Google is working in partnership with Ford to produce a fuel efficient car using Google’s Predictive API. The system would “learn” driver’s patterns, predict destinations, and then suggest routes that are energy efficient and tailored to driver and vehicle.

Interesting little tidbit I saw on the Ford FB site today… “Did you know that the first speeding ticket was issued in 1902? Remember to always follow the speeding limit and drive safely in your Ford.”

Inside the 2011 Ford Explorer Facebook Reveal
By Jennifer Van Grove

In just a few minutes the 2011 Ford Explorer will be unveiled to the world. The reveal is coming six months prior to the car appearing on lots nationwide, and taking a much different form than any of the car reveals that came before it.

That’s because, for the first time ever, Ford is bucking with tradition and turning to the web — with Facebook as the platform — to exhibit its latest vehicle.

Ford has been using the Ford Explorer Facebook Page to drum up excitement in anticipation of the all-day event. The automaker has already far surpassed its goal of 30,000 fans prior to the reveal, which means the the company will be giving away an Explorer to one random fan. Now, all that remains is a web-wide media blitz, the likes of which is designed to make a big enough splash to reach more than 50 million people.

We spoke with Scott Kelly and Scott Monty, the digital marketing minds behind the campaign, for the full story.

According to Kelly and Monty, the 2011 Ford Explorer has been 100% reinvented. As such, the team felt the reveal process needed to be completely redesigned to match the car’s enhanced form and style.

Read the rest of this entry →

The Detroit News reports that Ford Motor Company today confirmed that it is killing its mid-market Mercury brand to focus its resources on its luxury Lincoln marque.  “We are very proud of its history, but we are now looking forward,” said Ford Americas President Mark Fields, who promised that the nation’s 1,712 dealers would be fairly compensated for the loss of their Mercury franchises.  He said the company would work with them to make sure their remaining Ford and Lincoln franchises make up for the lost sales. “We absolutely remain committed to working with our dealers.”  There are no stand-alone Mercury dealers left. However, 276 of those stores are paired only with Lincoln, and Ford acknowledged some may have a hard time surviving alone. Read the rest of this entry →

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation of 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles regarding allegations of possible stuck accelerator pedals caused by optional “All Weather” floor mats.  NHTSA warns that drivers of those models should not stack any unsecured floor mats over the carpeted mat that comes standard on the vehicle.  Reports indicate that approximately 249,300 vehicles are being investigated.

Here are two great articles from www.ShipCarsNow.com about the original launch of the Ford Mustang @ http://tinyurl.com/22rtsd3 & http://tinyurl.com/2bhe62k

Interested in the new Ford Fiesta, or the Fiesta Movement check out http://fiestaagent33.com

Detroit Auto Show: An electric cavalcade

With federal mileage standards rising, automakers next week will show a fresh group of fuel-efficient vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Ford will unveil the redesigned production Focus, and Honda will show the production version of the CR-Z hybrid hatchback. Toyota and Volkswagen will roll out hybrid concepts; Audi, BMW and Fiat will display electric concepts.

Show organizers are arranging various electric cars, including one from China’s BYD Auto, in a space on the show floor called Electric Avenue. But high performance will get its due. Judging by vehicles at the show, performance cars and econoboxes will coexist happily in the 2016 model year, when automakers must reach fleet averages of 35.5 mpg.

At the Detroit show, Cadillac will unveil the high-performance CTS-V coupe, and Buick will show a performance sedan concept. General Motors and Chrysler Group may have replenished treasuries after surviving U.S. Bankruptcy Court in 2009, but their fresh resolve won’t be fully reflected on the show floor. Both automakers have modest unveilings. GM will have one production car: the CTS-V. Chrysler will have none. But Chrysler and partner Fiat are showing some concepts that explore their product planners’ ideas for the next few years. They will show a concept version of the Lancia Delta mid-sized hatchback with a Chrysler grille. They also will show an electric concept of the Fiat 500 minicar.

By: Charles Child – Automotive News