• Ford, Lincoln and Mercury April sales totaled 162,996, up 25 percent versus year ago; retail sales were up 32 percent, and fleet sales were up 13 percent
• Ford brand sales up 26 percent versus year ago, Lincoln up 22 percent and Mercury up 19 percent
• Ford cars up 10 percent versus year ago, utilities up 33 percent and trucks up 38 percent
• Ford Fusion, Escape, Flex and Transit Connect set sales records
• Ford, Lincoln and Mercury year-to-date sales totaled 591,592, up 34 percent versus year ago
• Ford gains retail market share for the 18th time in the last 19 months, as more buyers turn to Ford’s fresh lineup of high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles

DEARBORN, Mich., May 3, 2010 – Ford continued to post strong sales and market share gains in April, with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers delivering 162,996 new vehicles in April – a 25 percent increase versus a year ago. It marks the fifth month in a row Ford sales have increased more than 20 percent. Year-to-date sales totaled 591,592, up 34 percent.

In April, Ford retail sales were up 32 percent versus a year ago, and Ford gained retail market share for the 18th time in the last 19 months. Fleet sales were up 13 percent. Ford is benefiting from a fresh lineup of new, high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles delivering industry-leading levels of safety and smart design.

via FORD’S U.S. APRIL SALES UP 25 PERCENT; FIFTH STRAIGHT MONTH FORD SALES HAVE INCREASED MORE THAN 20 PERCENT | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• Ford’s April sales up 25 percent (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Ford sales surge in Canada (windsorstar.com)
• Report: Q1 revenue, sales up at Ford on strong F-Series, Fusion sales (autoblog.com)
• Ford Sales Surge in December (dailyfinance.com)
• Ford Americas chief says 1Q revenues, demand up (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

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• Ford is making its vehicles, which are 85 percent recyclable by weight, more eco-friendly through increased use of renewable and recyclable materials; the 2010 Ford Taurus is the latest model to use eco-friendly bio-based seat cushions
• In 2009, Ford reduced the amount of automotive-related plastics to landfills by nearly 30 million pounds and saved approximately $4.5 million by reusing recycled materials
• Ford’s “reduce, reuse and recycle” commitments are part of its broader global sustainability strategy to reduce its environmental footprint
• Automobiles are among the most recycled consumer products. More than 95 percent of all end-of-life vehicles in the U.S. are processed for recycling – compared to 52 percent of all paper and 31 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles

DEARBORN, Mich., April 20, 2010 – Ford is making its vehicles more eco-friendly through increased use of renewable and recyclable materials such as the soy and bio-based seat cushions and seatbacks on the 2010 Ford Taurus.

Ford vehicles are now 85 percent recyclable by weight. In 2009, Ford saved approximately $4.5 million by using recycled materials, and diverted between 25 and 30 million pounds of plastic from landfills in North America alone.

“By increasing the use of recycled or renewable content and reducing the use of undesirable materials whenever possible, we’re helping to reduce waste to landfills by millions of pounds – and we’re doing it around the world,” said John Viera, Ford’s director of Sustainability and Environmental Policy. “More than ever before, the spirit of ONE Ford that drives our global product strategy also drives our commitment to sustainability.”

The 2010 Ford Taurus is the eleventh Ford vehicle to feature earth-friendly bio-based seat cushions and seatbacks. Ford has more vehicle models with seats that use soy and other bio-based foams than any other automaker. Ford Mustang, F-150, Focus, Flex, Escape, Expedition and Econoline as well as Mercury Mariner, Lincoln MKS and Navigator also use the sustainable material.

via FORD IS MAKING GREENER VEHICLES THROUGH INCREASED USE OF RENEWABLE AND RECYCLABLE MATERIALS | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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DEARBORN, April 19, 2010 – Ford Motor Company now has the highest customer satisfaction with vehicle quality among all major automakers, a new consumer research study shows.

Eighty-four percent of customers who purchased 2010 model-year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks are satisfied with the quality of their vehicle, a 4 percentage point improvement since the fourth quarter of 2009, according to the first quarter Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study conducted for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

With the improvement, Ford’s customer satisfaction scores are now significantly higher than all other full-line automotive manufacturers, including Asian and European automakers, according to the study.

The study also showed Ford has the fewest number of vehicle defects or “things gone wrong” among all full-line manufacturers in the first three months of ownership. Owners of 2010 model Ford, Lincoln and Mercury owners reported 1,107 TGWs per 1,000 vehicles — an 8 percent improvement compared to last year.

“To become the No. 1 automaker in terms of customer satisfaction with vehicle quality is amazing accomplishment and testament to the whole company’s commitment to quality,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. “All the third parties studies are showing the same thing – Ford now has world-class quality.”

As Ford’s quality has improved, it has reduced warranty repair rates on vehicles in their first three months of service by an average of more than 40 percent in every major business region around the world in the past three years.

“Ford has proven its commitment to quality by demonstrating steady improvements through consistency and discipline.” said Donald Pietrowski, president, RDA Group. “Those improvements are clearly reflected in rising customer satisfaction with its products.”

Ford captured eight segment leaders in customer satisfaction, TGW or both. Notably, Fusion Hybrid owners now report 93 percent satisfaction with the quality of their vehicle while 92 percent of Taurus owners are satisfied.

via FORD NOW HAS INDUSTRY’S HIGHEST CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WITH QUALITY, NEW SURVEY SHOWS | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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MyFord Touch with Eco-Route

• New MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology provides an array of real-time feedback on fuel efficiency performance that helps coach drivers to optimize their miles per gallon
• MyFord Touch map-based navigation offers an Eco-Route option, which instantly calculates the most fuel-efficient route for the driver. Ford testing shows Eco-Route can help achieve fuel economy gains of up to 15 percent
• MyFord Touch launches this summer on the 2011 Ford Edge and will be available globally on the 2012 Ford Focus. MyLincoln Touch will be standard equipment on new Lincoln vehicles beginning with the 2011 Lincoln MKX

via NEW MYFORD TOUCH ‘COACHES’ DRIVERS TO IMPROVE FUEL EFFICIENCY; NAVIGATION ADDS ECO-ROUTE FEATURE | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• Blue Oval adds fuel economy coach to MyFord Touch [w/video] (autoblog.com)
• Ford Unveils iPhone-Inspired MyFord And MyLincoln Interface Systems (motorauthority.com)
• myford touch (designboom.com)

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Dan Dinzebach
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• New trade-in data show Ford is increasingly winning new customers from competing brands, a key reason the company has gained retail U.S. market share for 16 of the past 17 months
• For the Ford brand, the rate of customers who traded in competitive brand vehicles rose 18 percent from  2005 to 2009. The conquest rate for Lincoln rose 61 percent, while Mercury saw a 12 percent increase
• The Ford Fusion, Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, as well as Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKX, attracted the highest number of buyers from competing brands.
• The redesigned Ford Taurus showed the largest increase in attracting new buyers to the Ford brand from 2005 to 2009

DEARBORN, Mich., March 25, 2010 – Ford Motor Company is increasingly attracting customers who are trading in vehicles from competing brands, one of the keys to Ford’s recent market share gains in U.S.

For the Ford brand, the rate of customers who traded in competitive brand vehicles rose 18 percent from 2005 to 2009. The conquest rate for Lincoln rose 61 percent, while Mercury saw a 12 percent increase from the 2005 to 2009 model year.

“We’re finding that when customers of competing brands check out our new lineup and understand the quality, fuel efficiency and value we offer, they are increasingly becoming Ford owners,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president of Marketing, Sales and Service. “The strength of our new products is making the difference in a very competitive marketplace.”

via FORD IS WINNING MORE NEW CUSTOMERS FROM COMPETING BRANDS, FUELING MARKET SHARE GAINS | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• Looking Way Up: Ford posts 33% sales gain in 2009, 15% market share (autoblog.com)
• Ford sales continue upward climb (windsorstar.com)
• Ford Sales Surge in December (dailyfinance.com)

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
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• Partnering with top-ranked national and international universities, the Ford “Atoms to Engines” team challenged skeptics to develop the world’s first virtual materials modeling prediction tool that allows the team to simulate the microstructures of a material before the first prototype is built.
• The Atoms to Engines team blends engineering and science to develop physics-based computer models that predict how properties and materials will behave and change during the manufacturing process.
• Building these computer models integrates the study of product performance, manufacturing and materials; in some cases it requires analyzing metals down to their atomistic level.
• The result? Components that are more durable and efficiently constructed, which saves the company considerable development time and money. In fact, the process is estimated to save Ford between $2 and $5 million a year in reducing test requirements and product development time.

via FORD SCIENTISTS WORK TO PERFECT QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF VEHICLE PARTS ATOM BY ATOM | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• Ford, Lincoln and Mercury January sales up 24 percent versus year ago
• Cars up 43 percent, crossovers up 20 percent, SUVs up 8 percent, trucks and vans up 14 percent
• Ford brand sales up 26 percent, Lincoln up 16 percent and Mercury up 6 percent
• Ford’s U.S. market share estimated at 16 percent, up 2 points versus year ago
• Fleet customers are back in the market – and buying Ford; fleet sales more than doubled versus last January’s depressed levels
• Retail sales were 5 percent lower following December’s 18 percent increase
• New products drive Ford’s brand favorability and purchase consideration to record levels

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 2, 2010 – Higher sales for every brand and in every product category propelled Ford to a 24 percent sales increase in January versus a year ago.

via FORD KICKS OFF 2010 WITH 24 PERCENT SALES INCREASE, MARKET SHARE GAIN, THANKS TO PRODUCT LINEUP | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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Ford Focus Named 'Most Significant" Vehicle at 2010 Detroit Auto Show By Autoweek Magazine

FORD FOCUS NAMED ‘MOST SIGNIFICANT’ VEHICLE AT 2010 DETROIT AUTO SHOW BY AUTOWEEK MAGAZINE

• The next-generation Ford Focus was named “Most Significant” vehicle at the 2010 North American International Auto Show Login to download images. Next-generation Ford Focus is named “Most Significant” vehicle of the 2010 North American International Auto Show NAIAS by the writers of AutoWeek Magazine and autoweek.com
• New Focus spearheads for Ford a new range of global C-cars based on a common platform underpinning up to 10 vehicles and 2 million units of annual production by 2012
• Stylish new range offers class-leading technologies, features and craftsmanship. It targets exceptional fuel economy and advances acclaimed levels of driving quality

DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2010 – The AutoWeek editorial staff has named Ford’s next-generation Focus the “Most Significant” vehicle of the 2010 North American International Auto Show. High praise indeed, considering the number of excellent cars and trucks at this month’s annual gathering in Detroit. The popular auto show hosted nearly 40 new vehicle premieres.

via FORD FOCUS NAMED ‘MOST SIGNIFICANT’ VEHICLE AT 2010 DETROIT AUTO SHOW BY AUTOWEEK MAGAZINE | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 – Great driving quality will be at the heart of the next-generation Ford Focus making its debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Delivering a car that is responsive and rewarding to drive – and extends the Focus reputation for leadership in driving quality – has been a critical objective for Ford’s global brand DNA.

In developing the new Focus, Ford called upon the expertise of a vehicle dynamics team that uses a unique approach to create the optimum balance of steering, handling and ride. During a 15-year period, this team has been responsible for a series of products that are widely recognized as setting the standard for driving dynamics in their segments.

Led by Norbert Kessing, manager of vehicle dynamics at Ford’s technical center in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, and a dedicated team at the company’s Lommel (Belgium) Proving Ground, these experienced engineers use a combination of advanced design tools and meticulous fine-tuning to ensure that steering and suspension systems deliver precise, agile and controlled characteristics that add up to great driving quality.
“We set a clear objective to deliver products that are great fun to drive but also offer a relaxed, refined and comfortable driving experience,” said Kessing.

“This is a very easy thing to say but very difficult to achieve consistently, so our first step was to translate these high-level goals into specific performance targets so that our engineers knew exactly what they were aiming for,” he added.

via ENGINEERING THE NEW FOCUS: SPECIALIST FORD DYNAMICS TEAM CREATES ADDICTIVE DRIVING QUALITY | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
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Ford Focus next generation 3

• The all-new Ford Focus previewed at the 2010 North American International Auto Show features a fuel-efficient new 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 engine with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and direct injection (DI)
• The global reveal of the next-generation Focus also features an advanced dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission designed to deliver better fuel economy than comparable automatics
• The new engine and transmission are the first examples of a Focus powertrain strategy that reinforces Ford’s commitment to delivering fuel economy leadership without sacrificing driving fun throughout its global offerings

via GLOBAL DEBUT OF FORD FOCUS PREVIEWS NEW FUEL-EFFICIENT POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
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Focus Next Generation Hatchback

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 – The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.

Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.

The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.

via DYNAMIC NEXT-GENERATION FORD FOCUS DEBUTS | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
Internet Sales Manager

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Ford Focus next generation 3

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 – The next-generation Ford Focus debuting today at the 2010 North American International Auto Show is more than Ford’s first truly global product created under its ONE Ford approach – it also marks the first worldwide application of a new global brand DNA that will help Ford cars establish a unique visual and driving appeal that is consistently recognizable around the world.

Like the genetic code that defines human beings and makes each person unique, Ford’s global DNA is comprised of specific product attributes that sit at the heart of all new products, defining the character and performance of every vehicle, while providing customers with an unmistakable style and driving experience.

via NEXT-GENERATION FORD FOCUS TO SHOWCASE UNIQUE FORD GLOBAL DNA PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT APPROACH | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
Internet Sales Manager

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Ford Focus next generation 3

The next-generation Ford Focus

• The next-generation Ford Focus previewed at the 2010 North American International Auto Show is the flagship of the company’s all-new, global C-segment platform that will account for more than 2 million cars annually by 2012
• Up to 10 models – including the next-generation Ford C-MAX revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and destined for North America in 2011 – will be developed on the single, highly flexible global platform, which replaces three platforms currently in production
• The C-segment is a critical battleground as Ford launches its drive to create a truly global product range. One in four vehicles sold around the world comes from this size classification. Ford forecasts small cars – a combination of B- and C-segments – will soon comprise more than 50 percent of global industry volume
• Leveraging its global scale, Ford can affordably offer C-segment customers attractive new levels of technology and a broad array of feature content

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 –  The next-generation Ford Focus revealed today at the North American International Auto Show delivers on the company’s promise to offer more products people really want while truly leveraging its global product and manufacturing strengths.

via GLOBAL FOCUS – FORD’S NEW C-SEGMENT PRODUCT FAMILY POISED TO ACHIEVE UNPRECEDENTED SCALE | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
Internet Sales Manager

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Ford Focus next generation 2

• More than 9.2 million Ford Focus vehicles have been sold across the globe since the nameplate launched in 1998
• Focus has served as the basis for popular multi-activity, crosssover and performance vehicles like the European C-MAX, Kuga and Focus RS, plus the North American SVT Focus
• The next-generation Focus moves to a truly global Ford C-car platform with only minor variations between models sold around the world

via FOCUS: A HISTORY OF FORD’S C-SEGMENT WORLD CAR | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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Jason Johnson, Product Development Engineer

• Jason Johnson is a key member of the team bringing SYNC® and MyFord together, making Ford’s all new vehicle environment a reality
• One of Johnson’s key responsibilities is refining the interaction between people and their Ford vehicles with usability a top priority
• Johnson, a Texas native, now lives with his wife and young son in Dearborn, Mich., where he enjoys travel, interior design and photography

As Ford rolls out MyFord, its next-generation vehicle environment, engineers who have been working on the project for years are beginning to see the fruits of their efforts. Jason Johnson, user interface design engineer, SYNC Product Development, is a key member of that team, working to ensure the next generation of SYNC, the “brains” behind MyFord, lives up to its promise

via JASON JOHNSON: MAKING THE MAGIC OF FORD SYNC A REALITY FOR CONSUMERS | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
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• Ford is the first auto manufacturer to offer HD Radio™ technology with iTunes® Tagging capability; this new functionality will be available on 2011 model year Ford vehicles equipped with MyFord Touch™ or MyLincoln Touch™ driver connect technology with the latest generation of SYNC®
• HD Radio technology captures free digital radio broadcasts, which eliminate static, fadeout and other problems associated with conventional analog radio signals; the result is FM audio comparable to near-CD quality and AM audio that sounds like today’s FM broadcasts
• HD Radio digital technology provides a number of advanced services not available with an analog radio. Extra FM channels, called HD2/HD3 channels, are delivered, as well as useful on-screen Program Service Data such as artist name and song title

via FORD VEHICLES FIRST TO ENABLE iTUNES TAGGING WITH LAUNCH OF NEW HD RADIO CAPABILITY IN ITS LINEUP | Ford Motor Company Newsroom

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
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Gary Braddock, interior chief designer

• Gary Braddock, Ford interior chief designer, leads the design studio team in creating interiors that capture the emotions of Ford customers and helps ensure the designs become a reality in vehicles people want to buy
• Braddock has been essential in the look and feel of Ford’s new MyFord Touch driver connect technology and its practical integration
• Although Braddock recognizes cars as central to his life, he’d really rather his garage be a pub with a pool table than a place to store cars

via GARY BRADDOCK: ENSURING EXCEPTIONAL INTERIORS ARE HALLMARKS OF EVERY FORD VEHICLE | Ford Motor Company Newsroom

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
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DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 6, 2010 – Ford Motor Company announced today that it is teaming up with Ken Block, the California-based action sports icon-turned-rally driver, for future global motorsports opportunities.Block, the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and a three-time medalist at X Games, has cultivated a tremendous following with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube.  In 2010, Block will campaign a Ford Focus in the FIA World Rally Championship WRC and a Ford Fiesta in Rally America and X Games.

via FORD TEAMS UP WITH RALLY CAR DRIVER KEN BLOCK FOR GLOBAL MOTORSPORTS | Ford Motor Company Newsroom

McMahon Ford
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Dan Dinzebach
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• Ford, Lincoln and Mercury December sales up 33 percent versus a year ago; highest sales month since May 2008
• Ford posts first full-year market share gain since 1995; December marks the 14th time in 15 months that Ford increased retail market share
• Record December sales delivered for Fusion up 83 percent and Escape up 75 percent ; Fusion sets new full-year sales record 180,671; Escape full-year sales 173,044 second best ever
• Ford’s F-Series tops best-seller lists again with December sales of 48,209 up 16 percent and full-year sales of 413,625;  F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 33 years in a row and the best-selling vehicle, car or truck, for 28 years in a row
• New products drive Ford’s brand favorability and purchase consideration to record highs

via FORD CAPS 2009 WITH 33 PERCENT SALES INCREASE, FIRST FULL-YEAR MARKET SHARE GAIN SINCE 1995 | Ford Motor Company Newsroom

McMahon Ford
3295 S Kingshighway at Fyler
314-664-4100

Dan Dinzebach
Internet Sales Manager

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• Ford is the first auto manufacturer to offer HD Radio™ technology with iTunes® Tagging capability; this new functionality will be available next year
• HD Radio technology captures free digital radio broadcasts, which eliminate static, fadeout and other problems associated with conventional analog radio signals; the result is FM audio that’s comparable to near-CD quality and AM audio that sounds like today’s FM broadcasts
• HD Radio digital technology provides a number of advanced services not available with an analog radio. Extra FM channels, called HD2/HD3 channels, are delivered, as well as useful on-screen Program Service Data such as artist name and song title

via FORD FIRST TO ENABLE iTUNES TAGGING WITH LAUNCH OF NEW HD RADIO CAPABILITY IN ITS LINEUP | Ford Motor Company Newsroom

McMahon Ford
3295 S Kingshighway at Fyler
314-664-4100

Dan Dinzebach
Internet Sales Manager

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