The City of Seattle and Dearborn, MI-basedFord Motor Company have teamed up to prepare the city for the operation of electric vehicles, the automaker said today. The partnership will include the joint development of consumer outreach and education programs on electric cars, as well as collaboration on information regarding charging requirements of electric vehicles to ensure the grid is prepared to support the added demand. The two organizations will also work with state and local governments on issues of permitting, future regulations and legislation, and raising support for electric vehicle tax incentives. The collaboration is part of Ford’s 14-city “Charging into the Future Tour,” which kicked off in Portland, OR earlier this week.

The Ford Motor Co. assembly plant on Chicago’s South Side will be among the first to use Wi-Fi wireless Internet technology to install software inside the 2011 Ford Explorer SUV.

The assembly line is lined with wireless routers — similar to the routers that people install in their homes to get wireless Internet access — and the Explorer contains a built-in Wi-Fi receiver.

When Explorer production starts this winter, the SUV will pick up the Wi-Fi routers’ signals, and an assembly-line worker will push a button to download software onto the Explorer, said Alan Hall, Ford Motor Co.’s technology communications manager.

The software is tailored for each model, so that the Explorer sold in the United States will have traffic information about American roadways; English, Spanish and French speaking options, and the appropriate 911 emergency delivery. Vehicles sold in other markets would get other language downloads, such as German, Portuguese, Italian and Mandarin.

The first Ford assembly plant to use the Wi-Fi technology is one in Oakville, Ontario, where the 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX are manufactured.

The Wi-Fi setup saves money because it eliminates the need to build, stock and store a variety of hardware modules, said Sukhwinder Wadhwa, the global platform manager for Ford’s SYNC features. The SYNC controls such capabilities as traffic alerts, hands-free calling, 911 assistance and music search.

The Wi-Fi capability will have no effect on the number of jobs at the Ford plant, Hall said. The plant has received more than 2,000 applications for the previously announced 400 to 600 new jobs to build the Explorer.

In the future, car shoppers might be able to select their own software applications at the dealership and get those apps downloaded either at the dealership or through their home Wi-Fi system, Hall said.

“The built-in Wi-Fi receiver opens up all kinds of potential to deliver unique software into the vehicle,” he said.

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that electronics retailer Best Buy will use Ford vans for its Geek Squad home service technicians.

Best Buy Co., based in Richfield, Minn., will buy 290 Ford Transit Connect compact utility vans and 738 Ford E-Series vans for its Geek Squad brand. Those employees will use the vans while they service appliances and install and service home theater equipment.

Terms of the van sales were not released. Best Buy previously used Chevrolet Express cargo vans, but said the Ford vans better fit the needs of its technicians.

Ford shares fell 10 cents to $11.23 while Best Buy shares slipped 40 cents to $32.08 in afternoon trading.

Source: AP

Here’s some very good news for Ford: Its small, hip 2011 Fiesta minicar has won Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That’s a big deal any time, but especially when you’re trying to hawk a small car.

The ratings of “good” in all the crash tests were given to the Fiesta sedan and hatchback. Ford says now it has more Top Safety Picks than any other automaker, with eight vehicles getting the top designation.

Ford credits Fiesta’s extensive use of high-strength steels, a front crash structure and the most air bags in its segment helped the car perform well in IIHS testing. It even has a driver’s knee air bag. Fiesta’s energy-absorbing body structure is optimized for strength and stiffness and designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. It didn’t hurt that electronic stabllity control is standard.

“Fiesta is proof that a small car can deliver big safety,” said Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering. “Fiesta combines rigidity and more air bags – smartly deployed – than its competition, as well as standard stability control.”

More than half of Fiesta’s body structure uses these high-strength or ultrahigh-strength steels in the floor structure, front rails, beams and in the ultrarigid, integrated body reinforcement ring designed to help better protect occupants in side impacts.

The air bags don’t just explosively inflate. The car has Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) sensors that determine occupant weight and seat belt status to optimize deployment force.

• Ford Edge sales this weekend hit 400,000, more than any midsize crossover since its introduction in late 2006
  
• The crossover segment is one of the most fiercely contested in the industry, expanding 220 percent since 2006 – and expected to grow another 20 percent this year
• The new 2011 Ford Edge began shipping this weekend from Oakville Assembly Complex and is arriving in dealership showrooms
• 2011 Ford Edge introduces America to the revolutionary MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology and offers unbeatable fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 17, 2010 – Sales of Ford Edge, which arrived on the market in late 2006, hit 400,000 this weekend – more than any midsize crossover vehicle during the same period.

Also this past weekend, the new 2011 Ford Edge began shipping from Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario to dealerships across the United States and Canada.

“Edge competes in one of the fastest-growing and most fiercely competitive segments in the industry,” said Amy Marentic, Ford’s Crossover Group Marketing Manager. “Still, Edge is growing sales at an incredible rate.”

As of July, Edge sales for the year were up 33 percent over last year – more than double the overall industry sales.

In 2006 when Edge was introduced, the midsize crossover segment accounted for 4.3 percent of the retail industry. Last year, that number grew to 9.5 percent. And this year, it’s expected to top 11 percent, making the segment the same size as full-size pickups and more than sports cars.

Now comes the new 2011 Ford Edge with three new powertrains, bold new styling, improved driving dynamics and industry-leading MyFord Touch technology.

“Edge defined the crossover segment when it was launched in 2006. Ford has taken a great vehicle and made it even better,” Marentic said. “The new Edge promises to take the segment to an all-new level.”

The 2011 Ford Edge SEL and Limited, which account for about 80 percent of all Edge sales, have EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (front-wheel drive), which is unsurpassed in each category among V6 competitors.

The new Edge is now 1 mpg better city and 2 mpg better highway – with even greater power. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 285 horsepower, best-in-class among V6 competitors and 20 more horsepower than the outgoing Edge.

MyFord Touch, standard on the 2011 Edge Limited, 2011 Edge Sport and available on the 2011 Edge SEL, defines an all-new in-car experience. It takes vehicle interior design into the realm of popular personal electronics devices such as laptop computers, mobile phones and MP3 players.

• After one year in service, the hot-selling 2010 Ford Taurus is posting a resale value increase of 39 percent – or $7,100 – over the 2009 model
• Resale value of 2010 Ford Taurus now surpasses that of the 2010 Toyota Avalon by $2,500
• Key contributors to the residual value improvement are the design, quality, customer satisfaction and state-of-the-art technology offered with the 2010 Ford Taurus

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 16, 2010 – After one year in service, the hot-selling 2010 Ford Taurus is commanding impressive results at auction, posting an average 39 percent increase in resale value – or $7,100 – over the 2009 model.

The huge leap reflects the strong appeal of Ford’s full-size sedan, according to Rose Peng, manager, Global Lifecycle Analytics Department (GLAD).

“The successful product launch of the 2010 Ford Taurus coupled with the vehicle’s best-in-class quality, upscale design and state-of-the-art technology has resulted in a sharp improvement for the brand,” she said, adding that the resale value of the new Taurus after one year now surpasses that of one of its strongest competitors, the 2010 Toyota Avalon.

“The 2009 Taurus was selling at a significant discount compared with the 2009 Toyota Avalon,” Peng said. “Now the 2010 Ford Taurus is commanding a $2,500 premium over the 2010 Toyota Avalon.”
And Taurus ranks highest in its segment for initial quality, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS).

Steve Ling, manager, Ford North American Car Marketing, adds that all of these improvements and strong word-of-mouth have resulted in strong retail sales.

“In the first half of 2010, Taurus retail sales were up 154 percent over the first half of 2009 while incentives were reduced by more than $1,600 per unit,” he said, noting that third-party sources have recognized the vehicle’s best-in-class levels of customer satisfaction and quality.

“When you talk about quality, it’s not just ‘Things Gone Wrong’ but ‘Things Gone Right,’” said Ling. “That’s very important because Things Gone Right are what attract customers to the showroom.”

In addition to an upscale new design, the 2010 Ford Taurus offers engaging driving dynamics and 10 class-exclusive technologies not available from any other manufacturer, such as available Ford SYNC®, voice-activated Navigation System with SIRIUS Travel Link™, Easy Fuel® (capless fuel filler), BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert and MyKey®.

The 2010 Ford Taurus has accumulated an impressive array of accolades since its launch last year, including:

• Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award
• 2010 Best Redesigned Vehicle by kbb.com
• International Car of the Year
• kbb.com 2010 Best Resale Value award in the full-size car category

We had an idea that today would be a big day for Ford Motor Company and the new 5.0-powered Mustangs when an announcer at a recent Grand Am raced slipped up and stated that Ford would debut the Boss 302 street version this week. A few minutes ago, Ford made it official – the Boss is back – and Ford intends for the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 to be the ‘quickest, best-handling straight-production Mustang ever offered by Ford’. In addition to the 2012 Boss 302, Ford is offering the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca package for those who want a more track-ready version of the new Boss 302.  (click here for full details on the Laguna Seca package).
The root of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 is the same 5.0L V8 from the 2011 Mustang GT but some special modifications have upped the power to 440 horsepower and 380lb-ft of torque. First, the Boss 302 features an enlarged intake manifold that works in conjunction with more aggressive camshafts and a tune that optimizes power without hurting regular drivability. The engine air intake system has been designed to maximize air flow and the Boss features an exhaust system like no other production Mustang – adding flow and sound like no other factory Mustang before.
The 5.0L feeds the exhaust flow through a quad-tipped system with two of those tips exiting at the rear of the car similar to the current 2011 Mustang GT but the 2012 Boss 302 includes an extra set of exhaust tips that exit in front of the rear wheels. These auxiliary tips along the side of the car include a set of discs to quiet the side-exit exhaust but if you want supreme sound from your stock 2012 Boss 302, those discs can be removed. Also, the side pipe portion of the Boss exhaust is sized to match up with “cutouts” that vent exhaust more easily along with adding a ton of sound to the new Boss Mustang. (this unique exhaust setup can be viewed in the gallery to the right)
Next, the 2012 Boss 302 comes equipped with a race-inspired clutch with improved friction materials (compared to the 2011 Mustang GT) mated with the close-ratio transmission; all controlled by a short-throw shifter. A limited slip 3.73 rear differential is standard in the 2012 Boss 302 and for those who want more grip a torque-sensing limited-slip differential is available for the new Boss Mustang.
The suspension of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 has been refined to make this the best handling factory (non-SVT) Mustang ever offered. Higher rate springs have been added all around with stiffer suspension bushings and an enlarged rear stabilizer bar help the 2012 Boss 302 hammer through the turns as well as giving the Boss a more aggressive (lowered) stance than the 2011 Mustang GT. Most importantly, the 2012 Boss 302 comes with adjustable shocks and struts to optimize the track (and daily driving) experience. Unlike some suspension systems that use electronic controls to adjust the suspension, the 2012 Boss 302 uses the old-school method of adjustments atop the shock and strut mounts. These adjustable components need only a flat-head screwdriver to select between 1 through 5 for the stiffness settings. Along with the improved suspension components, the 2012 Boss 302 comes with revised traction control and electronic stability control systems, allowing both systems to provide assistance in daily driving situations yet adjust for high performance driving on a closed circuit.
Next, it was onto the wheels and braking system. The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 comes equipped with monster 14” vented rotors in the front wrapped in Brembo calipers and out back, the Boss standard Mustang GT rotors with high performance brake pads. These braking components are aided by an antilock braking system (ABS) tuned specifically for the 2012 Boss Mustang. This improved braking system is tucked under a set of black 19” lightweight alloy wheels with 9” wide wheels in the front and 9.5” out back. The combination of the improved suspension, brakes, wheels and increase horsepower make this the best performing Ford Mustang ever offered; yielding a top speed of 155mpg and allowing the 2012 Boss to reach beyond a full lateral G on the skidpad – a first for any non-SVT Mustang.
Ford wanted to make sure that the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 was the best performing factory Mustang ever offered but they also made sure that it would stand out in a crowd. The 2012 Boss is available in just five exterior colors – Competition Orange, Performance White, Kona Blue Metallic, Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat Metallic and Race Red with either a black or white C-stripe (which proudly displays the Boss 302 name) and roof panel. The aerodynamics of the Boss 302 are improved via a unique front fascia and grille featuring fog-light deletes and an aggressive lower splitter – an item taken from the Boss 302R race models. This revised front fascia not only helps to improve the aerodynamics of the car, but also increases the air flow through the Boss’s unique cooling system. Out back, the 2012 Boss 302 has a unique spoiler that works with the front end alterations to optimize downforce at high speeds. Surprisingly, the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 street car does not feature a “Shaker” hood setup like the one from the original 1969 Boss Mustang.
Inside, the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 receives some subtle upgrades to set it apart from the standard Mustang GT. The package begins with a Boss steering wheel wrapped in Alcantra suede that matches the standard Boss cloth-and-suede seats. If you want more seating support from your 2012 Boss 302, a set of Recaro race buckets is available – similar to those found in the 2011 SVT GT500. The interior finish of the 2012 Boss 302 features a dark metallic theme with silver accents, a theme seen in the pool-ball style shift knob and the bright “Powered by Ford” door sill plates. Finally, the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 has had the sound deadening material removed so that the driver can really hear his or her new high performance Mustang while also knocking 11lbs off of the cars total weight.
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Check out the gallery (now found above and to the right) for a look at the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and stay tuned to your Detroit Autos Examiner for all of your breaking news from the Detroit automotive scene!

STURGIS — The 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 combines two rich traditions intoan extraordinary package for customers who crave capability and long for the openroad. With authentic styling, a new standard 6.2-liter V8 engine and plenty oftechnology upgrades, it’s the most powerful and capable Ford Harley-Davidson F-150yet.
The new 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 perfectly blends the flexibility andcapability of F-Series trucks with the free spirit of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, saidEric Kuehn, chief engineer. Both companies have a passion for the road, which shinesthrough in our specialized truck.
The successful collaboration between these two icons of the open road has producednine F-150 models, as well as six Super Duty F-250 and F-350 models, and in 2009,the first Harley-Davidson F-450 edition truck. The exterior of the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 offers a bold front fascia and six-bar-shaped billet-style satin chromegrille and boasts Harley-Davidson satin chrome badging. The truck also has alowered appearance because of a standard, fully integrated deployable running board.Also standard are 22-inch Euroflange forged wheels with a polished center wheel capand low-profile performance tires. The paint selection is classic Harley-Davidson Tuxedo Black and Ingot Silver.
New graphics on the hood and body side of the truck are executed in an engine-turnedfinish and feature dimensional satin chrome Harley-Davidson lettering. The graphicsare reminiscent of the speed scallops used on hot rods.
Interior trim panels are covered in Tuxedo Black paint, while the door scuff plate andconsole lid also carry the engine-turned finish. All interior chrome surfaces feature anew satin finish. Premium leather-trimmed seats come with accent color inserts and aunique cloisonné badge.
New engine, more power
Ford tapped into a bit of its proud racing heritage to create the new 6.2-liter V8gasoline engine, which uses big-bore architecture to produce impressive horsepowerand torque. The new gasoline engine delivers 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torqueand provides improved maximum trailer towing capacity of 9,300 pounds.This engine has tons of torque and already has been proven in the field with both theF-150 SVT Raptor and Super Duty, said Mike Harrison, V8 engine program manager.The exhaust for the Ford Harley-Davidson edition has been specially tuned to feature athroaty V8 rumble customers will love.
Benefits of the new 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine include:

SOHC valvetrain with roller-rocker shafts: The single overhead camshaft (SOHC) percylinder head design results in a stiff valvetrain that allows optimized camshaft liftprofiles and results in great low-speed torque. The roller-rocker shafts allow valve anglesto be splayed, resulting in optimized intake and exhaust port layout for better breathing.

Dual-equal variable cam timing: Intake and exhaust valve opening and closing eventsare phased at the same time to optimize fuel economy and performance throughout theengine speed range and throttle positions.

Two spark plugs per cylinder: Due to the large bore size, two spark plugs per cylinderare used to more efficiently burn the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber,enabling better fuel economy and increased engine torque. The twin plugs also help theengine maintain a smooth, stable idle.

Dual knock sensors: A knock sensor on each bank of cylinders of the V8 engine allowsthe spark timing of each cylinder to be individually optimized real-time, throughout theengine speed range. The engine learns the optimum timing via an adaptive algorithm.
Taking convenience to the next level
The 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 adds plenty of technology options to givecustomers what they are looking for. Key to helping customers take advantage of allthe capability offered by the Harley-Davidson F-150 is a standard 4.2-inch LCD (liquidcrystal display) productivity screen.
This screen offers menu options, giving the customer important information related tofuel economy and towing performance. The menu is navigated through a five-waybutton on the steering wheel and is positioned between the tachometer andspeedometer.
Additionally, the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 comes equipped with a standardvoice-activated Navigation System that integrates several functions including voicerecognitiondestination entry, climate control and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio into oneeasy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch screen.
For the customer who wants more control of transmission gear selection, SelectShiftAutomatic transmission functionality is available. A toggle switch located on theconsole shift lever engages the mode, where the transmission doesn’t second-guess thedriver, giving him or her total control over gear selection and performance feel.Other standard features on the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 include:
Power moonroof
Rear view camera
Second-row heated seats
Ambient lighting
Remote Start System
Customized Harley-Davidson appeal
The 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 interior is customized to appeal to the truckbuyer who appreciates the attention to detail for which both Ford and Harley-Davidsonare renowned.Examples are the seats and console lid, which feature handmade cloisonné badges thatare produced by the same company that makes badges for Harley-Davidson®motorcycles; the console has a limited-edition serialization plate, which is numberedindividually.
“We take creation of the Ford Harley-Davidson trucks very seriously, but it’s alsosomething we have a lot of fun with along the way,” said Design Manager BradRichards. “We hope that comes through in each of the finished trucks.“We ensure Ford Harley-Davidson trucks exude the same bold personality as the legendary motorcycles,” Richards added. “We take two brands that are undeniablyunique and forge a product that embodies the best qualities of both.

More than one in four shoppers looking to buy a new vehicle in the second-quarter of this year considered a Ford, according to Kelley Blue Book’s Market Intelligence Brand Watch released today.

Ford passed Toyota earlier this year as the “most-considered” brand among potential auto customers and widened that gap in the second quarter. Overall, the study indicates 29 percent of shoppers considered buying a Ford, while 22 percent considered a Toyota.

That interest translated into cash for Ford, which recorded a $2.6 billion profit in the second quarter and paid off $7 billion in debt.

Chevrolet (21 percent), Honda (20 percent) and Hyundai (13 percent) rounded out the top-five most-considered brands, with the latter making it’s first-ever appearance among the leaders.

“Ford continues its upward trajectory and Hyundai is truly on a roll,” said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “Both brands prove that when you make dynamic, exciting and affordable products that appeal to the new-car shopping masses, consumer perception begins to change and subsequently, sales will follow.”

Ford fared particularly well with shoppers looking for non-luxury sports utility and crossover vehicles, with 46 percent of those potential customers considering an offering from the Dearborn-based automaker.

Meanwhile, customers continued to shy away from Toyota in the wake of massive recalls, with 8 percent few customers considering the brand than one year ago.  However, the automaker fared well in the minivan category as its “Swagger Wagon” viral advertising campaign continues to resonate with the public.

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) said that it plans to create 2,000 union jobs which had previously been outsourced to supplies. The new total is about 25% higher than Ford had previously agreed to pay to bring back in-house during its negotiations with the United Autoworkers Union three years ago, reported the Wall Street Journal on Friday.

The return of jobs is largely a good piece of news for the UAW, however, some of the jobs will pay a new wage of $14.00 per hour instead of the $26.00 per hour that most UAW workers make. The company did not provide a breakdown or how many new hires would be and how many of the positions would be filled by workers on an indefinite layoff.

The company said that it will bring back 1,975 union jobs back to its plants by 2012, exceeding its original commitment by about 25%, said Ford Americas president Mark Fields in an automotive gathering in Traverse City, MI on Wednesday. The company has already moved 1,340 jobs from formerly outsourced parts suppliers back to its 24 US facilities and plans to move 635 more jobs by 2012, said Field.

UA President Bob King said that he plans to recoup many concessions that the UAW made to Ford during the next round of discussions with Ford which may begin as early as next year. “Our message is pretty balanced: We are doing better but we are not satisfied and we still have a lot of debt,” Mr. Fields said. “We also have continued to have conversations around our need to remain competitive.”

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is a producer of cars and trucks. Ford and its subsidiaries also engage in other businesses, including financing vehicles. It operates under two segments: Automotive and Financial Services. The Automotive segment includes the operations of Ford North America, Ford South America, Ford Europe, Ford Asia Pacific Africa and Volvo. The Financial services include the operations of Ford Motor Credit Company and Other Financial Services.

Shares of Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) traded up 0.46% hitting $13.04 during mid-day trading on Friday.