Ford's New MyKey Technology

From Ford.com:

• Ford will become the first automaker to allow parents to block their teens from receiving phone calls and deter text messages while driving with a new MyKey® Do Not Disturb technology that launches on the Ford Explorer in early 2012
• The most complete research shows manually operating electronic devices while driving substantially increases the risk of accidents. Ford SYNC® reduces that risk by allowing drivers to operate their devices through voice commands while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road
• The riskiest drivers on the road, teens are a special group that would benefit from restrictions such as those offered through graduated drivers licensure programs and MyKey’s practical limits that provide a technological complement to such laws
• The Do Not Disturb feature, which can be controlled by parents, adds to MyKey’s other innovations such as a “No belts, no tunes” feature that mutes the audio system until front occupants buckle up

Read entire article here.

Learn more about the technological features of Ford's vehicles at Lakewood Fordland.

2012 Ford F-150 Named "Truck of Texas"

The 2012 Ford F-150 was named "Truck of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Assoc. at their annual Truck Rodeo:

•The 2012 Ford F-150 is named Truck of Texas, the most prestigious award presented by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at its annual Truck Rodeo in the country’s largest truck market. In addition, Ford products and technologies win top honors in seven other categories

•The 2012 Ford Edge is named CUV of Texas

•Ford EcoBoost® technology – available for both F-150 and Edge – is named best vehicle feature. EcoBoost uses gasoline turbocharged direct-injection technology for up to 20 percent better fuel economy, 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions and superior driving performance versus larger displacement engines

•Ford also is named Truck Line of Texas for the 12th consecutive year, in recognition of the best-in-class capability and durability of its truck lineup

Read entire article here.

Learn more about the Ford F-150 at Lakewood Fordland.

Ford Finds Use for Recycled Plastic Bottles in Next Ford Escape

From Ford.com:

•The next Ford Escape uses 25 recycled 20-ounce plastic bottles in the carpeting of each vehicle
•That means more than 4 million bottles could be diverted from landfills and instead find a home in the next Ford Escape, based on current sales

•The new Ford Escape will be revealed at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show in November

Ford is using 25 20-ounce plastic bottles to make the carpeting in every all-new Ford Escape utility vehicle it builds. It’s the first time Ford has used this type of carpeting in an SUV.
“It’s a good use of recycled product and keeps it out of landfills,” said Laura Sinclair, a materials engineer for Ford and mother of two young boys.

Read entire article here.

Find out more about the Ford Escape at Lakewood Fordland.

Safer Texting Alternatives With Ford SYNC

From Ford.com:

• Latest Ford SYNC® software updates will give owners of select SYNC Generation 1-equipped 2011 and 2012 vehicles access to the emerging Bluetooth® standard – Message Access Profile (MAP) – so SYNC can stream and read text messages aloud from compatible smartphones
• Ford elected to voluntarily adopt MAP in an aggressive effort to improve the number of phones that will work with the hands-free text message readback feature of SYNC
• Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) sees growing MAP adoption among leading cell phone manufacturers

Ford has released its latest free SYNC® software update, G1 V3.2.2, to give more SYNC users the ability to have text messages read aloud to them while driving.

Tailored for owners of select SYNC-equipped 2011 and early-release 2012 vehicles, the update includes the emerging Message Access Profile (MAP) Bluetooth® standard, which is custom-made for the automotive hands-free environment and outlines a set of features and procedures used to exchange email, SMS and MMS between devices – in this case SYNC and the smartphone.

Last year, Ford announced it was voluntarily integrating MAP into SYNC for all 2011 MyFord Touch®-equipped vehicles and is now extending the capability to the broader SYNC user community – with thousands of 2011 and 2012 vehicles equipped with the first generation SYNC system.



Read entire article here.

Learn more about Ford's SYNC at Lakewood Fordland.

Auto Manufacturers Collaborate on Electric Vehicle Charging Solution

From Ford.com:

Recognizing the importance of a single international approach for DC fast charging, Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed on the combined charging system as an international standardized approach to charge electric vehicles (EV) in Europe and the United States.

The system is a combined charging approach integrating all charging scenarios into one vehicle inlet/charging connector and uses identical ways for the vehicle to communicate with the charging station. This allows electric vehicles from Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen can share the same fast charging stations.

The seven auto manufacturers believe the development of a common charging approach is good for customers, the industry and charging infrastructure providers. Standardization will reduce build complexity for manufacturers, accelerate the installation of common systems internationally and most importantly, improve the ownership experience for EV drivers.

The endorsement of the combined charging system was based on reviews and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and the preferences of customers in both the United States and Europe. The harmonized approach – across both continents and all manufacturers - will provide a framework for future infrastructure planning as well as a communication protocol to assist in the integration of electric vehicles into the smart grids.

The seven auto manufacturers also agreed to use HomePlug Green Phy as the communication protocol. This approach will also facilitate integration of the electric vehicle into future smart grid applications.

Read entire article here.

Ford Debuts New Vehicle Colors

From Ford.com:

• Color on vehicles is extremely important to customers; research shows up to 40 percent of car buyers say they would walk out of a dealership if they could not buy a vehicle in the color they want
• Ginger Ale, a classic gold neutral with slight green undertones found in rocks and minerals, debuts on the all-new Ford Escape at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show
• Kodiak Brown, a deep brown with warm highlights, is a color widely used in the fashion industry, paired with caramels, blues and greens

“The new colors coming on vehicles this year are fresh, rich and grounding,” said Susan Swek, group chief designer, Color & Material Design. “We don’t just choose a color and it winds up on a car. We study and understand how important color is to all kinds of our customers.”

New color choices arriving on the freshest vehicles from Ford include:

• Ginger Ale, which will be seen on the all-new Ford Escape when it debuts at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, was named for its energy and refreshing qualities. A classic gold neutral with slight green undertones, it’s found naturally in rocks, minerals and sandy beaches as well as jewelry, gems and textiles
• Kodiak Brown, named after Alaska’s Kodiak bear for its richness and strong presence, is a deep brown with slight warm highlights. The fashion industry pairs it as a neutral with black, caramels, blues and greens
• Frosted Glass, a signature color of the Ford Focus Electric, is an icy light green that elicits a sense of calm, relaxation and tranquility, remindful of a spa or warm tropical waters. Seen in the fashion world, from light shades of green to dark teal

Ford's Inflatable Seat Belts Earn Award

From Ford.com:

•Ford’s industry-first rear inflatable seat belts combine the attributes of traditional seat belts and airbags to provide additional crash protection, giving parents particular peace of mind since children are common rear-seat passengers


•Lead developer Srini Sundararajan will accept the prestigious Breakthrough Product Award from Popular Mechanics tonight in New York, on behalf of Ford Motor Company

•Rear inflatable seat belts were introduced on the 2011 Ford Explorer and will be introduced on other global vehicles in the future


Read entire article here.

Stop by Lakewood Fordland for more information on rear inflatable seatbelts and other innovative safety features in Ford's vehicle line-up.

2012 Ford F-150 Offers Variety of New Options

From Ford.com:

•2012 Ford F-150 delivers even more of what customers are looking for with a new FX appearance package, and several new technologies and driveline upgrades. They include the addition of Hill Start Assist, a new automatic 4x4 system for Lariat trim level and above, and greatly expanded availability of electronic locking rear axles on 3.5-liter and 5.0-liter engines


•Debuting stealthy, flat-black accents, the FX appearance package offers a unique 20-inch flat-black wheel, a stylized bodyside graphic and black badges with red lettering. Customized interior touches include black leather seating surfaces with red trim, brushed-metal accents and a red-stitched steering wheel

•All of the upgrades complement the fuel-efficient and powerful powertrain offerings that debuted in 2011. The powertrain lineup delivers a mix of best-in-class horsepower, torque, capability and fuel economy, with each engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission


Read entire article here.

Learn more about the 2012 Ford F-150 at Lakewood Fordland.

Ford Partners in Box Tops for Education Program

From Ford.com:

• By purchasing a Ford vehicle, ordering a brochure or watching a product video, consumers will be able to raise money for schools of their choice from Ford, thanks to its new tie-up with General Mills’ Box Tops for Education® program
• Ford is the first automotive company to partner with General Mills’ Box Tops for Education® program
• Ford estimates it will provide more than $1 million dollars to schools during the two-month program through box top redemptions
• America’s schools have earned more than $400 million through Box Tops for Education® since the General Mills program started in 1996; Ford has donated more than $100 million to education in the same timeframe

Ford, the first automotive company to partner with General Mills on its Box Tops for Education® (BTFE) initiative, today kicks-off a two-month program, which aims to generate $1 million in support for schools throughout the U.S.

“Since this company started, Ford has always looked for ways to support our country’s young people and their education,” said Jim Farley, group vice president, Ford Global Marketing. “We are delighted to be the first automotive company to partner with General Mills on Box Tops for Education because it provides us a unique way to reach and help students across the whole country.”

Ford has taken General Mills’ consumer fundraising effort and evolved it so Ford vehicle owners and shoppers can now easily participate and generate funds to support their local schools. Starting Oct. 3, participants can earn and collect Box Tops for their local school in three new ways. They can request a brochure from the official Ford/BTFE program website at FordDrivesBoxTops.com; watch product videos on the program website; or purchase a Ford vehicle at dealerships during October and November.

“The partnership with Ford is a major step for Box Tops for Education as we continue to offer new ways to activate the program beyond the packaged goods category,” said Mark Addicks, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for General Mills. “Ford’s involvement in the program will allow us to drive needed revenue for schools across the country in a very interactive way with one of America’s most storied brands.”

During the two-month “Ford Drives Box Tops” Sweepstakes, Ford will provide sweepstakes winners with eBoxTops, which will be automatically credited to the school of their choice. Five 10,000 Box Top prizes worth $1,000 and one 200,000 Box Tops prize worth $20,000 will be given to the BTFE-eligible school of the winner’s choice at the end of the Sweepstakes. Schools can use the money in any way they choose.

Read entire article here.