Roy O'Brien Ford Blog

Faster, Simpler, Better: MyFord Touch Upgrade Provides New and Existing Customers Enhancements and New Features

2011-11-07T11:29:00.000-05:00

Ford will launch performance upgrades and new features for MyFord Touch^® beginning with 2013 models – no-charge upgrade will be available to existing owners
Simpler graphics, faster touch-screen response and easier-to-use controls are among the many enhancements to the voice-activated in-car connectivity system

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 7, 2011 – Ford customers said MyFord Touch^® could be faster and feature simpler graphics that are easier to use and that’s exactly what Ford plans to deliver with a broad set of performance upgrades to the system – launching first on the new 2013 Ford Escape, Flex and Taurus.

The new touch-screen interface features new simpler graphics and controls that are easier to use. Customers will experience significantly faster touch-screen response times, one of the top requests from owners.

Available early next year – and offered at no charge to existing MyFord Touch owners – the software upgrade enhances the ownership experience as it was developed by listening and responding to customer feedback.

“SYNC^® has clearly been a game-changing technology and now we’re changing the game again, showing how quickly we can deliver more of what customers really want,” said Graydon Reitz, director, Ford Global Electronics and Electrical Systems Engineering. “Our strategy to create the SYNC software platform and add the customizable screens of MyFord Touch gives us a level of flexibility and speed to respond to customer input like never before seen in the auto industry.”

The new touch-screen interface features simpler graphics and controls that are easier to use. Customers will also experience significantly faster touch-screen response times, one of the top requests from owners.

New features include support for tablet devices and Audible.com audiobooks, improved navigation maps and enhanced voice recognition interaction.

Listening to customers

Since MyFord launched last fall, Ford has held four customer clinics in which hundreds of owners talked directly to Ford engineers about their experiences with the new technology. Owner feedback was clear and consistent, revealing that MyFord Touch was a key purchase reason.

A survey of 2011 Ford Edge owners shows that four of the top seven purchase reasons were elements of the MyFord Touch system: the touch screen, steering wheel controls, voice recognition and dashboard styling.

While owners reported that they love the system, there were distinct areas where they wanted improvements. Earlier this year, Ford started delivering on their requests, beginning with more instructions and information on how to best utilize the capabilities of the system.

Ford launched two programs modeled after what consumers experience when purchasing a new electronic device. First, the company added a new MyFord Touch owner support website featuring how-to videos at www.syncmyride.com. Second, free “SYNC My Ride” personalized training sessions for new owners are now offered through Ford dealers – scheduled at customers’ convenience.

“The keys to continuous improvement are simple: Listen, learn and respond. That’s how we’re going to keep our customers happy,” said Gary Jablonski, manager, SYNC Platform Development. “Evolving the software with meaningful enhanced features was part of our plan from the very beginning. It’s no different than the experience with our smartphones and laptop computers – except now, it’s your car that gets better.”

Upgrade your ride

All of the new improvements will be offered to existing owners of MyFord Touch-equipped vehicles, including the 2011 and 2012 models of Ford Explorer and Edge and the 2012 Focus. Owners of 2011 and 2012 Lincoln MKX crossovers will also receive the upgrade for their MyLincoln Touch^™ systems.

“We’re seizing the opportunity to continuously improve the Ford ownership experience, and revolutionize what it means to own a car,” said Reitz. “Introducing new technology is only one step in our journey to become known as a technology company. Consistently improving it based on what our customers are telling us marks another milestone in that journey.”

Early next year, owners located in the U.S. will be mailed a USB flash drive with the software upgrade for installation that they can do at their own convenience. If they prefer, owners may also visit their local Ford or Lincoln dealer for the software installation. The upgrade mailing will include instructions informing owners how to simply plug the USB flash drive into the MyFord Touch Media Hub’s USB port in order for installation to automatically begin.

New look
The visual enhancements to MyFord Touch are based on simplifying the graphics with larger, bolder fonts, removing low-priority visual content, and designing screens based on a consistent pattern. More than 1,000 screens in total have been updated with the improved look.

“Our goal when designing the upgrade was to simplify the screens and give customers a fast and easy way to get information at any given moment,” said Jennifer Brace, User Interface Design engineer for Ford. “That meant removing buttons, relocating high-use controls closer to the driver’s reach, simplifying tasks and improving font size.”

The new fonts are as much as 40 percent larger on some redesigned screens. The fonts also are wider and bolder to provide easier legibility, particularly among the rapidly increasing number of drivers age 60 and older.

New features
Ford also took the opportunity to update the performance of the system and add new features for customers to help them keep pace with the fast-moving consumer electronics market.

Faster touch-screen response time, for example, was a key request from owners. Initial testing shows that touch and voice response is at least two times faster than the current system.

Also, the software upgrade includes the following enhancements:

Improved voice recognition experience powered by Nuance
- Quicker voice recognition upon startup and faster command prompt when the voice button is pushed
- Voice commands used in conjunction with navigation are simplified through elimination of the need to provide street direction, e.g., “Main Street” instead of “North Main Street”
- Music requests are simpler by removing the need to include the additional song, album or artist information often found at the end of a name in parenthesis or brackets
- Customers can find their favorite sports team in action via new Sirius Game Finder simply by saying a command such as “Tune to Detroit Lions game”

Tablet device compatibility
- Music and other media content from most popular tablet computers like the Apple iPad can now be accessed through a simple USB connection
Audible.com audiobook support
- Listen to Audible.com content using voice commands or the easy-to-use touch-screen controls

Connected navigation powered by TeleNav features new map data by NAVTEQ
- Updated map views are richer and feature more 3D landmarks
- Views of freeway junctions and signs are enhanced through photorealistic screen images
- Smart routing options are provided based on a database of historical traffic patterns

Phone compatibility
- Automatic Bluetooth^® connection upon vehicle entry has been improved
- Noise and echo cancellation during phone calls has been improved to enhance call quality

Gracenote^® album cover art database
- Inclusion of the latest music metadata available enhancing the music playback experience
- Improved voice recognition for music search allowing drivers to pinpoint artists with hard-to-pronounce names or nicknames

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J.D. Power: Ford’s Quality Vehicles Earn High APEAL Rankings from Customers for Fuel Efficiency

2011-07-27T12:19:00.007-04:00

All of Ford’s newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment average, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study
Eight Ford vehicles, including Fiesta, Explorer and F-150, ranked in the top three in their respective segments
Ford F-150 is the only large pickupto receive an award for both Initial Quality and APEAL in 2011

DEARBORN, Mich., July 27, 2011 – Customers increasingly are demanding top fuel efficiency, and they are rating Ford highly for delivering, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study released today.
All of Ford’s newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment averages, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout study.
“Ford is an industry leader in fuel efficiency, and customers are pleased with the way we are helping them at the pump,” said Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Global Quality and New Model Launches. “Ford also is absolutely committed to the highest vehicle quality, delivering vehicles that surprise and delight customers while eliminating defects.”
The new Ford Fiesta and F-150 were first-place segment winners in the survey, which measures customer satisfaction in design, content and vehicle performance. The 2011 Ford Taurus and Flex were rated second in their segments. The new Ford Explorer, F-Series Super Duty, Expedition and Mustang scored third-place segment rankings.
Ford vehicles excelled in many areas of the study, particularly fuel efficiency. Specifically:

All of Ford’s newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment averages

Fiesta performs particularly well in the area of fuel efficiency in the subcompact car segment

New F-150 outperforms industry average for fuel efficiency

APEAL surveys customers on what they like about the performance, execution and layout of their new vehicle after the first three months in service.
Customers rate their level of “gratification” on a variety of vehicle attributes, including safety, fuel efficiency, cargo space, roominess and exterior styling.
“Customers are falling in love with Ford vehicles at first sight and growing even fonder of them over time,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Customers increasingly are saying our fuel efficiency leadership is a reason to buy a Ford vehicle.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Ford Motor Company today has 12 vehicles that lead their sales segments in fuel efficiency – including four vehicles with EPA-certified 40 mpg or higher ratings – a claim no other full-line automaker can match.
The company also is introducing five new electrified vehicles in North America by the end of next year.
Smart technology

The study also ranked customers’ happiness with smart new technologies and features, including MyFord Touch™, multicontour massaging seats, changeable ambient interior lighting and refined sound quality.
“MyFord Touch is helping to define the future of automotive interiors, and Explorer and Edge customers rank this new technology very highly,” said Kuzak. “Customers also told us where they have questions, and we have been improving the ownership experience with software upgrades, dealer training and even more support to address their concerns.”

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Ford Trials Complimentary Live Operator Assistance for SYNC Services; Free Business Search and Address Entry Support

2011-07-11T16:34:00.003-04:00

Ford is beta testing an Operator Assist feature for the cloud-based network of SYNC^® Services, giving all registered Services users complimentary access to a live operator for help with business searches and address entry for turn-by-turn directions
About 70 percent of calls to SYNC Services are for business searches and/or directions
SYNC Services provides access to more than 14 million business listings

Ford SYNC

DEARBORN, Mich., June 11, 2011 – Getting directions or finding a business using SYNC^® Services has become even easier thanks to a new feature called Operator Assist that allows users to instantly connect with a live person.

Operator Assist is only a voice command away, making it part of the growing list of cloud-based driver aids offered by Ford Motor Company. The new feature provides customers with the ability to safely connect with a live person who can quickly access information databases to help drivers get where they’re going.

Operator Assist is currently in a beta test trial phase and being offered as a complimentary feature for registered users of SYNC Services. No additional software or hardware is needed.

“Ford is committed to continuously improving the ownership experience and delivering the level of connectivity that customers want,” said Doug VanDagens, director, Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization. “By leveraging what’s available in the cloud, we continue to innovate and improve our customers’ experience without having to touch the vehicle or inconvenience the owner.”

How it works

Cloud-based, on-demand, voice-activated SYNC Services provides access to information about traffic, news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes, and movie listings along with business searches and turn-by-turn directions.

Operator Assist is available for the directions and business search functions of SYNC Services. Seventy percent of all SYNC Services calls are for business search and directions, said David Gersabeck, product manager, SYNC Services.

Using advanced vehicle sensors, integrated GPS technology and comprehensive map and traffic data, the SYNC Services automated system delivers turn-by-turn directions to the user. Further, with access to more than 14 million business listings, SYNC Services’ automated system directs users to the businesses they seek.

Now, with Operator Assist, at any time during a business search or directions interaction between the user and the SYNC Services automated system, the user can say, “Operator,” confirm his or her request to speak with an operator, and connect to a live operator. This system gives Ford customers the choice of interfacing with a live operator or utilizing the interactive voice recognition system.

“Our customers asked for additional assistance in situations where their voice request was not understood,” said Gersabeck. “If you want the most reliable user experience, enabling alternative methods for customers to access information will increase success, which is where Operator Assist factors into the equation.”

In the event a user says an address or business that the automated system can’t identify, the user will be prompted with the option to connect to a live operator. If the user confirms he or she would like to speak with an operator for further assistance, the system automatically connects the user to the live operator.

When a live operator assists with a business search, the user can choose to receive turn-by-turn directions to the business, receive a text message with name, address and phone number information about the business (applies to certain phone carrier networks), or be directly connected to the phone number of the business.

When a live operator assists with address entry, the user can have the directions sent directly to the vehicle.

“We want Ford SYNC Services customers to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can get where they’re going or want to go,” said Gersabeck. “Being able to connect with a live person at any time contributes to that peace of mind.”

The live operator services are provided by MyAssist, a leading live assistance and telematics service company for individuals and businesses based in Stevens Point, Wis.

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MPG Matters: 42 Percent Say Fuel Economy Is Key in New Vehicle Purchase Decision; Influence Likely to Grow

2011-06-21T16:04:00.002-04:00

42 percent of all consumers surveyed in a 2011 Maritz Research study say fuel economy is an “extremely important” new vehicle purchase driver – up 13.5 percent versus a decade ago; Millennials rank its importance even higher and rate it most often as having the “greatest impact” on future vehicle purchases
Fuel economy as a reason to purchase has jumped in importance across nearly all vehicle segments since 2001, becoming even more important for small vehicles
12 Ford and Lincoln vehicles lead their sales segments in fuel economy, and four models deliver 40 mpg or better – a claim no other full-line automaker can match

DEARBORN, Mich., June 21, 2011 – More than 40 percent of consumers view fuel economy as “extremely important” when considering a new vehicle purchase today, a new study finds.
What’s more, one third of consumers say fuel economy will have the “greatest impact” on their next vehicle purchase, and younger buyers place an even higher priority on miles per gallon.
“Customers are telling us clean and green vehicles matter most because they are good for people’s wallets and good for our planet,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “We hear what they are saying, and that is why Ford is absolutely committed to giving our customers vehicles with top fuel efficiency.”
The annual New Vehicle Customer Study has been conducted since the 1970s by Maritz Research, reaching approximately 200,000 consumers a year. The latest study, conducted in the first quarter, shows:

42 percent of people surveyed say fuel economy is “extremely important” in their decision to purchase new 2011 models – a 13.5 percent increase versus 10 years ago
37 percent indicated they expect fuel economy will have the “greatest impact” on their next new vehicle purchase
Millennials place an even greater importance on fuel economy, with 46 percent saying fuel economy is “extremely important” in the new vehicle purchase decision – the greatest percentage among all age groups. Also, 41 percent say fuel economy will be the top factor in their next vehicle purchase

In addition, while buyers of small vehicles are most likely to put fuel economy toward the top of their list of purchase considerations, fuel economy has jumped in importance in nearly all vehicle segments since 2001, the survey finds. Specifically:

Fuel economy as a purchase reason for B-cars became the top consideration in 2011 (21 percent), up from fourth in 2001 (14 percent)
Fuel economy as a purchase reason for C-cars nearly tripled in importance from 2001 (7 percent) to 2011 (19 percent), going from fifth to first
After ranking 16th in 2001, fuel economy was listed in the top five most important purchase reasons for small utility vehicles in 2011
Fuel economy was listed in the top 10 most important purchase reasons for sports car buyers for the first time in 2011
Fuel economy as a top purchase reason for medium utility vehicles jumped 14 spots from 2001 to 2011
Fuel economy as a top purchase reason for C/D-cars ranked fifth in 2011 after ranking 12th in 2001

The Maritz Research survey results also track with Ford’s 2011 research and sales trends.
Consumer perceptions of Ford delivering “good gas mileage” grew 57 percent from late 2008 to the end of the first quarter of 2011, according to Ford’s latest brand health study.
Plus, Ford’s small vehicle sales have been hitting record levels in the U.S.
Ford’s two all-new small cars combined had sales of 29,423 in May, up 74 percent versus a year ago. It was Ford’s largest small car month since May 2008, with Fiesta sales at 7,120 and Focus sales at 22,303, up 32 percent versus a year ago.
“Since December, we have seen industry-wide small car purchases increase from 19 percent to 24 percent,” said George Pipas, Ford sales analyst. “It drives home the point that consumers are looking at more fuel-efficient choices.”
That applies to larger vehicles, too. Eighty percent of customers buying Ford’s hot-selling Fusion midsize sedan in May chose the four-cylinder engine over the V6 – up from 50 percent when the vehicle debuted in 2006. Also in May, for the first time in decades more than 55 percent of Ford F150s sold were equipped with V6 rather than V8 engines.
Ford Motor Company has 12 vehicles leading their sales segments with best-in-class fuel economy and four models that deliver 40 mpg or more – a claim no other full-line automaker can match.
Consumer habits shape decisions

For some, the idea of more ethical consumption is driving the desire for higher-mpg vehicles.
“Consumers are taking a logical approach to making their lives better,” said Sheryl Connelly, manager of Ford Global Trends and Futuring. “Choosing a car that lessens their impact on the environment as well as their wallets can really create peace of mind.”
Additionally, Ford’s family of electrified vehicles – including the Ford Transit Connect Electric, Focus Electric as well as the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid coming next year – offers plenty of choice for customers who want a vehicle that supports their ethical beliefs while also delivering quality, style and innovation.
Meeting customer desires

Ford invested billions beginning in 2006 in researching and developing new fuel-efficient engines, transmissions and electrified vehicles, working to make fuel economy affordable for millions of people. Today, Ford’s fuel economy standouts include:

Ford Fiesta: With the six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, Fiesta is EPA-certified at 40 mpg highway and 29 mpg city, and delivers class-leading fuel economy
All-new Ford Focus: Delivers 40 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in the city through its advanced six-speed automatic transmission
All-new Ford Explorer V6: Fuel economy ratings are EPA-certified at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, a 25 percent improvement over the previous V6 model
Ford Mustang V6: Its high-revving 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 31 mpg; Mustang V6 is the first car in history to deliver the combination of 305 horsepower and more than 30 mpg

New technology saves fuel

In 2010, Ford launched nine new engines and six new six-speed transmissions, and the company is on track to deliver fuel-saving six-speed transmissions across all of Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles by the end of 2012.
Ford also is expanding its industry-leading range of fuel-efficient powertrains in North America with the addition of a new 1.0-liter EcoBoost™ three-cylinder – the smallest engine Ford has ever built – and an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Many of Ford’s new powertrains include fuel-saving technologies such as:

Twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), which enables the engine to operate at peak efficiency by continually adjusting the precise moment the intake and exhaust valves open
Gasoline direct injection (GDI), which improves efficiency by raising the compression ratio and by using precise amounts of fuel placed directly in the combustion chamber
Turbocharging, which uses exhaust gases to pressurize the engine cylinders with a more dense mixture of fuel and air, increasing power
EcoBoost, which uses direct injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing to allow four-cylinder engines to deliver the power of V6s and V6s to deliver the power of V8s. EcoBoost engines save fuel in part because they burn less fuel, and because they weigh less than the larger-displacement engines they replace
Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), which eliminates drag on the engine by replacing the hydraulic pump with an electric motor. EPAS, available on Ford Mustang, F-150, Fiesta, the new Focus and other vehicles, improves fuel economy by approximately 4 percent

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2012 Ford Mustang Brochure

2011-06-20T11:06:00.001-04:00

Here is the 2012 Ford Mustang Brochure

Download the 2012 Ford Mustang Brochure(PDF)

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2012 Ford Focus Brochure

2011-06-14T16:18:00.001-04:00

Here is the 2012 Ford Focus Brochure

Download the 2012 Ford Focus Brochure(PDF)

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New Ford Focus Electric Keeps Its Cool When the Temperature Heats Up

2011-06-13T12:39:00.001-04:00

Ford’s use of an advanced active liquid-cooling and heating system in its Focus Electric lithium-ion battery packs will provide customers in hot climates an advantage over competitive models

When charging or being used, the battery is cooled by an integrated cooling system using a “chiller” to lower the temperature of the coolant going through the battery when needed

Ford’s aggressive electrification strategy includes the launch of five electrified vehicles in North America by 2012 and Europe by 2013. The new Focus Electric – the company’s first all-electric passenger car – is a zero-emissions, gasoline-free version of Ford’s popular global Focus model

Ford Focus Electric

Dearborn, Mich., June 13, 2011 – When the mercury starts to rise, people have all sorts of ways for cooling themselves down: sprinklers, lemonade and ice cream all come to mind. But the engineers at Ford have developed a system that cools the lithium-ion battery in the all-new Focus Electric and keeps it working at its prime, even in the hottest of conditions.
Extreme temperatures can affect an electric vehicle’s battery performance and reduce its range. That’s why Ford will use an advanced active liquid-cooling and heating system to regulate the temperature of its lithium-ion battery packs, which are designed to operate under a range of ambient conditions.
“If the battery became too hot, we would have to limit the use of energy to protect it. The liquid cooled system allows us to reduce those constraints and get the most out of the battery,” said Dave Fabricatore, Thermal Program Management team engineer. “We’re helping owners by making sure their battery is always ready to go regardless of the weather.”
How it works
The vehicle uses an integrated cooling system to keep the different systems in the vehicle at their optimal operating temperatures. The air conditioning system is actually used to refrigerate the coolant going to the battery using a “chiller,” so as the coolant passes through the chiller, it’s brought down to the temperature that the battery requires. Temperature sensors placed all over the vehicle let the cooling system know when it needs to kick into action.
The cooling system can even work when the car is charging, so it can help reduce the charge time in hot climates because the battery will be kept at a desirable temperature.
“Batteries can heat up when they’re charging or being used, and it’s made worse by ambient temperatures,” said Fabricatore. “Controlling the temperature lets us deliver the best range and power for the customer, while improving the longevity of the battery.”
Focus Electric will launch in late 2011 in 19 pilot markets. The liquid cooled battery system will serve as another distinct advantage the Focus Electric will have over other air-cooled all-electric vehicles, especially in the warmer initial launch markets. These warmer weather pilot markets include: Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orlando, Fla., Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and Richmond, Va.
The power of choice

Electrification is an important piece of Ford’s overall product sustainability strategy, which includes the launch of five electrified vehicles in North America by 2012 and in Europe by 2013. Ford launched the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van in 2010 and will launch the all-new Focus Electric later this year. In 2012, these models will be joined in North America by the new C-MAX Hybrid, a second next-generation lithium-ion battery hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid. This diverse range of electrified vehicles allows Ford to meet a variety of consumer driving needs.

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Ford Motor Company Receives Prestigious Freedom Award from U.S. Department of Defense

2011-06-02T11:17:00.001-04:00

DEARBORN, Mich., June 2, 2011 – Ford Motor Company is being honored with the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Sponsored by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the Freedom Award is the highest honor bestowed upon America's employers who provide exceptional support to their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
Ford is one of 15 companies nationwide to be selected for this prestigious award. More than 4,000 nominations were submitted this year.
“We are proud of our employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve and it is our privilege to support them,” said Mike Bannister, Ford executive vice president, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit Company, and executive champion of the Ford Veterans Network Group. “We thank ESGR and the Department of Defense for this recognition. We appreciate the honor, and we deeply appreciate all the men and women involved in military service.”
The Freedom Award, now in its 16th year, is the highest in a series of employer recognition awards given by the Department of Defense. “To stand out among the many thousands of employers who firmly support our Citizen Warriors is a testament to the remarkable efforts of these 15 recipients,” said Dennis McCarthy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. "On behalf of the Department of Defense, I congratulate the 2011 honorees and thank them for serving as outstanding partners in our nation's defense.”
Ford received a total of six nominations. One nomination was submitted by Todd Brooks, an employee currently serving in the Navy Reserve. “Ford makes service to our country much easier. From senior leadership all they way down the ladder, they understand the necessity of the citizen soldier and the difficulties their loved ones face as a result of their commitment,” said Brooks, an engineering supervisor, Body, Chassis & Steering Test Labs. “Ford really gets it. Truly it is One Team and for that we are ever so grateful.”
The Freedom Award recognizes employers for the formal and informal initiatives they put in place for Guard and Reserve employees and their families. For example, Ford currently offers differential pay for its employees on active duty. In the U.S. there are approximately 700 Reservists and Guardsmen employed by the company along with more than 7,000 veterans. Ford currently has nearly 30 employees actively serving in the military.
Ford Motor Company has a longstanding commitment to its veterans and military personnel. Ford’s relationship with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) began in 1922 when Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model T’s to take disabled veterans to their convention in San Francisco. Since 1974, Ford Motor Company and the Ford Motor Company Fund have provided over $6 million to veterans organizations.
Since 1996, Ford Motor Company has donated 156 vehicles to DAV for their Transportation Network, totaling approximately $4 million. Each year Ford sponsors the DAV’s winter sports clinic, and has supported the DAV’s youth scholarship volunteer program since 2000. In 2006 the Ford Fund made a $500,000 contribution toward the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Ford Motor Company also helps all veterans through vehicle donations, scholarships and special vehicle purchase programs.
The Ford Veterans Network Group (VETNG), one of Ford’s corporately supported Employee Resource Groups, sponsors activities throughout the year in support of its veterans, military personnel and their families.
“The Veterans Network Group is committed to serving and supporting all members of the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Dan Duderstadt, lead security supervisor, and president of the Veterans Network Group. “And we could not do it without the ongoing support of our senior leadership here at Ford Motor Company.”
The Ford Veterans Network Group recently sponsored a Memorial Day Parade in Dearborn, Michigan. Other activities throughout the year include the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Ford World Headquarters and sending care packages overseas to activated employees, as well as company employees with sons and daughters serving abroad.
A national selection board composed of senior defense officials, business leaders and prior awardees selected the 15 recipients for the 2011 Freedom Award.
The 2011 recipients will be honored in Washington, D.C. at the 16th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Ceremony in September.

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kbb.com: Easy A for 2012 Ford Focus

2011-05-19T15:56:00.001-04:00

kbb.com, in a twist on its annual list of top road trip cars, identified 10 life stages of the American driver on the road today then determined the most fitting new car for each stage. For 2011, kbb.com editors put the 2012 Ford Focus at the head of the class as the ride that’s most fit for students who long for the open road. kbb.com says the Focus “looks cool, sports an upscale interior, rides and handles incredibly well and costs about the same as some more boring compact cars.” The five-door hatchback with extra cargo room is recommended for added storage, and Focus fuel economy of 38 mpg (40 mpg for the SFE sedan) is “not to be overlooked.” Click here for the full release.

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2011 Ford F-150 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

2011-05-16T11:13:00.001-04:00

2011 Ford F-150 SuperCrew has been named an IIHS Top Safety Pick for models built after February 2011. Ford now has 11 vehicles on the road that have earned Top Safety Pick ratings
Ford F-150 features a number of standard safety and stability systems including Safety Canopy® side curtain airbags, AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™), SOS Post Crash Alert System™ and trailer sway control
The Ford 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ V6 engine represented 37 percent of 2011 F-150 pickup truck sales in April; incoming F-150 EcoBoost orders tracking at more than 40 percent reflect strong consumer demand
Ford F-150 is America’s best-selling truck for 34 years

DEARBORN, Mich., May 12, 2011 – The 2011 Ford F-150 SuperCrew is building on Ford’s safety leadership by earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for models built after February 2011.
Ford now has 11 vehicles on the road in the U.S. that have earned Top Safety Picks, which adds to its leading number of top U.S. safety ratings. To earn a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must receive a rating of “good” in offset frontal-, side- and rear-impact tests and the new roof strength evaluation, as well as offer electronic stability control.
“Safety ratings are important markers customers can use to evaluate vehicles, so we are proud Ford has the most top U.S. safety ratings of any automaker ever,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “The F-150’s innovative safety technologies and this new Top Safety Pick award further demonstrate Ford’s commitment to safety.”
Crash protection

New safety features for the 2011 Ford F-150 include a seat-integrated shoulder belt for the front middle seat and a head restraint for the second-row middle seat. The F-150’s standard safety features include an advanced safety structure with high-strength steel and six standard airbags.
Other standard Ford F-150 safety features include:

Dual-stage airbags for driver and front passenger
Safety Canopy® side curtain airbags
Front seat-mounted side airbags
AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™)
Four-wheel ABS brakes
SOS Post Crash Alert System™
MyKey®
Trailer sway control

Other Ford Motor Company vehicles that have earned a Top Safety Pick rating include:

2011 Ford Edge (built after February 2011)
2011 Ford Explorer
2011 Ford Taurus
2011 Ford Fusion
2011 Ford Fiesta (built after July 2010)
2011 Ford Flex
2011 Lincoln MKS
2011 Lincoln MKT
2011 Lincoln MKX (built after February 2011)
2011 Lincoln MKZ

Sales momentum

The F-Series was the best-selling truck in America for the 34th year in a row and the best-selling vehicle – car or truck – for the 29th year in a row.
Demand for the fuel-efficient EcoBoost engine in the F-150 has increased each month since launch. One in four Ford F-150 pickups sold in March was powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ V6. In April, EcoBoost F-150 sales ran at about 37 percent. In the F-150, the EcoBoost engine with its 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque provides best-in-class towing capability of 11,300 pounds combined with up to 20 percent fuel economy savings.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Detroit Metro Times - Best Place to Buy a Car in Macomb County

2011-04-28T17:08:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the Readers' of Metro Times Detroit, we have been voted the Best Place to Buy a Car in Macomb County!

View the Article Here

Best Place to Buy a Car in Macomb County - Tie

Roy O'Brien Ford
22201 E. Nine Mile Rd., St. Clair Shores; 586-776-7600; royobrien.com

Vyletel Volkswagen
40555 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586- 977-2800; vyletelvw.com

Domestics don't beat out the imports in Macomb County, where Das Auto shares pride of place with the American-as-apple-pie Ford. The family-owned Roy O'Brien Ford has been selling Mustangs and wagons, Escorts and Fusions, since 1946, and has consistently been recognized as one of the top Ford dealers in the country. Vyletel offers VW nuts a full line of Jettas, Passats and Beetles, as well as affordable service by knowledgeable Volkswagen techs.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford EcoBoost Engines: Conserving Fuel, Adding Sales, Attracting New Customers

2011-04-28T14:51:00.001-04:00

The Ford 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ V6 engine represents 35 percent of 2011 F-150 pickup truck sales in April; incoming F-150 EcoBoost orders tracking at over 40 percent reflect strong consumer demand
The Taurus SHO – featuring Ford EcoBoost power – enjoys the highest conquest rate in the large sedan segment, attracting new customers defecting from other brands
EcoBoost engine availability is drawing new upscale customers to Ford brand showrooms, proving especially attractive to 35- to 55-year-old males, a key segment less likely to shop Ford in recent past
Ford just announced at the New York International Auto Show that the new 2013 Taurus will offer consumers two EcoBoost engines – the all-new 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the award-winning 3.5-liter V6 for new Taurus SHO

DEARBORN, Mich., April 28, 2011 – The EcoBoost™ engine family isn’t just giving some Ford vehicles a bump in fuel economy. The engines also are giving Ford sales a boost by attracting customers who had not previously considered a Ford brand product.

“EcoBoost is like having your cake and eating it, too,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president for Global Product Development. “The unmatched combination of responsive power with responsible fuel efficiency is attracting new customers to Ford showrooms.”

EcoBoost pickup sales

Demand for the EcoBoost engine in the F-150 has increased each month since launch. One in every four Ford F-150 pickups sold during March was powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. In April, EcoBoost F-150 sales are running at about 35 percent. In the F-150, the EcoBoost engine with its 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque provides best-in-class towing capability of 11,300 lbs combined with up to 20 percent fuel economy savings. The 2011 F-150 EcoBoost carries an EPA rating of 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, making it the best combination of capability and efficiency among light duty full-sized pickups.

In addition, incoming F-150 orders reflect strong customer demand – currently running at over 40 percent mix – for the EcoBoost engine option.

Later this year, the first North American four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, a 237-horsepower 2.0-liter, will make its debut in the Explorer SUV and Edge CUV. Next year, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will be available in the high-performance Focus ST. Ford is currently rolling out EcoBoost engines globally. EcoBoost is available in Europe for Mondeo, Galaxy, S-MAX and C-MAX, for example, and has just launched in Australia in Mondeo.

EcoBoost engines are fundamental to the Ford strategy of providing technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains that deliver exceptional fuel economy and uncompromised performance for millions of drivers around the world. By 2013, Ford plans to produce up to 1.5 million EcoBoost engines globally in a wide variety of vehicles from small cars to trucks.

Flex expands reach with EcoBoost

The stylish Ford Flex three-row utility vehicle has generated a similar yet more pronounced effect. After just two years on the market, Flex with EcoBoost is bringing new customers to the Ford brand at a market-leading rate of 65 percent.

Flex with EcoBoost is a unique offering in the industry, combining seven-passenger capability, 355 horsepower, intelligent all-wheel drive, more than 83 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row and up to 21 mpg on the highway – all in a distinctive design.

In the instances of both Flex with EcoBoost and Taurus SHO, Ford is seeing many 35- to 55-year-old male customers with disproportionately higher incomes, a demographic profile that has not actively shopped the Ford showroom for some time.

Taurus adds second EcoBoost engine

The new 2013 Taurus – recently revealed at the New York International Auto Show – will offer the next level in EcoBoost fuel efficiency. This full-size sedan will be available with an advanced 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine expected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel efficiency of at least 31 mpg. Responsive performance is assured, as gasoline direct injection and a turbocharger enable this engine to deliver a projected 237 horsepower across a broad rpm range.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 powering Taurus SHO generates 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and produces peak torque of 350 lb.-ft. across a wide plateau, from 1,500 to 5,250 rpm. This results in a smooth stream of responsive power at any speed. Mated to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission and intelligent torque-sensing all-wheel drive, the high-performance SHO delivers an EPA-rated 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

The Taurus SHO now enjoys the highest conquest rate in its segment – currently running above 57 percent after two years on sale. This means Taurus SHO with EcoBoost power has drawn new and different customers to the Ford showroom.

Ford is also seeing Taurus SHO being cross-shopped against BMW 5- and 3-Series models, Acura RL, and Cadillac STS and CTS variants. A full 57 percent of SHO buyers traded in non-Ford Motor Company vehicles, with 28 percent trading in a luxury brand vehicle.

Gasoline direct injection

A key contributor to EcoBoost fuel efficiency is direct injection of gasoline. This system precisely delivers a fine mist of fuel directly into each cylinder for optimal performance, economy and emissions. Unlike port-fuel-injection (PFI) engines that spray fuel in the intake system, the direct-injection system puts the fuel exactly where it needs to be for combustion.

A high-pressure injector is positioned to the side of each cylinder, aiming the fuel directly into the cylinder adjacent to a high-intensity spark plug and alongside the intake and exhaust valves. Fuel is sprayed into the cylinders at pressures of up to 2,150 pounds per square inch (psi), which is about 35 times more intense than PFI injection.

A powerful choice

Ford EcoBoost engines made their North American debut with the completely reinvented 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. Turbocharged EcoBoost power was the linchpin in the reincarnation of this iconic sport sedan.

EcoBoost is fundamental to Ford’s objective to provide the horsepower and torque of larger, normally aspirated engines while delivering the uncompromised fuel efficiency of a smaller engine. Key elements to enable this balance of responsive power and fuel economy include gasoline direct injection and turbocharging. EcoBoost is a key pillar of Ford’s plan to deliver affordable fuel economy for millions of drivers, while providing an engaging and responsive dynamic driving experience.

Hot-Selling 2011 Ford Edge Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick, Offers Standard Safety Features, Leading Fuel Economy

2011-04-21T12:23:00.002-04:00

The popular new 2011 Edge earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick (for models built after February 2011), adding to Ford’s leading number of top safety ratings
Edge sales are up 25 percent in 2011 as Ford’s stylish crossover wrapped up March as its segment leader, accounting for 18 percent of medium crossover sales
The 2011 Ford Edge is EPA-rated at an unsurpassed 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined
Edge features advanced airbags such as Safety Canopy® side curtains, pioneers available radar-based collision warning with brake support crash-avoidance system

DEARBORN, Mich., April 21, 2011 – The new 2011 Ford Edge, which offers a suite of innovative safety technologies, is off to a fast start and could gain even more popularity after becoming the latest Ford vehicle to earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (for models built after February 2011).
Ford now has 10 vehicles on the road in the U.S. that have earned Top Safety Picks, which adds to its leading number of top U.S. safety ratings.
“The new Edge is already the most popular midsize crossover and we believe this Top Safety Pick rating will generate even more interest,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.
To earn a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must receive a rating of “good” in offset frontal-, side- and rear-impact crash tests and roof strength evaluations, as well as offer electronic stability control.
The Edge, which launched in late 2010, is off to a fast start with sales up 25 percent in 2011 through March – ending the month as the segment leader with 18 percent of medium crossover sales. Initial demand for the Edge’s driver-aid technologies Edge has been strong. Of the first 101,908 vehicles sold:

80 percent include rear view camera
32 percent include BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert

“Edge customers value safety and security,” said Eric Peterson, crossover marketing manager. “Safety features are one of the top reasons customers cite for their purchases of Edge and crossovers in general.”
Safety and driver-assist features

The new Edge comes equipped with technologies to help prevent crashes – from parking lot fender benders to high-speed collisions – by warning drivers of the potential for a crash.
“The new Edge delivers features that both help prevent a crash and help minimize occupant injuries when a crash is unavoidable,” said Peterson. “It’s a comprehensive safety story from bumper to bumper.”
Driver-aid and safety technologies include options such as:

Adaptive cruise control, which slows the vehicle to adapt for traffic conditions and maintain a preset distance between vehicles

Collision warning with brake support, which helps reduce speed, automatically pre-charges brakes, provides a red warning light on the windshield as well as an audible beep to help drivers stop more quickly when the system detects a collision is imminent

BLIS with cross-traffic alert, which helps detect vehicles in blind spots during normal driving, as well as traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots

Tire Pressure Monitoring System, which alerts drivers when it senses tire pressure is low

MyKey, which allows parents to limit speed and audio volume in their vehicles and is designed to help parents encourage safe driving habits in their teens

“The Edge pioneers the mainstream introduction of crash avoidance technologies with two available class-exclusive radar-based features that help detect and warn drivers of potentially dangerous situations,” Cischke said.
Structural safety and crash protection

Edge features a solid unibody construction, which provides an energy-absorbing structure to help protect occupants. Bumper-to-bumper flow-through side rails, structural design and A-pillars are designed to move crash energy away from occupants. Nearly half of the stiff shell is composed of high-strength steels, such as boron, for both increased strength and reduced weight.
When a crash becomes unavoidable, Edge relies on an array of airbags to protect occupants. Two front dual-stage and two side airbags are joined by a Safety Canopy consisting of side-curtain airbags for front and rear outboard passengers. Personal Safety System™ safety belts feature pretensioners and an energy management system with adjustable D-ring height in the first row.
Other Ford vehicles that have earned a Top Safety Pick rating include:

2011 Ford Explorer
2011 Ford Taurus
2011 Ford Fusion
2011 Ford Fiesta (when built after July 2010)
2011 Ford Flex
2011 Lincoln MKS
2011 Lincoln MKT
2011 Lincoln MKX
2011 Lincoln MKZ
The 2011 Ford Edge is EPA-rated at an unsurpassed 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Our New 2012 Ford Mustang Commerical - Just Finished Eating

2011-04-19T10:43:00.001-04:00

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

2012 Ford Mustang Commercial

2011-04-08T17:17:00.001-04:00

Here is our new 2012 Ford Mustang TV Commercial.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford CEO Alan Mulally is FT Person of the Year

2011-03-29T15:42:00.001-04:00

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 29th March, 2011 – Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally has been recognised as Person of the Year in the third annual FT ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Awards.

The awards recognise companies and individuals who have challenged the status quo and taken calculated risks to drive their business forward in the face of current economic uncertainty.

Alan Mulally was commended for the turnaround plan that has allowed Ford to emerge from the financial crisis with sustained profitability.

It was also recognised that Ford did not rely on a government bailout and that Ford today is the most profitable car company in North America, having managed to change customer perceptions and earn a higher margin per vehicle sold.

Lionel Barber, editor, Financial Times, said: “This is the third year of the FT ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Awards and while the market remains undeniably challenging our shortlisted companies and individuals have displayed an inspiring ability to innovate and drive change. I would like to congratulate all of the winners for their dedication and boldness in driving their businesses above and beyond the competition.”

Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO, ArcelorMittal, said: “This has been another strong year for the FT ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Awards with an impressive array of winners and shortlisted companies. All the companies are inspirational and we should pause to consider what it takes to be bold like them. Think of the decisions that faced Alan Mulally at Ford when he chose to radically restructure the business or the strength of vision that inspired Apple to be a pioneer in the tablet market. They
have all taken challenging, perhaps at times controversial paths, but ones that have ultimately proved highly successful. It takes courage to do this and I hope these awards will act as an inspiration to others.”

The judges for this year’s awards were:

Lionel Barber, Editor, Financial Times
Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO, ArcelorMittal
John Authers, Head of the Lex Column, Financial Times
J Frank Brown, Dean, INSEAD
Luke Johnson, Chairman, Risk Capital Partners
Anne Méaux, Founder & President, Image Sept
Terry Smith, Chief Executive, Tullet Prebon and founder of Fundsmith
Leo Johnson, Partner, PWC

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford Teams With AT&T to Wirelessly Connect New Ford Focus Electric

2011-03-25T11:44:00.002-04:00

Ford Motor Company to use AT&T wireless network to connect new Ford Focus Electric
Wireless connection enables vehicle owners to control vehicle settings when away from the car – all part of a strategic approach to make Ford electric car ownership simple, easy and engaging
MyFord Mobile, Ford’s exclusive app powered by MapQuest data, will be accessible through a smartphone or secure website
Embedded wireless connection and dedicated app includes the ability for the owner to monitor and control vehicle charge settings, plan single- or multiple-stop journeys, locate charging stations, pre-heat or cool the car

DALLAS and DEARBORN, Mich., March 23, 2011 — Ford Motor Company and AT&T* today announced an agreement to wirelessly connect the Ford Focus Electric, Ford’s first all-electric passenger car. Announced in January at the 2011 International CES, the new Focus Electric enters production at the Michigan Assembly Plant in late 2011.

Through the new MyFord Mobile smartphone app, using the embedded AT&T wireless connection, Ford Focus Electric vehicle owners will have the ability to send and receive data about their car providing command and control of vehicle settings while away from it.

“Ford has been at the forefront of developing market leading telematics and infotainment services for its vehicles and we’re thrilled to be a part of this exciting and significant next step with the upcoming Focus Electric,” said Glenn Lurie, president of emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T. “Connecting consumers directly to their electric vehicles in this new and innovative way is going to drive innovative and exciting levels of interaction.”

MyFord Mobile technology provides Focus Electric owners in North America with a powerful tool to stay connected, monitor and control their vehicle. Through a smartphone app or secure website, MyFord Mobile invites Focus Electric owners to plan trips, monitor the vehicle’s state of charge, receive various alerts for vehicle charging, as well as provides several other features designed to simplify the electric vehicle ownership experience.

“With a wireless connection, we’re putting battery charge and vehicle range information, along with an interactive, data-driven trip planning app, directly at the fingertips of our customers,” said Ed Pleet, product and business manager for Ford Connected Services. “This technology will keep drivers connected to vital information, enhancing their electric car ownership experience. The AT&T network is an important part of this equation and we’re pleased to have AT&T on board.”

MyFord Mobile will connect through the AT&T network, allowing the car to communicate off-board through standard wireless technology. From an internet connected mobile phone or computer, owners can:

Find current and projected state of charge information including estimated range and the amount of charge time necessary for additional distances
Program vehicle charging with utility input, allowing the car to start charging immediately or when electricity prices are lowest with the value charging feature, powered by Microsoft
Features powered by MapQuest available on the MyFord smartphone app:
- Locate charging stations and get the destination sent to the vehicle
- Know if the vehicle can reach a specific charge station from its current location with the current charge level
- Create a journey with multiple stops, and determine the likelihood that the car has adequate charge for the full journey
- Find the car by creating a route from a mobile phone to the vehicle
Receive alerts if the vehicle isn’t charging when it’s scheduled to, or if charging stops unexpectedly due to a power outage, plug removal or other event
Receive alerts during recharge when the vehicle has reached a particular preset charge level or has the ability to reach a particular destination
Engage remote vehicle preconditioning, using grid power to heat or cool the vehicle interior
Remotely lock/unlock doors
Use the built-in GPS system to locate the car
Download performance and system data
Fun ways of understanding your driver behavior, with ratings from ‘Zen’ to ‘Zippy’
Receive information personalized to the driver, depending on which key the driver used

How the system works
At launch, the MyFord Mobile app will be available for most major smartphones, along with a mobile web application for compatibility with any phone supporting HTML-5 browser-based access, or feature phones with WAP 2.0-supported browsers. The feature also is accessible via a secure Ford website. Owners will use the smartphone to communicate with a cloud-based highly secure server, which stores information provided by the embedded wireless module in Focus Electric. Using a cloud-based architecture ensures users will have up-to-the-minute access to information through the AT&T wireless network.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford Opens Flexible, Green Michigan Assembly Plant with Production of All-New Ford Focus

2011-03-22T16:57:00.001-04:00

Transformed Michigan Assembly Plant (MAP), which will produce the fuel-efficient new global Ford Focus for North American customers, features flexible manufacturing, environmentally friendly practices and a highly trained work force
A $550 million investment transformed the plant, creating new benchmarks for flexible manufacturing. Multiple models to run down the same production line, making Michigan Assembly the world’s first plant to build gasoline-powered, battery electric, hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on the same line
MAP also features one of Michigan’s largest solar-powered generation systems and electric vehicle charging stations

Ford Motor Company celebrated the launch of the 2012 Ford Focus with employees, dealers, suppliers, media and other invited guests at the
Michigan Assembly Plant.

WAYNE, Mich., March 17, 2011 – Ford Motor Company is celebrating production of its all-new global Ford Focus, built for North American customers in its completely transformed Michigan Assembly Plant (MAP). Following a $550 million transformation, the plant features an environmentally friendly workplace with flexible manufacturing capability and a motivated, specially trained work force ready to deliver a fuel-efficient new car to the marketplace.

“MAP epitomizes the best of what Ford stands for – fuel efficiency, quality, smart technology,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. “Focus delivers even more of what customers truly want and value – and this new car could not arrive in the market at a better time.”

The new Focus sets a new standard in the small car segment in North America, offering more technology and features than more expensive European cars, such as SYNC® with Traffic, Directions and Information, MyFord Touch™, active park assist and Wi-Fi access, while delivering up to an unsurpassed 40 mpg with an automatic transmission.

Fuel economy and greener driving will be built into each new vehicle slated for production at MAP. With its flexible manufacturing system, Ford workers can build multiple models on one or more platforms in the same facility. The Focus Electric zero-emission battery electric vehicle is slated to go into production late this year at the plant, followed by production of the new C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2012.

With this product lineup, Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant will be the first facility in the world capable of building a full array of vehicles – gas-powered, electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid – all on the same production line.

The company’s investment in Wayne, Mich., is supported by strong partnerships at the state, county and local level, as well as by Ford’s green partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. Michigan Assembly Plant is one of 11 Ford facilities in the U.S. participating in the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program initiated by Congress and implemented by the Obama administration. This green loan program is helping to develop advanced technology vehicles and strengthen American manufacturing across the country. Ford, Nissan, Tesla, Fisker and Vehicle Production Group (VPG) are all participants in this initiative.

Making Ford vehicles smarter, greener
MAP is Ford’s most flexible plant, thanks to reprogrammable tooling in the body shop, standardized equipment in the paint shop and a common-build sequence in final assembly. This flexibility allows the Ford team to produce multiple models on the same assembly line – and in even more environmentally friendly ways.

In its flexible body shop, at least 80 percent of MAP’s robotic equipment can be programmed to weld various-sized vehicles – a Ford first. And, MAP’s integrated stamping facility allows the stamping and welding of all large sheet-metal parts on-site, ensuring maximum quality and minimum overhead.

The plant also will employ an efficient, synchronous material flow, where parts and other components will move in kits to each operator, providing employees with the tools they need in the sequence they will need them.

Michigan Assembly is the first U.S. plant to commercially use a three-wet paint application that will save about $3 million in production in natural gas and electricity – without compromising Ford’s paint quality or durability.

“In most other automotive plants, we apply a layer of paint called the primer coat and we bake the unit, and then we put on the base coat and the clear coat, and we bake it again,” said John Nowak, environmental engineer. “The three-wet process allows us to put on primer, base and clear, and bake it only once. We save all the electricity from the blowers that run the booths and the ovens, plus all the natural gas from heating the air and the ovens. Ford is leading the way on this greener, cleaner paint process.”

Because of the differences in technique – including robotic processing, elimination of equipment and associated pollutants, and increased line speed – the three-wet paint process produces 6,000 metric tons fewer CO2 emissions per year compared to waterborne systems and 8,000 metric tons fewer CO2 emissions per year compared to conventional high-solvent-borne systems. There also is a Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions savings of 5 percent related to processing.

Driving on sunshine
MAP also boasts one of the largest solar power generation systems in the state as well as several electric vehicle charging stations, allowing the plant to operate on a blend of renewable and conventional electricity.

Renewable energy collected by the solar panels directly feeds the energy-efficient microgrid, helping power the plant. When the plant is inactive, such as holidays, the stored solar energy will provide power during periods of insufficient or inconsistent sunlight. The projected energy cost savings is approximately $160,000 per year.

“We have taken steps great and small to make the plant as green as possible,” Nowak said. “Our goal was to help the 4,000 Ford employees make this several-million-square-foot facility truly environmentally friendly and cost-efficient.”

The plant also has 10 electric vehicle charging stations that recharge electric switcher trucks that transport parts between adjacent facilities – saving an estimated 86,000 gallons of gas a year.

Plus, the 50 percent of the parts arriving for the all-new Focus that come from Europe, packed in cardboard, are carefully collected, sorted and recycled, as is the bubble wrap, the Styrofoam and water bottles used by employees. Even the temporary wooden partitions that were put up as the plant was revamped and remodeled were donated to the local Habitat for Humanity.

Quality focus
But equipment isn’t all it takes for a plant transformation to occur. Work force training is equally important. Doug Mertz, organization development manager at MAP, worked with the team to develop training that would focus on the plant’s operating principles – safety, quality and flexible manufacturing – with high priority placed on respect for people, product and processes.

Group leaders from Wayne Assembly Plant participated in an intense, three-week quality education, which included pre-builds of the new Focus and in-depth training on safety, ergonomics and work-station design. In addition, group leaders were trained on “soft skills,” such as developmental leadership, personality preferences and their impact on behavior, conflict resolution, change management, techniques for teaching others, and other skills to aid in situations specific to their base departments.

“Since the group leaders would be training the base operators when they came to the MAP site, we wanted them to understand not only the implication of performing their job correctly, but also the impact that performing the job incorrectly would have downstream,” said Mertz.

As the full MAP salaried and hourly work force arrived at Michigan Assembly Plant, operating patterns helped to ease the transition. The first week, the normally two-shift operation was combined into one so that group leaders on both day and afternoon shifts could work collectively with their teams and ensure standardization of work practices. Shifts continued to overlap so line employees could work together and minimize variability on job performance.

“The all-new Ford Focus is truly global in the sense that we’ve created it to satisfy the needs and wants of people all around the world,” said Plant Manager Rob Webber. “This has been an exciting challenge but one we’re ready for. We have the people and processes in place to deliver on the promise of the new Ford Focus and the many products to come.”

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford most improved in Consumer Reports new car report

2011-03-03T16:55:00.002-05:00

David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

Consumer Reports says Ford Motor Co. is this year's most improved automaker, hot on the heels of Japanese automakers that finished 1-2-3 in the magazine's annual rankings.

Toyota Motor Corp., which suffered in last year's assessment due to ongoing quality problems and recalls, was the 2011 comeback story, finishing third behind Honda Motor Co. and Subaru.

Dearborn-based Ford leapfrogged from 11th overall last year to fifth among the 13 companies ranked by the influential magazine.

"Ford's been doing extremely well," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, noting its reliability has steadily improved during the last five-plus years. "That's really bringing them up to getting close to Toyota."

Ford cracked the list of Consumer Reports' top picks, winning best sporty car with the Mustang. The magazine recommended 10 of the 15 Ford vehicles it tested.

Consumer Reports named the Ford Mustang best sporty car. Ford was ranked fifth-best overall in the rankings, up from 11th last year. (Ford)

Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said the "results from a reputable organization like Consumer Reports is further validation of the continued progress we're making on the quality of our products."

Read the full article From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110301/AUTO01/103010335/Ford-most-improved-in-Consumer-Reports-new-car-report#ixzz1FZlDaPvf

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

All-New Ford Focus Officially Certified at 40 MPG with Features, Technology Competitors Can’t Match

2011-02-25T14:29:00.002-05:00

The all-new Ford Focus is certified by the EPA at 40 mpg highway with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is overwhelmingly preferred by American drivers
Ford Motor Company now has four nameplates with an EPA-certified rating of 40 mpg or higher, more than any other full-line manufacturer
The outstanding fuel economy of the Ford Focus is complemented by available class-exclusive technology and features usually found only on larger cars
Ford data show that fuel economy is the No. 1 purchase reason for Ford Focus customers

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 25, 2011 – The all-new Ford Focus with the SFE (Super Fuel Economy) package delivers an EPA certified 40 mpg on the highway to go with its array of smart technologies, exceptional standards of craftsmanship and retuned suspension for a total driving experience not found anywhere else in the segment.

The new Focus is certified by the EPA at 40 mpg highway and 28 mpg city through its advanced six-speed automatic transmission.

Some competitors utilize a manual transmission to achieve their highest fuel economy ratings, though sales of vehicles with automatic transmissions account for more than 90 percent of the market.

Focus becomes the fourth vehicle in the Ford Motor Company vehicle lineup with an EPA-certified rating of 40 mpg or more.

“Our customers tell us that fuel economy is the top reason for purchasing a Focus,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The all-new Focus meets that demand with great fuel economy, class-leading technologies and features, exceptional standards of craftsmanship and driving dynamics typically reserved for larger, more expensive vehicles.”

Affordable fuel economy
With the EPA certification of Focus, Ford continues to deliver on its promise to make fuel economy affordable for millions of consumers. Today, Ford Motor Company has 12 vehicles including cars, utilities and crossovers in the U.S. that lead their sales segments for fuel economy – a number no other automaker matches.

With the new Focus, four 2011 models achieve at least 40 mpg – the Ford Fiesta SE with SFE package (40 mpg highway) and the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (41 mpg city). No other automaker offers four nameplates with EPA-certified ratings of 40 mpg or more, according to the 2011 EPA Fuel Economy Guide .

Here's how the Ford Focus SFE compares with current 2011 model year competitor products with automatic transmissions:

	Ford Focus SFE	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Toyota Corolla	Volkswagen Jetta	Chevrolet Cruze Eco	Hyundai Elantra
Fuel economy city/highway	28/40	25/36	24/33	26/34	24/31	26/37	29/40

High fuel prices coming? Focus ready for challenge
That exceptional fuel economy could be vital in the months ahead. The Department of Energy is offering a somewhat bleak forecast at the gas pumps. Gas prices, now at a national average of $3.22, according to http://www.nationalgasaverage.com, could go as high as $3.50 a gallon, and there’s even a slim chance they could go higher – maybe even above $4.

The all-new Ford Focus answers that challenge with content that builds off the mid-range SE model four-door sedan with the PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission.

The engaging driver appeal of the new Ford Focus is magnified by an advanced powertrain. Focus is fitted with a completely new 2.0-liter gasoline direct-injection DOHC four-cylinder engine that combines high-pressure direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. This engine delivers more power than the current 2.0-liter Duratec® unit featured in the North American Focus, while contributing to fuel economy gains of more than 10 percent.

To maximize its performance and economy advantage, the engine is mated with the latest dry-clutch six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission. A high-efficiency dual dry-clutch design, the transmission alone can help to reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent compared to a traditional four-speed automatic.

The SFE package also includes 16-inch steel wheels with aero wheel covers, active grille shutters, high-efficiency tires, four-wheel disc brakes, rear spoiler and a special SFE badge.

Unlike other competitors, the Ford Focus employs full active grille shutters. Active grille shutters help optimize aerodynamics by using vents to control airflow through the grille to the cooling system and engine compartment.

If air is required to cool the engine, the vents are opened. If no airflow is needed the vents are shut, contributing to significantly reduced aerodynamic drag.

Mounted in the grille aperture ahead of the radiator, the active grille shutters feature motorized horizontal vanes that can rotate through 90 degrees to block the airflow. Automatically controlled by the car’s electronic control unit, the vanes can be rotated into 15 different positions – from fully closed to fully open – depending on the amount of cooling air required.

When fully closed, the reduction in drag means the active grille shutters can reduce CO2 emissions by 2 percent.

As an additional benefit, the system keeps the vanes closed as long as possible when starting from cold, so the engine reaches its most efficient operating temperature more quickly. This also helps reduce fuel consumption.

Great looks, smart technology and true performance
The dynamic Focus exterior is reinforced by a modern, cockpit-style interior with a stylish center console.

The most significant interior innovation is the available SYNC® with MyFord™, which includes a sophisticated voice control system for vehicle functions, connected Bluetooth® devices, MP3 players and a wide variety of external media.

The interior combines functionality with outstanding craftsmanship. The cabin’s bold and contemporary graphics, the sculptured shape of the soft-touch instrument panel and the choice of superior trim materials combine to give occupants a premium-class experience.

Focus interior space rivals larger vehicles, with more shoulder room than an Audi A4 and more front headroom than a Toyota Camry. The second row of Focus provides more hip room than the Audi or Toyota.

The original Ford Focus brought new levels of driving agility to this segment of cars. Now Focus raises the benchmark to target class-leading driving quality, blending communicative steering with significantly improved ride quality.

“The all-new Ford Focus delivers the outstanding fuel economy our customers demand in a more stylish package with more technology and an even greater driving experience,” said Kuzak.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

New Ford Electrified Vehicle Facebook Page Engages Fans

2011-02-23T10:50:00.003-05:00

Ford has developed a Facebook page dedicated to educating consumers about the differences in electrified vehicle technologies and providing the latest information about the five electrified vehicles the company will introduce (www.facebook.com/FordElectricVehicles)
Fans of the page can access assets – videos, photos, polls and announcements, join discussions about electrified vehicles and even direct questions to the engineers on Ford’s electric vehicle development team
The Electrified Vehicle Facebook page is where Ford first teased information about the all-new Focus Electric reveal and showed live-streaming video of its reveal from the Consumer Electronics Show in January

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 23, 2011 – Ford has launched an Electrified Vehicle Facebook page to serve as a place where passionate enthusiasts or curious consumers can find and share information about the company’s electrified vehicles. The page, available at www.facebook.com/FordElectricVehicles, is part of Ford’s efforts to educate consumers on the variety of choices available with electrified vehicles and what the company is doing to make an electric lifestyle as easy as possible.

“People who are passionate about electrified vehicles or just interested in learning more about the technology are using the Internet as the source to participate in discussions or gather information,” said David Finnegan, Ford electric vehicles marketing manager. “Launching a Ford-specific Electrified Vehicle Facebook page allows us to create a forum for discussion and a place where we can interact with fans.”

The Ford Electrified Vehicle page for Facebook was developed to help consumers understand the differences between electricified vehicle technologies so they can make informed decisions about whether a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicle fits their driving habits. The page also creates a place where consumers can initiate and participate in conversations around Ford’s electrified vehicle offerings and gives Ford a forum to respond to consumers who are interested in electrified vehicles.

“We’re committed to engaging in an ongoing dialogue with our fans in a way that provides value for the time they choose to spend with Ford online,” said Scott Monty, Ford digital and multimedia communications manager. “As we’ve proven with Fiesta Movement and the Explorer reveal on Facebook, it’s important to pay attention to what people are saying, and for us to be able to respond and provide a unique experience for them as well.”

The Electrified Vehicle Facebook page offers visitors links to videos and photos of Ford’s electrified vehicles, as well as a place to learn about the powertrains in each vehicle. There are areas for discussion between fans, along with user polls, a place where fans can direct questions to Ford’s electric vehicles team, and a calendar for upcoming events.

The Facebook page was used to tease the reveal of the all-new Focus Electric at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. The reveal was streamed live on the page, along with video from the Ford display on-site.

“You never know what will pop up next on the page,” said Finnegan. “One day we could host a live discussion with an electric vehicle engineer, post the first information about Focus Electric orders or announce details surrounding a consumer contest. You’ll just have to friend the page and find out.”

Ford’s power of choice
Electrification is an important piece of Ford’s overall product sustainability strategy. Ford’s aggressive strategy includes the launch of five electrified vehicles in North America by 2012 and Europe by 2013. Ford launched the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van in 2010, will launch Focus Electric later this year and will introduce C-MAX Hybrid, a second next-generation lithium-ion battery hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2012. The range of electrified vehicles allows Ford to meet a variety of consumer driving needs.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford dealer: It's all about family

2011-02-09T12:25:00.002-05:00

3rd-generation business emerges from recession

Laurén Abdel-Razzaq
Automotive News -- February 7, 2011 - 12:01 am ET

DETROIT -- When his CFO, and boyhood friend, was diagnosed with lymphoma, Mark O'Brien mobilized his dealership for a bone marrow drive. He even shaved his head in solidarity.

That's what family does, and that's what Roy O'Brien Ford is about.

"Dad always said treat your customers better than you expect to be treated," said Mark O'Brien, chairman of the dealership his grandfather Roy opened 65 years ago.

Roy O'Brien began selling Fords in metro Detroit in 1946, buying an old firehouse and reopening it as a used-car dealership and service center. Eventually he passed along the business to his son, Roy Jr., who controlled the company until his death last May.

Now Roy, Jr.'s son, Mark, is at the helm of the dealership in St. Clair Shores, Mich.

It took Mark O'Brien 35 years to get into the family dealership. He worked at his maternal grandfather's grocery store for 11 years during his teens and after graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in business. It was a small store where workers knew the customers by name.

Something extra

When he moved to the dealership, O'Brien brought this mentality with him and extended it to his employees and customers.

"We try to hire people we would want to have over for dinner," he said. "For our customers, we always try to give them something more than they expected."

Whether that something is a free tank of gasoline with the purchase of a new vehicle or fixing a broken taillight during a routine oil change, O'Brien says it's part of his plan to attract and retain customers.

"You have so many choices, you don't have to come here," he said. "But we have to ask: 'What can we do to put ourselves first in your mind?'"

Until Jan. 1, O'Brien, 54, was general manager of the dealership. In the new year he passed along the position to his youngest brother, Roy Patrick, after 19 years. Although five of Roy Jr.'s seven children ended up in the business, they were never pressured to take over.

With two daughters and two sons of his own, O'Brien says he wants to adopt the same philosophy.

"They have an interest in the business world, they have an interest in this business, but I'm not going to push them to make a decision to get into the car business," he said. "I would really like my children to try something completely on their own."

Green technology

When the dealership suffered during the recession, everyone felt the belt tightening. Management eliminated 401(k) matching and stopped replacing workers who retired or left. Through this attrition, the staff has dropped to 106 from 135 employees in 2004.

But new products have helped turn things around. From 2009 to 2010, revenue rose 34 percent and the number of new and used vehicle sales increased by 261 units.

And over the past year, the dealership has begun spending on green technology.

In November, metro Detroit's Eco-Green Energy installed three hybrid lamps at the front of the dealership at an estimated cost of $40,000 before tax rebates. A combination of solar panels, wind turbines and backup batteries powers the lights.

O'Brien said he plans to have solar panels installed on the dealership roof by year end. The panels, which he estimates will cost $100,000 before rebates, will let the dealership operate on its own power most days.

And O'Brien hopes to have geothermal heating implemented throughout the building by 2013. At a cost of $150,000 to $200,000 before rebates, O'Brien says the technology is expected to pay for itself in eight years.

The decision to implement green technology was also prompted by O'Brien's family instinct.

"Maybe one day our grandkids will look at the utility bills and say, 'Thanks, grandpa, you took care of us.'"

On the rise
Unit sales increased at Roy O'Brien Ford from 2009 to 2010.
	New vehicles	Used vehicles
2009	1,734	817
2010	1,896	916

Read the article from Automotive News Here.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Bone Marrow Drive at Roy O'Brien Ford - Request for Donor Registrations

2011-01-31T14:00:00.002-05:00

Please join us in registering for the "Be The Match" drive on Friday, February 18th, any time from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. in the new car showroom at the dealership

As many of you know, our controller, Art DeCook, has lymphoma and although he has found a match for a bone marrow transplant in his two brothers, he and we wish to extend our heartiest invitation to help others so desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant.

The registration process takes no more than fifteen minutes, and, in addition to some basic paperwork, only involves the swabbing of the inside of your cheek. There are no needles, or taking of samples, other than the cheek swab, and you'll feel great about potentially saving someone's life anywhere in the world!

In addition, we will need about twelve volunteers to help with the registration process. There will be a half-hour training session in the conference room, on Friday, February 11th at 10 A.M. I have had this training and it is very straight-forward and easy to master. Many of you have asked what else you can do to help Art in his battling of this cancer. Here is your opportunity to do just that, Won't you please come and learn how to process the expected one hundred or so registrants for the following Friday's drive? Art and his family would be overjoyed at the prospects of signing up all of these potential "Life Savers!"

To recap:

Training for volunteers on Friday, February 11th, 10 A.M., in the Roy O'Brien Conference Room. Thirty Minutes

"Be the Match" Donor Drive in the Roy O'Brien New Car Showroom on Friday, February 18th any time from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M.

God Bless You for your concern and help.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford Accelerates Intelligent Vehicle Research, Creating ‘Talking’ Vehicles To Make Roads Safer

2011-01-26T12:17:00.002-05:00

Ford is rapidly expanding its commitment to intelligent vehicles that wirelessly talk to each other, warning of potential dangers to enhance safety and flag impending traffic congestion to help improve the environment
Intelligent vehicles could potentially help in 81 percent of all police-reported light-vehicle crashes involving unimpaired drivers, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report
Ford is building the first-ever prototype intelligent vehicles that will tour the U.S. beginning this spring and will provide additional prototypes for the Department of Transportation’s world-first research clinics expected to begin this summer
Ford is doubling its intelligent vehicle investment in 2011 and plans a new 20-member task force of scientists and engineers to explore the technology’s broader possibilities

With this "intelligent vehicle" technology, drivers could be alerted at unsafe intersections where their view is compromised or where another vehicle is not stopping for a red light.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 26, 2011 – Ford is aggressively accelerating its commitment to wirelessly connected intelligent vehicles – known as vehicle-to-vehicle communications – becoming the first automaker to build prototype vehicles for demonstrations across the U.S., doubling its intelligent vehicle investment in 2011 and dedicating even more scientists to developing this technology.

“Ford believes intelligent vehicles that talk to each other through advanced Wi-Fi are the next frontier of collision avoidance innovations that could revolutionize the driving experience and hold the potential of helping reduce many crashes,” said Sue Cischke, group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

An October National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report on the potential safety benefits of vehicle-to-vehicle communications estimates that intelligent vehicles could help in as many as 4,336,000 police-reported, light-vehicle crashes annually, or approximately 81 percent of all light-vehicle crashes involving unimpaired drivers. Experts say intelligent vehicles could be on the road in five to 10 years.

Ford’s demonstration vehicles will hit the road this spring, starting at major technology hubs across the country.

How it works
Ford’s vehicle communications research technology allows vehicles to talk wirelessly with one another using advanced Wi-Fi signals, or dedicated short-range communications, on a secured channel allocated by the Federal Communications Commission. Unlike radar-based safety features, which identify hazards within a direct line of sight, the Wi-Fi-based radio system allows full-range, 360-degree detection of potentially dangerous situations, such as when a driver’s vision is obstructed.

For example, drivers could be alerted if their vehicle is on path to collide with another vehicle at an intersection, when a vehicle ahead stops or slows suddenly or when a traffic pattern changes on a busy highway. The systems also could warn drivers if there is a risk of collision when changing lanes, approaching a stationary or parked vehicle, or if another driver loses control.

Ford hits the gas on vehicle communications
After a decade of research, Ford plans a new 20-member task force – consisting of company planners, engineers and scientists from around the world with expertise in safety, eco-mobility, infotainment and driver convenience – to accelerate development of intelligent vehicles with features that provide a range of benefits to consumers.

Ford also is doubling its intelligent vehicle research investment, building on the company’s SYNC® and MyFord Touch™ innovations. The goal is to define the next 10 years of safety, convenience and driver assistance, and strengthen the company’s position as the global industry leader in connected vehicle technology.

“While there are challenges ahead, the foundation of these smarter vehicles is advanced versions of technologies that are pervasive – Wi-Fi and crash avoidance systems that Ford has pioneered in mainstream vehicles today,” said Paul Mascarenas, vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering and chief technical officer. “Intelligent vehicles could help warn drivers of numerous potential dangers such as a car running a red light but blocked from the view of a driver properly entering the intersection.”

Speaking the same language
Ford is partnering with other automakers, the federal government, as well as local and county road commissions to create a common language that ensures all vehicles can talk to each other based on a common communication standard.

This public-private partnership will include the world’s first government-sponsored driving clinics beginning in summer 2011, for which the company will contribute two prototype Ford Taurus sedans. The DOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) will head the research, continuing to coordinate with a coalition of automakers organized by the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership (CAMP), which is a joint research group headed by Ford and General Motors. The partnership is working to develop inter-operability standards in advance of completing the research phase in 2013.

“Ford has laid the groundwork to give vehicles a voice with SYNC and Wi-Fi technology,” said Jim Vondale, director, Ford Automotive Safety Office. “Now we’re working with other automakers and government leaders worldwide to develop common standards globally to bring intelligent vehicles to market quicker and more affordably.”

Vondale has been appointed by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to represent automakers on the ITS Advisory Committee. Mike Shulman, technical leader, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, leads the government-industry technical partnership as program manager for CAMP.

Beyond safety, endless possibilities
By reducing crashes, intelligent vehicles could ease traffic delays, which would save drivers both time and fuel costs. Congestion also could be avoided through a network of intelligent vehicles and infrastructure that would process real-time traffic and road information and allow drivers to choose less congested routes.

According to Texas Transportation Institute’s (TTI) 2010 Urban Mobility Report, traffic congestion continues to worsen in American cities of all sizes, annually wasting nearly 3.9 billion gallons of fuel in 2009 and costing the average commuter $808 in additional fuel. Leading factors in traffic delays are caused by accidents, breakdowns and road debris, TTI maintains.

“The day is not far off when our vehicles will operate like mobile devices with four wheels, constantly exchanging information and communicating with our environment to do things like shorten commute times, improve fuel economy and generally help us more easily navigate life on the road,” said Mascarenas.

Laying the connectivity groundwork
Many of Ford’s current technologies show how intelligent vehicles will be able to help drivers. For example, features that alert drivers to approaching hazards, such as Ford’s collision warning with brake support and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert rely on radar sensors to detect vehicles or objects close to the vehicle.

“Ford has pioneered connectivity in modern vehicles with SYNC,” said Shulman. “We believe advanced Wi-Fi for intelligent vehicles could be added to smartphones or GPS systems and simply connect to SYNC like today’s phones.”

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

It’s Easy Being Green: Ford Focus Electric Offers Eco-Friendly Features Throughout Vehicle

2011-01-19T13:50:00.002-05:00

Ford Focus Electric offers customers environmentally friendly options throughout, which, coupled with advanced engine technology, deliver zero-emissions driving in an all-around green vehicle
A material called Lignotock is used behind the cloth on the door. Derived from 85 percent wood fibers, this lighter application results in a weight reduction and provides better sound-deadening benefits compared to conventional glass-reinforced thermal plastics
The eco-friendly appeal of the all-new Focus Electric even includes the application of green manufacturing processes at Michigan Assembly Plant, where Focus and Focus Electric will be built

Dearborn, Mich., Jan. 19, 2011 – The environmentally friendly reach of the Ford Focus Electric goes beyond its zero-emissions motor. Focus Electric combines recycled and renewable materials, green technologies and innovative manufacturing processes to make the car green from bumper to bumper.

“An electric vehicle is already considered a green vehicle, but Ford wanted to go a step further by looking at ways to make the materials inside the Focus Electric more eco-friendly as well,” said Carrie Majeske, product sustainability manager, Ford Motor Company. “Using recycled or renewable materials in lieu of petroleum-based materials allows Ford to minimize the amount of virgin materials used in the Focus Electric.”

The Focus Electric is not only green in areas where customers expect it to be, but also in places they might not, like in the seat cushions. Soy-based foams, which are used on more than 20 Ford vehicles, will be used in Focus Electric, with seat cushions shaped from 8 percent soy-based content. A material called Lignotock also is used behind the cloth on the door. Derived from 85 percent wood fibers, this lighter application results in a weight reduction and provides better sound-deadening benefits compared to conventional glass-reinforced thermal plastics.

“One of the more impactful things we are doing is finding a way to increase the use of recycled materials in resins. We have a strategy that specifies the use of a large quantity of post-consumer recycled material in a range of plastic applications,” said Majeske. “Pop bottles and milk jugs eventually become part of components like underbody shields, wheel arch liners and air cleaner assemblies.”

By using more recycled content in resins, Ford can further reduce the amount of oil-based plastics in vehicles. This also cuts down on overall oil consumption. Applications of the post-consumer plastics also include carpets, roof lining and replacement bumpers.

Building green
Ford, Detroit Edison and Xtreme Power are teaming up to establish one of Michigan’s largest solar power generation systems and electric vehicle charging stations at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., where Focus Electric will be produced. Ford will work with Detroit Edison to install a 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system, which will be integrated with a 750-kilowatt energy storage facility that can store 2 million watt-hours of energy using batteries – enough to power 100 average homes for a year.

Several new and innovative production processes at the plant will help make the vehicle even greener. For example, a new three-wet paint process applies all three coats of finish in sequence before oven curing, ensuring high-quality paint finish and a significant reduction in energy use.

Eco-friendly charging
With charging playing a major role in Focus Electric ownership, Ford also looked to make the vehicle’s home charging stations greener. Jointly developed with Leviton, a leading North American producer of electrical devices, Ford is offering a charging unit that has an outer shell made from up to 60 percent post-consumer recycled material.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles