Ford E-News - March 10, 2010

DEARBORN, Mich., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

Mustang makes history: First car ever to top 300 horsepower, 30 mpg

It's official: The 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 Coupe has been EPA-certified at 31 mpg highway, making it the first production car to deliver 300-plus horsepower while returning 30-plus mpg on the highway. Even more impressive is that Mustang achieves those numbers with the available six-speed automatic transmission. This car is shattering conventional wisdom: First, Mustang proves it's possible for a high-performance sports coupe to get compact-car mileage and second, that drivers need not shift their own gears to get the best fuel economy.  more...

Angie Kozleski |  [email protected] |  313.323.1984

Fusion soars while others sink

Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid – America's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan – are luring customers from other brands at a record pace, with consideration from import shoppers at an all-time high. 2009 is a record-breaking year for Fusion with sales at 151,137 units, already eclipsing the previous full-year high of 149,552 Fusions sold in 2007. Consumers are interested in new features and smart technology, too, with half opting to buy high series models like the Fusion Hybrid, Sport and SEL. Perhaps most importantly, Fusion sales are skyrocketing at a time when industry sales are the lowest they've been since the early '80s.  more...

Robert Parker |  [email protected] |  313.845.0784

Ford safeguards customer information

As the world grows ever more comfortable with electronic transactions, at the same time there is heightened sensitivity to ensuring that personal information is kept safe. Ford is at the forefront in adapting methods and technologies most often associated with the fast-paced IT world to secure its mobile device-to-car connections with firewalls, virus protection and password-controlled access. Some of these security features include SYNC® Firewall, SYNC Phone Pairing Protection, Encrypted Jukebox and "Home" Protection.  more...

Alan Hall |  [email protected] |  313.594.3744

Ford product chief earns engineering accolades

Ford's Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development, has snagged the 2010 National Academy of Engineering award, the highest honor in the engineering community. Kuzak has led Ford product development programs around the world, influencing vehicle engineering, design and performance for drivers everywhere. The NAE award celebrates engineering advancements that improve quality of life. Bringing affordable, well-made, efficient and engaging products that millions of global customers want and value has earned Kuzak this important NAE recognition.  more...

Said Deep |  [email protected] |  313.594.0942

Transit Connect Electric – the future of corporate fleets

Telecommunications giant AT&T will be the first to purchase the new Ford Transit Connect Electric. AT&T is adding two Transit Connect Electric vans to its growing fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles. The 80-mile-per-charge Transit Connect Electric, which goes on sale later this year, is powered by Azure Dynamics' patented Force Drive™ electric drivetrain with an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saft. For AT&T, the clean Transit Connect Electric is a breakthrough vehicle, exactly what the company had in mind in its long-term vision to invest up to $565 million to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles through 2018. AT&T operates 77,000-plus vehicles in its corporate fleet, including 15 gasoline-powered Ford Transit Connects, 2010 North American Truck of the Year.  more...

Jennifer Moore |  [email protected] |  313.248.2335

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 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. 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