The Ford Story

Drive One: Take Four

cole — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:01:04 +0000

The hits just keep on coming. On Monday, November 23, four more “One More Reason” advertisements will be on the air. Once again, you get a preview of the spots.

These videos are of people sharing their thoughts and opinions about new Ford cars, crossovers and SUVs. The comments are as real as the people who made them. They are not scripted. In fact, these people didn’t know that they were being filmed for Ford commercials. That’s the only way to get genuine opinions, and that’s how these were produced.

Here’s a short setup for each of the new video spots:

“Rachel Escape Hybrid” talks about how her Escape Hybrid saves her money
“Christopher Fusion Hybrid” tells us why he is pleasantly surprised to be a hybrid owner
“Greg Edge” talks about how the Power lift gate in his Edge has made his life easier
“Adam and Amie Flex” is about coexisting thanks to Dual Climate Control in their Flex

You can also view all of the previously loaded videos in this series.

This is a continuation of last year’s very successful work under the Drive One advertising campaign. Ford will keep highlighting accomplishments in four key areas that shape the reputation of the company – Quality, Green, Safe and Smart. Ford will continue its ongoing commitment to the community, the environment and innovation.

Do you have a story about Ford that you want to share? You can submit your story and upload a video or photo to make your Ford Story part of the Ford Story. Click here to see other stories and to learn more about submitting yours.

Ford continues to stand apart from competitors. From nontraditional marketing successes such as using social media to generate more than 50,000 hand raisers for the upcoming Ford Fiesta to leveraging global car platforms to bringing new cars such as the Ford C-MAX to North America, Ford is different and making progress.

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Thank You Ford For Saving My Life

cole — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:56:26 +0000

I am here today because 5 years ago, I was driving my 1993 Ford Ranger XL. Thats a midsize truck, but not midsize in saving my life. I have not ever written about this before, but I thought Ford (and all its engineers) would benefit in knowing that they have been instrumental in saving my life. The reason I can say this with certainty, is because of the nature of my car crash. I ask you, if you were broadsided at 60+ ( I was on a highway in Ca) and all that saved you was your vehicles chasis..if you were driving say, a Honda..would you be here reading this?? Maybe, but not likely. All that happened to me was, I had a heck of a bent truck frame (rear suspension) and a minor seat belt bruise! I almost tipped the truck over on its side, I was hit that hard..but luckily, she righted herself in time! (I know its silly, but you got to name your trucks) This was my first Ford, and god willing not my last. I may have lost traction, due to the road being wet..but I tell you I would not be soo lucky driving anything other than a Ford. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. I just thought it would be nice to tell someone. Thanks..I could never be more grateful for your company, God bless you.

Your friend,

Rose

your friend and loyal customer,.

Rose

Ford Fusion Named 2010 Motor Trend Magazine’s Car of the Year!

tdi_admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:17:20 +0000

Our mothers and our coaches taught us how to be good sports. Well, at least our mothers did. Even so, it’s hard to hide the excitement and pride in winning MOTOR TREND magazine’s prestigious Car of the Year^®award. The 2010 Ford Fusion brought home the honor, besting a field of 23 contenders including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, BMW 7 series and Mercedes-Benz E Class!

In addition to this important award, sales of the 2010 Fusion are at an all-time high. The car is now among America’s Top 10 selling vehicles, and it is the No. 1 selling domestic car.

“Ford has proven its resilience in these tough times by delivering to market a car with broad appeal to a broad range of consumers,” said Angus MacKenzie, MOTOR TREND editor-in-chief. “The Fusion range has matured into a competitive roster of midsize sedans, able to compete with the sales juggernauts such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It is no surprise the Fusion now ranks in the top ten best selling cars in America.”

To win the coveted Car of the Year award, Fusion outperformed the competition – including the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan – in six new categories: design achievement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value.

“The Fusion brought a vast assortment of choice that has the potential to appeal to every type of driver, from the eco-conscious to the sport-minded. The Fusion’s combination of comfort, fuel efficiency, assortment and technology made it a clear winner among our panel of judges,” said MacKenzie.

The 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient sedans in America. The new models offer more power; class-exclusive technologies such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) and Ford SYNC®; more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry; and better long-term reliability.

The Fusion lineup expanded in the 2010 model year to include all-new Hybrid and Sports models and a new selection of gas-powered engines – all paired with six-speed transmissions – that deliver even more horsepower and better fuel economy.

The Ford Fusion has been generating excitement among journalists and consumers alike since the nameplate first launched in the fall of 2005. In fact, the introductory model – which marked Ford’s re-entry into the midsize sedan market – was a finalist for MOTOR TREND’S 2006 Car of the Year award.

Since then, Fusion’s popularity has continued to soar. And so have sales. Fusion set a sales record in April – the first full month of sales for the redesigned 2010 model and the new Fusion Hybrid version – and overall sales are already at an all-time high for 2009.

With its unsurpassed quality, best-in-class fuel economy, class-exclusive technologies and significant residual value improvement, the 2010 Ford Fusion is clearly delivering the key attributes that midsize sedan buyers want.

“Even at a time when industry-wide sales are down 26 percent, Fusion sales continue to grow,” said Ford Sales Analyst George Pipas. “That is extraordinary.”

The new Fusion Hybrid model has played an important role in Fusion’s success. The vehicle delivers a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway. It also offers innovative new technology – SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide – that coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.

Sales of the new Fusion Hybrid are strong, accounting for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales. And more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been to customers coming from import brands – mostly Toyota and Honda – according to information from Product Information Network, a division of J.D. Power and Associates.

According to Fusion Marketing Manager Jonathan Richards, car buyers are so passionate about Fusion that they are choosing to buy the high series models – Hybrid, SEL and Sport.

“Data shows that high series models account for 50 percent of sales,” he said. “Customers are also embracing technology offerings like voice-activated navigation, SYNC® and Sony® Audio.”

Richards says the introduction of a Sport model is also drawing praise from Fusion customers as is the new six-speed gearbox with SelectShift transmission.

Dyno Day For Ford Focus Enthusiasts At FSWerks

tdi_admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:53:08 +0000

The Ford Focus community of owners is really strong, and the enthusiasts who modify their cars have an even stronger bond. This video talks about that community, what they do with the cars and a bit about Dyno Day at FSWerks in Southern California. Dyno Day is a get together where people share ideas and experiences. Some of them get to dyno their cars on a chassis dyno. We even had a couple from Lincoln, Nebraska, come to the event as part of their honeymoon.

Ford Escort Wagon Electric/ And Or Gas Driven

cole — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:52:52 +0000

I have taken the rear axle out of my Ford Escort and installed a escort front wheel drive transaxle in the rear.
I have installed an electric motor to it. mounted batteries in the back seat. I have also hooked the manual gearshift up to where the emergency was. I can drive the car 35 mile on batteries on on gasoline using the original motor up front. I now have disc brakes in the front and rear and can run both motors at once making it 4 wheel drive. I have driven it to Dearborn Mi. every day this summer . I’m constantly improving it while monitoring kilowatts used and miles driven. I now warm the car up on gas for 3 miles and switch to electric at 40 mph with no problem switching on the fly from gas to electric or electric to gas.I sure would like some of the new battery technology in the near future. The cost is still high.I’m a member of the E.A.A. electric auto association, Michigan chapter. We are Proving technology through grass roots.

How We Rely On Ford Super Duty Trucks As Fire Fighters

tdi_admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:51:07 +0000

As fire fighters, we have a special relationship with the equipment that we use. That’s because we have to rely on that equipment. If we don’t have reliable equipment, we don’t go home. The Ford Super Duty trucks we use allow us to get in and out of areas that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

Delivered

cole — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:41:46 +0000

We are a small indie film production company. We always wanted to make an action film that centered around a classic car. We worked on the script for several years and searched for a car forever. With only our credit cards to finance the film, we were at a loss. The picture car companies in Hollywood wanted $550 a day to rent a car and this was more than our entire budget for the film. The film is a collaboration of other filmmakers, actors, crew and students who loved our script. We got everything together and finally after three years of writing and pre-production, we had a start date of July 13, 2009. The only problem was, we still didn’t have a car. We were starting to panic.

A few weeks before our start date, we went to see Chuck, a kind man who works on Mustangs in LA. We told him our problem and he promptly walked us out to his parking lot and introduced us to Francis O’Toole, one of his customers, who just happened to own several classic cars. After talking to Francis for about thirty minutes, he offered to let us use his beautiful ‘67 Mustang for our film, for free. We shot the film and are now editing it and plan to get all the Mustang enthusiasts we can find to help us support the film. The car is exactly what we wanted and looks beautiful in our film. The world is in love with this car and we want to reach as many of them as we can.

619,000 Miles And Counting On A Ford Mustang

tdi_admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:40:55 +0000

I’ve owned my 1971 Ford Mustang since it was brand new. I now have 619,484 miles on the car. Every mile and every drop of fuel has been logged. Very close to original. I’ve done all of the maintenance and repairs, including engine rebuilding. I think it might make it another 300,000 or 400,000 miles, which would make it 1,000,000 miles total. We’ve always been a Ford family, and I think Ford makes the best cars.

Ev’s, A Good Idea Lost In Time

cole — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:39:55 +0000

I have a 2000 EV Ranger wiith NiMh batteries and have 52,000 miles on it with out burning a gallon of gas, no oil changes and the only service problems are related to the unique configuration of it’s assesory components. It is perfect for my business. I am a small urban farmer and am able to drive to SF, CA, attend the Ferry Plaza farmers market, while the truck is charging at the public garage and then drive home without a drop of gas! It was a mistake of monumental consequence when the EV program was dropped. I only hope for more rational future EV program and look forward to other EV options from Ford.

How I Think My Ford Explorer Saved My Life

cole — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:38:15 +0000

Driving home South on I 57 (I have a 55 minute commute each way) I was in the fast lane when 2 fully grown deer ran across the highway right in front of me. I couldn’t swerve to the right as there were 2 semi trucks coming up fast on that side, and I would probably hit the second deer anyway. . It was pointless swerving to the left because I would be in the center of the South and North bound highways and would likely have rolled or sped onto the oncoming traffic North Bound so in that split second I decided to just keep straight and hope for the best. I hit the deer head on and was able to walk away without a scratch. My poor Ford Explorer took the brunt of the impact and I truly think saved my life. People laughed at me because of driving such a “large” SUV and paying for the extra gas but I always felt safe in this vehicle and obviously I was. My next car will be a Ford Explorer. Lynn M.