Friday, July 29, 2011

President Obama Announces Next Phase In One National Program For Fuel Economy Standards

Today, President Obama announced the next phase in One National Program for fuel economy standards that will help significantly improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting jobs and the economy.

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally, along with other industry and government leaders, joined President Obama in Washington today for this announcement on a framework for standards for 2017 through 2025.  Although more work remains, this important step allows us to move toward a formal proposed regulation this fall and a final rule by July 2012 that all stakeholders can support.   And continuing with One National Program, rather than a patchwork of state-by-state regulations, gives Ford and other automakers the regulatory certainty we need in the decade ahead.

While meeting these tough new regulations will require significant financial resources and continued technological advancements, Ford is fully committed to not only meeting the national standard but also delivering on our commitment to continuously improve the fuel efficiency of all of our cars and trucks.

Just yesterday, we announced that the completely reinvented Ford Explorer powered by EcoBoost delivers a class-leading EPA rating of 28 mpg on the highway, besting Honda Pilot by more than 20 percent and Toyota Highlander by 12 percent.   We're delivering great fuel economy across our line up with 14 vehicles now offering best-in-class fuel efficiency.  And this agreement ensures that we keep the "work" in work trucks, and that is especially important for the economy and our customers.  It will ensure hard-working Americans have access to the vehicles they need to get the job done.   We contribute to this by offering an F-150 with EcoBoost that provides best-in-class towing capability of 11,300 lbs combined with up to 20 percent improvement on fuel economy.  Already, more than 40 percent of F-150s sold are equipped with EcoBoost engines.

And, of course, Ford's global electrification strategy will deliver a suite of five new electrified vehicles in North America and Europe by 2013 and builds on the company's overall vision of offering the widest possible range of fuel-efficient, low-emission technological solutions.

Significantly improving fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are core to Ford’s mission to deliver great products, a strong business and a better world.

Thanks for you continued commitment to Ford.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

2012 Ford Explorer EcoBoost Bests The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander MPG.

The all-new Ford Explorer has been a tremendous success, as it’s a far cry from the model it replaces. The hot-selling new model also boasts ample power and class-leading efficiency thanks to its standard 3.5-liter V6 engine.

However, the latest Explorer will set a new standard for SUV fuel efficiency with the launch of the all-new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, the first application of this advanced engine in North America.

The EcoBoost will the help the Explorer deliver a class-leading EPA rating of 28 mpg on the highway, besting the Honda Pilot by more than 20 percent and the Toyota Highlander by 12 percent. In the city, the Explorer is rated at 20 miles per gallon.

Best of all, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost provides fuel efficiency without sacrificing power, as it provides 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. This balance of responsive power and efficiency is attributed to a number of technologies such as gasoline injection, twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), and a unique 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission developed to reduce friction and increase efficiency.

“Today’s SUV buyers place a high priority on miles per gallon, so Explorer has expanded its portfolio of fuel-efficient engines with an all-new EcoBoost offering,” said Amy Marentic, Ford group marketing manager. “SUV buyers deserve efficiency with their capability, so Explorer now offers best-in-class V6 and four-cylinder fuel efficiency.”

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/2012-ford-explorer-2-0-liter-ecoboost-to-get-28-mpg/

Monday, July 25, 2011

Parents.com Names Three Ford Vehicles “Best Family Cars of 2011.”

Parents.com in conjunction with Edwards.com Names Three Ford Vehicles “Best Family Cars of 2011.”

The goal was to find only those vehicles that could handle a family with young children, handle their cargo, too, and do it all while fitting into a “tight budget.” And while those requirements narrowed the field considerably, Ford still had three vehicles on the list—no other automaker had more.

The completely redesigned Ford Explorer led the way, earning honors in the Big Car segment for its “modern and quiet” cabin, “crisp” ride and high levels of family friendly standard content, including four power outlets, overhead reading lights in all rows, award-winning inflatable safety belts for rear outboard positions and the SYNC hands-free, voice-activated connectivity and entertainment system. And the fact the Explorer offers the highest highway fuel-economy rating in its class—25 mpg—doesn’t hurt either.

The all-new Ford Fiesta garnered kudos in the Budget segment, with Parents.com noting the car can be kitted out with up-level features like SYNC, push-button start, ambient lighting and more, and still boast a price tag of about $16,000. Ford’s compact is surprisingly roomy and stable on the highway, too, and it delivers hybrid-like EPA ratings of up to 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined.

Among the Eco-Friendly vehicles, the Ford Fusion Hybrid was called out as a “Best Family Car” for its combination of premium amenities—Parents.com specifically noted the Fusion’s power seats, dual climate controls, backup sensors and two standard power outlets—and standout fuel efficiency: The Fusion Hybrid can achieve EPA ratings of 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway/39 mpg combined, yet drivers can still enjoy “the same fluid feel” that the site says makes the traditional Fusion such “a pleasure to take on long trips.”

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/family-friendly-fords-honored-by-parents-com/#more-2593

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Ford Receives 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

Ford Receives 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. 

The honor—sponsored by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)—was first introduced 16 years ago and is the highest employer-recognition award given by the Department of Defense.

Ford support for its employees who are serving (and have served) this country is wide ranging and long standing. For example, the company has an ongoing relationship with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) that dates back to 1922. That’s when Henry Ford organized a 50-strong squad of Model T’s to help disabled vets from throughout the nation make it to that year’s convention, held in San Francisco. More recently, Ford has donated more than 150 vehicles to DAV since 1996 to assist the group’s Transportation Network, and also continues to provide annual support for DAV’s winter sports clinic and youth scholarship volunteer program.

“We are proud of our employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve and it is our privilege to support them,” said Mike Bannister, Ford executive vice president, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit Company, and executive champion of the Ford Veterans Network Group. “We thank ESGR and the Department of Defense for this recognition. We appreciate the honor, and we deeply appreciate all the men and women involved in military service.”

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/ford-earns-dods-prestigious-freedom-award-for-supporting-national-guard/#more-2564

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Top Safety Tips From Ford

Summer is here, which often means that road trips are ahead. As you tackle screaming kids, traffic, road work, and scorching weather, safety should always come first. By taking a few extra precautions you’ll ensure your trip is fun and that you and your family remain secure.

Ford in particularly understands the importance of safety. New vehicles from the Blue Oval not only have been earning coveted safety awards, but they also offer some innovative safety technology that’s only available on Fords.

If you have a summer road trip planned, you might want to look over some helpful safety advice directly from Ford, including:

  • Buckle up and do it right: Ensure that the belt tightly encircles your hips, not your waist, but don’t ever place the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm
  • Keep small children belted in safety or booster seats: Children under four-feet-four-inches tall who weigh less than 79 pounds should by regulation be fitted in child safety seats or booster seats and properly belted. The safety seats need to be securely fitted to the rear seat
  • Ensure that the tilt and height of all head rests are correctly adjusted Active headrests will prevent injury in the event of a crash when properly positioned and adjusted
  • Avoid placing objects over the airbag cover: The path of an inflating airbag must be kept clear at all times
  • Know your car’s condition and its safety features: Items to check before heading off on a road trips include tire tread depth, tire pressures, and ensuring oil and water levels are correct
  • Be responsible and know the speed limits: If you’re traveling across the country, be aware of the speed limits and road laws of the states you will travel through. Always carry your driver’s license with you
  • Give yourself enough time to complete the journey: Plan for stops along the way. Drive at an appropriate speed for the road conditions and leave sufficient space between the vehicles around you
  • Pack heavier items in lower areas of the vehicle: When filling up the cargo areas of the vehicle, always place the heaviest items close to the vehicle floor or truck bed so that in the event of a quick stop, those items remain in place and do not move forward in the vehicle where they can collide with passengers or other materials
  • Use a voice-activated, hands-free connectivity system like Ford SYNC to control your mobile phone or navigation system: Ensure the system is ready to go before you set off
  • Don’t drink and drive
  • Don’t drive when you’re tired: It is recommended that you take regular breaks on a long journey

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/ford-offers-safety-tips-for-summer-road-trips/#more-2531

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Names Ford F-150 SuperCrew 2011 “Top Safety Pick”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Names Ford F-150 SuperCrew 2011 “Top Safety Pick.”

It’s a significant accomplishment, as the IIHS recently implemented new, more rigorous testing procedures for the 2011 model year, including one that evaluates roof strength as a measure of rollover crash protection. To be named a “Top Safety Pick,” the F-150 SuperCrew scored the best possible rating in this test, as well as tests of front-, rear- and side-impact crash protection, and offers electronic stability control, too. The latter is standard on the popular F-150—it’s still the best-selling vehicle of any kind in America—as are a wide range of other safety features.

Notably, the F-150 SuperCrew is now the 11th 2011 Ford Motor Company vehicle to be named an IIHS “Top Safety Pick.” The others are the Ford Edge (built after February 2011), all-new Ford Explorer, Ford Taurus, Ford Fusion, Ford Fiesta (built after July 2010), Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKX (built after February 2011) and Lincoln MKZ.

“Safety ratings are important markers customers can use to evaluate vehicles, so we are proud Ford has the most top U.S. safety ratings of any automaker ever,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “The F-150’s innovative safety technologies and this new Top Safety Pick award further demonstrate Ford’s commitment to safety.”

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/ford-f-150-detroits-only-full-size-pickup-top-safety-pick/#more-2463

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

 

I love to see the starry flag
That floats above my head.
I love to see its waving folds
With stripes of white and red.
“Be brave,” say the red stripes.
“Be pure,” say the white.
“Be true,” say the bright stars.
“And stand for the right.”

Author Unknown

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