Ford News Blog

"Fringe" Escape

2008-09-03T13:41:00.003-05:00

Ford vehicles will have "supporting roles" in the new science fiction drama series "Fringe," which premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 8:00/7:00 p.m. on FOX. "Fringe" is the latest show from acclaimed Hollywood producer/director J. J. Abrams, who also is the creator of "Lost" and "Alias."

Ford "auditioned" three cars – the Escape Hybrid, the new Ford Flex and the Mustang -- and the producers wanted them all, plus the Ford Fusion.

While she's investigating strange occurrences around town, the character of FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham, played by actress Anna Torv, will drive a 2009 Escape Hybrid.

Ford Sales Off 26.6%

2008-09-03T13:33:00.001-05:00

The Detroit Free Press reports, "Sales of Ford Motor Co. cars and trucks plummeted 26.6% in August, despite healthy gains of the company’s fuel-efficient cars, such as the Focus compact car, which was up 23.4% during the month." More...

Mulally to keynote CES

2008-08-29T14:18:00.001-05:00

Autoblog writes,

"Looks like the biggest gadget convention on Earth is becoming the place for big automotive announcements. You'll remember that two years ago at the Consumer Electronics Show, Ford and Microsoft announced their partnership on Ford's SYNC system, and last January General Motor's CEO Rick Wagoner chose Las Vegas to unveil the all-electric Cadillac Provoq concept. It was the first time in the convention's 40-year history an automaker had revealed a concept car to the world there.
This year it's Ford's turn again at CES, with CEO Alan Mulally taking the keynote spot."

Read more about "Ford CEO Alan Mulally to keynote CES" on Autoblog.

New 2010 Mustang Emblem

2008-08-28T21:38:00.001-05:00

A stronger, more dynamic pony badge with defined edges and crisper forms in a subtly toned tinted-chrome finish will charge across the grilles of the V-6 and GT versions of the 2010 Mustang. Here's the new badge on Flickr.

Dynamic Outsiders offer Views to Auto Industry

2008-08-26T15:31:00.005-05:00

The Detroit Free Press writes, "An Oklahoma oil billionaire and a Silicon Valley titan have committed themselves to reforming the U.S. auto industry -- whether Detroit's ready or not.

T. Boone Pickens, who made his fortune in oil investments and corporate raiding, wants automakers to build millions of vehicles that run on natural gas as part of an energy plan to quench U.S. demand for foreign oil.

Andrew Grove, who oversaw growth at Intel Corp., would accomplish the same goal by having millions of older vehicles converted to partial electric power, and by full-tilt production of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles."

Read more of the article at Detroit Free Press (via Automotive.com)

Conversion Planned for Michigan SUV Plant

2008-08-26T15:13:00.005-05:00

The Wall Street Journal reports that ..."Ford Motor Co. will invest $75 million to convert a Michigan sport-utility-vehicle plant to small-car production as part of its strategic shift to sell more of the fuel-efficient vehicles in North America starting in 2010."

At the heart of this manufacturing transformation is a flexible operation, which uses reprogrammable tooling in the body shop, standardized equipment in the paint shop and common-build sequence in final assembly, enabling production of multiple models in the same plant.

Aiding the implementation of flexible manufacturing is Ford’s industry-leading virtual manufacturing technology. In the virtual world, 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.

In a flexible body shop, at least 80 percent of the robotic equipment can be reprogrammed to weld various sized vehicles. This “non-product specific” equipment gives the body shop its flexibility and provides more efficient use of the facility.

Ford H2 ICE E-450 Shuttle Bus

2008-08-26T08:42:00.002-05:00

Ford is the world's first automaker to deliver dedicated hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2 ICE) powered vehicles to commercial customers. Pictured here, the Ford H2 ICE E-450 shuttle bus carries 30kg of hydrogen and can transport passengers with nearly zero emissions.

Ford is the only automaker with gasoline hybrid-electric vehicles, hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles, clean diesel, ethanol and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles on the road today.

Reduced CO2

A Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) is a traditional internal combustion engine that is modified to run on hydrogen, rather than gasoline. Compared with today's gasoline engines, H2ICE delivers up to a 99.7 percent reduction in CO2 and includes many of the benefits of a hydrogen fuel cell, but at a fraction of the cost.

The H2ICE E-450 seats up to 12 passengers and their luggage, including the driver. The vehicle is equipped with a 26-gallon equivalent, 5,000 pound-per-square-inch hydrogen fuel tank. Depending on conditions and vehicle load, the bus's range is up to 150 miles.

Related News

Will the next Prez love Ford?

2008-08-26T08:24:00.003-05:00

ClusterStock presents a few (somewhat sketchy?) arguments as to which president likes what auto company. In Obama Loves Ford (F), McCain Loves GM (GM): Which Cars You'll Buy Under Each Administration, Corey Lorinsky writes,

Obama or McCain? If you're looking to buy a car in the next four years (or invest in a car maker), the choice of the next president may affect that decision. The Car Connection breaks down which cars will be the most popular (and coolest) under each administration.

We're not psephologists -- however, irrespective of who wins, we're hoping that you'll vote Ford for your next car :)

Ford's New-Model Quality Center

2008-08-25T12:04:00.002-05:00

Ford's New-Model Quality Center where pre-production units of the Ford F-150 are used to "prove" manufacturing feasibility, is located in the historic Dearborn Glass Plant, built in 1922 ... See Also: ford.digitalsnippets.com/quality and "Quality at Ford" Flickr set.

Fiesta Review

2008-08-25T11:05:00.001-05:00

US News and World Reports reviews the 2010 Fiesta.

Big 3 Look to Washington For Financing Alternatives

2008-08-22T20:25:00.003-05:00

From the Wall Street Journal (subscription required):

Battered by high gasoline prices, the Big Three auto makers and their suppliers are now seeking much more help from Washington in the form of government-backed loans than the $25 billion they had previously requested.

The $25 billion in loans were approved as part of an energy bill last year, but now General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC will need "well north" of that, a GM spokesman said.

The companies, all three of which are struggling financially, hope to use the loans to accelerate the development of new technologies and vehicles.

Ford Ecoboost

2008-08-22T16:18:00.003-05:00

Ford Motor Company is introducing a new engine technology called EcoBoost that 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.

"EcoBoost is meaningful because it can be applied across a wide variety of engine types in a range of vehicles, from small cars to large trucks -- and it’s affordable," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development.

"Compared with the current cost of diesel and hybrid technologies, customers in North America can expect to recoup their initial investment in a 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine through fuel savings in approximately 30 months. A diesel in North America will take an average of seven and one-half years, while the cost of a hybrid will take nearly 12 years to recoup – given equivalent miles driven per year and fuel costs

See Also: Derrick Kuzak explains EcoBoost on YouTube

2009 Ford Escape Tops Toyota and Honda In Combined Safety And Fuel Efficiency Ratings

2008-08-22T08:54:00.003-05:00

The 2009 Ford Escape and Escape Hybrid achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which pit the Escape atop the small sport utility vehicle segment. The Escape also earned the U.S. government’s 5-star crash-worthiness rating.

The results top the Toyota RAV-4 in both independent crash safety ratings and, with the 2009 Escape’s improved fuel efficiency, offer better combined crash safety and fuel efficiency ratings than the Honda CR-V. Ford’s hybrids also outpaced Toyota Prius in both crash tests.

"Earning a Top Safety Pick is great news because IIHS tests are some of the most demanding conducted outside of our own laboratories, and customers are increasingly relying on them when choosing a new vehicle," said Susan Cischke, senior vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company. "The Ford Escape is one of few vehicles that earned both full 5-star crash ratings and a Top Safety Pick in the hotly contested small SUV segment -- some of our toughest rivals such as Toyota cannot match us."

The Ford Escape also is rewarding customers with large quality gains, matching lineup-wide improvements that have placed Ford on par with Toyota and Honda. The Escape earned a Top Three spot in J.D. Power and Associates' 2008 Initial Quality StudySM, which measures new-vehicle quality at 90 days of ownership.

To earn IIHS's Top Safety Pick, vehicles must earn the top "good" ratings in the institute's high-speed front and side crash tests, and rear crash tests that include seat and head restraint evaluations. An added requirement since 2007 is that vehicles must also offer electronic stability control.

IIHS recognized improvements in Ford’s 2009 compact SUVs including "modifications to the frontal airbags and safety belts as well as structural changes to improve occupant protection in frontal crashes," adding that "a new seat design improves the rear crash protection rating," as well.

"We’ve devoted many hours to analyzing and improving the body structure, safety belts and air bags of Escape for better performance in front and side impact crashes," said Steve Kozak, chief engineer for safety systems, Ford Motor Company. "We’ve taken our compact SUVs to the next level of safety."

Safety Standard

Ford and Mercury compact SUVs get some of their core strength from selective use of high strength steel in the body structure. The use of high-strength steel in the B-pillars to help protect passengers in front and side impacts is only part of their robust safety profile. The gas and hybrid electric versions share identical safety architecture.

Kozak added that every new Ford SUV and crossover launched since the 2006 Ford Explorer has standard electronic stability control and side air bags – safety features that helped Ford achieve its leading number of IIHS top safety picks.

Ford and its global brands have built 4 million vehicles globally with electronic stability control systems. More than 1 million of those vehicles feature Ford’s industry exclusive, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC), the world’s only system with a gyroscopic sensor that actively measures and helps control both side-to-side "yaw" and roll movements.

All 2009 Ford Escape models offer as standard equipment Ford’s exclusive AdvanceTrac® with RSC®, front seat-mounted side airbags and Safety Canopy® Air Curtain System with rollover detection. Also standard is Ford’s Personal Safety System®, which includes dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags, a driver seat position sensor, passenger seat sensor, and load-limiting safety belt retractors and pretensioners. Together, the system helps customize front air-bag deployment levels based on driver seating location, passenger weight and safety belt usage.

The Land of $8-per-Gallon Gas

2008-08-21T13:47:00.001-05:00

"My bride and I recently returned from our honeymoon in France. While there, we sipped champagne, choked down garlic-butter-laden snails and poured a significant share of our travel budget into the tank of our diesel-powered subcompact rental car. At each fuel stop, the numbers on the LED readout zipped by like a Las Vegas slot machine offloading its jackpot. Only, in this case, we got to play the role of banker." ~ Read more about the European Dream: Will the Land of $8-per-Gallon Gas Foretell our Future?

Grunts test the new stuff

2008-08-20T12:45:00.001-05:00

"Here's a novel idea. Let's take the people who actually work at a car company and put them behind the wheel of the models crucial to that company's future." ~ Read more at CNBC - Ford's Employee Test Drive

Ford's 76 MPG Econetic Variant

2008-08-18T18:39:00.002-05:00

Via Automotive.com,

We don't get the car yet, but when the Ford Fiesta does arrive on our shores, let's hope that the recently unveiled 76 mpg version makes the trek across the Atlantic as well.
The 'Econetic' variant is more than a simple engine choice ... Read More

Will a Ford Minicar appear in Quantum?

2008-08-15T08:00:00.003-05:00

James Bond has outrun evildoers in an invisible BMW, a high-performance Mustang and an Aston Martin with an ejector seat.

But now, at a time of record gas prices, is the super-spy ready for a minicar? See License to Economize: 007 to Drive Ford Minicar?

Ford Motor said that its redesigned Ka city car would debut in the upcoming Bond film "Quantum of Solace," scheduled for release in North America on Nov. 7.

Global Production Begins On The All-New Ford Fiesta

2008-08-14T07:09:00.004-05:00

* World premiere: first new generation Ford Fiesta rolls off Cologne production line

* Developed in Europe for customers around the world

* Fiesta to be produced and sold in Europe, the Americas and Asia, and will go on sale progressively across these regions between now and 2010

*Over 5.3 million Fiestas produced in Cologne since 1979

COLOGNE, August 14, 2008 – Volume production of the new Ford Fiesta, the first of a generation of new global small Ford cars, started at the company's Cologne plant in Germany today.

This all-new model of the Ford Fiesta has been conceived and developed by the European arm of Ford's global product development team to meet the demands and expectations of customers around the world.

It is also the blueprint for future Ford global product development, bringing together Europe, the Americas and Asia. The new Fiesta will be tailored for each region and go on sale progressively between now and 2010, starting now with Europe.

The Cologne plant has the honour of being the first Ford assembly facility in the world to build the new car. In January 2009, the Valencia plant in Spain will also begin to manufacture the new Fiesta. The production facilities for new Fiesta outside of Europe will be Nanjing in China, Rayong in Thailand and Cuautitlàn in Mexico. They will begin to produce the car for their respective regions from late 2008 through early 2010.

The all-new Fiesta is manufactured with sophisticated techniques more commonly found in the production of large cars: Ford production experts introduced these features at the highly efficient Cologne Assembly Plant, without interfering with existing Fiesta production. The all-new Fiesta production team went into the plant on weekends to install and verify new systems on the existing line. Some of the 50,000 hours of operator training was done off-line on static cars, while some training was dynamic (on-line). In one example of the training undertaken over a six week period, the production team built the same car on the line every day, then stripped it down and built it again.

In 2008, Ford plans to manufacture 148,000 new Fiestas in Cologne. When operating at full capacity, a total of more than 1,900 cars every day - new Fiestas together with the Ford Fusion - will be manufactured in Cologne over three shifts.

Since the very first Fiesta was launched in 1976, over 12 million have been sold, with over 400,000 customers in 2007 proving the enduring popularity of the model.

The new Fiesta's dramatic exterior design and exciting interior styling are instantly recognisable, accentuated by the bold use of colours and the use of high quality materials throughout. The new vehicle extends the core Fiesta values of style, efficiency and driving quality.

External industry organisations regard the Fiesta plant in Cologne as the most efficient vehicle assembly plant in Europe. A total of 410,900 Fiestas and Fusions was manufactured in Cologne in 2007. Approximately 85 per cent of the vehicles produced in Cologne last year were exported to more than fifty countries. The Cologne assembly plant employs directly some 4,000 people.

Earlier this year, Ford began sourcing renewable electricity to cover the full electric power demand of its Fiesta manufacturing and engineering facilities in Cologne. Through this initiative, the company will reduce its CO2 emissions by 190.000 tonnes per year. This initiative is part of the company's overall commitment to further reduce the environmental footprint of its vehicles through their entire life cycle.

"We're very proud of the Cologne Assembly Plant and the vehicles produced here. Not only does the new Fiesta bring innovative design and engineering to the small car market, but it brings new manufacturing technologies as well", said Jim Tetreault, Vice-President Manufacturing, Ford of Europe.

"This new Fiesta is tough, strong, and safe due to the body construction technologies which allow us to build a lightweight, yet extremely strong body through the innovated use of high strength steel. It is also built with care, craftsmanship and precision by an efficient and dedicated workforce, which is second to none", he added.

Toyoda Kiichirō

2008-08-13T11:41:00.007-05:00

'Toyoda Kiichirō', (June 11, 1894 - March 27, 1952) was a Japanese business man and the son of Toyoda Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda. He made the decision for Toyoda Loom Works to branch into automobiles, considered a risky business at the time. Shortly before Sakichi Toyoda died, he encouraged his son to follow his dream and pursue automobile manufacturing — Kiichiro created what eventually became Toyota Motor Corporation.

Kiichiro Toyoda was fascinated by Henry Ford's assembly line and the Model - T. As the Open Road blog points out,

[Ford’s assembly line] "refinements meant that the time required to build a complete car was about 90 minutes. At the very beginning of Model T production, before the assembly line was pressed into service, assembling a Model T required about 12.5 hours. Naturally, as the Model T gave way to the Model A and subsequent models, the Ford assembly-line process became even more streamlined.

This very much caught the attention of Kiichiro Toyoda, the son of Toyoda Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda . . . Kiichiro studied Henry Ford's book, "My Life and Work" and urged everyone around him to read it."

In a somewhat ironic twist and a deeply respectful tribute to Kiichiro Toyoda, Ford's culture now necessitates that employees -- from the tech on the dealership lube rack to the CEO and Chairman of the Board -- become intimately familiar with "The Toyota Way".

This new culture and focus at Ford is, in part, the reason for Ford's ascendancy in Quality Improvements.

2009 Ford Edge Blindspot Mirror

2008-08-08T14:11:00.000-05:00

Focus shines in Gas-Sipper Smackdown

2008-08-01T11:57:00.004-05:00

Ford’s redesigned Focus continues to surprise auto industry watchers and customers alike with strong sales, revenue growth, fuel economy and industry-first technology.

While Ford and industry sales experienced a double-digit sales decline in July, Ford Focus sales climbed 16 percent versus a year ago. Year-to-date, Focus sales were up 26 percent, compared with industry-wide small car growth of approximately 9 percent.

Focus has surprised in areas other than sales:

Fuel Economy – In an independent test conducted by Edmunds.com called the Gas-Sipper Smackdown, Focus achieved 37.5 mpg on the highway. Focus has EPA highway fuel economy of 35 mpg – better than the smaller 2008 Honda Fit and 2009 Nissan Versa SL.
Cool Technology – Focus was named one of Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 based on its safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort, technology, fun-to-drive and the “decidedly subjective coolness factor.”

All New Ka to be released at upcoming auto show

2008-08-01T06:36:00.004-05:00

The new model is destined to continue the considerable success of the original Ford Ka, which is widely considered to be an automotive design icon.

Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1996, the Ka was immediately praised for its exciting “New Edge” styling and class-leading driving dynamics.

Throughout its 12-year life the Ka has remained tremendously popular among small-car buyers, inspiring fierce loyalty from its owners. In total, Ka production has exceeded 1.4 million vehicles.

Further information on the new Ford Ka range will be released in time for the Paris Motor Show in early October 2008.

E.on selects Ford for Green Option

2008-07-31T06:43:00.002-05:00

Energy company E.ON has renewed its Ford contract with the environmental performance of Ford vehicles a deciding factor.The agreement with E.ON will see some 2,000 Ford vans and cars added to their UK fleet this year as part of the three-year deal.

E.ON UK is part of German-based E.ON, the world’s largest investor-owned power and gas company. The selection of Ford vehicles for the contract follows a comprehensive international tender exercise.

“This is part of a pan-European contract with each country managing its own requirements,” said E.ON UK’s fleet manager David Graham.

The utility is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies and has been running Ford vehicles for the past 10 years. Serving 8,000,000 electricity and gas customer accounts, it places a particularly strong emphasis on its ecological responsibilities.

Ford 2.0 and social networks.

2008-07-30T11:47:00.003-05:00

Ford is pleased with the response that they're getting from the Ford Facebook contest – one of two Ford promotions on the popular social networking site.

The Driving Skills for Life “application” promotes teen safe driving in a fun way as teenagers can customize vanity plates and compete with friends by deciphering other plates.

Ford messages the following on their "what's happening" section of the Ford Drives U site:

"Reel" World Sweepstakes - Register for your chance to win a 2009 Ford Focus and other prizes
Facebook - Stay up to date with Ford's Events and join Ford's Facebook fan page
College 500: Driven by Ford - mtvU and Ford are looking for College Students for a competitive journey across the country in a new reality show
Ford Movie Mogul Challenge - Challenge your friends by playing the Ford Movie Mogul Challenge
Ford Drives U On Campus Vehicle Experience - See photos from Ford's events on your campus

'09 GT Specs

2008-07-28T15:46:00.003-05:00

Engine Type: 4.6L OHV 24V V8
Electronics: EEV-V
Displacement: 4.6L
Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm): 300@5750
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 320@4500
Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Bore and Stroke(in): 3.55 x 3.54
Main Bearings: 5
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic with Roller Finger Followers
Fuel Delivery: Sequential Multi-port Electronic Fuel Injection