Friday, February 29th, 2008
Ford 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
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Saturday, January 5th, 2008
Ford to Equip Half a Million Vehicles with EcoBoost Engine Technology for up to 20% Better Fuel Economy
A major part of Ford’s near-term environmental plan is a new engine technology called EcoBoost. It will deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America during the next five years. The EcoBoost family of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines features turbocharging and direct injection technology.
Compared with more expensive hybrids and diesel engines, EcoBoost builds upon today’s affordable gasoline engine and improves it, providing more customers with a way to improve fuel economy and emissions without compromising driving performance.
Ford will start introducing EcoBoost engine technology in 2009. During the next five years, the technology will migrate to half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America alone.
The affordable engine technology – which delivers up to 20 percent better fuel economy, 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions and superior driving performance versus larger displacement engines – is slated for a range of Ford’s global vehicles, from small cars to large trucks.
In addition to environmental actions like EcoBoost, Ford is planning to introduce additional hybrid vehicles and diesel engines for light-duty vehicles in the near term, as well. Longer term, Ford plans to remain aggressive in developing plug-in hybrids, as well as hydrogen fuel cell-powered and biofuel-capable vehicles.
In 2009, Ford first will introduce the EcoBoost technology on the Lincoln MKS featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. It will produce the power and torque of a V-8 engine yet deliver the fuel efficiency of a V-6.
With an estimated 340-horsepower and more than 340 lb.-ft. of torque, the Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost is expected to be the most powerful and fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive luxury sedan in the market.
EcoBoost engines will be introduced in the Ford Flex and other vehicles later in 2009.
Tags: 2009 Lincoln MKS, EcoBoost, EcoBoost engine, engine technology, environmental technology, Ford, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, Lincoln Links, luxury sedan, Mercury, plug-in hybrids, Technology, V-6, V-8
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Saturday, January 5th, 2008
A ‘Smarter’ Mid-size Utility Simplifying Ford’s Key Sustainability Actions
To help explain its vehicle sustainability strategy, Ford has created the Explorer America concept for the 2008 North American International Auto Show. The Explorer America concept delivers an approximately 20 to 30 percent fuel-economy improvement – depending on engine selection – while providing room for six and their gear, along with moderate towing and off-roading capabilities.
This smarter utility concept demonstrates:
- A powertrain lineup that includes a 4-cylinder 2-liter engine with EcoBoost technology delivering 275 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque or, as a premium engine, a 3.5-liter V-6 delivering about 340 hp. Depending on engine selection, fuel-efficiency will improve by 20 to 30 percent versus today’s V-6 Explorer.
- Migration from current body-on-frame to unibody construction, reducing weight and delivering superior driving dynamics.
- A fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission with auto shift control, allowing the driver to select and hold a lower gear with just the turn of a dial when conditions warrant it.
- A weight reduction of 150 pounds for the V-6 version thanks to its downsized – yet superior performing – engine, as well as more lightweight materials, suspension and chassis components.
- Fuel-saving electric power assisted steering (EPAS) and other engine actions that deliver a fuel savings benefit of approximately 5 percent. Between 80 to 90 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will have EPAS by 2012.
Tags: 4-cylinder engine, EcoBoost, EcoBoost engine technology, electric power assisted steering, engine technology, EPAS, Explorer America, Ford, Ford Explorer, Ford Explorer America Concept, fuel economy, Lincoln Links, Mercury, V-6, V-6 Explorer
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