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June 17: Ford is tripling production capacity of its electrified vehicle lineup
through 2013, further boosting volumes of its all-new C-MAX Hybrid and
C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which begin production next year. Ford will
grow its electrified vehicle production capacity to more than 100,000
annually by 2013 thanks to increasing consumer appetites for green
vehicles and desires for stylish new Focus-sized vehicles. Both C-MAX
Hybrid and C-MAX Energi will be built alongside the all-new 2012 Ford
Focus and Focus Electric at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne,
Mich., the first plant in the world to produce gasoline-powered
vehicles, full-electric vehicles, hybrid and plug-in hybrids under one
roof.
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| March 19, 2011-The Ford SYNC 911 Assist system uses the driver’s own mobile phone
and runs in the background once the phone is properly paired with SYNC.
After the one-time setup, the phone connects with SYNC every time the
driver enters the vehicle with his or her phone and the phone is turned
on.
Should an accident occur in which an airbag deploys or, in certain
vehicles, the emergency fuel pump shutoff is activated, the feature uses
SYNC hands-free phone capabilities to connect the driver directly with a
local 911 operator through the paired phone. The feature delivers a
critical voice message to operators indicating that a vehicle has been
in a crash and opens the line for hands-free communication.
If an accident occurs while the phone connected with SYNC is being
used for a normal call, SYNC 911 Assist can end that call and dial 911.
Also, incoming phone calls and/or texts will not interrupt communication
between vehicle occupants and emergency responders.
Should an occupant not be able to communicate with the 911
operator, an introductory message tells the emergency operator that an
accident has occurred. Operators rely on the mobile phone carrier to
provide location information.
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Dec. 20 2010, Ford now has eight vehicles on the road in the U.S. that have earned Top Safety Picks, which adds to Ford’s leading number of top U.S. safety ratings ever. “The Ford Explorer sets a new standard for high-tech safety innovation,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “The Explorer offers several new innovative technologies, including available industry-first production rear inflatable seat belts, and Curve Control, which can help drivers maintain control of a vehicle if they enter a curve too quickly.”
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Ford Motor Company's Michigan Assembly Plant, in Wayne, Michigan, is the world's first factory to build not only fuel-efficient gas powered cars, but also three production versions of electrified vehicles, including battery electric, hybrid electric and plug in hybrid electric according to Jim Tetreault (Tay-trow), VP of Manufacturing for Ford North America.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 9, 2010 – Ford Motor Company today announced
it is investing $600 million to transform its Louisville Assembly Plant
into a modern, flexible facility that is building the next-generation
Escape for the North America market starting late next year.
The plant is the third North American body-on-frame truck plant
that Ford is re-tooling to enable production of fuel-efficient products
from its global vehicle platforms. Louisville Assembly has been building
the Ford Explorer SUV since 1989.
Ford moved production of the all-new 2011 Explorer to Chicago
Assembly and is overhauling the Louisville facility to build the
next-generation Escape and providing future manufacturing flexibility.
When the transformed Louisville Assembly Plant restarts production
in 2011, it will operate on two shifts with approximately 2,900
employees – up from today’s one shift and approximately 1,100 employees.
The 1,800 additional jobs are expected to be filled through a
combination of transferring employees from other facilities,
re-activating workers on indefinite layoff at the time of launch and
hiring new workers.
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| The Ford Explorer 2011 |
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CHICAGO, Dec. 1, 2010 – The reinvented 2011 Ford Explorer has started rolling off the line at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, marking a new beginning for both the historic factory and the iconic SUV. The Torrence Avenue plant has been extensively renovated to accommodate production of the new Explorer, and all employees have prepared for its launch by participating in extensive training programs. “Ford is investing in American manufacturing, ensuring that the most important new products in the company’s lineup are built in the U.S. by UAW workers,” said Jim Tetreault, vice president of North America Manufacturing. “We are thrilled to bring 2011 Ford Explorer production to Chicago Assembly Plant along with the jobs and investment it provides to the region.
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Built Ford Tough Roundup drive program will travel to seven cities –
Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles and Aberdeen,
Maryland – between now and November 2011. Ford F-150 features the most extensive powertrain overhaul in the
62-year history of F-Series, with four new engines including a new
3.5-liter EcoBoost™ .
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This new MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology provides an array of real-time feedback on fuel efficiency performance that helps coach drivers to optimize their miles per gallon. The MyFord Touch map-based navigation offers an Eco-Route option, which instantly calculates the most fuel-efficient route for the driver. Ford testing shows Eco-Route can help achieve fuel economy gains of up to 15 percent
MyFord Touch launches this summer on the 2011 Ford Edge and will be available globally on the 2012 Ford Focus. MyLincoln Touch will be standard equipment on new Lincoln vehicles beginning with the 2011 Lincoln MKX
The 2011 Ford Edge will be built at Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada, and will be available in dealers this summer.
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More ways from Ford to save money: MYTH: Premium gas is a treat for your car.
False: Unless your vehicle is specifically tailored to take advantage of
the higher octane level in the fuel, you’re wasting your money. Go by
what is recommended in your owner’s manual and leave it at that.
SAVE: At current gas prices, drivers may save up to $150 a year by
opting for unleaded gas instead of premium.
MYTH: The number listed on the sidewall of your tire is the recommended
tire pressure. False: In most cases, this is actually the maximum
pressure allowed for that tire. The recommended amount of pressure is
usually listed on the inside door panel – check your owner’s manual to
be sure.
SAVE: The government estimates that the average driver’s tires are
underinflated by 26 percent. Generally, underinflated treads lower gas
mileage about a half percent for each pound lacking when the pressure of
all four tires is added up. An average driver with underinflated tires
could add $79 a year to his or her fuel bill – or more than $1,027 in
the lifetime of the vehicle. You could also save nearly half a barrel of
crude oil per year by keeping your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s
recommended level. Per the EPA, one barrel of crude oil equals 42
gallons of gasoline.
MYTH: Buy gas in the morning and you’ll save money.
False: The old adage was to fill up in the morning when gas was coolest
and most dense because gas is sold by volume and you would get more gas
for your buck.
But gas is sold in underground, nonmetallic tanks that typically hold
about 10,000 gallons, and it will take a lot of sunlight to raise the
temperature even a degree. (However, pumping your gas when it’s cooler
does mean less release of vapors, which is better for the environment.)
SAVE: Do your research before buying. Ford’s SIRIUS Travel Link™ sorts
gas stations by price on the navigation screen, but Web sites like
MSNAutos.com can also help drivers navigate to bargains. In our quick
research, we found two gas stations in New York City – less than a mile
apart – with 30 cents per gallon price difference. If you know before
you go and fill up for less every time, it could result in $227 in your
pocket annually, or $2,951 saved over the lifetime of your car.
All totaled, by implementing small changes, drivers could save up to
$538 a year or $6,610 in the lifetime of their vehicle. In today’s
economy, every penny counts. That’s why it’s important to get the facts.
Editor’s note: All savings estimates are calculated based on the EPA
estimates for a 2010 Ford Taurus, which achieves 28 mpg highway and 18
mpg city. This model has a 19-gallon gas tank; the EPA estimates that
each fill-up, at current gas prices ($2.70 a gallon), will cost $46.17
and annual fuel costs are $1,843.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm..
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We love this 2011 Ford Mustang and especially that it will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant
in Flat Rock, Mich.
| State-of-the-art technology adds to the convenience and safety of the
2011 Mustang, from the availability of the latest version of Ford
SYNC®, with applications such as Traffic, Directions and Information,
911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report, to standard AdvanceTrac®
Electronic Stability Control, which complements the all-speed traction
control and standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
The new 3.7-liter V-6 will be built at Ford’s
recently retooled Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1.
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| America's Car for 2011 |
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The North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year
awards went to the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Ford Transit Connect,
respectively, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), it was announced today January 11, 2010. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is made in Mexico and the Ford Transit Connect is manufactured in Turkey.
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| Ford is offering its new crash avoidance technologies on more of its 2010 models. The radar-based driver-awareness feature already available on select
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models is Blind Spot Information System
(BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert, which uses two multiple-beam radar in
the rear quarter panels (one per side) for two different – but
important – purposes. BLIS checks the defined blind spot zone, which is
about 10 feet from the back of the bumper to the outside mirrors. When
a vehicle is detected, an amber light in the outside mirror of
whichever side that vehicle is on lights up. Cross Traffic Alert
notifies the driver of approaching traffic when backing out of a
parking spot and warns the driver with a light when a vehicle is
detected within three car widths of either side of the vehicle. This is
especially useful in crowded parking lots.
“These radar-based systems build on Ford’s leading safety heritage,”
said Jeff Rupp, manager, Active Safety, Research and Advanced
Engineering at Ford’s Research and Innovation Center. “Many years of
research and engineering work, leveraging experience gained in
aerospace and other non-automotive applications, have enabled Ford to
offer these crash avoidance and driver awareness systems on a growing
number of vehicles. As a result, vehicle occupants may be better
protected than ever before.”
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Exciting news from Ford this week: DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 24, 2009 – The Company is teaming with
the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) to retrain traditional automotive
engineers, providing them with the skills and expertise to develop the
next generation of advanced electric and hybrid vehicles.
As vehicle electrification plans expand, the automotive industry’s
need for electric vehicle-savvy engineers also is growing, creating
increased demand for electrical, mechatronics, systems and controls
engineering education. Ford and UDM have collaborated to create a new
graduate-level curriculum focused on key engineering skills for the
development of electrified vehicles.
The UDM program will supplement Ford’s internal electrical
engineering training courses as the company retrains its own employees
to deliver an aggressive electric vehicle product strategy. The course
series, which begins in January 2010, is designed to advance the
knowledge and capabilities of technological team members in the
automotive and defense ground vehicle industries.
“The era of electric vehicles is here and it’s critical that we meet
this technology challenge by retraining our engineers with a broad
range of new skills and competencies,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group
vice president of Global Product Development. “This program, together
with internal training, will support Ford’s aggressive plans to roll
out electric and hybrid vehicles in the coming years.”
Ford engineers are already at work developing three distinct types
of electrified vehicles – hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure battery
electric vehicles. The vehicles include:
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Nov. 5 Ford is a leader in safety engineering for the automobile industry. Dr. Steve Rouhana, senior technical leader for passive safety in Ford Motor Company’s Research and Advanced Engineering and group leader for Biomechanics and Occupant Protection, is internationally recognized for pioneering research in the area of human response to impact, particularly with regard to abdominal injuries and air bag noise. Rouhana, who joined Ford in 2000 after 17 years with General Motors, is helping Ford lead development of advanced belt systems. “I know the fear of parents for their children’s safety,” said Rouhana. “In our development of the inflatable belt, we’ve insisted on taking great pains to test possible side effects of the belt system vis-à-vis the forces involved in a crash.”
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| Ford 2010 Taurus with advanced safety features. |
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- The all-new 2010 Ford Taurus, with its advanced crash
safety structure and a suite of standard restraint and air bag
technologies, has earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) based on its performance in testing
- Taurus
offers an array of driver aid and safety features, including a
radar-enabled advanced collision warning system, Cross Traffic Alert
that that warns drivers of hard-to-see parking lot traffic and the
MyKey™ safety system that provides parents with peace of mind
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2010 Taurus introduces the latest version of Ford SYNC® with Traffic,
Directions & Information; studies show in-vehicle voice-activated
communications systems such as SYNC help drivers keep their eyes on the
road and hands on the wheel
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In the U.S. Ford is seeing strong sales for cars in brilliant colors:
- Nearly four in 10 (39 percent) customers purchasing the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor are choosing “Molten Orange.”
- New
“Grabber Blue” Ford Mustangs are exceeding sales projections,
accounting for roughly 10 percent of total 2010 Mustang sales so far
The Ford Fiesta is coming to the United States with even bolder
colors after seeing drivers around the globe gravitate to a palette of
brilliant hues:
- In Asia, Fiesta buyers’ third most favorite color (15
percent of sales) is an eye-popping blue called “Vision,” followed by
the lime green “Squeeze” (11 percent) with the top selling color being
“Moondust Silver.” In China, nearly three in 10 (28 percent) Fiestas
purchased are “Passion Orange,” making it far and away the favorite
choice.
- Right behind “Panther Black” and “Silver”,
Europeans are selecting “Hot Magenta” and “Vision” as their third and
fourth most favorite colors, each accounting for about 10 percent of
sales across Europe.
In fact, for the first time with any Ford vehicle in Europe, Fiesta
buyers are saying that vehicle color was among the top 10 reasons for
purchasing the car, according to Ford research.
Since May, 100 Fiesta agents have traveled more than 800,000 miles
around the country, primarily driving “Hot Magenta” and “Squeeze”
colored Fiestas as part of Ford’s Fiesta Movement (www.fiestamovement.com) The Euro-spec Fiestas are turning heads with their bold colors.
“Almost everywhere I go, someone comments on the color,” said Fiesta
agent Hilary McHone of her Squeeze-colored car. “Women love it,
and some people even show me how it matches their cell phone.”
McHone, a Brooklyn photographer, adds, “It makes me think of
spring. There’s a lot of life in it. I think people are excited about
having more color options these days. It allows people to express
their personalities more.” McHone likes her Fiesta color so much, she
had her wedding dress made this summer to match the lime green.
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WIXOM, Mich., This past week, Ford Motor Company today joined
Xtreme Power of Austin, Texas, and Clairvoyant Energy of Santa Barbara,
Calif., to announce that the idled Wixom Assembly Plant will soon be home to one of the nation's largest renewable energy
manufacturing parks. The two companies involved, Clairvoyant Energy and Xtreme Power intend to invest more than $725 million to redevelop the 320-acre plant site and its 4.7
million square feet of building space to manufacture solar power and
energy storage systems, respectively. The two companies will utilize
approximately half of the square footage to manufacture their products,
and will seek additional green-energy manufacturing and support
companies to lease the remaining space. The redevelopment work at the
Wixom site is expected to begin early next year with manufacturing at
the site slated to begin in late 2011.
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WASHINGTON, D.C., September 10, 2009 – According to Sue Cischke, Ford thinks driver
distraction is a critically important issue. Drivers experience many
different types of distractions on a daily basis. Drivers are going to
have conversations, read maps and directions, and listen to music while
they drive. The most complete and most recent research shows that
activity that draws drivers' eyes away from the road for an extended
period while driving, such as text messaging, substantially increases
the risk of accidents. Ford believes hands-free, voice-activated
technology substantially reduces that risk by allowing drivers to keep
their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. This legislative approach
addresses a nationwide problem we can all agree is necessary to improve
safety.”
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Reminding everyone, the top car made in the USA/Canada is Ford's Mercury - Sable.
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| 2010 Mustang |
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The 2010 Ford Mustang – America’s favorite muscle car for 45 years straight – is ready to be customized. In fact, as one of the most customized cars ever, Ford is making it easier for pony car lovers to create the virtual Mustang of their dreams. With never-before-used digital technologies, Ford has created a customizer site within the car’s microsite at www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang.The site’s design is meant to reflect what the Ford Mustang is all about: a classic design and a hard attitude, coming together to create a revolutionary automobile. One week after launch, almost 52,000 cars have been built with more than 16,000 of those saved into the site gallery. And more than 30 forums and blogs are sharing their own creations – all without a single dime put toward advertising.
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Ford tops the list for American made cars with three models rated 90%, Taurus, Taurus X, and Sable.
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| Ford Raptor |
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| Ford 2010 Taurus |
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| The all-new 2010 Ford Taurus, has earned
a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety (IIHS) based on its performance in testing.
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The Taurus 2010 offers an array of driver aid and safety features, including a radar-enabled advanced collision warning system, Cross Traffic Alert that that warns drivers of hard-to-see parking lot traffic and the MyKey™ safety system that provides parents with peace of mind. The 2010 Taurus introduces the latest version of Ford SYNC® with Traffic, Directions & Information; studies show in-vehicle voice-activated communications systems such as SYNC help drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Available this summer, the 2010 Taurus will start at $25,995 – the same as the 2009 model – but with more class-leading features, new technologies and built-in quality that rivals premium-priced sedans. Taurus technologies – 10 of which are segment-exclusive – deliver on consumer needs and wants by enhancing the driving experience.
Renovated Chicago plant benefits Taurus
: The all-new Taurus and Taurus SHO are being produced in the recently renovated Chicago Assembly Plant, which will help ensure a quality manufacturing process. Ford invested more than $130 million in Chicago Assembly for tooling and equipment, along with ergonomic updates, for upgrades including state-of-the-art equipment with controls that ensure with precise accuracy the quality of the vehicle assembly. The investment also includes installation of the new EcoBoost engine line at the assembly plant and new machinery at the Chicago Stamping Plant, which will support sheet metal changes for the vehicles. Key fobs provide quality control by allowing operators to confirm proper assembly before the vehicle advances to the next station. Without proper assembly verification, the vehicle will not leave the plant. Before the vehicle is released to the shipping yard, its onboard diagnostics system and quality tracking system are scanned to make sure no problems have been discovered throughout the assembly process. If there is a problem that has not been fixed, the release gate will not lift and the vehicle will not be allowed to leave the plant. The scanning system acts as a final safeguard before the vehicle leaves the plant. See the website for more information.
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August 3rd-Ford Motor Company posted the first sales increase in July, of any major manufacturer in 2009. Ford Sales Analyst, George Pipas says the month was shaping up to be another good month with market share on the upswing, but did say the Cash for Clunkers program put them over the top. Ford focu was the best seller in the Vlunker program for Ford.
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DEARBORN, Mich., With regard to the Cash for Clunkers program from Uncle Sam, Ford has dedicated a section on its Web site to take out all the guesswork on the program, as well as show consumers if their current vehicle qualifies as a clunker, through an interactive calculator. Once on the site, consumers can also find out how much in voucher funds they are eligible to receive based on the new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle selected.
Ford Motor Company offers 20 vehicles across its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup for consumers to choose from.
"This program is a win for consumers, the economy and the environment," said Jim Farley, Ford's group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "We're excited to showcase our fuel-efficient lineup of cars, trucks and utility vehicles to consumers that are able to take advantage of this program."
Consumers with qualifying vehicles can receive up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle, in addition to existing incentive offers.
From F-Series trucks to full-size crossovers like Ford Flex and cars including Focus, Fusion and the all-new Taurus, Ford offers a full lineup of new products for consumers looking to recycle their ride.
For complete details on the Cash for Clunkers program, visit www.ford.com.
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For 2009, the top five American/Canadian assembled cars
according to the government agency for National Highway Safety are:GM
Saab 9-7x, 85%; Toyota Sienna, 85%; with Ford having three models rated
90%, Taurus, Taurus X, and Sable.
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| June 18-To set the record straight, as per an email from one of our visitors, Ford Fusion is made in Mexico. The redesigned Ford Focus will be made in Michigan. Ford Motor Company said last month it is
investing $550 million to transform its Michigan Assembly Plant into a
lean, green and flexible manufacturing complex that will build Ford’s
next-generation Focus global small car along with a new
battery-electric version of the Focus for the North American market.
The 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 in
the coming years.
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.
As part of the retooling, Ford will consolidate its operations from
Wayne Assembly Plant. When production launches in 2010, approximately
3,200 employees will be building the new Focus at Michigan Assembly
Plant. At the plant, Ford and United Auto Workers are developing modern
new operating practices to ensure high quality and even greater
efficiency.
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DEARBORN, Mich., June 3, 2009 – Ford's all-new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT
Raptor will be making its Hollywood debut on June 23 when a new feature
film about the ultimate production off-road performance truck hits the
silver screen.
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| The all-new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor |
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"Raptor – Born in Baja" – produced by Brentwood Communications
(BCII) in conjunction with Ford Motor Company – will premiere at the
Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, Calif., before an audience of more than
500 automotive and off-road motorsports executives, entertainment
industry heavyweights, celebrity guests and members of the press.
The documentary follows Ford designers, engineers and race program
directors, along with Foutz Motorsports and other aftermarket
organizations, as they construct, test and unveil the new F-150 SVT
Raptor to the automotive world by entering it in the grueling 631-mile
Baja 1000 race, one of the toughest point-to-point off-road races in
the world.
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The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star safety ratings, which includes 5-stars for driver and passenger in front and side crash tests, as well as for rollover performance
Ford has more U.S. government 5-star ratings than any other automotive brand
Mustang remains the number one selling sports car by a wide margin, with nearly a 40 percent share of the segment in April; May sales ahead of projections
CONTEXT / BACKGROUND: The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star crash-test rating, adding to widespread acclaim for the new car’s unmistakable design and upgraded performance that builds on the formula that’s made it America’s favorite pony car for 45 years. Ford has more U.S. government 5-star-rated vehicles than any other brand and more Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety than any other automaker.
DETAILS:
The new Mustang uses high strength steel in its body structure and uses ultra high strength steel in the door intrusion beams for additional side impact protection.
The Mustang’s considerable body stiffness contributes to the coupe and convertible’s driving performance and has a parallel benefit in accident protection. While the coupe’s body structure is approximately 31 percent stiffer than the previous Mustang platform, the convertible’s is more than twice as stiff – creating a structure that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion during an impact.
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| Ford Raptor |
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We talk about companies with courage, the spirit that makes America great, and Ford has got to exemplify that. With their innovation, determination, and business acumem, Ford, part of the backbone of America, is leading the charge, for all of us, companies large and small, struggling in this difficult economic environment. Hats off to Ford.
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The
all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel
efficient mid-size car with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and
36 mpg on the highway. And in pure electric mode the Fusion and Mercury
Milan hybrid can travel up to 47 miles per hour.
The 2009 Ford
Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid were named Best Crossover/SUV
Value Under $28,000 at the Chicago Auto Show by IntelliChoice.com.
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FORD
From Auto Alliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan
The FORD MUSTANG
FROM THE CHICAGO ASSEMBLY PLANT
Ford Taurus
Taurus X
Mercury Sable
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