Archive for the ‘Ford Technology’ Category
Portland Ford Dealer: Ford Announces Production of the 100MPGe Focus Electric
Ford announced Wednesday that production of the 2012 Focus Electric, the company’s first five-seater, all-electric, gasoline-free vehicle, has begun. The Focus Electric will have a fuel efficiency rating of 100MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and joins Ford’s line of fuel efficient hybrid vehicles, including the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi. It will be the first electric vehicle to be powered at 240-volt outlets, providing a full charge in approximately three to four hours. Owners who don’t want to install a $1,500 240V home-charging system (set to be available at Best Buy) can use household 120V outlets, allowing the car to charge in 18–20 hours.
The Focus Electric debuted at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and uses unique technology in its heating and cooling system. While not nearly the most powerful car on the market – it clocks in at 123hp and has a top speed of 84mph – the Focus Electric’s quick charging time, family-sized seating room, and incredible fuel efficiency make it ideal for commuters. Its battery – approximately the same size as that in the Nissan Leaf – has an estimated range of 70 miles per charge.
Interested in owning a hybrid or electric Ford vehicle? Looking for your own efficient Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
sources: social.ford.com, caranddriver.com
Portland Auto Dealer: Ford Technology Leaps Forward With Operator Assist
Have you ever experienced the frustration of having to find a nearby business location while driving?
As The Ford Story reports, Ford is attempting to solve this problem with its latest technology platform. Currently being tested is a new feature called Operator Assist,
a function that makes getting directions or locating businesses easier with voice commands.
Operator Assist is different from other voice command systems that are easily confused and struggle with word accuracy. The program connects drivers to a real person who can immediately access the information you’re looking for, hassle-free. Operator Assist is currently being offered at no charge to existing subscribers of Ford’s SYNC Services, which also provides information on traffic, news, sports, weather, and more. Adding a strong customer service element could greatly enhance the way customers experience Ford products.
At any time, the driver can simply say the word “Operator” and they will be instantly connected to a Ford representative either by voice or video, whichever is preferred. Then, the representative can provide turn-by-turn directions, a text message with business information, or be connected directly to the business on the phone.
For more information and updates on Ford technology, stay tuned right here on the blog and Facebook.
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Auto Dealer: Ford Helps Launch First Hydraulic Hybrid School Bus
Ford is taking its commitment to “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” to a whole new realm.
Ford has partnered with Georgia Tech to create the first ever hydraulic hybrid school bus, running only on recycled biofuel. Converting existing school buses into The Green Eco School Bus will potentially lower greenhouse emissions and reduce transportation costs for schools. The first school district to be granted with the innovative new bus is the APS school district in Atlanta, Georgia.
For the last 60 years, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services has worked with community partners to advance driving safety, education, American heritage and community life. Funded by Ford Motor Company, the organization hopes that the bus project will lead to cleaner, more efficient school buses for many school districts. Other significant projects include Driving Skills For Life, a safe teen driving program and The Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which uses a rigorous academic curriculum to provide high school students with 21st-century learning experiences to enhance real-world skills.
“Together with Georgia Tech and Atlanta Public Schools, we are taking innovation from the classroom to the community. This is a noteworthy example of the types of programs we are bringing to Atlanta as part of our new Operation Goodwill partnership with local Ford and Lincoln dealers with the goal of expanding our engagement with this community.” – Jim Vella, President, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Car Dealer: The 2012 Mustang Has Arrived at Damerow Ford!
The wait is over! You’ve seen countless previews from articles and auto shows highlighting the 2012 Ford Mustang, and now is your chance to experience it first hand at Damerow Ford! The newest Mustang gets up to 305 HP and comes loaded with features such as aluminum accents, heated seats, dual climate control, and too many more to name. Additionally, the new Mustang is a great economic choice as it achieves an impressive 31 MPG. Come in for a test drive and see what all the hype is about!
2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Auto Dealer: Discover How Ford Achieves Record-Breaking Fuel Economy
Wonder how one car company can achieve such exceptional fuel economy across dozens of models? It turns out that good old-fashion hard work, preparation, and scientific research in Ford’s wind tunnel are the keys to creating the most aerodynamic designs possible.
It is only by this level of attention that Ford’s aerodynamicists (yes, this is a real job title) accomplished 40MPG in the 2012 Focus. They employed an innovative new active grille shutter system that opens during low-speed, stop-and-go-driving and closes during higher, steady speeds to achieve optimal aerodynamics and fuel-efficiency. This system is thought to be the future for other Ford models as well, and we will almost certainly see imitations from competitors with Ford leading the pack.
Through painstaking detail work, Ford designers and aerodynamicists have also delivered impressive fuel-economy results with the all-new Ford Explorer and Flex Crossover. The Explorer delivers a very solid 25 highway MPG through optimal balance between aerodynamic details such as the front airways, sideview mirrors, and rear spoiler. Watch the video below to get the full scoop!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a3Dd3WMz3c
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Auto Dealer: Ford Wins Best New Technology for Inflatable Safety Belts
Ford was recently awarded Best New Technology by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) for the company’s rear inflatable seat belts. The announcement came at the 2011 Canadian International Auto Show over the weekend, according to Torque News.
In order to reduce injuries that could be incurred during an accident, Ford’s inflatable rear seat belts reduce pressure on the chest while helping to control head and neck motion. By spreading the impact force more than five times that of conventional belts, pressure is reduced on the chest which also affects head and neck motion. The Ford vehicle’s crash-sensing system determines exactly when the inflatable belt should deploy.
Traditionally, heat-generating chemicals would be used to inflate the belts, however, Ford uses cold compressed gas. This means, the inflatable belts do not get warmer than the wearer’s body temperature and they fill at a lower pressure than traditional airbags.
Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes. – Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.
Ford originally introduced the seat belts in the 2011 Explorer and has promised to offer the technology globally.
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Auto Dealer: Ford Plant Accommodates Hybrid, Electric and Gas-Powered Vehicles
Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant has been converted from truck production to build the new 2012 Focus sedan and hatchback. As reported in a recent Motor Trend article, it’s also the factory for the electric Focus and both hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Focus-based C-Max multipurpose vehicle.
Ford can utilize this one factory for electrics, hybrids and gas-powered models. According to Ford product chief Derrick Kuzak, this flexibility means the factory can add production of a particularly popular model while cutting production of models that aren’t selling as well. He says the Fiesta’s early 60/40 hatchback/sedan split is more hatchback than Ford expected.
Besides the Focus Sedan and Hatchback, Ford plans to start producing the Focus Electric and all of the C-Max models (standard, hybrid and plug-in) within the next two years.
Looking for your own Ford car, truck or SUV? Browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Fuel Efficient Cars: 2011 Ford Edge Uses EcoBoost Turbo Technology
The 2011 Ford Edge with EcoBoost brings increased fuel efficiency to a people-moving family SUV, without the added cost premium of a hybrid system. The Edge is one of the first two Fords in the U.S. with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost, the next size down from the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. The latter of the two being used in the Flex, Taurus SHO, and F-150.
As explained by Motor Trend, using a combination of turbocharging and specially engineered direct injection, EcoBoost provides a base 10% increase in fuel efficiency and lowered emissions over a comparably sized conventional engined vehicle. While increased fuel efficiency is certain, exact numbers have yet to be set in stone with some figures showing up to a 20% increase over the 3.5-liter V-6. In addition, Ford has addressed problems previously experienced with turbochargers in order to promote daily use.
The American family with a hectic lifestyle will surely benefit from the enhanced reliability and peace-of-mind that the Edge won’t need extra babysitting. – Benson Kong Motor Trend online
While the company has been using EcoBoost engine technology in four of its newer model vehicles, Ford has confirmed it as the way of the future – with the goal to make EcoBoost available in 90% of its vehicles by 2013.
To learn more about our other great new Ford cars, trucks & SUVs, browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Ford Dealer: New 2011 Ford Fusions and Fusion Hybrids Provide Reliability Year-Round
The 2011 Ford Fusion and 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid are reliable and fuel-efficient cars. Browse our great selection below.
To learn more about our other great new Ford cars, trucks & SUVs, browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
Portland Ford Dealer: Ford Showcases Integrated Games At The Florida Auto Show
Ford Motors is steadily increasing the number of experiential components at nationwide auto shows to engage customers reported a fun article by Biz Bash.com. This year’s Central Florida Auto Show provided show-goers with vehicle based video games, a pool table and foosball. Attendees also like the activities because they keep children occupied while the adults browse according to the Ford Communications Manager.
The more time people stay in our stand, the more they are going to learn about the new technologies, the quality and safety features. – Ford Communications Manager Marisa Bradley.
This year’s auto show was presented by the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association and produced by Motor Trend Auto Shows. Showcasing over 334 vehicles from 22 domestic and import manufacturers.
To learn more about our other great new Ford cars, trucks & SUVs, browse our latest online specials on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 at damerowford.com.
