Ford Has Big Plans For Small Cars

The stars of the 2011 North American International Auto Show were fuel-efficient small cars. Ford in particular showcased 10 new C-segment cars in Detroit, all of which embodied Ford’s commitment to fuel-efficiency.

“It’s about giving consumers more options for fuel-efficient vehicles of this size and footprint and providing them the power of choice for electrified vehicles, as well,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “Today, a world-class, all-new Focus family joining the new Fiesta lineup is delivering more choice. Now, we’re bringing even more to customers with the versatility of the new C-MAX and three different alternatives for customers who want to save fuel by going electric, offering real choice and more products people really want.”

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Ford’s In-Vehicle Technology

Ford is working to improve its MyFord Touch system, which allows drivers use a touch screen or voice controls to operate control such things as temperature, music and cell phones.  Last week, Ford CEO Alan Mulally said that the technology will be adjusted to make it even safer than before.

“The position we took a few years ago was that we will be operating in a wired world,” Mulally said at the Detroit auto show. “The best value we could add was to enhance the driving experience and make us better drivers. The best way to do that is to have your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road and everything is voice activated.”

Ford’s in-vehicle technology has become very popular on Ford and Lincoln models. In fact, Ford says about 82 percent of Ford Edge crossovers ordered have the MyFord Touch option.

Ford Wins Three KBB.com “Best Resale Value” Awards

Each year, the experts at Kelley Blue Book crunch the numbers to help recognize automakers’ outstanding achievements in producing new vehicles that will best maintain their appeal after five years of ownership. And in this one particularly important measure of vehicle quality, it was three Fords that took home the highest honors.

Ford Taurus—Scoring the highest marks in the Full-Size Car category—for the second consecutive year—was the Ford Taurus, lauded for “an upscale interior worthy of a luxury sedan and spiced up with the inclusion of Ford’s unique SYNC infotainment system.” Editors also commended the Taurus’ available EcoBoost V6 engine “that combines efficiency with excitement.” [click to continue…]

Tattoos are not just body art anymore...

...customers will soon be able to express themselves with vehicle tattoos for the all-new 2012 Ford Focus with more than 200 unique vinyl wrap tattoos in an array of different colors and a variety of designs – from geometric patterns and racing stripes to whimsical imagery like splashes and swirls – the Custom Graphics offer the look of custom paint at half the cost

The popularity of tattoos has turned body art into a fashion statement – especially among Millennials – and Ford is taking the trend one step further by offering car buyers a quick and inexpensive way to express themselves with tattoos for the new 2012 Ford Focus.

From geometric patterns and racing stripes to whimsical imagery like splashes and swirls, customers will soon be able to choose from more than 200 unique vinyl wrap tattoos. 

Ford Custom Graphics are currently available for the Ford Mustang, Explorer F-150 and Fiesta

To find a design that reflects your personality visit www.fordcustomgraphics.com 

Ford MyKey® Technology

Just as parents block their teens from watching X-rated films or web videos, Ford Motor Company will introduce the world's first technology that will screen explicit radio content while youngsters are driving.

Ford Motor Company is preparing to debut a new version of its breakthrough MyKey® technology that – for the first time – will allow parents to block explicit satellite radio content in the vehicle, much like parents are able to prevent children from viewing certain types of television and Internet content.

The new feature will debut next year as standard equipment on the Ford Taurus and Ford Explorer, and will eventually be available across a variety of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. MyKey – designed to help parents encourage safe teen driving habits – is an easily programmable key that can limit a vehicle’s top speed, limit radio volume and encourage safety-belt usage by muting the radio until front occupants buckle up.

The radio-blocking feature works by screening out more than a dozen channels labeled by Sirius® Satellite Radio as “explicit.” While similar technology is used for blocking inappropriate content on televisions and computers, never before has such an option been available for radio programming in vehicles.

Ford’s current MyKey system – standard on most North American vehicles after launching in summer 2009 – allows owners to program a key that can limit the vehicle’s top speed to 80 mph, with chimes sounding at 45, 55 and 65 mph. The upgraded MyKey technology will now allow parents to limit a vehicle’s top speed at any of four different settings – 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph.

“Ford wants to give parents peace of mind that their kids are following practical household rules in the car,” says Graydon Reitz, director, Ford Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering.


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