Blue Oval Connect Weekly Briefing: November 4, 2011

November 4, 2011

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In this Blue Oval Connect Weekly Briefing…

Hands-Free and Easy: Power Liftgate on All-new Ford Escape Opens and Closes with a Gentle Kick
The Hottest Trucks at SEMA Are Ford F-Series Pickups
Ford Motor Company’s October Sales Up 6 Percent; Ford Brand Utilities and Trucks Drive Gains
Ford Ropes 'Truck of Texas' Title, Best Truck Lineup, Six Other High Honors at Annual TAWA Texas Truck Rodeo
Ford of Europe Manufacturing Head Ken Macfarlane to Retire After 39-Year Career; Mike Flewitt Named His Successor
Outside Voices: (Auto Observer) Ford Starts Taking Orders for Focus Electric

Attention Salaried Retirees Enrolled in Ford Sponsored Health Care Coverage and Not Enrolled in Medicare

Ford’s Benefit Annual Enrollment begins on Oct. 31 and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Nov. 15, 2011 for the 2012 plan year. If you do not make any changes during this period, the benefits listed as your “default election” on your worksheet will be your choices for 2012. The next opportunity you will have to make a change in your health care enrollment will be next fall for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2013, unless you have a qualifying event.

All of the company's medical plan providers will continue with their wellness criteria and the two levels of benefits: Enhanced Benefit Level and Standard Benefit Level. The Enhanced Benefit Level is the benefit level with lower annual deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. The Standard Benefit Level is the benefit level with higher annual deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

In order to remain in the Enhanced Benefit Level for health care coverage you must:

Complete an online health assessment by March 31, 2012
Have a physical examination completed by March 31, 2012
Comply with the wellness and health coaching requirements as defined by your plan

If all requirements are met, you will remain in the Enhanced Benefit Level for the 2012 benefit plan year.

Ford Year-End Celebration
Now is a great time to get behind the wheel of a new Ford because the best holiday offers are here now!

Drive away in a new Fiesta and you won’t have to refuel for up to 409 miles.¹

Check out a new Focus and get up to 40 hwy mpg.² Rein in a new Mustang and get away with a first-ever combination of 305 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 31 hwy mpg.³

Need the style and function of a crossover? Look into the 2012 Edge, with a bold design and available SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® that puts over 10,000 commands at your fingertips.⁴ Get the capability of an SUV in the new Explorer and get the best combination of V6 horsepower and fuel economy.⁵

Need a workhorse? Look no further than F-Series pickups. Simply the best-selling trucks for 34 years running.

See your local Ford Dealer now to take advantage of our Year End Celebration.

Disclaimer:

¹EPA-estimated 33 combined mpg, 12.4-gallon tank.
2EPA-estimated 28 city/40 hwy/33 combined, SE Sedan with SFE Package.
³EPA-estimated 19 city/31 hwy /23 combined mpg, coupe, automatic transmission.
⁴Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Only use Sync/MyFord Touch/other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so. The Bluetooth word mark is a trademark of the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
⁵EPA-estimated 18 city/25hwy/20combined mpg, FWD. Class is large Utilities, non-hybrid vs. 2011/2012 competitors. Excludes other Ford products.

Lincoln Wish List Event
Performance. Luxury. Technology
Now, during the Lincoln Wishlist event, you can get a great offer on a new 2012 Lincoln. Plus, every new Lincoln now comes with a four-year/50,000, $0-deductible, complimentary maintenance program.¹

Select your Lincoln MKS with the available 3.5L EcoBoost^® twin-turbocharged direct-injected V6 engine. Or get into a Lincoln MKZ with heated and cooled front seats and standard SYNC^® technology. Lincoln MKT seats up to seven in three rows of total comfort. And Lincoln MKX includes SYNC^® with MyLincoln Touch^™ that connects you to your vehicle like never before with phone, entertainment, information, climate control and available navigation system all at the touch of a button or the sound of your voice.²

See your local Lincoln Dealer now to take advantage of the Lincoln Wishlist event.

Disclaimer:

¹Coverage includes a maximum of eight regularly scheduled maintenance services. See dealer for qualifications and complete details.
22Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Only use mobiles phone/MyLincoln Touch™ /other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear.

Hands-Free and Easy: Power Liftgate on All-New Ford Escape Opens and Closes with a Gentle Kick
Ford this month is introducing its all-new Escape SUV featuring a segment-first hands-free power liftgate that opens with a simple kicking gesture under the rear bumper and without the need to fumble for a key.

The new Escape, which makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16, will be the first SUV to use gesture-based technology – similar to that found in video games – to open the rear liftgate. A gentle kicking motion under the center of the rear bumper activates the system and raises the liftgate. The same kicking motion closes the liftgate as well.

The hands-free liftgate builds on Ford’s Intelligent Access push-button start. It allows customers to unlock and start their vehicles without having to take the key out of their pocket or purse.