Release Start Date: 6/19/2013 12:00 AM

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Ford Argentina unvealed three of the new global platforms. The all-new Ford Focus, the all-new Ford Kuga and the new Ford Fiesta, are going to be launched on the Argentinean market during the second semester of this year. These three upcoming vehicles represent a proof point of Ford Argentina´s commitment to have a portfolio 100 percent composed of global vehicles by 2015.

By the end of 2013, a total of five global products will be available in the Argentinean market: The New Ranger and the New Focus, both produced locally at Pacheco Assembly Plant, New Fiesta, New EcoSport and New Kuga. As a result of this, it is expected that the 80% of the Ford vehicles sold in Argentina by this year’s end will be global platforms.

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Ford Argentina presento la Línea de Vehículos Globales  2013
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -Ford Argentina develó el pasado 6 de Junio la línea de productos globales 2013. El nuevo Focus y el Nuevo Kuga serán lanzados al mercado argentino durante el segundo semestre de este año, junto con la renovación del Fiesta Kinetic Design. Estos tres lanzamientos apuntan al objetivo de tener un  portfolio compuesto 100% por vehículos globales para 2015.  

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Release Start Date: 6/18/2013 6:00 AM

Byline: Terra Donnelly

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​DEARBORN - When a building or vehicle is in the process of being designed, a million things are taken into account before the final product is ultimately unveiled. Both products are expected to be stylish and unique creations, but also reflect the times, while offering practical access to features people require for daily use.

Recently, Ford joined the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) in a discussion on common design trends between cars and buildings.

Following up on the successful ‘Design with a Conscience’ webcast in April, this new design panel discussion focused in on how designers can maximize aesthetics and functionality in small spaces to produce innovative designs that are comfortable, efficient and beautiful.

The “Big Ideas in Small Spaces: Proportion in Design” panel discussion began with Lynn Osmond, president and CEO of CAF, cheerfully greeting the panel members.

“It’s wonderful to see the connection between architecture and the design of cars, and at CAF we say we inspire people to discover why design matters,” said Osmond. “And design matters in all sorts of ways in our built environments, whether it be our transportation choices or in the buildings we live in. I’m very glad to have this connection here today and CAF, as many of you know, is well-renown for our wonderful tours that really do show people how to be inspired by design.”

This intriguing panel brought together leading architects, innovators and automotive designers to push the boundaries of the global design world. Panelists included Diane Atwood of the Atwood Foundation, John Gately of Jahn, Gensler’s Carlos Martinez and legendary car designer and Ford’s Group Vice President of Design and Chief Creative Officer J Mays.

All leaders in their respective industries, these four designers shed light on how similarities in their creative processes have led to some of the country’s most famous buildings and the design of cutting-edge, eco-friendly Ford vehicles like the Ford Fiesta and the elegant Ford Fusion Energi. The discussion revolved around how the two industries are moving in parallel, interpreting similar trends and learning from each other.

“We have a distinguished group of panelists and I certainly want to share with all of you today all of the parallels that we’re going to explorer,” said Atwood. “The parallels between architecture and automotive design – obviously both disciples are based on similar creative processes and in both cases people are seeking a comfortable, welcoming and safe place in which to spend a significant part of their lives.”

Now with 50 percent of the earth’s population living in an urban environment, design means everything from efficient design in our transportation systems to our everyday choices, such as the cars and homes we purchase.

“It’s our job, collectively as designers, to meet not only all of those necessary functional requirements but also to speak to peoples aspirations and tap into their dreams,” said Atwood. “In other words, it’s the job to find the perfect balance between art and science, form and function, and to create something that stands out from the crowd.”

Trends in today’s design world show that consumers in dense urban areas pay close attention to product details. With crowded areas packed with eye-catching creations, consumers differentiate their options by focusing on small features that separate one product from the pack.”

Good building design is not about creating a structure that looks like it was made for the entire world, Atwood explained, but it is about creating something that has universal appeal.

“Architecture and automotive design are very similar because they’re both a human based creative endeavor so anytime an architectural firm sets out to design a building for a private family or a corporation, people are involved and it’s the same thing with automotive design,” said J Mays. “We have a very definitive customer we’re going after and the type of vehicle that we design, be it a truck for the workplace or a sports car, we try to meet the unmet needs of those customers in a way that might surprise and delight them if we’re lucky.”

Giving the customer what they want is a goal any company strives to aim for, however this simple fact doesn’t deter from the fact that a great deal goes into the process of designing and creating vehicles and buildings. 

“I think there’s a lot of similarities in how we develop the shapes and also the technology on automotives that is a parallel now to architecture,” said Mays. “It’s a parallel process where we’re designing, but also taking into account structural envelopes. All of the weight, safety and technological considerations are going into the vehicle at exactly the same time that we’re designing the aspirational side of the business, which is when we try to reach out and pull someone’s heart strings and integrate them in our product.”

These vast creations are no longer built from a singular perspective but from a diverse set of expertise. Some employees working on these projects don’t even have any design background, however they may originate from a more scientific or economical background. At any rate, each area of expertise contributes to the finished product in the end. Collaboration has to happen from all sides for everything to come together.

“Consumers expect products that not only deliver functionality and quality, but also style and a sense of premium-ness that is actually attainable,” Mays said. “This applies to the automotive world as well, and vehicles like Fusion and the new Fiesta are a culmination of this principle.”

Experts in information technology, engine technology, interior and exterior design all bring a depth to both professions that the company may not have seen 15 years ago. Surprisingly enough, many breakthroughs have come through technological advances.

“Any technological breakthrough via architectural or automotive design, has always come through some technological breakthrough,” said Mays. “So better aerodynamics, lightweight material, some sort of safety belt that wraps the passenger in comfort – those are the type of things that I think are the price of entry for most customers.”

And it goes without saying that the technological advances of today are pertinent when it comes to sealing the deal on a purchase. Technology is the price of entry for any customer that’s interested in a car because they want to know that they can trust the vehicle and that they will be safe.

“I came to Ford 15 years ago and we‘re just now changing the perspective of Ford as a technological company,” said Mays. “With new hybrids we’re bringing out and extremely fuel-efficient vehicles but it’s a long road to get what you consider a nice company from the mid-west to an international technological leader which Ford is now rapidly positioning itself as.”

Architects and auto designers face similar challenges in creating something that stands out from the crowd.
 

“Everyone has seen everything, the Internet has allowed everyone to view architecture from the other side of the world in a heartbeat,” said Atwood. “Designers in all fields, then, are competing not just with what’s around them, but with the work of the international creative community.”

The world around us is constantly in motion and changing at all times and it’s the responsibility of industry-leading companies to step up their game in terms of innovation and creativity.  Every day, things are changing and companies are finding new ways to take societal trends and apply them to both architectural and automotive industries.

“My favorite buildings are pristine, pure and simple, but they work because they are placed in a position that allows culture around them to shine,” said Mays. “Cars, like architecture, have to be appropriate for their culture. A well-designed building or car will give a viewer a guide into the time in which it is built.”
 

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Release Start Date: 6/18/2013 2:55 AM

Body.: CHENNAI, India—When Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally exclaimed “The EcoSport looks fantastic” after experiencing the SUV in Chennai this week, he was also appreciating the strides the Chennai plant has made in adopting the Global Ford Production System (GFPS) to ramp up and bring additional flexibility at an investment of USD 142 million.

With the Chennai manufacturing facility of Ford India gearing up to launch the all-new EcoSport in the next few weeks, the focus is back on the plant that has several ‘firsts in Ford world’ to its credit in manufacturing excellence.

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Release Start Date: 6/18/2013 1:30 AM

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​BRENTWOOD, England - Ford is supplying 400 new commercial vehicles to Speedy, the UK’s leading provider of equipment rental and support services. This latest Ford order is worth in excess of £8.6 million and marks an 18-year association between the companies.

The Speedy order – comprising 380 Ford Transit vans, including new Transit Custom models, and 20 Ford Ranger pick-ups – will be operated through 283 fixed Speedy sites throughout the UK.

Karen Nixon, Ford UK regional fleet manager, said: “This 400-vehicle order from Speedy is testament to the reliability of Ford’s award-winning commercial vehicle range and evidence of the outstanding commitment Ford makes to its fleet customers. Ford’s on-going investment in low-CO2 technology is helping companies like Speedy in their quest for lower whole life vehicle costs.”

As with all of Speedy’s fleet, the new Ford vehicles will be fitted with telematic equipment to provide comprehensive reporting of driver behaviour, in an effort to encourage improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

Speedy logistics director Richard Martin said: “Our fleet is an extension of our company brand so it is important that we choose the right vehicles to meet our customers’ needs and requirements. Speedy operates through a large network of depots covering the whole of the UK and these Ford vehicles will be vital to transport assets and equipment.”

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 1:00 PM

Body.: ​DEARBORN – The Ford F-150 has been named winner of the 2013 Light-Duty Challenge by the editors of PickupTrucks.com and Popular Mechanics Magazine.
 
“In our performance-oriented competitive events, the Ford half-ton was dominating,” says Mark Williams, editor of PickupTrucks.com. “It finished in either first or second place in 11 of 13 events. If this were the Olympics, there would be a new Ford F-150 on a cereal box.”
 
F-150 beat out five competitors, including two of the newest entries from General Motors and the latest Ram.
 
Judges tested the 2013 Ford F-150 against the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2014 GMC Sierra 1500, 2013 Nissan Titan, 2013 Ram 1500 and 2013 Toyota Tundra. Trucks were put through rigorous performance tests including 0-60 mph acceleration (loaded and unloaded), braking, overall handling, towing and fuel economy.
 
“The results of this test show why F-Series has been the best-selling pickup truck in America for more than 30 years,” says Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager. “We know our light-duty customers are looking for a pickup truck that delivers the leading combination of towing, payload, horsepower, torque and fuel economy, and this shootout proves F-150 continues to lead the pack.”
 
F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series lineup. Now in its 65th year, F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 36 consecutive years, the best-selling vehicle in America for 31 consecutive years, and the brand with the most trucks on the road with more than 250,000 miles, as certified by Polk.
 
The 2013 Ford F-150 features up to 11,300 pounds of towing capability and best-in-class 3,120 pounds of payload. F-150 is available with four powertrains including a 6.2-liter V8, a 5.0-liter V8, a 3.7-liter V6 and the segment-exclusive 3.5-liter EcoBoost®.
 
F-150 is built at Dearborn Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant.

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 8:35 AM

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DEARBORN – Henry Ford’s win over Alexander Winton on Oct. 10, 1901 in what proved to be his only race as a driver was a milestone victory that helped launch the Ford Motor Company.

Since then there have been several more memorable moments with the latest coming today at Michigan International Speedway, where Greg Biffle took the checkered flag and registered Ford’s 1,000th all-time NASCAR victory.  That total includes 100 wins from Lincoln-Mercury in what is known today as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and 900 combined Ford-branded victories in NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Series competition.

“Here we are in the summer of 2013 celebrating Henry Ford’s 150th birthday and in the same year we’re celebrating our 1,000th win in NASCAR,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing.  “We all know how Ford Motor Company started, and I think reaching this milestone really honors the spirit of what Henry Ford started.”

Jim Roper won the very first NASCAR-sanctioned Sprint Cup Series race in a Lincoln on June 19, 1949 in Charlotte, NC.  That was the first of Lincoln’s four all-time victories in the series with the others coming from Jack White, Harold Kite and incoming NASCAR Hall of Famer Tim Flock.

Mercury had 96 wins from 1950-80 in NASCAR’s top series as David Pearson and the Wood Brothers teamed up to win 43 times, including the 1976 Daytona 500 which is still considered one of the most dramatic finishes in the sport’s history.

The Ford brand recorded its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win in 1950 when “Shirtless” Jimmy Florian scored an upset victory at Dayton (OH) Speedway, beating the likes of Lee Petty, Curtis Turner and Joe Weatherly.  More than 60 years later, Trevor Bayne duplicated that unlikely win by capturing the 2011 Daytona 500 in only his second start to give Ford its 600th series triumph.

“That’s an indelible race for me because of all the circumstances involved,” recalled Allison.  “It was Daytona, it was our 600th Sprint Cup win, Trevor had just turned 20 years old the day before, it was a 1-2-3 Ford finish, and our entire Ford team, including Edsel and his family, were there to celebrate that milestone.  Every time we win it reminds me of these joyous moments and the passion our fans have for Ford.”

Bayne was front-and-center again last week as he recorded his second Ford Racing milestone victory in three years by winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway.  The win was Ford’s 200th series win and second overall for Bayne.

In addition to 1,000 race wins, Ford has celebrated 20 manufacturer’s titles and 13 driver’s championships in NASCAR’s top three series while also seeing 19 of the first 25 inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame have significant Ford Racing backgrounds.

“Ford has been an important part of our sport since their first win,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton.  “We congratulate the entire Ford Motor Company and the race teams, past and present, that have contributed in this very significant milestone of their 1,000th win.”

While drivers such as David Pearson, Ned Jarrett, Bill Elliott, Mark Martin and Dale Jarrett appear among Ford’s all-time leading winners, their success wouldn’t have been possible without a strong organization behind them.

From a Ford perspective, there has been no more successful operation than the one put together by Jack Roush, who has amassed 313 NASCAR victories in 25 years of competition.  Now known as Roush Fenway Racing, the team boasts 131 wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and holds the record for most wins in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (132) and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (50).

Wood Brothers Racing has been aligned with Ford Motor Company since its inception in 1950 and ranks seventh on the all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win list with 98.  Founder Glen Wood was the team’s first driver and won four races before taking control behind the scenes and teaming with his brother, Leonard, to form one of the most potent combinations in the sport’s history.  Both men are members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and are credited with being the ones who revolutionized the modern-day pit stop.

Other NASCAR Hall of Fame car owners such as Bud Moore (43 wins) and Junior Johnson  (38) combined to win more than 80 races in Ford products while the legendary Ford factory-backed team of Holman-Moody won 92 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and back-to-back championships with David Pearson behind the wheel.  Roger Penske, who celebrated his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship last year with driver Brad Keselowski, has 31 Ford wins in his stock car career (27 NSCS, 4 NNS), including three Nationwide wins this season by three different drivers – Sam Hornish Jr., Joey Logano and Keselowski.

Overall, 124 different drivers have won at least one race for Ford Motor Company in NASCAR’s top three divisions, including superstar figures such as Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon.

“I’m sure if my great-grandfather was alive today he would be extremely proud of our racing program’s accomplishments,” said Edsel Ford.  “We’ve come a long way since 1901 and still have more to achieve, but winning 1,000 races at NASCAR’s highest level is something we can all take great pride in.”
 
Ford Motor Company Wins By Series (1,000):
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: 715 -- Ford (615), Mercury (96), Lincoln (4)
NASCAR Nationwide Series: 200 -- Ford (200)
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: 85 -- Ford (85)
 
All-Time Ford Motor Company Top-Five Winning Drivers (All Series Combined)
1. Mark Martin             89 (35 NSCS-47 NNS-7 NCWTS)
2. David Pearson        73 (73 NSCS)
3. Carl Edwards          64 (20 NSCS-38 NNS-6 NCWTS)
4. Greg Biffle               53 (19 NSCS-18 NNS- 16 NCWTS)
5. Ned Jarrett              43 (43 NSCS)
 
All-Time Ford Motor Company Top-Five Winning Owners (All Series Combined)
1. Jack Roush                         313 (131 NSCS, 132 NNS, 50 NCWTS)
2. Wood Brothers                    98 (98 NSCS)
3. Holman-Moody                    92 (92 NSCS)
4. Robert Yates                       58 (57 NSCS, 1 NNS)
5. Bud Moore                          43 (43 NSCS)
 
All-Time Ford Motor Company Driver Championships (13):
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Ned Jarrett (1965); David Pearson (1968-69); Bill Elliott (1988); Alan Kulwicki (1992); Dale Jarrett (1999); Matt Kenseth (2003); Kurt Busch (2004)
NASCAR Nationwide Series: Greg Biffle (2002); Carl Edwards (2007); Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2011-12)
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: Greg Biffle (2000)
 
Manufacturers Championship Seasons (20):
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: 1956, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, ‘02
NASCAR Nationwide Series: 1995, 2002, 2011
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: 1999, 2000

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 6:05 AM

Body.: ​DEARBORN – Ford SYNC voice-controlled connectivity and MyFord Touch® touch screen technologies are attracting more customers and selling at a much higher rate than competitors, as MyFord Touch helps drive higher customer satisfaction with vehicle quality.
 
Combined, SYNC and MyFord Touch are sold on 79 percent of new 2013 Ford vehicles, double the rate of Toyota and Honda vehicle infotainment systems and up from 68 percent in 2012. This includes a MyFord Touch mix of 55 percent from 12 percent in 2012.
 
SYNC and MyFord Touch connectivity technologies – launched in 2007 and 2010, respectively – remain a competitive advantage as customers cite voice control and touch screens as top purchase drivers much more often than competitors. For example, 53 percent of 2013 Ford Escape owners say the touch screen is a top purchase reason compared to a 22 percent segment average.
 
“Ford has launched 60 new technologies the past few years and they are helping attract many new customers in important markets such as the coasts,” says Raj Nair, group vice president, global product development. “SYNC and MyFord Touch are key parts of our innovation strategy, and not only bring more new customers to our brand, but help deliver higher satisfaction with overall vehicle quality.”
 
Ford vehicles with MyFord Touch are helping improve perceptions as customers who own vehicles with the system are more satisfied with overall vehicle quality compared to those who don’t have the technology. The Ford F-150 with MyFord Touch has the highest rate of quality satisfaction across the Ford lineup, at 86 percent.
 
F-150 blends touch screen capability with traditional buttons and knobs, a similar balance planned for future Ford vehicles.
 
Young buyer connections
The innovations also are attracting younger buyers. For example, the new 2014 Ford Fiesta will now offer MyFord Touch, adding to other features such as a navigation system, rear camera, leather seats and a sunroof not available in the segment.
 
Fiesta already is drawing a younger audience of 46 percent Gen Y and Gen X buyers, compared to Toyota and Scion’s 36 percent subcompact average. Fiesta innovations are differentiating the car as SYNC is cited as an important purchase reason by 54 percent of buyers compared to a 37 percent average for Toyota’s connectivity technology.
 
Quality progress
Ford continues to refine SYNC and MyFord Touch, including another downloadable upgrade planned for this summer. Previous upgrades already have helped improve quality responses by more than 50 percent.
 
“We are committed to listening to our customers and improving MyFord Touch to keep drawing in new customers and increasing satisfaction with even higher quality,” says Nair.
 
Ford’s dealership personnel and dedicated connectivity customer service line also have become competitive advantages in an era of new automotive technologies. Customers who seek dealership assistance with SYNC or MyFord Touch report a 91 percent satisfaction rate.

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 6:00 AM

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DEARBORN - Shani Allison mentors young women and minorities who are considering a major in engineering.  She tells them, “If you’re willing to work hard, then being an engineer is a reachable goal.”   Allison, a project management analyst at Ford’s Product Development Center, speaks from experience.

Allison decided in high school to follow in her father’s footsteps and study engineering.  She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Penn State University and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Michigan.

Click here to continue reading this story and others like it in the Go Further - Team Content section on @Ford Online. In addition to reading the rest of the story you will also be able to post and read comments or 'like' this article. Note: The comment and like features are available only inside the Ford firewall.

 

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 6:00 AM

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​DEARBORN - Ford engineers have developed the industry’s first robotic test driving program – now in use at the company’s Michigan Proving Grounds in Romeo, Mich. – to meet demands that Ford trucks undergo ever more strenuous Built Ford Tough testing with greater frequency.
 
The pilot program has been used most recently for durability testing of Ford’s all-new full-size Transit van, which launches in 2014.
 
“Some of the tests we do on our commercial trucks for North America are so strenuous that we limit the exposure time for human drivers,” says Dave Payne, manager, vehicle development operations. “The challenge is completing testing to meet vehicle development time lines while keeping our drivers comfortable.
 
“Robotic testing allows us to do both,” he says. “We accelerate durability testing while simultaneously increasing the productivity of our other programs by redeploying drivers to those areas, such as noise level and vehicle dynamics testing.”
 
The durability technology includes a robotic control module installed in the test vehicle that controls vehicle steering, acceleration and braking. The module is set to follow a preprogrammed course, and the vehicle’s position is tracked via cameras in a central control room and GPS accurate to plus/minus one inch. Should the vehicle stray from its programmed course, engineers have the ability to stop the vehicle, course correct as necessary, and restart the test. Onboard sensors can command a full stop if a pedestrian or another vehicle strays into the path.
 
The robotically driven vehicles are expected to repeatedly perform tests on torturous surfaces with names like Silver Creek, Power Hop Hill and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The tests can compress 10 years of daily driving abuse into courses just a few hundred yards long, with surfaces that include broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversized speed bumps.

All North American Ford trucks must pass this battery of durability tests before they’re certified for customer use. Until now, testing speeds and repetitions for specific scenarios were limited due to restrictions placed on human drivers, who were allowed to drive certain rigorous courses only once a day.
 
The use of robots now accelerates this testing, allowing an unlimited number of repeats until Ford engineers are satisfied with the results. Robots also allow Ford to develop even more challenging durability tests to build tougher trucks.
 
Ford engineers worked with Utah-based Autonomous Solutions Inc. to design and manufacture the software and components that enable autonomous, robotic operation of the test vehicle.
 
“We’re very excited to work with Ford for autonomous vehicle testing,” said Mel Torrie, CEO of Autonomous Solutions Inc. “The reliability, durability and performance enhancements we’ve developed with Ford will not only help them reach their safety and accuracy goals, but will also improve vehicle automation in other areas such as mining, agriculture and the U.S. military.”
 
Ford engineers designed and deployed the robotic technology with two goals in mind: protecting human drivers and engineering Ford trucks to be tougher than ever.
 
“The goal here was not to develop a truly autonomous vehicle that can drive itself on city streets,” said Payne. “Our objective was to create a test track solution that allows for this type of intense testing that could take our vehicles to the most extreme limits of their engineering while ensuring the safety of all involved.”

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 6:00 AM

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DEARBORN - Weekend racing results for June 14-16.

NASCAR Sprint Cup (Fusion)
• Greg Biffle claimed a second-consecutive victory at Michigan to lead three Ford Fusions in the top-10.
• The victory is Ford's 1,000th across NASCAR's top-three divisions and comes on the 110th birthday of Ford Motor Company.
• Carl Edwards (8th) and Joey Logano (9th) also finished in the top-10. Edwards started from the pole.
• NASCAR.com Links - Recap: http://ow.ly/m5rXd | Video: http://ow.ly/m5rV0
• Carl Edwards sits second (-31) in the driver's championship standings, Greg Biffle rose to eighth (-95), Brad Keselowski sits 9th (-108) behind points leader Jimmie Johnson (Chevy). Joey Logano (T-P13, -133) and Aric Almirola (P14, -133) sit within striking distance of the top-10.
• Ford sits third in the manufacturer standings, 28 points back of Chevy.
 
NASCAR Nationwide Series (Mustang)
• Joey Logano and Trevor Bayne each held the lead late but Regan Smith (Chevy) claimed the victory at Michigan.
• Bayne finished 5th, Chad Buescher 7th and Joey Logano 11th.
• Sam Hornish Jr. sits second in the driver's standings, 58 points back of Regan Smith (Chevy). Trevor Bayne rose to 7th, 88 points back.
• Ford sits second in the manufacturer standings, four points back of Toyota.
 
NHRA (Mustangs)
• John Force claimed the Wally in Bristol, outlasting Cruz Pedregon (Toyota) in the finals at 305.29 in 4.148 seconds.
• Bob Tasca III reached the second round.
• Tim Wilkerson leads the Ford drivers in the driver's championship, sitting 6th with 571 points behind points leader Matt Hagan (Dodge - 746 points). Courtney Force sits 7th (560), John Force 9th (555), Robert Hight 10th (514) and Bob Tasca III 11th (486).
• Ford sits second in the manufacturer standings, 100 points behind Dodge.

V8 Supercars (Falcon)
• Mark Winterbottom won Round 18 and finished second in Round 19 to highlight a three-round weekend at the Skycity Triple Crown.
• Will Davison sits third in the driver's championship standings, 275 points back of Jamie Whincup (Holden). Winterbottom sits seventh (-344).
• FPR sits third in the Team championship, 450 behind Red Bull Racing. 
 

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 5:35 AM

Body.: ​CHENNAI, India — Ford EcoSports are rolling off the production line in Chennai and being shipped to Ford dealers throughout India.

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 3:00 AM

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Body.: ​SHANGHAI, China — Ford Motor Company will bring a full suite of smart technologies to Mobile Asia Expo, demonstrating its leadership in elevating the connected driving experience for consumers.

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Release Start Date: 6/17/2013 12:00 AM

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Carlos Galmarini, Director of Corporate Communications, Ford Argentina, participated in the 7th Forum of Sustainable Development organized by El Cronista Comercial, the media group which owns El Cronista Comercial newspaper, Apertura and Information Technology magazines.

The event took place at La Rural exhibition center, in Buenos Aires, and it aimed to discuss sustainable development in Argentina, the challenges that private investors face nowadays and the importance of corporate social responsibility within companies’ agenda.

The corporate panel was integrated by Carlos Galmarini; Gustavo Fosco, Public Affairs, Communication and CSR Director of Renault Argentina; Sabina Zafora, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager of Natura, and Sergio Montiel, Communications Manager of Sancor. The executives answered questions about their sustainability corporate strategies, CSR actions and pending issues in this subject. 

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Ford Argentina participó en el Séptimo Foro de Desarrollo Sustentable de El Cronista
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Carlos Galmarini, Director de Relaciones Institucionales de Ford Argentina, participó en el Séptimo Foro de Desarrollo Sustentable que organizó el grupo de medios El Cronista Comercial, editor del diario homónimo y las revistas Apertura e Information Technology.

El encuentro, que se realizó en el centro de exposiciones La Rural, Buenos Aires, tuvo como objetivo analizar el desarrollo sustentable en la Argentina, los desafíos que hoy enfrenta la inversión social privada y qué lugar ocupa la responsabilidad social empresaria en la agenda de las marcas.

El panel de empresas estuvo integrado por Carlos Galmarini, quien ingresó a Ford Argentina en 1992; Gustavo Fosco, Director de Asuntos Públicos, Comunicación y RSE de Renault Argentina; Sabina Zafora, Gerente de Asuntos Corporativos y Sustentabilidad de Natura, y Sergio Montiel, Gerente de Comunicaciones de SanCor.

Todos ellos respondieron preguntas relativas a las estrategias de sustentabilidad de las compañías en las que trabajan, el alcance de las acciones de RSE y cuáles son las asignaturas pendientes en esta materia.

 

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Release Start Date: 6/14/2013 6:00 AM

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DEARBORN - Teams from two buildings came together to create something greater through the common thread of Ford’s “Go Digital… Go Further” (GDGF ) Program.

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Release Start Date: 6/14/2013 6:00 AM

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​OAKVILLE - Recently, Ford of Canada’s Dianne Craig, president and CEO; Bob Eaton, vice president,  Finance and Jack Palazzolo, vice president,  Marketing   welcomed about 100 Ford of Canada retirees for an info packed town hall. Ford of Canada retirees are strong advocates of the brand in the community, and this group was eager to hear the presentation.

Officially welcoming the group, Craig kicked-off the presentation with a high-level business update. 

“As you know this is our ONE Ford Plan and it hasn’t changed.  We continue to work the plan,” said Craig.  “We will serve all markets with a family of best-in-class vehicles – cars, utilities and trucks – using our global scale to deliver profitable growth for all.”

She outlined for the group a few Canadian historical industry statistics and where Ford ranks in Canada.  For the Canadian auto industry, 2012 was a near record  year.  Putting that into context of the overall economy – the economic indicators showed modest improvements during 2012, and yet auto sales almost broke a record. 

That speaks volumes about the strength of the Canadian industry.  In that strong industry:
• Ford of Canada maintained sales leadership for the third-consecutive year
• Ford F-Series was the best-selling vehicle in Canada for the third-consecutive year, as well as the best-selling pickup for a record consecutive 47 years
• Ford Escape was the best-selling small utility
• Ford Explorer was the best-selling large utility
• Ford Mustang was once again Canada’s favourite sports car

In 2013, Ford of Canada is forecasting an industry of about 1.75 million, which would set a new record. 

While sales titles are certainly a nice pride point for employees (current and former) and dealers, it has certainly never been the goal at Ford of Canada.  The company remains focussed on long-term profitable growth for the business and dealers. Ford will remain focussed on going further for customers and delivering vehicles that offer leading fuel economy, technology, design and value.

While delivering those vehicles, Ford and Lincoln dealers continue to increase customer satisfaction in sales and service, and that includes renovating dealerships to add to the customer experience.

Sound business decisions, outstanding product and a positive customer experience all translate into sales, and Eaton was up next to provide some insight into the financial health of the company, both from a global perspective and a Canadian one. It was interesting for the group to see Ford’s performance per global market. Proving that Ford’s product transformation is delivering value, he talked about strong market acceptance of new products and technologies, how that’s driving share and revenue  and how new innovative technologies drive higher customer satisfaction. 

“We consistently deliver beautiful, emotive vehicles designs that are great to drive, with smart technologies, plus the outstanding fuel economy, value and quality that customers demand,” said Palazzolo, continuing on the theme of a vehicle-led transformation and segueing into the product presentation part of the event.

He touched on the importance of global products and of being a global company.  He also spoke about the significance of sustainability and Ford’s electrification plan.  Being able to offer customers the power of choice – fuel-efficient gas-powered EcoBoost engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electrics – allows our customers to choose the kind of vehicle that best fits their lifestyle and driving needs. 

EcoBoost offers our customers up to 20 per cent better fuel economy, improved power and torque, as well as up to a 15 per cent improvement in CO2 emissions, giving them all the power they need with the fuel efficiency they demand. Ford is tripling EcoBoost engine production in North America.

Ford also will be tripling electric vehicle capacity by 2013. Plus, by electrifying platforms rather than single vehicles, Ford has the flexibility to manufacture the mix of vehicles that our customers desire and value.

Palazzolo had the pleasure of walking the group through Ford’s vehicle lineup, highlighting Ford Fiesta ST, new Ford Fusion, Ford C-MAX, Escape, F-Series and the changes to our commercial vehicle family.

Then, it was time for Lincoln to shine. Images of the Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and Lincoln MKC Concept brought smiles to the faces of the crowd.  So did the news that there will be four new Lincoln vehicles in the next four years.

An active Q&A session followed the formal presentation, demonstrating that Ford retirees are very interested and engaged in following the company from both a global perspective, but also still focussed on the local community as well. Questions about Ford of Europe and growth in Asia Pacific were asked, as well as a high level of interest in the success of Oakville Assembly and what the future holds in terms of possible government investment.

Craig thanked the crowd at the end of the presentation.

 “It was incredible to have all of you here today,” she said. “This is such a great opportunity for me to say thank you once again for all of your hard work during your years of service at Ford of Canada, and I am really proud to give you some further insight into where we are as a company today.  I can’t wait to do this again really soon.”

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Release Start Date: 6/14/2013 6:00 AM

Byline: Alice Arutoff

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Release Start Date: 6/14/2013 5:55 AM

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Release Start Date: 6/14/2013 12:00 AM

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SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil - Troller Cup, the most prestigious regularity rally for both amateur and professional drivers in the Country, made a special celebration for the couples who took part in the competition duo to the Brazilian Valentine’s Day, June 12th.

A video was produced, with the participants’ testimonials that show a different vision on how to take advantage of the rally to strengthen their life together in the trails as well. The video was shot during one of the rally phases. The testimonials were given by pairs of racers and navigators formed by couples shown on the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X271l4c7ztc.

For Juliana Mendes and Alex Pires, who race in the Expedition category, the spirit of unity prevails: “During the rally, myself as the racer and Juliana as navigator, it is only natural that we have some fights, but the good thing is that, at the end of the competition, we leave our car, hug and kiss each other, and the bad feelings remains in the trail dust”, says Alex.

Gustavo Peixoto says that Mabita Rangel is more than a partner: she is his soul mate. “Just like me, Mabita loves to participate in off-road races. It has been a long time that we share the same taste and I believe it is very important for any couple. We have a lot of fun and a different weekend with a lot of leisure”, says Gustavo.

“We invite other couples to participate in Troller Cup. It is a moment of emotion and fun in a healthy and pleasant environment. The competition, the integration and the trust [between] drivers and navigator help in the couple’s good relation and bring a positive experience on a different, adrenalin-filled weekend”, remarks Carla Freire, Marketing Supervisor, Troller. 

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Copa Troller Faz Homenagem no Dia dos Namorados no Brasil

SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brasil - A Copa Troller é a competição esportiva que permite a maior integração entre os participantes e o Dia dos Namorados mereceu uma homenagem especial a casais que  disputam as etapas no Brasil.

Um vídeo especial foi produzido com depoimentos de competidores que mostram uma visão de como aproveitar o rali para fortalecer a vida conjunta também nas trilhas com muita emoção e adrenalina.
O vídeo foi gravado durante uma das etapas do rali. Os depoimentos foram dados por duplas de piloto e navegador formadas por casais de namorados como apresentado no link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X271l4c7ztc.

Para Juliana Mendes e Alex Pires, que correm na categoria Expedition, o clima de união fala mais alto: “No rali, eu como piloto e a Juliana como navegadora, é natural que saiam algumas brigas, mas o bom é que no fim da prova, a gente sai do carro, se abraça, se beija e as mágoas ficam na poeira da estrada”, diz Alex.

Gustavo Peixoto diz que Mabita Rangel, é mais que sua parceira: é a sua alma gêmea. “Assim como eu, a Mabita adora participar de corridas off-road. Há bastante tempo nós compartilhamos o mesmo gosto e acredito que é muito importante para qualquer casal. Nos divertimos e temos um fim de semana diferente com muito lazer”, diz Gustavo.

“Fazemos o convite para muitos casais participarem da Copa Troller. É um momento de emoção e divertimento num ambiente saudável e alegre. A competição, integração e a confiança do piloto e navegador ajudam no bom relacionamento dos namorados e trazem uma experiência positiva, num fim de semana diferente e de adrenalina”, ressalta Carla Freire, supervisora de Marketing da Troller.

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Release Start Date: 6/14/2013 12:00 AM

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​DEARBORN – Ford Motor Company cut CO2 emissions at its global facilities by 37 percent per vehicle between 2000 and 2012 and plans for a 30 percent reduction from 2010 to 2025 by addressing everything from new products and technologies to manufacturing processes.

Ford’s work to reduce CO2 emissions is outlined in Ford’s 14th annual Sustainability Report issued today and more importantly, part of the company’s overall mission to facilitate continued reduction of CO2 emissions.

Already, total CO2 emissions at Ford’s global facilities have dropped by 4.65 million metric tons, or 47 percent since 2000. Ford also delivered on its commitment to reduce U.S. facility emissions by 10 percent per vehicle produced between 2002 and 2012, as part of an Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers program. And vehicle tailpipe emissions on a per vehicle basis have dropped 16 percent since 2007 as new vehicles such as Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid have become available.

And Ford has even bigger plans to reduce CO2 – one of several priorities outlined in its “Blueprint for Sustainability: Our Journey Continues.” Other subjects in the voluntary report range from reduced water use and energy consumption to cutting the amount of waste-to-landfill at Ford facilities around the world.

“In the more than 30 years I have been with the company, I have seen genuine transformation as Ford has integrated sustainability into its business plan, products, operations and relationships with stakeholders,” says Robert Brown, vice president, sustainability, environment and safety engineering. “Water and energy use, waste-to-landfill, Ford’s role in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases like CO2 in our atmosphere – these are just a few of the top sustainability-related priorities considered in every decision.”

Ford Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks said sustainability issues are embedded in the company’s business plan, and are consistent with its aim to deliver great products, a strong business and a better world.

“We are much more proactive in understanding the importance of sustainability in the broadest sense – not only in relation to our products, but also in the quality of the financial results that we derive from them,” said Shanks, whose perspective is featured in this year’s report. 

Ford issued its first voluntary sustainability report in 1999 as a way to summarize and report on the company’s initiatives regarding social, economic and environmental issues. Like Ford’s sustainability-related processes and results, the report has evolved – from a printed booklet similar to an annual report, to being so detailed and comprehensive today that it requires an entire website, which can be found here.

CO2…
In the early 2000s, Ford’s Climate Change Task Force identified a need to address shifting market trends and government regulations – among many other factors – with regard to reducing CO2 emissions.

Investors also are increasingly showing greater concern about climate change as a material risk for companies, creating a much stronger link between climate-change-relevant information and initiatives – such as the CO2 Model – and access to capital.

“Beyond those imperatives, we had taken to heart our responsibility to contribute to meeting the challenge of climate change,” says John Viera, global director, sustainability and vehicle environmental matters.

Ford has developed products and technologies along with processes at its facilities and plans to meet its own targets while also doing its part to help keep CO2 levels in the Earth’s atmosphere at or below 450 parts per million – a goal many scientists, businesses and governmental agencies say must be met to avoid the most serious effects on climate change.

Take Ford’s EcoBoost® engines – now on more than 600,000 Ford Motor Company vehicles – that improve fuel economy and cut CO2. And since sales began of Ford C-MAX Hybrid and Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, more than 20 billion grams of CO2 have been saved. Emissions from C-MAX Energi are less than half the average CO2 that comes from a regular car.

The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi are part of six electrified vehicle choices from Ford. Other vehicles are: Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids and Focus Electric.

At its facilities, Ford is expanding its industry-leading 3-Wet paint capacity by 50 percent this year – adding the environmentally friendly process to four more plants on three continents. Increased use of this process, which streamlines the painting process, is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25 percent where used.

And in the last eight years, company scientists have developed the Ford CO2 Model – a business planning tool that takes into consideration data and regulations from, among others, the International Energy Agency, National Center for Atmospheric Research, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ford also worked with researchers at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden, and from companies such as BP in the process of developing the CO2 Model.

…And beyond CO2
Ford’s sustainability report is a comprehensive showcase of the company’s efforts to tackle a myriad of sustainability challenges in a rapidly changing world. Specifically, the report addresses Ford’s overall financial health, the fuel economy of Ford Motor Company vehicles, safety achievements and other sustainability-related issues, such as:

• Trained 325 suppliers in sustainability management in 2012 as part of Ford’s Code of Human Rights, Basic Working Conditions and Corporate Responsibility; nearly 2,100 suppliers have been trained through the program
• Reduced waste-to-landfill by 19 percent per vehicle between 2011 and 2012, part of a plan to cut the amount of waste-to-landfill 40 percent per vehicle by 2016 (baseline is 2011)
• Reduced global water use by 1.95 million cubic meters from 2011 to 2012. Based on regional water cost estimates, this yielded more than $3 million in cost savings
• Cut global use of water per vehicle produced to 4.3 cubic meters (one cubic meter equals 264 gallons) in 2012 – down from 4.7 cubic meters in 2011 and 5.1 cubic meters in 2010. The company targets a 2 percent reduction in 2013 and continues working toward cutting water use 30 percent per vehicle by 2015 (2009 baseline)
• Reduced global water use by 62 percent between 2000 and 2012 – equal to about 10 billion gallons
• Established a five-year objective to improve operational energy use per vehicle globally by 25 percent by the end of 2016 (2011 baseline)
• Improved global energy efficiency by 6.4 percent against a 2011 year baseline normalized for weather and production levels

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Related Materials1: *Ford Focuses on Reducing CO2 Emmissions Fact Sheet

Release Start Date: 6/13/2013 8:50 PM

Body.: ​SHANGHAI, China — Two creative manufacturing projects from Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd (JMC), Ford’s commercial vehicle business partner in China, won two top prizes at the 2013 Kaizen (meaning continuous improvement) Expo.

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Release Start Date: 6/13/2013 8:35 PM

Body.: ​SHANGHAI, China — As Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company says: "A good company delivers excellent products and services. A great company does all that and strives to make the world a better place."

In order to do more to make the world a better place, Ford China recently chose World Environment Day (June 5) to launch its Better World program – a suite of environmental protection projects such as Ford’s flagship Conservation Environmental Grants China (CEGC) as well as its complementary newly expanded Level Up! training initiative — both of which are targeted at grassroots Chinese NGOs.

Before the event, Ford exhibited the great work of Charyou, a 2011 CEGC winner that promotes volunteering and environmental education for kids using fun interactive games.		A jigsaw puzzle game to teach players about the recycling knowledge.
A fun game using recyclable shoe boxes.		Jim Vella, president of Ford Motor Fund & Community Services, helped launch the 2013 Better World program in China.
John Lawler, chairman and CEO, Ford China gave the opening remarks.		After the kick-off ceremony, Ford executives and NPI leader were interviewed by key media.

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​COLOGNE, Germany - New, innovative products and a stronger focus on the retail business helped Ford of Germany keep car sales stable at 19,559 units in May 2013 compared to prior year (19,746), despite a declining industry.

According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), the industry registered 261,316 cars in May, a decline of 9.9 percent compared to the same month last year when 289,977 cars were registered.

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Release Start Date: 6/13/2013 6:45 AM

Body.: ​NEW YORK - Ford shot up 13 spots in a new report ranking companies largely on public perception of a brand’s sustainable or green practices to become the second greenest brand in the world. Bolstered by the popularity of products such as its EcoBoost® engines, Ford is No. 2 on the 2013 Best Global Brands Report released by consulting firm Interbrand. “In 2012, Ford (#2) moved sustainability from the periphery to the center of its business strategy,” the annual report states. More details about Ford’s ranking, along with the entire report can be found here.

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Release Start Date: 6/13/2013 5:55 AM

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​The full version of this article and others like it are featured on the Go Further - Team Content section on @Ford Online - click here to go there now!

DETROIT - June is proclaimed by the President of the United States as national LGBT pride month. Festivals are held around the country in celebration and recognition of LGBT history.  Ford Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Employees (GLOBE) joined record crowds at Motor City Pride, a riverfront festival held to celebrate Michigan’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender citizens.

The weekend-long festival, held at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, Mich., was filled with activities including a family picnic, golf outing, street parade and commitment ceremony.  There were over 130 exhibits and five stages featuring live musical entertainment.

Click here to continue reading this story and others like it in the Go Further - Team Content section on @Ford Online. In addition to reading the rest of the story you will also be able to post and read comments or 'like' this article. Note: The comment and like features are available only inside the Ford firewall.

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Release Start Date: 6/13/2013 2:50 AM

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Release Start Date: 6/12/2013 6:15 AM

Body.: ​DEARBORN – The new 2014 Ford Fiesta has achieved 41 mpg in EPA testing. Fiesta is the only subcompact car to surpass 40 mpg.
 
The fuel economy claim is for Fiesta SE with the Super Fuel Economy package that includes Ford’s 1.6-liter engine and PowerShift automatic transmission. Along with the EPA-certified 41 mpg highway rating, Fiesta achieves 30 mpg in the city and 34 mpg combined.
 
The claim is significant because fuel economy is often cited as the No. 1 reason for purchase consideration in the subcompact class, according to Ford data. The new 2014 Fiesta will be arriving in dealers soon.
 
“The 2014 model is shaping up to be a game changer for Fiesta,” said Liz Elser, Ford Fiesta marketing manager. “With the addition of Fiesta ST and the award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost®, we have fantastic performance and fuel efficiency. But with today’s news, buyers will have a fuel-efficient Fiesta no matter which they choose.”
 
Two key technologies help Fiesta achieve fuel economy leadership – its advanced aerodynamics and dry, dual-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission.
 
In terms of aerodynamics, the SFE package adds rear spoiler, side air deflectors, underbody shields, lower grille blockers, low-rolling-resistance tires and cruise control. Together, these features decrease the amount of fuel needed to push the car through the air at speed.
 
The second enabler is the PowerShift transmission. Unlike regular, hydraulically operated automatic transmissions that use power-sapping torque converters, wet clutches and pumps, Ford’s new dual-clutch PowerShift automatic consists of two manual transmissions – in the same case – working in parallel. Each has its own independent clutch unit controlled by computers, and fast-acting electromechanical actuators that shift the gears.
 
In addition to the leadership claim for highway fuel economy, the new Fiesta boasts a best-in-class suite of technologies and features that give drivers a connected, yet untethered, driving experience.
 
A new MyFord Touch® system with 6.5-inch touch screen featuring enhanced voice control is now available, providing drivers more options than ever for navigation, communication and entertainment functions. Fiesta still features SYNC® AppLink™ capabilities pioneered on the first Fiesta, which allow drivers to access and control Ford-approved smartphone apps with voice commands and vehicle controls while on the go, helping them keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Turn-by-turn navigation remains part of SYNC Services.
 
Ford MyKey® is a new feature for Fiesta, which enables parents to encourage safer driving and limit their teenagers’ exposure to risk at the wheel. The system allows owners to configure maximum speed and audio volume limits. It also mutes audio until seat belts are fastened and ensures driver aids, safety systems and more vigorous alerts cannot be deactivated when used

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