August 26, 2011 Thank you for registering to be a part of Ford Motor Company's Blue Oval Connect retiree outreach initiative. Refer a Friend: If you know of other Ford retirees who would like to receive this newsletter, please take a moment to refer them to www.blueovalconnect.com. In this Blue Oval Connect Weekly Briefing…
We Want to Know What You Think! As Ford alumni, we welcome your input and would appreciate your support in answering a few brief questions regarding the mass communications the company provides which are available to retirees in the U.S. (i.e. @Ford magazine, @Ford Online, Blue Oval Connect, etc.). Please note, this survey is about company news communications and about the company in general, NOT about benefits or pension communications. We plan to use these survey results to continue to improve and fine tune our efforts in communicating with you, our Ford Alumni.
To take the brief online survey, click here or cut and
paste this URL into your browser: http://bit.ly/FordRetireeCommunicationSurvey2011.
Ford Global Week of Caring is Sept. 10-18, 2011. Time to check out the new Ford Volunteer Corps website and help create a better world! Join a volunteer project through Model Teams.
Click here to check out the new
site and get involved!
Lincoln Summer Exclusive Sales Event is coming to an end. That means time is short to get an attractive offer on Lincoln MKZ. In addition to attractive lease rates on Lincoln MKZ, every new Lincoln now comes with a four-year, $0-deductible, complimentary maintenance program. Select your Lincoln MKZ , recently named "Most Dependable Entry Premium Car" for the second year in a row, by J.D. Power and Associates1 and get standard SYNC® the in-car connectivity system that responds to voice commands.2 See your local Lincoln Dealer now to take advantage of the Lincoln Summer Exclusive Sales Event. Click here for more information.
Disclaimer:
Final days! The Best Place To Be Sales Event is almost over. You need to act now to save on the best-selling brand in America.1 Now is the time to get behind the wheel of a new Ford and save. Check out the innovative Ford Taurus. Take a look at the available SYNC® with MyFord Touch®,2 which puts 10,000 commands at your fingertips, available in the new 2012 Ford Focus. And, of course, don’t forget F-Series pickups, simply the best-selling trucks for 34 years running. See your local Ford Dealer now to take advantage of the Best Place To Be Sales Event. Click here for more information on this event.
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Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation – the world’s two leading manufacturers of hybrid vehicles – announced they will equally collaborate on the development of an advanced new hybrid system for light truck and SUV customers. Ford and Toyota have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the product development collaboration, with the formal agreement expected by next year. Both companies have been working independently on their own future-generation rear-wheel drive hybrid systems. The two now have committed to collaborate as equal partners on a new hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs. This new hybrid powertrain will bring the full hybrid experience of greater fuel efficiency to a new group of truck and SUV customers without compromising the capability they require in their vehicles. Ford and Toyota believe that their collaboration will allow them to bring these hybrid technologies to customers sooner and more affordably than either company could have accomplished alone. The two companies also agreed to work together on enablers to complement each company’s existing telematics platform standards, helping bring more Internet-based services and useful information to consumers globally. To read the full article, click here.
Related Material:
When Willie Fulton started working for Ford, the company was only fifty years old. The company is now 108 years old and Fulton continues to work as if it were his first day at Dearborn Foundry. Fulton's first assignment was as a machine operator. His hourly wage: $1.58. July 15 was his 58th anniversary with the company. Fulton, a native of Artesia, Miss., is a member of the 242-243 line at Dearborn Stamping Plant. That line produces Rear Crew Doors for the F-150. Fulton plays a key role on the team, as he's responsible for inspecting the doors for defects before they are prepared for shipment to Kansas City Assembly Plant. Fulton began at Dearborn Stamping Plant on March 1, 1982 after spending his previous years at Dearborn Foundry and Michigan Casting Center in Flat Rock. His favorite Ford product is the Crown Victoria LTD, which is different from what most people would say, but that captures the kind of person
To read the full article, click here.
Ford Motor Company is expanding its range of vehicles with the award-winning EcoBoost® engine, offering the fuel-efficient powertrain in the 2012 Ford Edge and Explorer that are arriving in dealerships now. Edge and Explorer are the first vehicles in North America to be offered with Ford's new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. The four-cylinder EcoBoost marks the next chapter in the company's strategy to downsize engines and use turbocharging and direct injection to deliver the power customers want from their vehicles with the fuel economy they demand. The success of Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine in Europe – its blend of fuel economy, lower emissions and usable performance and pulling power – makes it the ideal powertrain for Edge and Explorer. Ford has committed to offering fuel-efficient, high-technology EcoBoost engines in 90 percent of its global vehicle portfolio by 2013. Combining turbocharging with direct injection of gasoline in a smaller-displacement engine, EcoBoost delivers the power customers desire with the fuel efficiency the challenges of today’s world demand. A global Ford initiative, EcoBoost aims to provide affordable performance and efficiency for millions of drivers. Moving forward, EcoBoost engines will continue to deliver more power and fuel economy from smaller-displacement engines. To read the full article, click here.
Related Material:
LG Electronics USA has selected the 2012 Ford Focus as the vehicle of choice for its “LG Brand Ambassador” team of in-store merchandising experts. In all, a fleet of 200 Ford Focus hatchbacks will take to the roads creatively wrapped in LG’s famous logo and “Life’s Good” slogan. The Ford Focus was selected for its fuel-efficient and innovative attributes according to James Fishler, senior vice president, Go-to-Market Operations, LG Electronics USA. LG Brand Ambassadors are dedicated teams that work with consumer electronics and appliance retailers, assisting with consumer education programs, sales associate training and merchandizing. Putting LG Brand Ambassadors on the road in the Ford Focus is a new initiative by LG to help establish a consistent image as they traverse the country delivering LG’s brand message to retailers and consumers.
To read the full article, click here.
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It has grace, style and a 77-year history shrouded in mystery that has intrigued automotive collectors, enthusiasts and writers worldwide. Edsel Ford’s restored 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster was unveiled today by Lincoln and the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House at The Lodge, Pebble Beach in Monterey County, Calif. It will appear again on Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Restored to its timeless elegance, Edsel’s personal roadster shared its story of a decades-long journey. After Edsel’s death in 1943, the Speedster crisscrossed the U.S. making limited appearances, then it disappeared – some feared it had been destroyed. It was last seen when it was photographed in Hollywood in the 1950s after which it was purchased by a U.S. Navy sailor in Florida for $603 in 1958. It didn't appear again until Bill Warner displayed it at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 1999. In 2008 it was sold to a Texas car collector for $1.76 million, then, following the collector’s untimely death in 2010, the Speedster returned to Edsel's home, now operated as an historic site called the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. To read the full article, click here.
Related Material:
Ford F-Series is known for its unparalleled capability and power, but now it's found a place in the history books: Hajek Motorsports has broken two land speed records using both a diesel and biodiesel-powered 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. Using a mostly stock truck with the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8, the team achieved a speed of 171.123 mph on regular diesel and 182 mph on B20 biodiesel. The Ford truck broke the B Production Diesel Truck record of 166.850 mph by a Duramax diesel GMC. This class is normally comprised of race vehicles with extensive aftermarket modifications. The F-250 that Hajek Motorsports ran is something of a rarity as it used extensive production parts to perform at high speeds. Ford engineers teamed up with Hajek Motorsports to design and install the modifications to the production-level truck. Changes were made only to the top-end components of the engine including the high-pressure fuel pump, fuel injectors and turbochargers for more fuel flow. The compression ratio was modified as well.
To read the full article, click here.
The dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands tall in the hearts and minds of Americans in all walks of life. Now, a granite likeness of Dr. King – a man of hope and peace – stands tall on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. as an inspiration to people of all races and nationalities. Ford Motor Company Fund is a Leadership Donor and contributed $2 million toward the construction of the memorial, a 30-foot sculpture of Dr. King. The memorial was to be dedicated on Sunday, the 48th anniversary of the civil rights leader's momentous "I Have a Dream" speech, but has been delayed due to the threat of rain and winds from Hurricane Irene. The memorial occupies the last open space on the National Mall and is adjacent to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and near the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials. The King Memorial covers four acres and includes a 450-foot, crescent-shaped wall inscribed with 14 of his most notable quotations.
To read the full article, click here.
The colors, sounds and smells of India were a big part of the India Day celebration that took place on Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich. Ford is a long-time supporter of the cultural event, which celebrates India Independence Day and is the largest Indian festival in Michigan. In addition to 100 booths offering a wide variety of merchandise from saris and spices to oil paintings and jewelry, the annual event now in its 25th year, also featured live music, dance performances and authentic Indian Food from local area Indian restaurants. Approximately 25,000 people attended the festival throughout the course of the day. A great many of them stopped to look at the technology in new Ford vehicles strategically located near the main entrance of the exhibition hall. For the first time, a Ford Figo (manufactured in India) was displayed at the event. By all accounts, it generated a great deal of interest, rave reviews and questions about if and when the Figo will be available in the U.S. A dedicated team of volunteers from the Ford Asian Indian Association (FAIA) along with a team from Ford Marketing and Sales served as brand ambassadors. They drew people from the crowds to have a closer look at the cars and marketing materials.
To read the full article, click here.
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Like many Indian families, Madhuben Patel and her son Jignesh have spent their entire lives zipping through the chaotic and narrow streets of their hometown by scooter. But with increased traffic in recent years, combined with a growing family, the Patels decided it was time for a big change. Madhuben and Jignesh visited car dealerships throughout their hometown of Vapi – from Maruti to Hyundai to General Motors – but were unable to find the right vehicle for their needs. Their luck changed when they drove their scooter into the parking lot of the King Ford dealership. They were greeted by Sales Consultant Daxesh Dubla who, after finding out they were looking for a spacious, affordable, fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicle, took them for a test drive in the Ford Figo.
To read the full article, click here.
Nine finalists from the South African Idols talent show have taken a break from music to test their other artistic skills by customizing a Ford Fiesta 1.6-liter Sport. The aspiring singers came up with pencil sketches of their ideal Fiesta, which were then interpreted as computer models by designers at Greensky, a vehicle customization company, with the finished designs aired on national television. This is the second year that Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has sponsored Idols. Last year, the top six contestants were put through Ford's Driving Skills for Life program, and the series winner, Elvis Blue, drove away in a brand new Ford Figo as part of his prize. The winner and runner up of this year's Idols contest will see their personalized designs applied to real Fiestas, but only the winner of the show will get to drive their car away; the Fiesta designed by the Idols runner up will be awarded to the winner of the Idols Viewers Competition.
To read the full article, click here.
![]() Ford and Twitter Talk Keys to Marketing to Millennials (Advertising Age) For Ford, millennials – which the carmaker describes as people between the ages of 16-32 – are a challenging proposition. Never mind buying a car – this generation is getting drivers licenses later, and less often, than previous generations. To read the full article, click here.
Ford Cars Make
Family Life Easier
Honda Civic Seen
Loser on Mediocre Design
Toyota's Future
Rides on the New Camry
How Nissan Zoomed
to the Front of the Pack
Americans Driving
Fewest Miles Since '04
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Location:
Desk hours:
Club Information:
Fun and Travel FERA Discounts:
For more FERA information, click to http://www.fera.org/.
![]() Directory Information Now Online Phone numbers and email addresses for important Ford Motor Company contacts can now be found on @Ford Online at: http://www.at.ford.com/B2B/Pages/Directory2.aspx. For benefit questions, please contact the NESC at 1-800-248-4444 or email NESC@ford.com.
![]() Click here to check out the @Ford Online listing of known Retiree Clubs and Groups.
Atlanta Salaried Retirees
Automatic Transmission Product Design &
Engineering Retiree Breakfast Club
Building "H" Club – Michigan
Information Technology Systems Retirees
Buffalo Stamping Salaried Retirees
Canadian Ford Alumni
Chicago Stamping Plant Retiree Reunion
(Lexington, Tenn.)
Chicago Stamping Plant Salaried Retiree
Club
Cincinnati Transmission Plants Salaried
Retirees Club
Cleveland Engine and Casting Plants Salaried
Retiree Club (North Olmsted, Ohio)
Dearborn Assembly Plant Retirees
Dearborn Assembly Retiree Breakfast Club
Dearborn Engine & Fuel Tank Retirees
Dearborn Frame Plant Retirees (Southfield,
Mich.)
Field Accounting Department (F.A.D.)
Ford 5R55 Automatic Transmission Systems
Design Retirees Group
Ford Air Transportation Office Retirees
Ford Body & Assembly Operations/Vehicle
Operations Salaried Retiree Luncheon
Ford of Canada Ladies' Retirees
Group
Ford Chassis Retirees Breakfast (Livonia,
Mich.)
Ford Dearborn Engine & Fuel Tank
Retirees
Ford FCSD Retiree Lunch Club-GB
Ford Glass UAW Local 737 Retirees
Ford Human Resources Retiree Group
Ford Old Timers Club
Ford Pensionaerverein Saarlouis e.V.
Ford PRC
Ford Retired Workers Chapter 906 of Mahwah,
N.J.
Ford Retirees Club of The Villages
Florida
Ford Rouge Plant Railroad Operations Retiree
Group
Ford Rouge Transportation Retirees
Ford Salaried Retirees Association
Ford Salaried Retirees Club –
Louisville Kentucky
Ford Technical Illustration and Graphics
Retirees – EEE, Bldg. 3, FMCC, WHQ
(Northville, Mich.)
Ford Tool and Die Skilled Trades
Retirees
Frame Plant Survivors Salaried Retirees
FRAW (Ford Rawsonville Area Women)
Retirees
Indianapolis Ford Retirees
Kansas City Ford Salaried Retiree Club
Local 723 Retirees
Lorain Local 425 Retirees
Manatee-Sarasota County Florida, Ford
Retirees
Maumee Ford Retirees
Nebraska – Iowa Ford Retirees (Omaha,
Neb.)
Norfolk Ford Assembly Plant Retirees
PDC/Body Engineering Illustration
Retirees
Plant Engineering Office Retirees
Product Development, Body Design and
Engineering Retirees
Research Laboratory Retiree Brunch Club
Rouge Office Building Retired Cafeteria
Workers
St. Louis Assembly Plant Salaried Retiree
Club
UAW Eastern Carolina Retirees
UAW Local 1219 Retirees
UAW Local 1895 Retirees Meeting and
Luncheon
USA Ford UAW Local 600
Van Dyke Plant Retiree Luncheon Club
(Sterling Heights, Mich.)
Has your email address changed? Click here to update your email address. If you have difficulty reading or opening links in this document, Blue Oval Connect Weekly Briefings are archived in the http://www.at.ford.com/news/Publications/Pages/BlueOvalConnect.aspx @Ford Online Team: Publisher: Sara Tatchio Associate Publisher: Jenn Corney Managing Editor: Terra Donnelly You received this email because you opted in to receive email communications from Blue Oval Connect. Please note that we have updated the Privacy Policy for BlueOvalConnect.com. We have also added to the site a statement relating to "Your California Privacy Rights." To review these documents, click to www.blueovalconnect.com/privacy_policy.cfm and http://www.blueovalconnect.com/california_privacy.cfm To opt out of receiving email communications from Blue Oval Connect click here. Blue Oval Connect, One American Road, Dearborn, MI 48126 |