STUDY: FORD RANKED AS INDUSTRY LEADER FOR QUALITY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF TECHNOLOGY PATENTS

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• Leading patent analyst ranks Ford above all other automakers for the quality and significance of its technology patents.
• The 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – sets new standard for technology innovation with 119 U.S. patents and patent applications

DEARBORN, Jan. 28, 2009 – A new study by the world’s leading patent analyst, The Patent Board™, found that Ford Motor Company outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents.

 

“Ford’s patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors,” says Christine Wren, director of business development for The Patent Board, which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally.

 

Technological innovation is a core value at Ford as the company drives for leadership in quality, safety, fuel efficiency and in-car connectivity. For example, the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, which is America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan, have 119 patents, a record for Ford.

 

 

The Patent Board recently issued its Top 10 Innovators in Automotive & Transportation Patent Scorecard™ for the fourth quarter of 2008, which ranks Ford above all other automakers in Research Intensity™ and Industry Impact™. Ford’s Research Intensity score, which is more than twice that of the industry average, indicates the extent to which its portfolio includes patents with strong scientific support.

 

Similarly, The Patent Board’s Industry Impact score measures the broader significance and impact of a company’s patent portfolio across the industry. This indicator analyzes how other patents build on Ford’s innovation by looking at patent-to-patent citations.

 

“Ford’s overall patent portfolio plays a significant role in serving as a foundation for other technology innovation as shown by receiving 20 percent more citations than the average portfolio in this industry,” Wren says.

 

 

For the Fusion Hybrid, for example, teams of research scientists and engineers developed Ford-exclusive technologies that helped the vehicle achieve a certified 41 mpg in the city, 8 mpg better than the Toyota Camry hybrid.

 

“Ford is using technology to remake our lineup with the green, high-tech vehicles customers want,” says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Fusion Hybrid team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”

 

Patents on the Fusion Hybrid pertain to technologies such as Ford’s new-generation hybrid powertrain and SmartGaugeTM with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster that helps coach drivers to achieve better fuel efficiency.

“We focus on getting high-quality patents that have the best breakthrough potential for the company,” says Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies.

 

Specific Fusion and Fusion Hybrid patents include:

• Hybrid technology – The Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy. The overall system upgrade allows the hybrid to operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. The city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.
• SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide – This unique instrument cluster helps coach Fusion Hybrid drivers on how to optimize performance of their vehicle for maximum fuel efficiency. It features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant mpg report.
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert – Ford’s new Cross Traffic Alert feature will help warn drivers of impending traffic while backing out by using radars to pick up moving objects within a 65-foot range from either side of the vehicle. Two warnings are given: an indicator lights up in the corresponding outside mirror and an audible alert is sounded. The feature works in conjunction with Ford’s radar-based Blind Spot Information System, utilizing this system’s two multiple beam radar modules, which are packaged in the rear quarter panels – one per side. The radar identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone and illuminates an indicator light on the corresponding sideview mirror providing a warning that a vehicle is approaching.
• EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System – This industry-exclusive feature eliminates the need to touch dirty gas caps and helps to reduce evaporative emissions that create smog. When fueling is completed and the fuel pump nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.

Patenting is a global activity at Ford, with experts in the United States, Europe, India and China sharing common processes and reporting through Ford Global Technologies, LLC, a wholly owned Ford subsidiary responsible for managing Ford’s intellectual property worldwide.

2010 Ford Taurus Intro Video

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2010 F150 SVT Raptor

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The Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) has been at it again. Now desiging the ultimate off-road racer. Tough, fast, aggressively styled and built with the off-road enthisiast in mind, the 2010 F-150 SVT Rapot was unveiled at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas and is also on display at this years North American International Auto Show.

The All-New 2010 Ford Taurus

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The new Taurus is the sedan to see, and be seen in. Its bold and muscular design will help Taurus stand out, wherever it goes. Taurus performance and handling characteristics deliver on the sporty exterior aesthetics. From both exterior and interior perspectives, the new Taurus reflects design themes of sporty, muscular, athletic and formal. Sculptured surfaces provide elegance, individuality and craftsmanship.

Athletic Exterior:

The exterior of this car is an exercise in athleticism and beauty – there is not a spare ounce of fat on Taurus. It’s substantial but it’s muscular, sculpted, chiseled, and precise. It’s a masculine car that promises power and agility; without appearing brutish or obvious

• Sculptural, chiseled, muscular, and overall athletic appearance (Sexy lines, Powerdome Hood, unique grille)
• Supplemental parking lamps
• Standard dual-chrome exhaust tips
• Available Dual, Power, heated exterior mirrors with security approach lamps
• All new wheel line up ranging from 17-inch to 20-inch wheels

Intelligent, Driver Focused Technology:

Taurus is loaded with ‘new to you’ technology designed to engage the driver. This isn’t about toys or noisy bells and whistles it’s about new, sophisticated, innovative technology that anticipates the driver’s every need. Taurus feels like a car that comes with its own butler

• Standard industry exclusive SecuriCode ™ Invisible Keypad
• Standard industry exclusive Easy Fuel ™ capless fuel-filler system
• Standard industry exclusive MyKey ™
• Standard AdvanceTrac® with Electronic Stability Control
• Standard award winning 3.5L V6 engine
• Available all-new 3.5L V6 EcoBoost™ Engine
• Available 6-speed SelectShift Automatic™ Transmission with Paddle Activation
• Available industry exclusive SYNC V3
• Available industry exclusive voice activated navigation system with integrated Sirius ® TravelLink™ with 10 GB Hard drive Juke Box that can store up to 2400 songs
• Available Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning and Brake Support
• Available BLIS ™ (Blind Spot Information System) with cross traffic alert
• Available Intelligent access with push button start
• Available Auto High-Beams and Rain-Sensing Wipers
• Available AWD
• Available Sony ® AM/FM stereo/6-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability, 12-speakers and 390 Watts of Power

Photo shows the Intelligent Access with Push Button Start Optional Feature.

Collision Warning with Brake Support: The new Ford Taurus is available with Adaptive Cruise Control, with integrated Collision Warning with Brake Support. The system employs radar sensors to warn of vehicles ahead, within a preset distance. The driver is alerted by a head-up display and an audible warning signal. Brake Support pre-charges the braking system to support the driver in stopping the vehicle.

Blind Spot Information System: The new Ford Taurus is available with the Blind Spot Information System, using radar sensors mounted on each rear quarter panel. When a vehicle is detected in the driver's "blind spot" a warning signal will appear in the instrument cluster message center, augmented by an indicator light on the corresponding side-view mirror.

The new Taurus interior is oriented to the enthusiastic driver, with a forward leaning centerstack flowing gracefully into a seamless center console with a sporty leather-wrapped T-bar shifter.

Stunningly Sexy Interior:

The interior of this car lives up to the promise of the exterior. From the instant the ice blue lighting hits your eyes you know you’re in something special. It has a natural flow to it. It’s uncluttered and clean. This is a well crafted, beautifully presented interior that seems to wrap itself around you. The center console sweeps, taking the energy of the exterior and running it right through the car. It’s an interior of unexpected quality

• Inviting, well-crafted interior
• Flowing Center Stack laid back at a 45 angle
• Ice Blue Lighting
• Pointer Sweep Welcome
• Enveloping Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion
• Available Ambient Lighting with 7 colors and 5 dimmers available
• Available heated and cooled front seats
• Available cargo organizer

Care at its Core:

The longer you spend in the car the more evidence of care you find. There’s a solidity to the controls that reeks of quality, a lack of noise that sings quality and enough detailing (the Zen patterns inside the storage areas for example) to prove that this is a car made with real care

• Zen-patterned storage areas
• Quiet Cabin Interior (Acoustic glass)
• Soft to the touch door trim inserts, IP, and armrest
• Available wood grain interior accents
• Available leather wrapped with wood insert steering wheel with cruise and secondary audio control
• Eco-friendly seat materials
• 6 standard airbags - dual-stage front, front-seat side-impact, and side curtain airbags**

ATTAINABLE LUXURY- PACKAGING AND PRICING

The all new 2010 Taurus offers strategically contented series with choices of FWD or AWD. Three series are available with the award winning 3.5L V6 engine. Here are some highlights:

SE (including but not limited to the following features):

• Easy Fuel™ (Capless Refueling)
• Keyless Entry Key Pad– SecuriCode ™
• MyKey ™
• 17" painted aluminum wheels,
• Cloth seats with 6-way power driver with manual recline and lumbar
• AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control

SEL (including SE standard features, plus but not limited to the following features):

• Transmission – SelectShift Automatic ™ Paddle Activation
• 18" Painted Silver Aluminum Wheels
• Leather wrapped steering wheel with additional controls (i.e. audio, cruise)
• Dual Zone EATC
• Message Center with Trip Computer and Compass
• Satellite Radio
• Unique Cloth Seats
• Anti-Theft Perimeter Alarm

Limited (including SEL standard features, plus but not limited to the following features):

• Ambient Lighting
• Leather Wrapped steering wheel with wood insert and additional controls (i.e. audio, cruise)
• SYNC V3
• 19" Chrome Clad Aluminum Wheels
• Premium Sound System with CD6 and MP3 capable speakers and amplifier
• Reverse Sensing System
• Perforated leather 10-way power driver and passenger seats with driver seat memory

In addition, several stand alone options are available to accommodate personal preference, and enhance the ownership experience:

• Power Moonroof
• Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning and Brake Support
• Voice activated Navigation System integrated with Sirius Travel link
• White Platinum Tri-Coat Paint
• Candy Red Metallic Tinted Paint

The base of the new Taurus will start at $25,995(including D&D), the same price as the 2009 model.

• The reveal web site with packaging information is live at www.fordvehicles.com/2010Taurus
• Highlights of the Detroit Auto Show reveal is posted on YouTube and http://cms2.fmcdealer.dealerconnection.com/Ford_LM/Sales/Communications/Public+Affairs/autoshows.ford.com.htm?UserID=d-grout&PrintPreview=False

Information & Photos taken from Ford Motor Company

FORD FUSION TOPS TOYOTA CAMRY, HONDA ACCORD AGAIN WITH BEST-IN-CLASS 34 MPG 4-CYLINDER MODEL

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• The Ford Fusion is now America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models
• The four-cylinder Ford Fusion S is now certified at 34 mpg highway and 23 mpg in the city, topping the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord
• This entry-level 2010 Ford Fusion S is powered by a new 2.5-liter Duratec mated to a fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission
• The Fusion I-4 joins the all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid, already at the top of the mpg tables

DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2009 – The Ford Fusion is now America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models.

Ford announced today that new four-cylinder Ford Fusion S has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 34 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city – beating both the gasoline-powered Camry and Honda Accord models. The news follows certification of the Ford Fusion Hybrid at 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

“Take your pick: Whether you want a gas-powered or hybrid mid-sized sedan, the new Fusion offers the best fuel economy in America,” said Barb Samardzich, Ford’s vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “We promised to offer best-in-class or among the very best fuel economy with every new vehicle we introduce, and we are making good on that pledge with hybrids, new high-tech gasoline engines, new six-speed transmissions and other fuel efficient technologies.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion fuel economy certification was conducted at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich. The Ford Fusion S and the base-level Mercury Milan, both powered by a new 2.5-liter Duratec 4-cylinder engine mated to a fuel efficient six-speed automatic transmission, will carry an EPA label of 34 mpg for highway driving and 23 mpg in the city when they go on sale this spring.

The latest news on Fusion joins other Ford fuel economy leaders, including:

• The Ford Focus with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than the Toyota Corolla’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than the Honda Fit’s 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, both also with manual transmissions.
• The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which just recently was named Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150’s larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the Tundra’s larger engine.
• The 2009 Ford Escape with new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota’s RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too.
• The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating Toyota Sequoia’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine by 3 mpg and its 5.7-liter V-8 by 1 mpg.

“We’ve done it in the heart of the truck segment with the new 2010 Ford F-150, and now we’ve done it in the heart of the car segment with Fusion,” Samardzich said. “We understand how important fuel economy is to customers, and Ford is committed to delivering leadership. The great news is that our significant investment in fuel efficiency leadership is going to continue to pay off with every new vehicle launch.”

Fuel Economy Leadership Priced Right
Ford has announced pricing for the new 2010 Fusion. The fuel-economy leading Fusion S with the six-speed automatic transmission features a base price of $20,870, plus destination and delivery charges.

Fusion also offers more engine choice than Camry and Accord, with two V-6 engine options – the 240-horsepower 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and the 263-horsepower 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 engine. The 3.0-liter V-6 models start at $23,760.

The base price of the all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is $27,270.

The new Fusion builds on the strong quality reputation of the current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC®, SIRIUS TravelLink™, BLIS™ (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Sony®-branded audio.

FORD’S F-SERIES REIGNS AS AMERICA’S BEST-SELLING TRUCK AND BEST-SELLING VEHICLE IN 2008

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DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 5, 2009 – The beat goes on. For the 32nd year in a row, Ford’s award-winning F-Series is America’s best-selling truck with 2008 sales of 515,513. F-series outsold its nearest truck rival by more than 50,000 units.

In addition, for the 27th year in a row, F-Series is once again America’s best-selling vehicle of any type – car, crossover, SUV, truck or van.

“Our thanks go out to our customers, our dealers and, of course, the Ford employees and supplier partners who design, engineer and manufacture quality, fuel-efficient trucks delivering unmatched capability,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president, Marketing and Communications. “The all-new F-150 affirms what Ford has known for years – that listening to customers provides the best rewards.”

The all-new F-150 recently was named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™, Texas Auto Writers Association Truck of Texas, and is a finalist for the 2009 North American Truck of the Year.

The 2009 F-150, new inside and out, is the new benchmark for full size pickups, appealing to a growing number of core truck customers. During the past five years, the “core trucker” – those who use their truck’s towing and hauling capability for work and play – has grown to 40 percent from 30 percent of the light-duty full-size pickup market.

In the commercial/fleet portion of this core trucker sub-segment, Ford F-Series continues to dominate. The F-150 has 46 percent of the light duty commercial/fleet market; and Super Duty is stronger still with over 57 percent of heavy duty commercial/fleet market.

2009 F-150 improvements include a new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis that delivers even more horsepower, unsurpassed fuel economy and class-leading towing and payload capacity.

From industry-first SYNC to Ford Work Solutions, 2009 F-150 sports an array of smart technologies. SYNC provides hands-free, in-car communication. Ford Work Solutions is an innovative suite of options including an in-dash computer with Internet access, Tool Link to track tools, Crew Chief technology to dispatch workers and reduce vehicle operating costs and Cable Lock to improve security of tools and equipment.

F-150 also features conveniences such as the Box Side Step and Tailgate Step that help customers easily gain access to the truck’s pickup box.

The new F-150 delivers class-leading towing capability of 11,300 pounds and hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds – a combination no other competitor can match.

For 2009, F-150 also has improved its fuel economy by an average of 8 percent across the entire lineup, thanks to a wide range of engineering enhancements. The fuel economy gains reach as high as 12 percent versus the prior model year on F-150 models equipped with the high-volume three-valve, 5.4-liter V-8 engine. Plus, the F-150’s SFE package – which is available on highest-volume XL and XLT series – delivers unsurpassed fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.

The new 2009 F-150 is built at Ford’s Dearborn (Mich.) Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant.

The 2009 Ford F-150 has won the following awards and accolades:

• Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year Award™
• Top honors as “Truck of Texas” as well as “Best Luxury Pickup” for the 2009 F-150 King Ranch from Texas Auto Writers Association
• Finalist 2009 North American Truck of the Year (with 2009 Ford Flex for Car of the Year)
• 2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
• “Best Overall Half-Ton Pickup” from PickupTrucks.com
• “Automotive Excellence” award in the Workhorse Category from Popular Mechanics
• Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year
• Detroit News Truck of the Year
• “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its standard safety technology: Safety Canopy side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
• “Residual Value” award from Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) for retaining the highest percentage of its original price among 2009 full-size light duty pickups at the end of a conventional three-year lease, based on ALG projections
• Motor Trend's Truck Trend Top 5 Trucks from Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for 2009 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty DeWalt Contractor Concept
• “Accessory-Friendly Truck” Design Award from SEMA

2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year : Ford F-150

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One by one the contenders turned into pretenders. Hummer H3T, Suzuki Equator and Dodge Ram all gave it their best shot, but in the end Motor Trend gave the nod to the more capable, broader-reaching Ford F-150.

A Solid Base

The fully boxed frame, for instance, fortified even more for '09 with hydroformed and high strength steels, gives it a rigid base and a top payload capacity of up to 3,030 pounds. The solid foundation also gives the '09 F-150 tow ratings of up to 11,300 pounds.* Ford believes (and proves) the only way to get that kind of capability is with leaf springs – “big honkin' ones,” to paraphrase Mike Rowe. Already the widest in class, this year, Ford engineers made the springs 6" longer to smooth the ride and included new mounting hardware to improve on the F-150's lateral rigidity and roll control.

Efficiency

There's also an available new six-speed automatic, a more aerodynamic cab, and other magical engineering feats that helped boost fuel economy 8% on average across the engine line-up. The 5.4L 3V engine, the workhorse of the group, is E85 Flex-Fuel-capable and features Variable Cam Timing (VCT) for enhanced efficiency when hauling heavy loads. The new 4.6L 3-valve SOHC V8 delivers fuel economy no other truck can beat - 21 mpg.** The base 4.6L 2-valve provides improved horsepower and torque with the same fuel economy as the outgoing V6.

Confidence

Another huge point in F-150's favor is the available fully integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC) and standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC). TBC synchronizes vehicle and trailer brakes for seamless braking while TSC builds on the AdvanceTrac® system with segment-first standard Roll Stability Control™ (RSC®) to help maintain trailer control through selective wheel braking and reduced engine power. In short, both combine to offer you added driving control and confidence.+ Factory-installed TBC with standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is a combination that's class-exclusive to the New '09 F-150.

Dessert

Top all that off with available smart features such as the industry first Ford Work Solutions,™ a rear view camera, class exclusive Tailgate and Box Side Steps, a stowable bed-extender, and rear seats in SuperCrew that fold up with one hand to reveal a broad, flat load floor and you have the competition crying foul.

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*When properly equipped. Class is full-size pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR.

** EPA-estimated 14 city/18 hwy mpg with 4WD 5.4L V8 engine, EPA-estimated 14 city/19 hwy mpg with 2WD 4.6L V8 engine, EPA-estimated 14 city/20 hwy mpg with 2WD 5.4L V8 engine and EPA-estimated 15 city/21 highway mpg, SuperCrew 2WD with SFE package.

+Remember, even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It's always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions.