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
Recent updates
- › Don’t Waste Mon...
- › You’re Under Ar...
- › Get’r Done and ...
- › Giving New Meanin...
- › Helping the Homel...
- › It Soars While O...
- › Two Words: EcoBoo...
- › They Said It Coul...
- › Plug Into The Sun...
- › Who Is Taking The...
- › And the Hits Just...
- › Want More of a Go...
- › Five Years Going ...
- › Another Reason Wh...
- › Going Fast, Get O...
- › Tough Jobs Take T...
- › How to Minimize Y...
- › This Is Nothing t...
- › Nothing Says ‘S...
- › And You Thought t...
Posts Tagged ‘Ford Focus’
Here’s Something to Rally Around
Monday, February 1st, 2010Tags: 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 »
Live Chat with Rally Car Driver Ken Block
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
You may have heard that Ken Block recently teamed up with Ford. In 2010, Ken will campaign a Ford Focus in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and a Ford Fiesta in Rally America and X Games. You
can read more about that and watch a teaser video by clicking here to go to that theFordStory article.
At 1:45 p.m. EST on January 22, 2010, you’ll have a chance to participate in a live chat with Ken right here. He’ll be answering questions and sharing some of his experiences.
Ken’s rally career began in 2005. His skill and car control were quickly apparent and he was aptly named Rookie of the Year in the Rally America Championship. Since then, he has continued to race in the series, boasting a healthy number of podium appearances, as well as X Games medals.
In addition to his performance in the car, Ken has been a driving force in shining a spotlight on the sport of rally in the United States. Before entering motorsports, he co-founded DC Shoes, a worldwide leader in performance skateboarding shoes and a renowned action sports brand.
His keen sense of marketing not only helped elevate DC to their current status, but it has also allowed Ken to achieve global fame as a national rally driver through his very successful viral video campaigns. Ad Age named his Gymkhana TWP film the No. 4 Viral Video of 2009.
In 2010, Ken goes global. He will compete in both Rally America and X Games in the United States with a Ford Fiesta, and WRC in a Ford Focus RS.
We make it easy for you to share this story with your friends; simply click on the “share this” method of your choice 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.
can read more about that and watch a teaser video by clicking here to go to that theFordStory article.
At 1:45 p.m. EST on January 22, 2010, you’ll have a chance to participate in a live chat with Ken right here. He’ll be answering questions and sharing some of his experiences.
Ken’s rally career began in 2005. His skill and car control were quickly apparent and he was aptly named Rookie of the Year in the Rally America Championship. Since then, he has continued to race in the series, boasting a healthy number of podium appearances, as well as X Games medals.
In addition to his performance in the car, Ken has been a driving force in shining a spotlight on the sport of rally in the United States. Before entering motorsports, he co-founded DC Shoes, a worldwide leader in performance skateboarding shoes and a renowned action sports brand.
His keen sense of marketing not only helped elevate DC to their current status, but it has also allowed Ken to achieve global fame as a national rally driver through his very successful viral video campaigns. Ad Age named his Gymkhana TWP film the No. 4 Viral Video of 2009.
In 2010, Ken goes global. He will compete in both Rally America and X Games in the United States with a Ford Fiesta, and WRC in a Ford Focus RS.
We make it easy for you to share this story with your friends; simply click on the “share this” method of your choice 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: FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ken Block, Live Chat, Rally America, X Games
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Fiesta - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
Picture Your Favorite Technologies in Sharp Focus
Monday, January 11th, 2010
The synergies between automotive and digital technologies have never been better integrated than they are in the next-generation Ford Focus. The global C-car debuts with the Ford’s new technology that changes the way people interact with their car’s vehicle information, entertainment features and even Bluetooth-enabled devices.
MyFord retains the traditional automotive interior layout – instrument cluster in front of the driver, center stack dividing the dashboard – and adds LCD screens to provide much of the visual information.
Drivers decide what – and how much – information is presented by using a combination of voice controls and five-way cell phone-style buttons mounted on the steering wheel. It’s easy to use, thanks to its layout and design. Plus, it’s tremendously scalable given all the functions available through the LCD screens and the power of SYNC®, the operating system behind MyFord.
Interacting with MyFord
MyFord divides information in a familiar fashion: left-hand and right-hand. A five-way switch, similar to the one found on most mobile phones and MP3 players, exists on each side of the steering wheel crossbar to control the information.
On basic MyFord trim levels, display duties are handled by two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens, one in the center of the instrument panel and another atop the center stack. Higher-specification versions use a 4.2-inch LCD in the center of the instrument panel and an 8-inch touch-screen display in the center stack.
The instrument panel display, controlled by the left-side five-way controller, contains information about the vehicle: fuel economy, mechanical status, safety features and other information typically found in the vehicle message center. The center stack display, controlled by the five-way controller on the right side, contains information relating to the vehicle occupants: entertainment system settings, climate control information and communications functions.
On MyFord models, a traditional telephone-style keypad and key command buttons surround the center stack display to provide quick access to commonly used features. Focus models with a touch-screen use a combination of on-screen buttons and the right-hand five-way controller to manage information.
How MyFord driver connect technology accommodates all types of drivers
To ensure the MyFord system is an instant hit with Focus buyers, designers prioritized four key attributes of the interface design:
Why design a new interface?
In recent years, the variety of in-car communications, navigation, audio and entertainment technologies that consumers demand has outgrown the traditional “button and knob” interface. Consumers have been suffering “button fatigue,” even as they’re demanding more in-car connectivity, more options and more information, which is likely to grow still further.
For example, consumers still were required to interrupt much of their communications, information flow and music when entering the vehicle. Once inside, the focus often was on song selection, making a phone call or setting up the navigation system rather than on driving.
The original SYNC system helped provide a seamless flow of information and entertainment to drivers. It now has even more capability available, and MyFord will help manage the immense functionality available to drivers. MyFord is the next major Ford technology geared toward helping drivers complete their tasks while keeping the focus on safe, attentive driving.
Quotes
“This isn’t a new dashboard or a new instrument cluster or an interior redesign. MyFord rethinks how information is presented to drivers and how drivers are able to personalize the way they relate to the information or entertainment the car makes available to them. It’s a groundbreaking, intuitive interface that puts tremendous power at the hands of Focus owners.” – Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
“With MyFord, we’re not asking drivers to relearn how to turn up the heat or change the radio volume. Those basic controls are exactly where you expect them. For those inclined to dive deeper and make their in-vehicle experience truly their own, though, there’s much more information and more control available with a few clicks of a steering wheel button.” – John Schneider, Chief Engineer, Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization
“The steering wheel has all the necessary functions available in a very compact area, right where your hand falls as you grab the wheel. And the five-way buttons will feel familiar to anyone who has used a mobile phone or MP3 player. Drivers aren’t forced to use an unfamiliar interface like a joystick or rotary knob.” – Gary Braddock, Ford Group Chief Designer
“Everything has been designed around usability. Our goal was to provide the means – multiple means, in many cases – for drivers to accomplish what they want to do. More importantly, we had to keep the focus on driving and not confuse drivers with a huge collection of buttons. MyFord was designed to work with the driver, not force the driver to work with it.”
– Tom Cullen, Project Manager for MyFord
“When we started work on MyFord, we saw this huge groundswell of new functionality and capability hitting consumers and expanding right before our eyes. We knew that unless we devised an intuitive interface for these capabilities, they would detract – and possibly distract – from the driving experience.”
– Gary Braddock, Ford Group Chief Designer
MyFord retains the traditional automotive interior layout – instrument cluster in front of the driver, center stack dividing the dashboard – and adds LCD screens to provide much of the visual information.
Drivers decide what – and how much – information is presented by using a combination of voice controls and five-way cell phone-style buttons mounted on the steering wheel. It’s easy to use, thanks to its layout and design. Plus, it’s tremendously scalable given all the functions available through the LCD screens and the power of SYNC®, the operating system behind MyFord.
Interacting with MyFord
MyFord divides information in a familiar fashion: left-hand and right-hand. A five-way switch, similar to the one found on most mobile phones and MP3 players, exists on each side of the steering wheel crossbar to control the information.
On basic MyFord trim levels, display duties are handled by two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens, one in the center of the instrument panel and another atop the center stack. Higher-specification versions use a 4.2-inch LCD in the center of the instrument panel and an 8-inch touch-screen display in the center stack.
The instrument panel display, controlled by the left-side five-way controller, contains information about the vehicle: fuel economy, mechanical status, safety features and other information typically found in the vehicle message center. The center stack display, controlled by the five-way controller on the right side, contains information relating to the vehicle occupants: entertainment system settings, climate control information and communications functions.
On MyFord models, a traditional telephone-style keypad and key command buttons surround the center stack display to provide quick access to commonly used features. Focus models with a touch-screen use a combination of on-screen buttons and the right-hand five-way controller to manage information.
How MyFord driver connect technology accommodates all types of drivers
To ensure the MyFord system is an instant hit with Focus buyers, designers prioritized four key attributes of the interface design:
- Attentive: MyFord uses controls, screens and other interfaces with which most users are already comfortable and familiar through popular consumer electronics devices.
- Approachable: MyFord is attractive, using rich graphics, vibrant colors, high-definition screens and easy-to-use buttons that are appealing to the eye and the touch.
- Clear: Rather than an imposing cluster of buttons, switches and dials, MyFord is clean-looking with controls that fall readily to hand and displays that are exactly where users expect to find them. Most major functions can be controlled through voice commands without the driver’s hands ever leaving the steering wheel.
- Connected: For technophiles, MyFord can be configured to display the information they want in the way they want it. For technophobes, radio, heating and air-conditioning controls are still accessible via familiar stack-mounted controls, so there’s no need to learn a host of new commands to operate the vehicle.
Why design a new interface?
In recent years, the variety of in-car communications, navigation, audio and entertainment technologies that consumers demand has outgrown the traditional “button and knob” interface. Consumers have been suffering “button fatigue,” even as they’re demanding more in-car connectivity, more options and more information, which is likely to grow still further.
For example, consumers still were required to interrupt much of their communications, information flow and music when entering the vehicle. Once inside, the focus often was on song selection, making a phone call or setting up the navigation system rather than on driving.
The original SYNC system helped provide a seamless flow of information and entertainment to drivers. It now has even more capability available, and MyFord will help manage the immense functionality available to drivers. MyFord is the next major Ford technology geared toward helping drivers complete their tasks while keeping the focus on safe, attentive driving.
Quotes
“This isn’t a new dashboard or a new instrument cluster or an interior redesign. MyFord rethinks how information is presented to drivers and how drivers are able to personalize the way they relate to the information or entertainment the car makes available to them. It’s a groundbreaking, intuitive interface that puts tremendous power at the hands of Focus owners.” – Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
“With MyFord, we’re not asking drivers to relearn how to turn up the heat or change the radio volume. Those basic controls are exactly where you expect them. For those inclined to dive deeper and make their in-vehicle experience truly their own, though, there’s much more information and more control available with a few clicks of a steering wheel button.” – John Schneider, Chief Engineer, Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization
“The steering wheel has all the necessary functions available in a very compact area, right where your hand falls as you grab the wheel. And the five-way buttons will feel familiar to anyone who has used a mobile phone or MP3 player. Drivers aren’t forced to use an unfamiliar interface like a joystick or rotary knob.” – Gary Braddock, Ford Group Chief Designer
“Everything has been designed around usability. Our goal was to provide the means – multiple means, in many cases – for drivers to accomplish what they want to do. More importantly, we had to keep the focus on driving and not confuse drivers with a huge collection of buttons. MyFord was designed to work with the driver, not force the driver to work with it.”
– Tom Cullen, Project Manager for MyFord
“When we started work on MyFord, we saw this huge groundswell of new functionality and capability hitting consumers and expanding right before our eyes. We knew that unless we devised an intuitive interface for these capabilities, they would detract – and possibly distract – from the driving experience.”
– Gary Braddock, Ford Group Chief Designer
Tags: Ford, Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company, global C-car, MyFord, NAIAS, SYNC, Technology
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
How to Get Focused on Fuel Economy
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Everyone knows that smaller cars mean better fuel economy, but there’s more to the story than mere size.
The reveal of the next-generation Ford Focus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show includes the first in a series of powertrain technology developments coming from Ford that give its new global C-segment leader a combination of power, exhilarating performance and unsurpassed fuel economy.
Ford has disclosed that North American models of the new Focus will be equipped with a responsive, fuel-efficient combination of a 2.0-liter I-4 engine with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and direct injection (DI) plus a dual-clutch PowerShift transmission.
The new engine is designed to deliver an estimated 155 horsepower and 145 ft.-lb. of torque to give customers ample performance and a refined driving experience.
The 2.0-liter Ti-VCT I-4 also serves as another example of Ford delivering fuel economy leadership by using advanced technologies to produce surprising power from minimal displacement. The engine can deliver outstanding fuel economy and emissions along with the throttle response, performance and flexibility expected from a world-class engine.
Core engine technologies
As a DOHC design, the 2.0-liter I-4 uses two camshafts: one to open the intake valves and one to open the exhaust valves. Traditionally, camshafts have only been able to open the valves at a fixed point, defined during engine design and manufacture. But with modern variable cam timing systems, the camshafts can be rotated slightly relative to their initial position, allowing the cam timing to be advanced or retarded.
Ti-VCT takes this technology and applies it to both the intake and exhaust camshafts of its DOHC design, using electronic solenoid valves to direct high-pressure oil to control vanes in each of the camshaft sprocket housings. By using one oil control solenoid per camshaft, controlled by the Electronic Control Module, each intake and exhaust cam can be advanced or retarded independently of the other as engine operating conditions change, providing an exceptional degree of valve timing control.
Attention to detail yields fuel economy improvements
Complementing the efficiencies introduced by Ti-VCT and DI, every aspect of the proven 2.0-liter I-4 was examined to identify ways fuel economy could be improved. Key strategies focused on reducing internal engine friction and reducing overall weight.
Computer modeling indicated areas where friction reduction strategies would pay the most dividends. The valvetrain received a fine surface treatment to present the smoothest surface possible. Piston skirts are treated with a special low-friction coating, and the oil pump and its drive ratio are sized for the exact capacity requirements of the new 2.0-liter engine.
PowerShift: A different kind of automatic
An all-new PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission that combines the responsive performance and fuel economy of a manual gearbox with the convenience of a traditional automatic transmission promises to be another key Focus powertrain technology.
Twin internal clutches keep the PowerShift in constant mesh, continuously optimizing for maximum responsiveness and fuel efficiency, depending on engine speed, vehicle speed and input from the driver’s foot on the accelerator pedal. The new technology provides significant fuel economy improvement, and for the driver, it retains the operational ease of an automatic with noticeably quicker and smoother shift quality.
PowerShift is a dual dry clutch transmission, operating with sealed internal lubrication, reducing friction and contributing to Focus fuel economy improvements. The lack of pumps and hoses reduces complexity, saves weight and contributes to fuel efficiency.
Learn more about the Ford Focus’s fuel economy.
Quotes
“Combining a direct-injected engine and the dual-clutch PowerShift transmission will help Focus redefine fuel economy and flexibility in the C-car segment. The refinement and sheer fun-to-drive nature of the new Focus will surprise a lot of drivers.”
– Barb Samardzich, Vice President for Ford’s Global Powertrain Development
“Using direct injection and Ti-VCT, and coupling that to a dual-clutch transmission, we’ve been able to make a quantum leap in fuel economy and performance. We’re meeting the goals of our global powertrain strategy, and we now have another key powertrain for use around the world.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
“The overlap control via Ti-VCT helps us eliminate compromises in the induction and exhaust systems. Drivers will notice improved low-end power and better fuel economy. And there are benefits they won’t notice too, like reduced emissions overall, especially at part-throttle.”
– Jamie Hanshaw, Ford VCT Technical Specialist
“The DI system creates an incredibly fine spray of gasoline that’s injected directly into the combustion chamber at the precise moment it’s needed, eliminating a lot of the compromises on traditional fuel systems. It sounds simple, but months of testing and computer simulation went into finding the exact injector spray pattern, where in the cylinder to aim the spray, and even the piston dome design.”
– Scott Makowski, I-4 Engine Manager
“PowerShift is a transmission that changes the game. Our fuel economy leader is now a PowerShift automatic. Previously, a C-segment driver needed a manual transmission and a clutch pedal to enjoy the greatest fuel efficiency.”
– Barb Samardzich, Vice President for Ford’s Global Powertrain Development
“When the new Focus launches in late 2010, it will be among the global leaders in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. We will continue to pioneer new technologies beyond launch, including a true zero-emission model launching in North America in 2011. Throughout its life cycle, Focus in all forms, in all regions, will demonstrate the Ford commitment to deliver unsurpassed fuel economy on a truly global scale.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
The reveal of the next-generation Ford Focus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show includes the first in a series of powertrain technology developments coming from Ford that give its new global C-segment leader a combination of power, exhilarating performance and unsurpassed fuel economy.
Ford has disclosed that North American models of the new Focus will be equipped with a responsive, fuel-efficient combination of a 2.0-liter I-4 engine with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and direct injection (DI) plus a dual-clutch PowerShift transmission.
The new engine is designed to deliver an estimated 155 horsepower and 145 ft.-lb. of torque to give customers ample performance and a refined driving experience.
The 2.0-liter Ti-VCT I-4 also serves as another example of Ford delivering fuel economy leadership by using advanced technologies to produce surprising power from minimal displacement. The engine can deliver outstanding fuel economy and emissions along with the throttle response, performance and flexibility expected from a world-class engine.
Core engine technologies
As a DOHC design, the 2.0-liter I-4 uses two camshafts: one to open the intake valves and one to open the exhaust valves. Traditionally, camshafts have only been able to open the valves at a fixed point, defined during engine design and manufacture. But with modern variable cam timing systems, the camshafts can be rotated slightly relative to their initial position, allowing the cam timing to be advanced or retarded.
Ti-VCT takes this technology and applies it to both the intake and exhaust camshafts of its DOHC design, using electronic solenoid valves to direct high-pressure oil to control vanes in each of the camshaft sprocket housings. By using one oil control solenoid per camshaft, controlled by the Electronic Control Module, each intake and exhaust cam can be advanced or retarded independently of the other as engine operating conditions change, providing an exceptional degree of valve timing control.
Attention to detail yields fuel economy improvements
Complementing the efficiencies introduced by Ti-VCT and DI, every aspect of the proven 2.0-liter I-4 was examined to identify ways fuel economy could be improved. Key strategies focused on reducing internal engine friction and reducing overall weight.
Computer modeling indicated areas where friction reduction strategies would pay the most dividends. The valvetrain received a fine surface treatment to present the smoothest surface possible. Piston skirts are treated with a special low-friction coating, and the oil pump and its drive ratio are sized for the exact capacity requirements of the new 2.0-liter engine.
PowerShift: A different kind of automatic
An all-new PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission that combines the responsive performance and fuel economy of a manual gearbox with the convenience of a traditional automatic transmission promises to be another key Focus powertrain technology.
Twin internal clutches keep the PowerShift in constant mesh, continuously optimizing for maximum responsiveness and fuel efficiency, depending on engine speed, vehicle speed and input from the driver’s foot on the accelerator pedal. The new technology provides significant fuel economy improvement, and for the driver, it retains the operational ease of an automatic with noticeably quicker and smoother shift quality.
PowerShift is a dual dry clutch transmission, operating with sealed internal lubrication, reducing friction and contributing to Focus fuel economy improvements. The lack of pumps and hoses reduces complexity, saves weight and contributes to fuel efficiency.
Learn more about the Ford Focus’s fuel economy.
Quotes
“Combining a direct-injected engine and the dual-clutch PowerShift transmission will help Focus redefine fuel economy and flexibility in the C-car segment. The refinement and sheer fun-to-drive nature of the new Focus will surprise a lot of drivers.”
– Barb Samardzich, Vice President for Ford’s Global Powertrain Development
“Using direct injection and Ti-VCT, and coupling that to a dual-clutch transmission, we’ve been able to make a quantum leap in fuel economy and performance. We’re meeting the goals of our global powertrain strategy, and we now have another key powertrain for use around the world.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
“The overlap control via Ti-VCT helps us eliminate compromises in the induction and exhaust systems. Drivers will notice improved low-end power and better fuel economy. And there are benefits they won’t notice too, like reduced emissions overall, especially at part-throttle.”
– Jamie Hanshaw, Ford VCT Technical Specialist
“The DI system creates an incredibly fine spray of gasoline that’s injected directly into the combustion chamber at the precise moment it’s needed, eliminating a lot of the compromises on traditional fuel systems. It sounds simple, but months of testing and computer simulation went into finding the exact injector spray pattern, where in the cylinder to aim the spray, and even the piston dome design.”
– Scott Makowski, I-4 Engine Manager
“PowerShift is a transmission that changes the game. Our fuel economy leader is now a PowerShift automatic. Previously, a C-segment driver needed a manual transmission and a clutch pedal to enjoy the greatest fuel efficiency.”
– Barb Samardzich, Vice President for Ford’s Global Powertrain Development
“When the new Focus launches in late 2010, it will be among the global leaders in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. We will continue to pioneer new technologies beyond launch, including a true zero-emission model launching in North America in 2011. Throughout its life cycle, Focus in all forms, in all regions, will demonstrate the Ford commitment to deliver unsurpassed fuel economy on a truly global scale.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
Tags: Ford, Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company, fuel economy, NAIAS
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
Isn’t Time You Got Into Focus?
Monday, January 11th, 2010
People are a-buzz about Ford Motor Company’s revitalized commitment to automotive excellence, and no car better represents its laser-like… Focus.
The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.
Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.
The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
Engineered without compromise
The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford’s European small and medium vehicle center of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford’s technical center in Dunton, England. The vehicle has been engineered without compromise to meet all customer and legislative requirements of the major worldwide markets.
In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the much-acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford’s engineering center in Dearborn, Mich.
Ford’s global development and sourcing strategy made it possible to provide a level of performance and feature content that is unrivaled for this vehicle segment and surprising even to drivers of larger, more premium vehicles.
Taking kinetic design to the next level
The no-compromise approach to the new Ford Focus is immediately evident from the striking exterior design of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models that take center stage at the 2010 NAIAS.
The two models share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford’s acclaimed kinetic design form language, which has contributed to the growing popularity of the company’s latest small and medium cars.
The kinetic design approach uses bold vehicle designs to capture the feeling of energy in motion, so that cars look like they are moving – even when they are standing still.
With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus clearly telegraphs the rewarding driving experience that awaits customers when they take to the road.
This dynamic quality is reinforced by the distinctive design of the interior. The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish center console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle’s major controls and display panels.
A key element of the interior is the quality of craftsmanship. The cabin’s bold and contemporary graphics, the sculptured shape of the soft-touch instrument panel and the choice of superior trim materials all help to give occupants the feeling that they are traveling in a premium-class car.
Intuitive technology enhances convenience and safety
The next-generation Focus will bring C-segment customers around the world an exciting array of advanced technologies generally found in larger, more premium vehicles. The global scale of Ford’s C-car program makes more technologies and features economically viable than ever before for cars in this segment.
The technology package of the new Focus promises not only clear leadership in the C-segment, but also includes features customers in larger, more premium segments would find surprising.
Within the cockpit, the most significant innovation is the company’s next-generation driver connect technology, MyFord, which provides the driver with a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate the key vehicle features. On high series vehicles, the MyFord system includes an 8-inch touch screen, allowing the driver to control a wide range of functions via a clear and intuitive color display.
MyFord is complemented by a new generation of Ford’s powerful SYNC® connectivity package, which includes a sophisticated voice control system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a wide variety of external devices and media players.
Learn more about the Ford Focus.
Quotes
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company. The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations.”
– Alan Mulally, Ford’s President and CEO
“Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles. Our next generation of C-cars – led by the exciting new Focus – will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Group Vice President of Global Product Development
“The all-new Focus is at the center of convergence for automotive trends. We’ve designed it with an acute understanding of global customers, yet it’s tailored for each individual region. Focus combines the best from Europe, North America and Asia to deliver a level of emotional driving enjoyment never before experienced in a car this size.”
– J Mays, Ford Group Vice President of Design and Chief Creative Officer
“We believe the new Ford Focus will provide consumers with an unmatched driving experience, together with an unrivaled ownership experience. The Focus brand always has been very special to Ford, and this new global model shows our commitment to developing another generation of exciting and appealing cars.”
– Jim Farley, Ford Group Vice President, Global Marketing
The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.
Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.
The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
Engineered without compromise
The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford’s European small and medium vehicle center of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford’s technical center in Dunton, England. The vehicle has been engineered without compromise to meet all customer and legislative requirements of the major worldwide markets.
In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the much-acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford’s engineering center in Dearborn, Mich.
Ford’s global development and sourcing strategy made it possible to provide a level of performance and feature content that is unrivaled for this vehicle segment and surprising even to drivers of larger, more premium vehicles.
Taking kinetic design to the next level
The no-compromise approach to the new Ford Focus is immediately evident from the striking exterior design of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models that take center stage at the 2010 NAIAS.
The two models share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford’s acclaimed kinetic design form language, which has contributed to the growing popularity of the company’s latest small and medium cars.
The kinetic design approach uses bold vehicle designs to capture the feeling of energy in motion, so that cars look like they are moving – even when they are standing still.
With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus clearly telegraphs the rewarding driving experience that awaits customers when they take to the road.
This dynamic quality is reinforced by the distinctive design of the interior. The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish center console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle’s major controls and display panels.
A key element of the interior is the quality of craftsmanship. The cabin’s bold and contemporary graphics, the sculptured shape of the soft-touch instrument panel and the choice of superior trim materials all help to give occupants the feeling that they are traveling in a premium-class car.
Intuitive technology enhances convenience and safety
The next-generation Focus will bring C-segment customers around the world an exciting array of advanced technologies generally found in larger, more premium vehicles. The global scale of Ford’s C-car program makes more technologies and features economically viable than ever before for cars in this segment.
The technology package of the new Focus promises not only clear leadership in the C-segment, but also includes features customers in larger, more premium segments would find surprising.
Within the cockpit, the most significant innovation is the company’s next-generation driver connect technology, MyFord, which provides the driver with a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate the key vehicle features. On high series vehicles, the MyFord system includes an 8-inch touch screen, allowing the driver to control a wide range of functions via a clear and intuitive color display.
MyFord is complemented by a new generation of Ford’s powerful SYNC® connectivity package, which includes a sophisticated voice control system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a wide variety of external devices and media players.
Learn more about the Ford Focus.
Quotes
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company. The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations.”
– Alan Mulally, Ford’s President and CEO
“Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles. Our next generation of C-cars – led by the exciting new Focus – will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Group Vice President of Global Product Development
“The all-new Focus is at the center of convergence for automotive trends. We’ve designed it with an acute understanding of global customers, yet it’s tailored for each individual region. Focus combines the best from Europe, North America and Asia to deliver a level of emotional driving enjoyment never before experienced in a car this size.”
– J Mays, Ford Group Vice President of Design and Chief Creative Officer
“We believe the new Ford Focus will provide consumers with an unmatched driving experience, together with an unrivaled ownership experience. The Focus brand always has been very special to Ford, and this new global model shows our commitment to developing another generation of exciting and appealing cars.”
– Jim Farley, Ford Group Vice President, Global Marketing
Tags: Ford, Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company, fuel economy, NAIAS, Technology
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
Taking Charge – Ford’s Electrification Plans Get a Boost
Friday, October 9th, 2009
To hear Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of Global Electrification, talk about Ford's electric and hybrid vehicle plans click here.
Ford Motor Company is intensifying its focus on global electrification with the creation of a new position to lead the planning and strategy for Ford’s future electric vehicle portfolio.
Nancy Gioia, formerly Ford’s director of Sustainable Mobility Technology and Hybrid Vehicle Programs, North America, has been named director of Ford Global Electrification.
Charging forward
In her new position, Gioia will direct strategy and planning for Ford’s global electric vehicle portfolio, touching all aspects of electrified transportation, including product planning, supplier partnerships and collaboration with the energy industry and government.
Ford’s has announced plans to develop three distinct types of electrified vehicles – hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and pure battery electric vehicles. They include:
- Battery electric Transit Connect commercial van in 2010
- Battery electric Focus passenger car in 2011
- Next-generation hybrid vehicle in 2012
- Plug-in hybrid in 2012
Ford’s electrification strategy is consistent with its commitment to deliver affordable fuel efficient technology to millions of customers. The company is poised to take advantage of rapid advancements in electrified vehicle technology – particularly lithium-ion batteries – while leveraging the scale of global vehicle platforms to ultimately reduce the cost of new electric vehicles.
Global fleet testing under way
The globalization of Ford’s electrification strategy is well under way, with test fleets on both sides of the Atlantic. At the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford of Europe revealed the first of a fleet of battery electric vehicle prototypes based on the Ford Focus, and specially developed to participate in the U.K. government’s “Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles” demonstration initiative next year. The research program aims to test the technology’s suitability for potential future application in Ford’s European passenger car range.
A consortium of Ford, Scottish and Southern Energy and Strathclyde University will use the fleet of 15 prototype Ford Focus BEVs and a charging infrastructure in and around the London Borough of Hillingdon starting in early 2010.
The Focus BEV prototype is based on the current European Ford Focus and will use a new all-electric powertrain, developed with Ford supplier partner Magna. This technology is based on that being developed for Ford’s new-generation C-sized global vehicle architecture that will be launched in North America in 2011.
In North America, Ford and its energy industry partners continue to collaborate on the connectivity issue between electric vehicles and the electric grid. Over the past two years, Ford and its utility partners have logged more than 75,000 miles on a test fleet of plug-in Escape Hybrids. Plug-in hybrid research focuses on four primary areas: battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage and grid infrastructure.
In addition, Ford has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that “talks” directly with the nation’s electric grid.
Commercial and retail electric products planned
Ford is set to deliver its first electrified vehicle in 2010 when it will launch a pure battery electric Transit Connect small commercial van. The vehicle will be targeted to fleets and businesses with short, defined transportation routes and the ability to return to a central charging location at day’s end.
In 2011, Ford will launch the battery electric Ford Focus passenger vehicle. Built off the new global C platform, the BEV Focus will be produced at the Michigan Assembly Plant for both retail and commercial customers.
Quotes
“We recognize that pursuing electrification as one of our technology paths presents unique challenges for commercialization of the vehicles. It requires us to collaborate with new partners, define new business models, connect to a new infrastructure for the vehicles and meet new customer expectations around the globe.”
– Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering
“Ford is strongly positioned to accelerate its electric vehicle strategy thanks in part to the significant research we’ve already completed. Nancy’s unique background and experience in leading the hybrid technology and electric vehicle product teams position her well to coordinate our electric efforts across product development, sustainability and government affairs as we move to the next frontier of this new form of transportation.”
– Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president, Powertrain Engineering
“This fleet of Focus BEV prototypes is an important step toward developing a realistic solution and viable market for electric vehicles in the U.K., Europe and North America. Our electrification strategy absolutely depends on strong alliances with key partners whose expertise and resources complement our extensive experience and global production capabilities.”
– Nancy Gioia, Director of Ford Global Electrification
“Broad commercialization of electric transportation will require unprecedented collaboration among all stakeholders and new ways of doing business. Ford is committed to help lead the way to find creative solutions to ensure that electrified vehicles can deliver benefits to our customers, the environment and our business around the globe in a sustainable way.”
– Nancy Gioia, Director of Ford Global Electrification
Tags: 2010 Transit Connect, 2011 Ford Focus, BEV, electric vehicle, electric vehicle fleet, Focus, Ford, Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford Focus, Ford Global Electrification, Ford Motor Company, Hybrid Electric Vehicles, lithium-ion, Magna, Nancy Gioia, partnerships, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, portfolio, pure battery electric vehicles, Sustainable Mobility Technology and Hybrid Vehicle Program, Transit Connect, Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles, vehicle-to-grid
Posted in Electrification, Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets, Ford Technology - text, Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »
Chantel Lenard – a Live Chat About Ford’s New Small and Medium Vehicles
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Chantel Lenard has a hot job: she is the group marketing manager for Ford’s small and medium vehicles in the U.S.
These two segments are seeing lots of activity from automakers, and Ford will soon offer 10 unique models created from the company’s all-new global C-Car platform, developed under its “One Ford” strategy. The rapid expansion of the company’s B- and C-sized line-up is an exciting and challenging opportunity for Lenard and her team.
Join the chat below, scheduled for Friday, October 2, at 2:30 p.m. EDT to see ask her about these segments.
“Since 2004, the small car market has grown from less than 15 percent of the U.S. market, to nearly 22 percent of industry sales through August of this year”, said Lenard. “Ford is in a unique position to take advantage of that growth, by leveraging our world-class global B and C platforms to bring outstanding small vehicles to market quickly.”
In Europe, Ford cars have a strong reputation for outstanding driving dynamics, eye-catching design, and innovative technology. Leveraging these strengths globally allows Ford economy-of-scale benefits that will provide excellent value to consumers, and technology not typically seen in small cars.
Having held a variety of sales, marketing, and strategy positions with Ford, Lenard describes her present role as one of the most challenging. By the end of 2011, Lenard will oversee the launch of the Ford Fiesta, the all new, next-generation Ford Focus sedan and five-door hatchback, a battery-electric Focus, the C-MAX, and a Mercury C-sedan.
We make it easy for you to share this story with your friends; simply click on the “share this” method of your choice 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 home page.
Tags: C-MAX, Ford, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company, Mercury
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Fiesta - text, Ford Quality - text | No Comments »
Battery Electric Ford Focus in the Spotlight on Leno Show
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Veteran TV funnyman Jay Leno knows how to get a charge out of his audiences, and he usually does it by making them laugh. But now the noted car guy plans to get his millions of viewers charged up about electric cars by putting celebs exclusively behind the wheel of the all-new battery electric Ford Focus for “The Jay Leno Show” segment called the “Green Car Challenge.”
The battery electric vehicle, specially made for the show, features elements of the electric Focus that Ford will begin selling in North America in 2011.
The Star of the Show
Leno will exclusively showcase Ford’s electric Focus during the entire first season, which kicks off Sept. 14. Celebrity guests will compete against each other in the “Green Car Challenge” segment.
Ford’s hybrid and battery electric vehicle program team worked together with Ford Racing to develop the special BEV for the show. It took three weeks to build the car and another couple of weeks to properly tune the suspension so it could be driven fast on a racetrack. The development work was done at Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds in Romeo, Mich.
The Focus BEV built for the show has a split battery pack, with one battery in the cargo area and one underneath the car in the space normally occupied by a fuel tank. Because this Focus is built to race, it is equipped with a roll bar and five-point harness for the driver.
Ford’s Electrifying Development
Ford has an aggressive plan to put at least four electrified vehicles on the road in North America by 2012, as well as new hybrids and a plug-in hybrid. Among coming products are pure battery electric versions of the Transit Connect commercial van in 2010 and Focus sedan in 2011. The Transit Connect is expected to have a range of up to 100 miles.
The Focus BEV, which Ford is developing with Magna, will be produced at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. The sedan can be charged from both a standard 110V as well as a 220V wall outlet.
Quotes
“Having our Focus battery electric vehicle on the show is a great way to demonstrate how fun to drive these cars really can be. Beyond the immediate excitement of driving, it demonstrates that Ford is investing in this technology and that we’re committed to electric vehicles.”
– Lisa Drake, chief engineer, Ford Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicle Programs
“Ford is absolutely committed to delivering best-in-class fuel efficiency with every new vehicle we introduce. The Focus showcases how electric vehicles can be smart, green, fast and fun. It also illustrates Ford’s commitment to fuel efficiency and doing our part to contribute to a better world.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development
“We are committed to delivering new products with the best fuel economy in every segment in which we compete – driven in large part by substantial advancements in powertrain technology. We are focusing on sustainable technology solutions that can be used not for hundreds or thousands of cars – but for millions of cars, because that is how Ford truly will make a difference.”
– Barb Samardzich, vice president, Ford Global Powertrain Engineering.
Tags: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), BEV, Ford Focus, Fordmotorcompany, Ford’s Michigan Proving Ground, Michigan Assembly Plant, The Jay Leno Show
Posted in Ford and the Environment - text, Ford in Entertainment - Text | No Comments »
Live Chat with George Pipas, U.S. Sales Analysis and Reporting
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
George Pipas, Ford’s sales analyst since 1997, recently told CNBC that he is cautiously optimistic about Ford’s sales momentum as well as economic expansion in the U.S. during the second half of 2009 and early 2010. Top financial and business media, investors and security analysts frequently turn to Pipas, who joined Ford in 1976, for his studied analysis of U.S. market trends and insight regarding the company’s progress.
Now you’ll have your chance to ask him your questions about Ford sales. Join him here for a live chat at 12:00pm (EST) on Thursday, September 3, 2009.
<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=e2c1ba3295" mce_href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=e2c1ba3295" >Chat with George Pipas, Ford’s Lead Sales Analyst, on Trends in New Vehicle Sales</a>
Pipas said there is reason to believe that economic expansion is possible due to strong interest among small business owners for work vehicles such as the Ford F-Series trucks, E-series vans and Ford’s new Transit Connect compact van that debuts in 2010. He added that consumer consideration for the Ford brand is up 17 percent since the beginning of the year, and Ford’s Focus, Fusion and Escape have recently posted record sales.
Pipas added that the government’s recently concluded Cash for Clunkers program helped drive a second straight sales increase for Ford and that the company has gained market share in 10 of the past 11 months. He is cautious about industry-wide sales levels going forward, however, because the economy is not yet on firm enough ground to sustain the level of sales seen in August.
Tags: Cash for Clunkers, F-Series, Ford Escape, Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, Ford Motor Company, George Pipas, Transit Connect
Posted in Ford Fusion - text, Ford Quality - text | No Comments »
FORD FOCUS EARNS IIHS ‘TOP SAFETY PICK’
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
Think size matters? Think again. Ford Motor Company’s smallest North American car, the two-door 2009 Focus, is its latest vehicle to earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). More than any other automaker, Ford offers vehicles in a full range of sizes that deliver both top-rated safety and fuel efficiency that is the best or among the best in its segment.
The 2009 Ford Focus coupe delivers up to 35 mpg and features six standard air bags, standard ABS and available stability control – features that helped it earn Top Safety Pick. Focus will be among the first vehicles to offer MyKey, which allows parents to limit the top speed and radio volume, and set other limits, when their teen is driving.
Small Car Safety
The 2009 Focus uses high strength steel throughout its structure, is loaded with six standard airbags – including side curtains and seat-mounted air bags – and comes with new front seats designed to perform well in dynamic rear impact collisions.
The Focus’ front seats are designed to help reduce the risk of soft tissue neck injuries, commonly referred to as “whiplash,” by keeping the occupant in the proper position in the event of a rear collision. The head restraint and seatback work together to maintain the occupant’s alignment by supporting the head, neck and torso. This helps manage the crash forces and minimizes the chances of whiplash-type injuries.
Focus features Ford’s fully integrated, computer-driven Personal Safety System™, which employs nearly a dozen technologically advanced components. It analyzes different frontal crash conditions and deploys the appropriate occupant protection systems for the specific crash conditions.
A new option for 2009 is electronic stability control (ESC), which uses sophisticated sensors and the anti-lock braking system to help drivers maintain control of their vehicle under a variety of driving conditions.
MyKey Promotes Teen Safety
Later this summer, Ford will begin rolling out its innovative MyKey technology, which is designed to help parents encourage their teen-agers to drive safer and more fuel efficiently, and increase safety-belt usage.
The feature will debut as standard equipment on the 2010 Ford Focus and will quickly become standard on many other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models. It allows owners to program a key that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume. MyKey also encourages safety-belt usage by muting the audio system until front occupants buckle up.
SYNC Helps Drivers Remain Focused
Also setting the Focus coupe apart from other small cars is Ford’s industry-exclusive SYNC® technology, which is standard equipment on the SES and SEL series and optional on the SE. Ford SYNC, introduced first on the 2008 Focus, is a fully integrated, voice-activated communications and entertainment system allowing customers to operate their Bluetooth®-enabled cell phones and digital media players with voice commands.
Recent Ford telematics research shows that Ford SYNC hands-free system significantly reduces the level of distraction when drivers select a phone number or choose a song on their MP3 player compared with the same operations with hand-held cell phones and music players. For example, reading a text message on a handheld phone typically took the driver’s eyes off the road for 11 seconds compared to about 2 seconds when listening to the text message with SYNC’s text-to-speech output.
Ford’s research is consistent with a prior Virginia Tech and the U.S. Department of Transportation study, which concluded that manually dialing a handheld device – a task that requires glancing away from the road – while driving was almost 2.8 times riskier than normal driving. However, the on-the-road study showed that talking/listening on a hands-free phone while driving was no riskier than normal driving.
Bumper to Bumper Compatibility
Ford continues to build safety into small cars while leading industry efforts to make the bumper structures of larger vehicles such as crossovers, SUVs and pickups more crash compatible with the bumpers of smaller vehicles, including the 2009 Focus.
Ford was the first to market with crash structures to make passenger cars, such as the Focus, more compatible with SUVs. Product design revisions make both types of vehicles more resistant to damage and less likely to cause damage in low-speed crashes.
Fuel Efficient Focus
The 2009 Focus Coupe is equipped with a 2.0-liter, Duratec 20 dual-overhead-cam (DOHC), I-4 engine that delivers 143 horsepower when combined with a five-speed manual transmission and 140 horsepower when paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Also available is a super-clean, 130-horsepower Duratec 20E engine that qualifies Focus as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in California emissions states. The 20E’s tailpipe emissions are cleaner than some hybrid gas-electric vehicles'. The Duratec 20 and 20E in Focus Coupe are mated to a five-speed manual transmission and achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 35 mpg highway.
QUOTES:
“The Focus is another example of how Ford is leading the way in enhancing safety and saving fuel; a commitment backed up the most top crash safety ratings and leading fuel economy with each new vehicle.”
– Sue Cischke, Ford Group Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering
“The two-door Focus’s crash test performance shows that a high level of protection can come in a small package.”
– Steve Kozak, Chief Engineer, Ford Safety Systems
Tags: Ford, Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company, safety
Posted in Ford Safety - text | No Comments »
Ford To Convert SUV Factory Into Flexible Small Car Plant
Monday, June 22nd, 2009Investing $550 million, Ford to transform its Michigan Assembly Plant to build small cars
The Michigan Assembly Plant – formerly the production site for Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigators SUVs – is one of three North American light truck plants Ford is retooling to build fuel-efficient, global, small cars. Additionally, Ford and United Auto Workers are developing a framework of new and leading-edge operating practices at the plant that will ensure high quality and maximum efficiency.
When production launches in 2010, approximately 3,200 employees will be building the new Focus at the leaner, greener and more flexible manufacturing complex. The new Focus will begin rolling off the line next year and the battery-electric version of the Focus – Ford’s first all-electric passenger car – debuts in 2011.
Some key features of the assembly plant transformation include:
- A flexible body shop operation, which uses reprogrammable tooling in the body shop, standardized equipment in the paint shop and a common-build sequence in final assembly, enabling production of multiple models in the same plant.
- Ford’s industry-leading virtual manufacturing technology that allows engineers and plant operators evaluate tooling and product interfaces before costly installations are made on the plant floor. This method of collaboration improves launch quality and enables speed of execution.
- An integrated stamping facility, which allows the stamping and welding of all large sheet-metal parts on-site, ensuring maximum quality and minimum overhead.
The $550 million investment in Michigan Assembly Plant includes more than $430 million in manufacturing investment at the site, as well as $120 million for launch and engineering costs. Ford also will be making significant investment in supplier tooling to support the plant.
The state of Michigan and local governments provided tax incentives and grants that enabled the investment in Michigan Assembly, which will be designated as the state’s first automotive technology anchor site.
Quotes
“The transformation of Michigan Assembly Plant embodies the larger transformation under way at Ford. This is about investing in modern, efficient and flexible American manufacturing. It is about fuel economy and the electrification of vehicles. It is about leveraging our expertise and vehicle platforms around the world and partnering with the UAW to deliver best-in-class global small cars. It is about skilled and motivated teams working together in new ways to create the future of automobile manufacturing in the United States.” - Alan Mulally, Ford President and CEO
“Ford is investing in both the future of the American auto industry and the state of Michigan by bringing together world-class products, advanced technology applications and strong partnerships with the UAW to build the next generation of vehicles that will help end our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. In these challenging economic times, we applaud and appreciate Ford's commitment to Michigan and to our talented workforce.” - Jennifer Granholm, Michigan Governor
“We’re changing from a company focused mainly on trucks and SUVs to a company with a balanced product lineup that includes even more high-quality, fuel-efficient small cars, hybrids and all-electric vehicles. As customers move to more fuel-efficient vehicles, we’ll be there with more of the products they really want.” - Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas
Related Links
Fact Sheet: Michigan Assembly Plant
Michigan Assembly Plant
Flexible Manufacturing Fact Sheet (PDF)
Tags: Ford, Ford engineering, Ford Focus, Ford manufacturing, Ford Motor Company, Ford Technology, Michigan Assembly Plant, vehicle quality assurance
Posted in A Year In Review: 2009, Electrification | No Comments »
FORD INVESTS IN AMERICAN FACTORY TO BUILD NEW GLOBAL SMALL CARS AND ELECTRIC PASSENGER CAR
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
Ford Motor Company will invest $550 million to transform its Michigan Assembly Plant into a lean, green and flexible manufacturing complex to build Ford's next-generation Focus global small car along with a new battery-electric passenger car. The investment will support 3,200 jobs. The new Focus begins production next year. The battery-electric version debuts in 2011, helping Ford meet its promise of delivering four new electric vehicles in the US by 2012.
Tags: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Ford, Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company
Posted in A Year In Review: 2009 | No Comments »
Ford Battery Electric Vehicle Test Unit
Sunday, January 11th, 2009Ford is bringing a new family of electrified vehicles to market over the next four years.
Test vehicles have already been on the road for six months as Ford’s aggressive new electrification strategy calls for the introduction of new hybrids, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles based on two new global product platforms. The plan calls for the introduction in 2011 of a pure Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) – using cutting-edge lithium-ion battery technology – as a passenger car in North America.
Ford has concealed the advanced, eco-friendly technologies in a familiar package – the test vehicles look just like a 2009 Ford Focus. But the difference lies under the hood in a new all-electric powertrain that will go into a Ford’s new-generation C-sized global vehicle platform. Electrification of two key global Ford product platforms – one for Focus-size small cars and the other for Fusion-size CD cars – means the electric vehicle powertrain uses the existing structure of the vehicle platform.
On an overnight charge, the vehicle goes for a range of more than 80 miles without a single drop of gas. Working closely with Magna International, a world-class automotive supplier with deep technology expertise, Ford is targeting a range of up to 100 miles when it is introduced to the retail market.
Key BEV facts include:
- The BEV test vehicle features a battery pack with seven modules of 14 lithium-ion cells, giving the vehicle 23 kilowatt hours or usable energy.
- The BEV test vehicle has a charge time of 12 hours from a 110-volt outlet. The production model will be rechargeable from 220- or 110-volt outlets, with respective charging times of 6 and 12 hours.
- The powertrain, including the motor and gearbox, are packaged under the hood just like a gasoline powertrain, using existing powertrain mounts. This makes the electrified vehicle uncompromised in terms of robustness and low noise and vibration.
Quotes
“When we drove the test vehicle for the first time, the quality just blew us away. This really validates Ford’s strategy on electrification with BEVs playing a key role in the technology transformation. Even on a test vehicle, you can see that everything is packaged intelligently. This is the result of a true collaborative effort with a strong partner, demonstrating that we can bring a high-quality fantastic customer experience to the road quickly. Just wait until you see the finished product!”
- Lisa Drake, Chief Engineer, Ford Sustainable Mobility Technology
“Our objective was to make this test vehicle as great to drive as any Ford Focus. We’re demonstrating that with a battery electric vehicle you don’t have to give up anything. Everything you love about the Focus is still there. It’s very responsive and has great driveability.”
- Dick DeVogelaere, Magna International Chief Engineer on the Project
Tags: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), environment, Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company, sustainability
Posted in Electrification, Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »
Affordable Fuel Efficiency
Sunday, January 11th, 2009Ford aggressively delivering affordable fuel efficiency to millions of consumers.
Studies show that fuel economy is one of the most important factors for car buyers. By investing in advanced technologies and products to improve fuel efficiency over the next four years, Ford will leverage the company’s global product strengths and bring more, smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles to the U.S. market.
Ford is accelerating the introduction of more fuel-efficient vehicles – including a broader range of hybrid-electric vehicles and the introduction of plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles. Improved fuel economy is evident in Ford’s new and upcoming vehicles:
- The 2009 Ford Flex is the most fuel-efficient standard seven-passenger vehicle on the market.
- The 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy; the hybrid versions are the most fuel-efficient utility vehicles available.
- The new 2009 F-150 offers fuel economy gains as high as 12 percent versus the prior model year; the SFE package delivers unsurpassed fuel economy.
- The 2009 Ford Focus delivers highway fuel economy of up to 35 mpg.
- The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids are America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedans; both feature SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide, a new instrument cluster execution that gives hybrid owners a more connected, fuel-efficient driving experience by coaching them on how to optimize performance.
- The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan feature the all-new fuel-efficient Duratec 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine.
- EcoBoost engine technology, which will available on 80 percent of the lineup by 2013, will deliver up to 20 percent fuel economy savings, up to 15 percent CO2 reductions and a boost in driving enjoyment compared to larger displacement engines.
- The new Transit Connect van will offer the top mileage in the segment, making it easy for small businesses and other users to increase their fuel economy.
The new Ford Fiesta will offer further improvements in fuel economy.- The new global Ford Focus will be more fuel-efficient than the current North American model through new direct injection engine technology and a new six-speed transmission.
Related Link
SmartGauge with EcoGuide Fact Sheet (PDF)
Tags: 2009 F-150, environment, Ford Escape, Ford Fiesta, Ford Flex, Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, fuel efficiency, Mercury Mariner, Mercury Milan Hybrids
Posted in Electrification, Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »
PILLAR 2: NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Friday, December 5th, 2008No element is more important to Ford’s plan than accelerating the production of new vehicle customers want and value.
Ford plans to achieve a better vehicle segment mix by recognizing the shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, while still maintaining leadership in our areas of traditional strength. Highlights from the section of the plan that address new product development include:
- By increasing car and crossover segment mix from 48 percent to 60 percent in the next four years, Ford will have a balanced and complete portfolio of small, medium and large vehicles in the car, utility and truck segments.
- Ford will continue to build product excellence through leadership in fuel economy, innovation, quality, safety, and leading edge “comfort and convenience” technology. For example, by 2010 half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury light duty nameplates will qualify as “Advanced Technology Vehicles” under the Energy Independence and Security Act– increasing to 75 percent in 2011 and over 90 percent in 2014. In fact, Ford will achieve annual fuel savings of 2.5 billion gallons by 2012 model year.
- Ford has made immediate and significant improvements on a wide scale and accelerated electrification, including next generation hybrids and all-electric vehicles.
- On the heels of improving our engineering costs and facilities and tooling costs for a new vehicle by 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively, between 2005 and 2008, Ford continues to make substantial improvements in engineering and investment efficiency facilitated by leveraging the global assets of “One Ford” and a reduction in the number of vehicle platforms, engines, transmissions, and customer offered complexity.
- To ensure profitability of small cars, Ford plans to increase volume of Ford Focus sized vehicles to over 2 million units per year globally, and boost margins by improving revenues and costs.
To read the section on new product development, click here.
Tags: Advanced Technology Vehicles, automotive industry, Ford Focus
Posted in The Ford Story - text | No Comments »
Ford Focus: Most Improved Model
Monday, November 24th, 2008Fuel Economy, Technology Make Ford Focus Most Improved Model in J.D. Power And Associates’ APEAL Study
[ford.media.com: Press Release]
In June, the Ford Focus was recognized as the most improved vehicle in the industry’s top study measuring customer-pleasing design, content, and vehicle performance. The J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, showed Focus raised its score over last year by 88 index points. Ford’s compact car performed better than the segment average in every category.
Tags: Ford Focus, Ford Motor Company, JD Powers & Associates, most improved model, quality
Posted in 2008-text, Delivering Quality | No Comments »
Focus Keeps Costs Down
Monday, September 8th, 2008Ford Focus Outperforms Competition in Repair Cost Affordability
Ford Motor Company’s hot-selling and fuel-efficient Ford Focus is significantly less expensive to repair than 19 other small cars, including the Toyota Prius, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported last week.
Keeping Repair Costs Low
In a recent series of crash tests, IIHS determined that Ford Focus had the lowest repair costs among those tested. Compared to the Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Rabbit, which sustained about $4,000 or more in damage in a single test, the Focus sustained about two-thirds less damage. IIHS praised Ford for equipping the Focus with bumpers that keep their repair costs relatively low. In three of four tests, the Focus’s bumpers protected sheet metal and most other expensive parts from damage, the Institute concluded.
Typically, each of the four tests inflicted more than $1,000 in damage. For example, in the full-width bumper test, the Focus sustained less than $600 in repair costs, compared with the Hyundai Elantra, which sustained nearly $5,000 in damage – almost one-third of the car’s sales price, the IIHS reported.
Designing with Damageability in Mind
Ford Motor Company vehicles are less costly to repair, in part because the company works closely with insurance companies to ensure vehicle designs include damageability and cost of ownership targets.
Ford also references insurance-related data pertaining to average repair costs and loss frequencies from Highway Loss Data Institute, Insurance Services Office, IIHS and NHTSA in vehicle target setting. With this data, Ford is able to benchmark its vehicles against the competition and determine where best to focus its efforts in order to achieve lower collision repair costs, which ultimately result in lower insurance premiums for customers.
How the Tests are Done
To assess a vehicle’s collision loss, IIHS uses a crash barrier that resembles a car bumper, with a foam cover on it. The institute rams vehicles straight-on at 6 mph into their front and rear bumpers and at 3 mph into one front and one rear corner. In almost all the tests, damage extends beyond the bumper. The impacts often buckle the hood, poke out headlights, and smash through grilles, besides damaging the cosmetic bumper cover and the metal bumper bar beneath it.
In the U.S., passenger cars are required to withstand a 2.5-mph impact with no damage. Better bumper designs can reduce those costs dramatically without requiring carmakers to make radical changes, the Institute says.
Tags: , Ford Focus, IIHS
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
Fuel Cell Program Extended
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008Ford Hydrogen Vehicles Exceeding Expectations
Ford Motor Company’s fleet of 30 Focus Fuel Cell vehicles has exceeded the expectations of the company’s hydrogen research engineers by accumulating more than 865,000 real world miles without significant maintenance issues since the fleet’s launch in 2005.
Encouraged by the program’s success, Ford recently reached an agreement with program co-sponsor, the U.S. Department of Energy, to extend its hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle program for up to 24 months, until the next generation system is ready for deployment in 2010.
Fleet Customers ‘Charged Up’ by Fuel Cell Cars
The Ford Focus Fuel Cell vehicles have earned accolades from Ford’s fleet partners in the U.S., Germany, Canada and Iceland. Customer surveys indicate that Ford’s fuel cell vehicles have outperformed those of other automakers in areas of acceleration, comfort (air conditioning), durability, reliability and mileage.
Next Generation in the Works
Ford researchers are developing the next generation of fuel cell technology. The team is expecting significantly increased fuel cell life, better mileage, more efficient use of platinum (a key catalyst), more power from a smaller fuel cell stack, improved reliability, and the ability to start under frozen conditions (thanks to cold climate testing in Iceland).
How Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Work
An H2 fuel cell vehicle produces electricity through an electro-chemical process in the fuel cell stack. There are zero tailpipe emissions when using this technology, with only drops of water coming from the tailpipe. Experts maintain that widespread use of H2-fueled vehicles could help eliminate CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change.
Hydrogen Buses Serving Commuter Needs
Ford recently introduced a hydrogen shuttle bus service for military commuters between Fort Leonard Wood and Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo. Additional Ford hydrogen bus users include the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, SeaWorld Orlando, the City of Las Vegas, San Mateo County Transportation Authority, Ottawa Parliament Hill, Prince Edward Island, the City of Toronto, and the City of Vancouver.
Hydrogen and Beyond
Additional Ford hydrogen projects have included the Fusion Hydrogen 999 that set a land speed record in 2007, a Fuel Cell Explorer and a Plug-in Hybrid Edge that uses a fuel cell-powered HySeries DriveTM. H2-fueled technologies are part of Ford’s long term strategy to implement a variety of alternative technologies to increase fuel efficiency and reduce CO2.
Tags: Ford Focus, H2ICE, Hydrogen Fuel-Cell, U.S. Department of Energy
Posted in Ford Technology - text, Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »
HUGE STRIDES IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Friday, June 27th, 2008The popular Ford Focus bests industry segment average as most improved model.
A top industry study named Ford Focus the most improved model in the industry. The 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study by J.D. Power and Associates showed that Focus gained 88 index points over last year.
With the biggest improvement score in the industry, Focus performed better across all categories with significant improvements in the areas of fuel economy, audio/entertainment/navigation, interior styling and exterior styling.
Earning a 36-index point improvement was the Ford Escape, which put the strong seller in the top 10 of most improved vehicles in the industry. Five Ford Motor Company vehicles received second or third honors in their segments:
- Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 2nd place in Midsize Pickup segment
- Mazda CX7, 2nd place in Compact Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) segment
- Mazda CX9, 2nd place in Midsize MAV segment
- Ford Focus, 3rd place in Compact Car segment
- Lincoln Navigator, 3rd place in Large Premium MAV segment
Overall, Ford moved up five positions to 22nd, with a 14-point improvement. Lincoln checked in at 12th place and Mercury placed 29th, improving by 12 index points.
Tags: Ford Escape, Ford Focus, Ford Quality, J.D. Power and Associates, Lincoln Navigator, Mazda CX7, Mazda CX9, Mercury, vehicle quality assurance
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets, Ford Quality - text | No Comments »
FOCUS NAMED COOL NEW CAR
Thursday, May 1st, 2008Ford Focus cited as a cool, affordable car by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
For the fourth consecutive year, Ford Focus has been recognized as “one of the coolest new cars under $18,000” based on pricing under $18,000 by Kelley Blue Book’s New Car Blue Book Values (what consumers are actually paying for the vehicle). The Focus came in at $14,942.
To narrow the list to 10 from the 40 cars considered the kkb.com editors used fuel economy, comfort, technology, safety, interior size and the fun-to-drive factor as criteria.
Strong consumer demand drove Ford Focus retail sales up 35 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year. To keep up, Ford is increasing Focus production in 2008 by nearly 30 percent to 245,000 units.
The Focus’ fuel efficiency, which delivers 35 miles to the gallon, combined with features like Ford’s SYNC – the voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment technology that integrates Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital music players – have made the vehicle a popular choice with customers between the ages of 16 and 35. This younger set accounts for approximately 30 percent of Focus sales.
Tags: Ford Focus, Kelley Blue Book’s kkb.com, SYNC
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
SMART SCREWDRIVERS
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008"Smart screwdrivers" spot quality issues on the line at Ford plants.
Ford's screwdriver with a brain - a direct-current tool that fastens nuts and bolts and stops the line if the job isn't done properly.Between 200 and 400 computerized direct-current (DC) electric hand tools, affectionately called “screwdrivers with brains” by Ford employees, were installed in each Ford assembly plant over the last several years as an investment in quality. These new hand tools are currently in use at all Ford assembly plants in North America. The last installation was made at Wayne Assembly Plant in time for the launch of the 2008 Ford Focus.
Where a “smart screwdriver” differs from traditional assembly line air-driven guns is in its ability to tell the operator if all of the nut bolts are screwed into the vehicle the right way and at the exactly the right torque. They also reduce workers’ strain, ensure the correct parts are picked and allow for constant monitoring during the build, preventing errors and ensuring “critical-to-quality” assembly process is completed with precision.
If a lug nut is missing, the assembly line is stopped. To get the line restarted, one of two things must happen, either the process must be completed accurately, or a quality concern is sent to the Quality Leadership System (QLS) where the problem will be flagged and resolved before the vehicle is released from the plant.
Tags: Ford Focus, Ford Quality, Ford Wayne Stamping and Assembly, manufacturing, smart screwdrivers
Posted in Ford Quality - text | No Comments »
CONSUMER DEMAND PUSHES PRODUCTION
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008Ford Focus increasing North American production to keep up with strong demand.
In the first three months of 2008, Ford Focus sales increased by 23 percent, for a total of 49,070 units sold, over the same period in the year before. Because retail sales also increased by 35 percent, Ford can now claim 7.6 percent of the U.S. small car market, 1.2 percentage points better than a year ago. In short, production is expected to rise to 245,000 Focus units in 2008, up from 191,000 in 2007.
Consumers may be reacting to a few key Focus features:
- New class-leading technology - Ford SYNC™, a hands-free voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system that integrates Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital music players, is attracting vehicle buyers. SYNC-equipped Focus accounted for 40 percent of the sales.
- Fuel efficiency - The Ford Focus delivers 35 miles to the gallon.
- Improved overall quality - According to the 2008 Q1 Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study, the new Focus boasts 13 percent fewer Things Gone Wrong (TGW) over last year.
Tags: Ford Focus, Ford SYNC, increased car production, small car market
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
NEW F-FAMILY SEATS DEBUT IN FORD FLEX
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008In-house seat design ensures comfort and quality.
Instead of outsourcing seat design, the automotive industry norm, Ford created a dedicated seat engineering team within its Body Engineering division. Three Ford engineers – Qin Pan, Joanna Rakowska and Michael Medoro – spent months working with sophisticated virtual technology to design in-house vehicle seating that maximized both comfort and quality.
For the Ford Flex, the objective was to reflect the quiet luxury of the interior by reducing seat vibration. Using real-world road surface data, the Ford engineers could design mass dampers to counter a variety of road surfaces far earlier than ever before in the development stage.
While the new in-house seating technology has immediate benefits for Flex customers, soon the acquired learning building the F-Family Seats will be applied to a range of Ford vehicles from the Ford Focus to the new Ford F-150.
Tags: F-Family Seats, Ford engineering, Ford F-150, Ford Flex, Ford Focus, interior vehicle design, reduced seat vibration, seat engineering, Technology
Posted in Ford Crossovers - text, Ford Flex - Text | No Comments »
Looking for a Hydrogen Highway
Friday, March 14th, 2008Focus Fuel Cell Vehicle featured at California Fuel Cell Partnership
When might we see a true Hydrogen Highway? That's the question the head of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration and other experts were exploring this week. Paul Brubaker was visiting the California Fuel Cell Partnership in West Sacramento, California to meet with automotive and air quality experts to talk about building a national hydrogen-fueling network. While there, he toured the facilities, took a spin in the Focus FCV, filled up at a hydrogen station and debated the future of hydrogen technology.
"What makes hydrogen fuel cell technology so exciting is the emissions from a fuel cell stack are drips of clean water," said Robert Riley, Ford Fleet Manager at the California Fuel Cell Partnership. "These are zero emissions vehicles with potential to make us less dependent on oil with less impact on the environment."
The fuel cell system converts chemical energy into electric energy using hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air. The electric energy then powers the vehicle's electric drive motor, producing only water vapor and heat as byproducts.
Ford currently has 30 hydrogen powered Focus Fuel Cell vehicles in seven cities across the U.S., Canada and Germany. Those vehicles have now logged more than 720,000 miles, providing valuable data to Ford engineers on fuel cell technology. The FCVs are just one example of Ford's commitment to advance the use and development of alternative fuel technologies.
The California Fuel Cell Partnership is a collaboration of 32 organizations, including automakers, government agencies, energy and oil companies. The experts who gathered in West Sacramento this week addressed the need for a hydrogen infrastructure across the country. Without a network of filling stations, it would be difficult for automakers to scale up production of fuel cell vehicles to the levels that would be needed to make them affordable. Participants called for more federal funding for research and infrastructure and noted commercialization is still likely a decade or more away.
Tags: California Fuel Cell Partnership, Focus FCV, Ford Focus, Fuel Cell Vehicle, hydrogen, Hydrogen Fuel-Cell, Paul Brubaker, sustainability, Technology, US-DOT
Posted in Ford Technology - text, Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »
FOCUS GAINS SALES MOMENTUM
Friday, February 29th, 2008Ford Focus attracts younger buyers seeking sync, connectivity and fuel economy
Focus’ retail sales have been up year-over-year for the past three months – and February retail sales also are tracking above year-ago levels. The small car’s sales were up 18 percent in November – the car’s first full month on the market – followed by a 9 percent increase in December and 33 percent in January.
J.D. Power sales data show that 32 percent of 2008 Focus year buyers are 16 to 35 years old. That’s up from 28 percent of 2007 Focus buyers.
Helping drive the trend: More Millennials who are becoming drivers – and vehicle buyers. Born between 1980 and 1995, approximately 70 million Millennials live in the U.S. Each day, more than 11,000 of these savvy consumers reach driving age, looking for stylish, fuel-efficient vehicles that feature the latest technology.
Ford is ready with a mix of accessible vehicles – including Focus – that feature industry-leading connectivity technology with SYNC, improved fuel economy, an array of safety features and creature comforts such as the popular ambient lighting feature that allows occupants to cycle the cabin lighting through seven available colors depending on their mood.
SYNC’s advanced capability allows consumers to access the songs, artists, genres, albums, play lists and more through voice commands. Powered by Microsoft and launched in the fall of 2007, the award-winning system is available in 12 vehicles from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.
- Ford Focus sales are gaining momentum, with three consecutive months of year-over-year retail sales volume increases. February sales are on track to trump February 2007 retail sales.
- Ford’s strategy of simplifying the Focus vehicle line, along with offering affordable industry-first SYNC technology, is paying off.
- Nearly 40 percent of the 2008 model year Focus units sold during the past three months included SYNC. SYNC-equipped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sell nearly twice as fast as those without.
Tags: 2008 Ford Focus, Ford Focus, fuel economy, Lincoln Links, Mercury, Microsoft, Millenials, SYNC
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
HYDROGEN BUSES DELIVERED TO SEAWORLD
Thursday, February 28th, 2008Visitors to Orlando's SeaWorld in for a different kind of ride from Ford
SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, recently took delivery of two Ford hydrogen-powered buses that will transport park guests and employees to and from the adventure park's four different attractions for the next two years.
For the inaugural ride, the buses shuttled SeaWorld employees to Shingle Creek, the northernmost headwaters of the Everglades, for a clean-up conservation project of the protected wetlands area.
The two Ford E-450 buses are powered by 6.8-liter V-10 engines that are supercharged and modified to run on hydrogen rather than gasoline. Compared with today's gasoline engines, these vehicles can deliver up to a 99.7% reduction in CO2 emissions and include many of the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology, but at a fraction of the cost.
SeaWorld will record miles driven and hydrogen fuel used each day and compare these figures to the park's gasoline-fueled buses. The data will be shared with Ford.
Ford Motor Company will have 30 hydrogen-powered buses operating across North America as part of test fleets before year's end. Ford has leased the vehicles to fleets in order to gather valuable real-world experience from high-mileage usage, to further its research in alternative fuel technology.
In addition to SeaWorld, buses have been presented to:
- The Greater Orlando (Fla.) Airport Authority
- The Orlando (Fla.) Convention Central District
- The University of Missouri Raleigh
- The city of Las Vegas, Nevada
- The San Mateo (Cal.) County Transportation Authority
Ford has also delivered 10 buses to Canada for use in Prince Edward Island, Ottawa and Vancouver.
Other hydrogen-powered test projects from Ford include:
- A fleet of 30 hydrogen-powered Ford Focus fuel cell vehicles that has accumulated more than 575,000 miles since its inception in 2005.
- The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive, the world’s first drivable hydrogen fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability that has a range of 225 miles producing zero emissions.
- An experimental Ford-developed 2.3-liter I-4 hydrogen-powered aircraft engine, used by Boeing Company to test the hydrogen propulsion system of its High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft.
Tags: Boeing Company, Ford E-450, Ford Edge, Ford Focus, High Altitude Long Endurance, hydrogen, hydrogen fuel cell technology, hydrogen-powered buses, HySeries Drive, SeaWorld
Posted in Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »
FORD FOCUS SES GIVEAWAY
Thursday, January 24th, 2008Someone Will Drive Away in a 2008 Focus in 'SYNC Your Life' Video Contest
Ford Motor Company introduces the 'SYNC Your Life' video contest that lets you imagine how you could voice-activate your life – just like the Ford SYNC in-car communication and entertainment system lets you listen to mp3 players and use your cell phone hands-free while you drive. You can SYNC your morning coffeemaker, your exercise machine, the door to your house – the sky's the limit and creativity counts.
The contest prizes are:
- Grand Prize: One person wins a 2008 Ford Focus SES equipped with SYNC; the winner’s video will be used in an online advertisement.
- First Prize: 5 winners will receive a Sony DVD high-definition handycam camcorder.
- Second Prize: 5 winners will receive an Xbox 360 Arcade.
- Third Prize: 5 winners will receive a $100 AMEX gift card.
After you've made your video, you upload it to http://www.jumpcut.com/syncyourlife/. You can also upload raw footage of your video shoot and edit it online. Keep in mind that there is a 100 MB limit on individual files, and it’s best to mark your video as “private – not remixable.”
You can upload your video until May 14, 2008, 11:59 p.m. EST.
Tags: 2008 Ford Focus, Ford Focus, Ford Focus SES, Ford SYNC, SYNC, SYNC video, SYNC your life contest, video contest
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
GLOBAL DESIGN VISION
Saturday, January 12th, 2008Ford’s future small car is being developed as a global car – led by the Verve concept
Verve was developed through Ford’s new global product development system. Ford is building on its European small-car expertise to stake a bigger claim in this critically important segment. Ford’s celebrated small car lineup in Europe includes such top-sellers as the Ford Focus, Fiesta and Ka.
Verve provides a vision for a new world standard for quality, design and comfort. This strategy gives Verve a bold, modern, design along with sophisticated electronics, premium materials, surprising functional space and a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine – all previously unseen in the small car segment.
Ford maintains small-car leadership in Europe with vehicles set apart by their world-class driving dynamics and dynamic designs.
With more than five million vehicles produced in Europe since it was launched in 1998, the Ford Focus is one of the only vehicles in the world to be named “Car of the Year” both in Europe and in North America. It is Ford’s perennial top seller in Europe and, in 2007, was Europe’s top-selling car in its class.
The Ford Fiesta – which is smaller than the Focus – debuted in 1976, and it has sold more than 12 million units in Europe.
The iconic Ford Ka redefined the small city car sector in Europe with its eye-catching and enduring design and fun-to-drive character when it was introduced more than 11 years ago. Sales remain strong – with more than 1 million cars sold.
Tags: European small cars, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford Ka, Ford Verve concept, global design, global product development, small car
Posted in Ford Fiesta - text | No Comments »
MUSCULAR STANCE
Sunday, October 14th, 2007Sharp Character Lines Define the 2008 Ford Focus
For the new 2008 Focus, Ford’s design team drew inspiration from the highly successful Fusion, borrowing that car’s prominent chrome-bar grille design, flared wheel arches and sweeping, crisp lines to create a small car that stands out with a sporty stance.
Available in two body styles – two-door coupe, a first for Focus and the four-door sedan – in S, SE and SES trims.
Tags: 2008 Ford Focus, exterior, Focus S, Focus SE, Focus SES, Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, four-door Focus sedan, grille design, small car, two-door Focus coupe
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
FORD FOCUS MILESTONES
Sunday, October 14th, 2007Highlights of the Focus Over the Years
2007: All-new 2008 Focus introduced at the 2007 North American International Auto Show
2006: Focus gets AutoPacific’s first Ideal Vehicle Award as top-rated compact car, 2006
2005: Ford reworks Focus with major design and engineering improvements
2003: Ultra-clean Focus PZEV introduced
2002: High-performance SVT Focus excites “hot hatch” enthusiasts
2000: Focus is Automobile Magazine’s Automobile of the Year and MotorWeek’s Best Small Car and wins North American Car of the Year
Tags: 2007 NAIAS, 2007 North American International Auto Show, 2008 Ford Focus, Automobile Magazine, AutoPacific, awards, Ford Focus, hot hatch, Ideal Vehicle Award, MotorWeek, North American Car of the Year, small car
Posted in Ford Cars - text, Ford Focus - text snippets | No Comments »
Flickr Gallery
start building with a 69 body, 78 frame. and chassie 302 small block v8 , bored 3.0 over, voodoo cam, double roller timing chain, high volume oil pump, all new suspension and 33x12x50 on ford factory, 7 inch rims, widen 3 inches
While on a job site a Peterbuilt Semi became stuck in the mud. The driver asked me if I could pull him out of the mud because he didnt want to have to call a Semi recovery vehicle. I hooked up to the Semi with a doubled \"snatch strap\" and I put the truck in 4 wheel drive and took off. I pulled the Semi out with literally no resistance.. Job well done Ford!!
in feb of 2007 I bought a 1995 Ford Ranger XLT, It had 241 000 Miles on it, I had been a previous Chevy S10
Owner. I want to say this is by far the best truck I have ever had. Right now she has 257000 miles on the original engine. She has never given me a major problem. I still get 26MPG Highway, she has only failed to start once time and that was because I left the lights on and killed the battery. This truck means alot to me because I bought it from the Adoption agency that handled my son\'s adoption. I nicknamed her \" black betty\" after the Bad Company song. I also turned her into a ha
They’ve been around awhile – a snippet of advice here, an old adage there. They’re the guidelines that are supposed to help keep cars running in top condition. Problem is, most of them aren’t based in fact – or they’re just plain outdated.
Twitter