Ford E-News -- July 22, 2009

DEARBORN, Mich., July 22 -- Ford's freshest lineup in history delivers more fuel economy, takes quality to highest level ever

Ford Motor Company's 2010 lineup - the freshest in its history - will hit dealer showrooms with best-in-class fuel efficiency, quality, technology and safety. Continuing the EcoBoost momentum, Ford will debut a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine to go on sale next year. Through unprecedented investment in advanced new powertrains, the average fuel economy of Ford's lineup improves approximately 20 percent through the end of 2010, putting Ford well on its way toward a goal of increasing its U.S. average car and truck fuel economy by more than 35 percent by 2015.

For the first time in the 28-year history of the Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study, customer satisfaction with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles also reached its highest level in North America - and now equals Toyota. Ford's domestic brands also had the lowest number of "things gone wrong" among all automakers - putting it in a statistical tie with Toyota for initial quality, and ahead of Honda. The results are even more impressive considering the unprecedented level of innovation found on nearly all of the company's 2010 vehicles. more...

  Robert Parker |  rparker8@ford.com  |  313.845.0784

  Ford flexes its quality muscle in study measuring customer satisfaction

Ford continues to deliver vehicles that are satisfying to own and drive, and has the data to back it up. The 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study - which measures customer satisfaction in design, content and vehicle performance - shows the Ford brand improved by 17 points and moved up six rank positions from last year. The Ford Flex and F-150 came out on top, scoring better than the segment average in every category, performing especially well in fuel efficiency and exterior styling. more...

  Kristen Kinley |  kkinley@ford.com  |  313.337.2786

  2009 Ford Focus has it all - safety, fuel economy and technology

Ford's smallest North American car, the sporty two-door Focus, has a new award to add to its list of reasons to buy - a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Features that helped the 2009 Focus earn the rating include six standard air bags, standard ABS and available stability control. With fuel economy up to 35 mpg, Focus also will be among the first vehicles to offer MyKey(TM), which encourages safer teen driving by allowing parents to program limits like top speed and radio volume when their teen is driving. more...

  Wesley Sherwood |  wsherwoo@ford.com  |  313.390.5660

  Ford looks to liquid wood to support environmental strategy

Ford's environmental commitment is taking its researchers into looking to the use of liquid wood - an innovative, new wood-plastic compound. Ford's European Research Center is leading the effort of assessing the liquid wood, which is derived from a rubber compounding process of wood and plastics that prevent water absorption, therefore increasing the material's durability. Potentially available for use in the interior or the engine compartment, the material also significantly improves the sealing of the wood fibers and insulates unpleasant odors. It even can be reprocessed up to five times. more...

  Alan Hall  |  ahall32@ford.com  |  313.594.3744

  "American Idol" finalists are cruising in the latest Ford vehicles

Ford awarded "American Idol" finalists Kris Allen and Adam Lambert brand-new rides of their choice for making it to the top of the hit television show. Allen was handed the keys to an all-new 2010 Fusion Hybrid, while Lambert received a 2010 Mustang GT convertible at Galpin Ford in North Hills, Calif. The Idols took a break from rehearsing for their "American Idols Live!" summer tour to see their new vehicles for the first time. "American Idols Live!" kicked off in Portland July 5 and tours the country through mid-September.

  Angie Kozleski |  akozlesk@ford.com  |  313.323.1984

  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 205,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com