2013 Ford Escape -- #FordAnd

A family man admires his new Escape as he prepares to take a drive. But since his capable Escape comes equipped with EcoBoost, he's able to do more than just drive from point A to point B. He's about to camp and take his wife shopping and hit the links with his friends and that's just the beginning. Only Ford gives him EcoBoost fuel economy AND a whole lot more. That's why Ford is an AND company.

History Haven: The Ford Archives -- Ford Mustang Countdown

When historians document the history of Ford Motor Company and the Mustang, one of the places they look to for information is the company archives. Within the Ford Archives, Dean Weber and his team regularly catalog and retrieve millions of documents, images and videos in one of the oldest corporate archives in America. The archives contain a vast treasure trove of Mustang design drawings, specifications, manuals, brochures, photographs, commercials and more.

Thermal Imaging Technology Used to Hunt Criminals Helps Ford Detect Air Leaks, Design Quieter Vehicles

• For the first time in the auto industry, technology used by military and law enforcement to catch hard-to-find bad guys is now being used by Ford engineers to better identify air leaks and help improve interior quietness in vehicles

• Interior quietness is key in consumers’ overall perception of vehicle quality; internal Ford data indicate customers are more satisfied with the interior quietness of the new Ford Fusion compared to the Toyota Camry

• Leaks from vulnerable areas in a vehicle, including moonroofs, window glass and door trim, create points for the entrance of air, water and noise; Ford data show new Fusion has fewer leaks and road noise issues than Toyota Camry

DEARBORN, Mich., June 28, 2013 – Ford engineers are pioneering thermal imaging technology – similar to what law enforcement agents use to track down criminals – to find and eliminate air leaks in vehicle cabins. The result is less wind noise and a quieter ride, which is key to customer satisfaction with vehicle quality.

 

Thermal imaging is the use of cameras to photograph heat in the environment. Thermal imaging cameras capture the radiation present that appears as an infrared image. In Ford tests, air leaks show up as hot spots when heated air escapes a vehicle.

 

Data from Ford’s U.S. Global Quality Research System show the 2013 Ford Fusion earned a 67 percent approval rating for interior quietness compared to 58 percent for the 2012 Toyota Camry.

 

Fusion data were for the first quarter of 2013, compared to full-year 2012 data for the Toyota Camry, which did not receive major updates for 2013. The 2013 first-quarter study, conducted for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., asked owners of all major makes and models to comment on troubles and rate their overall satisfaction with their three-month-old vehicles.

 

“Ford is redefining our vehicles through many innovations – both features to improve the driving experience and fuel economy, and advanced new tools to help engineer better vehicles,” said William Dedecker, noise, vibration and harshness engineering supervisor. “We are using thermal imaging to further improve quietness so customers can enjoy the other features our vehicles offer, such as audio systems… and even the sounds of silence.”

 

Thermal imaging technology allows police to see through bushes and into dark alleys. While a bad guy hiding at night might not be visible to the eye, a thermal image of the area will show his body heat and allow law enforcement to move in.

 

Ford engineers, inspired by energy companies that use thermal imaging to find air leaks in houses, employ the technology to see air leaking out of a vehicle. Engineers heat the air inside a vehicle’s cabin, then take thermal images to actually see the location from which warm air is escaping. This allows them to test different ways to contain air, through changes in design and insulating materials.

 

“We are the first automaker to use this technology to track air leaks,” said John Crisi, Ford NVH engineer. “It’s an example of the innovative methods we use so our customers have a more pleasant driving experience. Our cameras can detect tiny holes and openings we could not otherwise identify.”

 

Closing escape routes

In addition to reducing noise, sealing air leaks increases heating and cooling efficiency by reducing energy loss, similar to how sealing a home prevents leaks of heated air in the winter and cooled air in the summer.

 

Before this technology, Ford engineers relied on sensory findings to prevent air leaks. They would fill the car with smoke, then watch for the smoke to exit from small holes. They would walk around the vehicle and feel for air leakage. And they would use nonmedical stethoscopes to try to hear air leaking from the cabin, a method they still rely on to some extent.

 

While successful, these approaches were not as consistent. With the use of thermal imaging, engineers can speed up development time by finding results at a faster rate.

 

Engineers have identified several key areas that are vulnerable to air leaks and letting noise into a vehicle, including moonroofs, window glass, door trim, the trunk lid and liftgate, doors and the base of the windshield.

 

“Wind noise is something a driver can really sense in a negative way while driving,” Crisi explained. “By using thermal imaging technology, Ford can provide a smoother and quieter ride for our customers.”

All-New 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor Is World's First EcoBoost-Powered Sport Truck

• 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor comes standard with the company’s powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® engine, offering V8 performance, V6 fuel economy and a launch-optimized 4.10 rear axle with electronic locking differential

• Short-wheelbase, regular-cab Tremor offers stylish FX Appearance Package and functional features that include a floor shifter, class-exclusive HID headlamps and standard SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® connectivity system

• All-new truck’s distinctive looks are complemented by unique boxside Tremor graphics and custom-inspired interior

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 27, 2013 – The 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor is the first-ever EcoBoost^®-powered sport truck that addresses the needs of street truck enthusiasts looking for high-performance V8 power with V6 fuel economy.

 

The short-wheelbase, regular-cab Tremor goes on sale this fall delivering distinctive looks and performance. The all-new truck couples the style of the FX Appearance Package with an EcoBoost engine and a launch-optimized 4.10 rear axle – the shortest final drive ratio offered in an EcoBoost F-150 – helping provide customers with fast acceleration.

 

Tremor signals its sport truck capabilities with a custom-inspired FX Appearance Package featuring stealthy, flat-black accents that include unique 20-inch flat-black wheels, stylized bodyside graphics and black badges with red lettering.

 

Tremor is the only regular-cab F-150 offering a flow-through center console and bucket seats. Interior touches include black leather seating surfaces with red piping, brushed-metal accents and a red-stitched steering wheel. Alcantara seat inserts add texture and style as well.

 

“The new Tremor gives F-150 customers yet another option to drive a highly capable, distinctive performance truck with features typically found only in the aftermarket,” said Brian Bell, F-150 product marketing manager. “Plus, the Built Ford Tough EcoBoost engine is available for the first time in a short-wheelbase F-150.”

 

F-150 Tremor is powered exclusively by Ford’s groundbreaking 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which features:

 

• 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm
• Twin independent variable camshaft timing for improved performance and fuel economy
• Up to 90 percent peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm

An electronic locking rear differential that’s standard for both two- and four-wheel-drive versions helps deliver the power to the pavement by improving traction during takeoff.

 

Connectivity comes standard on F-150 Tremor with MyFord Touch^® powered by SYNC^®. Designers have optimized the physical interface for MyFord Touch to accommodate truck users who may be wearing work gloves by providing easy access to climate controls and audio presets on the center stack.

Ford Thermal Imaging Innovation

Law enforcement uses thermal imaging to track down bad guys in hiding. Ford engineers are now pioneering similar technologies to seek out and eliminate air leakage from vehicle cabins to improve interior quietness.

'Opening the Highways' Artwork Restored as Ford Builds on Century-Plus Legacy of Mobility Leadership

• “Opening the Highways” Ford advertisement first printed in 1925 still used to summarize company’s vision for automotive leadership

• Ford and The Henry Ford work together to restore historic painting used in the ad

• Restored painting and ad unveiled in Henry Ford Museum’s “Driving America” exhibit

 

For more information, please visit the Opening the Highways mini-site.

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 24, 2013 – A nearly 90-year-old advertisement that propelled Ford Motor Company’s vision for putting the world on wheels and recently helped transform the company from survival to profitable growth has a fresh face.

 

The “Opening the Highways to All Mankind” advertisement originally was placed in the Saturday Evening Post on Jan. 24, 1925. It detailed Henry Ford’s original vision of providing affordable, safe transportation to everyone.

 

In 2007, the ad came to the attention of Ford CEO and President Alan Mulally and other senior leaders. After years of declining sales and profits and in the face of a looming financial crisis, the company once again used the ad as a vision for its transformation from survival to profitable growth.

 

The ad came to signify a compelling vision for the company and its employees as they implemented the One Ford plan, which involves aggressively restructuring, accelerating the development of new products, strengthening the balance sheet and leveraging global assets.

 

“Henry Ford was talking about one Ford, one plan, one team and working together – and that is exactly our One Ford plan,” said Mulally. “We are using this same vision to Go Further today in developing high-quality, fuel-efficient, safe and smart products that customers want and value – and that are affordable – so that we can continue opening up the highways to all mankind.”

 

 

The image in the ad shows a family overlooking a hilly landscape dotted with cars and Ford manufacturing facilities in the background. The text details Ford’s vision for extending safe and efficient transportation to everyone through an efficient organization committed to profitable growth, continuous improvement and service to customers.

 

Until mid-2012, the painting used to create the 1925 advertisement had been virtually unseen.

 

Titled “Visions of Tomorrow,” the painting was in storage at The Henry Ford, a history museum complex in Dearborn, Mich., that collaborates in a unique partnership with Ford Motor Company to preserve America’s and Ford’s rich heritage. The Henry Ford led restoration of the painting and a paper print of the ad, supported by a grant from Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm.

 

Mulally and The Henry Ford’s President Patricia Mooradian unveiled the restored painting today at the Henry Ford Museum. The painting is highlighted in a new addition to the museum’s “Driving America” exhibit.

 

“The painting itself is very representative of the story we tell in the ‘Driving America’ exhibit every day,” said Mooradian. “It’s the story of how the automobile has changed the American landscape, and made our lives easier along the way. We are very thankful of our partnership with Ford Motor Company and the Ford Motor Company Fund for helping us make sure that this painting continues to inspire visitors for years to come.”

 

The restoration of the painting also is tied to a series of events commemorating the 150^th anniversary of the company founder’s birth this year.

Taking Green to Manufacturing

When it comes to reducing the impact of climate change, Ford has taken steps to improve our efficiency on the road by creating a lineup of alternative fuel vehicles. But we've also taken steps to improve our efficiency at home, by making our manufacturing facilities greener than ever.

Inflatable Rear Safety Belts

The world's first automotive production inflatable rear safety belts are available in the XLT, Limited and Sport models (2nd-row outboard seating positions). The inflated safety belt helps distribute crash-force energy across more of the occupant's torso than a traditional safety belt, which helps reduce the risk of injury, while providing support to the head and neck. In the event of a frontal or side crash, the inflatable safety belt holds the passenger in the appropriate seating position, helping to reduce risk of injury. These safety belts are compatible with child safety seats.

Ford Skyrockets to Second Greenest Brand in the World

Ford shot up 13 spots in a new report ranking companies largely on public perception of a brand’s sustainable or green practices to become the second greenest brand in the world. Bolstered by the popularity of products such as its EcoBoost^® engines, Ford is No. 2 on the 2013 Best Global Brands Report released Wednesday by consulting firm Interbrand. “In 2012, Ford (#2) moved sustainability from the periphery to the center of its business strategy,” the annual report states. More details about Ford’s ranking, along with the entire report can be found here.

 

 

Where It All Started: The Mustang 1 Concept - Ford Mustang Countdown

It¹s the early 1960s and America is changing; new music, new movies and new young drivers looking for a different kind of ride. Ford realizes it must change with the times. Two years before the launch of the car that would become a worldwide sensation, the first concept car bearing the Mustang name emerges from the Ford design studios.

The entire Mustang project was code-named ³Allegro² since many of the engineers and designers working on the concept are musicians. In order to keep the true nature of the project under wraps, they use musical terms as a code. While the diminutive, two-seat sports car doesn¹t make it to production in concept form, a number of design cues do along with the Mustang name.

Cleaning Up with Natural Gas

The same type of gas you use to cook a pot of spaghetti in your home can also be a safe, clean and every bit as capable a solution for your vehicle. And, according to current national averages, a cheaper solution. Ford is already taking steps toward a future where we rely less on petroleum vehicles and more on vehicles that run on natural gas and other alternative fuels.

Thinking Environment with EcoBoost® Technology

At Ford, we build for the future by seeing value in the past -- finding ways to reuse and recycle used materials. We take pop bottles, break them down and spin them into fabric we use in our seats. We also look for environmentally conscious solutions to make our vehicles lighter and more efficient and create groundbreaking engine technology, such as EcoBoost.® It gives you all the power you need for the job but with the efficiency of a smaller engine.

SYNC and MyFord Touch Sold on 79 Percent of New Ford Vehicles, New Technology Drives Quality Satisfaction

• SYNC^® and MyFord Touch^® sold on nearly 80 percent of 2013 Ford vehicles, double the sales mix of infotainment systems sold with Toyota and Honda vehicles, and up from 68 percent in 2012; MyFord Touch mix of 55 percent increased from 12 percent in 2012

• Customers with vehicles equipped with MyFord Touch have a higher rate of satisfaction with overall vehicle quality for most models compared to those that do not have the advanced infotainment system

• Ford customers cite voice command and touch screen features as top purchase drivers much more often than competitors; Ford Escape owners prioritize them twice as much as the segment average

• Ford improves MyFord Touch quality by more than 50 percent since launch, plans another upgrade in summer 2013

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 17, 2013 – Ford SYNC^® voice-controlled connectivity and MyFord Touch^® touch screen technologies are attracting more customers and selling at a much higher rate than competitors, as MyFord Touch helps drive higher customer satisfaction with vehicle quality.

 

Combined, SYNC and MyFord Touch are sold on 79 percent of new 2013 Ford vehicles, double the rate of Toyota and Honda vehicle infotainment systems and up from 68 percent in 2012. This includes a MyFord Touch mix of 55 percent from 12 percent in 2012.

 

SYNC and MyFord Touch connectivity technologies – launched in 2007 and 2010, respectively – remain a competitive advantage as customers cite voice control and touch screens as top purchase drivers much more often than competitors. For example, 53 percent of 2013 Ford Escape owners say the touch screen is a top purchase reason compared to a 22 percent segment average.

 

“Ford has launched 60 new technologies the past few years and they are helping attract many new customers in important markets such as the coasts,” says Raj Nair, group vice president, global product development. “SYNC and MyFord Touch are key parts of our innovation strategy, and not only bring more new customers to our brand, but help deliver higher satisfaction with overall vehicle quality.”

 

Ford vehicles with MyFord Touch are helping improve perceptions as customers who own vehicles with the system are more satisfied with overall vehicle quality compared to those who don’t have the technology. The Ford F-150 with MyFord Touch has the highest rate of quality satisfaction across the Ford lineup, at 86 percent.

 

F-150 blends touch screen capability with traditional buttons and knobs, a similar balance planned for future Ford vehicles.

 

Young buyer connections

The innovations also are attracting younger buyers. For example, the new 2014 Ford Fiesta will now offer MyFord Touch, adding to other features such as a navigation system, rear camera, leather seats and a sunroof not available in the segment.

 

Fiesta already is drawing a younger audience of 46 percent Gen Y and Gen X buyers, compared to Toyota and Scion’s 36 percent subcompact average. Fiesta innovations are differentiating the car as SYNC is cited as an important purchase reason by 54 percent of buyers compared to a 37 percent average for Toyota’s connectivity technology.

 

Quality progress

Ford continues to refine SYNC and MyFord Touch, including another downloadable upgrade planned for this summer. Previous upgrades already have helped improve quality responses by more than 50 percent.

 

“We are committed to listening to our customers and improving MyFord Touch to keep drawing in new customers and increasing satisfaction with even higher quality,” says Nair.

 

Ford’s dealership personnel and dedicated connectivity customer service line also have become competitive advantages in an era of new automotive technologies. Customers who seek dealership assistance with SYNC or MyFord Touch report a 91 percent satisfaction rate.

Ford F-150 Chosen as Best Light-Duty Pickup Truck by PickupTrucks.com and Popular Mechanics Magazine

• The 2013 Ford F-150 beat five competitors, including 2014 model trucks, in head-to-head tests conducted by PickupTrucks.com and Popular Mechanics

• F-150 recognized for its leading capability and performance

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 17, 2013 – The Ford F-150 has been named winner of the 2013 Light-Duty Challenge by the editors of PickupTrucks.com and Popular Mechanics Magazine.

 

“In our performance-oriented competitive events, the Ford half-ton was dominating,” says Mark Williams, editor of PickupTrucks.com. “It finished in either first or second place in 11 of 13 events. If this were the Olympics, there would be a new Ford F-150 on a cereal box.”

 

F-150 beat out five competitors, including two of the newest entries from General Motors and the latest Ram.

 

Judges tested the 2013 Ford F-150 against the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2014 GMC Sierra 1500, 2013 Nissan Titan, 2013 Ram 1500 and 2013 Toyota Tundra. Trucks were put through rigorous performance tests including 0-60 mph acceleration (loaded and unloaded), braking, overall handling, towing and fuel economy.

 

“The results of this test show why F-Series has been the best-selling pickup truck in America for more than 30 years,” says Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager. “We know our light-duty customers are looking for a pickup truck that delivers the leading combination of towing, payload, horsepower, torque and fuel economy, and this shootout proves F-150 continues to lead the pack.”

 

F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series lineup. Now in its 65th year, F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 36 consecutive years, the best-selling vehicle in America for 31 consecutive years, and the brand with the most trucks on the road with more than 250,000 miles, as certified by Polk.

 

The 2013 Ford F-150 features up to 11,300 pounds of towing capability and best-in-class 3,120 pounds of payload. F-150 is available with four powertrains including a 6.2-liter V8, a 5.0-liter V8, a 3.7-liter V6 and the segment-exclusive 3.5-liter EcoBoost^®.

 

F-150 is built at Dearborn Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant.

Ford Using Robots to Improve “Built Ford Tough” Durability Testing of its Trucks

• Ford is first automaker to develop robotic technology that drives vehicles during new accelerated high-impact on-road and off-road durability testing

• Robotically driven vehicles ideally suited for durability test conditions that could prove too taxing for human drivers

• New technology used to ensure Ford trucks, including the all-new Transit van family, are Built Ford Tough

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 15, 2013 – Ford engineers have developed the industry’s first robotic test driving program – now in use at the company’s Michigan Proving Grounds in Romeo, Mich. – to meet demands that Ford trucks undergo ever more strenuous Built Ford Tough testing with greater frequency.

 

The pilot program has been used most recently for durability testing of Ford’s all-new full-size Transit van, which launches in 2014.

 

“Some of the tests we do on our commercial trucks for North America are so strenuous that we limit the exposure time for human drivers,” says Dave Payne, manager, vehicle development operations. “The challenge is completing testing to meet vehicle development time lines while keeping our drivers comfortable.

 

“Robotic testing allows us to do both,” he says. “We accelerate durability testing while simultaneously increasing the productivity of our other programs by redeploying drivers to those areas, such as noise level and vehicle dynamics testing.”

 

The durability technology includes a robotic control module installed in the test vehicle that controls vehicle steering, acceleration and braking. The module is set to follow a preprogrammed course, and the vehicle’s position is tracked via cameras in a central control room and GPS accurate to plus/minus one inch. Should the vehicle stray from its programmed course, engineers have the ability to stop the vehicle, course correct as necessary, and restart the test. Onboard sensors can command a full stop if a pedestrian or another vehicle strays into the path.

 

The robotically driven vehicles are expected to repeatedly perform tests on torturous surfaces with names like Silver Creek, Power Hop Hill and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The tests can compress 10 years of daily driving abuse into courses just a few hundred yards long, with surfaces that include broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversized speed bumps.

 

 

All North American Ford trucks must pass this battery of durability tests before they’re certified for customer use. Until now, testing speeds and repetitions for specific scenarios were limited due to restrictions placed on human drivers, who were allowed to drive certain rigorous courses only once a day.

 

The use of robots now accelerates this testing, allowing an unlimited number of repeats until Ford engineers are satisfied with the results. Robots also allow Ford to develop even more challenging durability tests to build tougher trucks.

 

Ford engineers worked with Utah-based Autonomous Solutions Inc. to design and manufacture the software and components that enable autonomous, robotic operation of the test vehicle.

 

“We’re very excited to work with Ford for autonomous vehicle testing,” said Mel Torrie, CEO of Autonomous Solutions Inc. “The reliability, durability and performance enhancements we’ve developed with Ford will not only help them reach their safety and accuracy goals, but will also improve vehicle automation in other areas such as mining, agriculture and the U.S. military.”

 

Ford engineers designed and deployed the robotic technology with two goals in mind: protecting human drivers and engineering Ford trucks to be tougher than ever.

 

“The goal here was not to develop a truly autonomous vehicle that can drive itself on city streets,” said Payne. “Our objective was to create a test track solution that allows for this type of intense testing that could take our vehicles to the most extreme limits of their engineering while ensuring the safety of all involved.”

Ford Cuts CO2 Emissions 37 Percent Per Vehicle; New Report Highlights Another 30 Percent Reduction by 2025

• Ford releases 14^th annual Sustainability Report highlighting all things sustainable, including a 37 percent per vehicle drop in CO₂ emission levels at global facilities between 2000 and 2012; a 30 percent reduction is planned between 2010 and 2025

• Ford’s sustainability efforts strengthened by strong product line, including giving customers six electrified vehicle choices: Fusion Hybrid, C-MAX Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid; Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids; and Focus Electric

• Other report highlights include continued progress in social issues such as training 325 suppliers in sustainability management in 2012 as part of Ford’s Code of Human Rights, Basic Working Conditions and Corporate Responsibility

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 14, 2013 – Ford Motor Company cut CO₂ emissions at its global facilities by 37 percent per vehicle between 2000 and 2012 and plans for a 30 percent reduction from 2010 to 2025 by addressing everything from new products and technologies to manufacturing processes.

 

Ford’s work to reduce CO₂ emissions is outlined in Ford’s 14^th annual Sustainability Report issued today and more importantly, part of the company’s overall mission to facilitate continued reduction of CO₂ emissions.

 

Already, total CO₂ emissions at Ford’s global facilities have dropped by 4.65 million metric tons, or 47 percent since 2000. Ford also delivered on its commitment to reduce U.S. facility emissions by 10 percent per vehicle produced between 2002 and 2012, as part of an Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers program. And vehicle tailpipe emissions on a per vehicle basis have dropped 16 percent since 2007 as new vehicles such as Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid have become available.

 

And Ford has even bigger plans to reduce CO₂ – one of several priorities outlined in its “Blueprint for Sustainability: Our Journey Continues.” Other subjects in the voluntary report range from reduced water use and energy consumption to cutting the amount of waste-to-landfill at Ford facilities around the world.

 

“In the more than 30 years I have been with the company, I have seen genuine transformation as Ford has integrated sustainability into its business plan, products, operations and relationships with stakeholders,” says Robert Brown, vice president, sustainability, environment and safety engineering. “Water and energy use, waste-to-landfill, Ford’s role in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases like CO₂ in our atmosphere – these are just a few of the top sustainability-related priorities considered in every decision.”

 

Ford Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks said sustainability issues are embedded in the company’s business plan, and are consistent with its aim to deliver great products, a strong business and a better world.

 

“We are much more proactive in understanding the importance of sustainability in the broadest sense – not only in relation to our products, but also in the quality of the financial results that we derive from them,” said Shanks, whose perspective is featured in this year’s report.

 

Ford issued its first voluntary sustainability report in 1999 as a way to summarize and report on the company’s initiatives regarding social, economic and environmental issues. Like Ford’s sustainability-related processes and results, the report has evolved – from a printed booklet similar to an annual report, to being so detailed and comprehensive today that it requires an entire website, which can be found here.

 

CO₂…

In the early 2000s, Ford’s Climate Change Task Force identified a need to address shifting market trends and government regulations – among many other factors – with regard to reducing CO₂ emissions.

 

Investors also are increasingly showing greater concern about climate change as a material risk for companies, creating a much stronger link between climate-change-relevant information and initiatives – such as the CO₂ Model – and access to capital.

 

“Beyond those imperatives, we had taken to heart our responsibility to contribute to meeting the challenge of climate change,” says John Viera, global director, sustainability and vehicle environmental matters.

 

Ford has developed products and technologies along with processes at its facilities and plans to meet its own targets while also doing its part to help keep CO₂ levels in the Earth’s atmosphere at or below 450 parts per million – a goal many scientists, businesses and governmental agencies say must be met to avoid the most serious effects on climate change.

 

Take Ford’s EcoBoost^® engines – now on more than 600,000 Ford Motor Company vehicles – that improve fuel economy and cut CO₂. And since sales began of Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, more than 20 billion grams of CO₂ have been saved. Emissions from C-MAX Energi are less than half the average CO₂ that comes from a regular car.

 

The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi are part of six electrified vehicle choices from Ford. Other vehicles are: Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids and Focus Electric

 

At its facilities, Ford is expanding its industry-leading 3-Wet paint capacity by 50 percent this year – adding the environmentally friendly process to four more plants on three continents. Increased use of this process, which streamlines the painting process, is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 25 percent where used.

 

And in the last eight years, company scientists have developed the Ford CO₂ Model – a business planning tool that takes into consideration data and regulations from, among others, the International Energy Agency, National Center for Atmospheric Research, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ford also worked with researchers at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden, and from companies such as BP in the process of developing the CO₂ Model.

 

…And beyond CO₂

Ford’s sustainability report is a comprehensive showcase of the company’s efforts to tackle a myriad of sustainability challenges in a rapidly changing world. Specifically, the report addresses Ford’s overall financial health, the fuel economy of Ford Motor Company vehicles, safety achievements and other sustainability-related issues, such as:

 

• Trained 325 suppliers in sustainability management in 2012 as part of Ford’s Code of Human Rights, Basic Working Conditions and Corporate Responsibility; nearly 2,100 suppliers have been trained through the program
• Reduced waste-to-landfill by 19 percent per vehicle between 2011 and 2012, part of a plan to cut the amount of waste-to-landfill 40 percent per vehicle by 2016 (baseline is 2011)
• Reduced global water use by 1.95 million cubic meters from 2011 to 2012. Based on regional water cost estimates, this yielded more than $3 million in cost savings
• Cut global use of water per vehicle produced to 4.3 cubic meters (one cubic meter equals 264 gallons) in 2012 – down from 4.7 cubic meters in 2011 and 5.1 cubic meters in 2010. The company targets a 2 percent reduction in 2013 and continues working toward cutting water use 30 percent per vehicle by 2015 (2009 baseline)
• Reduced global water use by 62 percent between 2000 and 2012 – equal to about 10 billion gallons
• Established a five-year objective to improve operational energy use per vehicle globally by 25 percent by the end of 2016 (2011 baseline)
• Improved global energy efficiency by 6.4 percent against a 2011 year baseline normalized for weather and production levels

Ford Alternative Fuel Solutions

When it comes to climate change, Ford is offering solutions that can help customers improve their carbon footprint and their bottom line. It starts with creating a no-compromise range of efficient, alternative fuel vehicles. From electric cars, to hybrids, to natural gas-powered commercial trucks, Ford is committed to delivering the right vehicle for the right job while, most importantly, doing right by our planet.

Ford Goes Electric

Ford has five vehicles that run on electric technology. It's part of our strategy to make cars that last when it comes to efficiency on the road and to create a lasting impact on our earth -- doing our share to reduce the impacts of climate change. It's also about building a range of electric vehicles, from all-electric to plug-in hybrids, that fit the needs of each customer.

DREAMWORKS STUDIOS AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP FOR FILM ADAPTATION OF ELECTRONIC ARTS’ ‘NEED FOR SPEED’ VIDEO GAME

‘Breaking Bad’ star Aaron Paul Teams with a One-of-a-Kind Mustang Hero Car Specially Designed for the Film by Ford

 

LOS ANGELES, June 10, 2013 – Today, DreamWorks Studios’ Stacey Snider, Partner and Co-Chair, and Ford Motor Company’s Jim Farley, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, are pleased to announce an exclusive partnership for the feature film “Need for Speed,” which will include significant integration of Ford products, along with extensive media promotion by Ford at the time of the film’s release on March 14, 2014. The announcement coincides with the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang for the film, during Electronic Arts’ press conference at E3 Expo in Los Angeles later today.

 

 

The Ford-designed and created made-for-movie Mustang will be featured prominently throughout the film and become part of the mythology of the movie. The “Need for Speed” Mustang features a custom-designed wide body, unique 22-inch alloy wheels, and larger air intakes to feed the supercharged V8 engine under its classic Mustang twin-nostril hood.

 

“’Need for Speed’ is rooted in Americana, and when we were casting our hero car for the film, Ford Mustang was the obvious choice,” said Snider. “With its 50-year history in film, the iconic Mustang is the perfect co-star for Aaron Paul. We are privileged to have such an esteemed partner like Ford working with us on this film and look forward to seeing their Mustang up on the big screen next year.”

 

Ford also provided the production with an F-450 truck known in the film as “The Beast,” as well as another Mustang to serve as a specially designed camera car, which allows the filmmakers to capture car racing action in new and exciting ways.  

 

“Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing. The story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes – one that begins as a mission for revenge but proves to be a journey of redemption.

 

“Ford Mustang is a symbol of freedom and optimism that allows you to be the person you dream of being, making it the perfect fit for this story,” said Farley. “Ford is excited to partner with DreamWorks and Electronic Arts as they bring the epic gaming franchise of  ‘Need For Speed’ to the big screen, allowing us to go further with them as they tell their great story on the global stage.”

 

The movie is based on Electronic Arts’ popular video game series of the same name. It is one of the most successful racing video game franchises in the world, with more than 140 million games sold. The film stars Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”), Dominic Cooper (“Captain America”), Imogen Poots (“Fright Night”) and Michael Keaton (“Batman”), and is directed by Scott Waugh (“Act of Valor”). George Gatins and John Gatins developed the story and wrote the screenplay. John Gatins, Patrick O’Brien and Mark Sourian are producing. The Walt Disney Company is distributing the film in the United States and select international territories, while Mister Smith Entertainment is handling distribution in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. DreamWorks’ partner Reliance will distribute the film in India.

 

“’The Need for Speed’ movie will embody everything that fans of action racing films want to see – hot cars, high-stakes street racing and mind-blowing stunts,” said Scott Waugh, director of the “Need for Speed” film. “The adrenaline-fueled story across America will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.”

 

The next game in the “Need for Speed” franchise, “Need for Speed Rivals,” will be available Nov. 19, 2013 for the Xbox 360® game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. The game will launch on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 4 later this year.

Fitting In While Standing Out, Ford Designers and Chicago Architects Discuss Parallel Trends in Aesthetic Worlds

• “Big Ideas in Small Spaces: Proportion in Design” panel brings together leading architects, innovators and automotive designers to push the boundaries of the global design world

• Ford is joining with the Chicago Architecture Foundation in a discussion on common design trends between cars and buildings

• Vehicles and buildings are expected to be stylish as unique creations, but must also reflect their time and surroundings while offering practical access to features people require for daily use

CHICAGO, June 6, 2013 – Sleekly fashioned from steel and glass and carefully designed to accentuate their surroundings, today’s buildings are judged on individual aesthetics as much as their ability to complement their cityscape. They have much in common, then, with many of today’s automobiles, which are designed to be both beautiful and culturally relevant with visual elements that reflect their era.

 

Today, Ford Motor Company is joining with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) to discuss how the two industries are moving in parallel, interpreting similar trends and learning from each other.

 

“Big Ideas in Small Spaces: Proportion in Design,” a luncheon panel hosted by Ford and CAF, features automotive design experts and Chicago-based architects and innovators who will discuss how societal trends inspire and influence both the architectural and automotive industries.

 

“My favorite buildings are pristine, pure and simple, but they work because they are placed in a position that allows culture around them to shine,” said J Mays, group vice president, global design, and chief creative officer, Ford Motor Company. “Cars, like architecture, have to be appropriate for their culture. A well-designed building or car will give a viewer a guide into the time in which it is built.”

 

Chicago has long been a leader in architecture, especially the creation of skyscrapers. The city pioneered standard construction methods for steel frame structures and helped move the world past the use of traditional brick and concrete for tall buildings. The work of Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe was at the forefront of these functional skyscrapers, with these innovative, Chicago-based architects upholding high standards for design aesthetics.

 

Trends in today’s design world show that consumers in dense urban areas pay close attention to product details. With crowded areas packed with eye-catching creations, consumers differentiate their options by focusing on small features that separate one product from the pack.

 

“Consumers want something that looks great, but is also full of features,” Mays said. “The new Ford Fiesta delivers attributes not usually associated with a car its size, everything from the eye-catching grille to the outstanding technologies; it stands as a symbol for what can be done with limited space.”

 

The 2014 Ford Fiesta comes to market with one of the most comprehensive suites of in-car connectivity technology features available in a small car – SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® with a new 6.5-inch LCD touch screen. With MyFord Touch powered by Microsoft, Fiesta drivers can stay connected to their lives, easily getting the information and entertainment they want while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

 

Architects and auto designers face similar challenges in creating something that stands out from the crowd.

 

“Everyone has seen everything, the Internet has allowed everyone to view architecture from the other side of the world in a heartbeat,” said panel moderator Diane Atwood, director of the Atwood Foundation and CAF Trustee. “Designers in all fields, then, are competing not just with what’s around them, but with the work of the international creative community.”

 

Good building design is not about creating a structure that looks like it was made for the entire world, Atwood explained, but it is about creating something that has universal appeal.

 

“Consumers expect products that not only deliver functionality and quality, but also style and a sense of premium-ness that is actually attainable,” Mays said. “This applies to the automotive world as well, and vehicles like Fusion and the new Fiesta are a culmination of this principle.”

 

The all-new Fusion balances form and function, offering a stunning design without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The midsize sedan carries an EPA-estimated 47 mpg rating for its hybrid offering and 100 MPGe combined for the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.

 

Panel participants include:

• Diane Atwood, director, Atwood Foundation and CAF Trustee
• J Mays, group vice president of global design, and chief creative officer, Ford Motor Company  
• Carlos Martinez, principal and regional design director, Gensler Chicago and CAF Trustee
• Jonathan Gately, associate principal architect of design, Jahn

Explorer - BLIS® with Cross-Traffic Alert

BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System)* uses radar in the rear quarter panels to identify a vehicle entering your blind spot and alerts you with an indicator light in the sideview mirror. Cross-traffic alert also uses radar to watch for traffic behind you when you're slowly backing out of a parking spot or your driveway. If it detects a vehicle approaching from up to 15 yards away, it sends an audible warning, an indicator light flashes in the sideview mirror and a message displays in the message center. BLIS® with cross-traffic alert is available on the XLT, Limited and Sport models.

 *Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver's judgment.

Explorer - Terrain Management System™

The Terrain Management System™ is included with the available Intelligent 4WD System and lets you easily shift on the fly into one of four settings to match the terrain:

• Normal - biases torque to the front wheels and sends it to the rear only as needed

• Mud/Ruts - switches the throttle to a more aggressive mode, limits upshifting and desensitizes stability control, allowing the tires to spin as needed

• Sand - delivers maximum torque to the wheels, keeping the transmission in the lower gears for as long as possible, which allows the wheels to spin aggressively

• Grass/Gravel/Snow - sets the transmission for faster upshifts and adjusts the engine torque slightly to improve traction and control on a hard surface covered with loose material like grass, gravel or snow

Explorer - 2.0L I-4 EcoBoost® Engine

The EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine combines two different technologies -- turbocharging and twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) -- to deliver the performance of a V6 engine.

Explorer - Trailer Sway Control

Standard trailer sway control can detect if trailer sway is occurring and automatically decrease engine speed and apply asymmetric braking to help correct the situation.* This provides more control to help you safely tow a boat or trailer.34

*Remember that even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It's always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions.

Ford Makes F-Series Trucks Even Tougher

Similar to panoramic photo apps on smartphones, new Photogrammetric Pattern Reader (PPR) technology instantly stitches together 9,000 images of truck axles during assembly for analysis.

Ford EcoBoost Challenge Drive Event

Ford is taking the competition head on, inviting customers across the country to put the automaker's popular EcoBoost vehicles to the test against its competitors, while also getting the opportunity to drive the highly anticipated all-new Fiesta ST before it's available in Dealerships.

The Ford EcoBoost Challenge will allow customers to drive the Ford Fusion and Escape head-to-head against the competition while also experiencing how EcoBoost technology delivers exceptional fuel economy and power. The tour, beginning in June, will head to 12 markets nationally, and will also features the Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid.

Ford Motor Company U.S. Sales Up 14 Percent; Ford Fusion, Escape and New Lincoln MKZ Continue Record-Setting Pace

• Ford Motor Company’s May U.S. sales up 14 percent compared with a year ago; best May sales since 2006 with retail sales up 17 percent

• Escape delivers best month ever – sales up 26 percent year over year; Fusion sales up 10 percent – Fusion’s best-ever May; both achieve monthly sales records for four straight months

• F-Series, America’s best-selling pickup for 36 years, posts a 31 percent increase – best May sales since 2005 and first time F-Series breaks the 70,000 mark since March 2007

• Lincoln MKZ delivers its best-ever May sales performance

• Ford announces 2013 third-quarter production of 740,000 vehicles, up 10 percent from the prior year

DEARBORN, Mich., June 3, 2013 – Ford Motor Company’s U.S. sales grew 14 percent in May, with cars up 9 percent, utilities up 15 percent and trucks up 18 percent. Retail sales increased 17 percent, marking the best May retail sales results since 2005.

“Our fuel-efficient Fusion and Escape have set monthly sales records for four straight months,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “F-Series sales – fueled by construction growth and pent-up demand – reached their highest level in more than six years.”

Fusion posted its best-ever May sales of 29,553 vehicles – with its strongest areas of sales growth in the western and southeastern areas of the U.S.

The fuel-efficient Escape small utility posted its best-ever sales month since being introduced 13 years ago – a 26 percent increase with 29,123 vehicles sold last month.

America’s best-selling pickup, the F-Series had its strongest May sales result since 2005. F-Series’ 71,604 sales in May represented a 31 percent increase versus last year and its 22nd straight monthly sales increase.

In May, Lincoln MKZ sales increased 42 percent versus last year. This represents MKZ’s best-ever May sales, building on MKZ’s best-ever sales month in April.

In addition, Ford announces its 2013 third-quarter North American production. The company plans to build 740,000 vehicles in the third quarter, up 10 percent from the 673,000 vehicles produced in the third quarter of 2012.

The third quarter plan includes the company’s recent announcement to add 40,000 vehicles from a reduced July summer shutdown and the addition of 200,000 units of annualized straight-time capacity starting in the fall of this year.

Second quarter production of 800,000 vehicles is unchanged from previous guidance.

TechShop and Ford Celebrate One Year of Innovation in Metro Detroit; Benefits Emerge from Entrepreneurial Spirit

• TechShop Detroit – a do-it-yourself workshop and fabrication studio where prospective inventors, makers and hackers can rent space to have access to high-tech equipment – celebrates its first anniversary with an event June 1
• In the past year, Ford’s Employee Patent Incentive Program, in conjunction with TechShop, has in part led to 50 percent more patentable ideas by Ford employees
• TechShop offers members a chance to tinker and test out new, innovative ideas with equipment on site to better enable invention

 

DEARBORN, Mich., June 1, 2013 – When TechShop opened in Detroit a year ago it was intended to foster additional innovation, and now it has contributed to a 50 percent increase in patentable ideas by Ford employees.

 

Last spring Ford helped bring TechShop to Detroit with assistance from Bill Coughlin, CEO of Ford Global Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Leading the domestic auto industry’s only intellectual property team with a licensing arm, Coughlin articulates this vision to help drive innovation at Ford and beyond.

 

“There was a time not so long ago in this business where outside ideas were not readily considered,” he says. “Since TechShop memberships were added to help enhance Ford’s invention incentive program, invention disclosures have increased by more than 50 percent.”

 

The Employee Patent Incentive Program provides Ford employee inventors with a three-month free membership to TechShop Detroit. Approximately 2,000 Ford employees have incentive memberships.

 

Ford has a portfolio of more than 17,000 issued and pending patents around the world, and – as a technology company – needs to be at the very forefront of automotive innovation. With TechShop in close proximity, Ford’s employees in Dearborn are able to easily and quickly build prototypes for almost any inventive solution they can conceive.

 

TechShop Detroit is a center for innovation – a vibrant playground for inventors, hackers and tinkerers of all stripes.

 

“We’re thrilled TechShop is helping to inspire new inventions and ideas from the employees at Ford, at such a strong pace,” says Mark Hatch, CEO of TechShop. “A full year of success in our partnership with Ford confirms our ability to deliver on our mission of helping makers and entrepreneurs of all ages build their dreams and explore new ideas.

 

“Over the last year, TechShop Detroit’s vibrant and talented community of makers have shown their innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive, and we can’t wait to see the creative and exciting things to come,” he adds.

 

From laser cutters to computer-aided-design workstations to 3D printers, TechShop is outfitted with tools that Henry Ford couldn’t even imagine when he built his first cars more than a century ago. While much of this equipment is still well beyond the means of most tinkerers, memberships starting at $99 per month enable everyone access to the tools of innovation.

 

TechShop Detroit is located in Fairlane Business Park, a Ford Land-owned property in Allen Park, Mich. There are five other TechShops around the United States, with an additional three planned in the future.

Ford Hybrid Vehicle Sales Break Full-Year Record in First Five Months of 2013

• Ford surpassed its previous full-year hybrid sales record set in 2010 of 35,496 vehicles in just the first five months of 2013

• Ford is projected to sell approximately 37,000 hybrid vehicles through May, for around a 375 percent increase over the same period last year

• Ford Fusion Hybrid is projected to deliver its best May sales ever; Ford Fusion Energi is also projected to achieve its best sales month since its introduction in February

• Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid continue to draw new customers to the Ford brand, with conquest rates at 64 percent and 67 percent, respectively; Toyota is the top competitive conquest brand

C-MAX Hybrids being built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. MAP the only manufacturing site in the world to build vehicles with five different fuel-efficient powertrains on the same line, and the only one to build four vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or more in real-world driving. In addition to the C-MAX Hybrid, MAP produces Focus Electric, the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, as well as the conventional Focus and Focus ST high performance model.

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 31, 2013 – Ford Motor Company bested its previous full-year hybrid sales record in just the first five months of 2013, driven by the product strength of its new electrified vehicle lineup including Ford C-MAX Hybrid, Ford C-MAX Energi, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Ford Fusion Energi, as well as Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

 

Ford beat its previous full-year hybrid sales record of 35,496 vehicles in 2010 with projected sales of 37,000 through May, an increase of more than 375 percent over the same period last year. Ford is now second only to Toyota in the number of hybrid vehicles it sells in the United States with its market share continuing to grow, up from 3 percent last year to an all-time-high 15.5 percent through April 2013.

 

“We’re working tirelessly to get as many hybrids to the market as we can right now to meet this unprecedented customer demand for our electrified vehicles,” said Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. sales analyst. “The success we are experiencing with hybrids is energizing the whole company.”

 

Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid continue to draw new customers to the Ford brand, with conquest rates remaining highest in the Ford showroom since the launch of both vehicle lines. Fusion Hybrid conquest sales are holding steady at 67 percent, with C-MAX Hybrid at 63 percent. The new lineup continues to draw new customers from Toyota and Honda, with most conquest sales coming from Toyota.

 

Ford Fusion Hybrid continues to fly off dealer lots, attaining some of the highest turn rates in the Ford showroom. Fusion Hybrid is turning in just 14 days on average as customers are drawn to the all-new car’s fuel economy, styling and design. This turn rate is even higher in key markets like Los Angeles, at just 10 days. Fusion Hybrid represents an all-time-high percentage of overall Fusion sales, at 15 percent.

 

Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid – the newest addition to Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup – is also expected to achieve its best sales month ever since its launch in February.

 

“Our all-new electrified vehicle lineup is drawing new customers to the Ford brand,” said C.J. O’Donnell, Ford electrification group marketing manager. “We are growing our business by providing fuel-efficient products that don’t force customers to compromise the design, technology and comfort that are available across the Ford lineup.

 

“We’re hearing from our dealers they literally can’t keep our hybrids in stock,” O’Donnell added. “This is particularly evident in key markets like California.”

 

Ford is delivering the power of choice

Ford is seeing demand for fuel economy across its lineup as the brand ranks No. 1 in fuel economy customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and now beats Toyota for leading efficiency in every segment where both companies compete.

 

Ford’s newest plug-in vehicle – Fusion Energi – gives customers yet another Ford option when shopping electrified vehicles. The new Fusion Energi joins Focus Electric, Fusion Hybrid, C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi.