Monday, May 30, 2011

Ford Demonstrates Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication System


Ford demonstrated its vehicle-to-vehicle communication system in Europe.

The goal of this innovative research project is to develop the systems and infrastructure that would allow vehicles to update each other with hazard, driving condition, and traffic information. Using localized radio frequencies and the latest mobile phone network technology, Ford’s vehicle-to-vehicle communication system allows individual cars to broadcast messages to other vehicles.

During the demonstration, Ford used two S-MAX vehicles to show how vehicle could “talk” to each other. When one S-MAX began to brake hard, it triggered an emergency signal that was subsequently displayed inside the following S-MAX within less than 100 milliseconds.

“The notion of talking cars may immediately bring to mind thoughts of children’s movies, but the reality is that vehicles capable of speaking the same language could result in significant safety and convenience benefits for drivers,” says Christian Ress, connectivity technical expert, global driver assistance and active safety.

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/ford-demonstrates-the-future-of-car-to-car-communication/#more-2295

Happy Memorial Day!

How are you planning to celebrate/ honor Memorial Day weekend?  Is the holiday a chance to barbeque and hang with friends, or is it a more solemn occasion as you remember a loved one?  Share with us!

But no matter how you choose to spend your weekend, we want you to stay safe.  Here are some tips for grill safety this weekend:

  • Keep food covered or refrigerated until ready to be cooked.  Cook meat to 170 degrees Farenheit as a minimum. 
  • Cooking (by any method) of meats (particularly red meat and chicken) at very high temperatures until surface charring occurs can cause cancer causing substances (Heterocyclic Amines (HCA)) to form.   To avoid this, use marinades and turn frequently.
  • Inspect your grill before you ignite to ensure everything is in working order.
  • Don't use a grill indoors including garages, overhangs and canopies.
  • When using a grill, you should use a 10-foot perimeter from anything combustible, including your house.
  • Do not allow children and pets to play near a grill.
  • Only use approved ignition fluids – don't use gasoline to ignite a grill.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of sand nearby to douse a grill fire.

These tips are from: http://bbq.about.com/od/grillinghelp/tp/grillsafety.htm

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Children Learn Driving Habits From Parents

Children learn driving habits from parents according to a new survey by Ford. The survey found that:

  • 51 percent of parents said their teens and tweens have asked them to slow down, stop talking or texting, or drive more safely
  • 80 percent of teens/tweens have seen their parents “engage in risky actions” while driving, the most common being eating/drinking and talking or texting on a hand-held phone
  • 78 percent of tweens and 66 percent of teens indicated that how their parents drive will or does affect how they drive

“There seems to be a gap between parents saying they drive safely and what their kids observe,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “Eating, reading and hand-held texting are bad habits that teens and tweens pick up. Ford continues to be part of the solution by expanding our teen safe driving education program and in-vehicle technologies that help improve safe driving behavior.”

A fine example of the automaker’s educational efforts is its Driving Skills for Life Program, a no-cost driver-training alternative that provides both parents and new teen drivers with added resources and skills for safer driving. Some 400,000 students have participated in the program since its inception, and—with more and more schools cutting back on driver’s ed—Ford is extending its reach to cover an additional 30 new markets this year alone. For more information on the program, visit DrivingSkillsForLife.com.

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/ford-survey-safer-teen-driving-starts-with-parents/#more-2272

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Ford Receives 2011 Edison Best New Product Award

Ford Receives 2011 Edison Best New Product Award at an event  in New York.

The Edison Awards draw their inspiration from Thomas Alva Edison, one of America’s—and the world’s—greatest innovators, and are judged using a comprehensive peer-review process that evaluates products based on their marketplace innovation, market structure innovation, societal impact and design innovation. The goal: To honor those technologies that best represent America’s drive to remain in the forefront of innovation, creativity and ingenuity in the global economy.

“We are pleased that our latest consumer technologies have been recognized as Edison Award winners, a testament to our skilled and motivated teams that are passionate about and committed to developing industry-first innovations our customers want and value,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development.

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/edison-awards-honors-fords-bright-ideas/#more-2246

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Active Liquid Heating Keeps Focus Electric Active Even In The Cold

It’s a simple story, according to Sherif Marakby, Ford director of Electrification Programs and Engineering: “Batteries are similar to people, as they both achieve maximum performance working under moderate, unchanged temperatures.” The problem—for most electric vehicles—is that there aren’t too many places in this country that are known for “moderate, unchanged temperatures.” The solution—for the all-new Ford Focus Electric—is an innovative active liquid heating system that helps to regulate the temperature of the car’s lithium-ion battery pack, lessening the impact of cold weather as compared to air systems.

The system can warm up the battery even when the Focus Electric is plugged into the power grid for recharging, too. This way, drivers will be able to enjoy the car’s full capabilities from the moment they get behind the wheel, without the car having to warm up further.

The bottom line for Ford drivers, Marakby finished: “Focus Electric wasn’t built just for consumers in warm cities with consistent temperatures. We want our customers to know they can count on their electric vehicle whether they live in a cold or warm climate.”

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/active-liquid-heating-keeps-focus-electric-active-even-in-the-cold/#more-2219

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Spend A Day At The Keys - 2nd Annual Charity Golf Outing

Spend A Day At The Keys - 2nd Annual Charity Golf Outing in honor of Smitty (11-27-2009) will be held at Meadowink Golf Course in Murrysville on June 11th 2011. Registration and Lunch will begin at 11:30 am followed by a Shotgun Start at 1:00 pm. The proceeds of the Golf Outing will benefit the Head and Neck Cancer Program at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. 

Registration will be $100.00 per person which includes:

-18 holes of golf w/cart

-Lunch  as well as a 6 pack of beer per cart

-Buffet dinner in Meadowink Pavillion

-Hole-In-One Contest and skill Prizes

-Best Jimmy Buffet Golf Outfit and/or Golf Cart Decoration (Special Prize Award)

Please call Lynn Simone at Sturman and Larkin Ford (412-653-5800) if interested in Sponsorships, Playing or Donations.

sturmanandlark2

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Ford Focus EPA Certified 40 mpg highway

Ford Focus is now EPA certified to reach 40 mpg highway and 28 mpg city.

The Blue Oval has become the only full-line automaker in the U.S. with four vehicles capable of reaching that mark. And notably, all four can do so with an automatic transmission, unlike key members of the competition.

The Focus joins the new Fiesta, with EPA ratings of 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway, and the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, both capable of 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway, among the company’s 40-mpg foursome. But Ford’s commitment to fuel-efficiency leadership doesn’t end there. In fact, Ford and Lincoln combine to boast a clean dozen vehicles that top their segments for fuel economy.

“Fuel economy and technology are consumers’ biggest priorities—and we have made them Ford’s as well,” said Mark Fields, Ford president, The Americas. “Our product portfolio reflects the investment Ford has made to transform our lineup in the past several years so our customers can be more green—and keep even more green in their wallets—than when fuel prices reached $4 per gallon in 2008.”

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/40-mpg-focus-joins-fords-lineup-of-efficiency-leaders/

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