Ford Motor Company Fund Opens New Center in Southwest Detroit, Creates Unique Community Hub in Key Neighborhood

• Ford Motor Company Fund opened a new community center to support the rebuilding of Detroit and a growing neighborhood in the city

• New Ford Resource and Engagement Center in southwest Detroit is providing a community gathering space for residents to develop new talents, learn new skills and obtain needed services

• The new center is the focal point of a unique partnership that builds on support from the city of Detroit and brings together divergent organizations in support of a vital community

DETROIT, June 7, 2013 – Ford Motor Company Fund today opened a new community center – the Ford Resource and Engagement Center – in southwest Detroit to strengthen a key city neighborhood and offer diverse cultural and community programs provided by nonprofits with the support of the Fund.

 

Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing were on hand to open the doors of the new center and participate in the community celebration.

 

In an unusual move by a corporate foundation, Ford Fund is overseeing management of the new center and funding physical upgrades, maintenance and all operating costs for the building, which is under long-term lease.

 

“Next month we mark the 150th birthday of Henry Ford, whose unique vision not only made personal transportation affordable, but left a lasting impact on communities where his employees and customers lived,” says Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford Motor Company has been making investments in Detroit for more than a century, and today’s opening of the Ford Resource and Engagement Center demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the city.”

 

The Mexicantown Mercado building has been unused in recent years. Starting this month, it is home to a Gleaners client choice food service hub, and a range of other services and programs, including:

 

• A variety of bilingual services from LA SED (Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development)
• Job assistance from SER Metro for Detroit Jobs for Progress
• Income tax preparation from Accounting Aid
• Anti-bullying training from Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
• Dance and art classes from Living Arts
• Performing arts training from Mosaic Youth Theatre
• University classes offered by University of Michigan and University of Detroit

The new center is the centerpiece of a $10 million, five-year initiative in the city of Detroit, which augments Ford Fund’s ongoing community partnerships and support for southeast Michigan nonprofits that totals $60 million over the past five years alone.

 

The initiative also includes funding for:

 

• Youth programs at Patton Recreation Center including a summer camp
• Two Ford F-Series chassis for use as ambulances in Detroit, and funding for police cars
• Detroit Summer Youth Employment program

“I am extremely grateful for Ford Motor Company Fund’s ongoing commitment to our neighborhoods,” said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. “Ford’s generous investments in summer youth jobs, recreation centers, hunger relief and educational opportunities are vital in our efforts to change the conversation about Detroit. We value Ford Motor Company Fund’s support and partnership.”

Inflatable Rear Safety Belts

The world's first automotive production inflatable rear safety belts are available in the XLT, Limited and Sport models (2nd-row outboard seating positions). The inflated safety belt helps distribute crash-force energy across more of the occupant's torso than a traditional safety belt, which helps reduce the risk of injury, while providing support to the head and neck. In the event of a frontal or side crash, the inflatable safety belt holds the passenger in the appropriate seating position, helping to reduce risk of injury. These safety belts are compatible with child safety seats.

Active Park Assist - Explorer

Unlike other systems that use imaging devices, available active park assist* uses ultrasonic sensors to locate a parking space. Simply press a button and once a spot is selected, while you drive slowly, Explorer parks into place with a few simple steps on your part. Active park assist is an available feature on the Explorer Limited model.

*Driver assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver's judgment.

Adaptive Cruise Control - Explorer

Adaptive cruise control* represents a major step beyond conventional cruise control. When its sensors detect traffic slowing, your vehicle also slows down. After traffic has cleared, your vehicle resumes the preset speed. Forward collision warning with brake support will alert you if it senses a potential collision with the car in front of you. A heads-up display, which simulates brake lights, flashes on the windshield. If you don't react in time, the brakes will precharge and increase brake-assist sensitivity to provide full responsiveness when you brake.

*Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver's judgment.

3.5L EcoBoost® Engine - Explorer

Enjoy no-compromise power and efficiency.

• Instantaneous low-end torque responsiveness
• 365 horsepower* and 350 lb.-ft. of torque
• Direct fuel injection and turbocharger

 *Figures achieved with premium fuel.

BLIS® with Cross-Traffic Alert - Explorer

BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System)* uses radar in the rear quarter panels to identify a vehicle entering your blind spot and alerts you with an indicator light in the sideview mirror. Cross-traffic alert also uses radar to watch for traffic behind you when you're slowly backing out of a parking spot or your driveway. If it detects a vehicle approaching from up to 15 yards away, it sends an audible warning, an indicator light flashes in the sideview mirror and a message displays in the message center. BLIS® with cross-traffic alert is available on the XLT, Limited and Sport models.

 *Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver's judgment.

Ford Motor Company U.S. Sales Up 14 Percent; Ford Fusion, Escape and New Lincoln MKZ Continue Record-Setting Pace

• Ford Motor Company’s May U.S. sales up 14 percent compared with a year ago; best May sales since 2006 with retail sales up 17 percent

• Escape delivers best month ever – sales up 26 percent year over year; Fusion sales up 10 percent – Fusion’s best-ever May; both achieve monthly sales records for four straight months

• F-Series, America’s best-selling pickup for 36 years, posts a 31 percent increase – best May sales since 2005 and first time F-Series breaks the 70,000 mark since March 2007

• Lincoln MKZ delivers its best-ever May sales performance

• Ford announces 2013 third-quarter production of 740,000 vehicles, up 10 percent from the prior year

DEARBORN, Mich., June 3, 2013 – Ford Motor Company’s U.S. sales grew 14 percent in May, with cars up 9 percent, utilities up 15 percent and trucks up 18 percent. Retail sales increased 17 percent, marking the best May retail sales results since 2005.

“Our fuel-efficient Fusion and Escape have set monthly sales records for four straight months,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “F-Series sales – fueled by construction growth and pent-up demand – reached their highest level in more than six years.”

Fusion posted its best-ever May sales of 29,553 vehicles – with its strongest areas of sales growth in the western and southeastern areas of the U.S.

The fuel-efficient Escape small utility posted its best-ever sales month since being introduced 13 years ago – a 26 percent increase with 29,123 vehicles sold last month.

America’s best-selling pickup, the F-Series had its strongest May sales result since 2005. F-Series’ 71,604 sales in May represented a 31 percent increase versus last year and its 22nd straight monthly sales increase.

In May, Lincoln MKZ sales increased 42 percent versus last year. This represents MKZ’s best-ever May sales, building on MKZ’s best-ever sales month in April.

In addition, Ford announces its 2013 third-quarter North American production. The company plans to build 740,000 vehicles in the third quarter, up 10 percent from the 673,000 vehicles produced in the third quarter of 2012.

The third quarter plan includes the company’s recent announcement to add 40,000 vehicles from a reduced July summer shutdown and the addition of 200,000 units of annualized straight-time capacity starting in the fall of this year.

Second quarter production of 800,000 vehicles is unchanged from previous guidance.

TechShop and Ford Celebrate One Year of Innovation in Metro Detroit; Benefits Emerge from Entrepreneurial Spirit

• TechShop Detroit – a do-it-yourself workshop and fabrication studio where prospective inventors, makers and hackers can rent space to have access to high-tech equipment – celebrates its first anniversary with an event June 1
• In the past year, Ford’s Employee Patent Incentive Program, in conjunction with TechShop, has in part led to 50 percent more patentable ideas by Ford employees
• TechShop offers members a chance to tinker and test out new, innovative ideas with equipment on site to better enable invention

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 1, 2013 – When TechShop opened in Detroit a year ago it was intended to foster additional innovation, and now it has contributed to a 50 percent increase in patentable ideas by Ford employees.

 

Last spring Ford helped bring TechShop to Detroit with assistance from Bill Coughlin, CEO of Ford Global Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Leading the domestic auto industry’s only intellectual property team with a licensing arm, Coughlin articulates this vision to help drive innovation at Ford and beyond.

 

“There was a time not so long ago in this business where outside ideas were not readily considered,” he says. “Since TechShop memberships were added to help enhance Ford’s invention incentive program, invention disclosures have increased by more than 50 percent.”

 

The Employee Patent Incentive Program provides Ford employee inventors with a three-month free membership to TechShop Detroit. Approximately 2,000 Ford employees have incentive memberships.

 

Ford has a portfolio of more than 17,000 issued and pending patents around the world, and – as a technology company – needs to be at the very forefront of automotive innovation. With TechShop in close proximity, Ford’s employees in Dearborn are able to easily and quickly build prototypes for almost any inventive solution they can conceive.

 

TechShop Detroit is a center for innovation – a vibrant playground for inventors, hackers and tinkerers of all stripes.

 

“We’re thrilled TechShop is helping to inspire new inventions and ideas from the employees at Ford, at such a strong pace,” says Mark Hatch, CEO of TechShop. “A full year of success in our partnership with Ford confirms our ability to deliver on our mission of helping makers and entrepreneurs of all ages build their dreams and explore new ideas.

 

“Over the last year, TechShop Detroit’s vibrant and talented community of makers have shown their innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive, and we can’t wait to see the creative and exciting things to come,” he adds.

 

From laser cutters to computer-aided-design workstations to 3D printers, TechShop is outfitted with tools that Henry Ford couldn’t even imagine when he built his first cars more than a century ago. While much of this equipment is still well beyond the means of most tinkerers, memberships starting at $99 per month enable everyone access to the tools of innovation.

 

TechShop Detroit is located in Fairlane Business Park, a Ford Land-owned property in Allen Park, Mich. There are five other TechShops around the United States, with an additional three planned in the future.

Ford EcoBoost Challenge Drive Event

Ford is taking the competition head on, inviting customers across the country to put the automaker's popular EcoBoost vehicles to the test against its competitors, while also getting the opportunity to drive the highly anticipated all-new Fiesta ST before it's available in Dealerships.

The Ford EcoBoost Challenge will allow customers to drive the Ford Fusion and Escape head-to-head against the competition while also experiencing how EcoBoost technology delivers exceptional fuel economy and power. The tour, beginning in June, will head to 12 markets nationally, and will also features the Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid.

Ford Brings Competition to the Customer; Hosts 13-City EcoBoost Challenge

• Consumer events to drive Ford’s fuel-efficient EcoBoost line-up, including the all-new Fiesta ST, Escape and Fusion against the competitors in closed track experiences

• Consumers interested in attending can sign up at fordecoboostchallengedrive.com

• By the end of 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford’s North American lineup will be available with an EcoBoost engine

DEARBORN, Mich., May 31, 2013 – Ford is taking the competition head on, inviting customers across the country to put the automaker’s popular fuel efficient EcoBoost powered vehicles to the test against its competitors while also getting the opportunity to drive the highly anticipated Fiesta ST.

 

The Ford EcoBoost Challenge will allow customers to drive the Ford Fusion and Escape head-to-head against the competition while experiencing how EcoBoost technology delivers unparalleled fuel economy and power. Participants will also have a chance to drive the all-new Fiesta ST, before it is available in dealerships. The tour, beginning in June, will head to 13 markets nationally.

 

“Ford is delivering on its promise to give fuel-efficiency-minded customers the power of choice, by offering a lineup that includes five electrified vehicles, two plug-in hybrids and eight vehicles available with EcoBoost Technology,” said David Mondragon, general marketing manager for Ford and Lincoln. “Throughout this tour, we will let consumers experience the technology that helps deliver better fuel economy and engaging driving than the competition.”

 

The EcoBoost Challenge events will take place on Saturdays in June, July, August and September in each market. Events will include an ST Performance Academy, a hyper-mile challenge for Ford hybrid vehicles and head-to-head competitive drives on an EcoBoost challenge course.

 

Pre-registration is live at fordecoboostchallengedrive.com. Space is limited and available on first-come, first-served basis.

 

Events will open at 9 a.m. and run all day through 6 p.m. in most markets. Locations and dates are:

• Boston, Gillette Stadium, June 22
• Washington, D.C., FedEx Field, June 29
• Chicago, Arlington Park, June 29
• San Francisco, Golden Gate Fields, July 13
• Los Angeles, Rose Bowl, July 20
• New York City, Citi Field, August 17
• Charlotte, Charlotte Motor Speedway, August 24
• Atlanta, Turner Field, September 7
• Dallas, Cowboys Stadium, September 7
• Orlando, Orange County Convention Center, September 14
• Houston, Sam Houston Race Park, September 14
• Miami, Gulfstream Park, September 21
• Minneapolis/St. Paul, Canterbury Park, September 21

With advanced engine technology such as gasoline-turbo direct-injected engines, Ford’s EcoBoost engines help customers conserve fuel without sacrificing power. In North America, EcoBoost sales make Ford the leader in gasoline turbo direct-injected engines in its core high-volume passenger vehicles, such as Fusion, F-150 and Escape.

 

By the end of 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford’s North American lineup will be available with an EcoBoost engine.