Archive for the ‘Ford’ Category

Ford to Triple EcoBoost Vehicle Production Capacity in 2012

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

EcoBoost

Now that record sales of 127,683 EcoBoost™-equipped vehicles in 2011 are on the books, Ford aims to more than triple production capacity of cars, utilities and trucks using this fuel-efficient technology in 2012.

Ford will expand its portfolio of fuel-efficient offerings this year withthe fuel-saving 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine in the high-volume Escape compact utility vehicle and Fusion sedan nameplates, five new electrified vehicles, as well as with the introduction of auto start stop technology paired with the convenience of an automatic transmission.

“EcoBoost expansion and availability in high-volume nameplates such as the all-new Ford Escape and Fusion will take this affordable, fuel-saving technology to the heart of the market,” said Ford Group Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering Sue Cischke. “Ford is committed to delivering class-leading fuel economy for our customers, which benefits the environment and helps the U.S. move toward greater energy independence.”

The full-size Taurus sedan becomes the first Ford vehicle to offer customers a choice between two EcoBoost engines. It will offer a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder making an estimated 237 horsepower and giving customers up to an anticipated class-leading 31 mpg, while the iconic Taurus SHO sport sedan features a 365-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivering 25 mpg highway.

The green and mean Focus ST arrives this year as a high-performance – yet fuel-efficient – sport compact EcoBoost application.

Additionally, Ford offers an EcoBoost-powered Police Interceptor for 2012. It is the first-ever turbocharged law-enforcement vehicle offering.

Ford’s lineup of fuel-efficient cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers underscores the company’s commitment to continually improve fuel economy.

By the end of 2012, nine Ford models will deliver or are anticipated to deliver an EPA-certified 40 mpg highway or higher, with still more fuel-efficient vehicles on the way.

Of the 11 market segments in which Ford competes, the company leads in fuel economy customer satisfaction in six, according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study, a third-party measure of buyer attitudes concerning recent vehicle purchases.

These findings show Ford customers are pleased with their fuel economy, and that their new Ford vehicle delivers the EPA-rated estimates in regular use.

The power of choice
Ford’s top-selling F-150 pickup provides another example of how the company is meeting its promise to lead or be among the leaders in fuel economy.

In 2010, all F-150 trucks sold featured a V8 engine. Just one year later, 56 percent of 2011 F-150 customers bought pickups with a fuel-saving V6, either the base 305-horsepower 3.7-liter or the award-winning 365-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost. These engines are EPA-certified at 23 mpg and 22 mpg highway, respectively, and deliver both leading fuel economy and capability.

Ford’s electrified vehicle portfolio expands this year with the introductions of the new C-MAX Hybrid, C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid and Focus Electric battery electric vehicle.

New Electric Ford Focus At Detroit Auto Show

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Electric Ford Focus

The Detroit Auto Show has always been the place where one could discover the newest products and innovation, but this year in particular marks some significant change. The shift towards electric vehicles was part of almost booth on display at the Detroit Auto Show.

The year of the electric vehicle is here, and it’s all over the auto show from electric vehicle test tracks at Ford to the charging stations displays and new lifestyles it promises.

There are still many new hurdles that will need to be overcome, but the industry has taken quite the turn with a new focus on driving electric. Many people have questions about how the new vehicles will operate, how long the batteries will last, how far the vehicles can travel on a single charge, etc.

Commercial Electric Vehicles

The new Electric Ford Transit Connect will be one of the first Ford electric vehicles to hit the road, and look for dealerships to use them for delivery vans and other such applications.

Consumers, Fleet vehicles, and even the local delivery trucks. Electric is allowing our country the opportunity to rid us of the burden gasoline powered vehicles from pollution to the dependance on foreign oil.

Electric Vehicles Are In Demand

The demand of new electric vehicles are resulting in new investments in manufacturing which creates more jobs for Americans.

The electric Ford Focus, equipped with My Ford Touch and SYNC, will be a vehicle in high demand for drivers of all ages and now is the time to evaluate the requirements for installing a charging station, such as upgrading the electrical panel at the home, and finding out if any local businesses or even your employer has plans to install charging stations.

New Ford Vehicle Colors And Finishes – What They Say About You

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

If you’re searching for a new car which colors would you consider. The color you choose can make life much easier if you were to sell, or much harder.

How To Pick A Good Color Car

Most people prefer neutral colors such as black white gray etc. studies have shown that as many as 40% of car buyers will leave the dealer because the color that they want is not available.

With today’s technology Ford has been able to create colors with all sorts of characteristics from a glossy finish to a glass flake as opposed to metal.

This gives customer a much larger range of personalized choices which makes the vehicle something they designed and envisioned.

If you believe the car you are buying fits your needs well, then don’t let the resale consideration distract you from buying a color that fits your interests.

Also, try to look at the vehicle in sunny and cloudy conditions if its a unique color you are considering, it may change your mind if the appearance is too bright for your taste.

Ford Paint Quality Equals Long Life

Ford is taking measures to ensure that their products are durable and long-lasting when exposed to harsh weather conditions. Conditions, such as winter seasons where cars are subjected to road grime and in some states salt, which is used as deicer.

The harsh finish allows vehicles to withstand things like acid rain and other harmful elements that could come in contact with your vehicle.

So a combination of a customized look along with the durability gives customers the confidence that their Ford will look good even in poor weather conditions.

Take your time and consider the benefits you will have if you select the right color and finish for your new car.

Download the Ford Paint Quality PDF

Ford Fiesta Is Here – Experience the Technology in Ford Fiesta

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

The new Ford fiesta has finally arrived and delivers just as expected. With all the technology features, and fuel economy, this vehicle is perfect for new drivers.

When considering a car for a college student, or even someone who does a lot of driving, the Fiesta is a great selection. Ford has really put together a solid package for those who utilize technology and want to extend those services in a vehicle.

The Ford Sync system was designed for those who want to use applications such as Pandora and Twitter, allowing a simple integration between their mobile device in the vehicle.

As more technology is built to make our lives easier and to keep track of things with little effort people will prefer buying products that can sync up. The transferring of data to and from and other implicit functionality is what is so appealing about these new vehicles.

There is also the safety aspect, with people attempting to text message while driving, they won’t have to do that in this vehicle. So the more applications that people can access via voice will become major requirements for many car buyers.

Ford is also at the leading edge of in-vehicle technology with the open API which allows software companies and developers to create unique applications for consideration. Think of the Apple App Store for cars, there are certainly going to be some interesting applications built in the near future that would really make people feel the need to own a Ford over another manufacturer.

One thing that will hopefully remain is the privacy and enjoyment one has within their vehicle, it seems like there are fewer places to relax and reflect on things and driving is one of them that will hopefully remain.

Flex and Fusion named Top Safety Picks for 2010

Monday, December 6th, 2010


The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the 2010 Ford Flex (vehicles built after January 2010) and the 2010 Ford Fusion (vehicles built after April 2010) with Top Safety Pick.

Both Flex and Fusion received the Top Safety Pick designation last year, but in order to maintain it for 2010, each had to earn the highest rating of good for its roof strength in the Institute’s new rollover test.

To measure roof strength, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a vehicle’s roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle’s weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio. According to the IIHS, this is a useful assessment of vehicle structural protection in rollover crashes. Good-rated vehicles like Flex and Fusion have roofs that can withstand a force equal to at least 4 times the vehicle’s weight.

In addition to the highest rating of good for front and side crash tests, rollover test and rear crash protection tests, becoming a Top Safety Pick requires that a vehicle have electronic stability control, which is a standard feature on both Flex and Fusion.

Ford’s Invasion of the Bulls

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

Tasca Showcar at Hodge Ford

Monday, October 11th, 2010


Join us this weekend and come see the Tasca Show Car right here at Hodge Ford in Muskogee!

Ford Sets The Bar In Technology

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

Ford Motor company has realized that there is a tremendous value in allowing people the ability to connect with their technology in the vehicle. Technology being cell phones laptop computers and various other electronic devices.

Ford has taken an interest in allowing this technology to integrate within the vehicle giving people access to their media files on the go.

At first, automakers saw an opportunity by allowing the integration of MP3 players so that people could bring their music they already owned into the vehicle with them. Now, it’s going to be a collection of applications much like Apple’s App Store is for the iPhone.

By making this integration and opening up their API, Ford has makes it possible for future electronics to be integrated as well.

People have a significant amount of information including documents, pictures and other types of media online . By giving them the ability to access it and share it with individuals while on the go through voice command could be of significant value.

Vehicles have the capability of helping people save time in many sorts of ways. Instead of printing off a map from the computer we simply load the location would like to go to into the navigation system and we get turn by turn directions.

Giving people the ability to access and leverage their network of friends and other connections online is extraordinary. We are still in the early stages of social media and the influence it has on our decisions but this is nothing new. We’ve always sought out the expertise and insight of our friends and family in the hopes that they might have some valuable advice.

This allows us access to a larger network through instant communication and being connected. There is also the chance that commerce through this technology could become big business and sending carry-out orders electronically or a grocery list for fulfillment could be very interesting.

Personalizing Your Ford Fiesta With Graphics And Color

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

2011 Ford Fiesta comes in nine possible color configurations. In addition, there are also several graphics packages that you can choose from. These graphics packages allow you to customize the exterior of your Ford Fiesta to personalize the vehicle and call it your own.

The Ford custom graphics are called Original Wraps and are available for placement on the side of the Ford Fiesta. The graphics come in 18 different designs called: Round Zig, Ninja Blades, Hypnose, Hex, Flowers, Flash, Flames, Fancy, Dots, City, Pixel, Jagged Line, Circles, Bubbles, Floral, Arrows, Flourish, and Simple Circles.

In addition, Ford Fiesta has nine different color options for the exterior paint called Monterey Grey metallic, Ingot Silver Metallic, Bright Magenta Metallic, Oxford White, Tuxedo Black Metallic, Yellow Blaze Metallic Tri-coat, Lime Squeeze Metallic, Blue Flame Metallic, Red Candy Metallic.

This wide variety of different colors and designs make the Ford Fiesta a youthful and exciting new personalized vehicle. It truly gives the vehicle its own personality which is exactly what Ford wants their customers to experience.

This has been a popular concept in things like cell phones, where people can get custom covers in all sorts of different styles. People have also been into getting their beliefs communicated through things like bumper stickers, license plate frames, and even some ornamental lighting. Up until now, this was being supplied by the aftermarket which is growing year after year.

One thing that has never really been fully tested by automakers is giving people access to these things at the same time they are purchasing the vehicle. This proves to be the most likely time when someone is interested in putting a personal touch on their vehicle. So not only does someone have a new vehicle that they are proud of, they also have a little bit of their personality coming through.

Ford Climate Control Systems

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Help People Who Suffer From Allergies
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease approximately 35 million Americans are affected by airborne allergens which cause allergic rhinitis or hay fever. Those sensitive to these allergens suffer from a host of symptoms some of which can interfere with focused driving. Itchy watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and drowsiness can all affect the allergy sufferer; one or all at one time. That means 35 million Americans are driving around at times with both eyes closed sneezing.

Enter a brainstorming team at Ford Motor Company ready to combat a seemingly common occurrence that can have hazardous consequences. Ford Motor Company’s way to combat airborne allergies is preventive. The 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ models are now equipped with ‘allergen-reducing’ cabin filters installed in the climate control system. Cabin air filters will also be installed in the all-new Ford models like Ford Fiesta. These vehicles’ climate control systems are rated to take away pollen, mold spores, and other airborne irritants. “Ford is also the only automaker in Europe whose interiors achieve the stringent official TÜV Rhineland® allergy-friendly certification.”

Not only will Ford customers gain fresh cabin air to breathe, they will also feel the benefits in the bank account with fewer allergy related trips to the doctor office. The cost to treat allergic rhinitis in the US is estimated at $11 billion each year. Thanks to Ford Motor Company, Ford auto, truck, and SUV drivers now have an advantage in the war on airborne allergens in health and financial health.

Ford Motor Company is determined to build the best all around vehicle for customers from powertrains, to safety features, to technology. Engineers leave no stone unturned in this quest for customer care, comfort, and safety. This standard is what brings veteran customers back and non-traditional customers into dealerships around the country and the globe.