Ford News Blog

Kayaking in the Ford Transit Connect

2009-06-28T09:03:00.001-05:00

Let Ford Recycle Your Ride

2009-06-26T01:52:00.004-05:00

Cash for Your Clunker?

The questions keep rolling in regarding Cash for Clunkers, or the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act, recently passed by congress. To help you, Ford has launched Web site that will provide the latest information and answers to the most common questions. The site also features a calculator where you can determine if your vehicle is eligible, and for which voucher – $3,500 or $4,500. Click here to go to the Let Ford Recycle Your Ride Web site.

You can also click here to view facts and frequently-asked questions on Scribd.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO

2009-06-17T13:05:00.003-05:00

The instrument panel in the new Taurus SHO reflects Ford design DNA with symmetrical encapsulation, where the driver and passenger proportions are equally-sized, adding to the sporty perspective.

Drive the Ford Difference

2009-06-11T12:31:00.002-05:00

Summer is the season for driving, and we’re kicking it off with the “Drive the Ford Difference” program. As part of our plan to build the best vehicles on the road today and make them affordable for millions of people, this program is all about getting potential customers to drive one.

What's included in our Drive the Ford Difference? For starters, Ford pays your first 3 payments, PLUS you get 0% financing on qualifying vehicles.

In addition to experiencing one of our new products, Ford will donate $20 in the name of each prospective customer that test drives a Ford vehicle, up to $1 million.

To find out more about the Drive the Ford Difference Program, please click here.

L.A. Lifeguard Escape Hybrid

2009-06-08T13:58:00.003-05:00

For the past year the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service, a division of the fire department, has used a fleet of 2009 Ford Escape Hybrids to help save lives while reducing fuel consumption and protecting the environment. During the first 11 months of service, Escape Hybrids have played a crucial part in thousands of rescues and more than a million rescue preventions at L.A. County beaches.

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer gets a new car

2009-05-27T12:11:00.001-05:00

Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talk about the auto industry after Ballmer gets his new Ford Fusion Hybrid on the company's Redmond campus, Tuesday May 26, 2009.

Ford Plug-In Hybrid Engergizes Alabama Event

2009-05-14T15:07:00.002-05:00

The scene at Barber Motorsports Park and Museum in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday, wasn’t the sort of engine-revving, tire-smoking racing event one normally sees here. But it was arguably more "electrifying."

The media turned out in force at the venue to test-drive the Ford Escape plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which Alabama Power and its parent, Southern Company, are road testing in association with Ford. Representatives from the Electric Power Research Institute and the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition also participated in the event, which was followed on Tuesday by a “Green Fleet” event for Alabama Power and Southern Company employees.

Read More...

Do Special Tickle Rods Make Cars Happier?

2009-05-13T21:02:00.004-05:00

No, Ford Engineers are not using special tickle rods on the underside of certain models to make the cars laugh before they leave the factory.

Ford's safety engineers have concocted a clever test method using a multi-tailed, lead-tipped steel whip. They use it to repeatedly "pepper" the underbody area where side impact air bag sensors are located. Data collected from such tests is used to refine sensor calibrations as well.

North American Ka?

2009-05-11T09:59:00.003-05:00

Autoblog reports that "Chrysler's deal with Fiat could result in Ford offering the cutesy Ka for sale in North America."

Top Social Automotive Brands

2009-05-07T15:47:00.003-05:00

From the Cluetrain Manifesto: Markets are Conversations

Historically, the authors state, the marketplace was a location where people gathered and talked to each other: they would discuss available products, price, reputation and in doing so connect with others ... The authors then assert that the internet is providing a means for anyone connected to the internet to re-enter such a virtual marketplace and once again achieve such a level of communication between people. This, prior to the internet, had not been available in the age of mass media ~ Wikipedia

"They" seem to be something that are relatively difficult to measure: Conversations. However, here's a BuzzStudy that attempts to measure a company's ability to "gather and talk". Our conversations at twitter, YouTube, Delicious, Scribd, Flickr and theFordStory.com mark only part of Ford's efforts. Hopefully, we'll continue to improve in this area.

New Online Credit Application

2009-04-28T12:13:00.003-05:00

Ford Motor Credit has a new online credit app:

Key Improvements

New look and feel designed to improve the consumer online experience.
New emails to improve communication with consumers about the status of their application.
Improved technology resulting in less applicant frustration from errors.
Clear communication of applicants' credit decision and consumer friendly language to promote the next step of visiting a dealer.

Key Processes Remain the Same

Online approvals are valid for 30 days from application date.
The online credit application can be accessed at FordCredit.com and clicking Apply Here.

Ford Battery Electric Vehicle

2009-04-23T13:40:00.003-05:00

Ford Battery Electric Vehicle: Within the shape of a future Ford car isn't a drop of gas. It's the new Ford Battery Electric Vehicle to be introduced in 2011 -- a key element of Ford's vehicle electrification strategy announced at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

Design Is in the Details

2009-04-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

The team of designers at Ford pulls inspiration from everything around them, and pours the best of it all into their work. Here, they tell you what it takes to give a vehicle the look and feel it needs in order to be just right. ~ via thefordstory.com

Clever tricks to help you reduce your ecological footprint.

2009-04-10T08:54:00.000-05:00

Gleisswerks clever tricks to help you reduce your ecological footprint.

Segway Rickshaw Prototype

2009-04-07T10:13:00.002-05:00

The Techreview Potential Energy blog reports, "GM and Segway have teamed up to develop a new prototype vehicle [Rickshaw] as part of their efforts to 'reinvent the automobile,' the companies say, but it's not clear their new vehicle will do better than the original Segway personal transport."

Ford Advantage Plan

2009-04-03T09:05:00.001-05:00

Mark Fields, President of the Americas, Ford Motor Company, discusses the Ford Advantage Plan in this YouTube video.

Experience a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Ride

2009-03-06T15:28:00.001-05:00

Experience a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Ride: A high-end driving simulator is bringing consumers closer to experiencing Raptor in its element - racing across the desert. Touring auto shows across the country, the simulator pivots on four axes: tipping forward, backward, moving side-to-side and going up and down, with the ability to spin 180 degrees.

Gryoscopic sensors, tuning forks and yaw control

2009-03-05T20:11:00.001-05:00

How can a car add balance to your life? Ford's exclusive AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ is the element of calm you need in an unstable driving situation, helping to keep your wheels firmly planted on the road.

Ford Work Solutions demonstration

2009-03-03T13:34:00.001-05:00

Quick Facts: Auto Sales And Excise Tax Deduction

2009-02-19T18:11:00.002-05:00

President Obama signed “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” into law on February 17, 2009. The law includes a new consumer tax deduction for State and local sales and excise taxes paid to purchase a motor vehicle during 2009.

Provides consumers a new tax deduction on their 2009 Federal income taxes for “qualified motor vehicle taxes.”
Qualified motor vehicle taxes include any State or local sales or excise tax imposed on the purchase of a qualified motor vehicle.
Qualified motor vehicles include passenger automobiles or light trucks with a weight rating of not more than 8,500 pounds.
Applies to NEW vehicles only.
Deduction allowed for non-itemizers.
Limitation on Vehicle Price: limited to the tax on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of a qualified motor vehicle.
Income Limitation: Phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income between $125,000 and $135,000 ($250,000 and $260,000 in the case of a joint return).
Effective Date: Purchases on or after February 17, 2009, and before January 1, 2010.

Customers with questions related to their particular tax situation should be advised to consult with a financial adviser.

Ford to receive incentive from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for its work in advanced battery and electrical vehicle development.

2009-02-18T11:52:00.003-05:00

Ford received an incentive from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for its work in advanced battery and electrical vehicle development. Ford will receive refundable tax credits through the new Michigan Advanced Battery Credits initiative, announced today by Governor Jennifer Granholm.

The first of its kind in the country, the law provides refundable tax credits to encourage companies to invest in electric vehicle engineering and advanced automotive battery research in Michigan.

Ford’s southeast Michigan operations already are home to some of the most advanced automotive research, technology and engineering development facilities in the world. This incentive will help ensure that research and development at Ford facilities in Michigan will play a key role in further enhancing this new technology.

Ford recently announced an aggressive electrification strategy to bring four new vehicles to market. Ford’s electrification strategy involves three types of electrified vehicles – battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – to provide consumers with significant fuel economy improvements and reduced CO2 emissions without compromising their driving experience.

Ford’s new electrification strategy will deliver a suite of electrified vehicles to market by 2012, including:

A full battery commercial Transit Connect van-type commercial vehicle in 2010.

A full battery electric passenger car in 2011.

Next-generation hybrid vehicles, including a plug-in version by 2012.

The electrification strategy builds on Ford’s vision for bringing affordable technology to millions. It is designed to take advantage of rapid advancements in electrified vehicle technology – particularly Lithium-ion batteries – while leveraging the scale of global vehicle platforms to bring the cost of new technology down.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO at 2009 Chicago Show.

2009-02-16T16:24:00.002-05:00

2010 Ford Taurus SHO: The new 2010 Ford Taurus revealed at the 2009 Chicago Auto show

J.D. Power study cites FordDirect Build & Price App as Best Practice

2009-02-13T16:20:00.002-05:00

J.D. Power and Associates released its semi-annual Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation StudySM, which measures the usefulness of auto manufacturer websites during the new-vehicle shopping process.

The study cited our Build & Price 2.0 application as a best practice and example of innovation and creativity in meeting consumer's shopping needs on the web. J.D. Power commented that the ease of use of the payment calculator, the integration of monthly payments on option features, and the display of inventory on all pages, were all leading practices that differentiated Ford above the competition.

Ford Fiesta: Allergy Super Tested

2009-02-11T21:15:00.003-05:00

The all-new Ford Fiesta is the latest Ford model especially designed and tested to help protect car occupants from potentially health-threatening allergic reactions. Ford is the only manufacturer to have its cars independently checked by the British Allergy Foundation (BAF) and the renowned international test authority TÜV to confirm they are "allergy friendly".

For each model, over 100 materials are assessed for allergy-causing potential, so Ford drivers can be confident that the interior conforms to the high standards required by BAF and TÜV.

Andy Taylor, Ford's European sustainability director, said: "Common materials like latex, chrome and nickel can provoke allergic reactions in some people. Our engineers take special care to minimise or eliminate such materials, something that is confirmed in these exhaustive independent tests."

Ford engineers ensure that all materials touched by drivers – such as the steering wheel, seat covers and seat belts – are dermatologically tested. Allergy-tested Ford models are equipped with high-performance filters – effective at preventing allergic pollens from entering the cabin.

Jules Payne, British Allergy Foundation deputy chief executive said: "BAF is pleased to see the new Ford Fiesta meet these exacting standards. Allergies affect millions of people every year and we are delighted to provide guidance to these people about the best vehicles to drive."

Ford’s achievements have also been recognised by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation, which awarded the company its "Seal of Quality" for products suitable for allergy sufferers.

ALLERGY-TESTED INTERIORS

What is it? Exhaustive development and testing to ensure that substances provoking allergies are avoided or reduced to a minimum

How to get it? On the new Ford Fiesta and Focus

New Transit Connect Coming To America

2009-02-09T12:04:00.001-05:00

Ford Transit Connect