Ford Wins Popular Science 'Best of What's New'

For Inflatable Rear Belts, Fiesta Small Car

Ford honored for inflatable rear seat belts and its 2011 Fiesta in latest edition of Popular Science “Best of What’s New” awards
Inflatable belts combine safety features of seat belts and airbags to help protect vulnerable rear seat passengers from head, neck and chest injuries in an accident
Ford Fiesta delivers best-in-class connectivity with its segment-exclusive SYNC® voice-activated communications system and available AppLink smartphone control software
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 17, 2010 – Ford Motor Company won two 2010 “Best of What’s New” awards today from Popular Science, marking the fourth straight year Ford has been honored by the world’s top science and technology magazine. The company’s inflatable rear seat belts and 2011 Fiesta won in the automotive category and will be featured in the publication’s December issue.
“Appearing for a fourth year in the Popular Science Best of What’s New awards is an important accomplishment for Ford, proving that we’re delivering innovative technology consumers really want and can use,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “Inflatable belts show how technology can benefit safety, while Fiesta proves that customers don’t have to sacrifice high-tech features when they choose to drive a small car.”
Inflatable rear seat beltsFord recently introduced the world’s first production automotive inflatable seat belts, combining attributes of traditional seat belts and airbags to provide added crash safety protection for rear seat occupants. The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers – often children and older adults who can be more vulnerable to such injuries.
The new belts will launch on the all-new Ford Explorer, which goes into production next year for the North American market. Over time, Ford plans to offer the technology in vehicles around the world.
2011 Ford FiestaThe new 2010 Ford Fiesta is proving that cutting-edge technologies and connectivity can help redefine consumers’ small car experiences.
Fiesta features – including Push Button Start, a PowerShift transmission and Ford SYNC® hands-free communications and entertainment system – are not found on competitive products such as Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa.
Fiesta is also the first vehicle to allow hands-free control of popular smartphone apps. Using the downloadable SYNC AppLink software upgrade, 2011 Ford Fiesta owners with SYNC can control apps on their Android or BlackBerry® smartphones with voice commands and vehicle controls without having to interact with the mobile device itself.
Seeing the future through the presentInflatable belts and the Ford Fiesta both use technologies grounded in the present but packaged in innovative ways, pointing toward key applications in the future. That quality was crucial to winning the Popular Science award.
“For 23 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us − those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future,” said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. “The Best of What’s New award is the magazine’s top honor, and the 100 winners − chosen from among thousands of entrants − represent the highest level of achievement in their fields.”
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About Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 163,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://www.ford.com/.

Thoroughbred Ford -Free Concert Tickets!

Saturday July 10

Rock N’ Roll Dream Concert
Tribute bands Houses Of The Holy (Led Zeppelin), Edge of Forever (Lynyrd Skynyrd), 7 Bridges Road (The Eagles) and Silver Bullet (Bob Seger) will be performing at this year's Rock N' Roll Dream Concert.

6pm Doors, 7pm Show All Ages

Free tickets available for this concert at Thoroughbred Ford! All you have to do is come to our front desk and ask for them. We will run out quick, so get them before they run out!!

ALL-NEW FORD FIESTA DELIVERS 40 MPG; TOPS CLASS IN FUEL ECONOMY

Ford Fiesta with the six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission has been EPA certified for 40 mpg highway and 29 mpg city delivering class-leading fuel economy
Fiesta features several fuel-saving technologies including its PowerShift automatic transmission, Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, Electric Power Assist Steering, aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff and enhanced aerodynamics
Fiesta joins Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel efficient midsize sedan – and other class leaders like Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, Ford Ranger, Mustang V-6 and Super Duty offering best-in-class fuel economy

DEARBORN, Mich., May 17, 2010 – Ford’s all-new 2011 Fiesta – an Internet star even before it goes on sale this summer – will now stand out on the highway with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified 40 mpg rating, making it the most fuel efficient car in its class.

The Ford Fiesta 40 mpg, achieved with Ford’s new six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, is 5 mpg better than the Honda Fit and 4 mpg better than the Toyota Yaris.

“The new Fiesta is yet another car in Ford’s lineup that delivers class-leading fuel economy,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Powertrain Engineering. “From Super Duty to Fusion Hybrid and the new Mustang V-6, Ford is committed to fuel economy leadership with every new vehicle it introduces in all segments.”

Fiesta’s class-leading fuel efficiency follows Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel efficient midsize sedan – and other fuel economy champs such as the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Ford Ranger pickup. For 2011, the streak continues with the Mustang V-6, Ford Super Duty and now the responsive, sporty and economical Fiesta. Moving forward, Ford is committed to being a fuel economy leader in each segment in which it competes.

The Fiesta achieves its best-in-segment fuel figures thanks to a host of fuel-saving technologies not normally seen at this price level. To increase fuel economy, Fiesta features a new 1.6-liter Duratec® engine with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) that delivers 120 horsepower, an aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff and an engine accessory drive system that improves efficiency by reducing the energy it takes to power the air conditioner and alternator.

In addition, the Fiesta also features the PowerShift transmission, a six-speed automatic that combines the fuel benefits of a manual with the convenience of an automatic. Combine that with electric power-assisted steering, another fuel saver and some aerodynamic optimizations and you have a car that can go a long way on a single tank of fuel.

“We worked hard to deliver the class-leading fuel economy Ford is becoming synonymous for,” said Steve Pintar, Fiesta chief nameplate engineer. “To be the only vehicle in the segment to deliver 40 mpg is something we feel consumers will appreciate.”

The 2011 Fiesta with standard five-speed manual transmission is EPA rated at 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.

These efficiency innovations combine with the stylish and aerodynamically clean Fiesta body design to efficiently slip through the wind with both fuel savings and reduced wind noise.

Fiesta is built for North American markets at Ford’s manufacturing facility in Cuautitlan, Mexico. The vehicle goes on sale in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles – with the sedan starting at $13,995, including destination charges – at Ford dealerships this summer.

Fiesta is #1 in Europe

STYLISH FORD FIESTA IS EUROPE'S TOP-SELLER IN MARCH AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2010

STYLISH FORD FIESTA IS EUROPE'S TOP-SellER IN MARCH AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2010

The stylish, latest generation Ford Fiesta is Europe's top-selling car in March and for the first quarter 2010, according to figures released by JATO Dynamics Fiesta sold 68,630 units in Europe last month, a 25.8 per cent increase from March 2009 and almost 11,800 units ahead of its nearest rival  (JATO Dynamics figures) Fiesta sales in March were the highest for any Ford model on record in a single month in Europe Sales of the Fiesta in the first quarter totaled 140,496 units – over 5,400 units more than the VW Golf (JATO Dynamics figures) Since the latest-generation Ford Fiesta went on sale 18 months ago, over 750,000 have been sold globally (Ford figure) JATO Dynamics confirms Ford to be best-selling brand in Europe in March

(Click on the picture to download)


COLOGNE, April 16, 2010 – The stylish, latest generation Ford Fiesta is officially Europe's best-selling car in March and for the first quarter 2010, according to the latest figures from the world's leading provider of automotive data and intelligence, JATO Dynamics.*
According to the figures compiled by JATO Dynamics, 68,630 Ford Fiestas were sold in March, a 25.8 per cent increase from the same month last year, and almost 11,800 units ahead of its nearest rival, the Volkswagen Golf.
In the first quarter of 2010, JATO records that 140,496 Ford Fiestas were sold – over 5,400 units ahead of its nearest rival.
"Fiesta simply outpaced VW Golf, with its move to pole position particularly due to its strong March sales in the UK (+14.7%) and Italy (+87%) where 57% of all Fiestas sold (11,251) were LPG-powered," said JATO Dynamics.
Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's Vice President for Marketing, Sales and Service, said: "Last year was a great year for the Fiesta despite the economic conditions, but this year has been even stronger so far! March sales of the Fiesta were the highest we've ever recorded for any Ford model in a single month in Europe."
"We're very proud of the latest-generation Ford Fiesta, and our customers love it," Sviggum added. "Since it first went on sale 18 months ago, over 750,000 have been sold to customers around the world - this would be an outstanding achievement any time, but even more so given the unprecedented economic situation. And with the launch now underway in North America, I believe the Fiesta will continue to go from strength-to-strength."
In its news release dated April 19, JATO Dynamics also confirmed Ford as Europe's best-selling brand in March.

Notes to Editors:
* JATO Dynamics results are based on data provided by JATO Consult, the company's bespoke consulting service.  Figures are based on 27 European countries.  Ford figures are usually based on its main 19 European markets or 51 total European markets.  Based on Ford's main 19 European markets, Fiesta sales were 68,756 for March, and 140,447 units for the first quarter.

For further details please contact:

Ford
Astrid Wagner: Tel: +49 (0) 221 901 9925, email: awagne16@ford.com

Torque PR Limited
Peter Haynes:  Tel: +44 (0) 1306 871338,email: peter@torquepr.co.uk
Phil Hale: Tel: +44 (0) 1306 871201, email: phil@torquepr.co.uk

Further information also available on www.media.ford.com or www.jato.com

2011 Ford Fiesta Reviews

2011 Ford Fiesta







Pros and Cons

Super fun to drive

Great build quality

Comfortable, upscale cabin

Base model is sparsely-equipped



Ford Fiesta - What the Auto Press Says

Reviewers are nearly unanimous in saying that the 2011 Ford Fiesta sets new benchmarks for the affordable small car class. Even reviewers who don't go that far say the class leaders should be watching their backs.



Ask any car lover and they'll tell you: some of the world's best small cars never make it stateside. With the 2011 Ford Fiesta, that's changed. On sale in Europe since 2008, the most recent iteration of the Fiesta hits the U.S. in the summer of 2010. AutoWeek says, "The Fiesta is as good a small car as can be found, sourced from anywhere in the world. That it comes from the Blue Oval is remarkable and heartening; its brilliance is the first ray of sunshine on what has been a seemingly midnight horizon."



The Fiesta gets high marks from almost every reviewer who has driven it because it offers things many other small cars lack: a fun driving experience and a comfortable, upscale cabin. With the Fiesta, many reviewers say, Ford may radically alter what American buyers expect from small cars. The Fiesta has features rarely seen in the Affordable Small Car class, from available heated seats to Ford's SYNC system to an airbag for the driver's knees. But what will seal the deal for many buyers is the Fiesta's hybrid-like fuel economy. Ford says it should get 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Those numbers are close to what many hybrids offer, but the Fiesta will cost thousands less.



However, there's always the risk that the praise may be premature. Many of the reviews we analyzed were of European-spec Fiestas. While the differences between the U.S. and European models are slight (the U.S. model gets different tires, a slightly more powerful engine and a sedan body style), those changes should make a difference for some buyers. Plus, reviewers have been enjoying well-optioned higher trims. In the base trim, which comes with few standout features, reviewers may not be so effusive.



Reference: US News

Ford Fiesta Movement

Today Ford is introducing the new Ford Fiesta Agents


The Ford Fiesta Movement Part Deux
follow along @ the FiestaMovement.com

INTRODUCING FIESTA MOVEMENT CHAPTER 2 AGENTS

Derek Dow and Christopher Adams – Chicago
Derek is an agent from the first Fiesta Movement, and embodies the lifestyle of the Fiesta brand. Christopher has produced four Grammy-nominated songs and is the first African American recipient of the 3D Hall of Fame Award.
John Preskitt and Aaron Enequist-Leiker – Chicago
John developed his own “green” apparel line and Aaron has Web and design capabilities.
Samuel Graber and Jen Friel – Los Angeles
Samuel was a writer and producer for “The Drew Carey Show” and other top reality TV shows. Jen is tied to her local art, music and entertainment scene and understands the importance of social marketing.
Beto Lopez and Sebastian “Serder” – Los Angeles
Beto is an agent from the first Fiesta Movement, who is a local event organizer with heavy connections in the hip-hop and break dance scene. Sebastian is also from the first Fiesta Movement and is CEO of Yoga Army, a unique women’s clothing line.
Vanae Tran and Fran Larkins – San Francisco
Vanae is a life and dating coach who parallels her passion into a blog and daily Web show with a following of 19,000. Fran is a project manager who went so far as to writing a haiku for his application for Chapter 2.
Laris Kreslins and Kendra Gaeta – Philadelphia
Laris is a creative director and business development manager who was the brains behind the Toyota Yaris DIY launch. Kendra works in advertising, and has a strong passion for the art and music community, with a strong online presence.
Tim Quirino and Michelangelo Ilagan – Philadelphia
Tim is a freelance graphic designer with two personal blogs and deep ties to the music scene. Michelangelo is a Web designer who spends time checking out the foodie hot spots in Philadelphia.
Shirley Braha and Peggy Wang – New York City
Shirley is a producer and creator of the TV show “New York Noise” and is very connected to the blogger and underground music scene. Peggy plays in a popular indie rock band and is a noted fashion icon as well as professional blogger for buzzfeed.com.
Monica Lo and Caitlin-Marie Miner – New York City
Monica is an art director who is extremely involved in social media and chairs industry tweetups. Caitlin is a digital animator with an effervescent personality.
Parker Reddington and Nathan Finn – Seattle
Parker is a studio engineer and producer for a recording studio who has produced more than six records and 50 shows and is very involved in the hip-hop scene. Nathan is an emcee who is well connected in Seattle, and enjoys free styling.
Keith White and Joshua Rogers – Denver
Keith started his own graffiti company at a young age, and is very influential in the art scene in Denver. Joshua is a well-known Denver graffiti artist who is currently a student.
Shane Ford and Jerry Wald – Detroit
Shane is the co-owner of The Work, a photography and video art house. Jerry is the owner of the Detroit clothing store Zeitgeist, who is a renowned photographer for musicians, actors and other prominent figures.
Austin Baker and Sunny Thaper – Phoenix
Austin is a creative director and created his own auto blog, www.62mph.com. Sunny is creative and socially connected, and hosts several tweetups to congregate friends and followers in the Phoenix area.
Jana Hicks and Satchel Jester – Atlanta
Jana is a producer at Metromix, is extremely excited about social networking and has vast experience in the entertainment and music scene in Atlanta. Satchel operates his own public relations firm, and has a keen eye for fashion design and event hosting.
Alyssa Gardina and Colin Alsheimer – Dallas
Alyssa is a marketing associate who is incredibly involved in networking herself on a professional and social level and regularly attends tweetups. Colin is a marketing manager who leads weekly podcasts and is a speaker at many marketing conventions.
Mark Baratelli and Dan Ginader – Orlando
Mark is an improv actor at one of the top theaters in Orlando and toured as an actor with Jesus Christ Superstar. Dan works at the Orlando Sentinel and produces all the creative and events for www.thedailycity.com.
Jonathan Paula and Jory Caron – Boston
Jonathan has the 65th most subscribed YouTube channel and is a director and producer at Ideo Productions. Jory works full-time on his YouTube projects for his sketch comedy show called Righteous TV and spends his free time enjoying the music scene in Boston.
Daniel Alvarez and Carlos Lange – Miami
Daniel curates art events in Miami, with his own art showcased in galleries in Miami. Carlos is a graphic designer and is very passionate about the local arts scene and has collaborated with a number of local artists on side projects.
Amber Roussel and Mark Austin – Houston
Amber is co-creator of AH!HA! Creative, specializing in advertising, social media and design, and is also a freelance photographer. Mark is a freelance photographer working with clients such as Rolling Stone, MSN, the Kentucky Derby and the Houston Astros.
David Brown and Zach Nielsen – San Diego
David is an entrepreneur and self-described tech-geek who develops his own blogs, Web sites and events. Zach runs a local nonprofit in San Diego promoting local artists and musicians. He regularly hosts music events and pop-up art shows, a top online radio program, and is very tapped into the music, art and surf scene.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 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.