Compare 2017 Toyota Highlander vs 2017 Ford Explorer | Head to Head | Ford

Thinking about buying a 2017 Toyota Highlander? Consider the 2017 Ford Explorer with an available Powerfold® third row seat, a hands-free, foot-activated liftgate and more. Become a part of America’s best-selling brand* with the Ford Explorer.

*Based on 2016 CY Sales

2017 Ford Escape Titanium: Ford Owner’s Perspective on Comfort | Escape | Ford

Ford owner Rhonda Ortega walks us through the 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and shows us what she loves most about her Ford. By showcasing the vehicle’s available Class II Trailer Tow Prep Package, its accessible rearview camera, and its hands-free, foot-activated liftgate, Rhonda demonstrates why the 2017 Ford Escape Titanium stands above the rest.

MARKING WORLD WATER DAY: FORD CONTINUES ITS WATER LEADERSHIP GOAL WITH NEW WATER SAVING TECHNOLOGIES AT CHICAGO ASSEMBLY PLANT

• New water saving technologies at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant have contributed to a significant reduction in water usage
• Ford Motor Company has recently announced its new long-term aspirational goal to use zero drinkable water in manufacturing
• The updated manufacturing water strategy calls for an additional 30 percent reduction in water use per vehicle from 2015 to 2020

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2017 – The Chicago Assembly Plant – home of the Ford Taurus and the award-winning Ford Explorer –implemented efficiency efforts towards the end of 2016 that helped the plant reduce water usage by 13 million gallons last year – expected to be significantly higher in 2017 after a full year of use.

In marking this year’s World Water Day, Ford Motor Company continuously strives to go further in its commitment to water leadership. Ford recently announced its updated manufacturing water strategy, which calls for an additional 30 percent reduction in water use per vehicle from 2015 to 2020, along with a long-term aspirational goal of zero drinkable water use in manufacturing.

Two projects have been implemented to help Chicago Assembly with their efforts to become more efficient – an increase in the re-use of water in the plant’s pre-treatment system and the addition of a cooling tower side-stream electrolysis system to remove calcium and magnesium (softening system).

“It may come as a surprise just how much water automotive plants actually use,” said Rhonda Turner, plant environmental control engineer. “Last month alone, we used 17 million gallons, so it’s really beneficial for us to find innovative ways to save water.”

A large use of water in the plant is the pre-treatment baths – where metal is treated before getting painted. Meters have been added to each bath to continuously monitor overflow when they are refilled as part of the pre-treatment process or weekly cleaning. The system is pre-set to refill at a certain rate, and the meters send an instant e-mail alert to paint process engineers if there’s a change in the process. Previously, this took a couple of days.

Another large use of water in automotive manufacturing comes from cooling towers. The cooling tower water treatment program utilizes expert staff, effective chemical and mechanical technologies, and always-on, automated control equipment to provide effective water treatment and minimize water make-up and chemical use.

Chicago Assembly Plant’s side-stream electrolysis system – installed in early 2016 – is on one of the largest cooling towers at the plant, sifting out contaminants and enabling the plant to use water longer.

The plant is developing additional innovative processes that aim to re-use up to 90 percent of water used in the pre-treatment process, reducing the need to use Chicago city water.

Andy Hobbs, Environmental Quality Office director, says Ford is one of only 24 companies out of 600 to be awarded an “A” grade by CDP for its water management efforts – and the Chicago Assembly plant is a great example of Ford’s innovation in reducing water use.

“Ford set out to reduce water use starting in 2000 with its Global Water Management Initiative, and saved 10 billion gallons of water between 2000 and 2015 – a decrease of 61 percent,” said Hobbs. “Reusing is an important step on the road to our goal of zero drinkable water use in manufacturing.”

Compare 2016 Ram 2500 vs 2016 Ford Super Duty® | Head to Head | Ford

Thinking about buying a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500? Consider the 2016 Ford F250 Super Duty with 860 lb.-ft. of standard torque. See how the Ford F250 Super Duty is Built Ford Tough®.

2017 Ford Fusion Energi: Ford Owner’s Perspective on Going Green | Fusion | Ford

Ford owner Bill O’Brien takes us through his 2017 Ford Fusion Energi and shows us what he loves most about his Ford. With excellent features not found in your standard gasoline vehicle, it’s easy to see why the 2017 Ford Fusion Energi can be the car for you too.

Carpoolin’ With Loni Love: Plan the Perfect Road Trip | Loni Loves Cars | Ford

Kick back with comedian and TV personality Loni Love as she gives her best tips for assembling the perfect road trip group. Nothing ruins a road trip more than a bad car crew, and no one loves cars more than Loni.

Compare 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 vs 2016 Ford Super Duty® | Head to Head | Ford

Thinking about buying a 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500? Consider the 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty with 860 lb.-ft. of standard torque. See how the Ford F-250 Super Duty is Built Ford Tough.®

2017 Ford Escape Titanium: Ford Owner’s Perspective on Technology | Escape | Ford

Ford owner Jill Wyman takes us through the 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and shows us what she loves most about her Ford. With the innovative technology of available SYNC 3 with SYNC Connect™ equipped vehicle using the FordPass™ app*, and available active park assist, it’s easy to see why the 2017 Ford Escape Titanium is perfect for you.

*FordPass™, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply. SYNC Connect, an optional feature on select 2017-2018 model-year vehicles, is required for certain features.

Compare 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 vs 2016 Super Duty® | Head to Head | Ford

Thinking about buying a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500? Consider the 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty with 860 lb.-ft. of standard torque. See how the Ford F-250 Super Duty is Built Ford Tough.®

Inspired by Nature, Focus Electric Gains New Outrageous Green for 2018

• New Outrageous Green Metallic paint hue for the 2018 Ford Focus Electric is inspired by nature and renewal, fueled by research and trend insights from Ford’s color and design materials team, and validated by Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year, Greenery
• Ford team predicts color trends two to three years into the future, drawing inspiration from everywhere for colors customers want to see
• Ford research shows color choice is highly personal; 35 percent to 40 percent of customers will walk away from a vehicle or brand if they cannot get the color they want

DEARBORN, Mich., March 17, 2017 – In celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day and in line with Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year, Greenery, Ford introduces its new Outrageous Green Metallic tinted color for the 2018 Focus Electric.

For Ford’s color and materials design team, inspiration is everywhere. Thinking about the visual and tactile elements that will help define future vehicles, Barb Whalen, Ford color and materials design manager, and her team tap into everyday experiences to predict future trends to deliver a vibrant and diverse pallet for customers.

“Designers are encouraged to experience a feeling, bring it to the team, then collectively brainstorm ways to bring it to life through a paint color or material for Ford vehicles,” says Whalen. “Outrageous Green Metallic is a unique shade, symbolizing modern renewal and a reconnection with nature, then finished with a special tinted clear coat to give the color depth and vibrancy.”

Challenged to think about the “why,” the Ford color and materials team works to answer why a particular color is important, why now, and why this color as opposed to another. Many colors seen today were inspired from beautiful places in nature, with trends often predicted two to three years into the future,

These trends can be influenced by everything from changing lifestyles, psychological and societal emotions, to consumer hobbies and passionate interests. Unusual sports gear, ropes, anodized finishes, plastics gear and accent fabrics provide inspiration for Ford vehicle exteriors and interiors. The social and political environment and conversations about material ethics (biomaterials) also influence forecasting trends and help to predict the color and material choices Ford makes for tomorrow.

Ford has a legacy of “going green” with its paint colors, offering Highland Green, Squeeze Green, Ultimate Green, Gotta Have It Green and now Outrageous Green Metallic.

Batteries included

The 2017 Ford Focus Electric has an EPA-estimated driving range of 115 miles, up from 76 miles on the 2016 model. It has an EPA-estimated rating of 118 city/96 hwy/107 combined MPGe. Actual mileage will vary. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.

Ford Focus Electric comes standard with all-new DC fast-charge, capable of delivering 75 miles of range in 30 minutes when using a charger capable of delivering 150 amps. The 2017 Ford Focus Electric charge port is also capable of charging on 120-volt and 240-volt.

The car’s battery has 33.5 kilowatt-hours of installed energy – an increase of more than 40 percent compared to 2016, with no increase in the size of the battery.