Ford E-News - Nov. 4, 2009

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

Strong demand for Fiesta continues
A year after its debut, more than half a million people in Europe, Asia and Australia have purchased the new Ford Fiesta, marking an important milestone as Ford Motor Company prepares to bring the fuel-efficient car to the U.S. and other markets in 2010. Set to be revealed at the upcoming L.A. Auto Show and arrive at U.S. dealerships next summer, Fiesta can already claim more than 50,000 potential U.S. customers thanks to the Fiesta Movement social media initiative. Higher-end models and Fiesta's exciting color palette are proving a bit hit globally. Overall, more than 12 million Fiestas have been sold since the nameplate's launch in 1976. more...
Todd Nissen | tnissen@ford.com | 313.322.4898

Tricks and treats, SEMA style
Bigger isn't always better. If you don't believe that, check out Ford's classic 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 "retro rod" at this week's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. The tricked-out '34 Ford 3-Window coupe boasts the "first" rear-wheel-drive application of an EcoBoost V-6 delivering 400 hp and 400 ft.-lb. of torque, output that easily rivals a classic 302-cid V-8. Also racing to the SEMA stage in Vegas are the NHRA-bound 2010 Cobra Jet Mustang and FR Raptor XT based on the 2008 Baja 1000 Raptor R. Not to be outdone, celebrity deejay FunkMaster Flex's spin on the Taurus SHO results in a sophisticated, stealth car that Ford Designer Earl Lucas calls both "timeless and mature." more...

Patrick Hespen | phespen1@ford.com | 313.206.3902

Unleashing their inner Mustangs
J.B. Niday, managing director of Rally America, recently tapped two feuding friends to channel his inner Mustang through Ford's "10 Unleashed" campaign. Taking on gravel logging roads and treacherous mountain passes through Bemidji, Minn., Mike Hurst, technical director for Rally America, and Mark Utecht, a top competitor in the sport, went head-to-head in a 2010 Ford Mustang on four stages of the Ojibwe Forests Rally - winner take all. Friends off the track, Hurst and Utecht accepted the challenge to settle a longtime score and win the use of a Mustang for a year. more...

Angie Kozleski | akozlesk@ford.com | 313.323.1984

American Journey 2.0
If you're looking for the next frontier in in-car communications, look to Ford and the University of Michigan. The two have joined forces to give students access to the testing and programming of new applications in search of the next big thing in in-car connectivity. The two-phase advanced research project, American Journey 2.0, seeks to find new ways to harness the power of social networks and "cloud" computing. Venkatesh Prasad, group and technical leader of Ford's Infotronics team, says Ford wants the students to "get creative and develop ways to responsibly connect the car to communicate and share with the outside world." more...

Alan Hall | ahall32@ford.com | 313.594.3744

Interior landscape firm goes 'green' with fleet of Transit Connects
Ambius, a workplace interior landscaping company, was looking for a fuel-efficient fleet vehicle with generous cargo space and payload capacity, and found it in Ford's Transit Connect. With an initial investment of 70 vehicles, Ambius is enjoying the "green" image it projects, as well as the versatility of a vehicle that isn't intimidating to its drivers. more...
Anne Marie Gattari | agattari@ford.com | 313.323.7809

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), 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.