Ford vehicles with data from GPS receivers. This coordination of data has led to predictive models that can calculate a vehicle's roll angle, sideslip and velocities under various driving conditions.
Quotes
“A satellite orbiting the earth could someday prevent an auto accident. We applaud the Auburn team for these advancements and look forward to working together on the next phase of this research, including developing prototype vehicles.”
– Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Ford’s Chief Technical Officer and Vice President, Research and Advanced Engineering
“Stability control is one of the most important safety technologies of this decade. Ford is committed to safety leadership, and research partnerships like our work with Auburn help us achieve success.”
– Jeff Rupp, Manager, Ford Active Safety Systems Engineering
To hear Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of Global Electrification, talk about Ford's electric and hybrid vehicle plans click here.
Ford Motor Company is intensifying its focus on global electrification with the creation of a new position to lead the planning and strategy for Ford’s future electric vehicle portfolio.
Nancy Gioia, formerly Ford’s director of Sustainable Mobility Technology and Hybrid Vehicle Programs, North America, has been named director of Ford Global Electrification.
Charging forward
In her new position, Gioia will direct strategy and planning for Ford’s global electric vehicle portfolio, touching all aspects of electrified transportation, including product planning, supplier partnerships and collaboration with the energy industry and government.
Ford’s has announced plans to develop three distinct types of electrified vehicles – hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and pure battery electric vehicles. They include:
Battery electric Transit Connect commercial van in 2010
Battery electric Focus passenger car in 2011
Next-generation hybrid vehicle in 2012
Plug-in hybrid in 2012
Ford’s electrification strategy is consistent with its commitment to deliver affordable fuel efficient technology to millions of customers. The company is poised to take advantage of rapid advancements in electrified vehicle technology – particularly lithium-ion batteries – while leveraging the scale of global vehicle platforms to ultimately reduce the cost of new electric vehicles.
Global fleet testing under way
The globalization of Ford’s electrification strategy is well under way, with test fleets on both sides of the Atlantic. At the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford of Europe revealed the first of a fleet of battery electric vehicle prototypes based on the Ford Focus, and specially developed to participate in the U.K. government’s “Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles” demonstration initiative next year. The research program aims to test the technology’s suitability for potential future application in Ford’s European passenger car range.
A consortium of Ford, Scottish and Southern Energy and Strathclyde University will use the fleet of 15 prototype Ford Focus BEVs and a charging infrastructure in and around the London Borough of Hillingdon starting in early 2010.
The Focus BEV prototype is based on the current European Ford Focus and will use a new all-electric powertrain, developed with Ford supplier partner Magna. This technology is based on that being developed for Ford’s new-generation C-sized global vehicle architecture that will be launched in North America in 2011.
In North America, Ford and its energy industry partners continue to collaborate on the connectivity issue between electric vehicles and the electric grid. Over the past two years, Ford and its utility partners have logged more than 75,000 miles on a test fleet of plug-in Escape Hybrids. Plug-in hybrid research focuses on four primary areas: battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage and grid infrastructure.
In addition, Ford has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that “talks” directly with the nation’s electric grid.
Commercial and retail electric products planned
Ford is set to deliver its first electrified vehicle in 2010 when it will launch a pure battery electric Transit Connect small commercial van. The vehicle will be targeted to fleets and businesses with short, defined transportation routes and the ability to return to a central charging location at day’s end.
In 2011, Ford will launch the battery electric Ford Focus passenger vehicle. Built off the new global C platform, the BEV Focus will be produced at the Michigan Assembly Plant for both retail and commercial customers.
Quotes
“We recognize that pursuing electrification as one of our technology paths presents unique challenges for commercialization of the vehicles. It requires us to collaborate with new partners, define new business models, connect to a new infrastructure for the vehicles and meet new customer expectations around the globe.”
– Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering
“Ford is strongly positioned to accelerate its electric vehicle strategy thanks in part to the significant research we’ve already completed. Nancy’s unique background and experience in leading the hybrid technology and electric vehicle product teams position her well to coordinate our electric efforts across product development, sustainability and government affairs as we move to the next frontier of this new form of transportation.”
– Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president, Powertrain Engineering
“This fleet of Focus BEV prototypes is an important step toward developing a realistic solution and viable market for electric vehicles in the U.K., Europe and North America. Our electrification strategy absolutely depends on strong alliances with key partners whose expertise and resources complement our extensive experience and global production capabilities.”
– Nancy Gioia, Director of Ford Global Electrification
“Broad commercialization of electric transportation will require unprecedented collaboration among all stakeholders and new ways of doing business. Ford is committed to help lead the way to find creative solutions to ensure that electrified vehicles can deliver benefits to our customers, the environment and our business around the globe in a sustainable way.”
– Nancy Gioia, Director of Ford Global Electrification
What’s the deal with earning a “key to the city?” What gargantuan lock does it unfasten anyway? As civic rituals go it’s kind of an absurd photo op. Everyone gathers on the steps of City Hall and the mayor hands a humongous old-fashioned key to some grinning citizen. How about giving them a “get out of jail for free” card instead? It promises more action.
One wonders what comedian Mark Malkoff will have to do on his current quest to see how many mayors east of the Mississippi he can convince to give him keys to their cities. The jokester – who has made news before for doing unusual things like living and sleeping in an IKEA store for a week while his apartment was being fumigated – is undertaking this 28-day odyssey in a fuel-efficient fashion, behind the wheel of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.
Maybe you remember the Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan – making news in April when it set a world record traveling 1,445 miles on a single tank of gas. The Fusion boasts an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city.
Malkoff says he's thrilled to be partnered with the new Ford Fusion Hybrid, adding “I always tell people I feel like I'm driving KITT from 'Knight Rider' because of all the cool technology in the car. It's the best car I've ever driven."
All of Malkoff's adventures behind the wheel of the Fusion Hybrid will be chronicled in cyberspace. Videos, photos and blogs will be featured daily at www.markmalkoff.com/keystothecity, and Malkoff will provide interested followers with regular updates on social networking sites such as Twitter, Flickr and Facebook.
Malkoff and the Ford Fusion Hybrid began their quest into the unknown Monday in Harrisburg, Pa., where the mayor had a somewhat peculiar task in store for him to complete in order to earn a key to the city. Apparently, all of the police officers ride on horses, so the mayor wanted Malkoff to follow them around and clean up after the horses in order to get the key.
Malkoff, who readily admits he will do just about anything to get a key, says he hopes to earn 100 keys before his journey with the Ford Fusion Hybrid ends on Nov. 1.
Quotes
"Once people start finding out about this, mayors from all over the country are going to be Twittering me to come to their cities," he said. "I like doing things that on paper look almost impossible to pull off."
– Mark Malkoff, comedian
"Mark will be connected and working constantly with both hands securely on the wheel, thanks to the Fusion Hybrid's voice-activated Ford SYNC® communication system," said Eggen. "It also will be great to see Mark's reaction to his own real-world fuel economy."
– Jeff Eggen, Ford car experiential marketing manager
Isn’t webisode one of those nonsensical words – like staycation and frenemy – that you wish would just go away? You might say it’s cringe-worthy, as if cringing were ever worth the trouble.
One wonders what a no-nonsense guy like Mike Rowe, host of TV’s “Dirty Jobs,” would think of the word webisode. He’d probably run over it with the all-new 2011 Ford Super Duty. There’s no harm in dreaming, right?
Starting today, Rowe is hosting a series of – you guessed it – webisodes detailing the development and testing of the new powertrain lineup of the all-new Super Duty – a truck so tough all of your frenemies will run scared.
Finally, Webisodes for Truck Guys
In the series, Rowe leads customers through laboratory and real-world durability testing of the Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 turbocharged diesel, 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine and 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift® six-speed automatic transmission. The webisodes are at http://www.fordvehicles.com/2011superduty/.
According to recent Ford customer research, Mike Rowe is the quintessential “truck guy” (like there was ever any doubt!) One respondent said: “I would say that he drives a truck in real life and is not afraid to do stuff like pull out a stump or go off-road.”
In the coming months, the site also will feature webisodes demonstrating the capability of the all-new 2011 Ford Super Duty on commercial customers’ work sites.
Quotes
“Mike Rowe and Super Duty are a natural pair.” “Our new lineup of engines and transmission for the 2011 Super Duty was put through a series of extreme tests both in the lab and at the job site. Mike Rowe will take our customers through the details of those tests.”
– Eric Peterson, truck communications manager
“The new Web site will allow potential Super Duty buyers – our most knowledgeable customers – the opportunity to get an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at what being Built Ford Tough really means. Mike Rowe has partnered with us to help customers navigate the site so they can learn more about how Super Duty helps truck owners get their work done.”
– Eric Peterson, truck communications manager
Hey, guys. Isn’t it time you tied one on in support of good health? No, we’re not talking about a headache-inducing drinking cure. It’s about making a fashion statement for the women in your life, which you’ll feel better about in the morning.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many men have a woman in their lives who has been affected by breast cancer – a wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt or friend – and 2,000 new cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Men can now demonstrate their support in the fight against breast cancer by wearing a fashionable Ford Warriors in Pink tie, which bears the classic Warriors in Pink signature logo.
Nearly 200,000 women and 2,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2009, according to the National Cancer Institute. Though far fewer men than women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, the disease has a significant impact on men because many men have a woman in their lives – a wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt or friend – who suffers from the disease.
About the Ford Warriors in Pink Tie
For the first time, Ford Warriors in Pink is offering a piece of apparel designed exclusively for men.
Men can now demonstrate their support in the fight against breast cancer by wearing the multicolored tie. The tie is printed on a ribbed, 100 percent silk king twill, which adds texture and design depth.
The classic Ford Warriors in Pink signature logo is screened into the bottom right-hand corner of the tie.
The tie is available online at www.fordcares.com for $26, with 100 percent of the net proceeds directly benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
About Ford Warriors in Pink
Through its Warriors in Pink program, Ford has dedicated more than $100 million to the breast cancer cause.
Limited-edition Ford Warriors in Pink apparel is sold exclusively at www.fordcares.com, and 100 percent of the net proceeds directly benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
More than half a million pieces of Ford Warriors in Pink apparel and gear have been sold over the past three years, generating more than $1.8 million for the Susan G. Komen foundation.
When a consumer test drives a Ford vehicle from now until Dec. 31, 2009, Ford will donate $20 on his or her behalf to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate in the city of the consumer's choice.
Quotes
“Every man has been touched by breast cancer in some way. The new Warriors in Pink tie offers them a unique, fashionable way to demonstrate their support in the fight against the disease, and it also helps increase awareness.”
– Connie Fontaine,
Manager, Ford Brand Content and Alliances
“As co-survivors, men provide critical support to those touched by breast cancer. But men are at risk for the disease too, with nearly 2,000 diagnosed this year. Ford’s Warriors in Pink tie is an easy way for men to show their support for those who suffer from breast cancer, and to remind themselves to be aware.”
– Katrina McGhee,
Vice president, Global Partnerships, Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Like, wow. We’re, you know, totally stoked about the Fiesta reveal at the L.A. Auto Show. Everything else is, like, bogus and grodie. I mean, duh!
Ford’s rollout of its next generation of small cars will hit an important milestone when the new Fiesta is revealed in December at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The reveal of the North American-based Ford Fiesta will also mark the culmination of the first phase of the Fiesta Movement.
Set to arrive in dealer showrooms next summer, the Fiesta already can claim more than 50,000 potential customers thanks to the Fiesta Movement.
Fiesta Movement October missions – entertainment
Fiesta Movement agents are entering their final month of missions, and October has them having a blast with missions planned around the theme of entertainment. With 100 missions to choose from, all agents are sure to find an adventure to suit their tastes.
October missions include:
Visiting Turn10 Studio, Microsoft’s racing studio, to get a look behind closed doors at the making of the latest Forza race game featuring the 2011 Ford Fiesta. The agent will get to design his or her own Fiesta, then climb into a three-screen simulator complete with hydraulics to put the new game to the test.
A behind-the-scenes glimpse into the production of a music video with Izza Kizza. The hip-hop artist is creating his music video for the song “They’re Everywhere,” and one lucky Fiesta agent will get to be right there, front and center, for the fun.
Hanging out in the recording studio with Jukebox the Ghost. The indie pop group is recording its new album; a Fiesta agent will be checking out the band's new tunes right along with them.
Several missions for football fanatics, from checking out a Detroit Lions game with a former player, to watching a Philadelphia Eagles warm-up, to hanging out for the team's game and meeting the broadcast group for the Eagles.
During each mission and after its completion, agents upload content to the Fiesta Movement Web site or the social media platform of their choice. Using www.fiestamovement.com, visitors can follow the ride by accessing the live feed feature to keep current on what the agents have to say about Fiesta and their missions.
Spreading the word
After kicking off the Fiesta Movement and embarking on their first missions in May, agents created a big impression in the social media world, including:
More than 4.3 million video views on YouTube
More than 540,000 photo views on Flickr
More than 3 million impressions on Twitter
Fiesta sales success
Fiesta is continuing its sales momentum as Europe’s No. 2-selling car and Ford of Europe’s top-selling vehicle, helping Ford's share in Europe’s main 19 markets increase for the eighth consecutive month.
Nearly 340,000 Fiestas have been sold since the car was launched last autumn, with 21,800 delivered to customers in August. Fiesta was the best-selling foreign vehicle in August in both Italy and France.
In Europe, the Fiesta name has long been synonymous with outstanding drive quality, design and value. The all-new Ford Fiesta will bring its three-decade heritage to U.S. consumers in 2010.
Quote
“This is the perfect time to show the North American Fiesta,” said Sam De La Garza, Ford Fiesta marketing manager. “The Fiesta Movement will have wrapped up, and after hearing so much about this car leading up to the reveal, everyone will finally get to see what we are so excited about.”
Ever notice how some car interiors are quieter than others? You think to yourself “Wow, I can hear myself think.” Those moments are precious these days. No wonder it’s said that “silence is golden.”
Achieving a quiet vehicle cabin doesn’t come about by accident – it requires sound science. Just ask the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) engineers at Ford Motor Company. Ford is the first North American automaker to use a Virtual Vehicle Sound Simulator to deliver industry-leading quietness and refinement with minimal NVH.
Listening virtually
The new Virtual Vehicle Sound Simulator (VVSS) technology enables Ford sound engineers to create immersive experiences that allow vehicle designers to virtually sit in vehicles during the computer design process. The VVSS looks a bit like a racing game in a video arcade, and the driver wears headphones while “motoring” down the digital highway.
The VVSS can shave valuable time and cost out of the vehicle development process. Calibrating cabin sound in the virtual world reduces the amount of real-world testing needed in the wind tunnels and on the test track once vehicles reach the prototype stage.
With the audio technology, engineers also predict sounds based on digital drawings of the vehicle and then combine those sounds into a realistic simulation. For the first time, engineers can hear what a vehicle would sound like under different road conditions, at various speeds and in a range of gear and throttle conditions as the simulated vehicle shifts, accelerates and decelerates.
Previously, Ford engineers would test the sound quality of specific components one at a time, playing back and measuring the sound of each component under a single drive condition. Now engineers can hear the way a vehicle’s interior sounds in real-time under dozens of drive conditions simply by clicking through them. This ensures that the sound quality of the individual parts work in harmony with each other for a holistic analysis of the sound data.
For example, engineers can test the sound output from multiple exhaust system designs for a future model pickup truck while also switching between a variety of drive events that are likely to change in the real world, such as road surfaces, vehicle load conditions, shift points, vehicle and wind speeds, and throttle output.
The team creates an array of 76 different simulated sounds from data gathered about the proposed vehicle. They consider body shape and powertrain design under various road conditions and speeds. When they drive the simulator, they’re able to recognize sounds with their ears that they would have never picked up otherwise from that mountain of data.
Ford engineers also can make comparisons against competitive vehicles with a simple click of the mouse. It allows them to perfect and enhance interior sounds from the earliest stages, which will help Ford to improve vehicle sound year after year.
Based on software from the aerospace and video gaming industries, the sound simulator also is proving to be the ideal tool to gather consumer research. Ford asks consumer test groups to don the headphones and provide feedback on the sound of vehicles. In past testing, vehicles stripped of their branding would be put to the consumer test, but consumers often still recognized the make of the vehicle they were driving. Now, consumers can rate Ford vehicles they can’t even drive yet in the real world.
Sometimes what looks acceptable on a spreadsheet sounds bad once you actually hear it in real life, which is why simulating sound real-time and under real-world conditions helps the team to weed out unpleasant sounds before the designs even make it to the drawing board.
The team is now able to eliminate mistakes up front, reduce the need for prototyping, shorten the time to market, and produce a product that not only delivers high-end interior quietness, but also provides vehicle sounds that are more engaging for the customer.
“We know sound inside a vehicle is a major factor in customer satisfaction. This is a major leap in technology that will provide Ford with a significant competitive advantage.”
– Mark Clapper, Ford technical leader for noise, vibration and harshness
“A 3 or 4 dBA variance in the 30-mph test results is definitely a noticeable difference to drivers or passengers. These are meaningful improvements that significantly enhance the driving environment. We made a concerted effort to fine-tune every component that could contribute to noise so that we can deliver a driving experience that rivals some of the high-end luxury brands, but at an affordable price.”
– Mark McCarthy, Ford manager, Vehicle Program noise, vibration and harshness
Here’s a “weight-loss” program that gets results without dieting and gym time. Think it’s too good to be true? Think again. It’s as easy as changing a light bulb. That’s right, folks – a light bulb.
No, we’re not talking about your waistline – we’re talking about your wasteline. The energy you waste at home is translated into greenhouse gas emissions measured by pound – millions of pounds – and the “line” is the one that separates efficiency and wastefulness. So, isn’t it time you improved your wasteline? Here’s how!
The ENERGY STAR Solution
Ford Motor Company is urging its employees and customers to join the effort by reducing their personal energy use and cutting their CO2 footprints. Individuals can help by pledging their support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR” campaign.
Each ENERGY STAR Pledge can help Ford meet or exceed its pledge goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 14 million pounds. The ENERGY STAR Pledge includes small, individual energy-saving actions that collectively can make a difference. They include:
Changing incandescent light bulbs to ENERGY STAR rated compact fluorescent lamps.
Using a programmable thermostat to save energy while asleep or away from home.
Enabling power management settings on computers and monitors so they go into “sleep mode” when away or not in use.
Making purchases of ENERGY STAR-qualified products, such as home electronics, office products and/or appliances.
Making sure homes are well sealed and insulated.
By using less energy, consumers can reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned at power plants to make electricity. This means less of the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. According to the EPA, if every American household took part in the pledge, it could save more than $18 billion in annual energy costs.
Quotes
“Most people underestimate how much their homes can influence greenhouse gas emissions. “We want to help them understand that taking small steps – like changing their light bulbs – can help reduce the collective impact of global climate change.”
– George Andraos, Director, Energy Supply & Efficiency, Ford Land
…a product launch is more about the messenger than the message. Need proof? Consider Ford’s groundbreaking Fiesta Movement.
More than nine months before the 2011 Ford Fiesta goes on sale in North America, the new small car can claim more than 50,000 potential customers, and 97 percent of them would be new to Ford.
That’s because Ford took a nontraditional approach with the Fiesta Movement initiative. It’s using a fraction of a typical marketing and advertising budget and relying on social media to drive the buzz. This means huge dividends for the brand – Fiesta awareness is running at the same level of a nameplate that has been on the market for two to three years.
The Fiesta Movement promotes Ford’s new small car through 100 socially vibrant “agents” who have been driving Euro-spec Fiestas and taking part in monthly themed “missions” such as volunteerism, adventure, and style and design. After each mission wraps, the agents relate their experiences through the realm of social media.
Social networking sites allow Ford to meet consumers it might not connect with through traditional advertising, making it easier to open dialogue with a whole new set of consumers. The Fiesta Movement also realizes that people trust people like themselves and that everyone has a car story, and has successfully leveraged this as a platform from which to promote a new car.
Fiesta Movement drives the discussion
Agents are taking advantage of their time in Ford Fiestas, accumulating more than 1 million miles total. And their Fiesta Movement-related content is gaining huge traction on the Internet, with:
More than 4.3 million YouTube views
More than 540,000 Flickr views
More than 3 million Twitter impressions
Through the accompanying nationwide test drive program, more than 162,000 customers have interacted with the Fiesta through walk-arounds and social interactions and 35,000 have taken a test drive.
Fiesta Movement agents are also providing key product insights with Ford. Exterior styling, driving dynamics and unique color offerings top the list of their favorite attributes.
Quotes
“We didn't break the bank. We didn't use traditional media. We tried something different, and it is working. We're delighted with how Fiesta is gaining traction with consumers. It's a whole new way of introducing a car to market.”
– Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand and Content Alliances manager
Step No. 1: Reinvent “the wheel” or at least the thing that gets them moving. Step No. 2: Collect dozens of patents for this brilliant reinvention. Step No. 3: Rock the engineering world – again.
Ford’s new high-performance, fuel-saving EcoBoost™ technology is making waves in the engineering community, with the 3.5-liter version of the engine contributing 125 new patents and patent applications. The additions build on Ford Motor Company’s current roster of 4,618 active U.S. patents, with thousands more patent applications pending. Hey, who’s your “geek squad” now?
Ford flexing engineering muscle
EcoBoost powertrain management innovations make up the bulk of the technology’s patents and patent applications. But only those advancements that contribute to cutting-edge engineering make the leap from implementation to invention.
Ford focuses on getting high-quality patents that offer the biggest bang. The strategy is paying off: A 2008 study by the world’s leading patent analyst, The Patent Board™ which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally, found Ford outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents. The survey indicated that patented Ford technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors.
The recently introduced 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, which is America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan, have 119 patents to date and more are pending.
Patenting is a global activity at Ford, with experts in the United States, Europe, India and China sharing common processes and reporting through Ford Global Technologies.
It works like this
EcoBoost, which uses turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to boost engine output and reduce emissions without sacrificing fuel economy, marks a major milestone in the Ford strategy to deliver technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains.
The Ford powertrain management strategy uses hundreds of thousands of lines of computer code and related parameters that are adjusted to optimize the engine and transmission operation. It’s these processes that largely make up the EcoBoost patent contribution and makes Ford’s use of direct injection and turbocharging of its engines like no other automaker in the world.
To extract the level of power and efficiency achieved in an engine like the EcoBoost V-6, a remarkable level of precision is required. One example is the amount of control engineers maintain over the fuel injection system:
The powertrain management strategy uses 10,066 adjustable parameters
At idle, each injector releases 10.4 milligrams of fuel per injection; put in household terms, that’s 1/25,000 the volume of a can of soda, or 0.2 drops of fuel
Fuel injection pressure is continuously controlled to between 220 psi and 2150 psi
Injection timing is adjusted up to 300 times a second
Quotes
“We focus on getting high-quality patents that have the best breakthrough potential for the company.”
– Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies, a wholly owned Ford subsidiary responsible for managing Ford’s intellectual property worldwide
“Ford’s patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors.”
– Christine Wren, director of business development for The Patent Board, which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally
“The secret to Ford’s EcoBoost system isn’t just the hardware – the key is in the Ford control system. Our engineers have the right ‘recipes’ to integrate the various systems like engine, transmission and fuel management, resulting in a seamless, exhilarating driving experience.”
– Brett Hinds, Ford Advanced Engine Design and Development manager
As diesel fans around the world anticipate National Biodiesel Day on March 18, the birthday of the famed engine inventor, Rudolf Diesel, Ford readies for customers the new 2011 Super Duty and its all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine with unsurpassed biodiesel compatibility.
Ford is adding an exciting new element to its sponsorship of the hit television series “American Idol,” giving the top 12 Idols a unique opportunity to work with Ford designers and create their own personalized 2011 Ford Fiesta.
Hello from Cologne to all the other Mustangs in foreign countries !
I went to Germany in the year 2006 and was sold to a guy who has been working for Ford for more than
23 years!! After a Ford Taunus in 1981, several Ford Escorts and several Ford Fiestas in the following years I am now his absolute favorite. He loves me and takes me to lots of Ford Mustang Reunions here in Germany. Meanwhile I have several Pony friends here :-)))
Good Luck to all of you !
Ford vehicles are still durable and easy to handle, but the women behind the wheel bear little resemblance to the hothouse flower of yesteryear.
Ford keeps buzz alive with Fiesta Movement's new social media push: http://bit.ly/d0yiY9 via @addthis ^EA #2010/03/16
What's the best selling small car in Europe and the No. 2 best selling car overall in Europe in Feb? Take a guess. http://bit.ly/cWGRI4 ^EA #2010/03/15
