All-New Ford Fusion’s Unique Design, Technology Inspires Revolutionary Collaboration with MILK Studios

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• New Ford Fusion sparks collaboration with cutting-edge MILK Studios, revealing “Wall to Wall: The Fusion Collective” – a new project including an immersive gallery experience featuring original multimedia artworks and performances, live music, and panel discussions inspired by the fusion concept – opening in New York and then traveling to Los Angeles

• Artists including Matthew Williams, former creative director to Lady Gaga and current collaborator with Kanye West and ShowStudio, have created artworks for the project and documented their creative processes on www.fusionists.co

• All-new Fusion was designed to strike an emotional chord with customers, balancing form and function while continuing to embrace the growing trend of making high-end products more attainable

NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2012 – Today Ford and MILK Studios, known as the hub for nurturing creativity with some of the most visionary talent, debut a revolutionary collaboration inspired by the new Fusion. “Wall to Wall: The Fusion Collective” is a digital and physical gallery experience that unites fashion, music, photography, film and technology.

The exhibition debuts a month before the new Ford Fusion launches nationally and exemplifies Ford’s evolving design strategy, which includes the use of virtual reality technology, leverages new sustainable materials, and brings together creative disciplines to advance exterior design and the in-car environment.

“In the Ford studios, we bring the best designers, artists and engineers to work together creating a new generation of vehicles, just as artists work tirelessly to bring their visions to life,” said J Mays, chief creative officer for Ford. “Our collaboration with MILK demonstrates how the powerful concept of fusion has inspired a wide range of artists to come together and fuse their diverse talents, while allowing access to the creative process of this new generation of designers.”

“Wall to Wall: The Fusion Collective,” presented by Ford and MILK, opening in New York today then traveling to Los Angeles next week, brings together six multimedia artists including Pharrell Williams, entrepreneur and musician; Matthew Williams, previous creative director for Lady Gaga who now collaborates with Kanye West and ShowStudio; and Cyril Duval, renowned fashion and conceptual art designer. Other artists are Nathaniel Brown, WIFE and Brian DeGraw. All have created original artwork and opened up their studios to the public, documenting their creative processes through editorial and video content on www.fusionists.co.

“Working with Ford on ‘Wall to Wall: The Fusion Collective’ demonstrates the many similarities between the art and automotive worlds and the evolving creative process that happens between the walls of these creative studios,” said Mazdack Rassi, co-founder and creative director of MILK. “This project let us tap into MILK’s thriving subculture of artists, photographers, filmmakers and musicians, and gave them the means and the platform to animate their personal vision.”

As part of the event, Ford will debut a short documentary featuring Pharrell Williams and Tyson Toussant from Bionic Yarn, the company that produces super-strong, fast-drying fabric made primarily from recycled plastic bottles. Similar to how Ford incorporates sustainable materials into its vehicles, such as the 38.9 recycled plastic water bottles that go into the seats of some Ford Fusion models, Bionic Yarn is a durable canvas substitute and is used by fashion brands such as Moncler and Timberland.

“The Big SHFT: Tyson Toussant & Pharrell Williams, Bionic Men” is part of the Big SHFT series Ford has produced with Adrian Grenier and Peter Glatzer of SHFT.com, which features 10 innovators who are transforming the world with groundbreaking sustainability solutions.

‘Wall to Wall: The Fusion Collective’

The virtual exhibition will be brought to life during gallery openings in New York today and in Los Angeles Aug. 29. Finished works of art will be showcased to the public on www.fusionists.co, with select pieces being donated to art and design schools in New York, Los Angeles and Detroit to inspire the next generation of designers.

“‘Wall to Wall’ is going to be a modern show of sculpture, sound, paint, projections, choreography, film, light, music and automobiles that mixes the highly conceptual with the highly entertaining,” said Geremy Gasper, co-founder and creative director of LEGS, MILK’s in-house creative and production company. “In curating the show, we found artists that fuse together different creative disciplines in bold and cutting-edge fashions – each constructing their own unique multimedia world. It’s a really diverse group of work, and we’re thrilled to get this caliber of talent and vision under one roof.”

Bringing great design global

The all-new Ford Fusion surpasses physical beauty, however; designed and engineered by a multitude of talents brought in from across the globe, the car will begin to change the way people view Ford, said Mays.

Offering customer-centered technology like active park assist and adaptive cruise control, it also provides the widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains and integrates sustainable materials into the interior.

“As they do with art, people recognize quality; they recognize beauty,” Mays said. “It speaks not only to their practical side, but to their emotions. And that’s what we want to see.”

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Past and Present Mustangs, 20 Years of SVT Performance on Display at Mustang Alley for Annual Woodward Dream Cruise

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• Annual Mustang Alley attraction to feature more than 800 classic Ford Mustang from 1964 to the present day and a special 20th Anniversary display of SVT performance vehicles

• Celebrity guest Vaughn Gittin Jr. and professional drivers from Ford Motor Company will perform in a specially constructed “Burn out Box” for spectators

• Raffle tickets on sale for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca in Aug. 18 drawing. Proceeds benefit National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 14, 2012 – Once again, the intersection of 9 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Ferndale, just north of Detroit city limits, will be transformed into Ford Motor Company’s Mustang Alley, an annual free attraction, run by more than 300 Ford volunteers during the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18 – rain or shine – this high-octane destination will feature more than 800 classic and modern Mustang models from 1964 through the present day, a 20th Anniversary display of Special Vehicle Team (SVT) vehicles, a celebrity appearance by Vaughn Gittin Jr., Ford professional drivers in a “Burn out Box” and finally, a chance to win a rare 2013 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca for a mere $10.

The annual Woodward Dream Cruise is the world’s largest one-day classic car event. About 1.5 million visitors and 40,000 antique and classic cars from all over the country are expected to visit the Dream Cruise, which stretches from suburban Detroit north to Pontiac in a celebration of all things automotive.

The full Mustang line will be on display, including the 662-horsepower 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, both street and racing versions of the Boss 302, and the Mustang GT and V6 Coupe with Performance Package.

Click to download fact sheet.

The special 20th Anniversary SVT display will feature new vehicles and classics from the SVT lineup including the new Shelby GT500, 2013 Focus ST, Raptor, several Ford GT models, the iconic Lightning F-150 and many other vehicles.

Mustang Alley is the place to be for performance enthusiasts building Ford-powered street rods and race cars. Ford Racing will have a large display of street and strip crate engines on display. A cadre of Ford Racing technicians and engineers will be on hand to meet with the public and answer detailed technical questions about performance, installation, tuning and other topics.

Win a Laguna Seca for $10

In addition, Ford and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter, are working together to raffle off a one-of-a-kind 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. The event will take place on Saturday from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at Mustang Alley.

Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $20 and can be purchased at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/mig/fundraising-events/mustang-raffle/index.aspx

Ford employees may contact Holly Jaskolski at hjaskols@ford.com, 313.805.3126.

The 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca features:

• Unique exterior color combination of Sterling Gray metallic paint with gloss black reflective striping, rear pedestal spoiler, mirror caps and special badging
• Charcoal cloth interior with custom embroidered Recaro seating and Sterling Gray X-brace
• Ford Racing aluminum wheels with unique finish – 19 x 9 front, 19 x 10 rear
• A coupon for TracKey from Ford Racing will be included with the car to be installed at an authorized Ford dealership
• Boss Track Attack program, offered through Team Mustang and Ford Racing, includes instructor-led training and track time at Miller Motorsports Park (travel to Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, not included)

Visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/MIG/index.aspx for full vehicle specifications and raffle rules.

For more information, call 248.996.5426, 248.936.0342 or 248.936.0375.

Raffle participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Payment of all applicable federal, state and local taxes, title, fees and surcharges is the responsibility of the winner. Car is a 50-state U.S. model. MS raffle not associated with Mustang Alley team or Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company employees and Mustang Alley team are eligible to purchase tickets.  

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford Dealers Now Using SHOWCASE App and Apple iPad to Improve Customer Purchase Experience

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• New SHOWCASE app offers Ford sales consultants “anytime, anywhere” access to their inventory and product information

• App provides rich video content on features and technologies linked to vehicle inventory

• SHOWCASE app allows dealerships to save and share customer vehicle preferences

• The app integrates the online experience with the off-line purchase experience

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 13, 2012 – For most people, buying a new car, truck or SUV is the second-biggest purchase they make after their home, so ensuring the process is as easy and stress-free as possible is critical to customer satisfaction. The new SHOWCASE app being used by Ford sales associates with the Apple iPad^® is helping dealers find just the right car for their customers faster than ever.

 

To view the new SHOWCASE app in action, visit the link below:

 

http://youtu.be/fmg1FJh5Lo8

 

 

“Waiting for the sales consultant to check the inventory or wandering the aisles of a car lot in search of just the right combination of colors and options can be a tedious and time-consuming process,” says Michelle Moody, Cross Vehicle Marketing manager for Ford. “If the weather is bad or the sun has gone down early in the winter months, venturing outside is even less appealing.

 

“In early 2011 we decided to take advantage of the portable technology that became available with the launch of the iPad to facilitate an improved purchase experience for our customers,” Moody says.

 

In recent years customers have become accustomed to using various shopping tools to configure and compare vehicles on the Ford.com website. The new SHOWCASE app links this experience to the showroom, giving sales associates new technology to determine what features a customer wants and to immediately check inventory to see which vehicles in stock most closely match those needs.

 

“We had tried using kiosks in the showroom to enable customers to check out our vehicles and features, but many customers were not as comfortable using these on their own,” Moody says.

 

Using the new SHOWCASE app running on an iPad, the salesperson can sit with the customer to pick out the model that person wants, then filter the selection based on trim level, colors, equipment and price. The app then displays all the vehicles in stock that match the customer’s criteria including a list of all the equipment installed on each vehicle.

 

“I have to say it has never been easier finding the right vehicle,” said Maxx Springman, a customer who recently bought a new Escape from All-American Ford in Old Bridge, N.J. “I can’t believe we were able to build the exact Escape I was looking for right there at the salesman’s desk.

 

“Then we actually found the right one on the lot without having to spend an hour walking around outside looking at different window stickers like I’ve done in the past. Thank goodness, too, because it was, like, 110 degrees out and ready to pour!” 

 

The SHOWCASE app provides instant access to more information including videos about the available features, such technology as SYNC^® and MyFord^® Touch, as well as driver assist features like adaptive cruise control and active park assist. Using the app, the salesperson can quickly demonstrate features like collision warning with brake support, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS^®) or Lane-Keeping System, which may not be easy to show off during a test drive.

 

If the customer needs time to consider or discuss the purchase with his or her significant other, the sales associate can email the information on the specific vehicles in stock directly to the customer.

 

“Customers don’t like to wait while the salesperson walks away to check inventory,” says Rich Savino, owner of All-American Ford, a participant in the pilot program. “The SHOWCASE app helps to create a more intimate experience; it lets customers see what is available instantly and make adjustments if they don’t find what they are looking for.”

 

The SHOWCASE app was developed by Ford and user interface design specialists Razorfish over a period of several months in 2011. A pilot group of 14 Ford dealers participated in defining the app and then testing it beginning in November 2011. Open registration for all Ford dealers began on Aug. 1, 2012 and nearly 200 dealers have already signed up to use the new app.

 

Recently, the Build and Price section of Ford.com was enhanced to give customers the ability to save their builds. Ford is also working on a number of future enhancements for the Showcase app including the ability for the sales associate to retrieve custom builds previously saved by the customer and then automatically search inventory to find vehicles that match the customer’s needs.

 

The SHOWCASE app is just the latest step in Ford’s efforts to improve the customer experience before, during and after the purchase of a new vehicle.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles

Ford C-MAX Hybrid Earns 47 City, 47 Highway, 47 Combined – an EPA Rating Hat Trick; Beats Toyota Prius v by up to 7 MPG

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• All-new 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway ratings – 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v on the highway – for a 47 mpg combined rating

• Ford’s first hybrid to achieve equal city and highway ratings, the versatile C-MAX Hybrid also is expected to offer 15 class-exclusive features such as the available hands-free liftgate

• C-MAX Hybrid launches this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 7, 2012 – Ford Motor Company once again raises the hybrid fuel-economy bar with the all-new Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which is now officially EPA-certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined – beating Toyota Prius v by up to 7 mpg.

The certification is significant because it makes C-MAX Hybrid the first hybrid vehicle to offer 47 mpg across the board. Also, hybrids traditionally have been more economical in city driving than on the highway, unlike conventional vehicles.

C-MAX Hybrid, however, returns the same fuel economy whether driving cross-country or across the city – stemming mostly from a growing list of Ford innovations that have helped the vehicle to deliver an impressive list of metrics, such as a top speed of up to 62 mph in EV mode.

“The all-new C-MAX Hybrid is a great symbol of how Ford has transformed into a fuel-economy and technology leader with 47 mpg across the board and a highway rating 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v,” said Ford Vice President of Powertrain Engineering Joe Bakaj. “We’ve done this with innovation – represented by nearly 500 hybrid patents – while driving costs down 30 percent so we can bring these fuel-saving vehicles to more customers.”

Among the Ford innovations helping C-MAX Hybrid drivers enjoy maximum fuel economy are the patented SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide that coaches for top fuel efficiency by providing growing green leaves in the gauge cluster as a reward for economical driving; and ECO Cruise, a feature that helps optimize powertrain elements for convenient yet economical highway travel.

City equals highway

Hybrid vehicle drivers traditionally saw superior fuel-economy figures in city driving, so loyalists maximized their fuel economy through regenerative braking in stop-and-go traffic. But now, higher-speed innovations have caught up on efficiency.

“City, highway and everywhere in between, C-MAX Hybrid is EPA-certified at 47 mpg,” Bakaj said. “It’s a win-win-win.”

C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v. C-MAX Hybrid is currently available for order at select dealerships.

More information about C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi can be found on our website. Press releases, videos, photos and other material related to Ford’s electrified vehicles can be found here.

Visit our website http://www.royobrien.com for all your Metro Detroit Ford Vehicle needs, or view our new and used inventory at http://www.royobrien.com/vehicles