[2014 Ford Transit Connect Goes From Commerical To Awesome!]

2014 Ford Transit Connect Gets Sizzling New Look Courtesy of Hot Wheels for SEMA

 

 

• A Ford Transit Connect cargo van becomes the ultimate fantasy ride that any kid – big or small – would want to drive, courtesy of Hot Wheels®
• The Hot Wheels® Transit Connect is loaded with custom features inside and out, including two 18-inch tablets, a 55-inch television screen, gullwing doors and a built-in Hot Wheels® drag strip
• With a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, the Hot Wheels® Transit Connect is the perfect vehicle to haul the Ford 1.0-liter EcoBoost®-powered custom Rip Rod™

 

FORD TRANSIT CONNECT FORUM - Ford Motor Company’s 2014 Transit Connect is tearing up the Las Vegas Strip with a sizzling new look courtesy of Hot Wheels®.

 

The Hot Wheels® concept of the Transit Connect cargo van, unveiled today at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, has been transformed from a versatile people mover to a race-ready hauling machine that any kid – big or small – would want.

 

The Hot Wheels® brand, which has produced more than 4 billion toy cars since it was introduced by Mattel in 1968, unveiled its first life-size car in 2001 at SEMA.

 

“The Hot Wheels design team jumped at the chance to hot rod a Transit Connect van,” said Felix Holst, vice president of creative for Mattel Wheels Division. “The idea was to create a race-inspired support vehicle for the average guy to spend a weekend at the track testing his Hot Wheels race car.”

 

“The Hot Wheels Transit Connect features an entirely custom, euro-look wide body kit, Rotiform ROC wheels, sleeping quarters and tool storage for living the dream that most of us had playing with Hot Wheels as a child,” Holst added. “It even has slide-out drawers to keep your favorite Hot Wheels cars with you at all times.”

 

For this job, Michigan-based custom builder Ice 9 Group worked with designers from Ford and Hot Wheels®, taking a Transit Connect down to its basic elements and rebuilding it from the ground up, creating a one-of-a-kind dream machine.

 

“We basically reskinned a new vehicle,” said Keith Strong, president of Ice 9 Group. “We did all the computer-aided drafting and tooling, removing the old body panels and crafting a whole new look. Every single aspect of the exterior is different, including the roof. The idea was to show just how far out you can take a vehicle like this – a small van – that isn’t typically thought of when you go to SEMA.”

 

The Hot Wheels® Transit Connect, powered by a 2.5-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder engine, has been widened 4 inches in front and 6 inches at the rear. It features functional custom exhaust ports on either side, gullwing doors in place of the sliding doors, new front fascia and bumpers inspired by Focus RS, and custom 20-inch wheels.

 

The interior of the Hot Wheels® Transit Connect has also been customized, with a Sortimo® secondary floor installed covering a set of drawers for tool storage, a 55-inch television screen, two 18-inch tablets and custom Recaro® seats from a Focus ST.

 

The tablets are installed in the rear doors. The television screen is installed in a bulkhead behind the front seats. Two Hot Wheels® orange tracks are recessed in the bed, forming a drag strip right down the center of the van.

 

Making use of Transit Connect’s towing capability, a custom trailer is hitched up to carry Rip Rod™, which is powered by a 1.0-liter EcoBoost® engine. Rip Rod™ was designed and built by Hot Wheels® in 2012.

 

 

Fans will get a chance to have their own Hot Wheels® Transit Connect in the form of a 1:64 die-cast scale model when it arrives on store shelves in fall 2014.

 

The Hot Wheels® Transit Connect is one of 10 custom Transit Connect vehicles Ford is featuring at this year’s SEMA show. Ford Transit Connect, named International Van of the Year 2014, launches as two distinct models – the traditional, hard-working cargo van, a panel-side hauler; and Transit Connect Wagon, a stylish, spacious and fuel-efficient people mover. The new Transit Connect vehicles will be in showrooms in early 2014.

[Ford C-MAX Energi, Fusion Energi Overtake Toyota in Plug-In Hybrid Sales]

Ford C-MAX Energi, Fusion Energi Overtake Toyota in Plug-In Hybrid Sales

Ford C-MAX Energi, Fusion Energi Overtake Toyota in Plug-In Hybrid Sales

• Ford C-MAX Energi and Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles deliver best sales month ever, outpacing sales of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle
  

• Sales of Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles in October shatter previous record by 45 percent

• Ford catapults from zero market share to 34 percent in 13 months in the plug-in hybrid vehicle market

FORD FUSION ENERGI FORUM - Ford Motor Company took over the No. 1 spot in plug-in hybrid vehicle sales of the Ford Fusion Energi and Ford C-MAX Energi in October, outpacing sales of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Ford sold 2,179 Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi vehicles last month, accounting for 34 percent of the total plug-in hybrid market. Toyota sold 2,095 units of its Prius plug-in hybridvehicle.

It is Ford’s best month ever for plug-in hybrid sales, shattering the previous record of 1,508 vehicles sold in September, a 45 percent increase. Ford’s plug-in hybrid vehicles –Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi – hit this sales milestone just one year after introduction of C-MAX Energi and less than a year since launch of Fusion Energi.

Plug-in hybrid sales are beginning to gain traction in some key growth markets for Ford across the United States.

California continues to account for 38 percent of all Ford plug-in hybrid vehicle sales, but plug-ins are strengthening in the midwestern and eastern regions.

New York, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia combine to make up 32 percent of the C-MAX Energi market. Those same cities make up 34 percent of the market for Fusion Energi. New York alone comes close to unseating San Francisco as the second most popular market for Fusion Energi.

Fusion Energi sales in October doubled in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. from the previous month.

Plug-in hybrid sales for the industry are up 32 percent year-to-date. The industry sold 39,083 vehicles through October, compared to 29,526 vehicles in 2012. October plug-inhybrid sales came within 40 units of setting an all-time monthly record for the segment.

Through September, aggregate data collected through MyFord^® Mobile show Ford plug-in hybrids are being driven about 203,000 electric miles a day, enough to drive around the earth nearly eight times, or more than 8,400 electric-only miles an hour. These numbers are rapidly increasing as Ford continues investing in infrastructure while features exclusive to Ford plug-ins help improve driving habits.

Through MyFord Mobile and other features such as SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide, data show how driving habits evolve and how electric-only miles rapidly accumulate. After six months of vehicle ownership, nearly 30 percent of all trips are taken gas-free, compared to about 20 percent at the beginning of ownership.

[Ford C-MAX Energi, Fusion Energi Overtake Toyota in Plug-In Hybrid Sales]

Ford C-MAX Energi, Fusion Energi Overtake Toyota in Plug-In Hybrid Sales

Ford C-MAX Energi, Fusion Energi Overtake Toyota in Plug-In Hybrid Sales

• Ford C-MAX Energi and Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles deliver best sales month ever, outpacing sales of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle
  

• Sales of Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles in October shatter previous record by 45 percent

• Ford catapults from zero market share to 34 percent in 13 months in the plug-in hybrid vehicle market

FORD C-MAX ENERGI FORUM - Ford Motor Company took over the No. 1 spot in plug-in hybrid vehicle sales of the Ford Fusion Energi and Ford C-MAX Energi in October, outpacing sales of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Ford sold 2,179 Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi vehicles last month, accounting for 34 percent of the total plug-in hybrid market. Toyota sold 2,095 units of its Prius plug-in hybridvehicle.

It is Ford’s best month ever for plug-in hybrid sales, shattering the previous record of 1,508 vehicles sold in September, a 45 percent increase. Ford’s plug-in hybrid vehicles –Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi – hit this sales milestone just one year after introduction of C-MAX Energi and less than a year since launch of Fusion Energi.

Plug-in hybrid sales are beginning to gain traction in some key growth markets for Ford across the United States.

California continues to account for 38 percent of all Ford plug-in hybrid vehicle sales, but plug-ins are strengthening in the midwestern and eastern regions.

New York, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia combine to make up 32 percent of the C-MAX Energi market. Those same cities make up 34 percent of the market for Fusion Energi. New York alone comes close to unseating San Francisco as the second most popular market for Fusion Energi.

Fusion Energi sales in October doubled in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. from the previous month.

Plug-in hybrid sales for the industry are up 32 percent year-to-date. The industry sold 39,083 vehicles through October, compared to 29,526 vehicles in 2012. October plug-inhybrid sales came within 40 units of setting an all-time monthly record for the segment.

Through September, aggregate data collected through MyFord^® Mobile show Ford plug-in hybrids are being driven about 203,000 electric miles a day, enough to drive around the earth nearly eight times, or more than 8,400 electric-only miles an hour. These numbers are rapidly increasing as Ford continues investing in infrastructure while features exclusive to Ford plug-ins help improve driving habits.

Through MyFord Mobile and other features such as SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide, data show how driving habits evolve and how electric-only miles rapidly accumulate. After six months of vehicle ownership, nearly 30 percent of all trips are taken gas-free, compared to about 20 percent at the beginning of ownership.

[Lincoln's Next Move: Lincoln MKC]

Lincoln's Next Move: Lincoln MKC

 

Fool / John Rosevear

 

 

Ford's reinvention of its Lincoln luxury brand hasn't yet showed the conviction of General Motors' all-out push to elevate Cadillac to the global top tier of luxury cars. But it's making some progress: After a difficult launch, the new MKZ sedan is getting some market traction -- and now Ford is gearing up to launch Act Two of Lincoln's renaissance, the MKC shown above.

 

But where is Ford going with Lincoln, and why? In this video, Fool contributor John Rosevear looks at the (very good) hard-headed business reasons why Ford should turn Lincoln into a thriving luxury brand -- and at whether Ford's moves so far are putting Lincoln on the right course for global success.

 

READ MORE HERE

 

[2014 Corrolla is a near carbon copy of the 2013 model]

I wish Toyota offered a Corolla hatchback or better yet wagon, but I guess the Scion xD is the closest thing available.

 

They do offer varients in the European Union. Wagons are hugely popular over there.

[2015 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Rumor Mill]

Speculation and rumors are all over the internet about the "upcoming" 2016 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350. Media reports are stating that the new GT350 will naturally fill the role as a road course inspired Mustang. Such reports make sense since the GT350 was originally designed to tear up race tracks across the world!

 

Give us your thoughts, opinions and comments on what you would like to see (or not see) in an upcoming GT350.

 

Alternatively, you can also visit the GT350Forum.com and join the community discussion there as well.

[Ford Motor Company May 2013 Sales Figures]

DETAILS OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY’S MAY 2013 U.S. SALES CONFERENCE CALL

 

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) will release its May 2013 U.S. sales results at approximately 9:30 a.m. EDT Monday, June 3, 2013. At 10 a.m. EDT, Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. sales analyst, will host a conference call for the investment community and news media to discuss the results and related market trends. He will be joined by Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, and Jenny Lin, Ford's senior U.S. economist.

Conference Call Access Information

Toll Free: 866-783-2138

International: 857-350-1597

Ask to be connected to the Ford monthly sales conference call.

Conference call also will be webcast live, on a listen-only basis, at www.shareholder.ford.com.

Replays – Available 11:45 a.m. EDT the day of the event through June 9, 2013

Toll Free: 888-286-8010

International: 617-801-6888

Passcode: 47748014

Replay also will be available on www.shareholder.ford.com.

====================

Ford Motor Company U.S. Sales Up 14 Percent; Ford Fusion, Escape and New Lincoln MKZ Continue Record-Setting Pace

• Ford Motor Company’s May U.S. sales up 14 percent compared with a year ago; best May sales since 2006 with retail sales up 17 percent
• Escape delivers best month ever – sales up 26 percent year over year; Fusion sales up 10 percent – Fusion’s best-ever May; both achieve monthly sales records for four straight months
• F-Series, America’s best-selling pickup for 36 years, posts a 31 percent increase – best May sales since 2005 and first time F-Series breaks the 70,000 mark since March 2007
• Lincoln MKZ delivers its best-ever May sales performance
• Ford announces 2013 third-quarter production of 740,000 vehicles, up 10 percent from the prior year

Download Full Sales Release (With Tables)

DEARBORN, Mich., June 3, 2013 – Ford Motor Company’s U.S. sales grew 14 percent in May, with cars up 9 percent, utilities up 15 percent and trucks up 18 percent. Retail sales increased 17 percent, marking the best May retail sales results since 2005.

 

“Our fuel-efficient Fusion and Escape have set monthly sales records for four straight months,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “F-Series sales – fueled by construction growth and pent-up demand – reached their highest level in more than six years.”

 

Fusion posted its best-ever May sales of 29,553 vehicles – with its strongest areas of sales growth in the western and southeastern areas of the U.S.

The fuel-efficient Escape small utility posted its best-ever sales month since being introduced 13 years ago – a 26 percent increase with 29,123 vehicles sold last month.

America’s best-selling pickup, the F-Series had its strongest May sales result since 2005. F-Series’ 71,604 sales in May represented a 31 percent increase versus last year and its 22nd straight monthly sales increase.

 

In May, Lincoln MKZ sales increased 42 percent versus last year. This represents MKZ’s best-ever May sales, building on MKZ’s best-ever sales month in April.

In addition, Ford announces its 2013 third-quarter North American production. The company plans to build 740,000 vehicles in the third quarter, up 10 percent from the 673,000 vehicles produced in the third quarter of 2012.

 

The third quarter plan includes the company’s recent announcement to add 40,000 vehicles from a reduced July summer shutdown and the addition of 200,000 units of annualized straight-time capacity starting in the fall of this year.

 

Second quarter production of 800,000 vehicles is unchanged from previous guidance.

[Big profitting share checks comming up.]

Hey pulse send me another message about my dead mother and your sexual fantasies. Coward

 

misuse of the PM system to send note like the one above WILL result in a permanent ban - period.

[Ford Motor Company March 2013 Sales Figures]

Fusion, Escape Achieve All-Time Record Sales; Ford Motor Company U.S. Sales Up 6 Percent in March

• Fusion delivers its best-ever sales month and quarter ever, with March sales passing 30,000 and quarterly sales passing the 80,000 mark for the first time in its history
• Escape posts its best-ever sales month and quarterly sales
• Explorer sales up 33 percent – best monthly sales since the current model debuted in 2010
• America’s best-selling pickup for 36 years, F-Series posts 16 percent increase as full-size pickup segmentation continues to improve versus year ago – best first quarter sales since 2007
• Ford Motor Company March U.S. sales up 6 percent – best sales results since May 2007, with cars even with year ago, utilities up 14 percent and trucks up 6 percent

Download Full Sales Release (With Tables)

DEARBORN, Mich., April 2, 2013 – Ford’s newest vehicles – Fusion and Escape – set all-time monthly sales records in March, driving Ford Motor Company’s best U.S. sales results since May 2007.

 

“Customers are buying our all-new Fusion and Escape in record numbers, and we are working harder than ever to keep pace with demand for these fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Full-size pickup demand continues gaining momentum, outperforming the industry for the third consecutive month.”

 

Ford Fusion posted an all-time record monthly and quarterly sales volume in March with 30,284 vehicles sold for the month and 80,558 during the first quarter – crossing the 30,000 monthly and 80,000 quarterly vehicle sale thresholds for the first time ever in Fusion sales history.

Escape had its best sales month ever with 28,934 vehicles sold. This 28 percent increase versus year-ago results marks the best sales performance since Escape’s launch 13 years ago. Escape also posted record quarter sales of 72,983 vehicles, surpassing record third quarter 2012 sales of 72,908 vehicles.

 

Explorer’s March sales totaled 17,509, representing a 33 percent increase over last year and its best monthly sales performance since the current model was introduced in 2010. Explorer retail sales were up 42 percent over last year, providing it best March retail sales performance since 2005.

 

With the industry’s March full-size pickup segment estimated to be up 15 percent over last year, America’s best-selling pickup, the Ford F-Series sales increased 16 percent to 67,513 pickups in March. This was F-Series 20th straight month of monthly sales increases and represented F-Series’ best March and first quarter sales performance since 2007.

 

The company’s overall sales in March were up 6 percent with 236,160 vehicles sold. Cars were even with a year ago, utilities up 14 percent and trucks up 6 percent.

[Lincoln MKC launching in July?]

The Mustang was changed in 2010 and carried the same V6 and 4.6L V8 as the 2005-2009 models. The V6 was changed to the 3.7L and the 4.6L was changed to the 5.0L in 2011.

[Ordered C-max Energi Nov7, no VIN yet! - Thanks, GE]

Are you on the FordCMAXEnergiForum.com?

[Ford Ecoboost Owner Forums]

If you're looking for community specific EcoBoost sites for your Ford or Lincoln, we have you covered. Please check out one of our sites below:

 

Choose Your Weapon!

 

Ford Ecoboost Forum (your BlueOvalForums.com user name and password will work here too)

 

Ford Edge Ecoboost Forum

 

Ford Escape Ecoboost Forum

 

Ford F150 Ecoboost Forum (your BlueOvalForums.com user name and password will work here too)

 

Ford Fusion Ecoboost Forum

[Lincoln MKC Concept Debuts! (Photos and Video!)]

At the press conference, Farley told the media to NOT think of the MKC as a concept

[2014 Ford Transit Gets 3.2L Powerstroke Diesel]

Advanced, Fuel-Efficient 3.2-Liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel Makes North American Debut in All-New 2014 Ford Transit

• Already a proven global workhorse, Ford adds 3.2-liter five-cylinder turbo diesel to fuel-efficient North American lineup in all-new Transit commercial van range
  

• This innovative engine features state-of-the-art fuel, turbo and emissions systems that meet stringent U.S. clean diesel standards
  

• The 3.2-liter Power Stroke^® Diesel will deliver outstanding performance, exceptional fuel economy and low operating costs
  

 

FORD TRANSIT OWNERS – Ford’s all-new Transit full-size van, which goes on sale late next year, will be offered with a new clean-running 3.2-liter Power Stroke^® five-cylinder diesel, further bolstering Ford’s lineup of fuel-efficient cars, trucks and SUVs.

 

The new diesel, Ford’s second in North America, already has established a proven record for reliability, durability and refinement in the global Ford Ranger truck sold in world markets. The new Power Stroke Diesel will be the only five-cylinder diesel engine available in a commercial van in North America.

 

“Commercial van drivers spend most of their working hours behind the wheel. We know they want a fuel-efficient diesel engine with smooth, responsive performance and low operating costs,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “The 3.2-liter Power Stroke engine has been developed and proven globally to deliver a world-class combination of power, fuel economy and refinement.”

 

The 3.2-liter will join the most fuel-efficient lineup in Ford Motor Company’s history. Next year, Ford will offer eight vehicles rated at 40 mpg or higher – double today’s total, and more than any other automaker. Ford tops Toyota in fuel economy in every segment in which both companies compete.

 

While power has not been certified for North America, the new diesel engine is rated in Europe at 197 horsepower and 347 lb.-ft. of torque.

 

Like the larger 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 offered in Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks, the fuel system has been carefully tailored and calibrated for combustion efficiency. It enables the newest Power Stroke to achieve exceptional fuel economy ratings without affecting power levels.

The 3.2-liter turbo diesel features state-of-the-art piezoelectric fuel injectors fed through a high-pressure common rail fuel system, and advanced emissions technologies.

 

Precise injection timing and calibration also ensures a smooth combustion process to reduce hard diesel combustion clatter, resulting in lower noise levels that are more like a gasoline engine.Each injector nozzle has eight spray holes and can deliver up to five injections per combustion cycle. A pilot injection controls noise levels and a main injection is used for power generation.

 

Technical features of the new Power Stroke 3.2-liter include:

• Quick-start glow plugs that enable smooth and fast startups at temperatures down to -10 degrees F
  
• Durable, rigid sand-cast gray iron cylinder block
  
• Aluminum cylinder head with double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder
  
• Advanced common rail piezoelectric fuel injectors that deliver multiple injections per stroke to improve performance and reduce NVH; maximum fuel pressure is 26,100 psi
  
• Variable nozzle turbocharger with electronic actuation; maximum impellor speed of 197,800 rpm
  
• First application of selective catalytic reduction for reduced nitrogen oxide emissions in a Ford van
  
• Integrated diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter to save space
  
• Expected to be B20 biodiesel compatible
  

Additionally, the engine features cast-aluminum, low-friction coated pistons with piston-cooling jets, which squirt oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions. Also included is a water-cooled high-performance electric-controlled exhaust gas recirculation valve that is better able to withstand coolant pressure drops.

 

The 3.2-liter Power Stroke is one of several engines that will be available for Transit in North America, including the proven 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® gasoline engine. All engines are mated to a Ford 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission.

 

With a flat torque plateau – 90 percent of its peak torque is available from 1,700 to 3,500 rpm, providing better engine flexibility – Transit will be able to effortlessly haul full loads in town and on the highway, while offering flexible performance across each gear in the six-speed automatic transmission.

 

“The Power Stroke name is synonymous with power, work and long-term durability,” said Bakaj. “We’re confident our commercial van customers will be extremely pleased with the 3.2-liter’s fuel economy, performance and running costs.”

 

The Power Stroke 3.2-liter is manufactured in Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It will be exported to Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo., which received a $1.1 billion investment for the Transit.

[2014 Ford Transit Van's Fuel Mileage Changes Full Size Van Market in North America]

With Leading Fuel Economy, All-New Ford Transit Changes Game in Full-Size Commercial Vans

• All-new Transit joins the nation’s best-selling lineup of commercial vehicles, giving Ford customers best-in-class fuel economy, the segment’s lowest cost of ownership, increased capability and Built Ford Tough durability
  

• Ford Transit offers the broadest lineup of configurations for full-size van customers, available in more variations than the competition combined – three body lengths, two wheelbases, three roof heights and in van, wagon, chassis cab and cutaway variations
  

• Ford Transit will achieve an average of 25 percent better fuel economy and haul at least 300 pounds more than today’s E-Series
  

 

For more information, please visit the 2014 Ford Transit Family press kit.

 

 

FORD TRANSIT OWNERS – The familiar van that delivers packages or shuttles you to the airport is about to change in a revolutionary way. Ford’s all-new full-size 2014 Transit van will provide professional tradesmen and commercial fleet customers with unmatched fuel economy, innovative new configurations and leading versatility in the expanding commercial vehicle market.

 

“The all-new Transit is a game changer,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Transit raises the game for our customers in North America and around the world with even greater work capability and significantly lower operating costs, helping improve their productivity and bottom lines. These, literally, are the vehicles people trust and rely on for their livelihoods.”

 

With global commercial vehicle sales expected to grow by 4.8 million during the next several years to 21 million units annually by 2017, Transit represents a major opportunity.

 

Ford is the second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world and best-selling commercial vehicle brand in North America. The company is leveraging its One Ford product strategy to meet the needs of Transit customers on six continents and in 116 markets with vans that are Built Ford Tough, more fuel efficient and even more capable.

 

Transit joins the most fuel-efficient lineup in Ford Motor Company’s history. Next year, Ford will offer eight vehicles rated at 40 mpg or higher – double 2011’s total, and more than any other automaker. Ford tops Toyota in fuel economy in every segment in which both companies compete.

 

Transit is born from a combined total of nearly a century of hard-earned experience delivering two distinct full-size vans to customers in North America, Europe and other global markets. For North America, Transit eventually replaces the E-Series nameplate, first sold in 1961 as Ford Econoline and America’s best-selling commercial van for 33 years. In other global markets, this all-new vehicle will replace today’s popular, market-specific Transit models, first sold in 1965 and the best-selling commercial van in Europe.

 

Transit also is joined by the upgraded 2014 Ford Transit Connect, which pioneered the small van market in the U.S. starting three years ago and has been a hit with cost-conscious commercial fleets and small business proprietors.

 

Superior cargo hauling and people moving capabilities combined with best-in-class fuel economy were design imperatives for the all-new Transit range.

 

Transit will be offered in three body lengths; two wheelbases; three roof heights; van, wagon, chassis cab and cutaway bodystyles; and in XL and XLT trim levels.

 

Power of choice

“The Transit is the new standard in full-size vans and customer choice,” said Director of Ford Commercial Vehicle Operations Len Deluca. “We’re going from an exclusively gasoline engine lineup of two V8s and a V10 in the E-Series to offering customers a standard 3.7-liter V6, the same 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® engine proven in Ford F-150 and an all-new 3.2-liter Power Stroke^® Diesel option.”

 

Ford will offer Transit’s 3.7-liter V6 with a compressed natural gas/liquid propane gas (CNG/LPG) prep kit to assist customers running their vehicles with this abundant, affordable, clean fuel alternative. The 3.7-liter V6 is also engineered for optimal performance with E85 flex- fuel capability.

 

The all-new 3.2-liter Power Stroke five-cylinder common rail turbo diesel, based on Ford’s proven Duratorq global diesel engine architecture, features state-of-the-art fuel, turbo and emissions systems that meet stringent U.S. clean diesel standards, providing an ideal balance of fuel economy and job capability.

 

For maximum capability, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost promises to be a trusted workhorse, whether carrying materials to the job site or towing a trailer with Transit’s available Class IV hitch.

 

Each engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for efficient rear-wheel-drive operation.

 

Biggest range ever

For Transit, the power of choice goes beyond powertrain options to encompass multiple lengths and three roof heights to provide full-size van buyers with the precise combination and configuration they require.

 

The high-roof Transit features 81.5 inches of interior cargo height, enough headroom for a person six feet, five inches tall to stand upright in the cargo area. The medium-roof can accommodate up to 72.0 inches of cargo height and the low-roof has almost 56.0 inches of cargo height to provide an ideal combination of payload management, upfit readiness and garageability.

 

Cargo volume ranges from about 250 to almost 500 cubic feet as a jumbo configuration – nearly 80 percent more space than the largest E-Series – and over twice the volume of today’s standard E-Series. Essentially, one jumbo van can haul the volume of two current models in a fuel-efficient manner.

 

Transit’s rear cargo doors can open up to 270 degrees for easy loading and unloading.

 

Click to download PDF.

 

The Transit interior has been developed for easy upfit of racks, bins, shelving and other cargo storage and hauling solutions. The largest passenger version can carry up to 15 people.

 

A 6.5-inch touch screen display with navigation and SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® – Ford’s highly acclaimed voice-activated communications and entertainment system – is also available.

 

Driving quality

The all-new Ford Transit was designed with improved handling, steering and ride qualities.

 

A power rack-and-pinion steering setup provides exceptionally communicative steering feel to the driver, serving as a confidence builder.

 

The front suspension consists of subframe-mounted MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar for smoother, flatter cornering, combined with progressive rear leaf springs and heavy-duty gas-charged dampers for well-controlled ride quality – regardless of load status.

 

Minimized operating costs

Transit’s global design delivers on the same customer expectations in 116 markets worldwide where this sturdy commercial vehicle will be available, requirements such as versatility, fuel efficiency and low operating costs.

 

Transit has been developed to be efficient to service and maintain, with specialized technical service support and extended operating hours available at more than 600 Ford Business Preferred Network dealers.

 

Designed and developed to provide efficient service over the long haul, Ford Transit scheduled maintenance costs for a three-year usage cycle are projected to be more than 30 percent less than a Chevrolet Express 1500 with the standard 4.3-liter V6, helping give Transit the segment’s lowest cost of ownership per cubic foot or pounds of cargo transported.

 

Built Ford Tough

The all-new Ford Transit has been engineered to deliver a severe-usage service life of 10 years and 150,000 miles. Transit features rugged unibody construction and extensive application of high-strength and boron steel that’s been tested to the same standards as E-Series vehicles at Ford’s proving grounds and in the hands of real-world fleet customers in North America.

 

A durability program to deliver on Built Ford Tough customer requirements included 148 prototype vehicles, with a regimen of 215 separate tests to validate the long-haul functionality of various vehicle systems and hardware.

 

Cumulatively, Transit durability test vehicles were driven more than 4.6 million miles, or far enough to circle the globe 185 times.

 

Transit van and wagon models will be available at Ford dealers starting next fall. They will be built at Ford’s recently upgraded Kansas City manufacturing facility.

[2014 Ford Transit Connect To Achieve 30 MPG]

Next-Generation Ford Transit Connect Breaks New Ground in Commercial Van Fuel Efficiency with 30+ MPG

• Ford brings an all-new compact Transit Connect commercial van to market, ideally suited to small business owners and fleets placing high value on fuel efficiency
  
• Transit Connect Van is expected to deliver at least 5 mpg better fuel economy on the highway than Ram C/V Cargo Van while carrying more payload than a full-size Ram 1500 pickup truck
  
• Anticipating up to 30+ mpg on the highway with EcoBoost^® power, Transit Connect Van offers customers their choice of two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, two wheelbase lengths, two model series and an available CNG/LPG prep package
  
• Transit Connect Van takes versatility to a new level with convenient sliding side doors, side-hinged rear cargo doors, a choice of side and rear window configurations, and an estimated 1,600-pound payload
  

Click to download images.

 

For more information, please visit the 2014 Ford Transit Family press kit.

 

Ford Transit Connect Forum – With global commercial vehicle sales expected to jump significantly during the next several years, Ford’s all-new 2014 Transit Connect cargo van is set to provide cost-conscious commercial fleets and small business owners with unmatched fuel economy and versatility in an expanding commercial vehicle market.

 

Redesigned from the ground up, Ford Transit Connect cargo van drives and parks like a car, hauls more payload than a full-size Ram 1500 pickup, and delivers fuel efficiency unmatched by any other commercial vehicle in North America today – 30+ mpg on the highway.

 

“We have completely reengineered Transit Connect with North American business owners top of mind,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of The Americas. “This all-new cargo hauler offers entrepreneurs and fleet owners a unique combination of leading fuel efficiency, cargo capacity and maneuverability.”

 

With global commercial vehicle sales expected to grow by 4.8 million during the next several years to 21 million units annually by 2017, Transit Connect represents a major opportunity. Ford is the second-largest commercial brand in the world and best-selling commercial vehicle brand in North America. The company is leveraging its One Ford product strategy to meet the growing needs of Transit Connect customers in 66 global markets with vans that are Built Ford Tough and even more fuel efficient and capable and with greater choice of bodystyles.

 

Transit Connect joins the most fuel-efficient lineup in Ford Motor Company’s history. Next year, Ford will offer eight vehicles rated at 40 mpg or higher – double 2011’s total, and more than any other automaker. Ford tops Toyota in fuel economy in every segment in which both companies compete.

 

Transit Connect will be joined by the all-new 2014 Ford Transit full-size van, which will provide professional tradesmen and commercial fleet customers with a diverse array of bodystyles and configurations tailored to their work needs, unmatched fuel economy and low cost of operation.

 

To meet the needs of North American customers, Transit Connect Van is offered in two wheelbase lengths, in XL and XLT series levels, and with up to a 1,600-pound payload and more than 130 cubic feet of cargo space.

 

For the first time, this versatile compact van is also approved to tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.

 

Power of choice

Transit Connect Van offers North American customers a choice between two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines – a standard 2.5-liter and an optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost^® estimated to deliver 30+ mpg on the highway.

 

These powertrain alternatives make Transit Connect Van the gas mileage leader among commercial cargo haulers.

 

Transit Connect’s 2.5-liter engine can also be specified with a compressed natural gas/liquid propane gas (CNG/LPG) preparation package, enabling convenient conversion by Ford-certified upfit specialists.

 

Both engines come mated to an efficient six-speed automatic transmission, geared for around-town responsiveness and low-rpm highway cruising.

 

Transit Connect Van offers unexpected features in a high-value package, combined with low operating costs.

 

This stylish, contemporary cargo van is available with or without second-row seating, and offers useful options like rear view camera, 6.5-inch touch screen display with navigation, and SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® – Ford’s highly acclaimed voice-activated mobile communications and entertainment system.

 

Transit Connect is a One Ford global design delivering substantial capability on a compact overall footprint with urban-friendly maneuverability. It is ideal for small business proprietors and fleets aiming to right-size vehicles to specific duties.

 

Commercial-strength DNA

The Transit Connect work ethic is reflected in this clever van’s cargo carrying and payload capabilities, and its high-strength body engineered to rigorous global commercial vehicle durability standards.

 

The all-new Transit Connect Van builds on the foundation of reliability and durability established by the current Transit Connect compact van. Introduced in North America in 2009, Transit Connect has become the must-have vehicle for small business proprietors and fleets.

 

Transit Connect was recognized as an innovative “white space” vehicle – literally carving out a new category in the market – by the automotive industry press corps when it was named North American Truck of the Year in January 2010 at the North American International Auto Show. Now selling at a pace of 35,000 units per year, Transit Connect has also become a favorite of taxi operators in major urban areas such as Los Angeles and New York City. Tradesmen and fleet administrators alike find its combination of car-like maneuverability, ease of handling and cargo capacity just right for many tasks.

 

All Transit Connect Van models feature first-row frontal and side airbags, first-row side curtain airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

 

Ford’s award-winning MyKey^® programmable ignition key, enabling owners and fleet administrators to restrict maximum vehicle speed and audio system volume, is standard.

 

Multiple vehicle fleets can specify Transit Connect with the available Ford Work Solutions^™ Crew Chief^™ telematics system, powered by Telogis^®. This system enables a centralized fleet logistics leader to simultaneously monitor several vehicles in real time – for location, speed and excess idle time – thus improving productivity and efficiency.

 

Look for Transit Connect Van to begin arriving in dealerships in North America late next year.

[Waitng for Ruby Red 2013 Escape Titanium]

Nice on the Escape Ecoboost

[Waiting (somewhat patiently. . .) for 2013 Fusion Hybrid]

Just found this forum, and glad I did. Local dealer advertised three hybrids, so I went to take a look and found out they'd only been ordered. That's okay, they were supposed to be arriving "any day" (is that dealer-speak for "we don't know when they'll be coming in"?), so I pulled the trigger and put a deposit on one (right at a month ago). Finally discovered the ETIS.ford site and learned that my car had been built back at the end of August, but had been sitting at the Hermosillo plant. Contact the dealer every week to check status, and two weeks ago he said it had moved to Flat Rock, and apparently that's where it's been sitting. Am trying very hard to be patient, but it's tough. I'm still driving the trade-in, and I'm paranoid about getting a ding, a dent, or worse (2011 Acadia in perfect condition right now). Still, from everything I'm reading about the new Fusion, I'm happy with my decision.

 

Thanks all for the great site.

 

Welcome to the site and congratulations on your 13 Fusion Hybrid. There are two Fusion sites that we can also recommend: http://www.fordfusionforum.com and http://www.fordfusionhybridforum.com

 

Robert

[OAC News]

Debates are OK, however, personal attacks are not acceptable here.

[Romeo Engine?]

Chill out people. Trolling won't be tolerated. Even in the employee section. :poke:

 

Nick is correct. Continued trolling will result in account termination. You'll part of Ford - look out and be good to each other.

[Ford C-Max Hybrid: Ford Now Taking Orders]

Ford Begins Taking Orders for C-MAX Hybrid – America’s Most Affordable, Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Utility Vehicle

• Ford dealers are now taking orders for the Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which will be more affordable than Toyota Prius v while achieving better fuel economy

• Class-exclusive technologies include hands-free liftgate, active park assist for easier parallel parking and next-generation SmartGauge® with EcoGuide to help customers increase their fuel economy

• C-MAX will launch this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013



Ford C-Max Hybrid Forum – Ford dealers are starting to place orders for America’s most affordable and fuel-efficient hybrid utility vehicle – the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid – with innovative technologies such as a hands-free liftgate, spaciousness for five passengers and cargo as well as the fun-to-drive character shared with well-handling cars including Ford Focus.

The C-MAX is a compact hybrid utility vehicle and the company’s first dedicated line of hybrids. The 2013 C-MAX Hybrid will be available this fall with a base price of $25,995 – approximately $500 lower than the Toyota Prius v’s base price.

The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will follow later this year with better electric-mode fuel economy and overall driving range than the Prius plug-in hybrid.

“C-MAX Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v – and C-MAX Hybrid customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump,” said Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford is delivering the power of choice for leading fuel economy across its lineup – from EcoBoost to electrified vehicles – because customers increasingly want to save money at the pump, even as gas prices rise over time.”

The C-MAX Hybrid blends fuel economy with performance, with projected best-in-class horsepower and torque along with Ford’s third-generation powersplit technology that allows for higher speed while in electric mode than Toyota Prius v.

C-MAX Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology driving it, with many of Ford’s almost 500 hybrid vehicle-related patents contained within.

That means that along with SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, drivers get class-exclusive features like hands-free liftgate (offering hands-free cargo access with a simple kicking motion), SmartGauge® with EcoGuide, regenerative braking and an advanced lithium-ion (li-ion) battery pack that is being used for the first time in a Ford hybrid.



C-MAX Hybrid – being built on Ford’s global C-segment platform – also benefits from a proven design and nameplate with more than 156,000 units of the gasoline version sold in Europe since its 2010 launch.

Room to move

C-MAX Hybrid is a compact hybrid utility vehicle jam-packed with features and room for five people and cargo.

The vehicle has a high roofline (63.9 inches) offering ample interior space and flexibility. C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared with 97 cubic feet in Prius v. The spacious C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater headroom in both front and rear seats than Prius v (41/39.4 inches vs. 39.6/38.6 inches).

For cargo, C-MAX Hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats that easily fold flat with 54.3 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.5 cubic feet behind the second row.

Tech-savvy

C-MAX Hybrid features the company’s innovative hands-free liftgate, allowing for quick and easy access to the cargo area without messing with keys. A gentle kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the liftgate when used in combination with a key fob the user keeps in his or her pocket or purse that tells the car it’s OK to engage. The same motion can close the liftgate.

The vehicle also features the newest version of MyFord Touch to help inform, enlighten, engage and empower drivers. MyFord Touch offers multiple ways for customers to manage and control their phone, navigation, entertainment and climate functions through voice commands, menus accessed through controls on the steering wheel, touch screens, buttons or knobs.

C-MAX Hybrid also offers the next generation of SmartGauge with EcoGuide. Designed to help drivers get the most from the C-MAX Hybrid, information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on the left cluster to help drivers more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency.

The left cluster also shows Brake Coach, a feature that helps drivers optimize their use of the braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques. In the right cluster, redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves.

Quality and ingenuity

The 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid is new, but its software and hardware technology have been evolving for nearly two decades.

C-MAX Hybrid is powered through the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Hybrid uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – a powerful and fuel-efficient engine and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.

The electric motor of the C-MAX Hybrid is powered by an advanced li-ion battery system designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in Ford’s critically acclaimed hybrid vehicles.

C-MAX Hybrid also offers Ford’s next-generation powersplit architecture that allows the electric motor and gasoline-powered engine to work together or separately to maximize efficiency. The engine also can operate independently of vehicle speed, charging the batteries or providing power to the wheels as needed. The motor alone can provide sufficient power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load conditions and work with the engine at higher speeds.

In the C-MAX Hybrid, the li-ion battery pack is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation. Further, the regenerative braking system can recapture more than 95 percent of the braking energy that would otherwise be lost, and is able to use that power to help charge the battery. C-MAX Hybrid requires no plug-in charging.

Made in U.S.A.

C-MAX Hybrid is being produced at Ford’s Wayne, Mich.-based Michigan Assembly Plant alongside Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. More information about MAP can be found online here.

It is one of five electrified vehicles Ford plans to produce in North America in 2012. In addition to C-MAX Energi, the other vehicles include Focus Electric, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. More information about Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup can also be found online here.

Customers interested in C-MAX Hybrid should visit here. A video featuring C-MAX can be viewed online by clicking here.

More Ford C-Max Forums:

Ford C-Max Forum

Ford C-Max Energi Forum

[Ford Dealers Certified To Sell Focus Electric]

First Ford Dealers Certified to Sell Focus Electric – America’s Most Efficient Five-Seater – with National Rollout to Follow

• First 67 dealers are certified and ready to sell Ford’s first gas-free, all-electric car – the 2012 Ford Focus Electric – arriving this spring
  

• Focus Electric is scheduled to be available nationwide by the end of 2012
  

• The 2012 Focus Electric is America’s most fuel-efficient five-passenger vehicle – certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to offer the equivalent of 110 miles per gallon (MPGe) city
  

• Focus Electric will be joined later by the new 2013 Ford Fusion – aiming to be America’s most fuel-efficient gas- and hybrid-powered midsize sedans – to help create one of the industry’s most fuel-efficient car lineups
  

Click on graphic to download PDF.

 

FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC FORUMS – The first Ford dealers have been officially certified to sell the company’s first all-electric car – the 2012 Ford Focus Electric – America’s most fuel-efficient five-seater with an EPA rating of 110 MPGe city that is capable of being recharged in nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf.

 

The 67 dealers are in California, New York and New Jersey –markets that account for a large percentage of electrified vehicle sales and will begin seeing the Focus Electric later this spring. By the end of the year, Focus Electric will be available nationwide.

 

Certification means the dealerships have met the automaker’s guidelines for dealers selling electric vehicles – including installation of at least two onsite charging stations and participation in highly specialized training in the field of electric vehicles.

 

“The amount of hard work and resources dealers put into becoming certified really is a testament to how excited they are, how excited customers are and how excited we are about electric vehicles, starting with Focus Electric,” said David Gutman, Ford’s field operations manager.

 

With more motor power, standard features, passenger room and faster charging time than Nissan Leaf, dealers have been eager to start selling Focus Electric.

 

First, however, they had to satisfy a list of other requirements to become certified, including:

• One of the two required charging stations at the dealership must be in the customer area and the other must be in the service area
  
• At least one Focus Electric must be available at all times for demonstrations and events
  
• Of the sales consultant, sales manager, service advisor and service manager jobs at each location, 80 percent must meet specific electric vehicle training certification requirements that cover topics including advanced knowledge of electrification
  
• Each showroom will have point-of-purchase display materials including digital assets and window signage
  
• Participation in a Ford Go Green Dealer Onsite Facility Assessment to identify energy and cost saving opportunities with a goal of facilitating energy efficiency, lower operating expenses and carbon footprint reduction
  

Fuel efficiency for all

The Focus range soon will be joined by the new 2013 Ford Fusion – aiming to be America’s most fuel-efficient gas- and hybrid-powered midsize sedans – to help create one of the industry’s most fuel-efficient car lineups. The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid is projected to become America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan by achieving more than 100 MPGe in electric mode.

 

“Ford is giving customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy regardless of what type of vehicle or powertrain technology they choose,” said Eric Kuehn, chief nameplate engineer, Focus Electric. “The Focus and Fusion are great examples of how we transformed our fleet of cars, utilities and trucks with leading fuel efficiency.”

 

Focus Electric has been certified by the EPA to offer 110 MPGe in the city and 105 MPGe combined, beating Nissan Leaf by 6 MPGe.

 

Focus Electric also offers a faster charging system that allows for a full recharge in nearly half the time of Nissan Leaf thanks to a larger on-board charger. A unique value charging feature powered by Microsoft is designed to help owners charge their vehicles at the cheapest utility rates, which makes charging Focus Electric less costly than charging Nissan Leaf.

 

Production of the Focus Electric began in December 2011 at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. More information about MAP can be found here.

 

After first being available in California, New York and New Jersey, Focus Electric will be available in 19 markets across the U.S. by summer’s end, nationwide by the end of the year.

 

More information about Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup – including press releases and other related material – can be found online here. Photos of the Focus Electric can be found here.

[Ford Ecoboost Adds Shift To Produce More 3.5L Engines]

Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant Starts Third Shift to Meet Growing Demand for Fuel-Efficient EcoBoost V6 Engines

• Ford adds third shift at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 to meet demand for its popular, fuel-efficient V6 engines – including EcoBoost^® engines, the cornerstone of Ford’s commitment to deliver affordable fuel economy to millions
  

• The third shift, requiring approximately 250 jobs, primarily will be filled by employees transferring from Cleveland Engine Plant No. 2, which is ending production
  

• Ford’s 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engines built at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 power Ford Taurus, F-150 and Flex; and Lincoln MKS and MKT; the Cleveland-built 3.7-liter V6 engines power Mustang and F-150
  

Click on graphic to download PDF.

 

FORD ECOBOOST FORUM – Growing customer demand for cars and trucks powered by Ford’s fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® and 3.7-liter V6 engines brings a third shift of engine production to Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 beginning Monday.

 

“Our engine plant in Cleveland is the first and only facility in North America to produce EcoBoost engines, and we are tripling production capacity to meet customers’ growing needs for fuel-efficient engines,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas, at an employee celebration at the plant today.” EcoBoost engines are a key part of our plan to give customers the power of choice – from EcoBoost-powered vehicles and hybrids to plug-in hybrids and full electrics.”

 

Introduced in 2009 on the Ford Taurus SHO and Lincoln MKS, EcoBoost technology combines direct injection and turbocharging.

 

This solution has been popular with customers, who have purchased 180,000 Cleveland-built 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engines since 2009. In 2011, Ford sold a record 121,000 vehicles equipped with 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engines when F-150 began offering an EcoBoost option.

 

In first-quarter 2012 alone, Ford sold more than 39,000 vehicles equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, representing more than a 285 percent increase from the first quarter of 2011.

 

Cleveland Engine’s 3.7-liter V6 serves as the base engine for two iconic Ford vehicles – Mustang and F-150 – and is a favorite among customers.

 

The F-150 3.7-liter V6 outsells all other competitive V6 full-size trucks and carries an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The Ford Mustang equipped with the 3.7-liter V6 and available six-speed transmission broke new ground as the most fuel-efficient Mustang ever with 31 mpg highway and 19 mpg city.

 

The 250 jobs being added in Cleveland for running the third shift primarily will be filled by employees transferring from Cleveland Engine Plant No. 2, which is scheduled to end production later this week.

Later this month, Ford will add one shift of F-150 production at its Kansas City Assembly Plant, allowing the company to better meet increasing demand for America’s best-selling vehicle.

[Ford Focus ST Order Banks Open]

Order Bank Opens for New High Performance Ford Focus ST

• Ford Focus ST is SAE-certified at 252 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque from efficient 2.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine with low-inertia turbocharger with overboost feature
  

• Focus ST offers available full-leather, six-way power Recaro^® seats, unique interior treatment and an advanced three-mode, driver-adjustable stability control system
  

• Early orders to receive GoPro^® HD Hero2 Motorsports Edition camera pack upon delivery
  

Build your Focus ST here.

 

Ford Focus ST Forum – Drivers in the U.S. can now place their order for the new Ford Focus ST, a high-performance hatchback that will offer exhilarating performance and handling, a distinctive interior and muscular exterior design.

 

Focus ST, Ford’s first global performance car, will integrate a collection of advanced and sport-oriented technologies previously unavailable to North American customers. The combination of these technologies into a refined yet high-performance sport compact will elevate the category and further cement Focus as the most complete compact car range sold in North America.

 

Customers interested in Focus ST build and pricing options should visit: http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/focusst/.

 

Among the more visible options will be the Tangerine Scream metallic color that will be offered exclusively on the Focus ST as well as race-inspired Recaro^® seats with matching color accents.

 

Ford is offering drivers who preorder a 2013 Focus ST the GoPro^® HD Hero2 Motorsports Edition camera pack upon delivery. Already a staple in the motorsports and action sport communities, a GoPro is the ideal camera to capture a spirited drive or Focus ST track day. The first 1000 Pre-sale orders placed between May 1^st and August 20^th are eligible for the GoPro HD Hero2 Camera System. Cameras will be sent after vehicle delivery

 

“We recognize Focus ST customers are very social in nature and will love having the right tool to share their amazing drive experiences,” said Lisa Schoder, Ford Focus ST Marketing manager. “I look forward to seeing videos of the Focus ST taking on some great roads across the U.S.

 

“Some cars in this category are entertaining on the track, but much less practical for daily driving,” Schoder added. “We think we’ve hit the perfect balance between pure driving exhilaration and everyday livability with this car.

 

“In terms of athletics, the Focus ST is a gold-medal decathlete,” she said. “You can easily live with the car every day; when the time comes to really drive it; very few will be left wanting.”

 

Performance EcoBoost

The heart of the Focus ST is a reworked EcoBoost^® 2.0-liter engine massaged for very sporting throttle input responsiveness, strong off-idle power and a broad torque curve. The engine produces 252 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. If you're looking for more Ecoboost mods, be sure to check out the Ford Ecboost Forum.

 

“The power delivery has no weak spots, there’s no way to be left flat-footed,” Schoder said. “At the same time, drivers wanting to spin this motor into the upper octaves will be rewarded.”

 

To enhance the full experience for the driver, Focus ST is equipped with a sound symposer box that enriches the natural sounds of the motor by capturing internal engine oscillations and piping them through the interior under throttle. In part-throttle driving, the car’s power is felt more than heard; under full throttle, the engine music is naturally amplified through the symposer box.

 

Power, torque and engine notes are even more impressive in the context of its efficiency. Official EPA figures are not yet available, but Schoder said she expects exceptional fuel economy for Focus ST, especially for this class.

 

World-class chassis technology

The unique sport suspension combines several technologies never before seen. Designed to give drivers enhanced agility on winding roads while still inspiring high-speed confidence, the variable-ratio steering rack makes steering less sensitive on the straightaways but increases sensitivity at the corners. It can also help drivers at slow speeds, like when maneuvering into a tight parking spot.

 

The electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) on Focus ST is enhanced with torque steer compensation. More aggressive tuning of the torque steer compensation allows drivers to accelerate while still maintaining grip on roads with uneven surfaces. The system detects the torque steer those conditions can create and counteracts the effect to help the driver feel in complete control.

 

Advancing the state of the sport compact art

Focus ST will offer Recaro sport seats, unique 18-inch Y-spoke ST wheels, dual-zone climate control, Xenon headlights and leather appointments throughout the cabin. Its superior chassis rigidity aids the suspension in providing a firm, but quiet and controlled ride. The instrument cluster features ST-unique sport gauges with red needle pointers to monitor turbo boost, oil pressure and oil temperature levels.

 

Advanced technology such as available SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® will also be available for Focus ST, along with a Sony^® Audio System, HD Radio^™ and 10-speaker surround sound.

[Ford Escape, Kuga Designed For Global Markets]

Trend-Spotting on a Global Scale; How Ford Designers Tailored All-New Kuga to Suit Customers Worldwide

• Ford design team builds cross-continental appeal into all-new Kuga by studying differing demands of customers from around the world
  
• Ford experts employ colour, design and spatial solutions that reconcile differing global preferences; for lighter interior colours in Asia but darker ones in Europe; for larger vehicles in North America but more compact ones in Europe
  
• Everything from climbing shoes to furnishings provide inspiration for broad trim and colour palettes that are then tailored to suit regional tastes and demands
  

Ford Kuga.

 

FORD ESCAPE FORUM– Ford designers employed trend-spotting on a global scale to ensure the all-new Kuga meets the needs of the customers – wherever they are in the world.

 

Ford experts identified the varied and often conflicting worldwide tastes to deliver cross-continental appeal for the company’s first global compact SUV. This included reconciling the popularity of larger vehicles in North America with a European preference for more compact cars; and accommodating the popularity of lighter interior materials in Asia with a tendency for European buyers to go for darker shades.

 

It also meant employing colour, design and spatial solutions to create the finished product as well as ensuring a degree of market-specific customization. The inspiration for trim and colour palettes came from sources as diverse as climbing shoes, make-up, jewellery and furnishings.

 

Models are then offered on a regional basis to ensure the design and colours correspond to customer demand.

 

“Great design can turn an object that you need to have, into an object you love,” said Chris Bird, design director, Ford of Europe, who is responsible for colour, material and vehicle personalisation. “That is why we put so much thought and feeling into cars like Kuga, making them appealing and relevant no matter where our customers are.

 

“For example, size-perception is different in each region,” he added. “More customers in Europe and Asia now choose compact SUVs as an alternative to conventional niche products like coupes. In North America there is a growing trend to downsize, but our customers there still want to combine style and space, so it’s important to get that balance.

 

“We made this work by collaborating closely with our engineering colleagues on details including getting the size of the wheels just right and incorporating Ford’s kinetic design in the exterior dimensions.”

 

The positive impact of a global approach can be seen from the increased focus on the experience of rear seat passengers, directly influenced by the discovery that smaller vehicles are used more for chauffeuring in China than in Europe and North America. Colour preference too is a source of regional difference.''

 

In Europe and other global markets, the Escape is marketed as the Ford Kuga.

 

“In Asia, lighter interiors are more desirable,” said Ulrike Dahm, colour and trim supervisor, Ford of Europe, who specialises in Asian markets. “Many people live in huge cities where space is at a premium, so having a light and airy interior is seen as luxurious. In Europe, colours and trim take a lot of influence from the tech industry and are generally darker. Gloss black is a popular choice.”

 

The design team has to ensure colour and trim palettes are broad enough to meet regional tastes, fit Ford’s design DNA, and are concise enough to be production and cost efficient. But this is no barrier to creativity.

 

“Influences for colours and materials come from all sources, from fashion and furnishings to make-up and jewellery,” said Serife Celebi, colour and material design supervisor, Ford of Europe. “I always talk about trainers, but if you look at the textures and colours used in climbing shoes, they’re really fantastic.”

 

All-new Ford Kuga will launch with a global colour called Ginger Ale, a subtle green hue to reflect its active outdoor capabilities, but with rich, sophisticated tones to harmonise with the slick urban environment where many models will find a home.

 

“Choosing the right colours is crucial, wherever the car is being sold,” Celebi said. “Ginger Ale is stylish enough to suit urban landscapes across the world and still have a playful edge. Developing colours that suit the character of a vehicle is much like knowing what colours suit your body shape.”

 

The Kuga’s sleek new silhouette has seen Ford respond to awareness customers around the world are becoming both more demanding and more aware of design. Erika Tsubaki, design supervisor, Ford of Europe, ensures the company identifies and responds to changes in behaviour by acting as a “trend scout”.

 

“Customers everywhere are more design-savvy now and recognize the importance of a car that looks more aerodynamic and efficient,” said Tsubaki. “But they’re not just satisfied with ‘good enough’. It has to be stylish as well as affordable. Independent of region, the car must also fulfill the purposes that they need it to.”