September 17, 2010 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. If you're using the e-mail program Outlook or Outlook Express, just click here to send an e-mail to them with the information. In this Blue Oval Connect Weekly Briefing…
Medicare salaried retirees, who presently are enrolled in Private Fee For Service (PFFS) Plans "A" or "B" will need to make new choices this fall. Their plans are being eliminated due to provisions of earlier health care legislation, not the 2010 Health Care Reforms. Present providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, should be notifying these people within a few weeks. Extend Health has already launched a campaign to recommend replacement plans for those who originally enrolled through their services. Retirees, who are impacted, can work with any health care insurance company or Decision Navigator that they wish. Further information can be found on http://www.ford-umbrella-group.org. Peer Support volunteers are preparing to provide assistance for a third year during the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from Nov. 15 - Dec. 31.
Ford continues to show great momentum in the marketplace – and is continuing to offer employees and retirees great savings through AXZ-Plans pricing incentives and other special offers on eligible Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles! When you choose to opt in for special incentive e-mails, you'll also learn about opportunities to share the savings with your friends and neighbors! Remember, Ford has expanded its X-Plan program by giving you two additional X-Plan PINs (six total) to use through the end of 2010. To receive these special offer e-mails from Ford, just click here to opt in.
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Alan Mulally President and Chief Executive Officer Ford Motor Company Below are excerpts from a recent @Ford Online interview with Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally regarding the state of the business and industry. Click here to read the Q&A in its entirety. Q: We talk quite a bit about Great Products, Strong Business and Better World. And this is a really great time for "great products" as we are in the midst of what may be our busiest launch year ever for new product, powertrain and technology. What are you most excited about?
A: Well, I think what I'm most excited about is the fact that Ford now has a complete family of Ford vehicles – small, medium and large, cars, utilities and trucks – and that every one of them now is considered by most third parties and really smart people as being absolutely best-in-class in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, really smart design and of course the very best value. To have products that people really do want and value is of course what we all live for. I think that's the most exciting thing about our product line. Q: Some analysts are speculating that we may be in for a double-dip recession. If that happens, are we prepared for it? A: Absolutely. And the neatest thing about the ONE Ford plan is the number one point is to size our production to real demand and operate very profitably. And as tough as that action was, we are in a position now where we are operating profitably in a substantially lower market. Now if it slows down a little bit we will keep addressing that lower production. But I think were near the bottom and growing. The neatest thing about Ford is that we have positioned ourselves so that if it comes back a little bit faster – the economy comes back and the industry comes back and of course our market share is increasing based on the strength of our products – we have the room to flex up and provide the vehicles in the amounts that people really do want. So I think all the work that we have done at Ford over these last four years has really prepared us to profitably grow the company going forward for the good of all of us.
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The all-new 2012 Ford Focus will launch exclusive airbag technologies that enhance protection for front seat occupants in the most common frontal and side crashes. The suite of new innovations includes Ford's next-generation driver-side airbag with enhanced chest protection technology. The new airbag uses a reconfigured curve-shaped tether system that pulls in the lower section to create a "pocket" to help lessen the impact of the airbag on the driver’s chest and ribs in frontal crashes. To read the full article, click here. Related Material:
Ford will put some 20,000 people behind the wheel of the new 2011 Ford F-150 months before the vehicle arrives in dealer showrooms so they can see for themselves how its all-new powertrain lineup – including the much-anticipated 3.5-liter EcoBoost – performs and how F-150 stacks up against the competition. The Ford EcoBoost engine will be available in 90 percent of the 2011 Ford F-150 lineup. The Built Ford Tough Roundup, a comprehensive drive program for consumers, fleet customers, and dealership sales staff, will travel to seven cities throughout the country between now and November. Participants who sign up for the drive experience at http://www.driveF150.com will be able to test drive the new 2011 F-150 and compare the power to competitive vehicles in an acceleration drive, which is set up like a drag race. They'll also be able to see for themselves how the EcoBoost engine performs towing a trailer. From this site, consumers can "share" the link on Facebook and write about it on their wall. Additionally, the public registration link can be accessed directly through Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/fordtrucks . For a complete listing of dates and locations, please visit www.driveF150.com. To read the full article, click here.
Ford E-Series, America's best-selling full-size van for 31 straight years, marks 50 years of meeting customer needs with production of the 2011 model, enhanced with state-of-the-art technologies at Ford's Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake. E-Series, synonymous with capability and reliability since its debut in 1961, will offer a commemorative 50th anniversary edition, available as an XLT model, the van's premium package. The anniversary edition features unique blue metallic exterior paint, specially embroidered "Econoline" front seatbacks and unique "Econoline 50 Years" badging on the left-rear cargo door. To read the full article, click here. Related Material:
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Fiesta fans have something to cheer about with the debut of a new interactive sales brochure that brings the features and attributes of Ford's widely acclaimed new small car to iPad. In launching the Fiesta App in the App store, Ford is reaching out to customers in a brand-new and interactive way. With more than 3 million Apple iPads sold, this is the perfect opportunity for Ford to reach out to customers, by creating an interactive sales brochure that provides a depth of information not found in a typical dealer brochure. App users will be able to check out all of Fiesta's 15 class-exclusive features, including keyless entry and available push-button start. The screen lets viewers scroll down to each of the features, where a description and short video then shows how the technology works. The app also describes how the Ford Fiesta with the six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission achieves an EPA rating of 40 mpg highway, delivering class-leading fuel economy. To read the full article, click here. Related Material:
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor customers have an affinity for outdoor adventure, and the truck is built to help them practice their adrenaline-filled activities. But Raptor also looks the part, with graphics inspired by the same extreme sports and activities that customers of the high-performance truck find so alluring. The new optional hood graphic adds a personalized and functional touch to F-150 SVT Raptor. Matte black accent graphics – including the F-150 SVT Raptor logo – run along the hood, also helping to reduce glare. The Raptor logo in the graphic is done in body-color bleed-through, similar to "SVT" on the side vent. "F-150" and "SVT" are written in dark gray. To read the full article, click here.
More than 9,000 Ford employee and retiree volunteers stepped away from their computers and meeting rooms, and went to work in their communities during the 5th annual Ford Global Week of Caring. Ford volunteers in more than 25 countries from Africa and Asia, to Europe and the Americas made a world of difference for people in need. In the United States, dozens of Ford MODEL Teams tackled community building projects in 17 states. Ford volunteers helped paint and renovate shelters, tackled water and landscaping projects, and at the Vista Maria center for girls, volunteers built new patios for the residents to enjoy with family and friends. Ford Global Week of Caring is one special week of community service, but Ford volunteers are active year round. They pull together to help strengthen communities and also realize benefits back at the workplace. MODEL Teams will form once again on Nov. 12 for a Ford Accelerated Action Day to benefit veterans and their families. To register, please go to www.volunteer.ford.com To read the full article, click here.
Ford and Austin Energy have announced a collaboration to help prepare the Austin area for the operation of electric vehicles. Ford and Austin Energy will work together to develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support the necessary demand. Ford and Austin Energy also plan to work with state and local officials around permitting and regulations to support electric vehicle infrastructure. An easy charging station permitting process is considered one of the keys to electric vehicle acceptance in the Austin area, Texas and across the country. To read the full article, click here. Related Material:
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The next-generation Focus will be the star attraction in the Ford display at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, which opens on Sept. 30. For the first time, the complete global Focus lineup of three production-ready dynamic body styles will be displayed together, providing the media and public with the opportunity to see the new model before it goes on sale in Europe and North America early in 2011. To read the full article, click here.
During September, Mexico celebrates its independence bicentennial, and Ford of Mexico, joins the commemoration by creating a 200 units special edition called Ford Fiesta 200. This vehicle embraces values that inspired the independence movement 200 years ago, and that currently distinguish Mexican youth, such as: freedom, originality and renovation. These values were the source of inspiration for the Ford of Mexico team to create a stylish and dynamic car with a Mexican twist. To read the full article, click here.
Galaxy is Best MPV
The Galaxy accounts for 60 percent of large MPVs sold in the U.K., outselling its nearest competitor by six to one. Its Professional Driver recognition follows similar success in this year's awards by BusinessCar magazine, which made Galaxy the best MPV for the fourth year running. To read the full article, click here.
The S-MAX marketing campaign recently came to life as Ford replaced traditional outdoor advertising with advanced 3D projections to communicate the car's advanced technologies. The interactive outdoor campaign, developed as part of the launch of the new S-MAX, made its debut on Sept. 9. It consisted of two integrated sequences – two minutes of theatrical film followed by six minutes of laser sequences projected on to the side of iconic buildings in the U.K. To read the full article, click here.
Ford of Southern Africa came up trumps in Aug. 2010, selling a total of 4,867 units, and increasing sales 53.1 percent over July 2010. In its first full month of sales, the new Ford Figo became the fourth best selling passenger car in South Africa with 1,142 units sold. Sales of the Fiesta also surged to more than 1,000 units, securing the sixth spot in the country's Top 10 best selling passenger cars. To read the full article, click here.
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(ABC) Ford will not be moving forward with the production of the Kuga to Louisville. Ford says it would not be profitable to make the vehicle at that assembly plant. Jobs are not expected to be affected, because some vehicles will be produced there. A union official says the plant could see a return to 1990 levels of employment by 2012. Click here to view video.
Chrysler Gives Sneak Peek of Portion of Chrysler 200
![]() Ford has Golden Opportunity for Overseas Sales (Detroit Free Press) Jim Farley, Ford's global marketing chief, is seizing a unique opportunity to coordinate the global launch of the automaker's most important vehicles. To read the full article, click here.
Ford Staff Gives Back
Why Ford Priced Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Same as Gas Model
Faster Ford Focus Due in 2012 GM Redeemed in 'Revenge of the Electric Car'
Obama Hails Production of Stimulus-Aided Batteries Volkswagen Names a New U.S. Leader
Chrysler Ends Money-Back Guarantees
![]() 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 websites 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.
Location: Desk hours: 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.
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.
Homebuilding Group Pringle's Florida Lifestyle Preview Program lets qualified visitors learn more about Pringle's Communities. To see if you qualify to participate in the preview program, call at 1-800-325-4471, or click here to submit your information and have a representative contact you to answer your questions.
Home and Home Office Customize any system and get an additional 7 percent discount on top of generally advertised Dell Home and Office promotions.
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 Automatic Transmission Product Design & Engineering Retiree
Breakfast Club Building "H" Club – Michigan Information Technology Systems
Retirees Canadian Ford Alumni Chicago Stamping Plant Salaried Retiree Club Cleveland Engine and Casting Plants Salaried Retiree Club (North Olmsted, Ohio) Dearborn Assembly Plant Retirees Dearborn Assembly Retiree Breakfast Club 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 Group 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 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 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 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 UAW Eastern Carolina Retirees USA Ford UAW Local 600 Van Dyke Plant Retiree Luncheon Club (Sterling Heights, Mich.)
![]() 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 p.m. 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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