Ford to Join ‘Archtober’ Celebration, Discuss Trends That Shape Both Architecture, Automobiles

• “Archtober” panel discussion will highlight how consumers want more from both buildings and vehicles today – increased sustainability and efficiency inside, originality and unique design outside

• Ford is collaborating with American Institute for Architects (AIA) as part of New York’s “Archtober,” a month-long celebration of architecture and design

• Vehicles and buildings provide much of our visual landscape; as they evolve and change, our world will change with them

 

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2012 – Sleekly fashioned from steel and glass, carefully sculpted with brick and marble, today’s buildings are judged on exterior aesthetics as well as increased interior function. They have much in common, then, with today’s automobiles, now designed as sustainable, efficient methods of transportation as well as high-tech works of art.

 

It’s with those comparisons in mind that Ford Motor Company has joined with the American Institute for Architects (AIANY) New York Chapter to celebrate “Archtober,” a month-long festival of architecture activities, programs and exhibitions in New York City.

 

Ford and AIANY are hosting “Ford and Architecture,” a luncheon panel featuring Ford automotive design experts and New York-based architects who will discuss how societal trends influence and inspire both the architectural and automotive industries.

 

“There are many parallels between architecture and automotive design,” says Jeff Nield,

manager, Strategic Design Vision and Futuring for Ford. “Both disciplines are based around a human-informed creative process. In each case, people will spend significant lengths of time experiencing the exterior and interior.” 

 

Whether designing a building or a car, it is essential to create an emotional connection through a design that is functional and timeless, but also responsible, he says. Now both must provide a multitude of offerings for their inhabitants, from increased sustainability and efficiency to a visual aesthetic that is unique and desirable.

 

Successful designs, whether they’re automotive or architectural, provide an engaging visual journey, he says. They also tell the story of what’s inside through clear exterior cues. In the case of the all-new Ford Fusion, its innovative silhouette and technical graphics offer a design that draws in the customer with its elegant form and hint to the unsurpassed fuel efficiency and high technology within.

 

Both industries are evolving quickly, says Cynthia Phifer Kracauer, AIA, managing director. Their very existence depends on the shifting ideals of the consumers who inhabit them; designers need to keep their fingers on the pulse of that change to stay successful.

 

“You can already see how sustainable materials and technologies are providing more efficient uses of energy resources in architecture,” she says. “As material science, energy engineering and smart technologies evolve, you will see even more changes in our cities and in our cars.”

 

On the panel:

 

• Moderator: Rick Bell, Executive Director of the AIA New York Chapter
• Jeff Nield, manager, Strategic Design Vision and Futuring for Ford Motor Company
• Donald Albrecht, curator of Architecture and Design, Museum of the City of New York
• Jill Lerner, fellow of the American Institute of Architects, principal, Kohn Pederson Fox Associates

New 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium Blends Unsurpassed Fuel Efficiency with Premium Amenities

• All-new Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium adds premium amenities and technology to the most fuel-efficient midsize family sedan in America

• Standard features include leather interior, premium Sony^® audio system and MyFord Touch^®

• Customers can select a Fusion Titanium model with either a hybrid powertrain or the 2.0-liter EcoBoost^® all-wheel-drive powertrain for the same base price of $32,995

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 2, 2012 – Ford’s new Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient sedan in America, raises the bar on luxury and technology with the debut of the 2013 Titanium edition.

 

The new model will be sold alongside the Fusion Hybrid SE, which is priced $1,575 less than the outgoing Fusion Hybrid, with even more content. The Titanium edition was developed in response to consumer demand for a higher level of luxury in a hybrid vehicle. Ford has been selling the Fusion Hybrid since 2009, and this is the first time it has been offered with this level of features.

 

Starting at just $32,995, Fusion Hybrid Titanium is available for the same price as the 2.0-liter EcoBoost^®Fusion with all-wheel drive.

 

“Traditionally, car buyers have had to compromise when selecting between class-leading efficiency, premium amenities and value,” said Samantha Hoyt, Fusion Marketing manager. “The new Fusion Hybrid Titanium lets customers have it all.”

 

In a sea of bland midsize segment choices, the flowing silhouette of the new Ford Fusion stands dramatically apart from the crowd – exuding confidence, sophistication and a dynamic attitude.

 

Fusion Titanium models step it up a notch with standard front fog lamps, chrome accents on the door handles, rear deck spoiler and polished 18-inch alloy wheels.

 

Once inside the Fusion Hybrid Titanium, drivers would be hard-pressed to guess that this is a mainstream family sedan. Technology and design are integrated in a manner that looks fantastic and works wonderfully.

 

Both front seats get power adjustability, with the driver’s seat getting 10 directions from which to choose. All seats along with the steering wheel and shift lever are trimmed in leather.

 

“All of the interior materials and surface finishes provide the sense of arriving at a destination,” said Gary Braddock, Fusion interior designer. “Metallic finishes on the door, instrument panel and center console are bright without being reflective, allowing the interior to look expensive without being ostentatious.”

 

Controls fall readily to hand in the driver-oriented cockpit of the Fusion, and Titanium models get a 12-speaker Sony^® audio system with HD Radio^™. The award-winning SYNC^® connectivity system is augmented with the enhanced voice control capability of MyFord Touch^® along with SYNC Services on every Fusion Titanium. A rear view camera and Reverse Sensing System help to keep the driver aware of what is behind the Fusion while backing up.

 

For night driving, an ambient lighting system provides a relaxing and pleasant cabin environment while an auto-dimming electrochromic rearview mirror ensures the driver is never blinded by other vehicles with bright headlights coming up from behind.

 

Fusion’s new hybrid powertrain is activated by a push-button start so the key can stay in a pocket or purse. An advanced lithium-ion battery pack is one-third lighter than before but provides more power, enabling electric driving at speeds up to 62 mph.

 

“With Fusion Hybrid Titanium, going green no longer means having an austere ride,” says Hoyt. “No guilt, no pain.”

 

Fusion Hybrid Titanium will be available in early 2013.

Ford Reaffirms Texas Ties with 2013 F-150 King Ranch, the Truck That Defines Authentic Western Luxury and Style

• 2013 Ford F-150 King Ranch debuts at the State Fair of Texas Auto Show with more luxury, technology and capability than ever before

• 2013 F-150 King Ranch features an updated exterior, timeless Chaparral leather, an all-new black interior environment, smart technology like standard MyFord Touch^® – optimized for truck owners – and available HID headlamps

• Ford and the famous King Ranch have teamed for 12 years; together they set the original benchmark for luxury trucks

DALLAS, Sept. 27, 2012 – Texas is the nation’s largest truck market and Ford has longstanding ties to King Ranch, a Texas institution. To celebrate another year in this successful relationship, the 2013 F-150 King Ranch debuts at the 2012 State Fair of Texas.

 

“While others are just starting to understand the appeal of Texas innovation and luxury, we’re proud to have worked with our longtime partners at King Ranch who helped define both,” said Ford General Marketing Manager Dave Mondragon. “The latest F-150 King Ranch extends this honor and tradition.”

 

Like its namesake, F-150 King Ranch is the product of generations of F-Series trucks that came before it.

 

Outside, the latest F-150 King Ranch features a bold new three-bar grille and available new 20-inch machined aluminum wheels. There’s also an available monotone paint option and customers can add a special King Ranch chrome package for additional luxury cues.

 

Inside, the seats are wrapped in rich, timeless Chaparral leather. An all-new black interior environment is available (in addition to traditional Adobe), plus smart technology like standard MyFord Touch^® optimized for truck owners, standard ambient interior lighting and available class-exclusive HID headlamps.

 

The 2013 Ford F-150 King Ranch does more than look good. It’s also Built Ford Tough. F-150 King Ranch is available with a choice of 5.0-liter V8 or the advanced, segment-exclusive 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® engine, which provides the power of an eight-cylinder engine and the fuel efficiency of a six-cylinder while achieving a best-in-class 11,300 pounds of trailer towing capability.

 

Both engines are mated to a fuel-saving electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode and SelectShift^® capability.

 

“King Ranch is built on the heritage, hard work and innovation of seven generations of King family descendants and employees, just like what Ford has built into its F-Series pickup trucks,” said King Ranch Chairman Jamey Clement. “It’s why we trust Ford as a genuine partner and why we depend on a fleet of 260 Ford trucks to get the job done every day at King Ranch.”

 

King Ranch covers more than 1,300 square miles of Texas land, making it one of the largest ranches in the world.

 

In 2000, Ford Motor Company and King Ranch teamed to introduce the 2001 King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew, then the most upscale model in the Ford F-150 lineup. It was also the industry’s first under-8,500-pound GVW full-size pickup truck with four full-size doors and a full rear passenger compartment.

 

The 2013 F-150 King Ranch is one of 10 updated models in the F-Series lineup that includes changes to XL, XLT, Lariat, Platinum, SVT Raptor and the introduction of the all-new F-150 Limited.

 

Significant features include available Hill Descent Control^™, segment-first HID headlamps that are brighter and whiter than traditional headlamps, and segment-exclusive power-folding and telescoping trailer tow mirrors.

 

Available MyFord Touch, powered by SYNC^®, brings industry-leading connectivity technology to Ford trucks – optimized for truck owners with specialized buttons they can operate while wearing gloves, and a larger screen for improved readability.

Ford Sets Guinness World Records® Achievement

Ford set a Guinness World Records® achievement today by holding the world’s largest game of “Red Light – Green Light” to highlight the company’s first use of its fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop technology on a gas-powered vehicle, the new 37-mpg EcoBoost® Fusion. The game was a unique and fun element of an employee celebration at Ford’s Dearborn World Headquarters as part of a five-city U.S. launch of the all-new Fusion. Four hundred and fifty-one employees got the chance to take a trip back to their childhood while participating in “Red Light – Green Light” to showcase the Auto Start-Stop feature that allows Fusion drivers to save fuel and produce fewer emissions when stopped in traffic. The record was made official by Guinness World Records Adjudicator Michael Empric.

 

 

 

Barb Whalen: Frustrated Interior Decorator Finds Automotive Interior Aesthetic

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Michigan State University graduate Barbara Whalen was academically trained as an interior decorator. She quickly found frustration in clientele with bad taste and lots of money, or those kindred spirits with great taste but inadequate financial resources. Her father, a Ford executive, suggested she apply to become an automotive interior designer. She landed the job, found she loved it, and has spent the last 22 years raising the bar on automotive interior design, color and materials.

Sam Hoyt: Fusion Marketing Manager Loves Natural and Man-Made Horsepower

Samantha -- Sam to all -- reflects her Houston, Texas upbringing with equal passion for natural and automotive horsepower. A seasoned horsewoman who rides frequently, Sam and her husband also enjoy restoring and driving vintage sports cars. She fervently believes that her automotive enthusiasm, combined with her automotive retail experience in major-market dealerships, give her deeper insights into customer wants and needs.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Active Noise Cancellation Helps Deliver Quiet Fuel Efficiency

• All-new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city and 47 mpg highway for a 47 mpg combined rating, with Active Noise Cancellation technology

• Fusion Hybrid engineers tuned the gasoline engine more efficiently in rpm ranges that typically produce unpleasant powertrain sounds, now suppressed by an advanced noise cancellation system to give driver and passengers a quiet ride

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 26, 2012 – Powertrain noise in the all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is like the proverbial tree that fell in the forest. With Active Noise Cancellation technology on board, if you don’t hear it, is it really even there?

Active Noise Cancellation technology helps enable the 2013 Fusion Hybrid sedan to deliver EPA-certified 47 mpg city and 47 mpg highway ratings that combine for 47 mpg overall.

The fuel economy connection may not be obvious, but Active Noise Cancellation allows Ford engineers to tune the car for more fuel-efficient operation.

Calibrating an engine requires careful balance between delivering the desired performance with the lowest possible fuel consumption and emissions, all while keeping it pleasant to drive.

“The Fusion Hybrid leverages this advanced technology to help deliver maximum fuel economy for the customer,” said Henry Ford Technical Fellow for NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) Dr. Takeshi Abe. “Reduced powertrain noise in the passenger compartment becomes the icing on the cake.”

At the lower speeds that help efficiency, engines produce booming, low-frequency sounds that can be unpleasant to the driver and passengers. Without Active Noise Cancellation, engineers have to keep the engine out of this operating range, sacrificing efficiency.

Yet to achieve peak fuel economy, a creative solution must be applied harnessing advanced audio technology to eradicate this unwanted sound.

A predictive control system notes driver behavior and how the engine responds, anticipating noise before it is even generated.

Three highly sensitive microphones are mounted in the Fusion Hybrid’s interior headliner – two over the first seating row and one over the rear – to detect and measure engine noise. These microphones send a signal to the Active Noise Cancellation control module in real time.

The module instantaneously and continuously generates opposing sound waves. This reversed wave is directed through the Fusion Hybrid’s audio system, combining with the original engine noise wave to cancel out any potentially objectionable sound.

The combination of the proactive and reactive signals ultimately provides a more pleasing effect for driver and passengers.

The infographic below depicts Active Noise Cancellation technology at work, showing the movement pattern of sound travel within the car. The lower panel depicts the cancellation of unwanted sounds, resulting in minimized residual noise.

The Fusion Hybrid appears in Ford dealerships nationwide this fall.

The story behind the new Fusion

For more on the new Ford Fusion, check out http://FordFusionStory.com, a special mobile site featuring articles, videos and graphics that are easily shareable directly from a smartphone, tablet or computer browser to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and blogs.

Want to Improve Your Love Life? New Survey Suggests Taking a Road Trip Together

• Survey from YourTango.com, collaborating with Ford, shows couples use road trips for “quality time” that allows them to reconnect

• Survey also shows most couples have a “back-seat driver” in the relationship, helping the real driver negotiate the road

• Ford is ready to meet the needs and desires of today’s travelers with sleek, stylish Fusion – it lets drivers bring fun and comfort to the road

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 26, 2012 – Taking a road trip with your significant other? Chances are good the time together will improve your relationship.

 

In fact, 91 percent of couples have taken road trips together, and 84 percent agree the experience has strengthened their relationship, according to a new survey of more than 1,000 couples released by YourTango.com collaborating with Ford Motor Company.

 

YourTango.com, the digital leader in love and relationships, found other interesting relationship tidbits in its survey, as well. For instance, plenty of couples have a “back-seat driver” on board who “helps” the real driver negotiate the road:

 

• 32 percent tell the driver they’re driving too fast
• 27 percent tell them they’re going the wrong way
• 22 percent tell them they’re not paying enough attention to their surroundings/traffic
• 15 percent chide them for driving too slowly

After guiding the driver, the second most popular back-seat driving technique involves physical actions like holding the dashboard or pressing an invisible brake. In third place comes gasping and making other sounds of fright.

 

Finding quality time

Togetherness on the road presents an opportunity for quality time among couples in all sorts of ways.

 

Sixty-three percent of respondents agree or strongly agree they are affectionate with their partner while driving; they hold hands or share a kiss at a red light. Fifty-seven percent say driving is a good time to discuss important topics with their spouse or partner.

 

In fact, respondents said their three favorite ways to pass the time are:

 

• Talking and catching up with each other (63 percent)
• Blasting our favorite music (60 percent)
• Getting some quiet time and taking in the sights (37 percent)

“We were excited to learn Ford is eager to provide couples a space to communicate and enjoy quality time together on the road ‒ such an insightful, worthwhile objective,” says YourTango CEO Andrea Miller. “With so many couples struggling with stress and looking for ways to stay connected, we can now offer a new, easy answer: Try going on a road trip!”

 

The responses to the survey were gratifying to Ford.

 

“Ford has always believed that getting there is more than half the fun; that’s why we’re so excited about the new Fusion,” said Samantha Hoyt, Ford Fusion Marketing manager. “With its sleek styling, comfortable interior and customer-centered technology, it’s all about taking those good times on the road.”

 

Comfort is definitely a factor, agree YourTango respondents. Seventy-three percent say a car’s interior affects their level of comfort on the road; 42 percent say the noises their car makes affects their driving experience; and 77 percent say an upgrade to the features of their vehicle would improve their togetherness in the car.

 

Additional survey findings include:

 

• 56 percent say the best driving conversations focus on the present – sights, news, other drivers, followed by 19 percent who say the best discussions involve the future: marriage, kids, home buying, etc.
• 35 percent of couples surveyed have been on eight or more road trips together
• 68 percent describe their road trips as “fun-filled” or “relaxing”

Survey details and additional insights are available on YourTango.com/LoveOnTheRoad.

Ford Safety Painter Doubles as Sustainable Mural Artist

Tony Roko, safety painter at Ford, uses repurposed industrial materials to create murals that beautify Ford's plants and factories and create commercial art as well.

Ford Police Interceptors Prevail in Recent Michigan State Police Testing

• Ford Police Interceptors proved victorious in speed, acceleration and braking in recent tests by the Michigan State Police

• The Police Interceptor all-wheel-drive sedan equipped with the EcoBoost^® V6 engine outperformed the competition in 0-60 mph, 0-80 mph and 0-100 mph acceleration tests, as well as setting the fastest single lap and average lap times of the week

• The Police Interceptor utility vehicle posted the fastest times in 0-60 mph and 0-80 mph acceleration tests in addition to posting the fastest single lap and average lap times versus competitive police utility models

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 21, 2012 – Ford’s new Police Interceptors led the pack in recent testing conducted by the Michigan State Police.

 

The Police Interceptor sedan equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® V6 engine topped the competition in 0-60 mph, 0-80 mph and 0-100 mph acceleration. These fast closing-in speeds are critical for first responders and law enforcement professionals.

 

In testing at Grattan Raceway, the Ford Police Interceptor with EcoBoost V6 engine and all-wheel drive posted the fastest single lap and best average lap times.

 

Competitors with larger V8 engines could not keep up with the superior advanced engineering of the Ford EcoBoost V6. The purpose-built Police Interceptor is designed to outperform the competition by optimizing handling and control in combination with a high-torque engine and robust brakes.

 

“This year’s testing by the Michigan State Police once again proves Ford Police Interceptors are industry leaders, offering government agencies the desired combination of capability, technology and long-lasting value,” said Lisa Teed, Marketing manager for the Ford Police Interceptor program.

 

The 3.7-liter V6 all-wheel-drive sedan also boasted the shortest stopping distance for all police vehicles tested.

 

The Police Interceptor all-wheel-drive utility vehicle posted top 0-60 mph and 0-80 mph times in the acceleration tests and also achieved the quickest lap times versus competing police utility vehicles. The Police Interceptor utility vehicle combines the performance of a sedan with a larger interior package for agencies that require increased cargo capacity.

 

“We are very proud of the test results,” said Bill Gubing, Ford Police Interceptor chief engineer.

 

“During post-event inspection, the vehicles show proof of purpose-built durability,” he adds. “The status of the tires and brake pads still show useful life, and are ready for more grueling testing.”

 

A tough lineup
Ford’s Police Interceptor engine strategy provides a V6 lineup that performs better than V8 engines of years past. The Police Interceptor sedan lineup now comes with three powertrain options, allowing police to choose the engine that best meets their patrol requirements. The sedan is available with a standard 3.5-liter V6, the new 3.7-liter V6 and the performance powerhouse 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost – all paired with all-wheel drive as standard equipment.

 

The 3.7-liter V6 engine with 305 horsepower is now available on the all-wheel-drive Police Interceptor sedan and is common with the utility vehicle.

 

A high-capacity six-speed automatic transmission is uniquely calibrated and adapts to pursuit mode for responsiveness to an officer’s demands. All-wheel drive is standard on both sedan and utility vehicle Police Interceptors to optimize handling and control, which is important to meet the needs of first responders in their daily environment.

 

To develop the all-new Police Interceptor, Ford engineers worked hand-in-hand with Ford’s Police Advisory Board of law enforcement professionals, who provided input on key vehicle attributes such as safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality.

 

Building on Ford’s safety leadership, the Police Interceptor is engineered to pass 75-mph rear-end crash testing.

 

Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicles recently earned top safety ratings in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration New Car Assessment Program testing, which combines vehicle performance in frontal and side-impact crash tests and resistance to rollover.