FOCUS RECOGNIZED BY KELLEY BLUE BOOK’S KBB.COM AS ONE OF ‘TOP TEN COOLEST NEW CARS UNDER $18,000’ The 2008 Ford Focus was named one of the “Top Ten Coolest New Cars Under $18,000” by the editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.
Nearly 40 percent of the Focus units sold during the past five months included SYNC. SYNC-equipped vehicles sell nearly twice as fast as those without.
Ford is increasing Focus production for 2008 by nearly 30 percent to 245,000 units to meet customer demand
DEARBORN, Mich., April 29, 2008 – Editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com today named the 2008 Ford Focus one of the “Top Ten Coolest New Cars Under $18,000.” It is the fourth consecutive year that a Ford has been recognized with the honor and the fourth year that the Focus has made the list.
“There is a combination of things that make the new Ford Focus sedan and coupe cool,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “The styling is cool. Focus is a good-looking car. The handling is cool. It handles more like a European car than many small cars we see here in the U.S. And, of course, we think the Ford SYNC™ technology is very cool.”
Sam De La Garza, Focus Brand Manager, says he was excited – but not surprised – to learn that Focus is among the “Top Ten Coolest New Cars Under $18,000.”
“We are honored to be recognized by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com again this year and are thrilled that more people are discovering all the great things about the Focus,” he said. “People who drive a Focus, especially those who haven’t driven a Ford before, are impressed by its high quality, standard safety features and the smart technology available in the car.”
Nerad says more than 40 vehicles were considered for this year’s list based on pricing under $18,000 by Kelley Blue Book’s New Car Blue Book Values (what consumers are actually paying for the vehicle). The Focus came in at $14,942. The kbb.com editors used the same criteria that consumers draw on when buying a car – safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort, technology and the fun-to-drive factor – to determine which vehicles rated a spot among the exclusive “Top Ten.”
“We use our combined knowledge of the industry, these individual vehicles and our own definitions of cool to whittle the list down to 10,” said Nerad. “Cool is one of those things that’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it.”
The newly redesigned Focus has been a hot seller since it first launched last October. Retail sales were up 35 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year, and due to such strong consumer demand for the vehicle, Ford is increasing Focus production for 2008 by nearly 30 percent to 245,000 units
“I think we all underestimated just how well the car would do,” said George Pipas, Ford’s U.S. Sales Analysis Manager. “It’s far outpacing the growth in a growing small car market.”
According to Pipas, 30 percent of Focus sales so far are to customers between the ages of 16 and 35.
“These young car buyers are crucial to our future growth,” he said. “The small car market is where 50 percent of first-time buyers under the age of 30 go for their first car, so if you miss them – if they go to another franchise – the chances are those brands are going to keep those customers.”
In addition to delivering an impressive 35 miles per gallon, the all-new Focus is attracting younger buyers with a new look – both inside and out. The exterior design includes a new chrome two-bar grille, fog lamps, headlamps, tail lamps, hood, rear deck lid, fenders and doors, chrome fender appliqués and 16-inch wheel offerings.
The modern new interior includes ambient lighting that allows drivers to personalize the interior lighting of the car with seven colors to choose from, and SYNC, the hands-free voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment technology that integrates Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital music players.
According to Nerad, SYNC is a big draw for the younger set. “The kind of connectivity offered with SYNC is very important to the generation that grew up on the computer, with Apple iPods and other music devices,” he said.
The 2008 Focus also offers an impressive list of safety features, such as standard six air bags – including dual-stage driver and passenger front air bags, seat-deployed side air bags for driver and front passenger and roll-fold technology side curtain rollover airbags – ABS with traction control and a tire pressure monitoring system.
“We look at both passive and active safety features when we’re compiling our list of the ‘Top Ten Coolest New Cars Under $18,000,’ ” said Nerad. “From both sides of the safety coin, the Focus is a strong performer.”
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 245,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
BRING ON THE IMPORTS!
New Quality Study Shows Ford is Second to None!
• Ford catches Honda in initial quality, putting it in statistical tie at the top with Toyota and Honda.
• Ford’s vehicle quality improved 8 percent versus last year.
• Every new car and truck, including the 2008 Ford Focus, launched with improved quality versus its predecessor.
DEARBORN, April 7, 2008 – When it comes to initial vehicle quality, no automaker performs better than Ford.
The quality of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand vehicles soared to the top of the charts equaling that of Toyota and Honda, according to the first quarter 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
The study shows Ford’s domestic brands improved 8 percent versus last year with a combined average of 1,284 things-gone-wrong (TGW) per 1,000 vehicles during the first three months of ownership. This performance is statistically equivalent to the 1,250 TGW level of Honda and Toyota.
“Last year we tied with Toyota, and this year our quality performance is as good as industry-leading Honda’s too,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Our world-class quality is one of the most important aspects of our turnaround in North America. This consistently strong quality improvement should offer today’s customer renewed confidence, setting the stage for important new products like Ford Flex, which is launching this summer.”
Ford’s dramatically improved vehicle quality will be highlighted in a sweeping new marketing campaign called “Drive one” that officially debuts Tuesday. The campaign tells the story behind Ford’s rise to the top of the industry in initial vehicle quality as well as underscoring safety, smart technology and improved fuel efficiency.
The company earned best-in-class honors in two important engineering functions: interiors, which includes such areas as trim, seats and instrument panel appearance; and electrical, which includes entertainment systems. Ford tied for best-in-class in two other functions, paint and vehicle engineering, which includes such areas as ride and handling and cabin quietness.
Additionally, Ford’s domestic brands pushed customer satisfaction up one point to 77 percent.
“There is an unprecedented level of teamwork at Ford. Everyone from the top floor to the plant floor is working together to deliver the highest quality vehicles for our customers,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford’s group vice president of Global Quality. “We are extremely proud to be among the industry’s quality leaders. But that’s not why we’re in the game. We want sole possession of first place, and we will keep working to earn it.”
A total for 15 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles are ranked in the top three of their respective segments for either TGW performance, customer satisfaction or both.
The following models are segment leaders:
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – TGW for sports car
Ford Taurus – customer satisfaction for large car
Ford Sport Trac – customer satisfaction for medium traditional utility
Mercury Milan – TGW for midsize car
Lincoln Navigator – TGW and customer satisfaction for large premium utility
The new 2008 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable both recorded quality levels that equate to less than one problem per vehicle, as did the Volvo S80 (947). The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ were close, with 1,030 TGW and 1065 TGW, respectively.
The Taurus also led a string of impressive new vehicles launched in 2007. Taurus showed a 33 percent quality improvement compared with the product it replaced. The new Ford Escape improved 16 percent over the out-going model, and the new Ford Focus improved 13 percent.
In fact, 36 of 40 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda nameplates improved this year versus 2007.
The 2008 first quarter U.S. GQRS study, which RDA Group conducts for Ford, asks customers of all major makes and models to comment on troubles and rate their overall satisfaction with their three-month-old vehicles. The survey includes vehicles registered from September 2007 through November 2007.
For more information, visit us at www.wileyautogroup.com.
Sincerely,
Bo Wiley
Colorado River Ford
• Ford catches Honda in initial quality, putting it in statistical tie at the top with Toyota and Honda.
• Ford’s vehicle quality improved 8 percent versus last year.
• Every new car and truck, including the 2008 Ford Focus, launched with improved quality versus its predecessor.
DEARBORN, April 7, 2008 – When it comes to initial vehicle quality, no automaker performs better than Ford.
The quality of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand vehicles soared to the top of the charts equaling that of Toyota and Honda, according to the first quarter 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
The study shows Ford’s domestic brands improved 8 percent versus last year with a combined average of 1,284 things-gone-wrong (TGW) per 1,000 vehicles during the first three months of ownership. This performance is statistically equivalent to the 1,250 TGW level of Honda and Toyota.
“Last year we tied with Toyota, and this year our quality performance is as good as industry-leading Honda’s too,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Our world-class quality is one of the most important aspects of our turnaround in North America. This consistently strong quality improvement should offer today’s customer renewed confidence, setting the stage for important new products like Ford Flex, which is launching this summer.”
Ford’s dramatically improved vehicle quality will be highlighted in a sweeping new marketing campaign called “Drive one” that officially debuts Tuesday. The campaign tells the story behind Ford’s rise to the top of the industry in initial vehicle quality as well as underscoring safety, smart technology and improved fuel efficiency.
The company earned best-in-class honors in two important engineering functions: interiors, which includes such areas as trim, seats and instrument panel appearance; and electrical, which includes entertainment systems. Ford tied for best-in-class in two other functions, paint and vehicle engineering, which includes such areas as ride and handling and cabin quietness.
Additionally, Ford’s domestic brands pushed customer satisfaction up one point to 77 percent.
“There is an unprecedented level of teamwork at Ford. Everyone from the top floor to the plant floor is working together to deliver the highest quality vehicles for our customers,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford’s group vice president of Global Quality. “We are extremely proud to be among the industry’s quality leaders. But that’s not why we’re in the game. We want sole possession of first place, and we will keep working to earn it.”
A total for 15 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles are ranked in the top three of their respective segments for either TGW performance, customer satisfaction or both.
The following models are segment leaders:
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – TGW for sports car
Ford Taurus – customer satisfaction for large car
Ford Sport Trac – customer satisfaction for medium traditional utility
Mercury Milan – TGW for midsize car
Lincoln Navigator – TGW and customer satisfaction for large premium utility
The new 2008 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable both recorded quality levels that equate to less than one problem per vehicle, as did the Volvo S80 (947). The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ were close, with 1,030 TGW and 1065 TGW, respectively.
The Taurus also led a string of impressive new vehicles launched in 2007. Taurus showed a 33 percent quality improvement compared with the product it replaced. The new Ford Escape improved 16 percent over the out-going model, and the new Ford Focus improved 13 percent.
In fact, 36 of 40 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda nameplates improved this year versus 2007.
The 2008 first quarter U.S. GQRS study, which RDA Group conducts for Ford, asks customers of all major makes and models to comment on troubles and rate their overall satisfaction with their three-month-old vehicles. The survey includes vehicles registered from September 2007 through November 2007.
For more information, visit us at www.wileyautogroup.com.
Sincerely,
Bo Wiley
Colorado River Ford
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Ford Drive One - Green Driving Safety Quality Technology
Ford Drive One
Quality, green driving, safety and smart technology are the four key attributes that drive consumer opinion about an automotive brand. Ford Drive One is your one stop location to learn everything you need to know what makes Ford unique in these important attributes.
We have a dynamic story to tell at Ford and we are counting on you to help tell it. At forddriveone.com you can learn the details around all of the amazing things that Ford is doing so that you can become a knowledgeable Ford advocate who shares these great stories with friends and neighbors.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Where to find Wiley Auto Group Stores
Saturday, April 12, 2008
2009 Ford F-150
Calling it Ford’s “most capable truck ever,” Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company’s President and CEO, described the 2009 Ford F-150 as a proud example of Ford’s strategy of listening to its customers. “We talked to them, engineered a solution, and tested it to make sure it’s built Ford tough,” Mulally said.
Country music star Toby Keith, Professional Bull Rider Justin Mc Bride, NASCAR’s Rick Crawford and Monster Jam’s Linsey Weenk joined Mark Fields, Ford’s President, The Americas, onstage at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to announce the 2009 F150 series, touting its customizability and options. The F-150 has three cab styles, four box options, and seven unique trim levels, making 35 unique configurations to meet the widest range of customer needs. The F-150 is “new all around” and now includes Platinum series. The F-150 is one of six major launches in 2008 for Ford.
“The Ford F-150 is an American icon, said Fields, “Ford is the truck leader, and F-150 customers expect and demand the best truck on the market.” More than 1,000 Ford engineers, designers, and researchers worked together to develop the new 2009 F-150, drawing on feedback and research from Ford’s customer base. Ford did not announce the 2009 F-150’s towing or payload capacity, opening up the question to the journalists covering the Auto Show to guess it. The winner will be announced later this year. The prize: the first test drive.
The 2009 Ford F150 will be available in the fall of 2008.
See the videos on the F-150’s construction, engineering, and design.
Watch the full 25 minute Ford Press Conference.
Related Links:
Visit the 2009 F150 website Find out more about the F-150's design Find out more about the F-150's construction Find out more about the F-150's engineering
http://autoshows.ford.com/205/2008/01/13/ford-unveils-capable-truck-2009/
Country music star Toby Keith, Professional Bull Rider Justin Mc Bride, NASCAR’s Rick Crawford and Monster Jam’s Linsey Weenk joined Mark Fields, Ford’s President, The Americas, onstage at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to announce the 2009 F150 series, touting its customizability and options. The F-150 has three cab styles, four box options, and seven unique trim levels, making 35 unique configurations to meet the widest range of customer needs. The F-150 is “new all around” and now includes Platinum series. The F-150 is one of six major launches in 2008 for Ford.
“The Ford F-150 is an American icon, said Fields, “Ford is the truck leader, and F-150 customers expect and demand the best truck on the market.” More than 1,000 Ford engineers, designers, and researchers worked together to develop the new 2009 F-150, drawing on feedback and research from Ford’s customer base. Ford did not announce the 2009 F-150’s towing or payload capacity, opening up the question to the journalists covering the Auto Show to guess it. The winner will be announced later this year. The prize: the first test drive.
The 2009 Ford F150 will be available in the fall of 2008.
See the videos on the F-150’s construction, engineering, and design.
Watch the full 25 minute Ford Press Conference.
Related Links:
Visit the 2009 F150 website Find out more about the F-150's design Find out more about the F-150's construction Find out more about the F-150's engineering
http://autoshows.ford.com/205/2008/01/13/ford-unveils-capable-truck-2009/
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