Ford News Blog

Ford's 6.7-litre Power Stroke turbocharged diesel engine

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:33:00 +0000

The 2011 Super Duty has that rare combination of powerful capability and quiet confidence. It features Ford’s new 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine, which is expected to be the quietest, smoothest diesel on the market, outperforming its closest competitors by several decibels.

C-Max to be sold in America

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:14:00 +0000

The Ford C-MAX will launch in the second half of 2010 and is the first in a new generation of global vehicles developed from Ford’s new C-segment platform, scheduled for introduction over the next several years. The global range will also include the all-new Ford Focus coming in late 2010.

Fund Balance Remaining for CARS

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:54:00 +0000

$779M Estimated funds remaining for CARS*

* This balance reflects only requests for reimbursement that dealers have entered in the CARS system as of this date.

The CAR Allowance Rebate System (CARS) is a $1 billion government program that helps consumers buy or lease a more environmentally-friendly vehicle from a participating dealer when they trade in a less fuel-efficient car or truck. The program is designed to energize the economy; boost auto sales and put safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles on the nation's roadways.

For more information see LetFordRecycleYourRide.com

Ford Beats Every Auto Company in Quality

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Sweet.

Questions about the governement "Cash For Clunkers" program?

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:09:00 +0000

See our Cash For Clunkers Frequently Asked Questions page.

Live Chat now available for questions about "Cash for Clunkers" program

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:45:00 +0000

The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) -- better known as "Cash for Clunkers" -- is the government's new vehicle trade-in program and your Ford dealers are your "Cash for Clunkers" specialists. No one makes it easier to receive your incentive, recycle your old vehicle and save on a new, high-quality Ford or Lincoln Mercury vehicle. LetFordRecycleYourRide.com will provide general program information, answer frequently asked questions and provide you with the information you will need to take advantage of this unique program. Using the Qualification Calculator , you can select your current vehicle and then learn which Ford vehicle is right for you.

Ford's recently introduced Live Chat can answer any questions that you may have about the government trade-in program or Ford's incentives.

Soy-based Seating Foam

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:01:00 +0000

The Ford Mustang debuted the auto industry's first soy-based seat foam, replacing petroleum-based foam. The eco-friendly technology is now featured in the 2008 Ford F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator and will be in the 2009 Ford Escape.

Ford's experiments with soybeans aren't new. Writes the Soy Info Center,

Henry Ford, born 30 July 1863 on a farm near Dearborn, Michigan, was one of America's foremost soybean and soyfood pioneers. From the late 1920s until many years after his death in 1947, Ford's name was closely linked with soybeans, for he developed a host of new ways to use the crop industrially and was one of the most creative of the original soyfoods pioneers. In those days when soyfoods were not yet respectable (are they yet?), Ford had to take a lot of abuse and become the butt of many jokes and newspaper cartoons for his firm belief in the soybean. A man of great vision and influence, Ford and his huge publicity machine, plus his unique ability to attract media attention, gave soybeans and soyfoods extensive and exciting nationwide publicity. He reached both farmers and the general public in an area when soy was still largely unknown.

Lasers may replace spark plugs (to start cars)

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:21:00 +0000

Telegraph UK writes,

Scientists at Liverpool University and engineers at car giants Ford have developed a new ignition system which uses focused beams of laser light to ignite the fuel.

The researchers claim the technology is more reliable and efficient than current spark plug technology and will enable cars to start more easily in cold and damp conditions.

It is understood that Ford, the world's fourth largest car manufacturer, hopes to put the laser ignition system into their top of the range vehicles within the next couple of years before making it more widely available... [Read More]

Source: via Autoblog

"Ford's Tricky Road Ahead"

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:25:00 +0000

From the Wall Street Journal,

Honor is the reward of virtue, but what's it worth to investors?

This is the question faced by Ford Motor. Unlike rivals General Motors and Chrysler, Ford escaped the ignominy of Chapter 11. The company rightly has gained kudos for tapping debt markets before they closed and securing concessions from bondholders, labor and dealers without resorting to bankruptcy. In terms of U.S. market share, Ford has seen the biggest gain of any major brand during the past 12 months of turmoil, according to Barclays Capital.

Top Gear Reviews the Ford Focus RS

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:14:00 +0000

(via FordStory)

Kayaking in the Ford Transit Connect

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Let Ford Recycle Your Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:52:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:05:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:31:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:58:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:11:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:07:00 +0000

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?

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:02:00 +0000

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?

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:59:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:47:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:13:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:40:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:00:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:54:00 +0000

Gleisswerks clever tricks to help you reduce your ecological footprint.

Segway Rickshaw Prototype

noreply@blogger.com (Web Team) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:13:00 +0000

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."