February, 2010
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Think this nation needs a new engine of growth? Done and done.
Ford Motor Company is investing $155 million and adding 60 jobs at its Cleveland operations to build a new fuel-efficient V-6 engine for the 2011 Mustang, which has expected class-leading highway fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 305 horsepower.
The investment and jobs at Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 brings the company’s investment in powertrain engineering and facility upgrades in North America to $1.8 billion to support its 2011 vehicle launches – with more to come. The total number of jobs being added as part of these investments is 1,260. The new Mustang engine is one of nine new or upgraded engines or transmissions for 2011 model Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.
On sale this spring, the 2011 Ford Mustang delivers 305 high-performance horses for V-6 coupe buyers. The all-aluminum dual-overhead cam (DOHC), 3.7-liter Duratec 24-valve V-6 engine delivers a projected 30 mpg on the highway with a six-speed automatic transmission and fun for drivers on nearly every road.
Also available for the 2011-model year are the Mustang GT – with an all-new 5.0-liter V-8 delivering 412 horsepower and projected unsurpassed highway mileage of 25 mpg – and a no-compromises Shelby GT500 powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 and 550 horsepower.
The new 3.7-liter V-6 is built at Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant 1. The 5.0-liter V-8 engine is built at Ford’s Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario. The 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is built at Ford’s Romeo, Mich., Engine Plant.
Cleveland Engine Plant 1 Retooled
Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1’s V-6 engine is expected to represent two-thirds of Mustang’s volume this calendar year.
Ford’s $155 million investment there includes $121 million in manufacturing investment at the plant and $34 million for launch and engineering. Sixty new jobs have been added to the plant to support the new engine.
Specifically, the $121 million for the manufacturing facility supports continued investment in developing and re-tooling the plant’s flexible manufacturing systems in the assembly and component (cylinder block, head and crankshaft) areas.
Ford’s investment at Cleveland Engine Plant is supported by Ford’s green partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. This Ohio plant is one of 11 Ford facilities in the U.S. participating in the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentives Program initiated by Congress and implemented by the Obama administration. The program is helping to develop advanced technology vehicles and strengthen American manufacturing across the country. This project is also supported by Ford’s state and local government partners primarily through training funds.
The investment represents the latest in Ford’s ongoing commitment to the Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1. Opened in 1951 as Ford’s first engine plant in Ohio, the facility has produced more than 35 million engines.
In 2004, Ford invested $350 million into the plant for redesign and installation of an all-new assembly line as well as block, crankshaft and cylinder head machining lines. The plant also led the way in 2009 with the introduction of Ford’s first EcoBoost engines, which use gasoline turbocharged direct-injection technology for up to 20 percent better fuel economy, 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions and superior driving performance versus larger displacement engines.
Nine New or Upgraded Powertrains This Year
Ford is introducing nine new or upgraded powertrains in North America for its 2011 model vehicles, representing $1.8 billion worth of investment in engineering and facilities. Among the nine powertrains are:
- 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine for the F-Series Super Duty
- 6.7-liter Power Stroke Diesel for the F-Series Super Duty
- 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift® automatic transmission for the F-Series Super Duty
- 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine for the Mustang
- 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V-8 engine for the Mustang
- Six-speed automatic transmission for the Mustang
The 2011 Mustang is the most technically advanced model yet of America's favorite sports car. Both V-6 and V-8 models feature Twin Independent Variable Valve Timing (Ti-VCT), double overhead cams, four-valves per-cylinder and free-flowing exhaust systems. Both models are available with six-speed manual or an upgraded 6-speed automatic transmission.
The 2011 Mustang is a strong example of Ford’s industry leading fuel economy gains. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Ford’s combined car and truck fuel economy has improved nearly 20 percent since 2004 – almost double the next closest competitor.
Additionally, Ford has lowered its tailpipe CO2 emissions more than any other automaker. Ford’s fleet-wide average of 434 grams per mile is 37 grams lower than the 2007 total and 25 grams lower than 2008.
Quotes
“Ford is absolutely committed to delivering class-leading fuel efficiency with every new vehicle we introduce, and this investment in Cleveland provides further proof.”
– Bill Russo, Director of Manufacturing for Ford’s Powertrain Operations
“Mustang is completely transformed with this new engine. Everything people love about the car is still there and now under the hood is a V-6 engine that uses premium technology to deliver the power, the feel, the fuel efficiency, even the sound of the best sports coupes in the world.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
“The Cleveland Engine Plant is not only building fuel-efficient engines for some of our most popular Ford products, it’s becoming a hub for the future of Ford powertrains. This facility has the flexibility and the expertise to help us meet customer demands for fun, fuel-efficient vehicles, and it represents the future of advanced manufacturing in North America.”
– Bill Russo, Director of Manufacturing for Ford’s Powertrain Operations
“We’re focusing on every single detail of our engine and transmission lineup to speed class-leading fuel efficiency to our customers as quickly as possible, affordably and in high volumes.”
– Barb Samardzich, vice president, Powertrain Development.
Tags: Ford, Ford Motor Company, Mustang, Technology
Posted in
Ford Corporate News - text,
Ford Mustang - text,
Ford Technology - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Wait a second… Run that past me again… It does what? No wonder everybody wants one.
The new 2011 Ford Mustang with all-new powertrains has three times more orders than the 2010 model in its first month, and half of all nationwide orders are for the car’s class-leading 30 mpg 3.7-liter V-6 engine.
Nearly 11,000 Mustangs have been ordered since order banks opened in late January.
Fifty percent of the 2011 Mustang orders are for V-6 models, which feature a new, high-performance, all-aluminum Duratec 3.7-liter dual overhead-cam (DOHC) Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) engine. This new engine delivers 305 horsepower and an expected best-in-class EPA fuel efficiency of 30 mpg on the highway – a 25 percent improvement versus the 2010 model.
2011 Mustang V-6 order levels are up 19 percent versus the new 2010 model orders.
A first-ever Mustang Club of America (MCA) Special Edition package available on V-6 models generated three times more orders than expected. Plus, “take rates” on the California Special series – which is available on the Mustang GT and harkens back to the original 1968 feature vehicle – are triple the expected rates.
2011 Mustangs also are being equipped with record levels of technology. Navigation is specified on 18 percent of orders. High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps are on 26 percent of vehicles. Rear-view cameras are on 10 percent – all up from 2010.
For the 2011 model, 41 percent of orders are for Mustang GTs.
The Mustang GT’s modern 5.0-liter four-valve, Ti-VCT V-8 engine delivers 412 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. At the same time, fuel economy of 25 mpg highway is projected to be better than the previous model and unsurpassed in the segment.
Approximately 9 percent of the 2011 Mustang orders are for Shelby GT500 models, which are powered by an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine. This produces 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase versus the 2010 model. The engine also is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.
Quotes
“Fuel economy ranks among the top two reasons people choose vehicles. With the 2011 Mustang lineup, we’ve found a way to offer even better fuel efficiency for V-6, GT and even Shelby GT500 performance drivers – while improving performance. And consumers are responding.”
– Steve Ling, Ford North America Car Marketing Manager
“The new engine transforms Mustang. Everything people love about the car lives on, and now under the hood is a V-6 engine that uses premium technology to deliver the power, the feel, the fuel efficiency, even the sound of the best sports cars in the world.”
– Steve Ling, Ford North America Car Marketing Manager
“Mustang is ready for a new generation of buyers. With new high-tech and fuel-efficient engines, class-leading connectivity and infotainment options as well as signature style and performance, Mustang is poised to continue its legacy as America’s favorite sports car.”
– Steve Ling, Ford North America Car Marketing Manager
Tags: Ford, Ford Motor Company, Mustang, Technology
Posted in
Ford Mustang - text,
Ford Technology - text |
No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Getting a nation back on the road to prosperity is hard work. Rebuilding and repairing a battered infrastructure takes the right tools. As much as we like small cars, there are some jobs they just can’t do. Sometimes, you need a super capable, super tough truck to ‘getter done.” Sometimes you need a Super Duty.
Ford Super Duty customers expect and demand capability from the best-selling heavy-duty truck in America. For most Super Duty owners, it’s the core asset of their business. Day after day, year after year, it’s expected to deliver results in the most demanding situations. No nonsense. And never any excuses.
Ford’s F-Series has been the best-selling line of trucks in the U.S. for 33 straight years. With class-leading torque, horsepower, fuel economy and towing and payload capability, the new Super Duty further underscores Ford’s Built Ford Tough legacy.
New diesel and gasoline engines deliver improved torque, horsepower, fuel economy
For 2011, Super Duty features both all-new diesel and gasoline engines that are mated to a new transmission. The new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel was designed, engineered and built by a Ford team dedicated solely to delivering this class-leading diesel to the next-generation Super Duty to enable continued best-in-class towing and payload.
The result: The new Power Stroke pumps out a best-in-class 735 ft.-lb. of torque at 1,600 rpm and 390 horsepower at 2,800 rpm, enabling the 2011 Super Duty’s class-leading towing capability of 24,400 pounds. The 2011 Super Duty also has class-leading payload capability at 6,520 pounds.
Benefits of the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine:
- First use of a compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine block in a Super Duty-class vehicle in North America; CGI is stronger than cast iron, and Ford successfully has used the material in engine blocks in products around the world. The block structure was optimized for reduced weight and maximum strength to meet the demands of higher torque and more horsepower, and enable class-leading fuel economy.
- Unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture, an automotive-industry first for a modern production diesel, reduces overall exhaust system volume, which leads to better throttle response; a reduced exhaust system surface area minimizes heat transfer to the engine compartment and improves NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).
- The turbocharger features an industry-first dual-sided compressor wheel that works in a single housing. The unit is uniquely center-mounted on a pedestal low in the back of the valley for improved NVH. The design allows the single unit to deliver the advantages of a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more efficient package, combining the benefits of a small turbocharger (faster response) and a large turbocharger (ability to compress and force more air into the engine for more power) in one unit.
- The high-pressure fuel system injects fuel at more than 29,000 psi. The system delivers up to five injection events per cylinder per cycle using eight-hole piezo injectors to spray fuel into the piston bowl. The direct-injection system is calibrated and phased for optimum power, fuel efficiency and NVH.
- Aluminum cylinder heads for reduced weight; the mid-deck construction with dual water jackets provides increased strength and optimal cooling; six-head bolts, instead of four as found on other engines, help improve sealing and maintain cylinder integrity even with the higher firing pressures.
- Compatible up to B20 fuel, allowing greener fueling options of up to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.
The engine and aftertreatment system for the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel powertrain ably meets the new, more stringent 2010 federal emissions requirements for nitrogen oxides (NOx), which have to be lowered by approximately 80 percent, making this the cleanest Super Duty diesel ever.
New gasoline engine delivers class-leading power and fuel economy as well
Ford tapped into a bit of its proud racing heritage to create the new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine, which uses big-bore architecture to produce best-in-class torque, horsepower and fuel economy. The new gasoline engine delivers 405 ft.-lb. of torque (at 4,500 rpm) and 385 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) on regular gasoline. The new V-8 also is E85 compatible.
These numbers represent an increase of 40 ft.-lb. of torque and 85 horsepower over the outgoing 5.4-liter V-8. The V-8’s large bore (102 millimeters) allows for larger intake and exhaust valves for improved engine breathing, and the short stroke (95 millimeters) allows higher engine speed for increased horsepower.
Benefits of the new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine include:
- SOHC valvetrain with roller-rocker shafts: The single overhead camshaft (SOHC) per cylinder head design results in a stiff valvetrain that allows optimized camshaft lift profiles and results in great low-speed torque. The roller-rocker shafts allow valve angles to be splayed, resulting in optimized intake and exhaust port layout for better breathing.
- Dual-equal variable cam timing: Intake and exhaust valve opening and closing events are phased at the same time to optimize fuel economy and performance throughout the engine speed range and throttle positions.
- Two spark plugs per cylinder: Due to the large bore size, two spark plugs per cylinder are used to more efficiently burn the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, enabling better fuel economy and increased engine torque. The twin plugs also help the engine maintain a smooth, stable idle.
- Dual knock sensors: A knock sensor on each bank of cylinders of the V-8 engine allows the spark timing of each cylinder to be individually optimized real-time, throughout the engine speed range. The engine learns the optimum timing via an adaptive algorithm.
- Better engine crankcase “breathing” and efficiency: Significant development work and computer-aided engineering optimized the cylinder block for more efficient airflow in the crankcase as the pistons move up and down in the bores, resulting in improved torque at higher engine speeds. Piston-cooling jets squirt oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions. The cooling jets also allow for a higher compression ratio for better engine efficiency and faster engine oil warm-up on cold starts, also improving fuel economy.
New TorqShift transmission harnesses and manages the power; Live Drive PTO available
The all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission was designed to manage the high low-end torque produced by the new diesel engine. The same basic transmission also is mated to the new gasoline engine, giving customers of either engine the ability to efficiently get the increased torque and horsepower to the ground. Engineered for greater efficiency and fuel economy, improvements include refined architecture to provide relatively low clutch speeds, which results in lower drag losses, and optimized fluid levels and drainback to reduce churning of fluid while also providing superior lubrication.
In addition to hardware-based improvements, the new transmission features enhanced Tow Haul mode with integrated engine exhaust braking and SelectShift Automatic capability, which includes Progressive Range Select and a manual mode, allowing customers to select the gear to suit their needs.
The new TorqShift transmission also enables the first application of Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) in a Super Duty-class vehicle. On 2011 Super Duty diesels with the PTO prep option, the PTO output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers or dump trucks. The power is available any time the engine is running.
Pioneered on agricultural applications, the Live Drive feature is particularly useful when mobile PTO function is required during start-stop operations, such as salt spreading or snow plowing.
Learn more about the
2011 Ford Super Duty.
Quotes
“Our Super Duty customers do some of America’s toughest jobs. Every day they’re out there working with little fanfare and all they ask is the right tool for the job. The new 2011 Super Duty offers them a truck with best-in-class towing and payload, all-new powertrains and even more capability than ever to help them do their jobs.”
– Mark Fields, Ford President of The Americas
“The 2011 Super Duty offers the widest array of solutions for the widest array of heavy-duty work truck customers. The Super Duty lineup offers a variety of bodystyles and powertrains, from diesel and gasoline engines, each with a new six-speed transmission, to pickup trucks and chassis cabs, each with the towing and payload capabilities that define Super Duty.”
– Chris Brewer, Ford Super Duty Chief Engineer
“Developing the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine was an awesome endeavor. The extensive engineering and testing made us confident this engine ensures the new Super Duty’s leadership in capability, reliability and productivity.”
– Adam Gryglak, Ford Lead 6.7-liter Diesel Engineering Mana ger
Tags: F-150, Ford, Ford Motor Company, Ford Trucks
Posted in
Ford F-150 - text snippets |
No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Ever wonder how much of your time is wasted in traffic? Believe me, you don’t want know. But there are ways to minimize the hassle.
Drivers hitting the road in a new 2011 Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicles equipped with voice-activated navigation will be able to tap into nearly 2,500 miles of highway and interstate lanes designed to help get them where they need to go quicker and with less hassle.
For 2011 models, Ford will be adding a new high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane routing preference to the navigation menu. The HOV guidance option is one more tool in the award-winning Ford system’s traffic-fighting portfolio that already includes traffic reports, incident alerts and re-routing prompts to avoid congestion that are supported through SIRIUS Travel Link. These features helped the Ford system rank highest in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study.
The fast way
HOV, or carpool lanes, are popular among commuters in highly-populated states such as California, New York, Texas and Virginia – along with cities such as Washington D.C., Seattle and Atlanta – because they allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use designated lanes for faster travel. In Northern Virginia, for example, a trip on a popular 27-mile stretch of I-95/I-395 where HOV designated lanes exist can cut travel time by half, with some 18,500 people traveling that specific route during peak commuter hours daily.
Drivers traveling with passengers will be able to set the HOV guidance option on the navigation preference menu. Once engaged, the system will map routes using HOV lanes where appropriate when a destination is entered. Users will know that routes contain HOV lanes when they see a white diamond icon illuminated on the map during route selection.
As a bonus, owners of Ford hybrid vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, could be eligible in certain states for special HOV lane passes that allow single-occupant travel in the carpool lanes, making the combination of hybrid and an HOV-enabled navigation system a highly fuel- and time-efficient form of travel.
More upgrades
In addition to the new HOV logic for 2011, the Ford voice-controlled navigation system will also receive:
- Branded point-of-interest icons – for example, Starbucks, Mobile or Holiday Inn – will appear on mapping screens, and higher-density street labeling, showing more street names per zoom level on navigation maps
- HD Radio™ technology, allowing users to receive free over-the-air digital FM broadcasts where available
- Integration with SYNC Traffic, Directions, & Information app, enabling new features like the ability to download destinations sent from a home or work computer from Mapquest (late availability).
The updated voice-controlled navigation system will be offered on most 2011 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, first launching on the new 2011 Ford Mustang.
Quotes
“We’ve worked hard to ensure our navigation system is not only extremely helpful, but exceptionally intuitive. We’ve added services and features such as HOV logic and others for 2011 that will help customers access exactly the information they need while they’re on the go.”
– Jim Buczkowski, Director, Global Electrical
and Electronics Systems Engineering
Tags: Ford, Ford Motor Company, Technology
Posted in
Ford Technology - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
For the millions of people who suffer from airborne allergies, Ford is making a small change that could produce huge benefits. Beginning with the 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, more efficient, upgraded allergen filters have been installed in the vehicles’ climate control systems. The particulate filters remove pollen, mold spores and road dust from outside air. The result is a cleaner, fresher cabin for occupants.
You’ll breathe easier knowing that Ford is planning to use the high-quality cabin filters in a host of new vehicles, including the Ford Fiesta, which goes on sale in North America this year.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the costs of treating hay fever and similar nasal allergies have skyrocketed, reaching more than $11 billion annually – mostly for prescription medications.
For the 30 to 40 percent of people estimated to suffer from allergies, improvements in air quality can make a big difference in their symptoms, and consequently their health care expenses.
Ford’s new cabin air filter removes the most troublesome airborne allergens, such as pollen and mold spores.
The cabin filter used in North America is similar to the one that has helped certify Ford vehicles in Europe as being allergy-friendly by the independent testing organization TÜV Rhineland. Ford is the only automaker in Europe with the official TÜV allergy-friendly certification.
Quote
“Upgrading the cabin air filter to remove allergens and airborne pollutants will help our millions of allergy-suffering customers find relief while driving their Ford cars, trucks and SUVs. This is a great example of how Ford is examining every aspect of vehicle engineering to maximize consumer benefits.”
– Adam Barrow, Feature and Branding Manager, Ford Product Marketing
Tags: Cars, Ford, Ford Fusion, Ford Motor Company
Posted in
Ford Cars - text,
Ford Fusion - text |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
It’s commonly said that you should “protect your investment.” That’s all well and good, but an investment that is really working in your favor is one that protects you.
The 2010 Lincoln MKT recently earned top ratings for frontal and side-impact crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The three-row luxury crossover previously earned a 2009 "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Ford Motor Company has more Top Safety Pick ratings and more U.S. government five-star ratings than any other automaker.
A winning combination
The all-new MKT is attracting a balanced mix of Lincoln loyalists and new customers with its array of standard and optional crash-protection, crash-avoidance and driver-awareness features in addition to distinctive design, interior spaciousness, craftsmanship and fuel economy.
Since the MKT went on sale last fall, approximately 45 percent of MKT purchasers have traded in competitive models, most commonly the Acura MDX and Cadillac SRX. More than half of those buyers opted for the 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ engine.
Customer interest in MKT's driver-awareness features has been strong as well. Nearly one in three purchasers of the MKT opts for Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support and three of four opt for a package that includes Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert.
Technology under the skin
The Lincoln MKT features Ford's Trinity Front Crash Body Architecture. The energy-absorbing body structure is optimized for strength and stiffness and features octagonal front frame rails, engine cradle/front subframe and "shotgun" front structural members designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment.
Lincoln MKT also includes Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement Architecture (SPACE®) to optimize side-impact occupant protection. The SPACE system integrates a hydroformed high-strength steel tube in the floor that runs the width of the vehicle from B-pillar to B-pillar and reinforcements along the rocker panels to help protect passengers in side-impact incidents.
Lincoln MKT also features Ford's Personal Safety System™, combining multiple technologies to tailor the air bag package and safety belt functions to the individual passenger and the accident circumstances. The system can identify variables, such as severity of the crash, weight of the individual passenger and safety belt usage, to adjust air bag deployment force.
For more information:
Lincoln MKT Safety, Driver-Awareness and Security Technologies
Quotes
“Leading the industry in both five-star crash test ratings and Top Safety Pick awards is very significant because customers increasingly rely on NHTSA and IIHS ratings when choosing a new vehicle.”
– Susan Cischke, Ford’s Group Vice President of Sustainability,
Environment and Safety Engineering
“Our research shows that MKT customers are tech-savvy, and luxury vehicle buyers tend to be early adopters of new safety, audio, infotainment and powertrain features. Not only is the MKT packed with standard luxury features and state-of-the-art technologies, it is unsurpassed in its segment for highway fuel economy.”
– Kate Pearce, Lincoln MKT Marketing Manager
“The MKT’s array of advanced safety te chnologies raises the bar for luxury vehicles and pushes the new frontier of ‘active’ crash-avoidance features that help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of accidents.”
– Steve Kozak, Chief Engineer, Ford Safety Systems
Tags: Crossovers, Ford, Ford Motor Company, safety
Posted in
Ford Crossovers - text,
Ford Safety - text,
Lincoln - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Customer demand for Ford’s new F-150 SVT Raptor is moving nearly as fast as the world’s only production high-speed off-road performance truck. Already, over 5,300 orders have been placed for the new performance pickup.
The F-150 Raptor is the first ever high-speed off-road performance truck offered by any manufacture and highlights Ford’s 33 years of truck leadership by emphasizing Built Ford Tough innovation and engineering. Developed with the DNA of an off-road pre-runner, the comprehensive modifications to the truck focused on chassis and suspension.
Built alongside the best-selling F-150 at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant, the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor was designed for the off-road performance market which has steadily grown in popularity over the past decade.
Raptor is powered by F-150’s proven 5.4-liter Triton® V-8 three-valve engine, which delivers 320 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. This spring, customers will have the added option of an all-new 6.2-liter V-8 engine, producing 411 horsepower and 434 ft.-lb. of torque – making Raptor the most powerful half-ton pickup on the market.
The appeal of the Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor extends beyond just desert runners. While the biggest markets for order so far are in the Southwest and Texas, demand also is high in states like Tennessee, Michigan, Colorado, Ohio and Georgia
Customers are showing an appreciation for Raptor’s unparalleled off-road performance, as well as its many features. Options such as the luxury package, moonroof and reverse camera all have “take rates” of more than 79 percent. Popular F-150 utility options like touch-screen navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link™, trailer brake controller and Ford’s tailgate step have take-rates higher than 62 percent.
The overwhelming top color choice has been Tuxedo Black for more than 52 percent of all orders, followed by Molten Orange, Oxford White and Blue Flame.
Quotes
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the popularity of the F-150 SVT Raptor. Orders have exceeded our expectations. The truck is so popular that we actually wound up building more 5.4-liter V-8 models than we had originally anticipated. The order banks are now open for the all-new 6.2-liter V-8, and the orders keep rolling in.”
– Mark Grueber, F-150 Marketing Manager
Tags: F-150, Ford, Ford Motor Company
Posted in
Ford F-150 - text snippets,
Stories |
No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
What does Ford Motor Company have in common with Google, Apple, and Amazon? Ford shares a spot with them on
Fast Company’s Top 10 list of “Most Innovative” companies in Mobile technology, and becomes the first automaker to ever be recognized in the category.
Fast Company ranked Ford fifth in the mobile technology category for the introduction and evolution of SYNC, the industry-leading connectivity system co-developed with Microsoft, as well as the recent reveal of MyFord Touch, an innovative user interface that promises to redefine the in-car experience.
“The automaker has taken a great leap forward,” says
Fast Company.
Ford developed SYNC in response to the explosive growth potential of the mobile device and embarked on a strategy to build a software-based connectivity platform that could leverage the increasing power of the phone and improving data networks. MyFord Touch expands on the system’s device connectivity features by delivering a graphical, touch, and voice-controlled user interface that maximizes SYNC’s capability and provides an intuitive and safer way for drivers to interact with the car.
In addition to introducing MyFord Touch at the recent 2010 International CES, Ford became the first automaker to announce hands-free command and control of smart phone apps. Pandora, Stitcher, and OpenBeak are the first to implement the SYNC Application Programming Interface (API), enabling drivers to voice control the apps through SYNC’s Bluetooth connection.
More information on SYNC and MyFord Touch can be found
here or at
www.media.ford.com.
Quotes
“This honor represents Ford’s commitment to innovation and development of technology that enhances the driving experience and adds real value to the consumer. We’re very proud of this recognition from
Fast Company, and it is truly an accomplishment to be named amongst some of the leading technology innovators and mobile application developers.”
– Mark Fields, Ford President of The Americas
“Collaboration and strategic investment in open innovation have been keys to our success. Our relationship with Microsoft was just the beginning, as we’ve forged strong relationships throughout the mobile industry and look forward to even more.”
– Mark Fields, Ford President of The Americas
Tags: award, Ford, Ford Motor Company, MyFordTouch, SYNC
Posted in
Ford Technology - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
More of the “Rust Belt” just turned green.
Ford Motor Company and Automotive Components Holdings LLC this week announced the donation of 242 acres of unique coastal wetlands in Monroe County, Mich., to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be included in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
This donation of the land follows nearly five years of joint management under a cooperative agreement between ACH, a Ford affiliate, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ford Marsh is located adjacent to Lake Erie in Monroe County and bordered by Sterling State Park and the River Raisin.
An important flyway and waterway
It is an important flyway for thousands of migrating birds, a habitat for bald eagles and wide variety of mammals, and is home to significant beds of the American Lotus, the official symbol of Michigan’s clean waterways.
The habitat has been jointly managed since 2005 under a cooperative agreement between ACH and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was established in 2001 under an Act of Congress authored by Congressman Dingell.
The Ford Marsh contains marshlands, forests, and transitional meadows, and is home to bald eagles that have returned to the coastal marshes to nest on the site. The marsh also is home to significant beds of the threatened American Lotus, a pale yellow flower that is the nation's largest aquatic wildflower.
An urban refuge for wildlife
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge incorporates more than 5,700 acres along a
48-mile stretch of shoreline on the lower Detroit River and western Lake Erie. It is the only international wildlife refuge in North America and one of the few urban refuges in the United States.
Under the earlier management agreement, biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banded and monitored bald eagles, and worked on plans to manage invasive species and enhance wildlife habitats.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is, working with others, to conserve protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge focuses its efforts on 30 species of waterfowl, 117 kinds of fish and 300 species of migratory birds.
Quotes
“This is a special piece of land and I’m pleased this donation will ensure that it will remain pristine for future generations to enjoy its natural beauty and rich wildlife. At Ford, protecting the environment is a core value and this project is an example of how we can partner with the government to ensure that vision is a reality.”
– Bill Ford, Ford’s Executive Chairman
“We are profoundly thankful to Congressman Dingell for his leadership that enabled us to work through the regulatory challenges and leave this lasting legacy in Monroe County.”
– Mark Blair, CEO of Automotive Components Holdings LLC
“There is an unfortunate myth that corporations and conservation cannot go well together. The donation of Ford Marsh by Ford and ACH should permanently debunk that falsehood. In fact, some of the greatest potential for preserving our fragile wetlands and wildlife habitats in this country lies within our nation’s businesses – a concept the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge continues to advance.”
– U.S. Rep. John Dingell
“I want to express my deep gratitude to both Ford and ACH for making this donation possible and for bravely creating an example that I hope will be increasingly followed by other corporations around the country.”
– U.S. Rep. John Dingell
“In acknowledgment of this significant donation by Ford and ACH, we are naming this area the Ford Marsh Unit. We have lost over 90 percent of the coastal wetlands in this western Lake Erie region to development. The permanent conservation of this unique marsh will make a major difference in restoring and maintaining the ecological integrity of Lake Erie and North America’s only International Wildlife Refuge.”
– John Hartig, Refuge Manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Tags: Corporate Citizenship, environment, Ford, Ford Motor Company
Posted in
Ford and the Environment - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Thinking about replacing that crusty old mini-van, and want a new ride that your spouse and kids won’t groan about getting into? According to Kelley Blue Book’s editors there are 10 family haulers that deserve your consideration, and here are three of their favorites: the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010 Ford Taurus and 2010 Ford Flex.
“While the product landscape in the new-car world seems ever-changing, the vehicle needs of the typical American family remain fairly constant; capable versatility, value, safety and economical factors usually remain top-of-mind,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.
“Best hybrid experience on the road”
Nerad says the Ford Fusion Hybrid is a top pick for families because it saves money at the pump, keeps everyone entertained with the latest Ford SYNC® technology, and scores high in terms of ride and handling.
“The Ford Fusion Hybrid doesn’t scream its hybrid-ness to the multitudes,” he said. “Instead, it provides what many of us at Kelley Blue Book feel is the best hybrid experience on the road. We love the way the Fusion Hybrid rides and handles, and we applaud its innovative dash and environmental credentials.”
“A visually striking technological tour de force”
Nerad says customers in the market for a family car should also consider the Ford Taurus because it delivers features that American families will appreciate.
“What was once merely a competent full-size sedan has transformed into a visually striking technological tour de force,” he said. “With features uncommon in its segment, a roomy cabin, cavernous trunk, and nimbleness that belies its size, the redesigned Ford Taurus is a family car that pleases everyone, including the driver.”
“A great transcontinental family tourer”
Nerad says if the editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com had to pick an overall winner from the “Top 10 Family Cars for 2010,” the Ford Flex might get the nod.
“The Ford Flex leaves plain-vanilla crossovers behind with its distinctive styling, and it has all the comfort and convenience features required to be a great transcontinental family tourer while performing equally well in getting the kids to softball practice,” he said. “It drives better than some midsize sedans, offers comfortable seating for seven, and boasts a long list of available interior amenities including an array of infotainment features and even a small refrigerator.”
For more information about the “Top 10 Family Cars for 2010” from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, visit
www.kbb.com/Top10FamilyCars.
Tags: Crossovers, Ford, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Motor Company, Ford Taurus
Posted in
Ford Cars - text,
Ford Crossovers - text,
Ford Fusion - text,
Ford Taurus - text,
Ford and the Environment - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
GQ magazine knows a thing or two about stylishness and it isn’t limited to bespoke suits and luxurious accoutrements. The magazine’s Web site recently listed its “
most stylish cars of the past 50 years.”
Among the honored are a number of exotic sports cars and high-end European coupes, but you’ll also find the classic Ford Mustang GT (’66-’68) and the contemporary Ford Flex (’09-’present).
Here’s what
GQ says about Ford’s distinctively designed full-size crossover: “Instead of the faux-sporty, swoopy lines that so many cars this size have adopted as if to say "I'm not a minivan!," the Flex is unabashedly boxy, its most outstanding feature being the four horizontal grooves on the doors. Like the Ford Woody that those lines evoke, the Flex is comfortable being what it is—the most stylishly square people-mover on the road today.”
GQ isn’t alone in thinking the Flex is “the best-looking car of its day… one whose beauty stands the test of time” (
GQ’s criteria for stylishness). The Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC) singled out the Flex as its 2009 “Collectible Vehicle of the Future” award-winner last December.
Learn more about the Ford Flex.
Tags: Crossovers, Ford, Ford Motor Company
Posted in
Ford Crossovers - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
As cars and trucks become increasingly fuel efficient so should the businesses that sell them. That’s at the heart of Ford Motor Company’s new ‘Go Green’ Dealership Sustainability Program for its U.S. Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers, which was announced at the 2010 National Automobile Dealers Association Convention this week.
The goal of the program is simple: Collaborate with dealers to implement cost-effective ways to improve the energy-efficiency of their facilities, resulting in a long-term reduction in individual dealership’s carbon footprint as well as overall operating costs. Participation in the ‘Go Green’ Dealership Sustainability Program is voluntary for dealers.
Ford has partnered with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), an organization recognized as a leader in providing energy-efficiency solutions to businesses, communities and organizations around the world.
Getting Started
Dealers interested in participating in the ‘Go Green’ Dealership Sustainability Program will first receive a comprehensive energy assessment from sustainability experts at Ford. After the thorough assessment is completed, Ford and the dealer will collaborate on energy-saving options available and will tailor a program to meet the needs of the dealer. Solutions are wide-ranging and can be implemented for dealers with existing facilities as well as dealers who are constructing new facilities.
Dealers who participate in the program will be able to take advantage of several benefits, including guidance on available State and Federal tax credits and incentives, as well as access to technical expertise and resources to assist with selection of energy-efficient products and equipment.
Ford is finalizing details to initiate a pilot program with three dealers located in Florida, New York and Nevada.
Quotes
“In keeping with Ford’s commitment to the environment, this program is a great fit for our dealers because it provides a variety of energy-efficient improvement options regardless of the current age and design of the facility. This allows all dealers the opportunity to participate in improving the energy efficiency of their facility and gives them flexibility in making choices that are right for them and their dealership.”
– Sue Cischke, Group Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering
“We applaud Ford for their ongoing energy-efficiency efforts around the world. This initiative will have a positive impact participating dealers decrease their consumption of energy. Implementing these cost-effective solutions will also improve dealer’s bottom line over the long-term.”
– Amory B. Lovins, Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Scientist, Rocky Mountain Institute
“Through this initiative we are making available to dealers the same techniques, principles and expertise we use to reduce our energy use and contribute to a better world.”
– Sue Cischke, Group Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering
Tags: dealers, Ford, Ford Motor Company, sustainability
Posted in
Ford and the Environment - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Tonight on Jimmy Kimmel, an exclusive behind-the-scenes Mardi Gras segment will air in support of FAT Tuesday.
With the help of the 2010 Ford F-150, Guillermo was able to achieve his life-long dream of appearing on a float during the Mardi Gras Tucks parade. His several thousand pound royal float was towed down St. Charles Avenue and filled to the brim with muffaletta sandwiches, a new love of his that he wished to share with all the people of New Orleans!
The episode will chronicle Guillermo's entire experience including a special meeting with Super Bowl Champion Saints players Darren Sharper and Roman Harper, as well as a recap of the building of the float and Guillermo's interaction with the people of New Orleans.
While you watch, don't fight the urge to shout out "who dat?"- the enthusiasm from Mardi Gras and a Super Bowl win is infectious, and Guillermo's experience is surely a once-in-a-lifetime event!
Tags: F-150, Ford, Ford Motor Company, Jimmy Kimmel, Mardi Gras
Posted in
Ford F-150 - text snippets,
Ford in Entertainment - Text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
The Ford Fiesta already is proving that it’s got the makings of a star, but now Ford’s new small car is serving as a vehicle to stardom for a few aspiring young artists. Three Fiestas are hitting the road with five young people in tow to promote Simon Fuller’s new reality show “If I Can Dream,” which follows the artists as they move to the Hollywood Hills looking for their big break.
The five artists include a musician, an actor, two actresses and a model, who will be mentored by the best in Hollywood while trying to make their dreams come true. All the while, their lives will be captured and streamed online in real-time, 24/7 on
www.ificandream.com. It also will be available for TV viewers exclusively on Hulu, a Web site offering popular TV shows and movies from commercial networks.
Fiesta serves as the “sixth bedroom” of the show – it’s the artists’ primary way of transportation, and it is outfitted with three cameras so they can talk about their experiences through livestreaming.
The “If I Can Dream” tour will be visiting New York, Feb. 10-12; Boston, Feb. 14-15; Chicago, Feb. 16-17; Atlanta, Feb. 18; New Orleans, Feb. 19; Dallas, Feb. 21-22; Phoenix, Feb. 23; San Francisco, Feb. 24; and Los Angeles, Feb. 25.
Fiesta’s involvement with “If I Can Dream” builds on the success of the Fiesta Movement, a social media initiative that generated more than 6 million YouTube views, nearly 740,000 Flickr views and more than 3.7 million Twitter impressions. The Fiesta Movement and test drive program have resulted in more than 100,000 handraisers.
Fiesta has it all – and more
Going on sale this summer, the all-new Ford Fiesta features an expressive, vibrant design, sharp reflexes, and a global track record that will redefine U.S. small car customers’ expectations. With 15 class-exclusive technologies and a projected best-in-class highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, Fiesta brings efficiency and convenience together in one package.
It’s also designed to be versatile, personal and adaptable. In fact, Fiesta is expected to deliver best-in-class safety, convenience and connectivity with the segment-exclusive SYNC
® voice-activated communications system, as well as an expressive color palette and available graphics.
Already more than 6,000 consumers have made reservations for the Ford Fiesta – half of them from non-Ford customers – and more than 100,000 handraisers are showing an interest in the new fuel-efficient car. Customers can begin placing their order for the new Fiesta today through their local Ford dealer.
Quote
“This is the perfect way for people across
the country to connect with the Fiesta and the ‘If I Can Dream’ artists. Not only will they get to see the Fiesta up close, but they’ll get to meet the artists on the first part of this exciting journey.”
– Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand Content and Alliances Manager
Tags: 2011Fiesta, Ford, Ford Motor Company, FordFiesta, Simon Fuller, TV&Film
Posted in
Ford Fiesta - text,
Ford in Entertainment - Text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Friday, February 12th, 2010
The Ford Transit Connect hits the silver screen with an all-star ensemble cast in the New Line Cinema film, “Valentine’s Day,” which opens in theaters nationwide today.
The film follows the intertwining storylines of a diverse group of Los Angelinos as they navigate their way through romance and heartbreak over the course of one Valentine’s Day. One of the main characters is a florist who uses the Transit Connect to deliver flowers on love’s most celebrated holiday.
The Transit Connect featured in the movie is painted powder-puff pink and sports decals for the fictitious L.A. florist Siena Bouquet. Daly says as product placements go, this one is pretty prestigious.
In addition to the placement of the Transit Connect in “Valentine’s Day,” Ford Warriors in Pink is teaming up with the celebrity cast of the movie to help raise awareness for breast cancer. To learn more, please visit www.fordcares.com/valentinesdaymovie.
Quotes
“The delivery of flowers is one of the threads that ties all of the characters in the movie together. This film is heavily character-driven, so this is one of the few opportunities for a vehicle in the film to be showcased.”
– Brian Daly, Senior Vice President, Team Detroit and Ford Global Brand Entertainment
“We knew that the character of the florist was going to be a passionate entrepreneur, and since the Transit Connect is smaller than the typical cargo van, it conveys that ‘small business’ message to the viewer. We took it over to Warner Bros., and the production crew fell in love with it.”
– Brian Daly, Senior Vice President, Team Detroit and Ford Global Brand Entertainment
Tags: Ford, Ford Motor Company, Ford Warriors in Pink, New Line Cinema, Transit Connect, Valentine’s Day
Posted in
Ford F-150 - text snippets,
Ford and the Environment - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid earned the inaugural Hermance Vehicle Efficiency Award Wednesday at the Chicago Auto Show. The award is named for the late Dave Hermance, the legendary engineer and vocal proponent of hybrid-electric vehicles who died in 2006 at the age of 59 when his experimental plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean.
The Hermance award, which is given by BermanWorks, the media company behind HybridCars.com, honors new North American vehicles that best represent the vision of practical efficiency and risk-taking – two qualities the engineering wizard and avid pilot cherished. The voting committee recognized Fusion Hybrid for “setting a whole new benchmark” for mainstream hybrid-electric vehicles.
“The word that most evokes the design and engineering accomplishment seen in the Ford Fusion Hybrid is integration,” the Hermance Committee said in its official statement. “Any remnants of dissonance in joining the yin of gasoline with the yang of electricity – whether for the feel of regenerative braking or the twinge of motor-generator and engine transitions – have been erased. The result is a product that is indeed a feat of seamless fusion, one that truly creates a new paradigm for how hybrid cars should drive.”
The Hermance committee went on to praise Fusion Hybrid’s “no compromise” drivability and functionality as well as its SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide human-machine interface. Its independent members also predicted that the Fusion Hybrid will “stand the test of time as a product that, years from now, will mark the beginning of when hybrids became transparent in terms of how they operate.”
The committee concluded that Dave Hermance himself would approve of Ford’s accomplishment with the Fusion Hybrid, “marrying a seamless, sophisticated hybrid powertrain to a highly competitive product, positioned solidly in the middle of the mainstream market.”
Quote
“This is a tremendous honor. Dave Hermance’s commitment to producing efficient vehicles for the 21st century is the same kind of commitment our team brings to work everyday.”
– Lisa Drake, Chief Engineer of Ford’s Global Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicle programs
Tags: Chicago Auto Show, Ford, Ford Fusion, Ford Motor Company, Hermance Vehicle Efficiency Award, hybrid
Posted in
Ford Cars - text,
Ford Fusion - text,
Ford and the Environment - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for… cars and consumer electronics have never been as beautifully aligned as they are now.
MyFord Touch driver connect technology, launching on the 2011 Ford Edge, is designed to be powerful yet intuitive for drivers, blending strengths of the most proven interfaces in consumer electronics – including MP3 players and mobile phones – with a new generation of Ford’s award-winning SYNC system.
MyFord redesigns the in-car interface, mirroring how consumers interact with most devices in their lives using touch-sensitive buttons, touch screens, thumb-wheel controls and voice recognition.
In that respect, MyFord is instantly familiar. Using reconfigurable displays and simplified voice commands, though, MyFord also can present multiple layers of information, just as the driver wants it.
MyFord Touch layout
MyFord Touch retains the traditional car interior layout that has existed for decades – instrument cluster in front of the driver, center stack dividing the dashboard – and adds even more voice control plus full-color LCD screens for much of the visual information presentation. The information presented is customizable by the driver using a combination of voice controls, touch-screen technology and five-way cell phone-style buttons mounted on the steering wheel.
MyFord Touch displays information using two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens flanking an analog speedometer and an 8-inch touch-screen LCD at the top of the center stack. A five-way switch on each side of the steering wheel crossbar – similar to the one found on most mobile phones and MP3 players – controls the information displayed on the corresponding instrument panel screens.
Regardless of what menus customers are viewing, a single touch on the appropriate corner will always bring up the desired functionality, and in most cases, a voice command also can be used to adjust the controls.
With the four-corner layout, functions are where they’re expected to be, and they’re always visible on the screen, so it’s clear and easy for users to understand where they are in the system.
Color also is used to give drivers intuitive visual cues between the central 8-inch MyFord Touch display and the instrument panel-mounted 4.2-inch display. Phone and communications functions always are presented with an orange background, navigation with a green background, climate control with a blue background and audio/entertainment functions with a red background.
SYNC – behind the scenes
Behind the displays of MyFord Touch driver connect technology, the next generation of Ford’s award-winning SYNC system runs the show, built using the Microsoft Windows Embedded Auto software platform.
SYNC has evolved from a stand-alone module providing voice-activated control for mobile devices to a fully integrated platform for Ford vehicles with MyFord – a technology that will become the global interior architecture for all future Ford products.
Flexible and upgradable
Built using the latest technology from the Windows Embedded Business at Microsoft, the second generation of SYNC has been designed from the outset to be expandable, allowing it to grow and add new features without requiring new hardware. By employing a Media Hub for interfacing with external devices and media, Ford has helped ensure compatibility with future innovations.
Quotes
“MyFord Touch, combined with new SYNC functionality, creates an experience that will cause people to fall in love with their vehicles again. It’s not just a technology; it’s an experience – one we hope will have people across the globe looking forward to spending time behind the wheel of their vehicle.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development
“MyFord really is about managing information. Driving is the priority when you’re behind the wheel, so we’ve made it possible to simplify the content management so customers can drive with minimal distraction. In the end, what MyFord displays is really up to the driver.”
– Jason Johnson, Ford User Interface Design Engineer
“The steering wheel has all the necessary functions available in a very compact area, right where your hand falls as you grab the wheel. The five-way buttons will feel familiar to anyone who has used a mobile phone or MP3 player. Drivers aren’t forced to use a quirky or unfamiliar interface like a joystick or rotary knob.”
– Jason Johnson, Ford User Interface Design Engineer
“With more than 1 million SYNC-equipped cars on the road already, it’s exciting to see Ford continue to push the envelope and explore new applications for Microsoft’s Windows Embedded automotive software. The car is returning to the place where consumers go to see high-tech innovation.”
– Kevin Dallas, General Manager for Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Business Division
“The Media Hub is really the key to SYNC’s new upgradability. Take navigation: In the past, map data were stored on a hard drive and updates took hours to load from DVD. With SYNC and MyFord Touch, if you need a map update, you take the old SD card out of the Media Hub and pop in a new one. It’ll be the first time an automaker will offer something that competes with the cost and ease of personal navigation devices.”
– Jason Johnson, Ford User Interface Design Engineer
Tags: 2011 Ford Edge, Ford, Fordmotorcompany, MyFord Touch, SYNC
Posted in
Ford Crossovers - text,
Ford Technology - text |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Remember when vehicles came with only one powertrain option? Ah, those were simpler times. But there’s something to be said about having options, too. After all, variety is the spice of life.
The 2011 Ford Edge, which launches this summer, showcases Ford’s impressive drive to bring new powertrain options to the customer. Both the Edge 3.5-liter V-6 and Edge Sport 3.7-liter V-6 use advanced engine valvetrain technology (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, or Ti-VCT) and clever control strategies to increase horsepower and torque to best-in-class levels. This beats competitors such as the BMW X5, Lexus RX350 and Audi Q5, all while delivering unsurpassed fuel economy of 27 mpg (3.5-liter V-6 highway).
The 3.5-liter V-6 produces 285 horsepower and 253 ft.-lb. of torque while the 3.7-liter V-6 delivers 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque – all on regular fuel. Edge’s unsurpassed fuel economy is not at the expense of power and performance. For example, the 3.5-liter V-6 with Ti-VCT technology delivers highway fuel economy that is 15 percent better than the Nissan Murano but produces 20 horsepower more.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The SelectShift Automatic™ transmission is standard on the 2011 Edge SEL and Limited series, with class-exclusive paddle activation of the SelectShift standard on the 2011 Edge Sport.
In addition, the arrival of the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine in the months ahead will give customers yet more choice and will deliver class-leading fuel economy with impressive power and torque. All of this will be mated to a six-speed transmission that will help channel the impressive performance from the new EcoBoost engine. Since the launch of Edge in 2006, fuel economy performance has been drastically improved. With the introduction of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4, fuel economy on the 2011 Edge will be 30 percent better than it was in 2006.
Edge Sport adds more power, distinctive look
The 2011 Edge Sport is powered by a 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine that produces 305 horsepower and is similar to the one added to the 2011 Ford Mustang. The 2011 Edge Sport includes all of the content found on Edge SEL as well as a specially tuned suspension, paddle shift transmission and its own unique style.
The Edge Sport’s class-exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels have distinctive Tuxedo Black spoke accents. Other unique styling cues include a Tuxedo Black grille, smoked headlamp and taillamp treatment, body-color rocker moldings, oval chrome exhaust tips, body-color door cladding and revised body-color lower front and rear fascias.
Key interior differentiators are liquid silver smoke appliqués that are echoed in the silver smoke metallic leather seat inserts, aluminum pedals and class-exclusive paddle shifters, which activate the six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission to give customers the option of a fun-to-shift manual experience.
In SelectShift mode, the transmission doesn’t second-guess the driver, offering total control over gear selection and performance feel. Upshifts, for instance, are not commanded at redline, and downshifts are allowed at the lowest gear possible as defined by the engine speed.
When the system is in manual mode, engine speed matching provides faster and smoother downshifts, and customers get the gear they request within the limits of the rev limiter.
When a lower gear is selected while descending a long downhill grade, the 2011 Ford Edge Sport in SelectShift mode will hold that gear until the driver manually upshifts or returns to the fully automatic setting. To ensure safe shifting, the transmission will downshift to the lowest acceptable gear, based on a calculated maximum speed. That means if a vehicle were traveling at highway speeds, the driver could not downshift to first gear in SelectShift mode.
Quotes
“Customers told us how much they like Edge’s design and dynamic driving quality. We listened and made sure the new 2011 Edge delivers that and more – including fuel economy leadership, unexpected levels of quietness, a strong new design with quality materials, and MyFord Touch driver connect technology that will change how people experience their vehicles.”
– Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas
“The new Edge demonstrates how a refresh at Ford has become more than just a few design and interior tweaks. We have taken every element of the Edge and completely reworked it, including three new powertrains, two new transmissions, a bold new exterior design and a completely new interior. If you add in our industry-exclusive MyFord Touch system, you have a vehicle that will continue to stand out above all the competition on the road.”
– Elaine Bannon, Ford Edge Chief Engineer
“The 2011 Ford Edge Sport, with its exceptional powertrain, specially tuned suspension and unique style, offers a driving experience not seen in other crossovers, and really appeals to the driving enthusiast. Like the rest of the 2011 Ford Edge lineup, it perfectly blends technology and style.”
– Elaine Bannon, Ford Edge Chief Engineer
Tags: 2011 Edge SEL, 2011 Ford Edge, 3.5-liter, EcoBoost, Edge 3.5-liter V-6, Edge Sport 3.7-liter V-6, Ford, Fordmotorcompany, powertrain, SelectShift Automatic™, Ti-VCT, V-6
Posted in
Ford Crossovers - text,
Ford Technology - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Look around. Unless you’re living in a cave you’ve probably noticed how more and more consumer products offer both high style and high technology. More than ever, great design truly is within reach.
Consider the Ford Edge. When customers made it the No. 1-selling vehicle in the midsize crossover segment in its first full year on the market it was, in part, because of the Edge’s great style and technology. Launching this summer, the 2011 Ford Edge stands to redefine the segment with a wide-ranging scope of improvements.
Bold, flowing design makes Edge the can’t-miss crossover
The bolder, more seamlessly flowing exterior design freshening is mirrored by a complementary interior, characterized by increased craftsmanship, improved materials and overall better execution. Improved fit-and-finish, softer touchpoints, and flexibility in terms of stowage in the cabin and throughout mark the 2011 Ford Edge.
Increased presence is announced through a bolder grille and a chin spoiler that appears more crafted. The A-pillar flows into the hood, which adds subtle undulations to create a heightened sculptural quality. The wrapping lines emphasize both the front end and the new wheel lineup.
MyFord Touch ushers in new era of interaction
The industry-first MyFord Touch driver connect technology provides a smarter, safer, simpler way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives. It replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, crisp LCD screens and five-way controls like those found on cell phones and MP3 players.
Standard on the 2011 Edge Limited and 2011 Edge Sport, the MyFord Touch system displays information using two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens flanking an analog speedometer and an
8-inch touch-screen LCD at the top of the center stack. A five-way switch on each side of the steering wheel crossbar controls the information displayed on the corresponding instrument panel screens. The screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each individual driver using a simple button click, voice command or touch-screen tap.
The steering wheel has all the necessary functions available in a very compact area, right where the driver’s hand falls as he or she grabs the wheel. The five-way buttons feel familiar to anyone who has used a mobile phone or MP3 player.
Like the song? You can tag it
Also new on the 2011 Ford Edge is the world’s first use of iTunes® Tagging in an available factory-installed HD Radio™ receiver. iTunes Tagging provides customers with the ability to “capture” a song they hear on the HD Radio receiver for later purchase from iTunes. With a simple push of a “TAG” button on the MyFord touch-screen display, the song information will be stored in the radio’s memory.
Once a song is tagged and customers dock their iPod to the SYNC system, the tagged song information will transfer to that iPod. Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear. Customers then can preview, and if they desire, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store.
One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is that the sound quality of the broadcast is dramatically better because of the digital transmission – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like today’s FM broadcasts. Unlike analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts aren’t susceptible to interference, fadeout and other issues.
Brimming with standard and class-exclusive technologies
There are 12 class-exclusive standard and available features and technologies for the 2011 Ford Edge, including MyFord Touch, SYNC; Easy Fuel® (standard); SecuriCode keyless entry keypad; Blind Spot Mirrors (standard); MyKey™ (standard); AdvanceTrac® with RSC (Roll Stability Control™, standard); Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support; Cross Traffic Alert; and 22-inch wheels and paddle activation on the 2011 Edge Sport.
Quotes
“Customers told us how much they like Edge’s design and dynamic driving quality. We listened and made sure the new 2011 Edge delivers that and more – including fuel economy leadership, unexpected levels of quietness, a strong new design with quality materials, and MyFord Touch driver connect technology that will change how people experience their vehicles.”
– Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas
“The new Edge demonstrates how a refresh at Ford has become more than just a few design and interior tweaks. We have taken every element of the Edge and completely reworked it, including three new powertrains, two new transmissions, a bold new exterior design and a completely new interior. If you add in our industry-exclusive MyFord Touch system, you have a vehicle that will continue to stand out above all the competition on the road.”
– Elaine Bannon, Ford Edge Chief Engineer
“To me, craftsmanship isn’t just fit-and-finish. It’s also the layout and the ergonomic experience. It’s where we put the material – the stitching, the cutlines – and all the attention to detail to give the customer a great experience.”
– Elaine Bannon, Ford Edge Chief Engineer
“You can jump in the 2011 Ford Edge and bring your technology – your lifestyle – with you and have everything at your fingertips. The 2011 Ford Edge gives you all the capability and flexibility you want along with great style.”
– Elaine Bannon, Ford Edge Chief Engineer
Tags: 2011 Edge Limited, 2011 Edge Sport, 2011 Ford Edge, AdvanceTrac® with RSC, Blind Spot Mirrors, crossover, Easy Fuel®, HD Radio™, iTunes® Tagging, midsize crossover, MyFord Touch, MyKey™, SecuriCode, SYNC, Technology
Posted in
Ford Crossovers - text,
Ford Technology - text |
No Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Taxis are getting progressively eco-friendly through the embrace of more fuel-efficient, zero-emissions technologies, which is great for fleet operators, passengers and pedestrians alike. Ford Motor Company, the leader in the North American taxi market, is enabling that trend to continue with its Ford Transit Connect Taxi, which will go into production and arrive in dealerships later this year as a 2011 model.
Making the announcement today at the Chicago Auto Show, Ford also said it will introduce engine prep packages on all Transit Connect models – base and taxi – allowing conversion to efficient, clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane (LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas). Both CNG and LPG are popular among taxi operators because of their low cost of ownership.
The roomy, flexible interior of the Transit Connect – the 2010 North American Truck of the Year – is perfectly suited for taxi service and conversion to CNG and LPG. The vehicle’s 135 cubic feet of cargo space accommodates a compressed gas tank while leaving ample passenger legroom and cargo capacity.
To further serve taxi operators, Ford will provide required calibration specifications for the CNG or LPG conversion. By properly following Ford’s specifications, the conversion can be completed without voiding the engine’s warranty.
The alternative fuel advantage
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CNG is less expensive and burns cleaner than gasoline, resulting in 30 percent to 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions. Propane also burns cleaner than gasoline.
Compressed natural gas and propane offer more than sufficient power for vehicles because they are high-energy fuels. Another natural benefit for these fuels is they provide an overall lower emission of greenhouse gases compared to gasoline. Additionally, operating on CNG or LPG provides the operators lower fuel/operating costs for their fleet.
Furthermore, nearly 87 percent of natural gas used in the United States is domestically produced. There also are government tax credit incentives for fleets to convert to alternative fuels.
Since October 2009, CNG prep packages have been available on E-Series vans with 5.4-liter and 6.8-liter gas engines.
Building on taxi leadership
The “green” taxi isn’t new at Ford, which has been a leader in the taxi business for decades. Ford was the first manufacturer to introduce gas-electric hybrid-powered taxis into North American fleets with the launch of the Ford Escape Hybrid in San Francisco and New York City in early 2005.
Built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform and tested to Ford tough truck standards, the Transit Connect Taxi – including gasoline-powered versions and those modified to operate on CNG/LPG – is designed to meet the extreme demands of taxi service.
With its standard 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, the conventionally powered Transit Connect is expected to deliver an estimated 30 percent improvement in fuel economy over many of today’s traditional taxis.
Quotes
“While meeting with taxi operators in cities throughout the U.S., we found considerable interest for vehicles that run on alternative fuels. The Transit Connect Taxi, combined with an engine modified by Ford to use CNG/LPG, is designed to meet that need. This marks a new era in ‘green’ transit.”
– Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas
“Transit Connect already has proven that it offers tremendous versatility for commercial fleet use. The Transit Connect taxi, combined with the capability for CNG/LPG conversion, further demonstrates its flexibility.”
– Gerry Koss, Ford Fleet Marketing Manager
Tags: CNG, Ford, Fordmotorcompany, Fuel Efficient, LPG, north american, Taxi, Transit Connect
Posted in
Ford F-150 - text snippets,
Ford and the Environment - text |
No Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Fleet operators are among the early adopters of electric vehicles. That’s because their vehicles typically travel predictable, short-range routes with frequent stop-and-go driving in urban and suburban environments and they have a central location for daily recharging.
Well, Ford Motor Company has what may be the ultimate electric fleet vehicle going into production later this year – the zero-emissions, all-electric version of the Ford Transit Connect – the 2010 North American Truck of the Year.
The 2011 Transit Connect Electric will use a Force Drive electric powertrain manufactured and integrated by specialty upfitter Azure Dynamics.
Getting charged up and moving
Transit Connect Electric, which will accelerate at a similar rate as the gas-powered Transit Connect and will have a top speed of 75 mph, has a targeted range of up to 80 miles on a full charge.
Owners will have the option of recharging the Transit Connect Electric with either a standard 120V outlet or preferably a 240V charge station installed at the user’s base of operations for optimal recharging in six to eight hours. A transportable cord that works with both types of outlets will be available for recharging at both kinds of locations.
The vehicle’s charge port is located above the passenger-side rear wheel well. The onboard liquid-cooled 28-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is charged by connecting the charge port. Inside the vehicle, an onboard charger converts the AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the battery pack.
Driving on electric power
When the vehicle is operating, battery power is provided to the drive motor through the electric powertrain’s motor controller. The motor controller uses throttle input from the driver to convert DC power supplied by the battery into three precisely timed signals used to drive the motor.
The onboard DC/DC converter allows the vehicle’s main battery pack to charge the onboard
12V battery, which powers the vehicle’s various accessories, such as headlights, power steering and coolant pumps.
In the Transit Connect Electric, the battery pack has been efficiently integrated without compromising interior passenger room and cargo space. The battery pack is expected to last the life of the vehicle.
An ideal platform
With a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, cargo capacity, accessibility and low purchase and operation costs, the Transit Connect is an ideal choice for electrification.
The Transit Connect Electric is expected to offer lower cost of operation, because recharging with electricity is generally less expensive than refueling with gasoline. Users may also benefit from much lower maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle. Consider the following:
- The number of components typical in an internal combustion engine and transmission are dramatically reduced in an electric vehicle to just a few moving parts in the electric motor and transaxle, which results in much fewer parts to wear out or maintain
- Electric powertrains operate with solid state electronics, which have demonstrated low or no maintenance over the life of the product
- Electric vehicles have completely sealed cooling systems that do not require refilling, replacement or flushing
- Electric vehicles require no oil changes or tune-ups
- There are no belts to wear out or break and no spark plugs or injectors to clean or adjust
- There is no exhaust system to replace and no liquid fuel system to freeze or clog
- The use of regenerative braking reduces wear and tear on brake pads
Quotes
“Transit Connect Electric exemplifies how we are leveraging our relationships as well as our hybrid and advanced powertrain programs to bring energy-efficient technologies from the laboratory to the street. Not only is this an ideal vehicle for eco-conscious fleet operators, it is an important part of Ford’s future.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development
“We’re excited about the potential for our electrified vehicles. Today’s electric vehicle buyers are similar to early adopters of hybrid vehicles. People were a little hesitant about hybrids at first, but now they accept it and embrace it. We expect the same will be true of electric vehicles.”
– Praveen Cherian, Program Manager for the Transit Connect Electric
“There is an increasing interest in electrified vehicles, and we are committed to bringing these vehicles to the marketplace. Ford’s work with Azure and Johnson Controls-Saft to create a purely electric Transit Connect will allow us to offer fleet customers an additional option for eco-friendly transportation.”
– Nancy Gioia, Ford Director of Global Electrification
“The opportunity to work with Ford on the Transit Connect Electric is a breakthrough advancement for us at Azure and for the light-commercial vehicle market. For us, 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.”
– Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO
“With interest in eco-friendly vehicles stronger than ever among commercial and government fleet operators, the Transit Connect Electric promises to offer another unique solution for their needs.”
– Gerry Koss, Ford Fleet Marketing Manager
Tags: 2010 North American Truck of the Year, electric, Ford, Fordmotorcompany, powertrain, Transit Connect Electric
Posted in
Ford F-150 - text snippets,
Ford and the Environment - text |
No Comments »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
You heard the rumors and said “No way.” Well, you were only half right, because you should’ve said “Yes way.”
Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) engineers are taking high performance to a new level with the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, resulting in a car that has an all-new aluminum-block engine, even better driving dynamics and handling, improved fuel economy and more horsepower than ever. You can pick your jaw up off the floor now. Read on, my friend.
Weight savings, new technology headline all-new aluminum engine
The 2011 Shelby GT500 is powered by an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase versus the 2010 model. The engine also is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.
The new engine uses state-of-the-art Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) liner coating, a process that applies a 150-micron composite coating that contains nanoparticles on the internal surfaces of engine cylinder bores, replacing cast-iron liners typically used in aluminum engine blocks. The Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation honored the inventors of the Ford-patented PTWA technology with the 2009 National Inventor of the Year Award.
This is the first Ford application of the technology, and it offers improved overall performance and durability, along with functional benefits of reduced friction between piston rings and cylinder bores, improved heat transfer due to increased surface contact area and a weight savings of 8.5 pounds compared to a typical steel-sleeved aluminum block. A mechanical roughening process provides higher material adhesion for the spray coating.
The PTWA process uses air and electricity to create a plasma jet of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which melts a steel wire that is fed into a rotating spray gun. Using atomized air, the melted steel wire is blown into a specially machined surface of the aluminum-block engine cylinder bore. In the process of melting and applying the metal to the surface, the steel wire oxidizes, creating a composite coating consisting of both iron and iron oxide.
The new engine also has its roots in the iconic Ford GT. The new 5.4-liter engine is an evolution of the GT engine, with improved block structure through the use of a unique bulkhead chilled process and six-bolt billet main bearing caps. This new advanced engine will exceed Ford GT performance with its traditional supercharger technology.
Increased power and increased fuel economy
The 2011 Shelby GT500 combines power and fuel economy into one impressive package. This 2011 Shelby GT500 will be the first modern Shelby without the gas guzzler tax, thanks to the EPA-projected 23 mpg highway and 15 mpg city it will deliver. This is up from 22 mpg highway and 14 mpg city for the 2010 model.
The 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 80 percent of its torque between 1,750 and 6,250 rpm, giving the car a higher level of performance feel. A larger two-row intercooler for the supercharger system has 40 percent more cooling capacity, helping to make power more consistent in higher ambient conditions.
Fuel economy gains come from the new 102-pound-lighter aluminum-block engine, EPAS and detailed aerodynamic changes to the underside of the vehicle.
Dramatic performance upgrades
New for 2011 is an SVT Performance Package for enthusiasts who want even more performance out of their Shelby GT500 for racetrack-ready driving dynamics. Complete with all-new Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires that SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop, the car is ready to race. The tires offer superb dry traction and precise handling, complete with a race-inspired high-performance tread compound.
The optional package also offers unique styling, lighter wheels, a higher rear axle ratio and stiffer springs, and it is available on both the convertible and coupe. Data show the 2011 coupe with the SVT Performance Package is 3.0 seconds faster per lap than the 2010 Shelby GT500 on a 2.3-mile test track.
Carried over from 2010, the 2011 Shelby GT500 features AdvanceTrac®, Ford’s stability control system with several options for performance. Calibration of the system for the 2011 Shelby has been uniquely tailored to each vehicle configuration (base or optional) to optimize the performance.
SVT has worked very hard to make EPAS better than the outgoing hydraulic steering system. The addition of EPAS makes for a dramatic contribution to Shelby GT500 driving dynamics, with improved torque build-up and road feel that delivers quicker and more precise steering, increased effort on the racetrack or winding roads, and reduced effort in low-speed parking maneuvers.
Quotes
“The SVT team continues to push the performance standards of the Shelby to even higher levels and better refinement. All the changes we made reflect a desire for even better handling and outstanding driving dynamics – from weight savings to improved balance.”
– Jost Capito, Director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsports Business Development
“Cutting weight to improve performance is a tradition among hot rodders. It might not be as sexy as adding more horsepower or bigger brakes, but shaving pounds off of a car is the single smartest move you can make.”
– Carroll Shelby, Founder of Shelby American
“Ford’s Global Research and Advanced Engineering looks to all industries for advanced technologies – and this comes from aerospace. It’s the same technology you would find on aircraft engines. We’ve invented a coating as a replacement for cast iron that delivers improvements in power and performance and fuel economy.”
– Glenn Jorgensen, SVT Powertrain Team Leader
“The Ford GT has solidified itself as one of the world’s most coveted supercars. To make improvements to the engine from this supercar and make it available in a Mustang is impressive. The aluminum-block engine is robust and strong enough to produce the performance numbers and durability our customers demand.”
– Kerry Baldori, SVT Global Performance Vehicles Chief Functional Engineer
Tags: Ford, Ford Motor Company, Ford Shelby GT500, fuel efficiency
Posted in
2011 Mustang GT - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Ford is making a splash at the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) to demonstrate that the global transformation under the One Ford plan is working. In addition to the newest Ford models being on display at the show, David Mondragon, President and CEO, and Dean Stoneley, Vice President of Marketing will participate in a live chat from the show on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. EST.
David J. Mondragon is president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, appointed to the position in August, 2008. He leads Ford of Canada’s extensive operations across the country, including a national headquarters, three regional offices, two branch offices, four vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, and two parts distribution centers.
Ford employs more than 7,000 people in Canada, while an additional 19,000 people work in the more than 400 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships across the country.
Dean Stoneley is vice president of marketing for Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, appointed to the position in March 2008. During his 17 years at Ford, Stoneley has held a variety of leadership roles in sales and marketing in both Canada and the United States.
We make it easy for you to share this story with your friends; simply click on the “share this” method of your choice just below or at the top right corner of this page. You can also click here to sign up for updates from Ford Motor Company, and click here to add an RSS feed to your regular homepage. Tags: Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS), David Mondragon, Dean Stoneley, Ford of Canada
Posted in
Ford Cars - text,
Ford Corporate News - text,
Ford Crossovers - text,
Ford F-150 - text snippets |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
It sounds like something from a science fiction movie.
Partnering with top-ranked national and international universities, the Ford “Atoms to Engines” team challenged skeptics to develop the world’s first virtual materials modeling prediction tool. Come again? It’s a tool that allows the team to simulate the microstructures of a material before the first prototype is built.
In other words… the Atoms to Engines team blends engineering and science to develop physics-based computer models that predict how properties and materials will behave and change during the manufacturing process. Building these computer models integrates the study of product performance, manufacturing and materials; in some cases it requires analyzing metals down to their atomistic level.
The result? Components are more durable and efficiently constructed, which saves the company considerable development time and money. In fact, the process is estimated to save Ford between $2 and $5 million a year in reducing test requirements and product development time.
Computational materials engineering also has been used on the recently released 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ block and head and the soon-to-be-released 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel, where the technology enabled the use of aluminum cylinder heads, for a 160-pound weight savings.
Learn more about Ford’s Atoms to Engines team and its work in computational materials engineering.
Quote
“Computational materials engineering is about blending engineering and science. Why is it worth it? Reduction of test time. Higher-quality parts. In other words, you’re getting the highest possible quality at the lowest possible cost.”
– John Allison, Senior Technical Leader, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering
Tags: Atom, EcoBoost, Ford, Ford Motor Company, Ford “Atoms to Engines” team, performance, Power Stroke®, quality
Posted in
Ford Quality - text |
No Comments »
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Higher sales for every brand and in every product category propelled Ford to a 24 percent sales increase in January versus a year ago.
Ford cars were up 43 percent, crossovers were up 20 percent, sport utilities were up 8 percent, and trucks and vans were up 14 percent. Among brands, Ford sales were up 26 percent, Lincoln sales were up 16 percent and Mercury sales were up 6 percent.
Market share up
Ford estimates its January U.S. total market share was approximately 16 percent – about 2 percentage points higher than in January 2009. Last year, Ford posted its first full-year U.S. market share increase since 1995.
Plus, every consumer metric about the Ford brand – including favorable opinion, consideration, shopping and intention to buy – ended the year at record levels. Last year, favorable opinion improved 27 percent and intention to buy Ford increased 30 percent.
Resale value up
Among full-line manufacturers, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles recorded the largest gain in resale values from the 2009 to 2010 model year. The projected resale value of Ford vehicles increased by more than $1,300 per vehicle. Ford already holds a resale value advantage over its U.S.-based competitors, and it continues closing the gap on key imports with some Ford vehicles already having surpassed competing foreign vehicles.
Fleet sales up
In January, Ford sales to fleet customers more than doubled last January’s depressed levels (up 154 percent) when most fleet owners deferred vehicle purchases due to the credit crunch and uncertain business and economic conditions.
Ford posted gains in every fleet market – commercial, government and rental. On an annual basis, a majority of Ford’s fleet sales are to commercial and government customers where the Ford F-Series truck and Econoline van have long been top sellers. Today, products such as Fusion, Taurus and Escape are popular choices among fleet customers.
Quotes
“Ford’s focus on building products consumers want to buy and love to drive will continue. In 2010, we will give Ford customers even more reasons to Drive One.”
– Ken Czubay, Ford Vice President, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service
“People increasingly are discovering that the Ford difference is the strength of our products, particularly our leadership in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technologies and value.”
– Ken Czubay, Ford Vice President, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service
“Resale value is a key indicator of brand health and an important contributor to the total value equation. Fleet managers monitor vehicle operating costs very carefully. They are giving Ford more consideration because of our improving resale values.”
– Ken Czubay, Ford Vice President, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service
Tags: Fleet Sales, Ford, Ford Motor Company, Market Share, Resale Value, Sales
Posted in
Ford Corporate News - text |
No Comments »
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
Ford today reported a full year 2009 pre-tax operating profit, excluding special items, of $454 million, a $7.3 billion improvement over a year ago. The company said it now expects to be profitable for full year 2010 on a pre-tax basis excluding special items, for North America, total Automotive and total company, with positive Automotive operating-related cash flow.
- Full year net income of $2.7 billion, or 86 cents per share, a $17.5 billion improvement from a year ago. Pre-tax operating profits of $454 million, a $7.3 billion improvement from a year ago++
- Fourth quarter net income of $868 million, or 25 cents per share, a $6.8 billion improvement from a year ago. Pre-tax operating profits of $1.8 billion, a $5.5 billion improvement from a year ago++
- Ford North America fourth quarter pre-tax operating profits of $707 million, a $2.6 billion improvement from a year ago++
- Reduced Automotive structural costs by $500 million compared with the fourth quarter 2008, bringing the total 2009 reduction to $5.1 billion, exceeding the target of about $4 billion
- Strong products drove full year market share gains in North America, South America and Europe as well as continued improvements in transaction prices and margins
- Ended the year with $25.5 billion of Automotive gross cash and $34.3 billion in Automotive debt
- Achieved positive Automotive operating-related cash flow of $3.1 billion for the fourth quarter. Full year Automotive operating-related cash outflow was $300 million, a $19.2 billion improvement over 2008
- Ford Credit fourth quarter pre-tax operating profits of $696 million, a $1.1 billion improvement from a year ago
- For full year 2010, Ford plans to be profitable on a pre-tax basis excluding special items, for North America, total Automotive and total company, with positive Automotive operating-related cash flow, based on its assumptions
Download Full Financial Release (PDF)
Download Slides (PDF)
Quotes
“While we still face significant business environment challenges ahead, 2009 was a pivotal year for Ford and the strongest proof yet that our One Ford plan is working and that we are forging a path toward profitable growth by working together as one team, leveraging our global scale. In every part of the world, we are providing customers with great products, building a stronger business and contributing to a better world. Our progress has helped us gain market share in most of our major markets.”
– Alan Mulally, Ford President and CEO
“We delivered very encouraging results in the fourth quarter and for full year 2009 despite severe economic headwinds, although our transformation remains a work in progress. We are committed to staying absolutely focused on executing our plan to deliver profitable growth.”
– Lewis Booth, Ford Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
“We are more convinced than ever that Ford has the right plan to lead us through the near-term economic and external operating pressures and continue to deliver profitable growth. The entire extended Ford team is absolutely committed to building on our progress and working together as a lean global enterprise focused on automotive leadership and delivering products with the best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value around the world.”
– Alan Mulally, Ford President and CEO
Tags: Earnings, Financial, Ford, Ford Motor Company, Fourth Quarter, Net Income, Profit
Posted in
Ford Corporate News - text,
Stories |
No Comments »
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Ford Motor Company announced today that it is teaming up with Ken Block, the California-based action sports icon-turned-rally driver, for future global motorsports opportunities.
Block, the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and a three-time medalist at X Games, has cultivated a tremendous following with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube. In 2010, Block will campaign a Ford Focus in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and a Ford Fiesta in Rally America and X Games.
Rallying is a crucial part of Ford’s global motorsports strategy and provides the company with the opportunity to showcase the true performance capabilities of Ford’s products. Since its support of rallying began, Ford has won three WRC titles and 73 individual events. And, last year in North America, Ford's participation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and X Games 15 were key elements for the launch of the Ford Fiesta for the U.S.
Quotes
“I am stoked to be rallying in a Ford. They are an impressive force in the sport. From the days of the 1970s Escorts to the Group B RS200 to the modern-day Focus and now the Fiesta, Ford just does an excellent job at rally. And I couldn’t be happier to now be part of this amazing heritage. Not to mention my dad would be proud. He was a dedicated Ford guy."
-- Ken Block
“Ken Block has established himself as an action sports competitor and a rising star in the world of American rally racing. We are excited to have him on our team to help promote our new global products, the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2012 Ford Focus.”
– Jamie Allison, Director Ford North America Motorsports
“Thanks to our participation in WRC, rallying has always played a key role in Ford’s global motorsports programs. With that in mind, we are pleased that Ford is the only manufacturer that could provide Ken with global rally opportunities.”
– Jamie Allison, Director, Ford North America Motorsports
“We’re delighted that Ken Block has chosen to team up with Ford to develop his rallying activities beyond America and into the global arena. Ford and its U.K.-based rally partner, M-Sport, is looking forward to welcoming Ken to the wider team of talented rally drivers using Ford vehicles to compete in this demanding sport at the highest level internationally.”
– Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe’s Senior Motorsports Manager
Tags: FIA World Rally Championship, Ford, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company, Gymkhana, Ken Block, Rally America, Rally America Rookie of the Year, X Games
Posted in
Ford Fiesta - text |
No Comments »
Monday, February 1st, 2010
As chief engineer for the all-new Ford Edge, Elaine Bannon is
committed to building a vehicle that will stir emotion. She is leading
the vehicle team with the hottest new entry into the red-hot crossover
market, working to ensure the right combination of great looks and
outstanding performance.
Join Elaine right here for a live chat on February 10 at 12:15 p.m. CST.
“There are a lot of great vehicles out there, but only a select few
can make you feel confident, powerful and sexier,” says Elaine. “Edge
becomes an extension of your personality. It delivers on all counts,
from its bold design, to its balanced ride, fun-to-drive character and
confident handling.”
Elaine, who joined Ford Motor Company in 1984, brings a wealth of
engineering and management expertise to the Edge program. Her influence
is evident in the superb craftsmanship of the Edge’s interior and
exterior. As principle lead for Global Craftsmanship, Elaine helped
elevate the company to a new level of quality in fit and finish. The
Global Craftsmanship team was instrumental in the development of the
critically acclaimed 2004 Ford F-150. Before taking on her current
assignment, Elaine was chief engineer for Ford’s commercial trucks,
helping integrate the expansive medium and heavy truck lineup into one
cohesive business unit.
The Detroit-area native holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical
engineering and an MBA, both from the University of Michigan. Elaine
says raising her young son and writing poetry helps her see issues from
many perspectives. Elaine, who enjoys working the pit crew during her
husband’s motorcycle road races, takes on each challenge with the
belief that there is no finish line.
“Spending time with my husband on race weekends makes me appreciate
the effort it takes to get to the top of your game – no matter what the
area,” says Elaine. “Commitment to a skill and the enhancement of that
skill takes tenacity, passion and positive energy – whether you’re
confronted with greatness or adversity.”
We make it easy for you to share this story with your friends;
simply click on the “share this” method of your choice just below or at
the top right corner of this page. You can also click here to sign up for updates from Ford Motor Company, and click here to add an RSS feed to your regular homepage.
Tags: Chief Engineer, crossover, Elaine Bannon, Ford Edge, Ford Motor Company, Global Craftsmanship, Live Chat
Posted in
Ford Crossovers - text |
No Comments »
