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Ford Hybrid Hits 1,445 Miles On 1 Tank A driver usually known for his speed instead took his time in helping drive a 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid non-stop for 1,445 miles on one tank of gas. NASCAR driver Carl Edwards was behind the wheel of the Fusion when it hit the 1,000-mile mark and when the Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge car reached the conclusion of its travels after 1,445.7 miles Tuesday morning. Other team members included world-record breaking hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and several Ford hybrid engineers. The challenge started Saturday morning in Mount Vernon, Va., and ended in Washington, D.C. The effort raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It was also a show of ultimate fuel economy, as the vehicle delivered more than 80 miles per gallon over the challenge. The team used various "hypermiling" techniques to help the car maximize its mileage, including gradual acceleration and braking, maintaining even throttle pressure, coasting up to red lights and avoiding bumps and potholes. As part of the event, the team conducted clinics for media and customers in the Fusion Hybrid, providing interviews and vehicle demonstrations on how simple techniques can make a significant difference to real-world fuel economy numbers. The team also uploaded regular images and video of the challenge to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and Ford's media Web site. Ford Ties for Lead in Initial Quality April 22, 2009 The quarterly study was conducted by the RDA Group on behalf of Ford. "This is truly a significant accomplishment for us," stated Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president of global quality. "Honda and Toyota have claimed bragging rights for years, but now we are seeing our hard work pay off. It's evident in study after study." The GQRS survey measured 2009 model-year vehicles' initial quality in two categories: the number of things gone wrong and customer satisfaction with vehicle quality during the first three months of ownership. At 1,228 problems per 1,000 vehicles, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models showed a 5-percent improvement in things gone wrong. Honda had 1,422 things go wrong per 1,000 vehicles, while Toyota was at 1,150. As far as customer satisfaction with vehicle quality, Ford came in at 79 percent, an improvement of 2 percent. This tied Honda and Toyota's scores. "Ford's commitment to quality is really paying off as they continue to rival Honda and Toyota on both initial quality and customer satisfaction with the quality," pointed out Donald Pietrowski, president of the RDA Group. Moreover, the following Ford models led their respective segments in the survey: —Ford Mustang: initial quality and customer satisfaction for sports cars. —Ford Taurus: initial quality for large cars. —Ford Taurus X: initial quality for crossover utilities. —Mercury Milan: initial quality for midsize cars. —Ford Ranger: initial quality for compact pickups. "We are energized by the continuous improvement we are seeing on both initial vehicle quality and customer satisfaction," Fowler commented. "This survey validates the hard work and dedication to quality from Ford employees, suppliers and dealers," he added. "We will keep the momentum going as we strive to become the clear global quality leader." Ford: Vehicles will be less costly to repair, insure February 27, 2009 - Ford's new industry-first Paint and Body Technology Center brings repair and crash safety experts together to drive down auto insurance costs by making vehicles more damage-resistant and less expensive to repair. - New 2009 F-150 is the first vehicle to go through Ford's new design repair process, resulting in frame fixes costing at least $2,000 less than previous repairs. - Ford has reduced prices on thousands of genuine Ford replacement parts. INKSTER, Mich., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford (NYSE:F) is opening an industry-first technology center in Inkster, Mich., dedicated to finding design solutions and repair procedures that will lower repair costs and ultimately drive down auto insurance premiums. The new Ford Paint and Body Technology Center in Inkster will leverage the combined expertise of Ford's repair and safety experts, auto repair technicians and insurance companies. Ford's goal is developing affordable, innovative vehicle designs, replacement parts and repair procedures that lower the cost to fix a damaged vehicle. "Our bottom line for this new initiative is simple: If your vehicle costs less to repair, it's going to cost less to insure," said Darryl Hazel, president, Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD). "The work Ford will perform at the new Paint and Body Technology Center will help reduce insurers' repair costs so they can drive down auto insurance premiums for consumers." Ford's new Paint and Body Technology Center is funded by a $650,000 investment made by collision repair product, equipment and service suppliers. Those partners, along with insurance companies, are collaborating with Ford by providing repair recommendations early in a new vehicle's development. They also will utilize the facility to train certified repair technicians. "It's great that Ford gets insurance industry insight about how to improve repairability of its vehicle designs," said Mark Woirol, project manager with Allstate Insurance Company's Tech-Cor Applied Research Center, which works with automakers, insurers and repairers to make cars more damage-resistant and repair methods more cost-efficient. "We've never been as involved in an automaker's product development process as we have since Ford invited us to participate." Designing to Reduce Damage Ford's Paint and Body Technology Center is merging operations with Ford's existing Safety Crash Test Analysis building. The goal is to identify potential repair issues and refine designs to help dealers and other auto repairers more affordably repair vehicles to pre- accident condition, ensuring safety and quality. Many new affordable repair designs are expected to be designed into vehicles earlier in development so they can be analyzed during crash and durability testing. After crashes, the repair engineering team works to develop specific repair procedure recommendations for body shops. 2009 F-150's Affordable Frame Fixes Ford repair and safety engineers first began collaborating on the new 2009 Ford F-150. During the early development period, engineers realized new materials -- including ultra-high-strength steel and boron -- made the new truck safer, but also could make it more expensive to repair after a collision. "The extensive use of advanced technologies and materials in the 2009 F- 150 required specific procedures and repair recommendations for the industry," said Gerry Bonanni, Ford Collision Repair Senior Engineer. To address the issue, Ford developed special front and rear frame section kits that can be used rather than having to replace the entire frame. Partial frame repairs cost at least $2,000 less than full frame replacements and will save vehicles that before may have been totaled based on some state repair laws. The success of the collaboration on repair procedures for the F-150 led to the decision to open the new facility. "We're now able to prepare repair procedure manuals in advance for all of our new vehicles," said Mark Albrant, Customer Service Engineering supervisor. "This effort saves insurers repair costs so they can reduce consumers' auto insurance premiums. At the same time, repairs can be done with safety- approved procedures that help ensure the vehicle's quality is restored." Ford's Affordability Ford recognizes affordability, including insurance costs, is a key concern for consumers. In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that Ford had more collision insurance cost segment leaders than any other automakers. And, four of its cars and trucks are on Insure.com's Top 10 Least Expensive Vehicles to Insure, which is more than any other automaker. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the four-door 2008 Ford Focus saw a 13 percent improvement in average insurance loss payments compared to the 2007 model as a result of design improvements. "The work that Ford's repairability experts already have done with Ford's safety engineers has made the Focus's bumper bigger and stronger to better protect adjacent components," said Larry Coan, Ford Damageability Engineer. "The new Paint and Body Technology Center will allow us to develop even more affordable repairs before vehicles launch." Ford also helped to reduce insurance premiums for Mustang owners by making improvements to its overall repairability based on consultation with insurance industry repairability experts. The cost of insuring a 2008 Mustang is approximately 25 percent lower than it was on 2006 models and 50 percent lower than on 2004 models, according to a leading U.S. insurance company. Lower Part Prices Not only is Ford building in more affordable repairs, it is significantly reducing prices for genuine Ford replacement collision parts to its dealers and repair shops. In 2008, Ford reduced prices on more than 6,000 of its highest volume replacement parts. Using genuine Ford parts insures the same quality, fit, structural integrity, corrosion resistance and dent resistance of Ford's original parts, as well as helping insure proper functionality of safety systems damaged in accidents. FACT SHEET: AUTO SALES AND EXCISE TAX DEDUCTION President Obama signed “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” into law on February 17, 2009. The law includes a new consumer tax deduction for State and local sales and excise taxes paid to purchase a motor vehicle during 2009. Customers with questions related to their particular tax situation should be advised to consult with a financial adviser. Test Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion is best gas-electric hybrid yet By James R. Healey, USA TODAY OK, let's just get it out there: The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is the best gasoline-electric hybrid yet. What makes it best is a top-drawer blend of an already very good midsize sedan with the industry's smoothest, best-integrated gas-electric power system. It's so well-done that you have to look to the $107,000 Lexus LS 600h hybrid to come close. Fusion's $28,000 starting price is more or less in reach, the driving feel is good, and the interior has a premium look and feel. There are three facets to consider in evaluating a gasoline-electric hybrid: the underlying vehicle itself, the hybrid system and the mileage. Assuming the preproduction Fusion hybrid test car was representative — Ford says it was — the Fusion's scores in those three categories are good, great and adequate, but potentially, very good. The Toyota Prius crowd will protest. Prius is lower-priced, has about the same room inside, has a handy hatchback configuration, gets better mileage — and most of those attributes could improve when the 2010 Prius goes on sale in a few months — so how could Fusion be the best hybrid? Simple. Fusion drives better. A car is, after all, a driving machine. Brownie points for saving somewhat more fuel or offering a cargo-friendly hatchback, but driving feel is most important. And there, Fusion is without equal among hybrids. Here's a look: •The car. A slick machine, regardless of powerplant. Smooth looks. Good manners. Adequate space. Comfortable accommodations. Above-average ambience. Ford launched Fusion as a gasoline-only car in 2005 as a 2006 model. It's getting a midcycle update for 2010, including a hybrid version for the first time, which will begin arriving at dealers mid-March. The hood has a wide, demi-dome bulge, and the grille and rump are tweaked a bit. The grille now looks as if it was done that way on purpose. A commendable change: The turning circle is 2 feet narrower. No more back-and-forth getting into or out of a tight parking spot at the shopping mall. The change makes the car feel more nimble overall, not just when docking in a narrow slot. •Hybrid system. The basic four-cylinder gasoline engine is a 2.5-liter, up from a 2.3-liter in previous Fusions. A little more oomph is the welcome result. The aural signature could be better — it comes down on the coarse side when spurred hard — but isn't a deal-breaker. The electric motor delivers more crank than you get from the gas engines in most small cars. And the miracle is how Ford blends the two. There was no — none, nada, zip — vibration or shimmying in the test car when the gasoline kicked in to help the electric. No other hybrid — not even that $107,000 Lexus — can make that claim 100% of the time. Fusion's main rivals, Camry and Nissan Altima hybrids, shake a lot when their gasoline engines join the party, Altima especially. And no, it's not worth accepting the lack of refinement as a price for saving fuel. It'll make you bitter and crazy after a while, wincing in advance knowing that shudder is due any second. One Ford trick: using the engine's electronic controls to halt the gasoline engine just at the point in the crankshaft rotation where a cylinder is ready to fire again. There was a distant shudder when the Fusion's gasoline engine restarted after stopping at a red light, as all hybrids do to save fuel. But it was milder than in any other hybrid tested, so minor as to be inconsequential. The other great thing about the Fusion hybrid is information delivery. You can pick how much hybrid-related data you want on the instrument panel. Regardless of how much you ask for, Fusion delivers it informatively, no scolding or overwhelming you, as other hybrids do. Yes, there's the "atta way" pictograph of leaves growing into a wreath if you drive just so. But you can shut that off. • Mileage. Mediocre for a hybrid in the test, but the mileage numbers were continuing to climb even as the test ended. And the car registered 40-plus miles per gallon in a couple of short trips that usually return crummy, not outstanding, mileage. Best guess: Moderate, but not mileage-obsessed, drivers could get 35 mpg or so in suburban settings. Not the 41 government rating, but impressive for a 3,720-pound midsizer. Fusion's city mileage rating is better than Camry's 33 mpg, but does it get more in real life? Probably depends more on the driver than the car. Even if the Fusion gets lower real-world results, it's still much smoother and a whole lot nicer to drive. More about the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid What? Gasoline-electric hybrid version of midsize, four-door, front-drive Fusion that's been updated for 2010 model year. Ford's Mercury brand sells the nearly identical Milan. When? Hybrid and gasoline versions begin arriving at dealers in March. Where? Made at Hermosillo, Mexico. Why? Pirate some sales from Toyota's Camry hybrid. And burnish Ford's "green" credentials. How much? Starts at $27,995 ($3,295 more than most similar gas model). With all factory options: $32,435. Midlevel test car: $29,590 (no leather or navigation system). Gasoline model starts at $19,995. How many? About 20,000 a year, including a few Milans; more if Mikey likes it. How powerful? Modestly — punch not being the key issue in a hybrid: 2.5-liter gasoline engine rated 156 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 136 pounds-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. Electric motor: 106 hp at 6,500 rpm, 166 lbs.-ft. the moment it begins to turn (an appealing attribute of electric motors). Ford says net combined hp is 191, but declines (like most hybrid makers) to specify net combined torque. Continuously variable automatic transmission blends power from the gas, electric powerplants. How fancy? Lots standard, including expected bags, belts, stability and traction controls and power accessories, plus the unexpected: Free six-month satellite radio service (Sirius), 110-volt outlet, six-CD stereo (instead of the typical single setup), dual-zone climate control, auto on-off headlights, auto-dimming mirror, backup alarm. In other words, you actually could abide the base Fusion hybrid. How big? On the small end of the midsize scale. Fractionally bigger outside than Toyota Camry hybrid, slightly smaller inside, but has a bigger trunk. Fusion hybrid is 190.6 inches long, 72.2 in. wide, 56.9 in. tall on a 107.4-in. wheelbase. Passenger space is listed as 99.8 cubic feet, trunk as 11.8 cu. ft. Weight listed as 3,720 lbs. Turning diameter is 37.5 ft. How thirsty? Rated 41 miles per gallon in town, 36 on the highway, 39 in combined driving. Test car trip computer showed 27.2 mpg (but was continuing to climb when test period ended) in 300 miles of suburban driving. Registered a remarkable 41.4 mpg in one 5.1-mile suburban trip, 44 mpg in a 3.1-mile hop, driven normally, no nursing. Tank holds 17 gallons. Regular (87 octane) gasoline is specified. Overall: Best hybrid.
NASCAR Driver Leads Effort To Reach 80 MPG, Help Charity
POSTED: 9:12 am EDT April 28, 2009
UPDATED: 9:26 am EDT April 28, 2009
DEARBORN, Mich. — After years of dominance from Japanese automakers, Ford has moved past Honda in initial vehicle quality rankings and is now in a statistical tie with Toyota at the top of the list, according to the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System study.
Ford Puts a Dent in Auto Insurance Costs by Making Vehicles More Damage Resistant and Cheaper to Fix (Press Release)
"When customers take their vehicles in for collision repair, they want their vehicles to be returned to pre-accident condition, using the same quality parts that were on the vehicle when it was built," said George Gilbert, manager of FCSD's Collision Parts Truckload Program. "By enabling more of our dealers to stock genuine Ford parts, we're better able to satisfy our customers' needs. And, customers have a right to demand genuine Ford replacement parts. If they don't exercise this right, the decision could be left to others."
FORD’S F-SERIES REIGNS AS AMERICA’S BEST-SELLING TRUCK AND BEST-SELLING VEHICLE IN 2008
DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 5, 2009
The beat goes on. For the 32nd year in a row, Ford’s award-winning F-Series is America’s best-selling truck with 2008 sales of 515,513. F-series outsold its nearest truck rival by more than 50,000 units.
In addition, for the 27th year in a row, F-Series is once again America’s best-selling vehicle of any type – car, crossover, SUV, truck or van.
“Our thanks go out to our customers, our dealers and, of course, the Ford employees and supplier partners who design, engineer and manufacture quality, fuel-efficient trucks delivering unmatched capability,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president, Marketing and Communications. “The all-new F-150 affirms what Ford has known for years – that listening to customers provides the best rewards."
The all-new F-150 recently was named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™, Texas Auto Writers Association Truck of Texas, and is a finalist for the 2009 North American Truck of the Year.
The 2009 F-150, new inside and out, is the new benchmark for full size pickups, appealing to a growing number of core truck customers. During the past five years, the “core trucker” – those who use their truck’s towing and hauling capability for work and play – has grown to 40 percent from 30 percent of the light-duty full-size pickup market.
In the commercial/fleet portion of this core trucker sub-segment, Ford F-Series continues to dominate. The F-150 has 46 percent of the light duty commercial/fleet market; and Super Duty is stronger still with over 57 percent of heavy duty commercial/fleet market.
2009 F-150 improvements include a new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis that delivers even more horsepower, unsurpassed fuel economy and class-leading towing and payload capacity.
From industry-first SYNC to Ford Work Solutions, 2009 F-150 sports an array of smart technologies. SYNC provides hands-free, in-car communication. Ford Work Solutions is an innovative suite of options including an in-dash computer with Internet access, Tool Link to track tools, Crew Chief technology to dispatch workers and reduce vehicle operating costs and Cable Lock to improve security of tools and equipment.
F-150 also features conveniences such as the Box Side Step and Tailgate Step that help customers easily gain access to the truck’s pickup box.
The new F-150 delivers class-leading towing capability of 11,300 pounds and hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds – a combination no other competitor can match.
For 2009, F-150 also has improved its fuel economy by an average of 8 percent across the entire lineup, thanks to a wide range of engineering enhancements. The fuel economy gains reach as high as 12 percent versus the prior model year on F-150 models equipped with the high-volume three-valve, 5.4-liter V-8 engine. Plus, the F-150’s SFE package – which is available on highest-volume XL and XLT series – delivers unsurpassed fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
The new 2009 F-150 is built at Ford’s Dearborn (Mich.) Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant. The 2009 Ford F-150 has won the following awards and accolades:
- Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year Award™
- Top honors as “Truck of Texas” as well as “Best Luxury Pickup” for the 2009 F-150 King Ranch from Texas Auto Writers Association
- Finalist 2009 North American Truck of the Year (with 2009 Ford Flex for Car of the Year)
- 2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
- “Best Overall Half-Ton Pickup” from PickupTrucks.com
- “Automotive Excellence” award in the Workhorse Category from Popular Mechanics
- Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year
- Detroit News Truck of the Year
- “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its standard safety technology: Safety Canopy side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
- “Residual Value” award from Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) for retaining the highest percentage of its original price among 2009 full-size light duty pickups at the end of a conventional three-year lease, based on ALG projections
- Motor Trend's Truck Trend Top 5 Trucks from Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for 2009 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty DeWalt Contractor Concept
- “Accessory-Friendly Truck” Design Award from SEMA
The All New Ford Fusion Hybrid is now America's Most Fuel Efficient Mid-Size Car
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23, 2008
The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel efficient mid-size car with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.
“The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition but also embodies Ford’s 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership, quality, innovation and advanced technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Ford team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”
The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final fuel economy certification was completed this week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich., and the vehicle will carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when it goes on sale this spring. The Fusion Hybrid, which beats even the much smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving, can travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.
To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford’s engineers spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle’s next-generation hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Toyota Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.
“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiency in many driving situations,” said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. “For example, this would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode.”
Fusion’s advanced hybrid system features:
• Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system. The battery’s improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin air.
• New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.
• Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
• Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.
• Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes
SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving
The new Fusion Hybrid literally teaches drivers how to make the most out of their vehicle, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.
SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display screens on either side of the vehicle’s speedometer. The screens can be configured to show different levels of driver information, including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant miles-per-gallon.
When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel “grows” leaves and vines on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being saved. In some recent tests, automotive journalists have reported exceeding 50 mpg with the Fusion Hybrid.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid also is distinct on the outside with Ford’s “road and leaf” badges on both sides and the rear, unique 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels, and a unique engine cover. On the inside, Fusion Hybrid features eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials and a standard 110-volt power outlet.
Fusion Gasoline Model Also a Fuel Leader
In addition to the hybrid, Fusion will be offered with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines – the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry.
The new Fusion will be building off the strong quality reputation of the current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC™, SIRIUS® TravelLink™, BLIS™ (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Sony-branded audio.
In addition to the Fusion, several other Ford vehicles are fuel-economy standouts on the road today. They include:
The Ford Focus with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than the Toyota Corolla’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than the Honda Fit’s 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, both also with manual transmissions.
The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which just recently was named Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150’s larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the Tundra’s larger engine.
The 2009 Ford Escape with new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota’s RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too.
The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating Toyota Sequoia’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine by 3 mpg and its 5.7-liter V-8 by 1 mpg.