Ford Cuts Energy Use 22 Percent; New Sustainability Report Calls for Added 25 Percent Drop by 2016

• Ford Motor Company has released its 13^th annual Sustainability Report titled “Blueprint for Sustainability: Accelerating Ahead” – a voluntary and comprehensive annual account highlighting all things sustainable, from people to products

• Ford’s success cutting energy use in its vehicle manufacturing process – and its announcement to cut another 25 percent in the next five years – comes as global energy use is being projected to soar 53 percent between 2008 and 2035

• Other progress highlighted includes reduction in waste-to-landfill, water use and CO₂ emissions; a summary of company financial health; improvement in vehicle fuel economy; and safety achievements

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 15, 2012 –Ford announced today in its annual Sustainability Report that it has reduced the amount of energy required to produce each vehicle in its manufacturing facilities by 22 percent in the last six years. The company also announced plans to reduce usage another 25 percent on a per-vehicle basis by 2016.

 

Decreased energy consumption during vehicle manufacturing is just one highlight of Ford’s 13^th annual Sustainability Report. The report – “Blueprint for Sustainability: Accelerating Ahead” – is a comprehensive showcase of the company’s efforts to tackle a myriad of sustainability challenges in a rapidly changing world.

 

Other successful initiatives featured include reductions in water use, waste-to-landfill and CO₂ emissions as well as improvements in vehicle fuel economy and safety.

 

“Sustainability has moved from the periphery to the center of our strategy for succeeding in the marketplace and helping to address global challenges,” said Robert Brown, vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

 

Ford issued its first Sustainability Report in 1999 to address the company’s initiatives regarding social, economic and environmental issues. Like Ford’s sustainability-related processes and results, the report has evolved, too. New this year are sections highlighting Ford’s regional sustainability initiatives in Europe, South America and Asia; commentary from third-party subject matter experts like Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, andmultimedia elements.

 

“Our sustainability report is far from a bunch of tables and charts,” said John Viera, global director, Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters. “Anyone who spends any amount of time with it will truly get a sense of just how committed Ford is to supporting positive change and reducing the environmental impact of its products and facilities.”

 

Consider the drop in energy consumption: The amount of electricity used to produce each vehicle in Ford’s manufacturing facilities has been reduced by about 800 kilowatt-hours – from 3,576 kwh in 2006 to 2,778 kwh in 2011. By comparison, average households in states like California, New York, Illinois and Michigan use between 562 kwh and 799 kwh monthly.

 

Ford’s progress has been achieved by investing in energy-saving practices and equipment. At Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., for example, the company uses a new “three-wet” paint application that reduces electricity use along with CO₂ and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions.

 

At the same plant, a new 500-kilowatt solar panel system has been installed to generate renewable energy for production of Ford vehicles like Focus and Focus Electric.

 

Thanks to such efforts already in place and Ford’s commitment to making further progress, the company projects a continued drop in energy consumption – 25 percent between 2011 and 2016.

 

This commitment is made against a backdrop of the U.S. Department of Energy announcement last September that global energy demand will increase 53 percent between 2008 and 2035.

 

Environmental

Reduction in energy consumption is just one result of Ford’s focus on minimizing the environmental impact of the vehicles it produces and the facilities where they are made.

 

Each Ford facility uses measured environmental targets to track and accelerate improvements designed with the environment in mind. The targets are reviewed and updated annually.

 

In addition to its commitment to further reducing energy consumption, Ford also:

 

• Reduced the total amount of waste sent to landfills globally by 11.3 percent from 2010 to 2011
• Plans to further reduce its waste to landfill by 10 percent per vehicle this year, building on existing efforts that have reduced global waste by 100 million pounds (44 percent) in the last five years
• Reduced CO₂ emissions from global operations in 2011 by 8 percent on a per-vehicle basis compared with 2010
• Turned what would have been 163 tons of recovered paint solids into enough power for 20 residential homes for one year through just one of many new ways the company is converting waste to energy
• Advanced water-treatment technologies to allow the reuse of water and reduce water supply requirements, water discharges and use of treatment chemicals and the generation of solid waste
• Reduced water use to 4.7 cubic meters per vehicle in 2011 within a corporate goal of reducing the amount of water used per vehicle by 30 percent between 2009 and 2015

“Integration of our sustainability initiatives into the Ford production system has enabled us to accelerate environmental improvements at our manufacturing facilities,” said Andy Hobbs, director, Environmental Quality Office. “This enables all members of the Ford manufacturing team to contribute to meeting our environmental targets.”

 

Sustainable Materials

Ford vehicles continue to be a major focal point of the company’s efforts to reduce environmental impact. For example, the seat fabric in most of Ford’s new or redesigned vehicles must now consist of at least 25 percent post-industrial or post-consumer recycled content. A total of 37 fabrics now meet the requirements and have been incorporated into Ford vehicles. Other highlights include:

 

• A seat fabric containing a fiber made from recycled plastic water bottles is being used in the Focus Electric, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi
• Nonwoven headliner fabrics now contain 50 to 75 percent recycled yarns, depending on the color
• Post-consumer recycled nylon is used in some underhood parts, including air cleaner housings, engine fans, fan shrouds, HVAC temperature valves, engine covers, cam covers and carbon canisters
• Nearly 4.1 million pounds of carpet has been recycled into cylinder head covers, the equivalent of a carpet the size of more than 150 football fields – eliminating the use of more than 430,000 gallons of oil
• Use of seat foam made with soy oil in all North America vehicles, also reducing dependency oil-use and CO₂ emissions

Societal

Because Ford affects such a broad range of stakeholders – employees, dealers, investors, communities – the Sustainability Report also details some of the ways the company interacted with those parties in 2011, said David Berdish, manager, Social Sustainability.

 

For example, the report outlines how Ford revised its “Code of Human Rights, Basic Working Conditions and Corporate Responsibility,” which applies to not only Ford itself, but its $75 billion supply chain. The code deals with subjects such as working hours and conditions, nondiscrimination and other health, safety and environmental issues. Nearly 400 suppliers around the world were trained in 2011 through Ford-led and joint industry programs.

 

“Detailing our progress on human rights and sharing stories of our projects in the sustainability report is our primary source of communication regarding issues of social sustainability – and not just to media and customers,” said Berdish. “Investors are paying attention to working conditions, conflict minerals and trafficking more intensely, and our stakeholders want to be kept updated on all developments.”

 

Safety

Ford also is committed to customers and helping to keep them safe is a priority. That’s why the company works hard to develop and offer an array of advanced safety technologies across its entire vehicle lineup. Specific milestones achieved in the last year include:

 

• Twelve Ford Motor Company vehicles earned Top Safety Picks from the IIHS in 2012: Ford Fiesta (sedan and hatchback), Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Edge, Explorer, Flex and F-150 (Crew Cab) and the Lincoln MKX, MKS, MKT and MKZ
• Ford Fusion has been an IIHS Top Safety Pick for four years in a row starting with the 2009 model year
• The 2012 Ford Fiesta is the first vehicle in its class to offer a driver’s knee airbag
• Reaching 35,000 teen drivers in 2011 through the Ford Driving Skills for Life program – a driver education program designed for teens
• Winning numerous awards for its available rear-seat inflatable safety belts that launched on the 2011 Ford Explorer and are an automotive industry exclusive. For the 2012 model year, Ford expanded the availability of these safety belts in North America to the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT

To see details about the highlights above and much more, the full report can be found online athttp://corporate.ford.com/our-company/sustainability.

Ford’s 1.0-Liter EcoBoost Wins ‘International Engine of the Year’; Small but Powerful Engine Called ‘Remarkable’

•  Ford’s new 1.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine wins 2012 “International Engine of the Year”

• 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine also wins “Best New Engine” and “Best Engine Under 1.0-Liter” in the awards presented by Engine Technology International magazine

• EcoBoost combines turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust to deliver the power of a larger engine with the fuel efficiency of a smaller unit

• New Focus in Europe is first car to be equipped with three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. The engine comes next to Ford C-MAX and B-MAX in Europe later this year

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 13, 2012 – Ford Motor Company’s new 1.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine – which launched to acclaim this year in the Focus in Europe – today was named 2012 “International Engine of the Year” based on votes cast by 76 journalists from 35 countries around the world.

 

The small, high-tech three-cylinder engine also hauled in two other awards – “Best New Engine” and “Best Engine Under 1.0-Liter.” The awards were presented by Engine Technology International magazine.

 

This marks the first time Ford has won International Engine of the Year in the 13-year history of the awards. Moreover, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost garnered the highest score in the history of the awards.

 

“We set the bar incredibly high when we set out to design this engine,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president, Global Powertrain. “We wanted to deliver eye-popping fuel economy, surprising performance, quietness and refinement – and all from a very small three-cylinder engine.

 

“The team responded to this seemingly impossible challenge with some really exciting innovation,” Bakaj added. “The result is a game changer for gas engines globally.”

 

Said Dean Slavnich, chairman of the International Engine of the Year awards and editor of Engine Technology International: “This is a fitting victory for a truly remarkable engine.”

 

The engine – small enough to fit on a European sheet of A4 paper – was designed at Ford’s technical centers in Dunton, U.K., and Merkenich, Germany. The engine is built in Ford’s plants in Craiova, Romania, and Cologne, Germany.

 

The 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine uses a low-inertia turbocharger to deliver power quickly when the throttle is opened from low rpm. The turbocharger’s impeller delivers high power at speeds of up to 248,000 rpm.

 

Further 1.0-liter EcoBoost innovations include:

 

• An exhaust manifold, cast into the cylinder head, lowers the temperature of exhaust gases to enable the optimum fuel-to-air ratio across a wider rev band
• A unique cast iron block warms the engine more quickly than a conventional aluminum block to cut the amount of “warm-up” energy required by 50 percent, and cut fuel consumption
• Two main engine drive belts are immersed in oil to deliver a quieter, more efficient engine
• Offsetting the engine configuration by deliberately “unbalancing” the flywheel and pulley instead of adding energy-draining balancer shafts

The 1.0-liter EcoBoost debuted this year on the Focus in Europe and will be offered next in C-MAX and B-MAX in Europe later this year. The 1.0-liter EcoBoost will be made available in Ford models in the U.S. and Asia Pacific and Africa next year.

 

The new Focus 100-PS (98-horsepower) 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency of 4.8 liter/100 km (58.9 mpg)* and CO₂ emissions of 109 g/km. The 125-PS (123-horsepower) model returns 5.0 liter/100 km (56.5 mpg) with CO₂ emissions of 114 g/km.

 

In its first full month of sales across Europe, more than 4,700 customers ordered a Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost, accounting for nearly a quarter of all Focus cars ordered in Ford’s 19 traditional European markets.

 

Ford of Europe plans to triple annual production of vehicles equipped with efficient EcoBoost gas engines to approximately 480,000 by 2015, from 141,000 in 2011. The company projects that more than 300,000 of those vehicles will be equipped with the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine.

 

In determining International Engine of the Year, judges consider driveability, performance, economy, refinement and the successful application of advanced engine technology. The popularity of the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine with judges saw it receive 28 percent more points than its closest rival and the highest points total of any engine in the history of the competition.

 

“For a three-cylinder to power a vehicle like the Ford Focus with such ease proves the future is very, very bright for the internal combustion engine,” said Slavnich of Engine Technology International. “Power, response and very good real-world fuel consumption figures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this engine and what it offers drivers today. Well done, Ford!”

 

Other judges also praised the 1.0-liter EcoBoost.

 

“If downsizing is the way ahead, there is currently no better example than this,” said U.K.-based journalist John Simister. “Same power as the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine it replaces, and much punchier to drive.”

 

“With good torque at the very low end, this high-tech three-cylinder turbo gives the driving performance of a small turbo-diesel, but without noise and vibrations,” said Christophe Congrega of French-based L’Automobile Magazine.

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All the mind-blowing stats that you'll ever need on the 2013 Shelby GT500, from the folks at SVT.

Focus Electric’s Dedicated App – MyFord Mobile – Now Available; Controls Faster Charging Technologies, Route Planning While Mobile

• Owners of the new 2012 Ford Focus Electric can now download the MyFord^® Mobile iPhone app – which can help recharge the car in half the time of Nissan Leaf – from the iTunes app store orwww.myfordmobile.com website

• MyFord Mobile includes value charging powered by Microsoft, trip planning and public charger location database thanks to MapQuest, and a cellular connection to the Focus Electric via an AT&T embedded cellular modem

• MyFord Mobile app and website offers “Guest Mode” to learn about its features

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 13, 2012 – With the first retail customers now taking delivery of America’s most energy-efficient compact car, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, the MyFord^® Mobile iPhone app andwww.MyFordMobile.com are available to help owners locate charging stations and recharge their cars in half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

 

MyFord Mobile allows Focus Electric drivers to link up with their cars via an embedded AT&T wireless module that provides for remote communication with the car to maximize utility and minimize operating costs. Drivers can log in at any time to check the current state of charge of the advanced lithium-ion battery pack and enable the exclusive value charging mode.

 

Focus Electric drivers also will be able to share, learn and teach smart driving by participating in forums on the MyFord Mobile website – with features such as leader boards, unique achievements and social networking – when the car becomes available through dealers in the first half of 2012. In the process, users will be able to seamlessly upload driving achievements and statistics to popular social platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

 

“The Focus Electric is a fun car to drive and helps save customers money at the pump; with MyFord Mobile, the enjoyment and savings continue after the vehicle is parked and charging,” said Bill Frykman, Business and Product Development manager. “This innovative app also offers new ways of sharing your driving experiences to create a “cool” factor while educating new Focus Electric drivers on the perks that come with an electric vehicle lifestyle.”

 

While away from the car, customers can monitor the battery display for the current charge level and for how long the car will need to be plugged in to get a full charge or reach a desired range. The MapQuest-powered trip planner built into both the app and Web portal enables users to find available public charging stations and plan efficient multi-destination routes. Users can select their next destination and send it directly to the car from either the app or the portal for hassle-free voice guidance.

 

Only MyFord Mobile includes industry-first value charging technology co-developed with Microsoft that can help customers charge the car at the lowest possible cost. Electricity rates can vary widely depending on location, season and time of day. The national average is about 11.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, but local rates can vary from less than 5 cents at night to more than 37 cents during peak times in areas such as Hawaii.

 

When the Focus Electric is plugged in at home, value charging harnesses the power of Microsoft’s cloud computing platform to check local utility rates and then automatically starts charging after the prices drop. With value charging, Focus Electric users get reduced operating costs and use power when there is less strain on the electrical grid. An added benefit is owners don’t have to go searching for energy pricing data.

 

Owners can also use MyFord Mobile to program their driving schedule with GO Times and set a desired cabin temperature. Do you want a warm car on that cold morning? Using GO Times will heat it up without using battery power. Are you leaving in the middle of the night? GO Times will ensure you use as much of that value charge as possible and still ensure you have a full battery.

 

Of course the battery can only be charged if the Focus Electric is plugged in. The combination of MyFord Mobile and the embedded wireless connection enables the car to send a text message alert to the owner if someone unplugs the Focus before the battery is fully charged or the owner forgets to plug in at night.

 

MyFord Mobile can also help drivers learn to be more energy efficient by automatically uploading and processing vehicle data from each trip. After arriving at a destination, drivers can check the trip and charge log to see how far they drove, how much energy was consumed and how much braking energy was recaptured. They can also get overall driving scores.

 

“The MyFord Mobile app and the Focus Electric work together to coach drivers to be more efficient and maximize the benefits of the electric vehicle experience,” said Joe Rork, MyFord Mobile product manager. “We wanted to help drivers get more miles out of every charge and have some fun along the way.”

 

Focus Electric drivers can register an account now at www.myfordmobile.com and download the iPhone app from the iTunes App Store. Drivers who are curious about making the jump to gasoline-free driving can check out the site and the app as a guest. MyFord Mobile will also work with the upcoming C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids.

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Father’s Day Is the Perfect Time to Kick off Restoration of America’s Favorite Classic, the 1964-66 Ford Mustang

• Mustang restorations started this summer should be ready in time for the car’s 50th anniversary in April 2014

• Ford-licensed restoration parts for classic 1960s Mustangs can improve quality, lower costs and shorten restoration time

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 12, 2012 – With the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang less than two years away, this summer is the time to begin restoring your classic pony car so that it can be ready for one of the most important milestones in American automotive history.

 

“Working nights and weekends, and as your budget allows, it takes roughly two years to do a complete wheels-up classic car restoration,” says Brian Martin, director of automotive restoration development at McPherson College in Kansas. McPherson is the only school in North America that offers a four-year bachelor’s degree in automobile restoration.

 

Martin says with careful project planning and outsourcing of some specialized jobs such as painting and transmission rebuilding, a father and son following a detailed plan can easily restore a first-generation Mustang in a good-sized home garage. What’s needed are basic hand tools, proper manuals, good mechanical skills and a realistic budget.

 

Restoring a classic Mustang is a great father and son project, and this Sunday, June 17, is Father’s Day –a great day to kick off a Mustang restoration with the goal of having the car ready for its 50th anniversary on April 17, 2014.

 

Jonathan Brand and his dad have restored three classic Mustangs in their home garage, a ’65 coupe and two ’69 models. It was an experience Brand says he will never forget.

 

“My dad and I weren’t as close before we restored the Mustangs,” says Brand, an artist who now lives in New Haven, Conn. “It definitely brought us closer together, all those hours working on the cars. He taught me a lot about cars, and we had a lot of fun.”

 

Brand’s advice: Have patience, manage the budget and use Ford-licensed restoration parts, especially for the sheet metal repairs.

 

“We tried using panels from junkyards, but when you consider the time it takes to get them off and then to get them to fit properly on your car, it just isn’t worth it. We found the new parts fit really well,” Brand says.

 

95 percent of classic Mustang parts available

America’s love affair with the original Mustang is still going strong after nearly 50 years. Debuting in April 1964, the original Mustang sold more than 1.2 million units – including more than 174,000 convertibles – before its first redesign in 1967.

 

The original Mustang has long been America’s most popular classic car of the postwar era and is usually No. 1 or 2 on the list of most popular cars Hagerty Classic Car Insurance of Traverse City, Mich., insures.

 

Ford Motor Company aggressively supports the original Mustang with thousands of high-quality, officially licensed reproduction parts available at www.fordrestorationparts.com. These replacement parts look, fit and perform exactly as the originals. Many Ford restoration parts are actually made from the original Ford tools that have been preserved for the restoration market. About 95 percent of all the parts needed to build a “new” classic ’64 to ’66 Mustang are available today.

 

“We offer everything from a door handle to a complete Mustang body,” says Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. “We just recently launched a 1965 Mustang convertible body – the complete assembly, all the sheet metal from the hood to the trunk. It is designed to enable fans of the original Mustang to build the classic of their dreams using a body that is stronger than the original.”

 

Reproduction Mustang bodies are available in every classic model year from 1965 to 1970 along with the ever-popular 1965 and 1967 convertibles. All cars feature modern welding andassembly techniques and are made from high-strength, modern automotive-grade steel. Officially licensed fenders, bumpers, door skins and other body parts for project cars that have restorable bodies are available to replace parts susceptible to rust or damaged in accidents.

 

Mondrach says it is nearly impossible to pluck a restorable 1964-66 Mustang or such parts as fenders, bumpers and grilles from scrapyards. Most have been wrecked, or rusted, and Mustangs with any parts good enough to be reused were long ago picked clean by restorers.

 

Classic Mustang restoration: Easier than you might think

Because the original Mustang uses technology that was state-of-the-art for mass-produced cars in the 1960s, the car is extremely easy to work on compared with today’s vehicles. Also, the Mustang’s mechanical components have always been easy to find and affordable, further adding to the car’s appeal among collectors. In addition, the car can easily be modified with better suspension, performance and safety options that were unavailable at the time.

 

Ford Racing, for example, offers many optional crate engines and performance options to meet the needs of every Mustang enthusiast.

 

Mondrach suggests starting a restoration with a Mustang whose body is sound and not in need of major rust, welding or accident repairs. “The costs add up quickly when you are cutting out and replacing damaged body panels. It may be more cost effective to start with a complete new body and use the engine, transmission, suspension and major trim from a donor car,” he says.

 

Martin, of McPherson College, recommends refurbishing the drivetrain, suspension and other mechanical components before the body and paintwork. He says a reasonable budget for a complete restoration is between $30,000 and $50,000, but that would include a new or rebuilt performance engine, transmission, rear axle, brakes, suspension, cooling and electrical systems, as well as all the trim, paint and interior parts to be as good as new.

 

Before starting a restoration, experts say, knowledge is the first and most important thing to attain. “Join a club. Buy the original Ford-issued repair manuals,” Martin says. “Ford service manuals from that time were really good. They were designed to speak to mechanics with a high school education, not like today’s repair manuals that assume you have an engineering degree.”

 

Other tips for restoring a classic Mustang

• Decide how you will use the car when it is done. This will influence the cost of the restoration. Building a 100-point show car is far more expensive and time consuming than building a very clean weekend cruiser
• Keep track of all the money you spend on parts, service and supplies, says Jonathan Klinger of Hagerty Insurance. You will need to document your costs to prove to the insurance company what you have invested, and receipts will be required when registering a custom-built “assembled vehicle” for title
• Join the local Mustang club, a good source for used parts and knowledgeable members

Ford Focus ST Features Factory ‘Overboost’ Turbo Engine

• Ford Focus ST increases acceleration through factory “overboost” turbo feature that extends torque curve from 3,000 rpm to 4,500 rpm for up to 15 seconds
• Turbo tuned to decrease response time and increase power throughout rev range
• Ford confirms the Focus ST’s SAE-certified engine output of 252 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. torque from efficient 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine with low-inertia turbocharger

DEARBORN, Mich., June 11, 2012 – Pilots might call it the Focus with afterburners. Everyone else will call it really fast.

The new Ford Focus ST features a four-cylinder, direct-injected turbocharged engine with an “overboost” feature that extends peak torque for up to 15 seconds at a time.

The gains extend the peak torque from 3,000 rpm to 4,500 rpm, whereas other EcoBoost® engines would hit peak torque and begin to drop off at these higher engine speeds. This is the first overboosted Ford EcoBoost engine sold in North America.

Ford engineers made sure the overclocked EcoBoost 2.0-liter would have a very robust cooling system. “The turbo itself is specified for sustained, high-output performance, but they’ve programmed the car’s computer to dial in more boost past 3,000 rpm to give it that extra something,” says engineer Lisa Schoder, who is Marketing manager for Focus ST.

“We limit peak turbo boost to maintain a wide margin of safety and durability over the life of the car,” Schoder adds. “But overboost is cool in that it tweaks more acceleration through the turbo for brief periods for performance-hungry drivers.”

Among the more visible options will be the Tangerine Scream metallic color that will be offered exclusively on Focus ST, as well as race-inspired Recaro® seats with matching color accents.

Ford is offering drivers who preorder a Focus ST the GoPro® HD Hero2 Motorsports Edition camera pack upon delivery. Already a staple in the motorsports and action sports communities, GoPro is the ideal camera to capture a spirited drive or Focus ST track day. The first 1,000 presale orders placed between May 1 and Aug. 20 are eligible for the GoPro HD Hero2 camera. The cameras will be sent after vehicle delivery.

More information regarding Focus ST can be found at http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/focusst/ or https://www.facebook.com/OfficialFordST.

Ford F-150 Special Service Vehicle Package Now Available, Fulfilling Fleet Customer Requests for Adaptability, Efficiency

• Ford introduces a Special Service Vehicle (SSV) Package for fleet customers – making the F-150 pickup even more adaptable to unique tasks

• No-charge option package includes a high-capacity 220-amp alternator and a special service-tailored interior layout

• Recognizing diverse requirements among government and fleet customers, Ford offers the SSV Package across varied powertrains and cab configurations

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 11, 2012 – Ford Motor Company, the top-selling commercial truck brand for 27 years, is now offering a new F-150 Special Service Vehicle (SSV) Package aimed at government, municipal and commercial fleets.

 

“Our fleet customers have been asking us to create this option for F-Series trucks,” said Ford Government Sales Manager Tony Gratson. “We’re confident the current and updated 2013 F-150 equipped with the SSV Package will be of particular interest to our government customers with rugged jobs such as law enforcement, firefighting, and national and state park patrols.”

 

Ford anticipates commercial buyers across a variety of businesses, like their government fleet counterparts, will appreciate the value in this no-charge package.

 

F-150 SSV content includes a high-capacity 220-amp alternator to support fleet-class electrical needs.

 

To meet wide-ranging SSV applications, the package will be available for both SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations, 4x2 and 4x4 models, and with a choice of 5.0-liter V8 or 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® engines.

 

When SSV-equipped, the F-150 interior is optimized for driver comfort, maximum adaptability for aftermarket upfit of task-specific accessories, and second-row seat durability.

 

The SSV seating package is 40/20/40, with the center 20 percent omitted completely to maximize space for in-cab aftermarket equipment such as law enforcement communications and firearms installations. The central console is omitted also, creating even more space.

 

Individual driver and first-row passenger seating surfaces are upholstered in easily cleaned cloth for comfort over the long haul.

 

The three-across, full-width second-row seat is covered completely in rugged, durable vinyl, ideal for law enforcement use or work-crew transport.

 

Ford places no restrictions on F-150 optional content so that fleets – both government and commercial – have maximum flexibility in ordering exact vehicle specifications. This enables F-150 SSV buyers to specify such options as heavy-duty tires, 4x4 skid plates and interior convenience content.

 

Along with the choice of 5.0-liter V8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines, SSV Package vehicles – like all Ford F-150 pickups – are equipped with a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission.

 

5.0-liter four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V8

• Best-in-class 360 horsepower at 5,500 rpm vs. standard V8 competitors
• 21 mpg highway, unsurpassed 15 mpg city (4x2)
• Best-in-class 10,000 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. standard V8 competitors

3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost

• 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• Best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm vs. premium V8 competitors
• Up to 90 percent peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors
• Best-in-class 3,120 pounds payload vs. all competitors

Ford Enables Industry’s First In-Car Voice Control of MOG Smartphone App via SYNC AppLink

DEARBORN, Mich. & BERKELEY, Calif., June 6, 2012 – Ford and MOG today announced Ford drivers can now enjoy MOG’s award-winning, on-demand music service at their request using SYNC AppLink and the power of their voice.

 

 

SYNC^® AppLink^™ gives music lovers access to MOG’s vast catalog of more than 15 million songs in the car. Ford drivers simply need to launch the MOG app on their USB-connected iPhone and MOG will immediately become an available option. Once selected, the listener’s MOG play queue will instantly begin playing so users can pick up listening wherever they left off.

 

MOG can be controlled with voice commands and in-dash controls, allowing drivers to easily personalize their listening experience in a range of 2012 model Ford Motor Company vehicles. Ford drivers will have immediate access to their favorite songs and downloads via the AppLink interface along with access to custom radio channels that can be easily “tuned” by using the traditional tune knob on the in-dash interface.

 

“MOG continues to focus on delivering the best music experience for drivers,” says Drew Denbo, senior vice president of Business Development for MOG. “We are thrilled to launch MOG on the Ford AppLink platform, giving Ford’s huge number of customers access to more than 15 million songs on-demand and customized radio through their car stereo systems.”

 

“MOG offers a great mobile app experience, and now – using SYNC AppLink – we’ve enhanced it even further for in-car use by adding voice command and control,” says John Ellis, global technologist for Ford Connected Services. “And, thanks to the 320 kilo bits per second streaming quality unique to MOG, users will still get the high audio resolution they expect when listening to their favorite music.”

 

The MOG iPhone app enables the following capabilities through SYNC AppLink:

 

• On-demand MOG radio: MOG offers the best music discovery engine that provides unlimited, ad-free listening of true “artist only” radio, or a full mix of “similar artists.” Simply use the tune knob to control the radio mix and voice command to turn radio on or off.

• Shuffle “favorites” and “downloads”: Instant access to stored “favorites” and “downloads” by saying “Shuffle favorites” or “Shuffle downloads” at the voice prompt.

• Program radio station presets: If you love what’s playing and want more, simply press and hold one of the radio preset buttons on the dashboard to assign it so it’s easy to come back and access your favorite artist station.

• Playlist listening: Create the perfect driving playlist (and then some) on your desktop before hitting the open road. By saying “List playlists,” you’ll have complete access to all of your personal mixes.

• Favorite on the fly: With one click or using the voice command, “Add to favorites,” drivers can save songs to their MOG “favorites” list, giving listeners the ability to add songs to their collection while in the car.

• Storage: MOG allows users to store music from MOG on their mobile devices, enabling access to favorite titles even when a data connection is not available. Simply use voice commands such as “Shuffle downloads” to instantly play downloads from your device.

• Curated content: If you want to hear the hottest tunes according to Billboard’s Top 50 Charts, just say “Top songs” for instant access.

The MOG app for SYNC AppLink is available on a range of 2012 model Ford vehicles including Fiesta, Fusion, F-150, Super Duty, E-Series, Mustang and Expedition.

 

To enable the MOG on-demand service in the vehicle, Ford customers need to become MOG subscribers and can sign up for a $9.99 plan by visiting mog.com/FORD. Additional information and getting started guides are available at syncmyride.com.