Ford E-News - Jan. 26, 2011

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Ford creates 'talking' cars to make roads safer

Ford is aggressively accelerating its commitment to wirelessly connected intelligent vehicles, becoming the first automaker to build prototype vehicles for demonstrations across the U.S., doubling its intelligent vehicle investment in 2011 and dedicating even more scientists to developing the technology. Vehicle-to-vehicle communications could potentially help in 81 percent of all police-reported light-vehicle crashes involving unimpaired drivers, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report.  more...

Wes Sherwood |  [email protected] |  313.390.5660

EcoMode fuel savings: Paradise by the dashboard light

2012 Ford Focus SE and above models feature an EcoMode system designed to coach drivers toward more economical motoring. EcoMode is a handy software application that helps coach Focus customers in the art of eco-friendly driving – rewarding those that practice these techniques with in-car kudos. EcoMode measures and reports on driver behavior in areas of gear shifting, anticipation and speed. Following coaching, a driver could see double-digit increases in fuel economy, then review his or her EcoMode score against the software's optimized pattern, with graphical green leaves displaying proper eco-driving habits.  more...

Alan Hall |  [email protected] |  313.594.3744

Live teardown shows F-150 EcoBoost ready for more

An unprecedented live teardown of the Ford F-150 EcoBoost "hero" engine at the 2011 North American International Auto Show showed that the new truck engine was more than capable for much more use and abuse. The engine already had endured the equivalent of 160,000 miles of harsh dynamometer and real-world use before being torn down in front of an audience of 1,000. Wear to key components showed parts were still within rigid Ford factory specifications.  more...

Richard Truett |  [email protected] |  313.323.7045

Ford brings superior shift quality to Focus with Torque Hole Filling

The 2012 Ford Focus will offer exceptional shift quality, powered in part by a Ford transmission technology that has waited nearly 25 years for computing power to catch up to make it a reality. Focus features one of the first transmissions to benefit from Torque Hole Filling (THF), a Ford-developed and patented concept. THF uses a combination of mathematical algorithms, computer-aided engineering tools and transmission control technologies to fill what is commonly known as the torque hole – the slight hesitation drivers may feel during an upshift when there is a momentary drop in transmission torque output followed by a rise in torque.  more...

Alan Hall |  [email protected] |  313.594.3744

Ford Transit Connect Taxis are Chicago-bound

Ford Transit Connect Taxis are about to hit the streets of Chicago. Taxi Medallion Management purchased 12 clean-burning compressed natural gas Transit Connect Taxis for its 800-vehicle fleet. The cabs will be affiliated with Yellow Cab Chicago and bear the company's logo and color. Since introduced as a production vehicle last year, Transit Connect Taxi is gaining interest from taxi operators around the country. The first taxi was delivered to Boston Cab Dispatch in December.  more...

Anne Marie Gattari |  [email protected]  |  313.323.7809

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 163,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company