Courtesy of Sound Ford, Renton
The new Ford Fiesta is off to a very fast start – with more than 1,000 reservations in less than a week on a new Web site that allows consumers to build, price and reserve the new car.
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FORD FIESTA RACKS UP MORE THAN 1,000 RESERVATIONS, BUILDS ON FIESTA MOMENTUM
Take a look at what’s going on in Ford News, courtesy of Sound Ford and Ford Blogger! Be sure to check out Sound Ford for all of the newest incentives on the exciting new Ford vehicles.
With the coming launch of the Ford Focus Electric , the Blue Oval is already well on its way to helping customers spend less money on their monthly transportation needs. And now the company is taking its next step forward, thanks to its new “Drive Green for Life” initiative, developed in partnership with SunPower —one of the country’s leading providers of rooftop solar arrays for residential homes. “Under the ‘Drive Green for Life’ program, Focus Electric owners can reduce their total cost of ownership by generating enough energy from their high-efficiency SunPower rooftop solar system to offset the electricity required to charge the vehicle at night,” said Mike Tinskey, Ford director of Global Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure. “It’s an eco-friendly solution that perfectly complements our plug-in products and other green initiatives.” The key to the program is an advanced 2.5 kilowatt rooftop solar system that relies on SunPower’s E18 Series solar panels. The high-tech panels can generate an average of 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually—about 50 percent more than conventional solar panels—but are so efficient they also take up less space when installed on a house’s roof. The complete system is expected to be available for a price of less than $10,000 after federal tax incentives, and SunPower will offer a number of flexible financing options, too. “SunPower’s innovative partnership with Ford is a win-win for customers, providing a comprehensive sustainability program,” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “By taking advantage of this program, Focus Electric customers can receive the added benefit of installing a SunPower solar system, the highest-efficiency, most reliable on the market today, generating the electricity needed to charge their vehicles.” Significantly, the SunPower system is in fact the second EV-charging system developed by Ford and one of its partners. The automaker also has teamed up with consumer-electronic giant Best Buy to offer consumers 240-volt “quick charge” stations for home use. “The goal of working with both SunPower and Best Buy was to offer Focus Electric owners solutions to charging needs that help lower the vehicle’s overall cost of ownership,” said Tinskey. The Ford Focus Electric will go on sale late this year and be available in 19 launch markets by the spring of 2012.
With the coming launch of the Ford Focus Electric, the Blue Oval is already well on its way to helping customers spend less money on their monthly transportation needs. And now the company is taking its next step forward, thanks to its new “Drive Green for Life” initiative, developed in partnership with SunPower—one of the country’s leading providers of rooftop solar arrays for residential homes.
“Under the ‘Drive Green for Life’ program, Focus Electric owners can reduce their total cost of ownership by generating enough energy from their high-efficiency SunPower rooftop solar system to offset the electricity required to charge the vehicle at night,” said Mike Tinskey, Ford director of Global Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure. “It’s an eco-friendly solution that perfectly complements our plug-in products and other green initiatives.”
The key to the program is an advanced 2.5 kilowatt rooftop solar system that relies on SunPower’s E18 Series solar panels. The high-tech panels can generate an average of 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually—about 50 percent more than conventional solar panels—but are so efficient they also take up less space when installed on a house’s roof. The complete system is expected to be available for a price of less than $10,000 after federal tax incentives, and SunPower will offer a number of flexible financing options, too.
“SunPower’s innovative partnership with Ford is a win-win for customers, providing a comprehensive sustainability program,” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “By taking advantage of this program, Focus Electric customers can receive the added benefit of installing a SunPower solar system, the highest-efficiency, most reliable on the market today, generating the electricity needed to charge their vehicles.”
Significantly, the SunPower system is in fact the second EV-charging system developed by Ford and one of its partners. The automaker also has teamed up with consumer-electronic giant Best Buy to offer consumers 240-volt “quick charge” stations for home use.
“The goal of working with both SunPower and Best Buy was to offer Focus Electric owners solutions to charging needs that help lower the vehicle’s overall cost of ownership,” said Tinskey.
The Ford Focus Electric will go on sale late this year and be available in 19 launch markets by the spring of 2012.
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SunPower To Help Drive Ford Focus Electric
Take a look at what’s going on in Ford News, courtesy of Sound Ford and Ford Blogger! Be sure to check out Sound Ford for all of the newest incentives on the exciting new Ford vehicles.
EcoBoost-powered Ford Edge and Explorer push envelope on fuel efficiency; Ford makes hands-free calling more affordable; SYNC price drops $100; Inventors find a new home, thanks to Ford and TechShop; Azure Dynamics expands PHEV technology to Ford F-Series
EcoBoost-powered Ford Edge and Explorer push envelope on fuel efficiency; Ford makes hands-free calling more affordable; SYNC price drops $100; Inventors find a new home, thanks to Ford and TechShop; Azure Dynamics expands PHEV technology to Ford F-Series
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Ford eNews – Aug. 3, 2011
Take a look at what’s going on in Ford News, courtesy of Sound Ford and Ford Blogger! Be sure to check out Sound Ford for all of the newest incentives on the exciting new Ford vehicles.
Ford and Lear Corporation are taking another leap forward in sustainable technology. They’ve teamed up to produce a new head restraint with 25 percent of the polyol replaced with soy. As a result, 75 percent of Ford’s North American-built vehicles will feature bio-based foam in the head restraints. All of the Blue Oval’s Ford North American-built vehicles already use bio-based foam in seat cushions and seat backs. By utilizing bio-based foam, Ford has further reduced its petroleum oil usage by more than 3 million pounds annually and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 15 million pounds. “We are continuously looking for new ways to expand our use of bio-based foam, and head restraints are a perfect example,” said Debbie Mielewski, technical leader, Ford Plastics Research. “It’s a new location with higher soy content. We’re not stopping at head restraints, either. There are still many other applications in which traditional foam can be converted to bio-based soy foam on vehicles, such as energy-absorption areas, steering wheels and armrests.” Ford was the first automaker to demonstrate soy-based foam could be formulated to pass the stringent requirements for automotive applications. Today, Ford is increasingly turning to sustainable products to help the company reduce its environmental impact. Aside from soy, Ford is also researching the use of other renewable material including palm, rapeseed and sunflower oil in markets around the world where those commodities are locally available and cost effective. “Our success with the introduction of sustainable products confirms customer acceptance of the technology and the need for green automotive interior innovation,” said Ash Galbreath, director, Advanced Materials and Comfort Engineering for Lear Corporation. “Lear’s advancement of ecological breakthroughs is intended both to reduce product sensitivity to petroleum raw material price fluctuations and lessen our impact on the environment.”
Ford and Lear Corporation are taking another leap forward in sustainable technology. They’ve teamed up to produce a new head restraint with 25 percent of the polyol replaced with soy. As a result, 75 percent of Ford’s North American-built vehicles will feature bio-based foam in the head restraints.
All of the Blue Oval’s Ford North American-built vehicles already use bio-based foam in seat cushions and seat backs. By utilizing bio-based foam, Ford has further reduced its petroleum oil usage by more than 3 million pounds annually and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 15 million pounds.
“We are continuously looking for new ways to expand our use of bio-based foam, and head restraints are a perfect example,” said Debbie Mielewski, technical leader, Ford Plastics Research. “It’s a new location with higher soy content. We’re not stopping at head restraints, either. There are still many other applications in which traditional foam can be converted to bio-based soy foam on vehicles, such as energy-absorption areas, steering wheels and armrests.”
Ford was the first automaker to demonstrate soy-based foam could be formulated to pass the stringent requirements for automotive applications. Today, Ford is increasingly turning to sustainable products to help the company reduce its environmental impact. Aside from soy, Ford is also researching the use of other renewable material including palm, rapeseed and sunflower oil in markets around the world where those commodities are locally available and cost effective.
“Our success with the introduction of sustainable products confirms customer acceptance of the technology and the need for green automotive interior innovation,” said Ash Galbreath, director, Advanced Materials and Comfort Engineering for Lear Corporation. “Lear’s advancement of ecological breakthroughs is intended both to reduce product sensitivity to petroleum raw material price fluctuations and lessen our impact on the environment.”
Take a look at what’s going on in Ford News, courtesy of Sound Ford and Ford Blogger! Be sure to check out Sound Ford for all of the newest incentives on the exciting new Ford vehicles.
For anyone considering an affordable midsize car, U.S. News & World Report suggests the 2011 Ford Fusion. In a recent comparison of 19 vehicles, the Fusion came out on top for its family-friendly qualities, including its impeccable safety and reliability. Last year, the Fusion received a mid-life refresh to to help it standout from the competition. Although the Fusion is largely unchanged for the 2011 model year, it does feature attractive new features such as Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors and HD Radio. The interior is otherwise well-engineered and well-appointed. Families will especially appreciate two exciting technologies on the Fusion — MyKey and SYNC. MyKey comes standard on the Fusion, and it keeps young people safe by limiting their top speed to 80 mph, limiting radio volume to 45 percent, chiming continuously when seat belts aren’t buckled and providing low-fuel warnings. SYNC is Ford’s award-winning infotainment system that allows drivers to control smart phone apps and mp3 players through voice commands. Interestingly, U.S. News & World Report is just one of many publications to recently sing the Fusion’s praises: ” The Fusion is much improved from bumper to bumper, and it’s better prepared than ever to meet the high expectations of mid-sized sedan buyers.” — Car and Driver “Before you write off the 2010 Fusion as a warmed-over version of the previous model, we suggest you take one for a test-drive. The old Fusion was already a pretty good midsize sedan, and thanks to Ford’s determination to rectify its flaws, the new one’s even better.” — Edmunds “For a reasonable price you can pick up a decently equipped, nicely sized, attractive sedan that can accommodate a family of four in comfort, yet still be fun to drive.” — Autoblog “Regardless of which model suits your fancy, Ford’s midsize sedan offers a depth and breadth of trim levels, powertrains, and features that few rivals can match.” — Consumer Guide “Although much of the basic platform engineering on this front-drive/all-wheel drive four-door remains shared with its former Mazda stable mate, the MAZDA6, both its exterior and interior have be transformed to reflect a more youthful and contemporary flavor.” — Kelley Blue Book Many car reviewers and journalists agree that the Ford Fusion is a great vehicle for small families. If you’re looking for a vehicle that’s got good looks, offers safety and strong fuel economy, and won’t break the bank, the Fusion is worth a look.
For anyone considering an affordable midsize car, U.S. News & World Report suggests the 2011 Ford Fusion. In a recent comparison of 19 vehicles, the Fusion came out on top for its family-friendly qualities, including its impeccable safety and reliability.
Last year, the Fusion received a mid-life refresh to to help it standout from the competition. Although the Fusion is largely unchanged for the 2011 model year, it does feature attractive new features such as Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors and HD Radio. The interior is otherwise well-engineered and well-appointed.
Families will especially appreciate two exciting technologies on the Fusion — MyKey and SYNC. MyKey comes standard on the Fusion, and it keeps young people safe by limiting their top speed to 80 mph, limiting radio volume to 45 percent, chiming continuously when seat belts aren’t buckled and providing low-fuel warnings. SYNC is Ford’s award-winning infotainment system that allows drivers to control smart phone apps and mp3 players through voice commands.
Interestingly, U.S. News & World Report is just one of many publications to recently sing the Fusion’s praises:
Many car reviewers and journalists agree that the Ford Fusion is a great vehicle for small families. If you’re looking for a vehicle that’s got good looks, offers safety and strong fuel economy, and won’t break the bank, the Fusion is worth a look.
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Ford Fusion Named Best Affordable Family Car
Looking for a hot new car that’s both affordable and fun to drive? The experts at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com suggest you take a look at the Ford lineup . After all, the Blue Oval now boasts two different models on the website’s 2011 “10 Coolest Cars under $18,000” list: The all-new Ford Fiesta and the even newer Ford Focus . The Fiesta —with a starting MSRP of just $13,200—joins the party for the second straight year, with KBB.com noting that “Its European looks and well-crafted interior outclass everything else in the category.” Also gaining kudos were the Fiesta’s “sharp driving dynamics” and “nimble handling,” while tech features like Ford SYNC and some very strong EPA numbers “seal the deal.” The Fiesta is capable of achieving fuel-economy marks of 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined, and that’s with an advanced six-speed automatic transmission. “Offering head-turning looks, sporty handling and a healthy standard equipment list in an efficient and affordable package”—according to KBB.com—the Focus is making its first appearance on the list in its first year of production. Ford’s sophisticated new compact has a starting price of $16,500 and impressed the website with its wide selection of available content. Specifically garnering praise were the Focus’ leather seats, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and the innovative MyFord Touch infotainment system. And here’s something else that’s pretty cool: Both the Fiesta and the Focus are on sale at local dealerships right now.
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Two Cool: Focus, Fiesta Join “Coolest Under $18,000″ List
With pennant races beginning to heat up—in the major leagues as well as their fantasy equivalents—Ford has introduced an all-new SYNC feature designed just for fans of America’s national pastime. Now, leveraging the comprehensive SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information Services system, SYNC users can get hands-free access to a Fantasy Update featuring the weekly hitting and pitching leaders in both the American and National Leagues. After giving a quick and simple series of voice commands— “Sports,” “Baseball,” then “Fantasy Update”—a wide range of information will be provided verbally by SYNC, including hitting statistics like batting average, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases and runs scored, along with pitching stats such as won-loss records, saves and strikeouts. “It’s been estimated that nearly 7 million people play fantasy baseball , and all of them scramble to get any kind of information about the very best players they should be putting in their lineups,” said David Gersabeck, SYNC Services product manager. “This is all about giving our customers what they want. The Fantasy Update feature on SYNC gives our customers fantasy baseball updates quickly and concisely using easy voice commands.” And that’s in addition to the steadily growing number of other cloud-based, on-demand voice-activated features and information available through SYNC Services, such as: Turn-by-turn navigation Business search Traffic updates News coverage Sports reports Weather forecasts Stock prices Horoscopes Movie listings Connections for travelers to some 150 airlines, 50 hotel chains and 11 of the biggest U.S. rental car companies Another bonus: Because SYNC Services works by being mated to a user’s Bluetooth-enabled phone, instead of being tied to a vehicle, all of this information can be accessed anywhere there’s a cell-phone signal—and without additional charges.
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Ford SYNC Knocks One Out Of The Park For Fantasy Baseball Fans
Ford’s hands-free, voice-controlled in-car connectivity system has been a hit among consumers. Although it’s already one of the most popular options on Ford vehicles, the Blue Oval is making the technology even more irresistible by dropping the price by $100. SYNC, the most capable and most affordable system of its kind on the market, will now be available for just $295. However, pricing isn’t the only big change in the world of SYNC . Launching first on the 2012 Ford Explorer and Edge, SYNC will now be available as optional equipment on base trim levels, marking broader availability and more choice for customers. “Ford SYNC is making a difference. Our customers love it and recommend it, and our dealers want it on more products,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “SYNC already has brought hands-free, voice-activated in-car connectivity to millions, helping keep drivers’ eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Now, Ford is making it even easier for customers to afford exactly what they want.” Wider availability of SYNC comes at a time when the Blue Oval is pushing aggressively to ban the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving. This month, Ford became the first automaker to openly support the Safe Drivers Act of 2011 , and for 2012 Ford is upping the ante when it comes to smarter, safer in-vehicle connectivity solutions for customers. “As the list of states banning hand-held calls and texting while driving continues to grow and legislators ponder a nationwide ban, Ford is strengthening its leadership position as the only full-line automaker with plans to offer available hands-free mobile device connectivity on 100 percent of its passenger vehicle lineup,” said Czubay.
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Ford Makes SYNC Connectivity System More Affordable
EcoBoost-powered Ford Edge and Explorer push envelope on fuel efficiency; Ford makes hands-free calling more affordable; SYNC price drops $100; Inventors find a new home, thanks to Ford and TechShop; Azure Dynamics expands PHEV technology to Ford F-Series
As the price of gasoline rises, reports of fuel theft are also on the rise. While this is no doubt a growing concern for consumers, Ford owners can feel a little more secure knowing their vehicles have fuel system innovations such as the Easy Fuel capless fuel filler feature. The Ford-exclusive Easy Fuel system deters fuel thieves from siphoning gas with a unique mis-fueling inhibitor. An inlet check valve reduces the chances of fuel theft by automatically closing after the fueling process. “Our first goal is to make the refueling process as easy and trouble-free for the customer as possible,” said Brian Aitken, supervisor, Fuel Systems. “But if it also slows down would-be thieves. Ford customers benefit that way as well.” As gas prices hover at the $4 per gallon mark, demand for gas isn’t letting up, as U.S. drivers still consume about 400 million gallons of gas daily. But due to recent prices at the pump, more incidences of fuel theft have been reported coast-to-coast. In fact, the West Sacramento, CA, Police Department, for example, issued a warning to residents about a rise in fuel theft that it attributed to the increase in fuel prices. “It’s not a shock that illegal siphoning is rising with the sharp increase in the price at the pump,” said Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com , an independent website that monitors the fuel industry. “Criminals will do anything for money, and that includes trying to take liquid gold out of your gas tank.” Unless a thief fully understands out the Easy Fuel’s mis-fueling inhibitor works, it’s unlikely that they will be able to siphon fuel from any Ford vehicle . Still, Ford’s Brian Aitken warns that while technologies built into Ford vehicles may help prevent siphoning, not all fuel thieves will be deterred. He notes that locking covers are also available for purchase from Ford and Lincoln dealers to provide added security. To learn more about Ford’s Easy Fuel system, see the video below.
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