Ford Hybrid Vehicle Sales Break Full-Year Record in First Five Months of 2013

• Ford surpassed its previous full-year hybrid sales record set in 2010 of 35,496 vehicles in just the first five months of 2013

• Ford is projected to sell approximately 37,000 hybrid vehicles through May, for around a 375 percent increase over the same period last year

• Ford Fusion Hybrid is projected to deliver its best May sales ever; Ford Fusion Energi is also projected to achieve its best sales month since its introduction in February

• Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid continue to draw new customers to the Ford brand, with conquest rates at 64 percent and 67 percent, respectively; Toyota is the top competitive conquest brand

C-MAX Hybrids being built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. MAP the only manufacturing site in the world to build vehicles with five different fuel-efficient powertrains on the same line, and the only one to build four vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or more in real-world driving. In addition to the C-MAX Hybrid, MAP produces Focus Electric, the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, as well as the conventional Focus and Focus ST high performance model.

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 31, 2013 – Ford Motor Company bested its previous full-year hybrid sales record in just the first five months of 2013, driven by the product strength of its new electrified vehicle lineup including Ford C-MAX Hybrid, Ford C-MAX Energi, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Ford Fusion Energi, as well as Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

 

Ford beat its previous full-year hybrid sales record of 35,496 vehicles in 2010 with projected sales of 37,000 through May, an increase of more than 375 percent over the same period last year. Ford is now second only to Toyota in the number of hybrid vehicles it sells in the United States with its market share continuing to grow, up from 3 percent last year to an all-time-high 15.5 percent through April 2013.

 

“We’re working tirelessly to get as many hybrids to the market as we can right now to meet this unprecedented customer demand for our electrified vehicles,” said Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. sales analyst. “The success we are experiencing with hybrids is energizing the whole company.”

 

Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid continue to draw new customers to the Ford brand, with conquest rates remaining highest in the Ford showroom since the launch of both vehicle lines. Fusion Hybrid conquest sales are holding steady at 67 percent, with C-MAX Hybrid at 63 percent. The new lineup continues to draw new customers from Toyota and Honda, with most conquest sales coming from Toyota.

 

Ford Fusion Hybrid continues to fly off dealer lots, attaining some of the highest turn rates in the Ford showroom. Fusion Hybrid is turning in just 14 days on average as customers are drawn to the all-new car’s fuel economy, styling and design. This turn rate is even higher in key markets like Los Angeles, at just 10 days. Fusion Hybrid represents an all-time-high percentage of overall Fusion sales, at 15 percent.

 

Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid – the newest addition to Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup – is also expected to achieve its best sales month ever since its launch in February.

 

“Our all-new electrified vehicle lineup is drawing new customers to the Ford brand,” said C.J. O’Donnell, Ford electrification group marketing manager. “We are growing our business by providing fuel-efficient products that don’t force customers to compromise the design, technology and comfort that are available across the Ford lineup.

 

“We’re hearing from our dealers they literally can’t keep our hybrids in stock,” O’Donnell added. “This is particularly evident in key markets like California.”

 

Ford is delivering the power of choice

Ford is seeing demand for fuel economy across its lineup as the brand ranks No. 1 in fuel economy customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and now beats Toyota for leading efficiency in every segment where both companies compete.

 

Ford’s newest plug-in vehicle – Fusion Energi – gives customers yet another Ford option when shopping electrified vehicles. The new Fusion Energi joins Focus Electric, Fusion Hybrid, C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi.

Ford Leads Auto Industry in Using 3D Imaging to Improve Quality, Making F-Series Trucks Even Tougher, Quieter

• Ford now using 3D mapping to better analyze rear truck axles for problems that could affect reliability; technology also provides for a smoother, quieter ride in F-Series pickups

• Photogrammetric pattern reader (PPR) technology instantly stitches together 9,000 images of truck axles during assembly for 3D analysis

• PPR automated analysis provides faster and more efficient assessment over manual visual inspections

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 28, 2013 – Ford engineers are using 3D mapping in what is believed to be the technology’s first application in the auto industry to better analyze rear axle parts of F-Series pickups during assembly, leading to a smoother, quieter ride for drivers of Ford trucks.

 

Similar to Google Earth, which uses three-dimensional imaging to map the world, Ford’s photogrammetric pattern reader (PPR) uses a pair of digital cameras to combine photos of the axle gears into a series of 3D pictures that are compared against an ideal computer model of the gears. Gears that don’t meet “Built Ford Tough” specifications are discarded.

 

“PPR technology is the next evolution in quality control for our commercial trucks,” said David Gravel, an engineer in Ford’s advanced manufacturing group. “While traditional, visual inspections of our axle gears ensure we’re delivering dependable, tough trucks to our customers, this new technology allows us to conduct our inspections faster, and at a level of detail the human eye just cannot discern.

 

“We constantly look for ways to go further for our customers,” he added, “and this system is one example of how we are making our trucks even more reliable.”

 

Ford’s system uses line scan cameras and infrared lights to turn a series of two-dimensional image slices into a single three-dimensional image for analysis. It was developed with Madison, Wis.-based Automated Vision and ATM Automation in Livonia, Mich.

 

 

“This technology is part of a trend where companies like Ford are using advanced automation to increase accuracy and consistency in production,” said Nan Zhang, a scientist at Automated Vision. “Computer vision is booming and is a very important topic for the next decade.”

 

Now in use at Ford’s Sterling Axle Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., PPR stations are being rolled out in Ford plants worldwide.

 

How does it work?

The complex curvature of the hypoid gears used on the rear axle ring and pinion makes it impossible to see both sides of each gear tooth in a single image. The two cameras used on the inspection rig capture 9,000 1024x1-pixel images from each side of every gear tooth in a matter of seconds as the gears rotate. The processing system contains a digital model of the gear profile that is then used to stitch these images together and flatten out the gear teeth into a single 3D panoramic image that can easily be scanned to ensure the teeth are meshing correctly.

 

Any parts that show anomalies that could cause noise or durability issues are scrapped. On average, only two to five parts per every 1,000 parts fall outside the tight tolerance range for acceptability.

Utility Vehicles Driving Ford to Unprecedented Sales Gains in Critical Markets Around the World

• Ford utility vehicles making unprecedented gains in California; Ford brand retail utility share now more than 15 percent in the first quarter, almost 6 percentage points higher than 2006

• Ford projected to outpace the industry in global utility sales growth in key markets such as China, according to IHS; China utility vehicle sales expected to double in the next five years

• Small utilities are the fastest-growing vehicle segment globally; Ford expected to outpace industry growth over the next five years – led by the global launch of EcoSport and Escape/Kuga utility vehicles

DEARBORN, Mich., May 29, 2013 – Ford is leading a major global shift to fuel-efficient and functional utility vehicles, growing its sales in the last five years faster than any other Ford vehicle segment and faster than the industry average.

 

“This was a major bet we made with the One Ford plan, and it is paying off,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president, global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln. “Utilities are helping us grow our share in the North American market – particularly in the traditionally difficult coastal markets – and they’re driving our expansion in developing markets, where utility growth is exploding.”

 

The One Ford plan has delivered a global family of utilities, including EcoSport, Escape/Kuga, Edge and Explorer, which will fuel the company’s growth during the next few years.

 

In the United States, Ford is the best-selling utility brand. Nowhere is the U.S. impact more evident than in California, where Explorer retail sales are up 43 percent and Escape retail sales are up 51 percent through April of this year. A Ford analysis of Polk retail registrations indicates the company’s two newest utilities have helped to increase its share by 6 percentage points in California – the biggest retail sales growth since 2006 of any non-premium brand in the critical state.

 

The trend is even more promising globally, where industry sales are expected to surge during the next five years, according to data from IHS Automotive. With the recent global launches of EcoSport, Escape/Kuga, Edge and Explorer, Ford is expected to see sales of its utility vehicles grow in every market around the world.

 

Small utilities to lead globally

Data provided by IHS Automotive indicate global utility vehicle sales grew 35 percent between 2007 and 2012. The segment now accounts for more than 13 million sales annually – 18 percent of the global automotive market.

 

Small utilities are leading the growth, with sales up 154 percent in that period.

 

In 2012, small utilities accounted for just more than 7 million vehicles, approximately 9 percent of total global vehicle sales. The subcompact EcoSport and the larger compact Escape – or Kuga in markets outside North America – represent Ford’s small utility vehicle offerings.

 

Further utility vehicle growth is expected in the coming years, driven mainly by the small utility segment, which is the fastest-growing segment and is projected to increase by 51 percent.

 

Ford small utility sales are projected to outpace the overall industry, according to IHS Automotive. The increase will be driven largely by introduction of EcoSport into key markets, including India, China and Europe, and the launch of Kuga in the fast-growing China market.

 

“Nothing has been more prolific than the global rise of the small utility,” said Farley. “Once a trend in Western markets, we now see a rapid convergence toward the segment globally as customers become enamored by vehicles offering the size and functionality of a utility coupled with car-like dynamics and fuel economy.”

 

In China, small utility sales climbed to more than 1.4 million vehicles last year, up from about 120,000 units sold in 2005, according to IHS Automotive. Ford’s launch of the EcoSport compact SUV there this year will round out a portfolio that includes Edge, Explorer and Kuga, which has seen sales of more than 20,000 units since going on sale in February.

 

“There is little doubt the biggest opportunity for the industry is China,” said Farley. “With the entire utility market expected to double there during the next five years, we have a distinct advantage offering customers in China an entire family of utility vehicles – small, medium and large.”

 

In Europe, the utility segment is the only segment that has grown since 2005. Ford increased Kuga production 8 percent this year to meet demand, as Europe expects to produce 100,000 annual units of the small utility for the first time. Kuga will be joined later this year by the new EcoSport, with the larger Edge to follow. Ford recently announced production of the iconic Explorer in Russia, marking the first time the utility has been produced outside the United States.

 

Leading the way for Ford in North America is Escape, the best-selling utility in the United States and the top-selling utility in its segment in Canada for nine consecutive years. Customers in North America have responded to Escape’s improved fuel economy, sleek new design, enhanced cargo capacity and innovative technology like its hands-free liftgate.

 

Consumer appeal

Small utility growth has been fueled in part by an aging global population increasingly becoming empty-nesters. Small utilities also are steadily growing in popularity thanks to improved fuel economy coupled with a greater sense of security behind the wheel and increased capability with available all-wheel-drive systems and more cargo capacity.

 

With improvements in engine technology, Ford’s utility vehicles also have become even more fuel efficient. Ford’s EcoBoost^® engines can help provide up to 20 percent better fuel economy without sacrificing the power that drivers want. The new Escape features two EcoBoost engines – a 1.6-liter and a 2.0-liter that make up about 90 percent of sales volume.

 

Consumers also find utilities offer greater flexibility than most passenger cars, with the potential for myriad opportunities and tasks – from road trip vacations to hauling packages home from a store.

Ford Honors Top Suppliers Around the Globe for Excellence in 2012

• Forty-seven of Ford’s top-performing suppliers received World Excellence Awards for 2012

• A special honor was given to 35 suppliers who demonstrated the Go Further mindset and continuous pursuit of excellence in the face of unforeseen business challenges

• Ford’s supplier partners are recognized for achieving the highest level of excellence in key areas including quality, cost performance and delivery

DEARBORN, Mich., May 24, 2013 – Ford Motor Company hosted its 15th annual World Excellence Awards (WEA) ceremony Thursday evening to celebrate 47 of its top-performing global suppliers in 2012.

 

Tony Brown, group vice president, global purchasing, thanked the suppliers for their contribution to delivering high-quality products to Ford customers.

 

“Our partnership with our suppliers played a pivotal role in the progress we made on the One Ford plan in 2012,” said Brown. “Our WEA winners have shown a dedication to excellence. Thank you for helping Ford serve customers with the best vehicles in the world.”

 

The WEA honors production and nonproduction suppliers. The award-winning suppliers represent thousands of employees across the globe who bring diverse cultures, values and ideas to Ford Motor Company.

 

There are three types of awards to recognize these top suppliers:

 

• Gold is awarded to the top 5 percent of qualifying suppliers who demonstrated superior quality, delivery and cost performance
• Silver recognizes the top 10 percent of qualifying suppliers who excelled in quality, cost and delivery
• Recognition of Achievement is given to suppliers who improve customer satisfaction by providing significant contributions in key areas – New Consumer-Focused Technology, Consumer-Driven 6-Sigma, Durability and Reliability Performance, Corporate Responsibility, Supplier Diversity Development and Community Service

This year Ford recognized 35 additional suppliers with a special Go Further award for their contributions to the Evonik fire recovery, emergency resourcing actions, and extraordinary plant and equipment launch support. The tireless work and assistance of these suppliers helped to minimize production disruptions, and even more importantly, they exhibited courage, strength and leadership during a time of hardship.

 

Mark Fields, Ford chief operating officer, thanked the supplier partners for continuing to embrace the Go Further mindset in the face of adversity.

 

“We want to recognize those suppliers who have demonstrated excellence despite the unforeseen challenges that have happened over the past year,” said Fields. “Thanks to your unwavering commitment, we are closer than ever to reaching our goal of delivering profitable growth for all.”

 

This year, 14 Gold, 21 Silver and 12 Recognition of Achievement honors were awarded along with the 35 Go Further honors.

 

The 2012 winners are:

 

Gold

• Acciona Facility Services, Barcelona, Spain; Facility Management
• BASF, Capital Federal, Argentina; Paint
• Devon Industrial Group, Detroit; Demolition and Decommissioning Management
• F. Segura, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain; Stampings
• Flex-N-Gate – Ventra, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Metal Bumpers
• Hülsbeck & Fürst – Huf España, El Burgo De Osma, Soria, Spain; Door Handles
• Kunshan Macauto Automotive Parts Industry, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China; Luggage Covers
• Mahle Engine Components, Morristown, Tenn.; Pistons
• Minacs Marketing Solutions, Farmington Hills, Mich.; Marketing Programs
• Ogura, Chesterfield Township, Mich.; Differentials
• Summit Plastics, Jiangning, Nanjing, China; IP Finish Panels
• Tenneco Automotive, Gliwice, Poland; Shock Absorbers
• Transportistas Unidos Mexicanos Division Norte, Tlalnepantla, Mexico; Truckload Carriers
•  Warn Industries, Milwaukie, Ore.; Axles

 

Silver

• Acumuladores Moura, Belo Jardim, Brazil; Batteries
• Autoneum Poland, Katowice, Poland; NVH Insulation
• Delphi Delco France, Saint Aubain du Cormier, France, Security Systems
• Fanuc Robotics America, Rochester Hills, Mich.; Body Shop and Paint Robots
• Federal-Mogul, South Bend, Ind.; Pistons
• Flextronics – Saturn Electronics and Engineering, Juarez, Mexico; Wiring
• Gil Mar Manufacturing – PGI Far East Precision Products, Shanghai, China; Iron Engine Castings
• Husco Automotive Technologies, Whitewater, Wis.; Variable Valve Timing
• Inalfa SSI Roof Systems, Warren, Mich.; Sliding Roofs
• Inteva Products, Saint Dié, France; Door Latches
• Iochpe-Maxion – Hayes Lemmerz, Königswinter, Germany; Wheels
• Mark IV Industries – Dayco Europe, Chieti Scalo, Italy; Fead Systems
• Morpace, Farmington Hills, Mich.; Market Research
• MRF, Puducherry, India; Tires
• MSX International, Colchester, Essex, U.K.; Agency Labor
• NYK Group, Tokyo, Japan; Transportation
• Pratt Industries, Conyers, Ga.; Corrugated Packaging Material
• Progress-Werk Oberkirch, Oberkirch, Germany; IP Cross Car Beam
• Shanghai GKN Driveshaft, Zhoupu Pudong, Shanghai, China; Driveshafts
• Tower Automotive, Bellevue, Ohio; Frames
• Umicore Brasil, Americana, São Paulo, Brazil; Catalytic Converter Internals

 

Recognition of Achievement

• Dakkota Integrated Systems, Holt, Mich.; Supplier Diversity Development, Diverse Supplier of the Year
• Flex-N-Gate, Urbana, Ill.; ABF Principles
• Flextronics International, San Jose, Calif.; Corporate Responsibility
• Gentex, Zeeland, Mich.; New Consumer-Focused Technology
• GKN Driveline, Newton, N.C.; New Consumer-Focused Technology
• Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, Calif.; Corporate Responsibility
• IBM, Armonk, N.Y.; Supplier Diversity Development, Corporation of the Year
• Muhr und Bender, Attendorn, Germany; ABF Principles
• TDK Yurihonjo, Yurihonjo, Akita, Japan; Durability and Reliability
• Tenneco – Walker Manufacturing, Ligonier, Ind.; Warranty Improvement
• The Diez Group – Delaco Steel, Detroit; Community Service
• Tomkins – Gates, Windsor, Ontario, Canada; Consumer-Driven 6-Sigma

 

Go Further

• Autoliv
• Betz Industries
• Continental
• Cooper Standard
• Delphi
• Denso
• Dytech Automotive
• Easton Fluid Power
• Eberspächer
• Evonik Industries
• Facil
• FTE Automotive
• GKN
• Inergy Automotive Systems
• Ji Chyuan Enterprise
• Lesco Design and Manufacturing
• LuK-Schaeffler
• Magna-Cosma
• Mahle Metal Leve
• Martinrea International
• MGI Coutier-Avon Automotive
• Nemak Dillingen
• Norma Group Mexico
• Orda Otomotiv-Nobel Plastiques and Nobel Rocket
• Pass
• Robert Bosch
• Spectra Premium Industries
• Taiwan Sanoh Electric
• Textron-Kautex
• TI Automotive
• Troy Design and Manufacturing
• Union Pacific Railroad
• Valeo Lighting
• Voss Automotive
• Yapp Automotive Parts

Cemetery Watchman

I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's.  Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655.  Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day.  Full dress was hot in the August sun.  Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, a '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new.  It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace..  An old woman got out so slowly I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell.

I couldn't help myself.  The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!'  But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.

Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey's in time. I broke post attention.  My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch.   I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery. I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.

'Ma'am, may I assist you in any way?' 

She took long enough to answer.

'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.'

'My pleasure, ma'am.'  Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.

She looked again.  'Marine, where were you stationed?'

'Vietnam, ma'am.. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.'

She looked at me closer.  'Wounded in action, I see.  Well done, Marine.  I'll be as quick as I can.'

I lied a little bigger:  'No hurry, ma'am.'

She smiled and winked at me.  'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off..  Let's get this done.  Might be the last time I can do this.  My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time.'

'Yes, ma 'am.  At your service.'

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone.  She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone.   She murmured something I couldn't quite make out..  The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918.

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone.  I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek.  She put a bunch on a stone; the name was  Stephen X.Davidson, USMC, 1943. She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone,  Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.

She paused for a second.  'Two more, son, and we'll be done'

I almost didn't say anything, but,  'Yes, ma'am. Take your time.'

She looked confused..  'Where's the Vietnam section, son?   I seem to have lost my way.'

I pointed with my chin. 'That way, ma'am.'

'Oh!', she chuckled quietly.  'Son, me and old age ain't too friendly.'

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at.  She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted.  She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970.  She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out.

'OK, son, I'm finished.  Get me back to my car and you can go home.'

Yes, ma'am.  If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?'

She paused.  'Yes, Donald Davidson was my father,  Stephen was my uncle,  Stanley was my husband,  Larry and Darrel were our sons.  All killed in action, all Marines.'

She stopped.  Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know.  She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.  I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.

Get to the 'Out' gate quick.. I have something I've got to do.' Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him.  He broke the rules to get us there down the service road.  We beat her.  She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet. 'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.'  I humped it across the drive to the other post.

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: 'TehenHut!  Present Haaaarms!'

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye-- full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud. She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac. Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.'

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer: 

'Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas.  Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.' Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts and Prayers. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy today. 

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!

THANK A VETERAN TODAY!

1928 Automotive Repair Ad Sent on a Penny Postcard

 May 31, 1927, the last Ford Model T rolled off the assembly line. It was the first affordable automobile, due in part to the assembly line process developed by Henry Ford. It had 2.9-liter, 20-horsepower engine and could travel at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. It had a 10-gallon fuel tank and could run on kerosene, petrol, or ethanol, but it couldn't drive uphill if the tank was low, because there was no fuel pump; people got around this design flaw by driving up hills in reverse. Ford believed that "the man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed."

The Model T cost $850 in 1909, and as efficiency in production increased, the price dropped. By 1927, you could get a Model T for $290 "I will build a car for the great multitude," said Ford. "It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired,after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one - and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces."

2012 Commercial Truck Sale

 

60 Month 0.00% and Rebates on 

ALL 2012 Commercial Trucks 

Call Paul Brown at 530-682-7693

Memorial Day Sellathon!

Extra Trade-in Rebates 

May 24th through May 27th 

Call Paul Brown at 530-682-7693

Ford Increases North American Capacity by 200,000 Units and Reduces Summer Shutdown to Meet Surging Demand

• Ford will add an additional 200,000 units of annual straight-time capacity this year after increasing annual straight-time capacity by 400,000 units in the region last year

• Ford will shorten its summer shutdown from the traditional two weeks to one week for a majority of North American assembly plants, increasing production by an extra 40,000 units

• This year Ford plans to add close to 3,500 hourly jobs to meet customer demand for the company’s best-selling vehicles

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 22, 2013 – Ford Motor Company will add an additional 200,000 units of annual straight-time capacity this year. In addition, Ford will produce an extra 40,000 units by idling select plants for only one week during what has been the traditional two-week summer shutdown.

 

“To meet surging customer demand for our top-selling cars, utilities and trucks, we are continuing to run our North American facilities at full manned capacity, and we will add 200,000 units of annual straight-time capacity this year,” said Jim Tetreault, vice president of North America Manufacturing. “Approximately 75 percent of our plants are running at a three-crew, three-shift or four-crew pattern in order to ensure we’re getting more of our products into dealerships.”

 

The 200,000 annual straight-time capacity additions this year will come from Chicago Assembly Plant, Flat Rock Assembly Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant, including increased production of some of Ford’s best-selling vehicles including Ford Explorer, Ford Fusion and Ford F-Series. The increased production at Kansas City Assembly Plant with the addition of a third crew, which Ford announced in early May, is included in the 200,000 increase.

 

Additionally, 20 plants, including six assembly plants, will take a reduced summer shutdown this year. The assembly plants taking one week of shutdown are Chicago Assembly, Cuautitlán Assembly, Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly, Kentucky Truck, Michigan Assembly and Oakville Assembly.

 

Other plants taking a reduced summer shutdown in 2013 include:

 

Buffalo Stamping Plant Chicago Stamping Plant Chihuahua Engine Dearborn Engine

Dearborn Tool & Die Lima Engine Plant Van Dyke Transmission Plant Woodhaven Forging

Ford will perform routine maintenance and model-year changeover work at the following assembly facilities: Dearborn Truck Plant, Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Kansas City Assembly Plant, Louisville Assembly Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant.

 

This is the second year in a row Ford has taken the action in order to meet strong demand for its products.

 

To meet demand for Ford vehicles, the company will add nearly 3,500 hourly jobs in 2013. With its latest announcement of more than 2,000 new jobs at Kansas City Assembly Plant, as well as more than 1,400 new jobs at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Ford is three-quarters of the way to its plan to create 12,000 hourly jobs in the United States by 2015. The company hired more than 8,000 salaried and hourly employees in the U.S. last year.

 

Ford will announce its third quarter North American production guidance on June 3 during the May U.S. sales call. The production guidance will include the effect of the additional 200,000 units of annual straight-time capacity and the shortened summer plant shutdown schedule. The increased production already has been assumed in the financial guidance the company reconfirmed during its first quarter earnings report on April 24.

Ford Fusion named to Best Family Cars list by KBB.com

The all-new Ford Fusion was named to the KBB.com list of Best Family Cars of 2013. Kelley Blue Book editors noted that with its “eye-catching exterior, the Fusion stands out with a variety of powertrains that includes two hybrid options and a pair of turbocharged engines, plus available all-wheel-drive and enough tech features to make a geek swoon.” The redesigned Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, giving customers leading fuel economy and underscoring Ford’s commitment to provide power of choice. Additionally, Fusion offers an unprecedented portfolio of driver-assistance and convenience technologies based on sensors, cameras and radar that enable the car to see and respond. Customer demand is strong, with Fusion delivering best-ever April sales of 26,722 cars – a 24 percent increase over record year-ago levels. Click here to learn more about the accolade.

Ford Fusion Energi Earns Top Vehicle Safety Rating from NHTSA

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion Energi a five-star Overall Vehicle Score in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

• 2013 Ford Fusion was also named Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the highest recommendation the organization has for vehicle safety

• In addition to top safety marks, Fusion Energi also achieves EPA-rated fuel economy of 100 MPGe combined, including 108 MPGe city/92 MPGe highway

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 20, 2013 – The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi has earned the highest possible “five-star” Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The five-star rating is the U.S. Government’s highest-possible safety rating and is determined only after severe testing procedures as part of NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which combines vehicle performance in frontal and side-impact crash tests and resistance to rollover.

 

The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid joins the Ford Fusion and the Ford Fusion Hybrid which already received five-star safety ratings. NHTSA has elected to test plug-in vehicles separately from vehicles powered by gasoline internal combustion engines as the market share of electrified vehicles is increasing. April marked Ford’s best hybrid sales month ever with Ford’s EV market share hitting an all-time high of 18 percent, up from 3 percent last April.

 

“The Fusion Energi combines the highest possible safety ratings from NHTSA and great fuel economy, two things we know customers are looking for in their vehicles,” said Steve Kenner, Global Director of the Ford Automotive Safety Office. “Our strategy is to provide our customers with a range of powertrain options in our vehicles, while still leading in fuel economy in every segment that we compete.”

 

The Fusion Energi gets an EPA fuel economy rating of 108 MPGe, which is five MPGe better than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.

 

The NHTSA five-star rating for the Fusion Energi comes in addition to the 2013 Fusion being named a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in December. The Top Safety Pick + designation is the highest rating the organization has for vehicle safety.

 

The Fusion Energi also features the Personal Safety System™ with safety belt technologies and front impact airbags. The Personal Safety System™ is a network of components that work together to tailor the deployment of the front airbags during frontal collisions. Other driver assist technologies available on the Fusion Energi include:

 

• Lane Keeping Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Rearview Camera
• Hill Start Assist
• Electronic Parking Brake

Ford’s Supplier Diversity Development Program: 35 Years of Empowering Minority, Women and Veteran Business Owners

• Ford’s award-winning Supplier Diversity Development (SDD) program celebrates its 35^th anniversary; since 1978 Ford has spent more than $67 billion with diverse suppliers

• In 2012 Ford spent $5.7 billion with tier-one minority-owned suppliers, $1.2 billion with tier-one women-owned suppliers, and $2.1 billion with tier-one suppliers who use tier-two minority- and women-owned businesses

• A diverse supplier base brings a fresh perspective that can lead to cutting-edge innovations and help accelerate the development of new vehicles

DEARBORN, Mich., May 20, 2013 – Ford’s Supplier Diversity Development (SDD) program celebrates 35 years of cultivating successful relationships between the company and its minority-, women- and veteran-owned supplier businesses.

 

Ford has spent $67 billion through the program since its launch in 1978, working with 400-plus diverse and minority suppliers; more than 25 of these companies have been doing business with Ford for more than 20 years.

 

“Diversity and inclusion are keys to our success at Ford,” said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. “For 35 years we have been committed to building a supplier base that reflects our employees, our customers and our shareholders. A broad and diverse supplier base reinforces our commitment to the communities where we live and work.”

 

The SDD program empowers entrepreneurs like John A. James by providing them with the resources to be successful. For instance, Ford sold James 23 used diesel trucks from its private fleet to use for his trucking business in 1972. James, an African-American veteran, is chairman, CEO and founder of an international supply chain logistics company, James Group International. He has worked with Ford since 1972 – a year after he founded his first business.

 

“Minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses have made substantial contributions to Ford’s profitable growth,” said Tony Brown, group vice president, global purchasing. “James Group International is an outstanding example of how our SDD program partners us with the best suppliers in the world, which has helped us produce quality vehicles over the last 35 years for our customers.”

 

By identifying high-potential minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses and giving them the resources to be successful, Ford can tap a fresh perspective that can lead to cutting-edge innovation and help accelerate the development of vehicles.

 

“Our SDD program is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Brown. “We’re all working together to foster new business relationships that will contribute to the greater good, leading to new opportunities for expansion and growth.”

 

Some notable examples of technologies that stemmed from Ford’s SDD program include:

 

• GDC: Owned by Loretta Miller and based in Goshen, Ind., GDC specializes in utilizing green technology (i.e. recycled tires) in plastic and rubber-formed products. GDC helped develop a product incorporating coconut shells and fibers that was used in Ford Super Duty

• Systrand Manufacturing: Owned by Sharon Cannarsa and based in Brownstown, Mich., Systrand is producing machined parts for the Ford hybrid transmissions that will be used in the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid

• Piston Automotive: Owned by former pro basketball player Vinnie Johnson and based in Redford, Mich., Piston Automotive supplies the high-voltage battery pack for Focus Electric – Ford’s first all-electric passenger car. Piston ships the battery pack to Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. and Saarlouis Assembly Plant in Germany

In 2012 Ford exceeded its sourcing goals by purchasing $5.7 billion in goods and services from minority-owned suppliers, $1.2 billion in goods and services from women-owned suppliers, and $2.1 billion from suppliers who in turn source business from minority- and women-owned companies.

 

This year Ford has added several minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses to its supplier base, including Cordell Transportation (a Dayton, Ohio-based trucking business), CMAC Transportation (a Brownstown Charter Township, Mich.-based warehouse and transportation company), Go-To Transportation (a Bay City, Mich.-based shipping company) and Integrated Supply Chain Solutions (a Detroit-based print management and transportation business).

 

Looking ahead, veterans are a key focus for the SDD program. Ford is committed to spending 3 percent of its U.S. purchasing budget with qualified veteran-owned businesses.

 

“If anyone understands teamwork and getting the job done, it’s our men and women who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces,” said Carla Preston, SDD program director. “We believe the success of Ford Motor Company largely depends on enabling people and businesses of all kinds to succeed and share in the One Ford plan of profitable growth for all – particularly our veteran suppliers. We look forward to continuing our successful supplier partnerships that mirror the communities that build and sell our vehicles around the country.”

Ford Escape, Fusion Accelerate ‘Super Segment’ Share Gains

• Ford retail market share to date in the “super segment,” the combined subcompact, compact, midsize sedan and small utility segment, is up 28 percent, compared to a 9 percent overall industry gain

• Fusion and Escape retail sales volumes increasing fastest in coastal states – Fusion sales up 60 percent this year in coastal states, Escape sales up 46 percent through April  

• Ford’s California April retail sales up 78 percent in the super segment, compared to 59 percent for the first four months of 2013

• Super segment now represents more than half of new vehicle sales nationwide, compared to 35 percent in 2004; Ford share of super segment stands at 13 percent through April vs. 11 percent last year – highest share levels in company history

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 16, 2013 – Driven by strong sales of two of Ford’s newest vehicles, the Ford Fusion and Escape, Ford’s share of the “super segment,” comprised of subcompacts, compacts, midsize sedans and small utilities, stands at 13 percent through the first four months of 2013 – representing a gain of 2 share points compared to the same period last year.

 

The future success of automakers in the United States will in large part be based on market gains in four key vehicle segments – subcompacts, compacts, midsize sedans and small utilities. Combined, these four segments represent more than half of all new vehicle sales in the U.S. In 2004 the super segment was only 35 percent of the total market.

 

“Ford’s share has grown this year faster than all other automakers. The driving force behind this is our phenomenal rate of growth in the super segment and our continued success with these key vehicles in the long-dominated Japanese regions of the country,” said Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. sales analyst. “Once our additional manufacturing capacity on Fusion comes on line, the battle for sales leadership in the midsize segment will tighten considerably.”

 

Over the last five years, Ford’s market share gains in the super segment have been among the fastest in the industry. In 2008, Ford had 8 percent share of this segment. A good portion of these gains have come at the expense of Honda and Toyota.

 

In 2008 Honda and Toyota captured approximately 36 percent of super segment sales in the U.S. For the first four months of 2013 that number declined to 28 percent, while Ford gained share in the super segment over the same period. During the first four months of this year Ford’s share stands at 13 percent, up 2 points from the same period a year ago and moving ever closer to Toyota’s position of 15 percent.

 

Ford expects more growth in the super segment as baby boomers continue to downsize their vehicle purchases and first-time millennial buyers enter the market. Combined, baby boomers and millennials account for more than 160 million people in the U.S.

 

“Each of our vehicles in the segment is doing great things for Ford in different ways,” said Amy Marentic, group marketing manager, Ford global small and medium cars. “Two-thirds of all buyers shop both the Escape and Fusion when they come to our dealerships, and sales of both are way up.”

 

Fusion

Fusion is closing the sales gap with Camry, and in the first four months of 2013 Fusion sales were up 25 percent. While Fusion’s share of the midsize sedan segment increased more than 2 percentage points to just more than 12 percent this year, Camry has fallen approximately one point, to almost 15 percent.

 

Fusion retail sales gains are occurring in every market area of the country. The strongest growth is coming from the nation’s largest passenger car market – California; retail sales there were up 117 percent during the first four months of 2013 and accelerated to 146 percent in April.

 

Based on retail sales registrations for the first quarter of this year, Fusion’s share of California’s midsize sedan market is now operating at its highest levels ever at more than 8 percent, which is about double Fusion’s share last year. Fusion sales in the coastal markets are up 60 percent this year, with April posting a 72 percent increase. Nationally, Fusion’s conquest rate is running at 53 percent, while in places such as Los Angeles it is much higher, at 59 percent. Miami and San Francisco are running at 60 percent and 56 percent, respectively. Fusion is also turning at its strongest rates in these markets, with the car spending just 17 days on dealer lots in Los Angeles and Miami, 18 days in San Francisco.

 

Escape

Escape, through the first four months of this year, is America’s best-selling utility, with 98,809 vehicles sold. Like Fusion, the all-new Escape is pushing sales of the super segment in the coastal markets. Retail sales of Escape were up 46 percent in coastal markets the first four months of 2013 and in April sales in the coastal markets expanded by 57 percent. This represents Ford’s best-ever coastal retail share and sales results for Escape.

 

Escape retail sales are up in every region and market area of the country, but it is the coastal markets that are growing at a faster rate than the overall national average. Nationally, the competitive conquest rate for Escape is 52 percent, with the highest conquest rate coming from San Francisco at 60 percent, followed by New York at 58 percent, Boston at 56 percent and Miami at 54 percent.

 

This aligns with regional sales increases and high turn rates for Escape. Escape retail sales in Miami are up 85 percent this year, with sales in Florida up 65 percent and San Francisco up 54 percent.

Ford Empowers Makers to Innovate on TechShop Tour with Open XC; Judges Named for Fuel Efficiency App Challenge

• Ford announces six more dates for makers, hackers and developers to learn about its open-source OpenXC connectivity platform at TechShop locations around the United States

• TechShop CEO Mark Hatch, Ford Chief Technical Officer Paul Mascarenas and Ford Senior Technical Leader Venkatesh Prasad are the first three judges for the app challenge

• Ford is empowering accessory and app developers by providing open-source hardware and software development kits

SAN MATEO, Calif., May 16, 2013 – As members of the Bay Area maker and hacker community gather this weekend for the eighth annual Maker Faire in San Mateo, Calif., Ford Motor Company invites them to explore open-source hardware and software tools now available to anyone who wants to work with cars.

 

Ford is hosting a series of open workshops at membership-based do-it-yourself maker space TechShop locations around the United States to help makers get started with the company’s OpenXC platform. The locations are:

• San Francisco: June 21-22
• Austin, Texas: July 19-20
• San Jose, Calif.: Aug. 16-17
• Pittsburgh: Sept. 13-14
• Menlo Park, Calif.: Nov. 9-10
• Chandler, Ariz.: Dec. 13-14

The OpenXC platform enables developers to create apps and accessories that connect to vehicles using software source code and hardware design specifications that are freely accessible – reducing the barriers to innovation. OpenXC can be used to read a wide array of data from the vehicle's standard on-board diagnostics port and process these data in real-time or later, to create value-added accessories or applications.

 

Ford is encouraging developers and makers to use OpenXC by sponsoring the Personalized Fuel Efficiency App Challenge. Announced at the New York International Auto Show in March, the challenge invites software developers and hardware hackers to create apps that will help drivers better understand how they use fuel. Developers can use the open-source software and hardware development kit to create Android or Web-based apps that take advantage of available data such as vehicle speed and location to empower drivers to make smarter mobility choices.

 

Developers of the winning apps share $50,000 in cash prizes with $25,000 going to the best overall app selected by the judging panel. The panel will include Mark Hatch, CEO of TechShop; Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president, Ford Research and Innovation; and Venkatesh Prasad, Ford senior technical leader for open innovation, plus four judges still to be named.

 

“Enabling personal mobility for everyone through technological innovation has always been at the heart of what Ford is all about,” said Mascarenas. “Today more than ever, maximizing fuel efficiency is important to drivers and we see open-source technology as a key enabler.”

 

Participation in the challenge is not limited to app developers; anyone can create a free account and vote. The top 25 ideas, based on the number of votes, will move on to be scored by judges, with the top 10 each winning a $100 cash prize. Voting is open to the public by signing up for a free account at http://ideas.ford.challengepost.com. Visitors can also vote for the Popular Choice Award in the Fuel Efficiency App Challenge. The winner gets $1,000.

 

The deadline for entries in the Personalized Fuel Efficiency App Challenge and the Ideas Challenge is July 24, 2013.

Ford Fiesta Europe’s Best-Selling Small Car in First Quarter of 2013; New Fiesta Sold Every Two Minutes

• New Ford Fiesta was Europe's top-selling small car in March and for the first quarter of 2013, and the second best-selling car in Europe overall, according to figures released by JATO Dynamics*

• European customers purchased a new Fiesta every two minutes as Ford sold more than 41,600 Fiestas in March, and more than 77,800 during the first quarter of 2013, according to JATO

• Fiesta retail market share in the small car segment increased by 1.2 percentage points in March in the 19 traditional European markets tracked by Ford

• One out of four new Fiestas sold this year feature Ford’s award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine; 60 per cent are ordered with SYNC and Emergency Assistance

DEARBORN, Mich., May 14, 2013 – The Ford Fiesta was Europe’s best-selling small car in March and for the first three months of 2013, according to the latest figures from the world's leading provider of automotive data and intelligence, JATO Dynamics.*

European customers bought Fiestas at a rate of one every 100 seconds during the first quarter for 2013 – 41,600 in March, and 77,800 total in the first three months of 2013 – 14,000 units more than its nearest rival, according to JATO.

Parked bumper-to-bumper the Fiestas sold during the first quarter would cover the equivalent of 770 laps of a 400 metre Olympic running track.

“It’s clear from the rate that our new Fiesta is flying off forecourts that its striking a chord with Europe’s small car customers,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.  “The small car segment is probably more competitive than it has ever been and the new Fiesta is gaining retail market share and reaching new customers on the strength of its design, technology and drive dynamics.”

Fiesta’s retail share – sales to private customers – in its segment rose by 1.2 percentage points in March**. Incoming orders from customers also increased by 8 per cent in the first quarter, compared to the same period last year.

The new Fiesta offers seven powertrain options that offer sub-100 g/km CO2 performance*** including the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, the 2012 “International Engine of the Year”. One quarter of Fiestas sold this year in Europe were equipped with 1.0-litre EcoBoost.

The new Fiesta also features dynamic new exterior and interior styling with benchmark design, craftsmanship and ergonomics, in addition to offering Ford MyKey, which enables parents to place restrictions on younger drivers to promote safety.

Also new to Fiesta is Ford’s SYNC voice-activated in-car connectivity system featuring Emergency Assistance, which can alert local emergency services operators to an accident in 26 languages, spoken in 40 European regions. Sixty per cent of new Fiestas ordered during the first four months of the year feature the Euro NCAP Advanced reward-winning system.

The most popular colour to date is Frozen White, chosen by 23 per cent of customers – rising to 40 per cent in Greece – followed by Panther Black and Moondust Silver. Fifty-five per cent of Fiesta buyers have opted for the Charcoal Black interior, including 84 per cent of U.K. customers.

Fiesta was earlier this year named the best-selling subcompact car globally in 2012 with 723,130 registrations, by automotive data and trends forecasting leader Polk. It was also the best-selling small car in Europe in 2012 according to JATO Dynamics, with European consumers buying 306,405 models in total.

Ford Futurist Honored Among Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative Business People for 2013

• Sheryl Connelly, Ford’s global trends and futuring expert, is the only member of the automotive industry named to Fast Company’s Top 100 Most Creative People in Business for 2013, and the first woman from the auto industry to make the annual list

• Connelly explores trends up to 20 years in the future. She created Ford’s first annual consumer trend report – Looking Forward with Ford – which outlined 13 trends to watch for in 2013 and beyond

• Connelly collaborates with product development, design, sustainability and other Ford business groups, using consumer trends research to help craft viable business solutions for changing customer needs

DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2013 – Every company needs a Sheryl Connelly. As global head of trends and futuring for Ford, Connelly immerses herself in ever-evolving social, cultural, environmental, technological and economic ideas to imagine what consumers might want up to 20 years in the future.

 

Connelly’s creative prowess has earned her a spot on Fast Company’s 2013 Top 100 Most Creative People in Business list, an annual look at the people and businesses that are redefining creativity in industry, culture and commerce. Connelly’s award puts Ford Motor Company in the creative ranks with Apple, Nike and Facebook; Ford is the only automaker represented this year.

 

“Our One Ford global employees are extremely bright and creative, and Sheryl is one shining example of the talent that goes into building world-class products our customers love,” said Hau Thai-Tang, vice president of engineering, Ford global product development. “While it is impossible to predict with certainty what will happen as far out as 2020, her thought-provoking insights into the future afford us the opportunity to do scenario planning and create the best value solutions for our customers.”

 

Connelly considers herself the company contrarian. She provides a “functionally agnostic” view of the world for engineers, designers, technologists and others at Ford, while offering a different lens through which to view future shifts in the marketplace.

 

“I’m very proud to be part of this world-class Ford team and collaborate with such smart, creative colleagues each day,” said Connelly. “This award from Fast Company is a huge recognition for Ford as a whole.”

 

Connelly’s work helps Ford take a big-picture approach to consumer research, going beyond traditional business analysis to consider situations Ford can’t control or influence. As a result, the company can better anticipate consumer shifts and act on them in a way that gives Ford a competitive advantage.

 

In 2004 for example, Connelly led a project that examined the possibility of an economic collapse and the perils it would present to the U.S. auto industry. A few years later consumers rallied behind Ford as the only U.S. automaker that did not need government loans to avoid bankruptcy when auto sales dried up during the Great Recession.

 

Connelly’s trends research and her collaboration within Ford also helped the company develop a business case to invest in compact utility vehicles during the early 2000s – ahead of many in the industry. Ford predicted consumer interest in smaller utility vehicles would be driven by downsizing baby boomers as well as rising gasoline prices. From 2005 to 2012 sales of small utilities rose 155 percent. Today, nearly 7 million compact utilities are sold every year, accounting for more than 16 percent of all vehicles sold worldwide.

 

“Nothing has been more prolific than the global rise of the compact utility,” said Erich Merkle, Ford’s U.S. sales analyst.

 

Connelly’s work also contributed to Ford’s pioneering introduction of its SYNC® infotainment system in 2007. More than 5 million SYNC units have been sold, with 14 million expected to be on the road by 2015 as SYNC launches globally.

 

“It’s thrilling that a more than 100-year-old company, in a very mature and extremely complex industry, is on the cutting-edge of innovation and creativity,” Connelly said of Ford. “It’s about being nimble enough to anticipate or create change.”

 

Creativity and art

You won’t find a crystal ball on Connelly’s desk, though. Crayons and markers are the tools of her trade. Connelly encapsulates her thoughts and futurist ideas through art. She is widely known within Ford for forgoing typical text-based notes in favor of illustrations – drawing a subject or idea, for example. She uses illustrations to convey her ideas, begin discussions or take notes during a meeting.

 

“I’ve always loved art. I would have gone to art school when I was younger, had I convinced myself it was a financially viable route,” joked Connelly.

 

Connelly, who has spoken at several TEDX conferences in the United States, will give an attendee talk at TEDGlobal 2013 next month in Scotland. It will be her first appearance at the international version of the conference series known for its focus on creativity. She will speak about consumer trends and her collaborations within Ford to positively impact future products for consumers globally. She also was asked to be an official note-taker for the conference, using her creativity to capture the event’s key messages and spirit and post them online for the world to share.

 

Click here to view Connelly’s most recently published illustrations from a 2013 TED conference in Long Beach, Calif.

 

 

A Detroit native, Connelly is the first Ford employee to make the prestigious Fast Company list. Fast Company’s 2013 Most Creative Business People issue will be on newsstands May 21.

New Survey from YourTango and Ford: Couple Time in the Car Equals Love on the Road

• 2013 Love on the Road survey from YourTango.com and Ford Motor Company reveals the impact road trips can have on strengthening couples’ relationships

• Togetherness in the car is conducive to some of the most meaningful conversations, sharing affection, enjoying quality time, and having fun and adventure

• More than any other vehicle configuration, a sedan is the vehicle of choice for couples on a road trip; Ford’s all-new Fusion sedan is designed to meet their needs

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2013 – Love on the Road 2013 – a recent survey conducted by YourTango.com in collaboration with Ford – reveals how couple time in the car has a positive impact on relationships.

 

Virtually 90 percent of surveyed couples who have taken a road trip together say it strengthens their relationship. And being in the right kind of car is key to forging that bond.

 

For almost half of those asked, the car of choice for this important journey is a sedan, and with its stylish, all-new Fusion, Ford offers the perfect car for a romantic getaway.

 

“We applaud Ford for being the first automotive manufacturer to understand the importance to couples of personal time together in the car,” says YourTango CEO Andrea Miller. “We are proud to work with Ford to share our Love on the Road insights with drivers across the country.”

 

The survey also reveals that more than 77 percent of couples look forward to taking more trips with their significant other. 

 

The best reason to take a road trip together is not where they’re going, say 44 percent, but the fun and adventure of the trip itself. More than 40 percent say the quality time afforded them is the best reason for a road trip.

 

And now, as summer driving season gets into full swing, more than 90 percent of couples indicate they will be taking a road trip together.

 

In fact, for most couples life is about the journey – it’s not where they end up, but the trip itself that gives meaning to their relationship. Happy couples everywhere will admit the magic happens in the car.

 

For couples on the road, the new Fusion represents more than a car – it could be an aphrodisiac.

 

“More and more couples are taking road trips due to the high cost of airfare and because it gives you the opportunity to take your vehicle with you to explore new places,” says Samantha Hoyt, Fusion marketing manager. “We’re excited most couples choose a sedan to travel in, and we’ve designed Fusion to meet the needs of couples who enjoy getaways by providing an inviting and comfortable interior in a car that is really fun to drive.” 

 

When asked to list the top three activities they spend their time on the road doing, almost 80 percent of respondents report they talk and catch up on each other’s lives, 70 percent enjoy blasting their favorite music, and nearly 55 percent take in the sights and have some quiet time.

 

Nearly all respondents agree their best conversations happen on the road. Of the kinds of conversations they have, more than 65 percent say their discussions are serious, meaningful talks.

 

But talk isn’t all they do – romance plays a big part for couples on the road, too. According to the survey, 74 percent hold hands and smooch at red lights.

 

Make it or break it

Certain conditions and vehicle features are critical for couples on what can be a life-changing journey. Having a cool, comfortable car to travel in, followed by knowing they’re headed in the right direction are the top two factors in ensuring the trip is a success. 

 

In terms of vehicle attributes and features, more than 33 percent rank fuel efficiency as their top priority while more than 28 percent say it’s the sound system and more than 22 percent say navigation capability is most important. Fusion has them covered.

 

“Fusion has a great entertainment and navigation system available with Ford’s standard, industry-leading SYNC® technology,” says Hoyt. “And of course, it’s among the best in fuel economy for midsize sedans in America.”

 

Fusion’s available Auto Start-Stop technology, which originated on hybrid vehicles and aids in the car’s leading fuel economy, has the added benefit of monitoring climate control settings and cabin temperature to ensure a cool, comfortable environment.

 

Not only that, the all-new Fusion is a winner in the looks department too, and is sure to make a stunning backdrop for all the pictures you and your significant other plan to take this summer when you hit the road. 

 

Time to get packing!

MyEnergi Lifestyle Contest Offers Home Energy Makeover, Ford C-MAX Energi – Featured on ‘Katie’ Show

• Ford-led MyEnergi Lifestyle^® retrofit contest demonstrates how a typical American family can achieve energy and cost savings by easily moving to an energy-efficient lifestyle
• National contest now open and runs through June 9. Winner to receive a package that includes a Ford C-MAX Energi – America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle, Whirlpool brand appliances, SunPower solar power system, Eaton charging station and other energy-saving products
• Families could see up to a 60 percent reduction in energy costs and savings of more than 9,000 kilograms of CO₂ – a reduction of 55 percent – in their home

DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2013 – Ford and the MyEnergi Lifestyle^® initiative have kicked off the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit contest with Katie Couric on her syndicated talk show “Katie.” Homeowners can enter this national contest for a chance to win a package that includes a Ford C-MAX Energi –America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle, new Whirlpool brand appliances, a SunPower solar power system and other home products designed to bring energy-efficient living to a typical American family.

 

The contest is now open and runs through June 9, with the grand prize winner to be announced this summer.

 

Through the MyEnergi Lifestyle initiative, Ford is bringing together leaders in the home appliance, renewable energy and power management industries – including Eaton, SunPower and Whirlpool. Additional featured companies are semiconductor provider Infineon and Nest Labs.

 

The group worked with researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology to create a computer model that calculates the electricity usage of a typical family in their home for one year, and the potential savings associated with moving to an energy-efficient lifestyle.

 

As Americans’ thirst for energy grows, recent advancements in technology make this the ideal time to demonstrate the benefits of optimizing a family’s energy footprint. Along with 729 gallons of gasoline and 122,000 cubic feet of natural gas, the average home in America uses more than 11,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year; in 1930, the figure was 500 kilowatt-hours. That’s an increase of 2,100 percent.

 

Home appliances have made huge gains in reducing energy usage. Today, the typical smart appliance, like a refrigerator, uses 70 percent less energy than one built in 1980.

“We’re very excited to offer the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit to our winning families and to put it to the test,” says Mike Tinskey, Ford global director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure. “By combining a Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicle, smart energy-efficient appliances and renewable energy generation, we hope to reduce the families’ energy consumption and save them money.

 

“Our computer models suggest we’re looking at a 60 percent reduction in energy costs and a 55 percent reduction in CO₂ annually for these families through the retrofit,” he adds.

 

Katie Couric surprised a member of the studio audience on Friday’s “Katie” show, Susan Berry of Ventura, Calif., with her own MyEnergi Lifestyle home makeover.

How MyEnergi Lifestyle works
MyEnergi Lifestyle shows how a typical American family can significantly reduce their electricity bills andCO₂ footprint by integrating today’s plug-in vehicle technology, smart home appliances and solar energy. MyEnergi Lifestyle works by leveraging technology so key energy-consuming devices in a home use less energy, while also shifting energy usage to less expensive periods. At night, for example, when energy costs are lower, a smart refrigerator can perform high-energy tasks like ice making or defrosting – just as Ford’s plug-in vehicles do with recharging.

 

If every home in the United States were to implement the energy-saving technologies MyEnergi Lifestyle incorporates, it would be the equivalent of taking all the homes in California, New York and Texas – 32 million homes – off the power grid.

 

Along with the contest launch, during a special Mother’s Day show Friday, May 10, “Katie” also surprised a member of its studio audience with her own MyEnergi Lifestyle home retrofit. Susan Berry, a substitute teacher from Ventura, Calif., was the lucky winner. “Oh man, this is fantastic,” said Berry. “Now we can give our 15-year-old Ford pickup to my son, my husband can take my Ford Escape and I’ll have the C-MAX Energi!” Check out Berry’s reaction to the surprise here: http://www.katiecouric.com/videos/katies-biggest-giveaway-ever/.

 

Write this way to a retrofit

To enter the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit contest, applicants will need to submit an essay of 400 words or less explaining how adding solar power and switching to smart, energy-efficient appliances and a plug-in hybrid vehicle could benefit their family.

 

Representatives of the MyEnergi Lifestyle initiative will serve as judges for the essays, and their determination of a family most deserving of the grand prize will help decide the winner.

 

For more information on the contest, including eligibility rules and to enter for a chance to win, click here for the “Katie” website: http://www.katiecouric.com/features/win-ford-hybrid-car-whirlpool-smart-appliances/.

 

The grand prize package includes:

• 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi; with a starting price of $29,995, C-MAX Energi is America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle
• Eaton solar inverter, solar-ready load center with home surge protection
• Eaton electric vehicle supply equipment and generator
• Five-kilowatt high-efficiency SunPower system that can produce about 8,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually
• Nest learning thermostat
• Powerhouse dynamic eMonitor for energy monitoring
• Whirlpool brand smart dishwasher, smart washer and dryer combination, smart refrigerator, hybrid heat pump water heater and more

Building on the trend of sustainable living and the next generation of net-zero home design, Ford also recently announced MyEnergi Lifestyle products will be featured in KB Home’s ZeroHouse 2.0 in San Marcos, Calif., and in other markets where this energy-efficient home is sold. The agreement between these two innovative leaders further showcases a growing trend where the typical American family can save money while reducing their impact on the environment by combining mainstream home appliance technology with an affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle and a renewable energy power source.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!

from Geweke Commerical Truck & Fleet Sales

Ford Mustang's German Conquest

The 2013 Shelby GT500 arrives in the Rhine Valley on a mission to master the Autobahn.

 Video created by My Ford Magazine: Video Journalist, Jeff Wise, and Videographer, Daniel Byrne.

Ford Social - Citizen Journalist Interview with Ken Block

Brandon Anderson, Ford Social Citizen Journalist, interviews RallyCross legend Ken Block about the new TrackSTer build from fifteen52.

A Wonderful New World of Fords (1960)

A Wonderful New World of Fords 1960 Advertising Film

Ford Wins ‘Best Traditional-to-Mobile Transition’ Award at Global Mobile Internet Conference

• Ford recognised by Asia’s largest and most influential industry event for its in-car connectivity technology
• Ford SYNC and SYNC AppLink praised as technologies which will fundamentally change how customers consume mobile services and products in their cars
• Ford is the only automaker to ever receive an award from the Global Mobile Internet Conference

BEIJING, May 8, 2013 – Ford Motor Company today was awarded the ‘Best Traditional-to-Mobile Transition’ award at the Global Mobile Internet Conference (GMIC), Asia’s largest and most influential industry event, for its in-car connectivity technology.

 

GMIC organisers said Ford’s award-winning SYNC system and SYNC AppLink program will fundamentally change the way people consume mobile services and products in their cars. Ford is the first automaker and first company from a traditional industry to ever receive an award from GMIC.

 

“We’re extremely proud to receive this award, which recognises the ground-breaking work the Ford team is doing in technology,” said Kumar Galhotra, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific. “At Ford, we consider ourselves to be not just an auto company, but also a technology company. We are delivering class-leading in-car technologies to customers around the world, including technologies which enable our customers to stay connected in a simple and safe way while driving.”

 

Ford is the only automaker exhibiting at GMIC, which will be held in Beijing from May 7-8, bringing together industry leaders from across Asia and other parts of the world, from global internet and mobile companies, to entrepreneurs and new mobile startups.

 

The Ford stand will feature the new Ford Focus ST and an opportunity for visitors to have hands-on experience with SYNC and SYNC Applink.

 

SYNC is Ford’s voice-activated hands-free-in-car communications and infotainment system for mobile phones and digital media players that allows the driver to make and receive calls and play music from digital devices.

 

More than 5 million Ford cars and trucks have been sold with SYNC since it was introduced in 2007, and with it becoming increasingly available in Asia and Europe, is projected to be fitted on an additional 9 million vehicles by 2015.

 

Ford’s open platform approach to mobile device connectivity has helped SYNC stand out in the industry for its ease of use, allowing for continuous improvement of the user experience. Unlike embedded connectivity systems, SYNC does not allow access to the user’s stored contact information unless his or her phone is connected, ensuring a high level of privacy.

 

SYNC AppLink is a feature which gives drivers voice control of smart phone apps which will be introduced in markets across Asia Pacific as part of SYNC.

 

Ford aims to deliver an integrated experience with smartphone applications and the vehicle including app control through voice and in-vehicle buttons as well as the ability for the app to display information to the vehicle’s display. This integration occurs through Ford’s renowned Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows smartphone app developers to modify existing apps to work hands-free using voice recognition through SYNC. App developers can access the SDK through Ford’s developer website at www.developer.ford.com.

 

The SDK release has helped Ford to forge a more open and collaborative bond with the wireless, consumer electronics and app developer communities to create a safer and smarter in-car connectivity experience that leverages the mobile devices customers own and love.

 

“At Ford, we are committed to bringing the best global technologies to our customers and making them user-friendly,” Galhotra said. “SYNC and SYNC AppLink deliver value to our customers through smart and convenient features that help keep them connected to their digital lives in a safer, simpler and smarter way.”

1963 Ford Thunderbird Landau Commercial

1963 Ford Thunderbird Landau Commercial

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Ford Adding 2,000-Plus Jobs at Kansas City Assembly to Support Surging F-150 Demand, Ford Transit Launch

• Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant will add more than 2,000 jobs  to support high demand for Ford F-150 plus the planned production of the all-new Transit family of commercial vehicles starting next summer; more than 1,000 will be new hires

• Ford F-Series sales up 24 percent in April and 19 percent year to date; full-size truck segment growing three times faster than industry average and is fastest-growing segment this year

• Ford has reached 75 percent of its goal to create 12,000 hourly jobs in the U.S. by 2015

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 2, 2013 – Ford, the industry’s truck leader, will add more than 2,000 jobs at its Kansas City Assembly Plant to meet surging demand for the Ford F-150 and planned production of the all-new Ford Transit.

 

“Customer demand for today’s F-150 is strong and continues growing, the truck segment is growing three times faster than the overall industry, the housing market is strengthening, and we are seeing growth in the U.S. economy,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Our ‘Built Ford Tough’ F-150 is America’s favorite pickup, and we are going to expand operations in Kansas City to ensure we have enough trucks to meet customer demand.”

 

Ford is adding 900 jobs and a third crew in the third quarter to build F-150. U.S. sales of Ford’s F-Series trucks increased 24 percent in April and 19 percent year to date. Ford also is adding another 1,100 jobs starting in the fourth quarter to prepare for the introduction of the all-new Ford Transit full-size van in 2014.

 

“For customers who want a modern van that is as tough and smart as the F-Series, the all-new Ford Transit van delivers, with better fuel economy, more capability and the greatest number of technology choices and innovative configurations full-size van buyers have ever seen,” Hinrichs said.

 

Kansas City Assembly

Kansas City Assembly Plant produces the Ford F-150 Regular, Super and Crew Cab and will produce the Ford Transit. The plant currently has 2,450 hourly workers working on two shifts and will add a third crew in the third quarter.

 

 

Ford is investing $1.1 billion to retool and expand the facility for production of both the F-150 and Transit, including a 437,000 sq.-ft. stamping facility and a 78,000 sq.-ft. paint shop.

 

The new stamping facility was completed in 2012. The paint shop expansion will include installation of the three-wet paint process, which is more environmentally friendly and requires less time than conventional paint processes – without compromising Ford’s paint quality or durability.

 

“Today we celebrate the commitment to excellence displayed every day by the men and women of Kansas City Assembly Plant," said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president and director of the National Ford Department. “These additional jobs are the direct result of the dedicated effort our UAW members display every day at facilities all across the country and serve as another reminder of the resilience of American workers and our nation's manufacturing sector.”

 

With the investment and new jobs in Kansas City, Ford is three-quarters of the way to its plan to create 12,000 hourly jobs in the U.S. by 2015. The company also is investing $16 billion in its U.S. product development and manufacturing operations – including $6.2 billion in plant-specific investments. These actions, including today's announcements, are consistent with Ford’s previous 2013 financial guidance for the Total Company and North America.

 

Community Impact

The plant expansion has a major impact in the local community and beyond. Kansas City Assembly has more than 250 suppliers nationally and more than 10 suppliers locally who will positively benefit from the addition of a third crew. Additionally, when Transit production starts next year, close to 275 suppliers nationally and six suppliers locally will grow their business. According to the job multiplier effect of nine jobs to every one – more than 18,000 jobs will be created to support the plant.

 

“Today’s announcement is yet another testament to our successful efforts to revitalize Missouri’s automotive manufacturing industry, which continues to gain steam,” Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said. “This third crew for production of the F-150 will create hundreds of additional manufacturing jobs for workers in this region and ensure Missouri continues to lead the rebirth of the American auto industry for years to come.”

 

Ford F-150

The “Built Ford Tough” F-150 delivers the segment’s best combination of power, capability, safety and fuel economy.

 

F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series lineup. Now in its 65^th year, F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 36 consecutive years, the best-selling vehicle in America for 31 consecutive years and the brand with the most trucks on the road with more than 250,000 miles, as certified by Polk.

 

The Kansas City-built F-150 is the first choice for tradespeople who need the most durable, advanced in the market truck. For example, F-150 leads in a variety of fields, including:

 

• 62 percent market share in road and highway maintenance
• 68 percent share in hazardous materials work
• 67 percent share in the oil pipeline industry

F-150 also boasts leading safety ratings. F-150’s fully boxed frame, made from high-strength hydroformed steel, provides a backbone built for increased durability and safety. F-150 has earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

 

Overall, F-150 offers customers the broadest lineup in the segment, with 10 models that include work-ready XL, sporty and capable FX, well-balanced XLT, refined and luxurious Limited and the no-compromise off-road SVT Raptor.

 

The Ford F-150 also features an unrivaled four engine choices, including the advanced 3.5-liter EcoBoost, to help customers find the most fuel-efficient and capable engine to meet their needs. Ford’s patented EcoBoost engine delivers an unmatched combination of best-in-class towing and payload, torque and fuel economy. More than 300,000 EcoBoost engines have been sold for F-150 and it is now Ford’s best-selling truck engine.

 

Ford Transit

The familiar van that delivers packages or shuttles airport passengers is about to change in a revolutionary way. The all-new Ford Transit will provide tradespeople and businesses with unmatched fuel economy, innovative new configurations and leading versatility in the expanding commercial vehicle market.

 

Transit is born from nearly a century of hard-earned experience delivering two distinct full-size vans to customers in America, Europe and other global markets. For the U.S., Transit eventually replaces E-Series, first sold in 1961 as Ford Econoline and America’s best-selling commercial van for 34 years. Transit was first sold in 1965. It’s the best-selling commercial van in Europe.

 

Customers will have more choices than ever from a Ford van. Transit will be offered in three body lengths; two wheelbases; three roof heights. Cargo volume ranges from about 250 to almost 500 cubic feet – more than twice the volume of today’s standard E-Series, saving the customer fuel costs and the time and hassle of a second trip.

 

Designed and developed to provide efficient service over the long haul, Ford Transit will be at least 25 percent more fuel efficient than today’s E-Series, helping save Transit owners thousands of dollars in fuel costs during its service life.

 

Transit has been tested to the “Built Ford Tough” truck standards at Ford’s proving grounds and in the hands of real-world fleet customers in North America.