Sept 3, 2010
In this Blue Oval Connect Weekly Briefing…
- First-Ever Ford Police Interceptor Utility Debuts, Offers Portfolio of Choice for Law Enforcement
- Ford Market Share Gains Continue in August as Buyers Turn to Lineup of High-Quality, Fuel-Efficient Products
- 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Adds SuperCrew Option, More Technology, Towing, Standard 6.2-Liter Engine
- Ford Canada Sales Up 8 Percent; Best August in 20 Years
- Ford Uses Innovative Liquid-Cooled Battery System to Help Focus Electric Owners Maximize Range
- Video: (CBS) Ford SYNC Among Hottest Car Technology Helping to Sell Cars
- Outside Voices: (Autoblog) 2011 Dodge Durango Unveiled
2010 Drive Program Invitation – New Sessions Added!
Our progress on introducing great new products, powertrains and technologies is being recognized worldwide. Our commitment to give you the chance to experience our products first continues with our upcoming Third Annual Drive one Drive Experience. We have a fantastic lineup for you to experience this year.
Due to the overwhelming response, we've added two new session times for our Ford alums.
WHO: Due to capacity constraints NO GUESTS will be permitted at this event, only Ford retirees.
WHAT: Vehicles available to drive will include the upcoming Ford Explorer and Focus, the European C-Max Grand, Edge, Fiesta, Mustang V6 and GT, Raptor, Super Duty Diesel and competitor vehicles. Lincoln will be represented with the MKX and MKZ Hybrid. We also will provide an interactive way to experience the capabilities of some of our connectivity technology.
WHEN:
Friday, Sept. 17 (session at 4:30 p.m. EDT)
Saturday, Sept. 18 (session at 9:30 a.m. and Noon EDT)
Monday, Sept. 27 (session at 4:30 p.m. EDT)
HOW: Limited slots for each of the sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here or paste the following into your browser (https://www2.fcs.ford.com/en/Registrations/2010/drive-event/register.htm) to register.
WHERE: All attendees are to meet at the Fairlane Business Park complex behind the Detroit Lions Training facility off Rotunda (17425 Federal Drive, Allen Park, MI 48101 – a map will be provided upon registration). Once at this site, attendees will be bussed to the Dearborn Development Center Test Track.
QUESTIONS? For general questions, send an e-mail to "Drive one" at driveone@ford.com.
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Special AXZ Offers – Just a Click Away
Ford continues to show great momentum in the marketplace – and is continuing to offer employees and retirees great savings through AXZ-Plans pricing incentives and other special offers on eligible Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles! When you choose to opt in for special incentive e-mails, you'll also learn about opportunities to share the savings with your friends and neighbors! Remember, Ford has expanded its X-Plan program by giving you two additional X-Plan PINs (six total) to use through the end of 2010. To receive these special offer e-mails from Ford, just click here to opt in.
Ford Model Year End Sales Event
Now is the best time to own a new Ford during the Model Year End Sales Event.
Experience the quality, fuel efficiency and innovation that has helped put Ford at the top of everyone's shopping list. And now, we're making it even easier to get behind the wheel in the Ford of your choice with great rates and cash back too!
See your local Ford Dealer now to take advantage of the Model Year End Sales Event.
Click here for more information.
Global Week of Caring – Sept. 4 - 11, 2010
The 5th annual Ford Global Week of Caring runs Sept. 4 - 11, and this year we're coloring Global Week – Green. Thousands of Ford employee and retiree volunteers on six continents have come together each year to create projects that meet the needs of people in their local communities. To read this message from Bill Ford in full, click here.
Please go to the Ford Volunteer Corps website at www.volunteer.ford.com and register to volunteer for a MODEL Teams project.
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First-Ever Ford Police Interceptor Utility Debuts, Offers Portfolio of Choice for Law Enforcement
Ford revealed its newest pursuit-rated vehicle – Ford's first-ever specially designed Police Interceptor utility built for the rigors of police work.
The new vehicle is designed to complement Ford's all-new Police Interceptor sedan, which was introduced earlier this year. Combined, the two vehicles provide law enforcement agencies the ultimate in versatility and choice, something no other police vehicle on the road today can match.
Ford, the police vehicle market leader for 15 years, developed both Police Interceptors to allow departments to maximize versatility without sacrificing quality. Both vehicles will debut simultaneously and be offered without interruption when production of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ends in late 2011.
To read the full article, click here.
Related Material:
Ford Market Share Gains Continue in August as Buyers Turn to Lineup of High-Quality, Fuel-Efficient Products
Consumer demand for Ford's fresh lineup of high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles helped the company continue to grow its retail market share in August for the 22nd time in the last 23 months.
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers delivered 157,503 new vehicles in August, down 11 percent versus a year ago, when Ford outpaced the industry during the "Cash for Clunkers" sales program.
Year-to-date, Ford sales totaled 1.28 million units, up 18 percent – double the growth of the overall industry.
To read the full article, click here.
Related Material:
2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Adds SuperCrew Option, More Technology, Towing, Standard 6.2-Liter Engine
A new standard 6.2-liter V8 engine pumping out 411 horsepower, new technologies and a newly available SuperCrew option that gives Raptor customers more choices in cab size all ensure the 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will remain the off-road performance truck champion in the new model year.
The F-150 SVT Raptor is the first-ever high-speed off-road performance truck offered by any manufacturer and highlights 33 years of Ford truck sales leadership by emphasizing F-150's Built Ford Tough durability, innovation and engineering. Developed with the DNA of an off-road pre-runner, comprehensive modifications focused on chassis and suspension enhancements.
To read the full article, click here.
Related Material:
Ford Canada Sales Up 8 Percent; Best August in 20 Years
Ford of Canada saw sales increase 8 percent in August, marking the best August on record in 20 years. With 24,034 units sold, Ford of Canada posted its highest August sales since 1990. Products across the entire lineup showed positive results including CUV sales which increased 21 percent and truck sales which rose 5 percent, helping to boost overall sales. Ford continues to be Canada's top-selling manufacturer in 2010 with sales up 17 percent year-to-date.
To read the full article, click here.
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Ford Uses Innovative Liquid-Cooled Battery System to Help Focus Electric Owners Maximize Range
The all-new Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in the U.S. late next year and in Europe in 2012, will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery that utilizes heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and gas-free driving range.
Thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems is critical to the success of all-electric vehicles because extreme temperatures can affect performance, reliability, safety and durability. Ford has chosen an advanced active liquid-cooling and heating system to regulate the temperature of its lithium-ion battery packs, which are designed to operate under a range of ambient conditions.
To read the full article, click here.
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Ellen Hughes-Cromwick
Chief Economist
Ford Motor Company
In late 2009, the U.S. economy began showing signs of recovery from the economic downturn that shook the nation. After the second quarter of this year, however, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated that economic growth had slowed to 1.6 percent. Are we on the road to recovery, or are we heading for a double-dip recession? What is the economic outlook for other markets around the world? @Ford posed those questions and more to Ford's Chief Economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick.
Q: Many key economists are speculating about a double-dip recession. What is the global outlook from your perspective?
In Europe, some markets are experiencing renewed weakness due to the government debt overload. Greece and Spain are examples. Recent economic indicators for the United Kingdom and Germany remain positive, so at the present time, double-dip risks look low for those markets.
In the U.S., growth over the last year has been 3 percent with only modest gains in employment, a very high unemployment rate above 9 percent as well as a challenging housing market despite record low mortgage rates. So yes, there are risks of another slowdown in growth, particularly if there is some kind of shock which is unforeseen and leads to more uncertainty. We are watching this very closely and are attentive to how this could affect our business environment.
Q: What do you mean by "shocks?"
A: An oil price shock or a policy mistake. For example, there were a few programs developed by the government to provide a tax credit to buy a new home, or assistance in restructuring mortgages which exceed the value of the equity or market price for the home. These programs were temporary and small. Such programs, if substantial enough, could start to cauterize the difficulties in the housing market. Targeted stimulus can be effective in reducing the risks to economic growth, or it can be a missed opportunity if not appropriate in size, scope or timing.
To read the full discussion, click here.
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Ford Motor China Reports Strong Sales Growth for August
Ford and its joint ventures in China, including Changan Ford Mazda Automobile and Jiangling Motors Corporation, reported 44,047 units in sales for August, a 24 percent increase from August 2009.
Total passenger and commercial vehicles sold in China as of the end of August were 368,103 units, an increase of 42 percent compared to the January to August period in 2009.
To read the full article, click here.
Ford Trucks Win 2010 Rally dos Sertões
Ford was named champion of the 18th Rally dos Sertões, the second largest rally in the world, after ten days of racing and 2,800 miles. The competition path went through six Brazilian states with varying road surfaces and difficulty level. Ford won both in the light trucks category, with Ford F-4000 4x4, and the heavy category, with Ford Cargo 1722e 4x4. In addition, Ford held many podium positions in the overall standings.
To read the full article, click here.
Elena Ford Visits Moscow
Elena Ford, Ford's director of Global Marketing, Sales and Service Operations, and great granddaughter of Henry Ford, has presented one lucky Ford owner in Moscow with the keys to his new Mondeo.
To read the full article, click here.
India to Be a Key Pillar in Ford's Global Growth Plan
Eight new Ford products will be launched in India by the middle of the decade.
Ford Asia Pacific and Africa President (APA), Joe Hinrichs made this announcement during his "Managing Growth – Evolving Dynamics" keynote speech at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers Convention on Aug. 25.
To read the full article, click here.
Ford Fiesta Hits Thailand Showrooms
Ford Thailand celebrated the hotly-anticipated arrival of its stylish and sporty new Ford Fiesta during a festive and colorful launch party in central Bangkok. The globally popular Fiesta – which already has the Thai market buzzing – goes officially on-sale Sept. 2 at Ford showrooms nationwide.
To read the full article, click here.
Ford SYNC Among Hottest Car Technology Helping to Sell Cars
(CNBC) Doug Newcomb of Edmunds.com and Molly Wood of CNET.com are interviewed about new car gadgets and technology, and how they are helping sell more cars. Newcomb touts Ford's SYNC, which he says has helped Ford sell cars. He also says SYNC is giving Ford a big edge. Click here to view video.
Ford Unveils New Police Interceptor SUV in Chicago
(CBS) Ford unveiled its new Police Interceptor SUV at the Chicago Assembly Plant. It's Ford's first SUV specially made for police. Like the Police Interceptor sedan, it gets 20 percent better mileage than the old Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Click here to view video.
2011 Dodge Durango Unveiled
(Autoblog) Chrysler has just pulled back the curtain on the 2011 Dodge Durango, and the newest iteration of the Auburn Hills brawler looks to have all of the bones it needs to be competitive in one of the industry's most crowded segments. To read the full article, click here.
Ford Mustang Stuns on Sound, Not Just Looks
(USA Today) We all know the Ford Mustang's macho heritage, its new powerful engines, the looks it draws at stoplights. To read the full article, click here.
Chrysler Sales Up 7 Percent with Jeep Leading the Way
(Detroit Free Press) Chrysler defied the industry trend with a 7 percent increase in new vehicle sales in August from a year earlier when Cash for Clunkers inflated most of its competitors' sales. To read the full article, click here.
Police Car Wars: With Crown Victoria Retiring, Rivals in Hot Pursuit
(Detroit Free Press) Chrysler unveiled Tuesday the first photo of its all-new police car based on the Dodge Charger -- providing fresh evidence of a brewing police car war in which rival automakers have one main competitor in their sights: Ford. To read the full article, click here.
GM Posts 7 Percent Sales Dip in August
(MSNBC) Once a bright spot in the economic recovery, U.S. auto sales stalled last month to the worst levels in 27 years. To read the full article, click here.
TeleNav Inc.'s Connected Navigation Services Now in Ford and Lincoln Vehicles
(Market Watch) TeleNav, one of the largest global wireless navigation services providers, announced the immediate availability of its embedded automotive navigation product in the 2011 Ford Edge, and the 2011 Lincoln MKX, called MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch respectively. To read the full article, click here.
Chrysler Seeks Fiat Dealerships in 165 U.S. Locations
(Bloomberg) Chrysler, the U.S. automaker run by Fiat SpA, said it wants Fiat dealerships in about 165 U.S. locations as the Italian automaker expands in North America. To read the full article, click here.
Dan Akerson Driven to Restore General Motors
(Detroit Free Press) Dan Akerson, GM's new CEO, showed Thursday night that he's willing to fight for Detroit. To read the full article, click here.
New Honda Civic Delayed
(MotorTrend) For its first six generations, the Honda Civic was on a four-year lifecycle. To read the full article, click here.
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