Ford’s MyFord Mobile App and Batteries Allow Customers to Benefit from More Than 9,400 U.S. Public Charging Stations

• When using a 240-volt charger – what most public stations deliver – Ford Focus Electric can fully charge in four hours and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid can fully charge in two-and-a-half hours

• The MyFord^® Mobile app – available through the App Store – was developed by Ford engineers for Ford vehicles; it includes a public charger location database powered by MapQuest^® with newly installed stations constantly being added to the list

• Ford Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid will or already have launched, giving customers true power of choice when it comes to deciding how they will take advantage of the growing electric vehicle infrastructure

DEARBORN, Mich., July 30, 2012 – Ford is making sure its customers can take advantage of the rapidly growing electric vehicle infrastructure in the U.S. – now with more than 9,400 public charging stations – by equipping cars like C-MAX Energi with batteries that can charge in as little as 2.5 hours and offering an app that is updated daily and helps find nearby charging stations.

MyFord^® Mobile is an app developed by Ford engineers that can only be used with Ford Focus Electric and the soon-to-be-available C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids. In addition to locating charging stations, the app allows customers to manage remote charging, view current battery status and plan trips.

 

The charging station locator is powered by MapQuest^®and provides important details about charging stations in close proximity to the owner’s vehicle, such as street address and hours of operation.Stations are popping up all over, too – from local grocery stores in Pittsburgh, churches in Austin, Texas, and hospitals in Portland to places like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Whole Foods, Walgreens, Target, Cracker Barrel and Walmart.

 

“As more stations join the grid, MyFord Mobile users will be among the first to know because information about charger locations is constantly being culled from various sources to provide the most up-to-date data,” said Mike Tinskey, Ford’s manager of Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure.

 

Up-to-date information is important because there are now 9,445 public stations in the U.S., according to current U.S. Department of Energy numbers. By comparison, there were about 2,500 public charging stations in the U.S. at the end of 2009.

 

“In addition to having innovative features that allow customers to minimize their transportation costs and maximize their EV driving range, MyFord Mobile also is the only mobile app that integrates up-to-date charge station locations real-time within the application,” said Tinskey.

 

Ford is tripling its electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013 with cars equipped with batteries that allow for quick charging at public charging stations.

 

Focus Electric – America’s most fuel-efficient compact that offers the equivalent of up to 110 miles per gallon (MPGe) city – is equipped with an advanced lithium-ion battery pack that can be fully charged in four hours, or about half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid – available this fall – will be able to recharge fully in two-and-a-half hours. C-MAX Energi is Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid, part of the company’s first hybrid-only dedicated line of vehicles, and now it is America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid. The vehicle is expected to deliver 95 MPGe, along with 550 miles of total range; its electric-only range is more than three times that of Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid per EPA testing methods. The all-new Fusion Energi, also a plug-in hybrid, is in the pipeline as well.

 

With the new electrified offerings from Ford, the rapid development of the public infrastructure to support the new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles couldn’t be timed any better, said Tinskey.

 

“I cannot recall another time in our history when there was so much momentum and resources around an energy shift for transportation,” he says. “Not only are these charge stations a boost for consumers thinking about a plug-in hybrid vehicle, but they also provide a glimpse of how things will likely take shape in the future.”

 

Public charging stations aren’t the only way electric and plug-in hybrids are charged.

 

J.R. DeShazo, director of UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation, says research shows charging a vehicle at home remains the most common method for charging. The center researches and reports on environmental and sustainability issues.

 

Ford has ensured customers who prefer to charge at home are able to do so by making available a 240-volt charger designed specifically for Ford vehicles and for use in a residential setting. More information about the residential charger available at Best Buy can be found here.

 

The availability of 240-volt chargers – public or private – is important because they allow for faster charging of the advanced lithium-ion batteries used in Ford’s newest electrified vehicles. Focus Electric, for example, is able to fully recharge in four hours – about half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

 

Ford’s decades of battery research laid the groundwork for moving from larger, heavier nickel-metal-hydride batteries found in previous-generation vehicles to today’s lighter, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.

 

Ford’s battery cell reliability, in fact, has been tested around the clock in high-mileage, extreme-use hybrid taxis around the country – including more than 80 million miles of operation in California. Yet, among the nearly 43 million battery cells Ford has tested or seen put to work in customer vehicles, only five issues have been documented. More information about the evolution of Ford’s battery quality can be found here.

 

Power of choice

Charging station installers have installed stations because they see electric vehicle adoption as a foregone conclusion with the only remaining question pertaining to how quickly adoption takes place, says DeShazo.

 

“As automakers like Ford meet drivers’ needs, excite drivers – and at the same time provide them with vehicles that lower refueling costs and provide greater environmental and social benefits – the quicker we’re going to see these important technologies and important vehicles adopted,” said DeShazo.

 

The five electrified vehicles Ford is launchingfall in line with the company’s goal of providing customers with power of choice when it comes to fuel-efficient vehicles. The electrified vehicles are:

 

• Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe city; charge time of four hours with the available 240-volt charging station, which is nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf
• C-MAX Hybrid: Projected to achieve 47 mpg city, at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and technology – all at a $1,300-lower base price
• C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid: Coming this fall; electric-mode MPGe that is more than three times that of Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid per EPA testing methods; 95 MPGe; total range of 550 miles
• All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; 47 mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of 2012; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world

1959 Ford Sunliner Convertible Commercial

1959 Ford Sunliner Convertible Commercial

Ford at Le Mans Classic 2012

Ford at Le Mans Classic 2012 

Ford’s ‘Random Acts of Fusion’ Teams Up with Steve Harvey Morning Show to Award $25,000 to Benefit Local Community

• Ford’s “Random Acts of Fusion” program announces a week-long contest in partnership with theSteve Harvey Morning Show to award one person with $25,000 to benefit a local community of the winner’s choice

• Individuals can enter the contest now through July 27 by visiting www.RandomActsofFusion.com and submitting an entry using 500 characters or less explaining what they would do if Ford gave them $25,000 to give back to their community. The winner will be flown to Las Vegas for the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards and be recognized during the show’s live broadcast there
• Random Acts of Fusion is Ford’s breakthrough transmedia marketing program aimed at introducing the all-new Fusion to millions before it hits showrooms this fall

DEARBORN, Mich., July 25, 2012 – What would you do if you were given $25,000 to give the people in your neighborhood an “unreal” experience? Ford is asking this very question as part of its “Random Acts of Fusion” transmedia marketing program. The week-long contest, in partnership with the Steve Harvey Morning Show, will award one person with a check for $25,000 to be used to benefit the community of their choice. The winner will also receive an all-expenses paid trip for two to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards taking place in Las Vegas Aug. 2-5.

 

“Life is all about acts – big and small – and through Random Acts of Fusion, this car and program will take real people to unexpected places,” says Crystal Worthem, manager, Ford Brand Content & Alliances. “Being able to partner with the Steve Harvey Morning Show to select an individual to win $25,000 to benefit their community is yet another big way we are taking this program directly to real people. That we are able to tie this contest into an event like the Ford Hoodie Awards is perfect as this event is all about giving back and celebrating those who are doing great things within their respective communities.”

 

Consumers can enter the contest by visiting www.RandomActsofFusion.com and submitting an entry using 500 characters or less explaining what they would do if Ford gave them $25,000 to give back to their community. The entry should describe how the contestant would use the prize money to improve their community, and/or bring a premium experience to their neighbors. A final winner will be selected July 30 and will be announced during the live broadcast of the Steve Harvey Morning Show in Las Vegas.

 

In addition, attendees of the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards will have an opportunity to get a closer look at the 2013 Fusion and be entered into a raffle to win VIP access to the Ford Hoodie Awards Beach Party at Mandalay Bay Beach with performances by R&B singer Robin Thicke and Keith Sweat.

 

Ford first revealed Random Acts of Fusion in late June with a video message from TV and radio host and producer Ryan Seacrest giving consumers a clue to team up to find out how they could get the chance to experience the all-new Ford Fusion first. Through online videos, fans solved the first puzzle revealing the exciting additions of new celebrity personalities, the first unique consumer experiences and how they could get involved.

 

Consumers who follow Random Acts of Fusion will have the chance to experience something unique through daily storytelling, contests and local market events that – just like the all-new Fusion – will deliver something unexpected.

 

Consumers can get in on the act and enter the contest by following Fusion atwww.RandomActsofFusion.com.

 

The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion With its sleek new design, the 2013 Ford Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford.

 

In addition to its fresh face, Fusion offers the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost^® four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive applications, and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.

 

On sale this fall, Fusion offers consumers seven must-have technologies including a Lane-Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch^®.

The Look of a Champion

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but when the Design Center at Ford Motor Co. went about the task of making the 2013 NASCAR Fusion look like its production counterpart, everyone looked at it the same way.

While brand identity has been the main focal point of the new generation stock car for

NASCAR's top series, when the topic of unveiling the car to the public came up, another issue arose -- what was the paint scheme going to look like?

For a fresh perspective, designer Jennifer Seely was tabbed with the assignment to devise something that would accentuate the Fusion body style.

Ford EcoBoost Will be Seen Around the World During Multi-Weekend Motorsport Promotion in August

 Special Ford EcoBoost livery will be highly visible with selected Ford drivers around the world during August to raise awareness of Ford’s latest global engine technology among consumers.

 

·         Drivers competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, along with NHRA and Best in the Desert Racing Association will participate in North America, while their counterparts in the FIA World Rally Championship and China Touring Car Championship are involved in other parts of the world.

 

·         EcoBoost is Ford’s global engine technology that uses smaller turbocharged engines to provide increased power and fuel efficiency while also decreasing emissions.

 

DEARBORN, MI, (July 26, 2012) – EcoBoost is taking over the world – at least when it comes to Ford Motor Company’s motorsports program in the month of August.

 

Ford’s latest engine technology, which provides increased fuel efficiency and decreased emissions without sacrificing power, has been a major hit with consumers worldwide. Beginning with the first weekend in August, motorsports fans will get a heavy dose of Ford EcoBoost highlighted through a unique livery on selected racing vehicles around the world.

 

Ford will use its North American racing programs in NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide, NHRA drag racing and Best in the Desert, while its FIA World Rally Championship and China Touring Car Championship programs will also participate.

 

“Simply put, our Ford EcoBoost technology is going global with our production cars around the world, and we wanted to find a unique way to highlight that fact,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service. “What better way to do that than to use our global motorsport program as a way to reach out with the Ford EcoBoost message to the millions of fans who follow the sport all across the globe.

 

“Motorsport fans are just like any consumer. They care about having a combination of power and fuel economy, whether it’s in the cars they drive to the track, or in the cars that their favorite drivers compete with on the track.”

 

The livery campaign kicks off on the weekend of Aug. 3-5 with NHRA star Bob Tasca III sporting Ford EcoBoost on his NHRA Mustang Funny Car in Seattle for the annual Northwest Nationals while Petter Solberg and Jari-Matti Latvala will team up in their Ford Fiesta RS WRC for the World Rally Championship event in Finland.

 

The promotion will continue the following weekend of August 10-12 at Watkins Glen International as champion drivers Matt Kenseth and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, respectively. Kenseth will be in his No. 17 Ford EcoBoost Fusion while Stenhouse drives his No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Mustang. 

 

Two other series will round out the Ford EcoBoost blitz August 17-19 with Steve LaRoza piloting his Ford EcoBoost-powered F-150 in the Las Vegas to Reno off-road race sanctioned by the Best in the Desert Racing Association, and Fan Gaoxiang will sport Ford EcoBoost on his Focus in the China Touring Car Championship event at the Ordos International Circuit in China.

 

The Ford EcoBoost livery made its debut on the 2013 NASCAR Fusion that debuted in January and race fans have also seen the livery debut earlier this year in series such at Rally America and Formula Ford Great Britain.

 

“Not every race car with Ford EcoBoost on it during those weekends actually runs an EcoBoost engine,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “First and foremost, this is a marketing effort to let the world know more about this great technology.

 

“But the fact is, we do have cars in World Rally, Best in the Desert, and sports car racing that are currently using Ford EcoBoost Technology in competition. This helps us prove-out the technology in terms of power, fuel economy and reliability in a competitive and demanding race setting, then take those learnings from the track to the street.”

 

What is EcoBoost?

 

Ford EcoBoost, which uses turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to boost engine output, reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency by as much as 20 percent, made its debut in the marketplace in 2009 in the Ford Taurus SHO.   Since its debut, the engines have beaten Ford sales expectations, brought younger, more affluent customers to the brand and returned some of the highest customer satisfaction numbers the company has ever received.

 

Ford plans to offer EcoBoost engines in 11 vehicles in 2012, up from seven in 2011, and tripling the capacity of EcoBoost-equipped Ford vehicles.    Expanded availability in high-volume nameplates helps make fuel economy more affordable for hundreds of thousands of drivers.

 

There were a record 127,683 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles sold by Ford in 2011.

 

EcoBoost engines are available worldwide on Ford vehicles, including:

·         1.0-liter three-cylinder

·         1.6-liter four-cylinder

·         2.0-liter four-cylinder

·         3.5-liter V6

 

EcoBoost engines are a key element of the power of choice Ford offers buyers seeking fuel-efficient solutions. From EcoBoost to hybrids and from plug-in hybrids to full electric vehicles, this year Ford will offer nine vehicles reaching an anticipated 40 mpg or more.

 

By 2013, Ford plans to offer an EcoBoost engine in up to 90 percent of its North American nameplates, supporting global sales of 1.5 million EcoBoost-powered vehicles per year.

Police Cars Convert To Propane To Save Budget

(MOBILE, Ala.) - As Mobile Mayor Sam Jones prepares to present his final budget proposal to the city council, departments are looking at ways to save money.

Tuesday Mobile's police chief announced a push to save cash by switching some vehicles from gasoline to propane.

For now, 30 police vehicles will undergo the propane conversion thanks to a Department of Energy grant. Chief Micheal T. Williams said he is anxious to see just how much money his department can save.

Cities across the country have already added alternative fuel cruisers to their police fleets.
Propane is nearly two dollars a gallon cheaper than regular gasoline and propane is a cleaner fuel, therefore providing maintenance cost savings and fewer oil changes.

There's already a propane station set up at Motor Pool and there's talk of adding an additional propane fuel site. "There is a conversion cost but in the long run we believe many of our vehicles will last longer. Obviously if they last longer we're having to buy fewer vehicles," said Williams.

Using the same grant money, 30 public works vehicles switched to using propane fuel last month.

Source: http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/story/Police-Cars-Fueling-With-Propane-To-Save-Money/jCF53oCkskyd1E6LEOSZVg.cspx

C-MAX Energi Becomes America’s Most Affordable Plug-In Hybrid as Ford Cuts Hybrid Technology Costs by 30 Percent

• C-MAX Energi – available this fall – is Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid, part of Ford’s first hybrid-only dedicated line of vehicles and now America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid

• The build-and-price website for C-MAX Energi launches July 24, providing customers the opportunity to build a virtual version of the new plug-in hybrid

• Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid is projected to deliver 550 miles of total range, including more than 20 miles in electric-only mode – more than triple the electric-only range of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing methods

• C-MAX Energi will launch as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013

 

DEARBORN, Mich., July 24, 2012 – Ford’s new C-MAX Energi – expected to offer 15 class-exclusive features, a 550-mile total range and more than 20 miles of electric-only range that is at least triple Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid’s EPA-tested range – will now be America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid when it goes on sale.

 

Available this fall for $29,995 after a federal tax credit, the C-MAX Energi is more affordable than the Prius plug-in hybrid. C-MAX Energi is Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid vehicle and part of the company’s first dedicated line of hybrids.

 

C-MAX Energi delivers a projected 550 miles of total range, a 95 mpg equivalent (MPGe) and an electric-only top speed higher than the Prius plug-in.  The new C-MAX Energi also has 60 more horsepower than the Prius plug-in hybrid considering full battery power, along with class-exclusive technologies such as hands-free liftgate and active park assist for easier parallel parking.

 

“The Ford C-MAX Energi is within financial reach for those who want a hybrid, but is also something customers will want to reach for because of its unique look and amazing value,” said Michael O’Brien, Ford electrified vehicle marketing manager. “It offers exceptional fuel economy, better features and a better price tag than a Prius plug-in hybrid, which we think will help make C-MAX Energi one of our most attractive vehicles for import customers.”

 

Ford expects about half of C-MAX buyers to trade in competitive models – one of the highest conquest rates of any Ford vehicle. C-MAX Energi will soon be available for order at Ford Certified EV Dealers. Starting today, anyone interested can go online to build and price their ideal plug-in hybrid at this site.

 

Ford calls C-MAX Energi a “hybrid-plus” because it not only operates just like C-MAX Hybrid, but also features an external charge port and larger lithium-ion battery pack so owners can plug in the vehicles to fully charge the battery using either a standard 120-volt outlet or the available 240-volt charge station. The vehicle also is expected to be capable of making trips of more than 20 miles in electric-only mode and longer trips of as much as 550 miles on a single tank of gas and fully charged battery.

 

In California, the vehicle is expected to be AT-PZEV-compliant and qualify for much-desired access to the high-occupancy vehicle lanes that typically allow for faster travel. C-MAX Energi also is expected to qualify for additional tax credits up to $1,500 in California.

 

C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi figure prominently in Ford’s rollout of five electrified vehicles this year. Ford’s other electrified vehicles include:

 

• Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe city; charge time of four hours with the available 240-volt charging station – nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf
• C-MAX Hybrid: Coming this fall; projected 47 mpg city, 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v
• All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; projected 47 mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of this year; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world with more than 100 MPGe

Maximizing efficiencies

Starting at $33,745 – and eligible for a $3,750 federal tax credit – Ford is passing along to customers cost savings that have been achieved through various efficiencies, says Kevin Layden, director, Ford’s Electrification Programs and Engineering.

 

Ford officials have said that the costs of its current hybrid system are 30 percent less than the costs of Ford’s previous-generation hybrid systems due in large part to those cost-containment efforts.

 

For example, Ford has cut costs by bringing in-house the development and manufacture of many aspects of vehicles such as C-MAX Energi. The hybrid battery system, hybrid transmission system and software for C-MAX Energi all were developed in-house.

 

Further, by creating global vehicle platforms, Ford maximizes the use of as many shared parts and components across as many lines as possible to lower overall costs.

 

Ford’s revamped Michigan Assembly Plant is 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. That means C-MAX Energi is being built on the same line as C-MAX Hybrid, Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. More details about MAP can be found here.

 

Maximizing experience

While the C-MAX Energi nameplate is new to the U.S. market, the technology and design has proven itself already in other ways and in other places with its fresh, modern style that provides plenty of utility.

 

Since 2010, more than 144,000 units of the five-passenger C-MAX gasoline and diesel versions have been sold in Europe – where the market is growing for vehicles slightly larger than compacts like Ford Focus and smaller than SUVs like Ford Escape. Though Ford is concentrating on hybrid versions of C-MAX in the U.S., the designs of C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid are based on the gasoline- and diesel-powered European version.

 

Like C-MAX Hybrid, C-MAX Energi has projected total system horsepower of 188 – reaching a peak of 195 with a fully charged battery – stemming from the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, C-MAX Energi uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – powerful and fuel efficient and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.

 

Because owners plug in to charge the advanced lithium-ion battery in C-MAX Energi, the vehicle is able to achieve increased electric mode and total range. Lithium-ion batteries are lighter, more efficient and more powerful than nickel-metal-hydride batteries used in first-generation hybrids. They also promote faster charging times.

 

C-MAX Energi also benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology it offers, incorporating many of the nearly 500 patents Ford holds in the area of hybrid technology.

 

For example, C-MAX Energi offers the latest generation of SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide. Designed to help drivers get the most from C-MAX, information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on one of two 4.2-inch LCD screens, helping drivers more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency.

 

In the right cluster, redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency. The left cluster shows Brake Coach, a feature that helps drivers optimize their use of the regenerative braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques.

 

Available for C-MAX Energi is the MyFord^® Mobile smartphone application that allows users to monitor charging, receive alerts, find charge stations, plan trips and do more from their smartphones or computers for an effortless transition to an electrified vehicle lifestyle.

Ford ‘Red Tails’ Edition Mustang GT Celebrates Tuskegee Airmen, Supports Education Program for Young Aviators

• One-of-a-kind 2013 Ford Mustang design inspired by World War II squadron of African American P-51 Mustang fighter pilots to be sold at charity auction July 26 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis.

• Sale will benefit the EAA Young Eagles organization

• Ford auction vehicles have collectively raised more than $1.5 million in recent years to support Young Eagles

• Ford is the exclusive automotive partner of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

• Photos located at: http://www.fordairventure.com/red_tails_mustang.html

 

DEARBORN, Mich., July 23, 2012 – The engineering and design teams at Ford Motor Company have produced a truly unique “Red Tails” edition 2013 Ford Mustang GT. This car will be sold at the Gathering of Eagles charity auction July 26 during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 – the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.

 

Photos are located at: http://www.fordairventure.com/red_tails_mustang.html

 

All proceeds from the car donation and sale will benefit the EAA Young Eagles program, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.6 million young people since 1992, helping inspire and motivate the next generation of leaders, aviators and innovators.

 

Ford is the exclusive automotive partner of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, held July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis.

 

“The perseverance and excellence displayed by the Tuskegee Airmen are qualities we also celebrate at Ford,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of Ford’s board of directors. “With this year’s beautiful ‘Red Tails’ edition Mustang, we’ve captured the recognizable symbols in honor of their important role in our history, and paired it with the innovation our Ford design and engineering teams build into all of our products.

 

“Through this project,” Ford added, “we take great pride in continuing our support for EAA and the Young Eagles organization.”

 

The Ford “Red Tails” Mustang GT celebrates and commemorates the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, comprised of the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group, during World War II. This courageous squadron of P-51 Mustang pilots was the United States’ first African American military airmen. Known for the red tails of their planes, the Tuskegee Airmen saw combat in more than 1,500 missions in World War II.

 

This one-of-a-kind car is secured under VIN 00051 in honor of the P-51 Mustang planes flown by the Tuskegee Airmen. The design of the modified 2013 Mustang GT 5.0-liter glass-roof coupe will unify the creative connection of the World War II fighters with a contemporary flair for the serious collector.

 

The exterior will showcase a unique polished aluminum nonproduction finish paint, accented with Race Red and School Bus Yellow, consistent with the P-51 fighter plane’s red tail cues and the logos and markings of the United States Army Air Corps, 332nd Fighter Group and Squadrons.

 

Unique interior details of this “Red Tails” Mustang include a modified navigation screen, instrument cluster and rear seat-delete. The car’s Recaro seats will include the embroidered “Red Tails” logo and floor mats embroidered with the 332nd Fighter Group logo. Additional features include a “Red Tails” script in the illuminated sill plates and puddle lamps that project “Red Tails” imagery when the doors open.

 

With a Ford Racing 2.3-liter twin-screw Whipple supercharger, handling pack, unique side exhaust, performance quad exhaust from SVT, Forgiato 20-inch aftermarket wheels, GT500 Brembo brakes and rear diffuser, the “Red Tails” Mustang will exude power and performance.

 

Mustang Chief Designer Darrell Behmer, Design Manager Melvin Betancourt and Chief Nameplate Engineer Dave Pericak led the design and engineering teams that developed the “Red Tails” Mustang.

 

The Young Eagles Auction is part of the EAA Gathering of Eagles at the EAA AirVenture Museum. The Gathering of Eagles annually draws more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts in support of Young Eagles and other EAA programs that inspire young people to become engineers, aviators, astronauts, scientists and innovators – the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.

 

“Ford is a longtime, committed partner of EAA and AirVenture, bringing value to those who make Oshkosh the pinnacle of their aviation year,” said Rod Hightower, EAA president and CEO. “These specialty vehicles allow EAA to provide support to its valuable programs and dedicated members in helping us grow the next generation of aviators.”

 

The “Red Tails” edition joins four other one-of-a-kind Mustangs created by the Ford design and engineering teams for the EAA Young Eagles Auction in recent years, each generating excitement among aviation and automotive enthusiasts alike. Ford vehicles sold at auction during past EAA AirVenture events have collectively raised more than $1.5 million to support Young Eagles.

 

Other unique vehicles produced by Ford in support of EAA Young Eagles include the Mustang AV8R, with cues from the F-22 “Raptor,” which in 2008 helped introduce the glass-roof canopy and delivered a record auction contribution of $500,000. In 2009, Ford’s AV-X10 “Dearborn Doll” Mustang was crafted in honor of World War II aircraft. In 2010, two automotive icons – the late Carroll Shelby, a former U.S. Air Force flight instructor, and Jack Roush, longtime P-51 pilot – collaborated for the first time to create the SR-71 “Blackbird” Mustang inspired by the legendary reconnaissance jet. Last year’s “Blue Angels” Mustang celebrated 100 years of United States naval aviation.

 

During EAA AirVenture, Ford will offer attendees access to the latest advances in automobile technology at the Ford Hangar, as well as many of the industry’s most revered classics at the popular Cruisin’ Legends area on the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport. Ford activities include top-tier entertainment and interactive components that will add excitement for the hundreds of thousands of aviation fans in attendance.

 

To participate in the auction, candidates must prequalify by contacting Elissa Lines in the EAA Development Office, 800.236-1025; or email elines@eaa.org by July 23. Visit www.airventure.org/gatheringfor more information.

 

Sponsors supporting the build of the “Red Tails” edition Mustang include 3dCarbon, Creations n’ Chrome, Ford Racing, Forgiato, Kay Graphics, Roush Performance Products and Takata.

2013 Shelby GT500 VIR

Here's a look at some suspension testing of the 2013 Shelby GT500 from Virginia International Raceway in September of 2011.

Philippines to Receive New Ford Mustang

• Ford Mustang will be available in two variants in the Philippines – the 3.7-liter Mustang V6 Premium and 5.0-liter Mustang V8 GT Premium. Customer deliveries to start in September

• Ford Mustang is the fourth vehicle launched in Ford Philippines this year

 

DEARBORN, Mich., July 18, 2012 – The new Ford Mustang made its much anticipated debut in the Philippines today at a launch event in Manila. The Mustang will be available in the Philippines in two variants: the 3.7-liter Mustang V6 Premium and the 5.0-liter Mustang V8 GT Premium.

 

Customer deliveries will start in September.

 

The Mustang is the fourth vehicle Ford has launched in the Philippines this year, following the all-new Ford Ranger, all-new Ford Explorer 2.0-liter with EcoBoost^® and all-new Ford Focus.

 

“The introduction of the iconic Ford Mustang follows our ongoing commitment to continue bringing world-class vehicles to the Philippines,” said Randy Krieger, president, Ford Group Philippines. “We’re confident the Mustang will be an immediate and long-lasting success in the Philippines, attracting many new loyal customers who will be absolutely thrilled to own this fantastic car.”

 

New 2013 Ford Mustang

The modern evolution of the Mustang continues with the 2013 model, with a car that delivers on style, substance, a new exterior design, updated technology and new driver tools.

 

New design features include a more prominent grille and splitter, standard high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, signature lighting, painted body-side rockers, dramatic LED taillamps, mirrors with pony projection light and a new wheel lineup. Performance updates include more power in the GT, now delivering 420 horsepower, the addition of SelectShift to automatic transmissions, new GT Track Package, Hill Start Assist on manual cars, optional leather-trimmed or cloth Recaro seats and functional hood heat extractors on GT.

 

In addition, a new available 4.2-inch LCD screen features Track Apps, which enables the driver to monitor performance measures such as g-forces, shows acceleration times in quarter-mile and 0-60 increments, and displays braking times, complete with automatic and countdown starts. New Shaker audio systems provide a complete acoustic experience that simulates being at a live performance.

Ford C-MAX Energi Plug-In Hybrid Expected to Deliver 550-Mile Range and Nearly Double Electric-Only Range of Prius

• Ford’s first-ever plug-in hybrid – the all-new C-MAX Energi utility – is the only vehicle of its kind that customers can drive from Sacramento to San Diego on a tank of gas and make the average commute on electricity alone

• Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid is projected to deliver 550 miles of total range, including more than 20 miles in electric-only mode – nearly double the electric-only range of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid

• C-MAX Energi – available this fall – is Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid and part of Ford’s first hybrid-only dedicated line of vehicles

• C-MAX Energi will launch as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013

 

DEARBORN, Mich., July 20, 2012 – The new Ford C-MAX Energi is expected to achieve more than 20 miles of electric-only range – nearly double the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid – and a 550-mile overall range to become the first hybrid vehicle ever that can be driven from Sacramento to San Diego on a single tank of gas and make the average American commute without gasoline.

 

With a maximum electric-only speed projected to top that of Prius plug-in, C-MAX Energi drivers might be able to reach wherever they’re going a little faster, too.

 

Topping it off, C-MAX Energi delivers fuel economy that is the equivalent of 95 miles per gallon (MPGe) combined city/highway.

 

John Davis, chief nameplate engineer for Ford’s compact cars and utility vehicles, said it’s all designed to improve the driving experience: from making the 550-mile trek down Highway 99 from Sacramento to San Diego to the daily 20-mile one-way trip to work – the distance some reports suggest the average American commutes.

 

“We are proud C-MAX Energi is the first plug-in hybrid that can deliver a 550-mile overall range and more than 20 miles of electric range as it gives customers great flexibility to commute to work, then take off for a road trip while passing many gas stations along the way,” says Davis. “C-MAX Energi is a great symbol for the leading fuel economy we’re delivering across our lineup to give customers the power of choice to save money at the pump.”

 

C-MAX Energi is part of Ford’s first dedicated line of hybrid vehicles in North America and will soon be available for order at Ford’s certified electric-vehicle dealerships. C-MAX Energi operates just like a traditional hybrid with two key differences – owners must plug in the vehicle using its charge port and C-MAX Energi has a larger battery pack.

 

Power of choice

Already available for order is C-MAX Hybrid – expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery – with a cost that is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v.

 

C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi figure prominently in Ford’s rollout of five electrified vehicles this year. Ford’s other electrified vehicles include:

 

• Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe city; charge time of four hours with the available 240-volt charging station – nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf
• C-MAX Hybrid: Coming this fall; projected 47 mpg city, 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v
• All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; projected 47 mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of this year; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world with more than 100 MPGe

“Ford’s electrified vehicles offer a great combination of efficiency, performance, technology and affordability that we believe will help spur adoption of these advanced vehicles,” says Kevin Layden, director, Ford Electrification Programs and Engineering. “C-MAX Energi not only offers leading efficiency, it has 50 more horsepower than the Prius plug-in hybrid along with class-exclusive technologies such as our hands-free liftgate and active park assist for easier parallel parking.”

 

Maximizing experience

While the C-MAX Energi nameplate is new to the U.S. market, the technology and design has proven itself already in other ways and in other places.

 

More than 144,000 units of the five-passenger C-MAX gasoline and diesel versions have been sold in Europe since late 2010. Though Ford is concentrating on hybrid versions of C-MAX in the U.S., the designs of C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid are based on the gasoline- and diesel-powered European version.

 

C-MAX Energi also benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology it offers, incorporating many of the nearly 500 patents Ford holds in the area of hybrid technology. The car’s powersplit technology – which allows for more efficient operation of the vehicle – consists of more than 200 patents alone.

 

Like C-MAX Hybrid, C-MAX Energi has projected total system horsepower of 188 that stems from the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Energi uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – powerful and fuel efficient and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.

 

Because owners plug in to charge the advanced lithium-ion battery in C-MAX Energi, the vehicle is able to achieve increased electric mode and total range. Lithium-ion batteries are lighter, more efficient and more powerful than nickel-metal hydride batteries used in first-generation hybrids. They also promote faster charging times.

 

C-MAX Energi sets itself apart from other hybrids in other ways, too. For example, it offers the latest generation of SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide. Designed to help drivers get the most from C-MAX, information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on one of two 4.2-inch LCD screens, helping drivers more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency.

 

In the right cluster, redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency. The left cluster shows Brake Coach, a feature that helps drivers optimize their use of the regenerative braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques.

 

Available for C-MAX Energi is the MyFord^® Mobile smartphone application that allows users to monitor charging, receive alerts, find charge stations, plan trips and do more from their smartphones or computers for an effortless transition to an electrified vehicle lifestyle.

 

C-MAX Energi will be produced at Ford’s Wayne, Mich.-based Michigan Assembly Plant alongside the new C-MAX Hybrid, Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. More information about MAP can be found online here.