ROSEVILLE, Mich. -- A group of students from Roseville High School have earned a spot in a national competition after restoring a classic Ford car.
Auto shop teachers Paul Tregembo Jr. and his father, Paul Tregembo Sr., said their students will become the first in the nation to enter the AutoRama competition in Houston.
The students revamped a 1951 Ford sedan.
Read the full story here on ClickonDetroit.com
DETROIT, Oct. 25, 2010 – Ford Motor Company today announced plans to invest an additional $850 million in Michigan between 2011 and 2013 as part of the company’s commitment to competitively grow its engineering and manufacturing employee base, upgrade its facilities in the state and further improve its vehicle fuel economy.
“Fuel economy and technology are consumers’ biggest priorities – and we have made them Ford’s as well,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “We are pleased to work with state and local government leaders to find new ways to work together, invest in our people as well as Ford facilities, further improve our competitiveness and secure jobs in Michigan.”
Ford’s investment will generate up to 1,200 new full-time positions in manufacturing and engineering operations in Michigan by 2013. The company expects approximately 900 jobs will be hourly positions in its Michigan manufacturing facilities and the remaining 300 will be salaried positions within its engineering and manufacturing operations.
Ford is making the Michigan investment commitment after working with officials on a new Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) package that replaces several existing state incentives and makes Michigan a more competitive place to invest in new fuel-saving technologies and facilities. The Michigan Economic Development Council considers the package this week.
Once approved, Ford will allocate its $850 million investment across a variety of plants including Van Dyke Transmission, Sterling Axle, Livonia Transmission and Dearborn Truck Plant.
For instance, a significant portion of the company’s additional investment will benefit engineering and production of Ford’s new six-speed transmissions, which are planned for many future Ford vehicles and built at the Livonia Transmission Plant and Van Dyke Transmission Plant. By 2013, 100 percent of Ford vehicles will incorporate a six-speed transmission as part of the company’s commitment to leadership in fuel economy performance in all vehicle segments.
“We applaud the State of Michigan’s leadership in finding innovative solutions aimed at making both the state and Ford more competitive,” Fields said. “Promoting investments in technologies, facilities and our workforce ultimately will help revitalize manufacturing in Michigan and help Ford compete with the best in the business world-wide.”
This most recent investment commitment builds on the $950 million the company previously announced in Michigan to transform the Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a state-of-the-art car plant, which will build the new Focus arriving in showrooms early next year, as well as the company's battery electric Focus and next generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, all planned for production at the Wayne, Mich., facility by 2012.
“We've worked hard to keep Michigan the center of the automobile industry, and Ford’s investment is further evidence that our efforts are succeeding,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Ford as the American auto industry builds the green vehicles of the future.”
Something's in the Wind at Roy O'Brien!
Roy O'Brien Ford is starting to go "Off The Grid" and become the first dealership to become energy independent and self-sufficient. A couple weeks ago we installed three (3) wind / turbine & solar powered lights in our parking lot off Nine Mile Rd.
Some quick facts about these lights:
This is just the start of our efforts to go green and become completely energy independent. Stay tuned for more news on our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and get "Off the Grid."
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 14, 2010 – Ford Motor Company is launching the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup of any manufacturer – the all-new 3.7-liter V6 engine in the 2011 F-150. It is projected to deliver best-in-class 23 mpg highway, pending EPA certification.
The new 5.0-liter V8 engine is projected to deliver best-in-class 21 mpg highway, pending EPA certification.
“The all-new engine lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150 is focused on delivering what matters most to truck customers – best-in-class power, capability, durability and fuel economy,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “Each engine offers an unequaled combination of these attributes.”
The new 3.7-liter V6 is projected to deliver 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway in 4x2 configuration. The new 5.0-liter V8 is projected to deliver 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway in 4x2 configuration. No manufacturer offers better fuel economy numbers in these respective segments.
“Seventy percent of F-150 customers said better fuel economy is what they’d like improved most in their truck,” said Doug Scott, Truck Group marketing manager. “The 2011 Ford F-150 does exactly that with best-in-class fuel economy, best-in-class capability and power, and more powertrain choices to suit their different needs.”
The new V6 and V8 make up half of an all-new powertrain lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150, part of the most extensive engine makeover in the 62-year history of F-Series. Also new for 2011 are the 6.2-liter V8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ truck engine. The EcoBoost will be available in early 2011. Trucks with the 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 will arrive in dealer showrooms later this year.
Each engine is mated to a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission. Ford is the only manufacturer to equip its entire full-size pickup lineup with six-speed gearboxes as standard.
This versatile new powertrain lineup enables F-150 customers to choose the engine that best suits their needs.
Several other improvements help increase fuel economy
The extensive work to maximize the efficiency of each engine is complemented by additional improvements to the transmission and other areas of the new F-150.
The tried-and-true 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission has been upgraded to bring available customer conveniences such as SelectShift capability with progressive range select and manual mode to the F-150 for the first time.
The transmission has been optimized for each new engine. The transmission matched to the 3.7-liter engine, for example, has fewer clutch plates compared with the other F-150 engines.
A one-way clutch, which allows for smoother 1-2 and 2-1 shifts, faster downshifts and improved fuel economy, has been added. The gear ratios, span and shift schedule have been optimized for better off-the-line performance and improved fuel economy. The double-overdrive gear also provides better fuel economy.
Another fuel saver is the addition of class-exclusive electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) to the 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost powertrains. The EPAS system replaces a conventional hydraulic system, which runs continuously off the engine, with a system that draws power only when needed. Ford is the first manufacturer to widely offer EPAS on full-size pickup trucks. EPAS contributes about a 4 percent fuel-economy benefit compared with conventional hydraulic systems.
“Our new engine lineup allows greater flexibility for customers to select the powertrain choice that best suits their needs,” said Samardzich. “And each engine delivers outstanding power, capability and fuel economy.”
3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6
The 3.7-liter will be the most powerful, capable and fuel-efficient base V6 of any truck in its class. Key attributes include:
5.0-liter four-valve DOHC Ti-VCT V8
The 5.0-liter V8 in the 2011 F-150 offers many class bests compared with comparable base V8s, including:
6.2-liter two-valve SOHC V8
The 6.2-liter V8 is a premium engine offering on the 2011 F-150. It is now standard on F-150 SVT Raptor, with expanded offering on other specialty applications. Its attributes include:
3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost
A premium powertrain offering available after launch, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost has more torque than any competitors’ V8 with the fuel economy of a smaller-displacement engine. This EcoBoost engine will establish a new benchmark for its combination of performance capability and fuel efficiency. Its attributes include:
Segment Comparison for 3.7-liter V6
| Manufacturer | Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Maximum towing | Maximum payload | 4x2 fuel economy |
Ford | 3.7L V6 | 302 @ 6,500 | 278 @ 4,000 | 6,100 | 1,920 | 16/23 |
Chevrolet | 4.3L V6 | 195 @ 4,600 | 260 @ 2,800 | 5,400 | 1,956 | 15/20 |
Ram | 3.7L V6 | 210 @ 5,200 | 235 @ 4,000 | 3,800 | 1,900 | 14/20 |
Toyota | 4.0L V6 | 270 @ 5,600 | 278 @ 4,400 | 4,900 | 1,715 | 16/20 |
Segment Comparison for 5.0-liter V8
| Manufacturer | Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Maximum towing | Maximum payload | 4x2 fuel economy |
Ford | 5.0L V8 | 360 @ 5,500 | 380 @ 4,250 | 10,000 | 3,060 | 15/21 |
Chevrolet | 4.8L V8 | 302 @ 5,600 | 305 @ 4,600 | 7,200 | 1,825 | 14/19 |
Ram | 4.7L V8 | 302 @ 5,650 | 329 @ 3,950 | 7,650 | 1,760 | 14/19 |
Toyota | 4.6L V8 | 310 @ 5,600 | 327 @ 3,400 | 8,600 | 1,870 | 15/20 |
Segment Comparison for 6.2-liter V8
| Manufacturer | Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Maximum towing | Maximum payload | 4x2 fuel economy |
Ford | 6.2L V8 | 411 @ 5,500 | 434 @ 4,500 | 11,300 | 1,770 | 12/17 |
Chevrolet | 6.2L V8 | 403 @ 5,700 | 417 @ 4,300 | 10,700 | 1,997 | 13/18 |
Segment Comparison for 3.5-liter EcoBoost
| Manufacturer | Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Maximum towing | Maximum payload | 4x2 fuel economy |
Ford | 3.5L EcoBoost | 365 @ 5,000 | 420 @ 2,500 | 11,300 | 3,060 | TBA |
Chevrolet | 5.3L V8 | 315 @ 5,200 | 335 @ 4,000 | 10,000 | 1,774 | 15/22 |
Ram | 5.7L V8 | 390 @ 5,800 | 407 @ 4,200 | 10,450 | 1,710 | 14/20 |
Toyota | 5.7L V8 | 381 @ 5,600 | 401 @ 3,600 | 10,400 | 2,090 | 14/18 |
Nissan | 5.6L V8 | 317 @ 5,200 | 385 @ 3,400 | 9,500 | 2,153 | 13/18 |
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 8, 2010 – Ford is starting to release its Software Development Kit (SDK) to a new set of interested smartphone app developers so they can modify existing apps to work hands-free using voice recognition through Ford SYNC for safer command and control while driving.
The SDK release marks the latest move by Ford to forge a more open collaborative bond with the wireless, consumer electronics and app developer communities to create a safer and smarter in-car connectivity experience that leverages the mobile devices customers own and love.
“We know we can do better things for our customers by allying with the companies that provide the devices and services they already use, trust and value,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development, to the wireless telecommunications community at the annual CTIA Enterprise and Applications Conference. “What we see emerging as we explore new ways to safely enhance connectivity and reinvent the driving experience is a mutually beneficial ‘collaborative community’ where our shared customer – anyone who drives a car and owns a smartphone – is the true beneficiary.”
With drivers spending nearly three hours per day in their vehicle according to a 2009 Arbitron National In-Car Study, there’s no doubt customers will be tempted to use their mobile device in the car. In fact, recent studies already indicate 46 percent of adult smartphone users have apps on their phones and 36 percent of those admit to using those apps while commuting.
“More and more drivers will find a way to use their devices and their apps while in the car,” said Kuzak. “They can do it unsafely, or they can do it through safer voice-activated solutions such as Ford SYNC – keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”
Understanding the potential of the SYNC application programming interface (API), app developers have been clamoring for the Ford SDK since the company announced the launch of the SYNC Developer website (www.syncmyride.com/developer). Since then, Ford has received and is reviewing more than 1,000 submissions from interested parties looking to modify existing apps or create all-new apps that can successfully interface with Ford SYNC through AppLink. As the software that leverages the SYNC API, AppLink can access mobile apps stored on a user’s smartphone, and allows them to be controlled through the SYNC voice recognition system.
Pandora Internet radio, Stitcher smart radio and Orangatame’s OpenBeak are the first apps to incorporate the SYNC API, with more on the way in coming months. To keep the user experience seamless, Ford will leverage existing app stores for distribution of updated SYNC-enabled versions of apps. Owners of SYNC AppLink-equipped cars simply download the enabled app through the appropriate app store for their smartphone’s operating system.
The driving environment
Being cautious with the SDK, Ford has developed stringent self-imposed guidelines for in-car app development, considering a whole set of parameters that make sense for the driving environment.
“Our goal is not to have thousands of apps available for the car,” said Kuzak at the CTIA conference, “because there are strict limitations on what should be allowed while driving.”
Ford is in the process of evaluating the potential of existing apps that are appropriate for in-car use. Categories include:
Further down the road, Ford will also examine the potential of apps that can provide exciting new levels of safety knowledge as well as improvements in driver productivity and convenience.
“We know our customers want connectivity from a convenience perspective and need it from a safety perspective,” said Kuzak. “We want to leverage growing network speeds to create a world of apps on wheels that makes the vehicle experience simpler, safer, more productive and convenient.”
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 7, 2010 – When Ford Motor Company debuts its all-new Focus Electric in late 2011, customers will learn a new way of “refueling” – plugging in instead of gassing up.
While most owners are expected to recharge the zero-emissions, gas-free Focus Electric at home with an optional wall-mounted 240V charging station, they also will have the ability to recharge at remote locations with a standard 120V convenience cord. Both types of connectors will use an industry-standard five-point plug fitted with an ergonomic Ford-branded handle specially designed for comfort and durable daily use.
“Focus Electric owners can look forward to having a ‘refueling’ device they can call their own,” said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Electrification Program and Engineering. “Since Focus Electric owners are likely to handle one of the charge cords two or more times everyday, we’re providing a distinctive and durable device for their plugging-in experience.”
The EV experience
Owners of Focus Electric will recharge the car’s onboard lithium-ion battery pack by plugging the convenience plug or charge station plug into the vehicle’s charge port.
When plugged in, the vehicle’s onboard charger converts the AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the liquid-cooled battery pack. A full recharge is expected to take six to eight hours with a 240V charge station or more than 12 hours with a 120V convenience cord set. When fully charged, Focus Electric is expected to deliver up to 100 miles of gas-free driving – more than enough for most U.S. commuters, who average 40 miles per day.
Like most household electrical plugs, Focus Electric’s cord set connector has three pins at the end that plug into a standard outlet. But the similarities stop there. The end that connects with the car has five pins, including one that communicates with the vehicle about the type of electrical current (120V or 240V) it is requesting and another pin that deactivates the current when the user disconnects the plug from the charge port.
Focus Electric’s convenience cord will be 25 feet long, making it long enough to reach the nearest outlet, eliminating the need for an extension cord. When not in use, the user can spool the cord around a special oval-shaped holder that also accommodates the cord’s control box. The spooled cord will have a designated spot in the vehicle’s trunk.
Finding the right fit
Between plugging in and unplugging at home, work or other places, Focus Electric owners are likely to recharge their vehicles two to four times each day (nearly 1,500 times a year) compared to once a week for gassing up (52 times a year). With a Focus Electric owner in contact with the connector so many times, Ford conducted an ergonomic study to help determine plug handle design, as well as charge port height and insertion angle. Study participants – who ranged from petite adult females to larger adult males, ages 21 to 61 – tested a variety of plug handle prototypes.
“We tried handles inspired by hockey sticks and curling irons, but found that a grip diameter similar to a tennis racket handle worked best for the widest range of users,” said Cary Diehl, Ford human factors engineer. “More than most automotive devices, Focus Electric’s cord set connector has given us an opportunity to think outside the box and find inspiration from non-automotive consumer goods.”
In seeking a blend of tactile toughness, high-tech polish and ergonomic comfort, the team benchmarked Craftsman® tools and considered the attributes of such disparate products as Apple® mobile electronics and OXO Good Grips® kitchen utensils.
The plug handle uses a matte-finished blue rubber that allows for a comfortable, non-slip grip and the plug head is shielded with a glossy white hard plastic to protect the electronics. The Ford Blue Oval trademark helps make the device immediately recognizable.
“Fueling a car with electricity will be a new experience for most Focus Electric customers,” said Jennifer Atanasovski, Ford designer. “So it’s important for the look and feel of the plug to accentuate how special it is and to help instill a sense of confidence in the technology.”
Dropped, dunked and driven over
Ford’s supplier partner Yazaki conducted extensive and durability tests on Focus Electric’s cord set connector, including an insertion/extraction study of 10,000 cycles to assess the durability of the interaction between the handle and plug. For every thousand insertions, testers dunked the plug into a sandy salt water solution to add grit to the connectors and they repeatedly dropped the handle and rolled over it with a car tire to test its durability. Testers also subjected the cord set connector to ambient extreme temperature increases.
“We put the cord set connector through more abuse than it’s ever likely to endure in the hands of Focus Electric owners,” said Katie Pecoraro, project engineer. “We want our customers to have peace of mind knowing that their means of recharging the vehicle will be well designed and durable – just like the vehicle itself.”
PARIS, Oct. 1, 2010 – The AutoWeek editorial staff has named Ford’s Focus ST the “Most Fun” vehicle of the 2010 Paris Motor Show. High praise indeed, considering the Focus ST beat out the Porsche 911 Speedster, Ferrari SA Aperta, Audi E-tron Spyder and Audi quattro concept at the biennial gathering in Paris.
“The choice for ‘Most Fun’ in Paris is based on the notion that you don’t need 500 horsepower or even rear-drive to build a boatload of grins into a practical, reasonably economical automobile,” said Wes Raynal, editor of AutoWeek. “This car will be the ultimate enthusiast expression of the new-generation Focus, centered on a 2.0-liter aluminum four with high-pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable camshaft timing.”
Boasting exhilarating performance and an addictive sound, the muscular Focus ST, along with the sporty five-door hatch, sleek four-door sedan and stylish wagon were revealed in full detail at the Paris show ahead of the car’s production start in Europe and North America in late 2010.
Packed with more affordable technologies and features than ever before, the new global Focus offers the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship along with outstanding fuel economy, and takes the car’s legendary driving dynamics to a new level of engagement.
“Recollections of the original SVT Focus linger,” Raynal added. “Developed jointly by Ford’s Team RS in Europe and SVT in the United States, the promise of the Focus ST is a ton of fun in a high-quality, high-feature compact with lots of utility, highway fuel economy in the 30s and a look that will turn heads.”
Jost Capito, Ford director of Global Performance Vehicles, said, “The ST is the result of painstaking tuning around the curves of the Nürburgring, along high-speed German autobahns and down classic British B-roads. For European drivers it will bring the same distinctive qualities of pure dynamics and performance that have created the unique appeal of our ST heritage, while for enthusiasts in North America and Asia who have asked why our compact performance models were not available to them – the wait is over! The new Focus ST will offer exactly the same exciting driving experience wherever it is on sale.”
The new Focus will be sold in more than 120 markets, with up to 80 percent parts commonality. Focus will be built on Ford’s new C-car platform, which will underpin up to 10 unique models and generate sales of 2 million units annually.
