New 2011 Ford Edge is Official Vehicle of 2010 U.S. Ironman Event Series

DEARBORN, Mich., July 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

• The new 2011 Ford Edge is the official vehicle of 2010 U.S. Ironman

• As the official vehicle of the series, the new Ford Edge will be featured in advertising, online Webisodes, on-site displays, demonstrations and race integrations

• Ford is expanding its role with Ironman through www.fordtrainingteam.com, a new online community for athletes

• Ford is entering its sixth year as title sponsor of Ironman

Much like a determined triathlete, the Ford Edge started out strong and is getting even better. Since its launch in late 2006, more than 380,000 crossovers have been sold.

So it's fitting that the all-new 2011 Ford Edge is the official vehicle of the 2010 U.S. Ironman event series, a competition that symbolizes strength, leadership and endurance.  

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) has been the title sponsor of U.S. Ironman races – including the Ford Ironman World Championship – since 2005. As the official vehicle, the new Ford Edge will be featured in advertising, online Webisodes, on-site displays, demonstrations and race integrations.

"This audience represents a huge opportunity for us in the crossover segment," said Jim Peters, manager, Ford Brand Content and Alliances. "They will help us spread the word about our revolutionary MyFord Touch driver connect technology and the styling and features that define the new Ford Edge and all the new vehicles in the Ford lineup."

Research shows that Ford's involvement with Ironman is influencing consumer opinion about Ford in a positive way. From 2006 to 2008, favorable opinion about the Ford brand grew from 58 percent to 66 percent among members of the Ironman community. Studies also show that people on-site at Ironman events are 38 percent more likely to seek information on a Ford vehicle versus a competing brand.

Ford reaches out to Ironman community online

Ford recently expanded its role with Ironman through the creation of the Ford Training Team, a new online community for athletes at www.fordtrainingteam.com. It's a place where people training for Ironman or any type of endurance sport can share stories, photos and videos. Ford also plans to use the Website as a way to introduce the endurance community to new Ford products, like the Ford Edge.

"Many endurance athletes like to join clubs where they can compare notes and compete with other athletes," said Peters. "This Web site provides a forum for them to do just that. It also offers tips on conditioning, nutrition and videos from the pros, like Ironman athlete Chris Lieto."  

Ford is teaming up with other Ironman supporters – including Timex, K-Swiss and Aqua Sphere – to offer rewards to participating athletes, such as heart rate monitors and wet suits.

Ford enters sixth year as title sponsor of Ironman

Ford is in its sixth year as title sponsor of Ironman events, a series of seven Ironman qualifying events in the U.S., and the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The series also consists of five additional Ironman 70.3 races (formerly known as the Half-Ironman) in the U.S. and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Fla., of which Ford is the presenting sponsor. Each full-distance Ironman race consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run competition.

2011 Ford Edge:  An all-new blend of style and technology

Style and technology have been hallmarks of the Ford Edge since the vehicle entered the marketplace and the 2011 model delivers not only style and technology, but a wide-ranging scope of improvements.

"We have taken every element of the Edge and made it even better, including new advanced powertrains, a bold new exterior design and a completely new interior," explains Elaine Bannon, chief engineer. "If you add in our industry exclusive MyFord Touch, combined with new SYNC functionality, it dramatically changes the interior experience."

MyFord Touch redesigns the in-car interface, mirroring how consumers interact with most devices in their lives using touch-sensitive buttons, touch screens, thumb-wheel controls and voice recognition.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About Ironman

The Ironman Triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run completed in succession within a 17-hour allotted timeframe. In 2006, World Triathlon Corporation, owners of the brands, launched the Ironman 70.3 Series which consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run in addition to a world championship event which is held each November.  Each year, more than 120,000 athletes compete for slots in either the Ford Ironman World Championship, held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 held in Clearwater, Fla. Throughout Ironman's nearly 32-year history, Ironman has transformed from an event into a lifestyle and sports brand that includes licensed products and television production. Ironman has global reach with more than 66 events worldwide and continues to inspire millions each year to establish goals and take on new personal challenges, demonstrating the Ironman mantra, "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE™". Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss' crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC's Wide World of Sports. The brands have been featured in a range of media outlets to include CNN Headline News, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, The TODAY Show, Entertainment Tonight and USA Today. For more information on Ironman or 70.3, visit www.ironman.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company