Fast Selling for Ford C-MAX Launch

From Ford.com:

Ford’s all-new C-MAX has become the fastest-selling hybrid ever at launch, with 8,030 sales in its first two full months on the market in October and November. This significantly outpaces Toyota Camry Hybrid’s 7,300 sales in its first two full months in May and June 2006.

 

C-MAX hybrids also are selling three times faster than the combined sales for the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight when launched in 2000.

 

Ford sold 8,999 C-MAX hybrids through November, a figure projected to surpass by 40 percent through December the combined Prius and Insight launch sales of 9,350 in 2000. C-MAX sales would represent four months compared to the initial combined 18 months of Prius and Insight sales.

 

“Dealers are seeing an overwhelmingly positive response to C-MAX hybrids and are excited to finally take on Prius, with some offering comparison test drives right on their lots,” says C.J. O’Donnell, group marketing manager, Electrification. “Our customers also are excited to have a fresh hybrid option, with leading fuel economy that does not sacrifice driving fun, performance and technology – choices typically not offered with hybrids.”

 

Ford achieved its best electrified vehicle sales month ever in November with a total of 7,157 sales, with C-MAX hybrids acting as the driving force behind the milestone. Ford is projecting an all-time record quarter for hybrid sales at December close. More than half of Ford’s hybrid sales this year are expected to come in the final quarter of the year as the company continues to ramp up production of Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.

 

C-MAX hybrid sales totaled 4,848 in November, up 52 percent month-over-month. November marked the first month both C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid were available on dealer lots.

Read entire article here.

Stop by Lakewood Fordland to see the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid and learn more about what has made it such a great seller. 

Ford Fusion Named 2013 Best Redesigned Vehicle

(photo courtesy:  Ford.com)

After considering 20 vehicles redesigned for 2013, Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) has named the 2013 Ford Fusion as 2013 Best Redesigned Vehicle.  Read more about it here then stop by Lakewood Fordland to see the 2013 Ford Fusion.

2013 Ford Fusion Trims Emissions and Fuel Consumption

From Ford.com:

Can the trim around a window switch save thousands of gallons of fuel? 

 

It can if it was specified by Ford engineers.

 

The window switch surround in the new Ford Fusion saves 2,700 gallons of diesel fuel usage and nearly 60,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually. 

 

Traditionally, molded plastic pieces have been painted with a high-gloss finish to deliver both fashionable design and tough-as-nails durability that customers demand. But thanks to a new breakthrough in materials from supplier BASF, Ford is able to skip that step, thereby saving cost and reducing the environmental impact during production of the 2013 Ford Fusion.

 

If clear-coat paint had been used on these particular parts with the new Fusion, it would have required Ford’s supplier to ship parts from Kalamazoo, Mich., to Grand Rapids, Mich. This added step would have involved fueling and operating a fleet of trucks that emit tons of carbon dioxide, and subsequently applying a high-gloss finish to the parts that would then emit VOCs into the atmosphere. By creating a new resin that is mar-resistant, this entire step was eliminated.

 

Here’s how it works: The round trip between the plastic part molder in Vicksburg, Mich., and the painter in Grand Rapids is 128 miles. It takes roughly 18 gallons of diesel fuel for the transport truck for each trip. The trip is made three days a week, which requires 54 gallons of fuel. Presuming 50 weeks per year of production, this means Ford is saving 2,700 gallons of diesel and eliminating 59,400 pounds of CO₂ from Fusion production each year.

 

All of this from changing the material in the trim around the window switches.

Read entire article here.

Learn more about the 2013 Ford Fusion at Lakewood Fordland.

Ford Releases 2013 Trend Report

From Ford.com:

Ford is releasing its first-ever trend report, Looking Further with Ford, revealing predictions about consumer habits and behaviors expected to shape 2013 and beyond. From the return of trust in companies and brands to the rise of personal accountability, global data from Ford’s trend report suggest the year 2013 will be one marked by acceptance and optimism rather than mistrust and disappointment.

 

Looking outside the automotive industry to understand what’s happening in social, technological, economic, environmental and political arenas, Ford has been analyzing these shifts to gain insight into what may influence consumers’ values, attitudes and behaviors. With help from Ford’s in-house futurist Sheryl Connelly, those insights are incorporated into Ford’s inaugural trend report, capturing 13 micro trends Ford will be watching over the coming year.

 

“Ford values the insights of trends to help guide our product development strategies so we can be as educated as possible to anticipate the cutting-edge technologies and automotive solutions customers will want, need and desire – well into the future,” said Connelly, Global Trends & Futuring manager for Ford. “These trends and insights help Ford in our role as an innovator to create products that not only exceed consumers’ expectations, but that push the boundaries of imagination.”

13 trends for 2013Ford’s inaugural trend report explores 13 micro trends for 2013, focusing on these key topics expected to influence consumers and brands in the new year:

 

1. Trust Is the New Black
2. Consumer Republic
3. Get Real
4. Pioneering Pathways
5. The Micro Skills DIY
6. Help Me Help Myself
7. The Economics of Local Pride
8. The Rise of the Intima-City
9. Defying Distraction
10. The Minimal Maximist
11. Return to Your Senses
12. Forever Young
13. Post-Green

“Ford is more than just a car company, we are also a ‘lifestyle enabler,’ and our work in trends and futuring is meant to help our customers achieve just that,” said Connelly.

Read entire article here

Visit Lakewood Fordland to learn more about the Ford vehicles that are best for your lifestyle..

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2013 Ford Fusion Named Green Car of the Year

(photo courtesy:  Ford.com)

Green Car Journal has named the 2013 Ford Fusion as 2013 Green Car of the Year.  The announcement was made at the Los Angeles Auto Show.  Read more here to find out why the 2013 Ford Fusion won this honor.  Then stop by Lakewood Fordland to learn more about the 2013 Ford Fusion.