Ford E-News - Dec. 23, 2009

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23, 2009 -- Ford infuses a little movie magic into its latest technology innovation

Mesmerized by "Avatar"? Charmed by "The Polar Express"? Not surprising. What is surprising is that the same type of motion-capture technology used to create the special effects in these blockbusters is also being used by Ford Motor Company - only in a completely different fashion. Hollywood computer animators use motion-capture technology to make their nonhuman characters appear more lifelike. Ford uses it to create digital humans that engineers employ to test vehicles in the virtual world. Ford is the only automaker to use motion-capture software in this way for vehicle design. more...

New Ford cars and trucks will be worth more when it comes time to trade them in, as Ford narrows the residual value gap with leading Asian automakers and maintains its lead over U.S. competitors. Residual values of 2010 Ford models are up $1,300 on average from last year, the industry's largest increase among full-line manufacturers. The 2010 Ford Fusion is expected to bring customers $687 more than the 2010 Toyota Camry after 36 months in service and the residual value of the 2010 Ford Flex commands an $1,800 premium over the Toyota Highlander. Improved quality, new features and popular redesigned products are helping to boost those numbers. more...

For 2011, Ford's new Fiesta introduces a technology aimed at reducing turn signal "false alarms." Nicknamed "Morse Coders," those drivers that forgot to cancel their turn signals after a lane change are a major annoyance to fellow motorists, according to a recent Hagerty Insurance Agency survey. A simple flick of the switch - up or down - will activate the turn signals for three quick blinks, and self-cancel. No more false alarms for forgetful drivers or those annoyed motorists following behind. more...

The next generation of Ford SYNC® will incorporate an in-car WiFi system powered by a customer's USB mobile broadband modem - sometimes called an air card - turning the entire car into a mobile WiFi hot spot. Passengers with WiFi-enabled mobile devices will be able to access the Internet anywhere the broadband modem receives connectivity. The new SYNC system trumps other automakers' offerings: Being factory-installed, the hardware is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle, whereas competitors' systems are dealer-installed and require a bulky bolt-in receiver and transmitter that take up cabin space. more...

Fleet administrators, private owners go green with Ford hybrids; sales record set

For 91-year-old Bill Casselberry of San Angelo, Texas, it is never too late to go green. Recently trading in a 2006 Toyota Camry, Casselberry now drives a Ford Fusion Hybrid. And he's not alone. Ford set a new sales record for 2009 of 30,659 hybrid vehicles, surpassing the previous record of 25,108 in 2007. Meanwhile, Ford's Escape Hybrid continues to please both private owners and fleet administrators alike. Companies are finding Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids reduce fuel consumption and go green while leading by example. more...

Holiday gift shopping for the Ford enthusiasts on your list gets easier this season. From a billiards table molded from a classic 1965 Mustang to children's T-shirts and a dog collar with safety belt latch, these novel Ford-branded items are sure to please the Ford fanatics on your list. As an inexpensive stocking stuffer, help the Mustang fan in your life keep track of dates with a 2010 Mustang wall calendar. more...

  Wes Sherwood  |  wsherwoo@ford.com  |  313.390.5660

  Alan Mulally, Mustang and Raptor are 'list-worthy' at Jalopnik.com

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally is one of Jalopnik's "Best10 Auto Industry Power Players of 2009." According to Jalopnik, Mulally is among the 10 auto leaders who "thrived while the industry was on its knees." In other Jalopnik news, two of Ford's hottest vehicles - the 2010 Mustang and Raptor - made the weblog's list of "Best10 Cars of 2010," as "machines that most line up with the commandments of El JalopGod Grande." Jalopnik gave the nod to the new Mustang for its crisper suspension tuning, enhanced interior quality and welcome "sinister" styling. As for the new Raptor, Jalopnik says it "chews up the desert like nothing else with a factory warranty and is the baddest production truck to come out of Detroit since Dodge quit building Viper-powered Rams." Click here to read more on the industry players.

Two Ford vehicles - the 2010 Flex and Fusion Hybrid - bested a field of 39 finalists to win coveted spots on AUTOMOBILE Magazine's list of 10 "All-Stars" for 2010. This is the second consecutive win for Flex, described by the magazine as "one of the best-handling full-size crossovers on the market." The All-Star award is the latest in a string of third-party endorsements for Fusion Hybrid, which was praised by AUTOMOBILE for not driving like a hybrid. Most notably, America's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan was honored as a CAR and DRIVER "10Best" for 2010, and the entire Fusion lineup captured the prestigious MOTOR TREND Car of the Year® award. The Fusion Hybrid also is a finalist for North American Car of the Year. more...

Ford Motor Company , a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 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.