May 21, 2010
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In this Blue Oval Connect Weekly
Briefing…
- Three Ford Vehicles Selected as 'Top 10 Family Cars for 2010' by kbb.com
- Ford Flex Adds a Stylish New Titanium Model to Lineup
- All-New Ford Fiesta Delivers 40 MPG; Tops Class in Fuel Economy
- Ford Leads Industry in Perceived Quality Gains as Perception Catches Up to Reality
- Ford Recruits Virtual Soldier to Boost Quality; Santos Feels the Same Strains that Humans Do
- Ford Aims to Help Reduce the Carbon Footprint
- Video: (WOWT-TV) Ford Introduces New Safety Features
- Outside Voices: (Detroit Free Press) GM Posts $865-Million Profit for First Quarter

Savings Plan Administration Change –
FAQs Available The transition of the savings plan
administration from Fidelity to Affiliated Computer Services, Inc (ACS)
occurred Jan. 5, 2010. We have developed a list of answers to the most
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from employees and retirees. We hope you
take a moment to view them on @Ford Online (http://www.at.ford.com/).
If you are a Salaried Retiree, click here to view the recent FAQs. If you are a
Hourly Retiree click here to view the recent FAQs.
To visit the savings plan Web site, go to: http://www.myfordbenefits.com/ and follow the
instructions to log in.
Ford Motor
Company American Red Cross Online Donation Site Please join
in the Ford Motor Company Giving Campaign to support the American Red
Cross and their efforts to help those in crisis following the earthquake
in Haiti. Ford will be matching employee and retiree donations up to a
total of $50,000.
Click here to donate.

Three Ford Vehicles Selected as 'Top 10 Family Cars for 2010' by kbb.com
Three Ford vehicles – the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010 Ford Taurus and 2010 Ford Flex – are among the "Top 10 Family Cars for 2010," according to the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.
"While the product landscape in the new-car world seems ever-changing, the vehicle needs of the typical American family remain fairly constant; capable versatility, value, safety and economical factors usually remain top-of-mind," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.
Nerad says the Ford Fusion Hybrid is a top pick for families because it saves money at the pump, keeps everyone entertained with the latest Ford SYNC® technology, and scores high in terms of ride and handling.
To read the full article, click here.
Ford Flex Adds a Stylish New Titanium Model to Lineup
The Ford Flex has been turning heads for almost two years now. And in that time, one thing has remained constant – the customer’s love for the style and personality the Flex brings to the driveway. With that in mind, Ford announces the latest addition to the Flex lineup, Flex Titanium – a highly contented vehicle with individual style that will stand out in the world of more traditional crossovers and sport utility vehicles.
Flex Titanium is based off the Limited series but with significant exterior and interior detailing as well as new features. Titanium will feature four exterior color choices: Red Candy, White Platinum, Tuxedo Black and Ingot Silver. All are mated to a new Tuxedo Black two-tone roof as well as blackout treatment for headlamps and taillamps. The unique black chrome finish grille with “Flex” badging on the leading edge of the hood is a cue that comes directly from some of the SEMA Flex models shown at the 2008 and 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association shows in Las Vegas.
To read the full article, click here.
All-New Ford Fiesta Delivers 40 MPG; Tops Class in Fuel Economy
Ford's all-new 2011 Fiesta – an Internet star even before it goes on sale this summer – will now stand out on the highway with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified 40 mpg rating, making it the most fuel efficient car in its class.
The Ford Fiesta 40 mpg, achieved with Ford's new six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, is 5 mpg better than the Honda Fit and 4 mpg better than the Toyota Yaris.
Fiesta’s class-leading fuel efficiency follows Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel efficient midsize sedan – and other fuel economy champs such as the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Ford Ranger pickup. For 2011, the streak continues with the Mustang V-6, Ford Super Duty and now the responsive, sporty and economical Fiesta. Moving forward, Ford is committed to being a fuel economy leader in each segment in which it competes.
To read the full article, click here.
Related Material:
Ford Leads Industry in Perceived Quality Gains as Perception Catches Up to Reality
Ford Motor Company achieved the largest gain of any automaker in Automotive Lease Guide's latest Perceived Quality Score, bringing customer perceptions more in line with Ford's improved vehicle quality.
Ford this month was ranked as the most improved brand in the ALG study, showing a 7.6 percent improvement since fall 2009, building on gains over the past two years. Improving perceptions of Ford's quality has been a key driver behind Ford's recent market share gains and improving resale valee.
To read the full article, click here.

Ford Recruits Virtual Soldier to Boost Quality; Santos Feels the Same Strains that Humans Do
The new guy on the Ford assembly line is an inexhaustible tough guy with impeccable military and academic credentials.
His name is Santos, a highly realistic virtual worker who doesn't just simulate motion; he records the actual physical strains of reaching, lifting and stretching. He can execute tasks autonomously. He can walk, talk and answer questions.
Originally created for the U.S. Department of Defense at the University of Iowa as part of the Virtual Soldier Research (VSR) program to help reduce physical strain on soldiers, Santos has been heralded by ergonomists as a breakthrough in digital modeling.
To read the full article, click here.
Searching for the Future in a Crystal Ball
Predicting the future in an ever-changing world isn't ever easy. But for Ford, it's a vital aspect of planning. As the Global Consumer Trends and Futuring Manager for Ford Motor Company, Sheryl Connelly is responsible for identifying and tracking trends that will shape consumers' value, attitudes and beliefs in the future. In her monthly column on @Ford, Connelly shares unique insight into trends outside the automotive industry with specific focus on social, technology, economic, environment and political arenas.
When I worked as a zone manager for Ford Division, I would routinely ask my dealers to predict how many vehicles they were going to sell each month. One day, a dealer responded, "I have absolutely no idea. My crystal ball is in the shop for repairs, and I don't expect to get it back until next month." At the time, I was more than a little frustrated with his response. Years later, however, I realized that I may have been too hard on him. Based on his years of experience and success in the marketplace, asking him to predict sales seemed to be a perfectly reasonable request, but expecting him to consistently predict sales month after month with any sort of accuracy was not.
To read the full article, click here.
Ford Road Trip Highlights Potential Apps to Enhance In-Car Experience
Two Ford Fiestas, linked to each other and the global community via the Internet, are on their way to California, with the intent of further establishing Ford as the automotive leader in mobile connectivity technology.
The week-long road trip, called American Journey 2.0, is believed to be the first time vehicles will be socially connected through the Internet during a cross-country trip.
To read the full article, click here.
Related Material:
Ford Product Strength Benefiting Consumers' Wallets
There is no more important metric to car buyers than what their vehicles are worth after a couple of years, says Jim Farley, Ford group vice president of Global Marketing. And Ford customers are experiencing a huge upswing, as the company's average vehicle residual value in the U.S. jumped $2,420 for the January-to-June 2010 period compared to the same time frame a year ago, according to Automotive Lease Guide (ALG). In contrast, the industry average increased $615.
Key to the surge is Ford's perceived quality among consumers. Ford posted the largest gain of any automaker in ALG's latest Perceived Quality Score (PQS), up 7.6 percent this month from the previous study in the fall of 2009.
To read the full article, click here.
Ford Aims to Help Reduce the Carbon Footprint
Ford Motor Company, building on its success in measuring and reducing its own carbon footprint, today announced plans to survey 35 top global suppliers on their energy use and estimated greenhouse gas emissions.
Ford's goal is to better understand the carbon footprint of its supply chain and use the data to eventually create a broad-based carbon management approach for its supply chain. The 35 suppliers represent close to 30 percent of Ford's $65 billion in annual procurement spending.
To read the full article, click here.

Chantel Lenard
Ford Group Marketing Manager for Global Small and Medium Cars Ford Motor Company
As Ford Group Marketing Manager for Global Small and Medium Cars, Chantel Lenard has responsibility for the new global Fiesta and Focus in the U.S.. Lenard recently appeared on the AutoLine After Hours webcast to discuss Ford's new subcompact and answer questions from viewers. Below are excerpts from that program.
Q: How will Fiesta fit with the current Focus in Ford's lineup?
A: With Ford not currently having an entry in the subcompact market where Fiesta will play, the current Focus ended up covering the subcompact segment as well as the compact car segment. Now we have Fiesta coming into the subcompact segment this summer. When the new global Focus hits the market early next year, you'll see a more natural price relationship. The new Focus is a completely different car than the current version.
To read the full Q&A, click
here.

Ford Brazil Celebrates Four Years of Mod Center and 30,000 Vehicles Modified
Ford Trucks celebrated the fourth year of Mod Center operation, a Center for Product Modification installed at the Sao Bernardo do Campo Plant, SP, with the milestone of 30,000 vehicles modified. The only center of its kind to operate within its own factory in Brazil, the unit helped to increase production flexibility and efficiency, enabling the supply of vehicles with special configuration.
To read the full article, click here.
Double Success for Ford at Otomotif 2010 Awards
Ford Indonesia enjoyed double success at the recent Otomotif 2010 Awards, with the Ford Focus and Ford Focus TDCi being named its "Best Medium Hatchback" and "Best Hatchback Diesel", respectively.
Otomotif's judges chose the Ford Focus as "Best Medium Hatchback" for its innovative ergonomic interior design for significantly enhancing driver comfort and passenger space as well as its kinetic design, which they described as "expressive, contemporary and athletic."
To read the full article, click here.
Fiesta Movement Begins in Venezuela
Before the official launch of the new 2010 Ford Fiesta in Venezuela, the country's consumers will have the opportunity to drive and learn everything about Ford's newest global vehicle.
Released under a program called "Movida Fiesta," Ford will take the first 10 vehicles produced at the plant in Valencia and lend them to 10 people to test their best moments in the vehicle. Each participant will record and share their experiences on social media such as www.movidafiesta.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and FlickR.
To read the full article, click here.
Ford Focus Breaks Own Fuel Economy Record
The Ford Focus TDCi PowerShift set a new record in fuel economy last week, achieving a distance of 1,432.3 kilometres on just one tank of fuel during the Coast2Coast Challenge 2 in the Philippines. This beat the vehicle's previous fuel economy record, set during the first Coast2Coast Challenge in December, by 106 kilometres.
To read the full article, click here.

Ford Introduces New Safety Features (WOWT-TV) Cars that tell you when you're too close, when a crash is coming, even those that park all by themselves. Sounds like something from a science fiction movie but it's all new technology offered by Ford Motor Company.
Click here to view video.

GM Posts $865-Million Profit for First Quarter
(Detroit Free Press) General Motors this morning announced an $865-million net profit for the first three months of the year, the first time the Detroit automaker has posted positive quarterly results since 2007 and a major victory coming out of bankruptcy reorganization last summer.
To read the full article, click here.
Fuel-Efficient Ford Fiesta to Get Jump on Competition
(Detroit Free Press) Ford's upcoming Fiesta subcompact will have fuel-economy bragging rights when it goes on sale this summer, but its triumph promises to be short-lived.
To read the full article, click here.
Nissan Leaf Electric Car Will Be Available in U.K. in February (Bloomberg) Nissan Motor Co. plans to offer its Leaf electric car in the U.K. starting in February at a price of 23,350 pounds ($33,660) after government incentives are taken into account.
To read the full article, click here.
GM, Chrysler's Green-Car Loan Bids Inch Forward (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) General Motors and Chrysler, in their bids for low-interest government loans for green car manufacturing, have cleared the hurdle of demonstrating financial viability.
To read the full article, click here.
Toyota President Pinpoints Date of Quality Decline: 2003
(USA Today) The president of Toyota says 2003 was the turning point for the automaker's shocking decline in quality.
To read the full article, click here.
Battle of the Sixes: Ford Mustang V-6 takes on Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 and Nissan 370Z (Autoblog) This comparison test couldn't have happened just a few short months ago. Sure, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe has been around since 2009. And not counting a seven-year walkabout, the Datsun/Nissan Z has been with us in one form or another since the first moon landing.
To read the full article, click here.
Mazda Appoints New European R&D Chief
(Left Lane News) Mazda has promoted Hiroyuki Matsumoto to its top European engineering-level position to replace Norihiro Tomita, who will transition into a vehicle line manager at the company's Japanese headquarters.
To read the full article, click here.
General Motors to Offer Natural-Gas Versions of Vans to Fleets
(USA Today) In the 1990s, Detroit automakers offered an array of natural-gas-powered vehicles to both fleets and consumers. But as soon as the government moved on, so did automakers -- shifting to other technologies such as hydrogen that are years from being able to market.
To read the full article, click here.
Honda 'Lacks Confidence' in Electric-Car Demand (Bloomberg) Honda Motor Co. remains skeptical about demand for electric cars 10 years after it stopped selling its EV Plus battery-powered model, the head of research at Japan's second-largest carmaker said.
To read the full article, click here.
U.S. Treasury Says Chrysler Holding Repaid $1.9 Billion Loan (Bloomberg Businessweek) The U.S. Treasury Department said it received a $1.9 billion loan repayment from Chrysler Holding, the parent company of the automaker that filed for bankruptcy in 2009.
To read the full article, click here.
GM Announces Class-Leading Payload, Towing Ratings for HD Trucks (Left Lane News) General Motors' revised 2011 Heavy Duty pickups – offered in Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra flavors – will offer the ability to tow up to 21,700 lbs. with a fifth wheel trailer, 17,000 with a conventional trailer and the an impressive 6,635 lb. payload hauling capacity.
To read the full article, click here.
Toyota Pays Record $16.4 Million Fine for Safety Lapses
(USA Today) Toyota cut a $16.4 million check today to the U.S. government to pay off its fine for having such a slow response to its sticky gas pedal debacle.
To read the full article, click here.
Ta Ta, Tata: Tata Motors Car Head Reportedly Resigns
(Auto Blog) Rajiv Dube, the mind behind Tata Motors' move into the passenger car world, has decided to part ways with the company after 27 years.
To read the full article, click here.
Review: 2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8 Remains a Guilty Pleasure
(Auto Blog) If the economic downfall of 2008 had happened just a few years earlier, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 probably wouldn't exist.
To read the full article, click here.
Smarter Cars Require Smarter Drivers to Avoid Dumb Mistakes
(USA Today) How about emphasizing smarter drivers instead of smarter cars? Now that's an idea, just advanced by car-shopping site Edmunds.com, that's worth a standing ovation.
To read the full article, click here.
Shocker: Suzuki Kizashi Rocks Vehicle Satisfaction Awards
(USA Today) The automotive underdog outscored every vehicle in AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award, based on a survey of how satisfied 42,000 owners were with the new cars they purchased.
To read the full article, click here.

Got an Idea, Share
It! Ever had an idea for a new product or a suggestion for
a current vehicle you'd like to share with the Ford
team? If so, do we have some Web sites for you!
If you have an idea for a new product or technology
you'd like to see on a Ford vehicle, click to the
Ford New Ideas site at www.FordNewIdeas.com.
If you have a suggestion for a current Ford Motor
Company product, click here to connect to the
Customer Relationship Center.
Through these two sites, your ideas and comments
will be directed to the appropriate teams within the
company … One team, one plan, one goal
… ONE Ford.

Ford Employees
Recreation Association (FERA) Desk Hours
Location: Lower Mezzanine of Ford World
Headquarters
Desk hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2
p.m
The FERA desk handles discount tickets for Cedar Point, Kings Island,
the North American International Auto Show, the Michigan Renaissance
Festival and other events; the desk also has the Entertainment Book and
Golf Michigan Play Books.
For more FERA information, click to http://www.fera.org/.

Directory Information Now
Online
Phone numbers and e-mail 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 800-248-4444 or
e-mail NESC@ford.com.
We're pleased
to announce that we've added a Special Offers section to the Blue
Oval Connect newsletter.
Each week we will highlight various special offers from a number of
outside companies all offering valuable deals exclusive to Ford employees,
retirees and contract personnel.
Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement
Renewal by Andersen provides 10% off on your window and door replacement project.
To schedule your free in-home consultation: call 1-866-713-4667 (Please identify yourself as an employee of Ford) or click here.
Hewlett-Packard
Shop for Products and Services
Ford employees, retirees and contract personnel receive up to 10% off HP and Compaq consumer products, accessories and supplies by becoming a member of the HP Employee Purchase Program. Additional discounts are offered throughout the store including mail-in and instant rebates, coupons and exclusive EPP offers on a range of HP products, including Notebook and Desktop PCs, printers, print supplies, accessories and more.
If you'd like to join, visit the HP Home & Home Office Store at www.hpshopping.com/epp and register using the Ford company code: 3673. Or, click here to check out the specials for the month.
You can find these offers and many, many more by simply visiting
Discount Marketplace, Ford Motor Company's Employee
Purchase Program.

Click
here to check out the @Ford
Online listing of known Retiree Clubs and Groups.
Atlanta Salaried Retirees Second Tuesday of Every Month (Milton, Ga.) The next general membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 14, at the Ford Regional Office (13010 Morris Rd. Corporate Center One Ste. 500) from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. If you would like further information about the meetings or the Ford Metro Atlanta Salaried Retirees Club, please contact Bob Loovis at COUNTRYCOVEFARM@comcast.net.
Automatic Transmission Product Design & Engineering Retiree
Breakfast Club Second Wednesday of Every Month (Northville,
Mich.) The group meets at 9 a.m. for breakfast at Senate Coney
Island off Haggerty Road just south of 6 Mile Road on the west side of the
street (39430 Dun Rovin Drive). For additional information, contact Mike
Carlin at OLDSEADOG@wowway.com.
Building "H" Club – Michigan Information Technology Systems
Retirees Second Thursday of Every Month (Dearborn, Mich.)
The club meets at 11:30 a.m. at Building H on Michigan
Avenue. For more information, call 313-402-0044 or e-mail FLCOTE@aol.com.
Canadian Ford Alumni Third Wednesday of Every Month
(Oakville, Ontario, Canada) The Ford Alumni is made up of
retirees from Ford of Canada's Sales, Marketing, Parts,
Service and Central staffs. Breaking Ford news is provided electronically
to members and we have a luncheon on the third Wednesday of each month.
For more information, please contact Bob Rideout at BRIDEOUT@sympaticao.ca.
Chicago Stamping Plant Salaried Retiree Club Twice a Year
(June, Dec) (Schererville, Ind.) The group meets twice a year
at Tiebel's (U.S. 30 & Hwy. 41). Spouses are welcome. For more
information, contact Ray Schmelzer at RAYTIREE@aol.com.
Cleveland Engine and Casting Plants Salaried Retiree Club (North Olmsted, Ohio)
If you would like to join the Cleveland Engine and Casting Plants Salaried Retiree Club, it is $15 a year, which can be made payable to the Ford Retiree Club (P.O. Box 566, North Olmsted, OH 44010). It is $10 for surviving spouses and retirees over the age of 80. For more information, please contact Mary Kay Dessoffy at FORDRETIREES@yahoo.com.
Dearborn Assembly Plant Retirees Third Wednesday of Every
Month (Livonia, Mich.) Dearborn Assembly Plant retirees and
guests meet each month at Richard's Family Restaurant (39305 Plymouth
Road). The group meets at 12:30 p.m. for lunch from the restaurant's menu
and followed by announcements, jokes, camaraderie, and so forth. All Ford
retirees from the area are welcomed to join us. For additional
information, contact Rose at ROZLAF@aol.com.
Dearborn Assembly Retiree Breakfast Club First Monday of
Every Month (Dearborn, Mich.) The Dearborn Assembly Plant
Retiree Breakfast Club meets at 9 a.m. at the Big Boy Restaurant (13001
Michigan Avenue at Miller Road) the first Monday of every month. Everyone
is welcome. For more information, contact Henry Russell Jr. at HRARJR@yahoo.com.
Dearborn Frame Plant Retirees (Southfield, Mich.) Second
Tuesday of Every Month The group meets for breakfast and
networking at L George's (26799 Greenfield Rd). For more information,
contact Sandra Hutson at SKHUTSON@sbcglobal.net.
Field Accounting Department (F.A.D.) Second Thursday of
Every Other Month (Livonia, Mich.) The F.A.D. retiree group
meets on the odd months of the year on Jan., March, May, July, Sept. and
Nov. We meet at G. Subo's Leather Bottle Restaurant (20300 Farmington Rd.)
For more information, contact Bob Briolat at REBRIOLAT@aol.com. Spouses are always
welcome.
Ford 5R55 Automatic Transmission Systems Design Retirees Group
Third Wednesday of Every Month (Livonia, Mich.) The
retiree group meets at Richard's Restaurant (39305 Plymouth Road) at 10
a.m. All are welcome to join us. For more information, contact Jeff
Ebersole at EBERSOLE.JEFF@gmail.com.
Ford Air Transportation Office Retirees First Thursday of
Every Month (Taylor, Mich.) Ford Air Transportation Office
retirees meet once a month at noon for lunch at the Lakes of Taylor
Restaurant (25505 Northline Road). For more information, contact Pauline
Smart Bozyk at PSMARTY@att.net.
Ford Body & Assembly Operations/Vehicle Operations
Salaried Retiree Group Twice a Year (May, Oct.) (Westland, Mich.) The group meets twice a year for a social get-together at Hawthorne Valley Golf & Banquet Facility (7300 N. Merriman R). Guests are welcome. For more
information, contact Pat Heavener at PHEAVENER@mi.rr.com.
Ford of Canada Ladies' Retirees Group Second Wednesday of
Every Month (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) The Ladies' Retirees
group consists of all FOC Ladies retired from Head Office in Oakville,
Regional Offices, Oakville Assembly Plant, and Bramalea Parts Distribution
Centre. The Ladies meet at the Oakville Golf and Country Club for lunch.
For more information, please contact Judy Killeavy at MKILLEAV@sympatico.ca.
Ford Chassis Retirees Breakfast (Livonia, Mich.) First
Monday of Every Month The group (OLD Bldg #5 Chassis
Designers, Checkers, Detailers, CAD retirees) meets at Big Boy's (37123 6
Mile Road) at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Vince Asta at VASTA1955@att.net.
Ford Dearborn Engine & Fuel Tank Retirees First
Thursday of Every Month (Taylor, Mich.) Dearborn Engine &
Fuel Tank retirees and guests meet the first Thursday of the month at the
Fire Mountain Restaurant (14691 Huron), starting at 11 a.m. For more
information, contact Hazel Fuller at HJFULLER@ameritech.net.
Ford FCSD Retiree Lunch Club-GB First Wednesday of the Month (Mar, June, Sept and Dec) (Essex, UK) The next general meeting will be held the first Wednesday of June with a location that is to be announced. Meetings last for three hours and comprise of a discussion on various topics such as an assortment of Ford issues, new products, product issues and shares along with a lunch that follows. All FCSD retiree pensioners are welcome. If you would like further information about the meetings or the Ford FCSD Retiree Lunch Club-GB, please contact Dennis Gull
at DENNIS@GULL1619.freeserve.co.uk.
Ford Glass UAW Local 737 Retirees Fourth Tuesday of Every
Month (except Dec.) (Nashville, Tenn.) Ford Glass UAW Local
737 retirees meet each month at 10 a.m. Business is discussed and problems
are approached. The group has guest speakers, as well as guest
representatives to help keep retirees informed. There also is a Retiree
Banquet in October of each year. A very large gathering of old friends and
a great time. All retirees of the UAW-FORD in the area are invited and
welcome. For more information, contact Bill Fry at BFRY10@aol.com.
Ford Human Resources Retiree Group Third Wednesday of Every
Month (Detroit Area) The Human Resources Retiree Group meets
monthly. For more information, contact Don Hayes at DNLDHAYES@aol.com.
Ford Old Timers Club Twice a Year (May, Sept.) (Dearborn, Mich.) The Ford Old Timers Club meets twice a year for a mid-May Luncheon and a mid-September Fall Dinner at Park Place Catering (23400 Park St.) A guest speaker, usually a Ford executive, attends to discuss a special subject of interest at that time. Most recent speakers were Alan Mulally, Mark Fields, Peter Horbury and Greg C. Smith. Any Ford retiree and his/her spouse are welcome at any time. If you would like further information about the meetings or the Ford Old Timers Club, please contact Donald J. Van Kirk, president, at 1-313-563-0029 or D_VANKIRK@comcast.net .
Ford Rouge Plant Railroad Operations Retiree Group Last
Tuesday of the Month (Dearborn, Mich.) The Ford Rouge Plant
Railroad Operations Retiree Group meets at Leon's Restaurant (23830
Michigan Ave.) at 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ford Rouge Plant Transportation
Services retirees also are welcome. For more information, contact Frank
Evanko at FEVANKO123@comcast.net.
Ford Retirees Club of The Villages Florida Third Thursday of the Month (The Villages, Fla.) The Ford Retirees Club of the Villages Florida has been formed and are meeting at 10:30 a.m. at Laurel Manor Recreational Center in the Monroe Room (1895 Laurel Manor Drive). There will be no meetings the months of June, July and August. For more information, contact Weldon Gorlich at WGORLICH@comcast.net or 1-352-753-1950 or Richard Hitz at DICKHITZ@comcast.net or 1-352-259-2635.
Ford Rouge Transportation Retirees First Wednesday of Every
Month (Woodhaven, Mich.) The Ford Rouge Transportation
retirees meet each month for breakfast at Louie's Restaurant (I-75 and
West Road) at 9 a.m. The group has been meeting since 1999. The gatherings
are well attended with good conversation and discussions on the future of
Ford and the auto industry. For more information, contact Leo R. (Dick)
Esper at DMESPER@chartermi.net.
Ford Technical Illustration and Graphics Retirees – EEE, Bldg.
3, FMCC, WHQ (Northville, Mich.) First Monday of Every
Month The group meets for lunch at 11:30 a.m. at George's
Senate Coney Island Restaurant (39430 Dun Rovin Drive – first traffic
light south of Six Mile Rd., on Haggerty Rd.). For more information,
please contact Grant Beard at GBEARD3741@aol.com.
Ford Tool and Die Skilled Trades Retirees First Wednesday of
the Month (Mar, June, Sept and Dec) (Dearborn, Mich.) Ford
Tool and Die Skilled Trades Retirees meet at 10 a.m. at Local 600 (10550
Dix Avenue), with coffee and donuts served at 9:30 a.m. Ladies always
welcome. For more information, contact Bud Lusk at BVLTAL@aol.com.
Frame Plant Survivors Salaried Retirees Third Wednesday of
Every Month (Dearborn, Mich.) The Frame Plant Survivors
Salaried Retirees meet at 11 a.m. at the Dearborn Hills Golf Course (1300
S. Telegraph Road). For more information, contact Bob Grodus at
248-682-0422 or RGRODUS@aol.com.
FRAW (Ford Rawsonville Area Women) Retirees First Thursday
of Every Month (Ypsilanti, Mich.) The retiree group is
comprised of females that formerly worked at the Rawsonville Plant. The
group meets at Haab's Restaurant (18 West Michigan Ave.) at 1 p.m. If
anyone would like to be included on the group's mailing list or is
interested in more information, please contact Rhonda Colthorp at RCOLTHORP@peoplepc.com.
Indianapolis Ford Retirees First Monday of Every Month
(Indianapolis, Ind.) The Indianapolis retirees meet the first
Monday of each month with the exception of September which will be on the
Sept. 14 this year due to the Labor Day holiday. For more information,
contact Joe Hendricks at JOE_HENDRICKS_742@comcast.net.
Kansas City Ford Salaried Retiree Club Fourth Wednesday of
the Month (Jan, Mar, May and Sep) (Kansas City, Mo.) Next luncheon will be at Finnigan's Hall (505 East 18th Avenue) on Wednesday, May 26 at 11:30 a.m. Buffet meal is $16, which you must pay cash for at the check-in table. Cash bar opens at 11:30 a.m.and lunch begins between 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. If you haven't paid 2010 membership dues, please pay with a check made payable to Max Jackson and send to the following address: 17401 E. 43rd Terr Ct. S Independence, MO 64055-7662. Otherwise, you can wait and pay at the check-in table when you arrive for lunch. Please RSVP to reserve your meal by notifying Chuck Wille at 1-816-863-1353 or CFWILLE@swbell.net or Shirley Sewell at 1-816-886-7284 or SSEWELL01@comcast.net.
Lorain Local 425 Retirees Third Thursday of Every Month
(Lorain, Ohio) The Local 425 Retirees meet at the Union Hall
(5300 Baumhart Rd.) at 9:30 a.m. Activities include guest speakers and
members doing all kinds of trips. Come meet old friends. Spouses are
always welcome to attend. For more information, contact George at WALKER4471@yahoo.com.
Maumee Ford Retirees Second Tuesday of Every Month (Maumee,
Ohio) The Maumee Ford Retirees meet at the Region 2B Union
Hall (1691 Woodlands Dr.) at 10 a.m. For more information, contact BBIRR@bex.net or 1892UAWRETIREES@gmail.com.
Nebraska – Iowa Ford Retirees (Omaha, Neb.) Wednesdays Every
Week NIFTY (NE.-IA. Ford Together Yet) retirees and guests
meet at 9 a.m. at the Summer Kitchen (130th West Maple Road). The group
orders from the menu and they share fun, camaraderie and information. For
more info, contact Claudia Preddy at CLAUDIAEPWORTH@cox.net.
Norfolk Ford Assembly Plant Retirees First Monday of Every
Month (Chesapeake, Va.) The Norfolk Assembly Plant Retirees
meet at Shoney's (721 Battlefield Blvd. N) starting at 7 a.m. All Ford
Motor Company retirees and former employees in the area are welcome. For
more information, contact Theron Koon at TEKOON@cox.net
PDC/Body Engineering Illustration Retirees First and Third
Tuesday of Every Month (Canton, Mich.) PDC/Body Engineering
Illustration Retirees meet twice a month at the 4 Friends Bar & Grill
(44282 Warren Road; on the North side of Warren Road nestled in a small
strip mall just east of Sheldon Road) at 1 p.m. The group mainly consists
of illustrators who produced manuals that instructed assembly plants how
to assemble Ford car and trucks. Anyone who ever had dealings with our
unique artistic provisions etc. are more than welcomed to join the group
and enjoy stepping on a path down memory lane! For more information please
contact Al McDonald at COOKY015@earthlink.net.
Plant Engineering Office Retirees Second Tuesday of Every
Month (Livonia, Mich.) The Plant Engineering Office retirees
meet at 11:30 a.m. for lunch at the Elks Lodge (31117 Plymouth Road). All
retirees, associates and friends are invited to attend. This group has
been in existence since 1993. For more information, contact Russ Van
Zanten at 734-728-7308 or RUSS514@comcast.net.
Product Development, Body Design and Engineering
Retirees First Wednesday of Every Month (Riverview,
Mich.) The group meets at 11 a.m. at the Riverview Highlands Golf
Course (15015 Sibley Rd – east of I-75, between Allen Road & Fort St).
For more information, contact
Jim White at JWHITE13453@gmail.com.
Research Laboratory Retiree Brunch Club First Monday of
Every Month (Ann Arbor, Mich.) The group meets at 10 a.m. for
brunch at Flim Flam (2707 Plymouth Rd). For additional information please
contact Mohammad Haghgooie at RAMMGB@sbcglobal.net.
UAW Eastern Carolina Retirees Second Wednesday of Every
Month (Little River, S.C.) The UAW Eastern Carolina Retiree
Council invites retirees to join them for a monthly meeting at the Little
River S.C. V.F.W. Hall (111 Highway 57 North). For more information,
contact Bob Artus at 803-481-3622.
Van Dyke Plant Retiree Luncheon Club (Sterling Heights, Mich.)
First Tuesday of Every Month The group meets for its
monthly luncheon at noon at various local eateries. Although the group
consists of mostly salaried retirees, all are welcome. For more
information, monthly notices and reminders, contact Allan Yee at ALLAN.YEE@att.net.
May 26: Cleveland Engine and Casting Plants Salaried Retiree
Club Luncheon (Olmsted Township, OH) The Ford Salary Retiree
Club meets 3-4 times a year for luncheons, which are held at the German
American Cultural Center (7370 Columbia Road). There is a $10 fee and they
require a reservation, which must be received two weeks before the event.
To reserve, send checks made to the Ford Salary Retiree Club at the
following address: P.O. Box 566, North Olmsted, OH 44070. For more
information, contact Mary Kay Dessoffy at FORDRETIREES@yahoo.com.
August 27 - 28: Chicago Stamping Reunion (Wildersville,
Tenn.) This year's Chicago Stamping Reunion will be held at
Natchez Trace State Park (24845 Natchez Trace Road). For more information,
contact (Ace) Dempsay at ADEMPSAY@frontiernet.net
or call 931-260-0427.

April 6 - June 18: Ford Amateur Astronomy Club (Dearborn, Mich.) Starting on April 6 from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., a series of planetarium shows will take place at either the Henry Ford Community College Planetarium (5101 Evergreen Rd.) in room S-126 inside the Science building, or the University of Michigan-Dearborn Observatory (4901 Evergreen Rd.) on the third floor of the Science Learning and Research Center. Click here for the Spring 2010 Planetarium & UMD Observatory Schedule. For more information, contact Ken Anderson at 313-805-4600 or KANDERS2@ford.com.
May 30 - 31: SAAC-MCR 35th annual Show and Go (Dearborn,
Mich.) On May 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (show and swap meet)
will take place at Ford World Headquarters SE lot (Southfield Freeway and
Michigan Ave.) and on May 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ("Go" track event) will
take place at the Waterford Hills Road Race Course (4770 Waterford Road,
Clarkston, MI). For more information, click to http://www.saac-mcr.net/
or contact Jim Binder at SASGROUP@comcast.net
July 15 – 17: Falcon Club of America
2010 National Convention (Dearborn, Mich.) The Metro Detroit
Chapter of the Falcon Club of America is hosting the 2010 National
Convention at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn and celebrates the 50th
anniversary of the Ford Falcon. Because the 50th anniversary is a
significant milestone, the club anticipates over 400 Falcons and their
owners to attend from all over the United States and Canada. Please visit
fca2010detroit.webs.com for additional information and
to download a copy of the registration form or contact Alan Aniol at
734-282-8188 or e-mail at JOANAL@wideopenwest.com.
August 8:
Mustang Memories 2010 All Ford Car Show & Shop (Dearborn, Mich.)
Mustang Owners Club of Southeastern Michigan proudly presents the 22nd annual "Mustang Memories 2010 All Ford Car Show & Swap" at Ford World Headquarters (One American Road) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. rain or shine. For more information, go to www.mocsem.org.
August 15: Ford Athletic & Triathlon Club – F.A.S.T. (Novi, Mich.) F.A.S.T. presents its 8th Annual Island Lake of Novi where a Triathlon & 1.5 Mile Open Water Swim will be held. This event is comprised of a 5 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. To register, visit http://www.swimfasttrifast.com/index.php/island-lake-of-novi-triathlon.html or to learn more about this event, click here.
First and Third Monday of Every Month:
Ford Euchre Club (Dearborn, Mich.)
The Ford Euchre Club is looking for players and with a mere $6 admission fee you can become one of them. Anyone is welcome to play so feel free to bring your friends and relatives. Registration starts at 5:15 p.m. and the games begin at 5:45. This event is held at O'Kelly Knights of Columbus (23663 Park St.). Click here for more information or contact Dennis Natoli at DENISNATOLI@aol.com.
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Oval Connect Weekly Briefings are archived in the http://www.at.ford.com/news/Publications/Pages/BlueOvalConnect.aspx
FCN News Team: Publisher: Sara
Tatchio Associate Publisher: Susan Krusel Managing Editors: Jenn
Corney, Terra Donnelly
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