9/11 - 10th Anniversary - Tribute

September 11, 2001, A day we will never forget. 

Thanks to all firefighters, police, average citizens, rescue parties/teams/organizations who risked their lives to save others on this tragic day.

"You can break the foundation of a building, but you can't break the foundation of our freedom!"

Ford Transit Connect Brings a New Shape to New York City Taxis

• Ford Transit Connect Taxis are making their debut on the streets of New York
• 400 Transit Connect Taxis are destined for New York City as orders for the vehicle continue to increase
• Transit Connect Taxi orders are increasing in other areas of the country as well, such as Chicago, Tampa, Fla. and California

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2011 – The first Ford Transit Connect Taxis in New York City are now in service and soon will be joined by hundreds more as orders and interest soar for the versatile vehicle.

The initial Transit Connect Taxis are part of the first order for the vehicle in New York City following the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission’s approval of it for use in the Big Apple. The new units feature the iconic “NYC Taxi” painted in black on the two front doors.

More than 400 Transit Connect Taxis are destined for New York City. Total orders for Transit Connect Taxis across the United States are fast approaching 1,000 in its first year on the market. The new taxi market in the U.S. averages about 6,000 units.  

“Taxi operators are realizing the Transit Connect Taxi is a great vehicle and there’s a good reason – they helped us develop it,” said Len Deluca, director, Ford Commercial Trucks. “During product development, we visited cities across the U.S. speaking with taxi owners, operators, drivers and city officials on the key product attributes they wanted in a taxi.”

The result is today’s Ford Transit Connect Taxi, a vehicle that has been winning over customers from coast to coast.

“I drove it personally and found it to be a lot more comfortable than any other taxi I’ve ever driven,” said Chris Harisopoulos, general manager, McGuinness Management. “The roominess is another great thing about this vehicle, both for passengers and drivers, along with its overall durability. It’s just a great taxi.”

Cities where taxicab company operators have ordered Transit Connect Taxis in addition to New York include Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Tampa, Fla., Orlando, Fla., Hartford, Conn. and West Haven, Conn.

“We are pleased the Transit Connect Taxi is delivering what customers need all across the country,” said Deluca.

In addition to being approved for use by the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission, Transit Connect Taxi has been approved by governing agencies in Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston – cities that require taxis to meet certain requirements.

The vehicle also has been approved for use at Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and at San Francisco International Airport by the SFO Airport Commission.

“The Transit Connect Taxi provides the necessary durability needed for the harshest of conditions, from the desert-like conditions of Las Vegas to extreme New England winters,” said Larry Gach, sales manager, Ford Commercial Truck Sales and Marketing.

The open architecture of the Transit Connect Taxi provides excellent interior headroom and passenger visibility, and – with 6.5 inches of ground clearance – passengers step easily through the sliding doors. The rear door opening is 50.2 inches wide at the floor and has a height of 52.1 inches.

The Transit Connect Taxi is certified to Ford Light Commercial Vehicle Durability Standards while suspension components and the underbody structure have passed requirements for potholes and curbs. The 39-foot turning diameter makes it easier to handle tight spots.

The standard Ford Transit Connect – 2010 North American Truck of the Year – features a 2.0-liter I-4 engine that gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, an improvement of about 30 percent compared with traditional taxis.

Transit Connect Taxi is available with an engine preparation package for conversion to compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied propane gas (LPG). Both CNG and LPG lower taxi fleets’ operating costs and are better for the environment.

Mustang Alley 2011

Mustang Alley is a chance for Mustang owners to show off their beautiful vehicles as part of the Woodward Dream Cruise. Check out this year's impressive turn out.

Mike Neff Wins the 2011 U.S. Nationals

John Force Racing's Mike Neff talks about how important winning the 2011 U.S. Nationals is.

Hot Lap! 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

Every car in the 2011 Motor Trend Best Drivers Car competition was lapped around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca by hot shoe Randy Pobst. Our next competitor, the Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca.

Testing Focus ST On Global Road Surfaces

Jost Capito, Director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development discusses how the Focus ST development occurs on numerous road surfaces that mimic driving conditions of various countries at the Lommel test facility. This is done to ensure the Focus ST is a great performer globally.

Ford, Zipcar Bring Future of Transportation to Newest Generation of Drivers at U.S. Universities

Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing network and Ford is its largest university vehicle source, reaching students at hundreds of campuses across the U.S. Along with Escape, the highly fuel-efficient Ford Focus is part of Zipcar’s fleet of environmentally friendly, reliable and fun vehicles.

• Ford Motor Company and Zipcar, Inc. – the world’s leading car-sharing network – are teaming up to help make transportation more affordable, fun and sustainable for students at more than 250 university campuses throughout the U.S.
• The two-year alliance, announced today, establishes Ford as the largest automotive source in Zipcar’s University program
• Ford vehicles, primarily the fuel-efficient 2012 Ford Focus and the 2012 Ford Escape, start arriving this week on university campuses
• The strategic alliance includes offering incentives to join and use car sharing on campus to help accelerate use of Zipcar across the U.S. and introduce a new generation of drivers to Ford vehicles

Fact Sheet: Ford and Zipcar to bring affordable, convenient, fun transportation to university campuses

DEARBORN, Mich. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 31, 2011 – Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and Zipcar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIP) – the world’s leading car-sharing network – today announced a new strategic alliance establishing Ford as Zipcar’s largest university vehicle partner, reaching students at more than 250 U.S. campuses.

The first-of-its-kind, two-year tie-up introduces a new generation of drivers to Ford vehicles with the highly fuel-efficient Focus and Escape now part of Zipcar’s existing fleet of environmentally friendly, reliable and fun vehicles. Zipcar will add up to 650 Fords to its lineup during this academic year and up to 1,000 Ford vehicles during the life of the agreement.

“Today’s students are thinking differently about driving and transportation than they have in the past,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “This program enables today’s new drivers to experience our latest fuel-efficient vehicles, while helping them reduce their cost of living and help relieve congestion on campus. We’re looking forward to making Ford a staple of their college experience.”

Thanks to Ford, Zipcar will offer $10 off the $35 annual membership fee for the first 100,000 new University members who sign up for Zipcar, plus $1 off the hourly rate for the first 1 million hours of use on any of the new Ford vehicles at select colleges and universities.

New Ford vehicles start arriving on campuses this week. The program, which could generate 2 million hours behind the wheel of Ford vehicles for college-age drivers, also helps reduce parking demand, congestion and emissions.

The new generation of Ford vehicles, especially the all-new Ford Focus, is a good match for Zipcar’s environmentally minded student members who demand high fuel efficiency and value performance and style balanced with reliability and utility. 

The stylish new Focus delivers 40 mpg on the highway plus leading new technologies such as Ford SYNC® – all important attributes to today’s smart, environmentally minded college students. 

Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO, Zipcar, says the alliance will help Ford and Zipcar prepare the next generation of drivers for the future of urban transportation while helping the companies better understand the unique preferences of the college-age segment of the driving population.

“We’ve had Zipcars on campuses for more than eight years and as a result we’ve learned a lot from the next generation of drivers. We’re targeting a generation that only knows how to buy music by the song so paying for a car by the hour is a natural for them. Students are smart consumers who appreciate Zipcar’s ‘Wheels when you want them’ approach,” said Griffith. “We believe this alliance will drive home the value of using Zipcar and the fun of driving a Ford when students need a ride. With reduced membership fees and hourly rates sponsored by Ford, they can save even more money on sustainable transportation, without sacrificing the freedom – and fun – of having a car on campus.”

Zipcar has established partnerships with more than 250 universities throughout North America, including Harvard University, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, the University of Southern California, the University of California – Berkeley, Loyola Marymount University, Florida State University, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and George Washington University, among others.

Affordable, fun and sustainable transportation for U.S. university students 
Zipcar provides an affordable and convenient transportation solution for college students living on campus with all-inclusive rates that cover parking, gas, insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance.

While Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of vehicles to its members, final vehicle selections for its fleet are heavily scrutinized. Members weigh in on brand preferences through annual surveys, and Zipcar reviews total cost of ownership for each new model. Leading technology and fuel economy in the Ford Focus and Escape were persuasive factors in selecting Ford for this collaboration.

Car-sharing programs such as Zipcar are increasingly becoming students’ first experiences behind the wheel. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 declined by 19 percent from 1978 to 2008. 

According to an independent study commissioned by Zipcar in 2010, almost half of all 18- to 34-year-old drivers are driving less, and nearly two-thirds would drive less if alternative transportation options were available.

The study of licensed drivers revealed that 45 percent of Millennials (ages 18 to 34) said they had consciously made an effort to reduce how much they drive, and 64 percent would drive less if alternative options including public transportation, car sharing or convenient carpooling (ride sharing) were available in their area.

“Millennials appear to have developed a very different view of the automobile. Access and convenience are their top priorities, meaning that Zipcar and its alliances with companies such as Ford can deliver what they want easily, affordably and with the technology and sustainability they truly value,” said Griffith.

Ford Evos Concept Defines Future Technology Experience

Ford Evos Concept

• Ford Evos Concept showcases key elements of future technologies and design from the One Ford global product strategy
• Visionary new technology experience based on seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the driver’s ‘personal cloud’ of information
• Technology tailors the driving experience to suit each customer – personalizing the vehicle, enhancing driving enjoyment, and looking after the driver’s well-being
• Powertrain vision features state-of-the-art lithium-ion plug-in hybrid powertrain, cloud-optimized to maximize performance and efficiency

For more visit the Ford Evos Concept minisite

BERLIN, Germany, Sept. 1, 2011 – The exciting new Ford Evos Concept showcases a visionary technology experience under development by Ford engineers. The innovative concept vehicle, which will be unveiled to the public at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, reveals how technology can dramatically enhance the driving experience for each individual customer.

Based on connectivity between the vehicle and the driver’s ‘personal cloud’ of information, the Ford vision explores how technology can help to personalize the vehicle, increase driving enjoyment, look after the driver’s well-being, and optimize powertrain performance.

The Ford Evos Concept, which is a dramatic four-door fastback design, was also developed to introduce the new design direction for the company’s next generation of global products.

“The Ford Evos Concept unites three key elements which are at the core of our One Ford global product strategy: outstanding design, smart technologies and fuel economy leadership,” said Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President of Global Product Development.

“With its innovative technology experience and compelling design, this is a clear demonstration of the exciting vision we have for the Ford brand. While you will never see this car on the road, the next generation of Ford products will display many of the distinctive design ideas and advanced technologies it showcases.”

Technology vision for enriched customer experience
Ford Evos Concept embodies the global Ford product development team's move to design and develop vehicles as more than just an interior and exterior, or a collection of attributes.

"Our goal is to focus on enriching a customer's every experience with their vehicle – by personalizing it, adapting it, and creating unique, unexpected features that surprise and delight them," said Kuzak.

"In the Ford Evos Concept, this objective is explored and extended to the area of connectivity, where the intent is not to convert the vehicle into a smartphone, but rather to provide personalised and safe connection to the outside world in an enriching manner designed totally for the vehicle context."

Ford's global Research and Innovation team, led by Paul Mascarenas, was tasked with building Evos Concept around a technology experience as visionary as the design. The result signals how Ford intends to build on the momentum of innovations like the SYNC in-car connectivity system.

“At Ford, the future of technology in the car will be defined by the experience that it delivers to the driver and passengers,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and Innovation. “We see technology as more than just an impressive list of microprocessors, sensors and software; it’s about the application of that technology to create an experience that enhances the driver’s time behind the wheel.”

The concept’s technology experience embraces a new generation of driver interaction and awareness currently under development in the Ford Research and Innovation laboratories. Seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the driver’s ‘personal cloud’ of information is at the heart of the vision for its capabilities.

“The possibilities are fascinating when we explore how to enable a seamless lifestyle between home, office and car linked by access to the driver’s personal information,” Mascarenas said.

With information from the cloud, the vehicle can provide the same connected lifestyle the driver experiences at home or office. The car knows the driver, and automatically adapts handling, steering and engine controls to deliver an exceptionally dynamic driving experience.

Ford researchers are focusing their efforts in this area to deliver on four key customer benefits: personalisation, seamless enhancement of the driving experience, looking after the driver’s well-being and delivering smart electrified powertrain optimisation.

The personalised, cloud-connected lifestyle
While today’s Ford products provide drivers with many personalisation options, cloud connectivity will enable future Ford vehicles to take the experience to the next level.

Drawing from a detailed understanding of the driver’s preferences and driving habits, the Ford Evos Concept combines this personal information with additional data from the cloud, such as the driver’s work schedule and local traffic or weather conditions. This information provides a personalised and seamless experience as the driver transitions in and out of the car.

“We’re researching how we can use patterns or preferences set by the driver to make life simpler,” said Mascarenas. “The car gets to know you and can act as a personal assistant to handle some of the usual routines of a daily commute.”

It could automatically play the same music or news program that was just streaming at home, or heat or cool the interior to an ideal temperature before the driver gets in without having to be requested by predicting departure time based on his calendar. Wirelessly communicating with devices in the home, it could close the garage door and switch off the lights automatically as it pulls away.

“This cloud-connected vision shows the enormous potential of tailoring the driving experience to suit the exact personal tastes and moods of the driver,” said Mascarenas. “From recommending a great driving road from friends on your social networks or resetting your alarm clock to let you sleep in when a morning meeting gets cancelled!”

Enhanced driving experience
Ford Evos Concept explores adaptive vehicle technologies to redefine the driving experience.
Current technology requires vehicle chassis settings to be defined based upon the abilities and tastes of a cross-section of drivers and the topography of typical roads. The concept foresees tuning handling and performance to the road ahead and the specific individual behind the wheel.

Learning driver habits and capabilities, the technology can overlay map and weather data sourced from the cloud to adjust powertrain, steering, suspension and braking systems for optimum enjoyment, comfort and safety. Because the vehicle is adaptive and honed to maximum performance based on the situation, it takes driving engagement to a new level.

Driver wellness
Ford researchers have already developed technologies focused on driver wellness, such as the heart-rate monitoring seat and certified allergy-free interiors. With a seamless connection to the cloud, the Ford Evos Concept monitors the physical state and workload of the driver and adjusts the driving experience accordingly.

“Our wellness research and technologies are focused on relieving driver stress and enhancing their situational awareness,” said Mascarenas. “Drivers around the world are spending more time behind the wheel, and the car should not be another stress point in their lives.”

The Ford Evos Concept is also equipped with advanced air quality sensors and filtration systems to help allergy sufferers. Location aware, it can access air quality data from the cloud and proactively suggest a healthier route to the destination.

In dynamic driving situations, the vehicle may simplify the appearance of the instrument panel to display only necessary gauge information and switch the driver’s connected smartphone to “Do Not Disturb” mode to help keep the focus of attention on the road.

Cloud-optimised hybrid powertrain
Completing the vision for the Ford Evos Concept is a state-of-the-art lithium-ion plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain providing the same next-generation performance and fuel economy as the Ford C-MAX Energi scheduled for introduction in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.

Ford ‘powersplit’ hybrid architecture allows the electric motor and petrol engine to work together or separately to maximise efficiency. The advanced powertrain typically runs in all-electric mode before switching to charge-sustaining hybrid mode for continued optimal fuel efficiency.

Cloud connectivity would provide further opportunities to enhance performance and efficiency by selecting the optimum combination of powertrain modes for any given journey.

“Access to historical driver behaviour and travel patterns allows us to calculate the optimal fuel and energy efficiency by predicting the destination,” said Mascarenas. “Our researchers are working to increase understanding of driver behaviour, develop accurate protocols to predict it and enhance the trip by providing the smartest use of fuel or battery for the situation.”

The cloud-optimised powertrain would automatically ‘know’ when to save energy and switch modes, using information about the vehicle’s predicted travel route, any emission zone restrictions during the journey and current weather conditions.

In the future, communities may place firm restrictions on the types of vehicles allowed to use certain roads or highway lanes, and some city centres may choose to be open only to full electric vehicles. Helping drivers comply with such regulations could therefore be among the benefits of this technology. For example, the French government is considering creating zones mandating lower emissions, while cities such as London, Berlin, and Stockholm already have them in place.

This capability would further enhance the performance of Ford’s advanced PHEV technology, which offers an overall driving range of more than 500 miles (800 kilometres) using the battery and engine – more than any other plug-in or extended-range electric vehicle.

“With its leading-edge ‘cloud-optimised’ PHEV powertrain offering outstanding efficiency and range with supreme driving enjoyment, the Ford Evos Concept highlights our vision for greener, smarter vehicles with outstanding customer appeal,” said Kuzak.

Ford’s new design direction
The Ford Evos Concept was specifically developed to introduce the new Ford design direction. Key design elements will be applied to forthcoming Ford vehicles.

The new global design DNA provides the company’s worldwide design teams with a common framework to guide the creation of new products, enabling them to shape a coherent family of distinctive vehicles sharing the same fundamental design character.

“We wanted the Ford Evos Concept to give a clear message about where Ford design is heading – shaping vehicles that are fun to drive, have a strong premium appeal, and above all, are stunningly beautiful,” said J Mays, group vice president, Design and chief creative officer.

“Our exciting new design DNA has been developed and refined by an intensive effort by all of our talented global design team," said Mays. "As a team, we wanted to create a more technical design vocabulary to help communicate the smart technology that is now core to the Ford brand. In addition, we worked particularly hard on meeting the high-expectations of a new generation of buyers – a group of consumers who have grown up surrounded by beautiful, premium design work on even the most affordable products."

Dramatic fastback design with unique proportions
To provide a fitting vehicle to introduce the new design language, the Ford Evos Concept was conceived as a dramatic fastback concept, combining a striking new profile with innovative proportions. Attention-grabbing lines conceal a unique new format, with a four-door, four-seat layout which combines dynamic appearance with surprising practicality.

“This is an exciting new interpretation of the fastback bodystyle, with a really innovative silhouette as well as dramatic and very modern proportions,” Mays said.

“The innovation continues in the unique four-door layout, with spectacular hinged gullwing-style doors both front and rear providing outstanding access to the spacious four-seat cabin.”

Reflecting the same fun-to-drive spirit as the exterior, the interior of the Ford Evos Concept is built around the driver, with a stylish and innovative cockpit which promises new levels of driving pleasure and driver interaction.

Ford 40 MPG: Active Park Assist is Awesome

John and Courtney Force show off the 2012 Ford Focus and its active park assist feature.

ONE consumer will win an all-new 2012 Ford Focus with Sync and MyFord Touch, selected randomly from all eligible entries.

FORTY entrants every month (June-October of 2011) will win 'The Works Fuel Saver Package,' selected randomly from all eligible entries.

BONUS FORTY: If any Ford driver wins the championship in each of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series (Funny Car class), and World Rally Championship (World Rally Cars class), then 40 consumers will win a 2012 Ford Focus.

The Ford 40 MPG sweepstakes is open for entries from June 4th, 2011 to October 31st, 2011. For complete contest rules, please visit ford40mpg.com/Ford40MPG/rules.aspx

2011 Ford Fusion. Highest Ranked Midsize Car For Dependability

The 2011 Fusion is the “Most Dependable Midsize Car” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.SM

The Fusion comes in a wide range of five well-equipped models, front- or all-wheel drive. Equally impressive is the lineup of four engines, including the gas/electric hybrid that delivers an EPA-estimated 41 city mpg.

The 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study SM surveyed owners about the reliability of 3-year-old (2008 model year) cars and light trucks during the preceding 12 months.135

Get complete information on the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study at jdpower.com.