Unique Ad Campaign for Ford C-MAX Hybrids Gains Traction with New Customers

• Preliminary Nielsen data from 2012 ad campaign indicate initial advertising efforts for Ford C-MAX hybrids have resonated well with consumers 
• Campaign continues building on launch momentum of Ford’s five electrified vehicles with new TV spots and appearances, print ads and billboards along with fresh digital, social and direct mail components 
• C-MAX Hybrid is featured in the new ABC reality cooking show “The Taste,” and will be a key part of challenges on the March 8 episode. The overall winner, to be announced March 12, will be awarded a C-MAX Hybrid 
• C-MAX hybrids are drawing new customers to the Ford brand, with conquest rates remaining above 60 percent since vehicle launch last fall, and one-third of sales transacting in the Midwest

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 27, 2013 – Ford’s new C-MAX hybrids are gaining momentum with new customers and are luring more Toyota hybrid owners out of their cars and into Ford’s new hybrids.

Some of that momentum is coming from the unique advertising campaign for C-MAX Hybrid, which launched last fall as the vehicle hit showrooms, helping the C-MAX Hybrid become the fastest-selling hybrid ever at launch.

Preliminary Nielsen data show the “La Linea” ad campaign for C-MAX hybrids is resonating well with consumers. Initial results show the campaign’s message communication, brand communication and purchase consideration are significantly higher than the norm – helping Ford to continue building awareness for this all-new nameplate.

“We had a strong launch and are pleased with the overall reception of the C-MAX launch campaign,” said C.J. O’Donnell, marketing and strategy manager, Ford Electrified Vehicles. “But this is just a start; we intend to take a much larger share of the hybrid market.”

As part of a plan to increase awareness and build on the momentum of the successful 2012 launch, Ford will continue C-MAX’s unique advertising campaign in 2013 – from billboards, gas pump screens, TV spots and movie theater screens to “American Idol.”

The next wave of the campaign starts where the first phase left off, with two new TV spots featuring the main character from the animated series “La Linea” who acts out playful poetry read by the narrator and designed to showcase the many features of Ford C-MAX.

C-MAX will also pop up on various other TV shows, including the new ABC reality cooking show “The Taste.”

And details are being finalized for C-MAX Hybrid to once again hit the road as part of the Go Further Tour and Green Festivals relationship that, in 2012, gave more than 16,000 people around the U.S. a chance to test drive and experience – most for the first time ever – an electrified vehicle.

The goal is to get Ford hybrid vehicles in front of as many people as possible and ultimately, to continue building market share – Ford’s share of the hybrid market grew nearly 9 percentage points between December 2011 and December 2012, while Toyota’s share dropped 8 points.

Additionally, initial sales data show C-MAX hybrids are bringing new customers to the Ford brand, with conquest rates remaining above 60 percent since launch; Toyota Prius and Honda CR-V hold the top competitive trade-in spots. One-third of all C-MAX sales take place in the Midwest (Great Lakes and Central regions), an area where hybrid sales have historically been lower.

The C-MAX Hybrid ad campaign launched in October – the first full month C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi were at dealerships – and consisted of TV commercials, an online series of webisodes called “Hybrid Games,” and experiential elements through the Go Further Tour and Green Festivals relationship.

The main character from the animated “La Linea” series popularized in the U.S. in the late 1970s and ’80s stars in the TV spots. In the ads, the character is put into troubling situations involving his car that can only be solved through the comfort and convenience of a Ford C-MAX. However, Ford takes on C-MAX competition even more playfully. For example, in one spot that highlights the greater horsepower of C-MAX versus the competition, the narrator quotes C-MAX as saying, “Wheeee!”

The unique campaign’s digital components are also gaining traction among viewers.

Internal Ford data show webisodes of “Hybrid Games” performing well beyond original projections. As of Dec. 31, these webisodes were viewed nearly 417,000 times via Ford.com – double the goal.

C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi are two of five electrified vehicles Ford has launched in the last 18 months. The others are Focus Electric, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.

C-MAX Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid are available at dealers nationwide and by spring, Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi will be available at more than 900 EV Certified Ford dealers across the country. The EV Certified dealers represent about one-third of U.S. Ford dealers.

Ford Social Hybrid 101 with Nancy Gioia

Ford Social sits down with Nancy Gioia, Global Director of Electrification for Ford Motor Company to answer fan questions about hybrid technology.

Ford Is First to Launch Spotify in the Car; Streaming Music Service Soon Available for SYNC AppLink

• Ford drivers with vehicles equipped with SYNC^® AppLink^™ can soon access Spotify’s industry-leading catalog of more than 20 million tracks on the go

• Playlists, the music library, similar music, starred songs, recently played music genres and radio stations are all accessible using simple voice commands

• Features first dynamic social sharing of playlists as drivers can simply accept an incoming suggestion to immediately switch to a friend’s music stream

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 25, 2013 – Spotify, the leading on-demand music streaming service providing access to a catalog of more than 20 million songs globally is now compatible with Ford SYNC^® AppLink^™ for simple hands-free, voice-activated entertainment while driving.

 

Spotify is the largest and most successful music streaming service of its kind globally, available in 20 countries including the United States, and with more than 20 million active users and 5 million paying subscribers. AppLink will enable Ford drivers to enjoy Spotify songs and playlists while keeping their hands on the steering wheel and their eyes focused on the road.

 

The integration with Spotify to offer the streaming music service in Ford SYNC AppLink-equipped vehicles is the company’s first direct collaboration with an automotive manufacturer.

 

“Spotify brings you the right music for every moment: on your computer, your mobile phone, your tablet, your home entertainment system and soon also in your Ford vehicle,” said Pascal de Mul, global head of hardware partnerships, Spotify. “Our collaboration with Ford SYNC AppLink will enable music-loving drivers to enjoy access to Spotify’s huge catalog of more than 20 million tracks while on the road.”

 

More than 1 million Ford vehicles in North America are now equipped with SYNC AppLink, enabling drivers to voice-control smartphone apps from the driver’s seat.

 

“Spotify is a terrific addition to the SYNC AppLink ecosystem helping add even more value to the experience of driving a Ford for both new and existing customers,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president, Ford Motor Company, during the announcement of the collaboration at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Hands-free control of your music

When drivers with a Spotify Premium subscription have the app running on their SYNC-connected iPhone, they will have access to a wide array of functionality using voice commands such as:

• Now playing (the car will speak details of what’s playing)
• Star/unstar track
• Add track to your “Road Trip” playlist
• Choose playlist (the car will ask which playlist to play)
• Play starred (the starred playlist will play)
• Play music (the car will start playing your library)
• Similar music (the car will present more albums by the current artist)
• Recently played (the car will allow you to choose from the 10 most recently played artists, albums or playlists)
• Start album/artist/track radio
• Shuffle on/off
• Repeat on/off

Drivers can also use the audio controls to:

• Skip track forward/back
• Play/pause
• Program the preset number keys so they work like a radio and save the currently playing album, artist or playlist to that number for easy access

Even Spotify’s built-in social sharing capabilities work on the road. When the Spotify app is connected and running, if a friend sends a track, album, artist or playlist to your inbox, the car will read it aloud – for example, “You have been sent a new playlist. Would you like to play it?” Answering “yes” will start playback of the sent item, which is great for when friends aren’t with you and want you to hear an album they like.

 

Spotify is also confirmed as the first music service provider for the upcoming launch of SYNC AppLink in Europe. The updated Spotify app will be available soon in the Apple App Store.

 

After More Than Two Years in the Making, 2013 NASCAR Ford Fusion Ready to Make Its Daytona 500 Debut

   The car that helped bring “stock car back to NASCAR” ready to take to Daytona track

 

·         More than two-year development process included work by Ford design center, computational fluid dynamics, wind tunnel work, body stamping and finally, on-track testing

 

·         2013 NASCAR Ford Fusion is part of the generation-six launch of NASCAR race cars

 

·         Fusion race teams will try and capture fourth Daytona 500 win in five years

 

 

www.youtube.com/watch

 

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 20, 2013 – This weekend, the “stock car” officially returns to NASCAR competition.

 

After more than two years of development, including extensive work by the Ford design center and Ford aerodynamic experts, the 2013 NASCAR Fusion takes to the racetrack for the 55^th running of the Daytona 500.

 

“This is a day so many of us at Ford and Ford fans have been waiting for,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “When we first unveiled the 2013 NASCAR Fusion in Charlotte in January 2012, we said we wanted to help return the ‘stock car back to NASCAR.’ Without question, with this car, we have.”

 

The new “Gen 6” race cars being introduced return manufacturer identity to NASCAR. It continues the trend of the past three years of NASCAR introducing more consumer relevance to the sport, including the use of alternative fuels, fuel injection and now, manufacturer identity.

 

“We are a car company. This is car racing,” said Allison. “This was a great opportunity to work with NASCAR on creating cars that people see on the racetrack that really look like what they have at home. The opportunity to bring back brand identity to these cars is something the fans have asked for, something NASCAR led, and something we as a manufacturer enabled.

 

“The small experiment that showed the scale of what this could be happened with the Nationwide series when we introduced the Mustang with more identity two years ago. We saw the exciting reaction from the fans, and even from people who didn’t follow NASCAR. We knew then we were on the right track.”

 

 

The process that led to the 2013 NASCAR Fusion started more than two years ago, with series manufacturers first meeting and deciding to go to NASCAR with a proposal they would work hand-in-hand on with the sanctioning body for the next-generation car. Ford Racing Operations Manager Andy Slankard and NASCAR Cup Program Manager Pat DiMarco would lead the Ford team developing the new car.

 

In Deaborn, the process started at the Ford design center, where a team of designers, led by Garen Nicoghosian, did the initial clay sculpting of the race car, sitting side-by-side with its production counterpart. It was the first time the Ford design center had been actively involved in designing a NASCAR race car since the late 1960s.

 

The first full-size clay model was shown to NASCAR and Ford drivers and teams in June 2011, and was met with an enthusiastic reception.

 

From there, joint projects between the Ford design center and Ford aerodynamic experts, led by Bernie Marcus, began working to match NASCAR-mandated aero targets, while still maintaining the look and feel of the new 2013 production Fusion.

 

In January 2012, the world was introduced to the 2013 Ford Fusion at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and two weeks later Ford stunned the motorsports world with its unveiling and first on-track test of the 2013 NASCAR Fusion at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

NASCAR took each manufacturer to Homestead-Miami Speedway at the end of January 2012 for the first joint test of the cars, and then development continued.

 

At Ford, development continued on aerodynamics, using both the wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamics, to start honing in on what the final car would be.

 

There was some redesign of the front end, most noticeably in the grille area, where a full 3D version of the grille replaced what had originally only been a decal treatment.

 

By midsummer 2012, the stamping of sheet metal began in Michigan, and Roush Fenway Racing and then Penske Racing started building additional track testing cars.

 

Following a Martinsville short track test in September and a superspeedway test in October with Roush Fenway, then another with Penske, the final versions of the 2013 NASCAR Fusion were put in place for teams to start building their cars.

 

Finally, one year to the day after the race car was first shown to the public, 10 NASCAR Fusions roared through the streets of uptown Charlotte in a lunchtime demonstration run that declared the Ford version of the “Gen 6” car ready to go.

 

This weekend, Ford teams from Roush Fenway Racing, Penske Racing, Wood Brothers Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Germain Racing and Front Row Motorsports will debut their new Fusions. For fans, there will be little doubt the sport has changed.

 

The Ford teams will look to continue a streak of success in NASCAR’s biggest race, where Fusions have won three of the past four events.

 

“We know nearly 40 percent of new car intenders are race fans, and of those, almost 84 percent follow NASCAR,” said Allison. “Racing helps drive our business. We know Ford race fans consider, shop and buy more Fords than the general public. So bringing back this kind of relevancy to NASCAR is the X factor.

 

“Fans may be at the races because they love cars,” Allison added, “but then to add the relevancy of the cars we race looking like the cars they own, well, it just adds that emotional connection that we are all seeking.”

Ford Tops in Value, says U.S. News & World Report

For the second straight year, Ford dominates the U.S. News & World Report 2013 Best Cars for the Money rankings, with six Ford vehicles offering consumers the most bang for their buck. The 2013 Focus, Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Taurus, Escape and Edge captured awards based on their outstanding value and critical acclaim. This marks the fourth year in a row Taurus reigns in the large car category, while for two straight years Edge is best midsize SUV, Fusion is the midsize champ and Fusion Hybrid is the best hybrid vehicle. U.S. News & World Report determines the winner in each of 21 categories based on vehicle safety and reliability attributes as well as expert opinion. Click here for more.

 

 

Fusion Energi Lands Ford Atop List with Highest Number of 2013 Vehicles Qualifying for Faster Lane Access in California

• The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved the all-new Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid for its carpool lane access program; this gives Ford, along with Toyota, more 2013 vehicles that qualify for the state’s high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes than any other automaker

• Fusion Energi meets the long-distance challenges of California’s super commuters who also face increased congestion; idling in stop-and-go traffic is estimated to waste 1.9 billion gallons of gasoline annually

• Ford Fusion Energi hits showrooms later this winter as Ford’s fifth new electrified vehicle to launch in the last 12 months, joining Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford C-MAX Hybrid, Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Ford Focus Electric

 DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 20, 2013 – Californians now have another Ford vehicle option to get them where they’re going even faster with the all-new Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, as the vehicle has been approved for use in the state’s high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

 

To earn access to these faster moving carpool lanes, vehicles must qualify for tax rebates through California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which is overseen by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). A vehicle that qualifies earns a special sticker that identifies it as having HOV privileges.

 

Ford Fusion Energi buyers are eligible to receive a $1,500 tax rebate – in addition to a $3,750 federal tax credit – making Fusion the third Ford brand vehicle to now qualify for California’s special financial and driving incentives, and putting Ford in the lead, along with Toyota, for having the most vehicles of any automaker allowed access to the state’s carpool lanes. Ford Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid also qualify.

 

The tax rebate and carpool lane access program are designed to promote reduced greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of less gas – making the three eligible Ford vehicles natural inclusions.

 

“That Ford has the most 2013 vehicles eligible for HOV lane access in the largest electrified vehicle market in the U.S. underscores our success in truly offering power of choice, especially when it comes to electric and hybrid powertrains,” said C.J. O’Donnell, group marketing manager for Ford Electrification.

 

To qualify for the programs, a vehicle must be classified by CARB as a super ultra-low emission vehicle and be certified by the U.S. EPA to offer fuel economy of at least 45 mpg on the highway.

 

Fusion Energi not only meets CARB standards but also has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 100 MPGe combined– 108 MPGe city and 92 MPGe highway – along with a total range of up to 620 miles on one tank of gas and one full charge; Fusion has an electric-only range of up to 21 miles.

 

This means at least one leg of the average work commute – reportedly 20 miles each way – could be completed each day with Fusion Energi never using a drop of gas. A study by the United States Department of the Treasury estimates congestion consumed an extra 1.9 billion gallons of fuel in 2011, approximately 5 percent of all gasoline used.

 

In California, Fusion Energi is the ninth Ford vehicle to qualify for carpool lane access through CARB since 1993, with Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid being the most recent.

 

“Fusion Energi is Ford’s most fuel-efficient sedan and offers a top electric-only speed of up to 85 mph,” said O’Donnell. “Californians clearly appreciate the environmental benefit, too, which is why we are seeing the state’s programs embrace Ford’s electrified lineup.”

 

Programs like California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project are growing in number to encourage the use of vehicles that produce fewer emissions and use less gas. They range from the $3,750 federal tax credit owners may receive for buying Fusion Energi to a program in Ferndale, Mich., where drivers of hybrids that get 30 mpg or better in the city are allowed to park for free at city parking meters. Other states offering lane driving privileges for hybrid vehicle owners include Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

 

Delivering choice

Ford’s launch of the new C-MAX Hybrid, C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Fusion Hybrid this past autumn led the company to deliver record-setting hybrid sales in December, resulting in a 9 percent market share gain to 16 percent. In the same period, Toyota’s share of the hybrid vehicle segment fell 8 points, from 68 percent to 60 percent.

 

Then Ford delivered a record hybrid sales month for January, following record-breaking electrified vehicle sales in the fourth quarter of 2012. Fusion Hybrid saw record sales in January.  

 

Fusion Energi figures prominently in Ford’s rollout of electrified vehicles and is helping the automaker sell these record numbers of hybrids. Ford now offers five electrified vehicles:

 

• C-MAX Hybrid: EPA-estimated rating of 47 mpg city, highway and combined – up to 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v – plus 50 more horsepower than the Toyota and 12 class-exclusive technologies
• C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid: Best EPA-estimated combined miles per gallon equivalency of any plug-in hybrid, Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid vehicle has a city rating of 108 MPGe and 21 miles of all-electric range – more than triple Prius plug-in’s six miles – and an EPA-estimated gas plus electric range of 620 miles. The vehicle’s “real car” performance includes 195 horsepower (versus Prius plug-in at 134 horsepower), engaging driving dynamics and a quiet interior – all with a leading electric-only speed of 85 mph, more than 20 mph above the Prius
• Fusion Hybrid: EPA-estimated rating of 47 mpg city, highway and combined – up to 6 mpg better than Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: EPA-estimated gas plus electric range of 620 miles, electric-only range of up to 21 miles, and EPA-estimated rating of 108 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined
• Focus Electric: America’s most fuel-efficient compact car, with an EPA-estimated rating of 110 MPGe city, 99 MPGe highway and 105 MPGe combined

Ford Invests Millions in Cleveland Engine Plant, Supports Growing Customer Demand for EcoBoost­ Engines

• Ford plans to more than double its EcoBoost^®-equipped vehicle sales globally this year

• Production of 2.0-liter EcoBoost for North America at Cleveland Engine Plant in Ohio to begin in late 2014

• Ford more than halfway to its goal to create more than 12,000 hourly jobs in the U.S. by 2015

• Production of 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines for North American vehicles moves from Valencia, Spain to Cleveland; Valencia will remain the exclusive production location for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine for Ford of Europe-built vehicles; There is no impact on employment at the Valencia plant

 DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 21, 2013 – To meet rising consumer demand for the award-winning 2.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine, Ford Motor Company will invest nearly $200 million and add 450 new jobs at its Cleveland Engine Plant.

 

“This is our One Ford plan at its best – giving customers the power of choice to decide which fuel-efficient engine is best tailored to their needs,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. “Cleveland Engine Plant was the first to produce EcoBoost engines and will continue to be a cornerstone of Ford’s strategy to deliver affordable fuel economy for millions.”

 

The hiring builds on the creation of more than 8,100 salaried and hourly jobs in the U.S. last year, including 1,000 in-sourced hourly positions. Ford is more than halfway to its goal of creating 12,000 hourly jobs in the U.S. by 2015 to support new products and investment. Additionally, the company announced last month it plans to hire 2,200 salaried workers in the U.S. in 2013 to fill jobs in such key areas as Product Development, Manufacturing and IT.

 

Production of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost for North America is currently based in Valencia, Spain. The investment in Cleveland will shift North American production to Ohio, while Ford’s Valencia Engine Plant will remain the exclusive production location of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost for Ford of Europe-built vehicles. Valencia will continue to produce and ship parts for these engines to North America.

 

Overall employment at the Valencia plant will not be impacted. The Valencia Engine Plant will transfer some employees to Valencia Assembly Plant to support increased production for C-MAX, Kuga, Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect.

 

Ford is making the move to assemble engines regionally to help meet rising consumer demand for the award-winning 2.0-liter EcoBoost and to optimize production capabilities around the world.

 

Production of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will begin in North America in late 2014. Cleveland Engine Plant currently builds the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and 3.7-liter V6. The Ohio facility employs approximately 1,300 people. It has built more than 500,000 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines since 2009.

 

EcoBoost cornerstone

EcoBoost is the cornerstone of Ford’s global engine strategy to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Ford will expand EcoBoost production to 1.6 million engines this year – nearly 100,000 above the previous target.

 

Delivering up to 20 percent better fuel economy than larger-displacement engines, EcoBoost uses smaller overall size combined with turbocharging, gasoline direct injection and variable valve timing to bring customers outstanding performance without sacrificing fuel economy.

 

This year EcoBoost will be available on more than 90 percent of North American nameplates and by 2015, 95 percent of Ford nameplates will be available with EcoBoost engine technology. In 2013 Ford expects to sell more than 500,000 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles in the U.S. – a sizeable increase over the 334,364 EcoBoost vehicles sold in 2012.

 

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine to be built in Cleveland is currently available in the Ford Explorer, Edge, all-new Escape and all-new Fusion, Focus ST, Taurus and new Lincoln MKZ and MKT Livery. The engine has won a coveted Ward’s 10 Best Engines trophy each year it has been available in North America.

Power to the People! Fiesta Movement: A Social Remix Gives Control of New Ford Fiesta Ad Campaign to the People

• Ford introduces 2014 Fiesta through the unique voices and content of 100 social influencers, making it Ford’s first completely user-generated campaign

• Fiesta Movement: A Social Remix will feature material created exclusively by social influencers – in whatever form they choose; Ford will distribute the content through paid media, social media and experiential events

• In the new Ford Fiesta and Fiesta ST, agents will complete exciting challenges across major entertainment hubs including American Idol, Bonnaroo and all four summer versions of X Games – igniting conversation both online and off

 

NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2013 – Building on the groundbreaking social engagement program that launched the Ford Fiesta in the U.S. in 2009, Ford now plans to introduce its new 2014 Fiesta through an innovative ad campaign created entirely by consumers.

 

To tell the new car’s story, Ford announced today that it is seeking 100 social influencers, who – through a mix of paid media, social media and experiential events – will convey the unique personality and attributes of the new 2014 Ford Fiesta in an entirely different way. Ford made the announcement at the Social Media Week convention in New York.

 

“Fiesta was designed to reflect the individuality of the customer, so we feel the marketing efforts should give the reins to the people who will be driving it,” says Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln. “We have a fuel-efficient, tech-savvy and stylish car that doesn’t sacrifice on performance – it truly has its own personality. That personality will come through in the stories and experiences of real people.”

 

Ford will partner with nationally prominent television, entertainment and sports events including American Idol and X Games, legendary music festival Bonnaroo, and other media and entertainment hubs where agents will be at the center of the action.

 

Ford was the first automaker to truly introduce vehicles through social media and now, the evolution of the Fiesta Movement takes the use of social channels for reveal to an entirely new level. Building on the success of the initial launch, Ford will give the agents a new Fiesta, then step back and let them do what they do best: Entertain their followers. As a result, the voice of this exciting new car will come straight from the people – making this the Blue Oval’s first completely user-generated campaign.

 

Fiesta attracts more Millennials than any Ford vehicle, and that means telling its story in a way that is different from other models. Unlike other campaigns, Ford will use content created only by selected influencers – “agents” – then reveal it through multiple media channels and partners.

 

Social Media Week provides an ideal backdrop for Fiesta Movement: A Social Remix. This worldwide event is designed to explore the social, cultural and economic impact of social media. Since its inception five years ago, the event has become a major forum for some of the biggest, most significant news in the world of social media.

 

The new Fiesta Movement will bring together alumni from the highly acclaimed original Fiesta Movement. The campaign will include celebrities, current Fiesta owners and new agents – all carrying out a series of exciting missions with the 2014 Fiesta. Ford will provide agents with gas, insurance coverage, cameras and other tools they need to create content.

 

The missions – which will span the country throughout the year – are expected to be seen on TV shows, social media sites and paid advertisements, and engage millions of people. Over the course of the original Fiesta Movement, agents traveled more than 1 million miles in Fiestas, created more than 50,000 pieces of content, and generated nearly 30 million views through social media.

 

The next Fiesta Movement content will live on www.fiestamovement.com; Ford will promote the content across multiple channels.

 

“Consumers – Millennials in particular – like being a part of the brands they feel represent them,” says Keith Koeppen, Ford advertising and media manager. “This demographic is accustomed to creating content about their lives, so it just makes sense to give their creativity a bigger platform with greater scale.

 

“It’s all part of the democratization of media,” he adds.

 

Ford will kick off the campaign by recruiting agents – influencers as expressive as the new car – who inspire their friends both online and off. Agents will be selected based on their story and social prominence, among other attributes, and through their voices they will help to shape the story of the new 2014 Ford Fiesta.

 

Agents will debut the content they create on their own social pages, and then, as it gains popularity, Ford will feature it on www.fiestamovement.com and amplify the best of the best across digital, print, broadcast and outdoor advertising. Any and all content can become part of the living, breathing story of the new Ford Fiesta.

 

“We are giving agents the unprecedented chance to launch a car through the content they create,” says Koeppen. “The possibilities are limitless. For example, if there’s a video we really like, we can turn it into a TV commercial, if there’s a photo we think is really eye-catching, we can incorporate it into a print campaign.”

 

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show this past November, Ford’s new Fiesta redefines the segment with an available 1.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine, projected 40 mpg-plus fuel economy, an exciting new look, and class-exclusive technology and special features that make it the most fun-to-drive car of its size.

 

Additionally, a new high-output variant of the award-winning 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine propels the performance-minded Fiesta ST with an estimated 197 horsepower and 214 lb.-ft. of torque.

Ford Social Citizen Journalist Grace Gil at CES 2013

Ford Social Citizen Journalist Grace Gil chats with Ford Product Development Engineer about SYNC® AppLink™ at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Learn more about how AppLink works and some of the new apps that you can use.

Ford Social Citizen Journalists Take You Inside the Vault at the Petersen Automotive Museum

Founded by Hot Rod magazine publisher Robert E. Petersen and his wife Margie in the mid-'90s, the Petersen has a stellar collection of cars, motorcycles and all things related to the automobile and American car culture. On two levels of the 300,000-square-foot museum (which takes up an entire city block in the Los Angeles Miracle Mile area near Beverly Hills) you can see approximately 150 different vehicles on display, ranging from famous movie cars and classics to historic hot rods and significant designs from vehicle manufacturers around the world. But there are many more vehicles, around 400 total, in the museum's collection. Where are the cars that are not on display? They're kept in The Vault, which is a nice way to say they're in the basement storage warehouse, underneath the museum's main floor.

J Mays of Ford Motor Company: Thoughts on Design

At NAIAS 2013, Ford Motor Company's Chief Creative Officer, J Mays, had an intimate conversation on a variety of topics including process and finding inspiration.

Ford Announces Senior Leadership Team Changes

Ray Day Appointed Group Vice President, Communications;

Elena Ford Named Vice President, Global Dealer and Consumer Experience

 

• Ray Day appointed Group Vice President, Communications
• Elena Ford elected a Ford Motor Company vice president and named the leader for the new Global Dealer and Consumer Experience organization; new group to take global dealer strategy, planning, training and consumer experience to the next level

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 14, 2013 – Ford Motor Company today announced changes within its senior leadership team to further strengthen delivery of the One Ford plan for profitable growth.

 

The company is announcing that Ray Day is appointed Group Vice President, Communications. He has led the Communications team as its vice president for the past five years.

 

Ray Day


Elena Ford

Continuing to report to Ford Chief Operating Officer Mark Fields, Day remains responsible for the company’s global external and internal communications and public relations activities. His role includes building Ford’s reputation globally and leading communications that reach customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, news media, communities, governments and policy-makers.

 

“Ray Day is a proven global leader who continues to take the company’s communications capabilities and the telling of our Ford story to increasingly higher levels,” said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. “Ray and his team are ensuring that everyone associated with Ford understands our One Ford plan and the progress we are making delivering profitable growth.”

 

The company today also is announcing that Elena Ford is elected a Ford Motor Company vice president and leader of the company’s new Global Dealer and Consumer Experience organization. She previously was director of the company’s Global Marketing Operations.

 

In the new role, Elena Ford will report to Jim Farley, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales, Service and Lincoln.

 

The new Global Dealer and Consumer Experience organization is being created to take the company’s dealers and consumers’ experiences with dealers to the next level. This includes global standards and best-practice sharing for planning, training and customer interaction at both the dealer level and within the company.

 

In addition, the new organization will be responsible for the Marketing, Sales and Service interface for Ford’s global order-to-delivery system, which is a company-wide effort to improve vehicle quality and delivery time from the factory to dealers and customers. The goal is to streamline the company’s current multiple global IT systems into a lean, efficient and fast-paced vehicle ordering and delivery process for customers and dealers going forward.

 

“Our new Global Dealer and Consumer Experience organization is the next step in our One Ford plan for profitable growth,” Farley said. “Our new vehicles today are recognized around the world as leading in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value. Now, we plan to bring that same standard of excellence to the dealer experience for our Ford and Lincoln customers worldwide.

 

“Elena Ford is the perfect leader to work with our global dealers and to help realize the opportunity we have in upgrading the consumer experience there,” Farley continued. “Elena has extensive experience in global marketing, and her passion for our dealers is well-known around the world.”

 

Both appointments are effective March 1.

Ford the Only Full-Line Automaker Named to Fast Company 2013 Ranking of World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies

• Ford Motor Company is the only full-line automaker recognized in Fast Company’s 2013 Most Innovative Companies ranking

• Ford joins top-ranked Nike and Amazon as well as technology companies such as Apple and Google and online educator Coursera

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2013 – Fast Company’s annual Most Innovative Companies issue honors leading businesses, including Apple, Amazon, Google and Target along with such rising newcomers as Square, Fab and Tumblr. Ford Motor Company is the only full-line automaker named to the 2013 list. Nike ranks No. 1 following the release of two major innovations, FuelBand and Flyknit technology.

Fast Company editors highlighted an array of recent efforts by Ford, including the opening of a Silicon Valley Lab in Palo Alto, Calif. in June 2012 where Ford engineers can collaborate with some of the best and brightest technology minds.

Among the innovative features already available in Ford vehicles, the award-winning SYNC® connectivity system enables drivers to stay connected with the latest mobile technology using voice commands so that hands can stay on the wheel and eyes on the road. The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion offers one of the industry’s most complete suites of advanced driver assist systems, including adaptive cruise control and the Lane Keeping System all in an affordable midsize family sedan. Ford researchers are also hard at work on future systems including a driver workload estimator to help drivers manage stressful situations on the road.

The Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s most significant, high-profile editorial effort of the year. The editorial team spends months gathering and sifting data to identify those enterprises that exemplify the best in business from across the economy and around the world. The end result is a package that dares to be different, emphasizing not just revenue growth and profit margins but also progressive business models and an ethos of creativity. This year’s honorees include major brands like Samsung and Coca-Cola, creative upstarts like Nasty Gal and Uber, and social disruptors like Coursera and D-Rev. Internationally Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies package spans the globe celebrating such companies as Kenya’s Safaricom (No. 9), Israel’s SodaStream (No. 23), Russia’s Oktogo online travel service (No. 35) and China’s Landwasher (No. 38).

In addition to the Top 50, Fast Company also ranks the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in 10 categories, including Big Data, Entertainment, Finance, and Food — all of which are featured in the print edition and on FastCompany.com. Additional Top 10 lists will continue to be rolled out online and through social channels in the weeks to come. Special online-only coverage: The Most Innovative Moments in Business, from Apple to Starbucks, Airbnb to Disney.

Notable on this year’s list: the absence of social media giants Facebook and Twitter. “Neither produced innovations worth celebrating,” the magazine explains in an accompanying article. “In the history of our list, fewer than one-third of the companies return from one year to the next. This year, only seven are consecutive honorees, an indication of how more companies in more corners of the world are innovating to seek a competitive edge, with the stakes only getting higher.”

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March 2013) is on newsstands beginning Feb. 19 and available online at www.fastcompany.com/MIC as well as in app form via iTunes.

MAMA favors Fusion, now Family Vehicle of the Year

The Midwest Automotive Media Association, gracious hosts of the Spring Collection Road Rally at Road America each year, has bestowed on the 2013 Ford Fusion its Family Vehicle of the Year award. Eligible cars must start under $50,000, be new or significantly updated, and have made an appearance at a MAMA rally for journalists to drive and evaluate. Click here for more.

 

The New BOSS 500

The power of the Ford Mustang Funny Car and Top Fuel dragster is unlike anything in the world. Even the professionals can't even find a comparison. Listen to Courtney Force, Bob Tasca III, John Force and Brittany Force talk about their personal perspectives on how it feels to go so fast with that BOSS 500 engine.

Ford Dealers Give Tens of Millions to U.S. Nonprofits, Provide Thousands of Volunteer Hours Annually

• Ford and Lincoln dealers contribute between $35.1 million and $84.6 million to charities and nonprofits across the U.S. annually, a Ford Motor Company survey shows

• The sheer amount of hours dealers and their employees donate also entails up to an additional 4,380 people working 40 hours per week year-round

• Videos: Six winners of Ford’s annual Salute to Dealers awards demonstrate breadth of local giving, showing exceptional generosity toward their communities

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 11, 2013 – Ford and Lincoln dealers contribute between $35.1 million and $84.6 million to charities and nonprofits in their communities across the U.S. per year, according to the results of a Ford Motor Company survey.

 

Ford’s Dealer Giving study, the first of its kind, was administered by Ford to its dealers and was conducted in association with the 13^th annual Salute to Dealers awards ceremony which took place on Feb. 8, in tandem with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in Orlando, Fla.

 

The Salute to Dealers awards recognizes dealers who go above and beyond when it comes to giving back to their communities. Six dealers were selected from among more than 8,500 Ford dealers worldwide for exhibiting unparalleled giving, dedication and leadership to their communities.

 

Ford Survey on Dealer Giving results

In Ford’s survey, 90 percent of 328 U.S. respondents who represent 10 percent of the company’s total Ford and Lincoln dealers in the U.S. indicated they give both time and money to charitable causes*.

 

• 42.7 percent of dealers donate between $20,001 and $50,000 per year, representing $25,261,263 to $63,150,000 worth of donations per year across Ford’s dealer network
• 24.7 percent of dealers donate between $10,001 and $20,000 per year, representing $7,310,731 to $14,620,000 worth of donations per year across Ford’s dealer network
• 17.1 percent of dealers donate between $5,001 and $10,000 per year, representing $2,530,506 to $5,060,000 worth of donations per year across Ford’s dealer network
• 12.3 percent of dealers donate between $1 and $5,000 per year, representing $364 to $1,820,000 worth of donations per year across Ford’s dealer network

In addition, Ford and Lincoln dealers reported on the amount of time they and their employees donate monthly to local charities and nonprofits. The amount of volunteer time ranged between 31,954 hours and 58,370 hours per month, equating to a work force of as many as 4,380 people working year-round at 40 hours a week to benefit local concerns. Given nonprofits widely report budget and staff shortages, this additional resource represents a considerable boon for the country’s charitable concerns.

 

• Conversely, 58,370 donated hours per month equates to 6.7 years of work done in a single year
• 20.2 percent of dealers invest 30 to 40 hours of time per month, representing 17,910 to 23,880 volunteer hours per month across Ford’s dealer network
• 23.3 percent of dealers invest 10 to 20 hours of time per month, representing 6,890 to 13,780 volunteer hours per month across Ford’s dealer network
• 39.7 percent of dealers invest one to 10 hours of time per month, representing 1,174 to 11,740 volunteer hours per month across Ford’s dealer network
• 10.1 percent of dealers invest 20 to 30 hours of time per month, representing 5,980 to 8,970 volunteer hours per month across Ford’s dealer network

Dealers were asked in the survey to indicate all the charities they donate both money and time to. The top charities were ranked as follows: children’s causes (92.9 percent), education/scholarships (78.5 percent), religious-driven causes (63.1 percent), hunger relief (51.3 percent), veterans (47.4 percent), municipal services including police and fire (38.5 percent), disaster relief (27.6 percent), animal relief (26.9 percent) and environment (23.4 percent).

 

Salute to Dealers is conducted under the leadership of Edsel B. Ford II, a member of Ford’s board of directors. The program was launched in 2001 to demonstrate the company’s commitment to its thousands of dealer principals who step beyond their showroom doors to make a difference in the communities where they live and work.

 

“While these survey results show the impressive contributions our dealers make across the U.S., it’s key to note that our dealers contribute to charities and nonprofits around the world,” said Ford. “It’s clear how passionate they feel about their own local philanthropic support as a meaningful pursuit they pass on to their employees and future generations.”

 

Edsel B. Ford II and three other judges selected winners from a total global field of 61 nominees located in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Asia Pacific, Caribbean & Central America, Africa and the Middle East regions.

 

A painted portrait of each honoree will have a montage of philanthropic and volunteer activities that led to the award. Duplicates of the portraits will join a Salute to Dealers display in the lobby of Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., for year-round viewing. The winners include:

 

Jack Kain – Jack Kain Ford, Versailles, Ky., USA – A first-generation Ford dealer, Jack Kain’s more than 60 years of community investment offer an inspiring vision of what can be achieved in a lifetime of community service. He has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life, educational and business resources of the community surrounding his dealership in Versailles, Ky. Key examples of his leadership include founding an economic development authority, chairing the local chamber of commerce, founding a seniors center, making personal loans to keep the local hospital open, securing federal grants and funding to bring safe municipal water to rural areas, donating land for a new road to the technical college and securing the presence of an addiction recovery center within driving distance for residents. Visit thislink to watch a video on Jack Kain.

 

Bill Jarrett – Bill Jarrett Ford, Avon Park, Fla., USA – Bill Jarrett is a role model for making a difference in Highland County. He advocates, contributes and invests in youth charities, hunger relief and healthcare, in particular. Jarrett not only contributes financial resources, but spends numerous hours in leadership and fundraising activities. Examples include helping to organize and raise funds for a three-year pilot program called “Leader in Me” in four schools that make up the Highland County school system located in Avon Park. The program is based on Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” He alsosponsors and coordinates a yearly 5K run in which proceeds are donated to the Florida Hospital Heartland Division to assist in the establishment of a heart catheter lab. Jarrett created and sponsors other community initiatives including the Drive One for Your Heart program, and encourages community service at his dealership throughout the year in food collection for local pantries as well as packaging meals for local shelters. Visit this link to watch a video on Bill Jarrett.

 

Kevin Meehan – Imperial Ford, Mendon, Mass., USA – When he purchased a large parcel of land and built three state-of-the-art facilities to house his Ford, Chevrolet and Chrysler dealerships, Kevin Meehan had a vision of what he would bring to the town of Mendon in money and resources. As a result, he and his familyopen their home and dealerships for a variety of local causes and community building events, which they support all year long. For the past 10 years, Meehan has hosted the largest outdoor Christmas display in New England (43 acres) benefiting the Salvation Army. In addition, he provided funds and leadership for construction of a new police headquarters as well as renovations to the local hospital, swimming lake and recreational areas. His efforts further extend to children’s, community relief and veterans causes, among others. Visit this link to watch a video on Kevin Meehan.

Kittivut Chairat – Ford Chokechai Sukhothai, Sukhothai, Thailand, Asia Pacific – Kittivut Chairat dedicates both time and money to charitable causes surrounding education, children, resources and nourishment in his community. Both the dealer and his employees are deeply involved in numerous pursuits such as building ponds for raising fish, building mushroom huts, cleaning and rebuilding schools and playgrounds, constructing dams, planting trees and building fisheries, to name a few. Visit this link to watch a video on Kittivut Chairat.

 

Gazi Osman Ovali – Ovali Otomotiv, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey, Europe – Gazi Osman Ovali and his wife donate and provide leadership to a wide variety of causes within health, education and historical preservation. They donate 80  to 100 hours per month on average. Examples include donating a new library to the Hatay State Science High School along with plans to build a new automobile science laboratory for the local vocational high school. In addition, they are one of the main sponsors and supporters of the orphanage and nursing home of Hatay, and have arranged blood drives and assisted Syrian refugees. Visit this link to watch a video on Gazi Osman Ovali.

 

Dimas Arnaldo da Silva – Dimas Comércio de Automóveis Ltda, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil – The Dimas da Silvas are passionate fundraisers for numerous children’s causes including resources and toys at holidays and other times of the year. Visit this link to watch a video on Dimas Arnaldo da Silva.

 

 

F-150 We Own Work: Farming

A fleet of F-150 EcoBoost-equipped trucks grind it out in the fields day in and day out at Grimmway Farms. See how they prove their capability, efficiency and reliability.

Ford Begins Production of New Fiesta ST; Fastest-Ever Production Fiesta Sprints 0-to-100 in Under 7 Seconds

• New Fiesta ST rolls off the assembly line in Cologne, Germany; fastest-ever production model achieves 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and 220 km/h top speed
• Ford equips new Fiesta ST for Europe with 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine offering 182 PS and 240 Nm of torque. New model also offers a new chassis, steering and brakes; enhanced Torque Vectoring Control and 3-mode Electronic Stability Control
• Stylish new Fiesta ST features unique honeycomb mesh grille, dramatic rear diffuser element; and, for the first time, Recaro seats as standard
• Most fuel-efficient Fiesta ST delivers 5.9 l/100 km and 138 g/km CO2*

COLOGNE, Germany, Feb. 7, 2013 – Ford has started production at its assembly plant in Cologne, Germany, of the new Ford Fiesta ST – the first ever sub-seven second production Fiesta.

Developed by Ford Team RS, the European arm of Ford Motor Company’s Global Performance Vehicle group, the new Fiesta ST for Europe is powered by a 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine to achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and offer 182 PS and 240 Nm of torque, with a fuel consumption of only 5.9 l/100km and 138 g/km CO2 emissions*. Top speed is 220 km/h.

Ford has further refined the Fiesta ST’s renowned global B-car chassis with new steering, suspension, braking components, configuration and tuning. An enhanced version of Ford’s Torque Vectoring Control system, and a three-mode Electronic Stability Control system contribute to a rewarding and secure driving experience.

“The new Fiesta ST is a very modern performance car built on more than 30 years of fast Fiestas and a global development process,” said Juergen Gagstatter, chief programme engineer, Performance Cars, Ford of Europe. “This vehicle is a significant step forward, both in terms of our proud heritage of blending a powerful engine with a dynamic chassis, and also in achieving reduced fuel consumption and emissions.”

The new high-performance Fiesta ST follows iconic Fiesta models including the XR2, XR2i, RS1800, RS Turbo and first generation ST; and is equipped with Ford’s turbocharged Twin-independent Variable Camshaft Timing EcoBoost engine to achieve faster acceleration and a higher top speed than the 2002 Ford Focus ST170. The second-generation Fiesta ST has also been confirmed for launch in North America and Asia Pacific.

The new model in Europe features a unique new honeycomb mesh trapezoidal grille exterior and dramatic rear diffuser element. The high contrast interior is also equipped with Recaro seats as standard for the first time.

The new Fiesta ST is also equipped with MyKey, a Ford-exclusive technology that allows parents to encourage safer driving and limit their teenager’s exposure to risk at the wheel; and SYNC – Ford’s voice-activated in-car connectivity system – with Emergency Assistance, that directly connects vehicle occupants to local emergency services operators after an accident.

Ford and PlugShare Team Up to Help Ford C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi Drivers Find Plugs with MyFord Mobile

• Ford is teaming up with PlugShare^®, an industry-leading aggregator of public charge stations, to provide real-time charge station information to drivers of Ford’s all-new plug-in hybrid vehicles – C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi

• Ford is the only manufacturer to offer real-time charging station location information through its smartphone app, MyFord^® Mobile

• The collaboration will provide Ford customers comprehensive access to the quickly growing number of public charge stations in the U.S. and Canada

• Ford also announced its commitment to the Workplace Charging Challenge with the Department of Energy, which aims to increase the number of U.S. employers offering workplace charging by tenfold in the next five years

• PlugShare.com offers a unique advantage by aggregating publicly available and crowd-sourced information on charging station locations along with photos, reviews and check-ins

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 7, 2013 – Ford’s award-winning MyFord Mobile smartphone app and Web portal now features a charging station finder powered by PlugShare.com and will be compatible with the newFord Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles.

 

PlugShare^® brings a powerful new component to MyFord^® Mobile with its live database of charging stations across North America. In addition to aggregating publicly available lists of stations from a variety of sources, PlugShare incorporates crowd-sourced information from users to provide the most comprehensive dataset available.

 

“When we launched the MyFord Mobile app and portal for the Focus Electric last year, it was the most advanced remote management app of its kind in the industry,” said Bill Frykman, business and product development manager. “We’re now expanding availability of the system to drivers of our new plug-in hybrids and offering some unique features specifically tailored to these long-range vehicles.”

 

“It is a little known fact that the majority of charging stations are currently free to use. By giving drivers a clear view of the reality of charging, PlugShare and Ford are showing more and more drivers that now is a great time to start driving on electricity,” said Forrest North, CEO of Xatori, maker of PlugShare. “With our real-time, crowd-sourcing features that include photos, reviews and check-ins, PlugShare has quickly become one of the largest and most popular charging station locators in North America. We are thrilled an established industry leader such as Ford has chosen PlugShare for MyFord Mobile.”

 

In addition to an EPA-estimated rating of 21 miles of pure electric driving range per charge, both C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi have an EPA-estimated range of 620 miles on one tank of gas and one charge.

 

Owners of the first-ever Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles can now use their smartphones from almost anywhere to monitor and manage the battery charging process, find charging stations, check energy efficiency and earn achievements for efficient driving.

 

The station finder component of the MyFord Mobile app now blends point-of-interest search with charging station information from PlugShare.com to let drivers take advantage of opportunistic charging wherever their destination might be. Users can search for terms such as “pizza” or “Mexican food” near a location and MyFord Mobile will display the results along with the nearest available charge for each entry. Drivers can select a destination based on proximity to a plug.

 

“Access to public charging allows our C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi customers to drive more electric miles – helping improve our environmental footprint and improve energy security,” said Mike Tinskey, director, Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure. “We’ve seen impressive growth in the number of installed public charge stations – growing from fewer than 3,000 units in 2010 to more than 11,500 installed units in the U.S. today.

 

“This collaboration allows for Ford customers to access all the currently installed stations, as well as gain immediate access to new charge stations as they are installed,” Tinskey added.

 

MyFord Mobile’s trip and charge log has also been updated to provide drivers with information about how efficiently they are using their plug-in hybrid vehicle in both electric and hybrid mode. By taking advantage of available data on electricity use, hybrid gas mileage and regenerative braking, the app coaches drivers to adjust their driving style to be more efficient.

 

MyFord Mobile still lets plug-in hybrid owners check the state of charge of the battery, get alerts if they forgot to plug the car in or if charging stops, and take advantage of value charging for the lowest electricity rates during off-peak hours. Drivers can also precondition the cabin temperature while the car is plugged in to reduce the load on the drivetrain for enhanced efficiency.

 

“We designed MyFord Mobile to provide owners of Ford plug-in vehicles with a convenient way to monitor and manage their total energy usage, and we’re continually working to make the experience better,” added Frykman.

 

MyFord Mobile is available in the Apple iOS App Store for iPhones and the Google Play Store for Android phones. The MyFord Mobile Web portal is at http://www.myfordmobile.com. Some features of the MyFord Mobile app including point-of-interest search, trip and charge log, and achievements will become available after the initial launch.