Ford e-News - Aug. 19, 2009

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 19, 2009 -- Ford plug-in hybrid 'talks' with its grid source as part of company's greener future

Imagine not only having a plug-in electric vehicle, but being able to program when it needs to be recharged, for how long, and at what utility rate. It would make life so much easier, wouldn't it? Ford researchers thought so, too, and have developed an "intelligent" vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for the company's plug-in electric vehicles that "talks" directly with the nation's electric grid and allows the driver to program a variety of charging options. more...

  Jennifer Moore |  jmoor186@ford.com  |  313.248.2335

  Fiesta Movement gains traction, agents show off their stylish side

Fiesta Movement agents are well known for being tech savvy. But if they weren't known for being stylish or trendsetters, their July missions just might have helped change that perception. Whether they were getting a tattoo of the Fiesta logo, using the Fiesta as inspiration for a personal makeover or having a custom wrap designed for their Fiesta, agents showed off a whole new side of style and design, the theme for July missions. July also brought more interest to the Fiesta Movement test drive tour, with an impressive 15,000 test drives and more than 21,000 walk-arounds, up nearly 27 percent and 169 percent, respectively, since June. more...

  Angie Kozleski |  akozlesk@ford.com  |  313.323.1984

  Entrepreneurs see rosier times ahead, Transit Connect gets noticed

Things are looking up - for the entrepreneurs among us, at least. Reports show that optimism among small business owners is up nearly 7 percent in the second quarter of 2009, and some of those shop owners are even getting brave enough to expand. That means good things for Ford's new Transit Connect van, which recently entered the marketplace and is already getting noticed. In fact, on a national basis, Transit Connects are selling within eight days of arrival on dealer lots, significantly faster than industry norms. more...

  Anne Marie Gattari |  agattari@ford.com  |  313.323.7809

  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 201,000 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

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