Three Ford Motor Company products are among the favorite vehicles under consideration by new car shoppers in the first quarter this year, according to ForbesAutos.com. “The Lincoln MKX, a high-end midsize SUV with a distinctive panoramic glass roof, placed first in the current ForbesAutos.com poll,” writes Jeremy Rosenberg. The Shelby GT500 was second on the list, and the Mustang came in sixth. The study ranked rides based on the number of dealer price quote requests submitted through the site from January 1 through March 31.
Archive for April 20th, 2007
In recognition of Earth Day, April 22, Ford created a Top Ten list that focuses on some of its latest “green” initiatives. Ford’s comprehensive global sustainability strategy includes a focus on the development of environmentally friendly vehicle technologies, including hybrids, diesels, bio-diesels, advanced engines and transmissions, E85 ethanol, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen internal combustion engines and fuel cells. In addition, Ford is introducing sustainable efforts throughout the company in manufacturing, materials and facilities management.
Ford’s commitment to green vehicle technologies will result in improved fuel economy for its customers and reduced CO 2 emissions. Other green efforts will help it minimize its environmental impact through the conservation of energy and a reduction in pollution, while saving the company and customers money.
1. Use of Sustainable Fabric – The 2008 Ford Escape is believed to be the first
U.S. automotive application of 100 percent recycled fabric seating surfaces. The new fabric, supplied by Interface Fabrics, Inc., is produced from 100 percent post-industrial waste. Post-industrial waste is something originally intended for retail use that never makes it to the consumer. It can include anything from plastic intended for pop bottles to undyed polyester fibers that don’t make the cut for consumer use. This plastic and polyester is processed, spun into yarn, dyed and woven into seat fabric. Recycling waste otherwise destined for landfills has obvious environmental benefits.
Interface Fabrics estimates that Ford’s use of post-industrial recycled materials, rather than virgin fibers, will conserve up to:
- 600,000 gallons of water 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO 2) equivalents
- the equivalent of more than 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity
2. Leader in Fuel-Efficient 6-speed transmissions – Ford, Lincoln and Mercury offer 15 models that are available with fuel-saving 6-speed transmissions. Ford plans to produce approximately 1.3 million 6-speed transmissions annually by 2008. Two out of every three vehicles will be offered with 6-speed transmissions by the end of next year. Fuel efficiency is improved up to 7 percent in highway driving over typical 4-speed transmissions while offering better performance and smoother, more precise shifts.
3. Ford Introduces First Clean Diesel in Heavy-Duty Pickup Segment – Ford is leading the diesel revolution with the 2008 Super Duty, offering the segment’s first clean diesel engine. The new 6.4-liter diesel utilizes Ford Clean Diesel Technology and meets the most stringent emissions standards in the world while increasing power and torque in an engine that is smooth and quiet. The 6.4-liter PowerStroke clean-diesel makes an impressive 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 foot-pounds of torque starting at 2,000 rpm while reducing particulate output by up to 97 percent to a level on par with gasoline engines.
4. Sustainable Landscaping Preserves Environment and Looks Good – In an effort to conserve natural resources, improve habitat and lower costs, Ford has installed nearly 200 acres of sustainable landscaping around its corporate properties in Dearborn and
Allen Park, Mich. The comprehensive grounds maintenance plan incorporates fields of wildflowers, natural prairies and fallow fields. Several prairie fields are designated “Grow Zones,” meaning they contribute to a sustainable environment by preserving natural resources, providing wildlife habitat, absorbing rainwater, reducing erosion and saving maintenance costs.
5. First Two-Time Winner of EPA’s Energy Star Award – Ford’s actions to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its facilities have earned it the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s coveted Energy Star 2007 Partner of the Year Award in Energy Management. Ford is the first automaker to receive the award two years in a row. In 2006, Ford improved energy efficiency in the
U.S. by 5 percent, resulting in savings of approximately $25 million. Since 2000, Ford’s
U.S. facilities have improved energy efficiency by 25 percent, equivalent to the amount of energy consumed by 220,000 homes.
6. Ford Escape and Focus Are More Than 80 Percent Recyclable – Dismantlers and shredders process more than 94 percent of all salvaged vehicles. They collect parts and materials for reuse, remanufacturing and recycling. Usually, 75 percent of an automobile’s content is recycled – including steel, iron, aluminum, copper and other non-ferrous metals. The Ford Escape and Focus exceed the norm, being more than 80 percent recyclable.
7. Paint Fumes Become Fuel at Michigan Truck Plant – Ford’s innovative Fumes-to-Fuel system burns paint fumes in a process that produces electricity at the Michigan Truck Plant in
Wayne, Mich., home of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. The patent-pending Ford system uses a
Stirling cycle engine to burn the fumes from solvent-based paint used to paint cars and trucks. Not only does the process virtually destroy the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the fumes, it also produces electricity for the plant. The program burns one-third of the fumes in one paint booth, yet 45 to 50 kilowatts of electricity are produced – enough to meet the typical demand of an average suburban block of houses. Currently, Ford’s North American assembly plants incinerate the VOCs in solvent-based paint fumes, but the process requires a significant amount of energy, substantial floor space and produces some carbon dioxide (CO 2). The only by-products of Ford’s Fumes-to-Fuel system are small amounts of water vapor, CO2 and nitrogen oxides.
8. Keeping Cool With Geothermal Cooling System – The Lima (Ohio) Engine Plant, home of production for Ford’s award-winning Duratec 35 engine, uses cold water from two abandoned limestone quarries on the property to cool a portion of the plant and its equipment. The geothermal system saved Ford $300,000 in installation costs – compared with the cost of installing a traditional cooling tower – and saved more than $300,000 in annual operating costs. Although actual cost savings are difficult to determine at this point, the system is capable of providing chilled water using 0.1 kilowatts per ton of cooling vs. traditional chiller systems with cooling towers, which consume around 0.7 kw/ton or more. In addition, several hundred thousand gallons of domestic water have already been saved due to the elimination of some existing cooling towers.
9. Police Go Green with the 2008 Crown Victoria Interceptor – The 2008 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor will be the first and only police fleet vehicle offered with flexible fuel capability, allowing it to operate on E85 ethanol or gasoline. Ford is the largest producer and seller of police vehicles, with more than 80 percent of the market. As police and government agencies move toward becoming more environmentally conscious and seek alternative fuel vehicles for their fleets, Ford is in the position to fill this need for its police customers. Ford’s current lineup of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) includes the Ford F-150, Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis models.
Ford has placed more than two million flexible fuel vehicles on the road and has pledged to make half of its production capable of running on alternative fuels by 2012, provided the necessary fuel and infrastructure are in place. The company recently announced it has achieved 50-state certification for all of the Ford and Mercury 2008 flexible fuel passenger car models. In an effort to differentiate its FFVs from standard gasoline vehicles, Ford will begin equipping the E85-capable vehicles with yellow gas caps by the end of this year.
10. World’s Largest Green Roof – Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant has the World’s Largest Living Roof, according to Guinness World Records. The 10.4-acre living roof is part of Ford’s redevelopment of the
Ford
Rouge
Center, which includes a number of progressive environmental initiatives. The roof is composed of a drought-resistant perennial groundcover called sedum which is planted into a specially layered bed. Virtually maintenance-free, it can absorb up to 4 million gallons of rainwater annually and is part of a broader storm-water management system installed at the Rouge. In addition to absorbing rainwater and carbon dioxide, the sedum roof produces oxygen and provides natural overhead insulation for the final assembly building, thereby reducing energy costs. It also is expected to last twice as long as a traditionally constructed roof.
click above image to view high-res pics of the GT500 Red-Stripe package
Last week we told you that Ford was getting ready to release yet another special Mustang trim package. Today they made the official announcement. The Red Stripe Appearance Package is available on the still-commanding-over-sticker Shelby GT500. After choosing white or black for your exterior, the package adds red stripes on the hood, roof, and side of the car. Besides the stripes, there are also red-accented exterior badges, including special Cobra emblems on the grille, the fenders, and even on the faux gas cap, as well as “Shelby” lettering out back. The interior also gets redded up, with red inserts on black leather seats, and special carpeting and floormats with bespoke silver-and-red Cobra logos.
For a package price of $1,650, buyers get exclusivity along with all that red stuff. The package will only be available from early May through late June, when the 2007 model run ends. Sound good? Then act fast. Still not convinced? Act right now and you’ll also get a spiffy Shelby car cover at no extra charge. Just tell them Autoblog sent you.
Full press release after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
Gallery: Ford Shelby GT500 “Red Stripe Package”
Press Release:
NEW LIMITED-EDITION 2007 FORD SHELBY GT500 OFFERS MUSTANG ENTHUSIASTS A CHANCE TO HIT THE REDLINE
- Production of limited-edition Red Stripe Appearance Package for 2007 Shelby GT500 to begin in May.
- Special package includes unique exterior striping and badges, Red and Black leather seating, special interior trim and logos and branded Shelby GT500 car cover.
- 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 tops in segment quality, says RDA Group research-92 percent of owners would definitely recommend the vehicle to family or friends.
DEARBORN, Mich., April 19, 2007 – Even with demand for the most muscular Mustang ever – the Ford Shelby GT500 – at a record high, Ford is cranking up additional interest with a new, limited-edition package that adds unique visual appeal to the Shelby GT500. Enter the “Red Stripe Appearance Package,” to be available beginning in May.
The Ford Shelby GT500 is the most powerful Mustang on the road today and arguably one of the most successful projects from Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) in terms of performance, excitement and, importantly, quality.
In fact, early indicators show the Shelby GT500 is a quality standout. In the most recent Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study from RDA Group, an independent research company based in Bloomfield Hills, Mi., the Shelby GT500 earned praise as the highest-quality Mustang model, with the fewest “things gone wrong” in the first three months of ownership.
The Mustang line scores above the segment average in quality, according to the GQRS study, and the Shelby GT500 specifically scored the top result in the “sports car” segment.
“The unmatched quality and power of the latest Mustang masterpiece explains why 9 out of 10 owners are completely satisfied with their overall ownership experience,” the April 2007 RDA Group report concluded.
New Limited-Edition Shelby GT500 Package to be Available Beginning in May
The new Red Stripe Appearance Package will be available on any new 2007 Shelby GT500 Coupe with either White or Black exterior paint. Included in the special-edition package are Bright Red overbody and bodyside stripes, a Red and Black leather interior, unique red-accent exterior badges, including red-tinted Cobra emblems in the grille, fenders, and in the faux gas cap on the rear panel. Even the “SHELBY” letters on the decklid feature red accents.
The Red Stripe Appearance Package also adds unique new premium floor mats with a Red and Silver embroidered “Cobra Snake” logo, plus a fitted Shelby GT500-branded car cover.
The appearance package carries an MSRP of $1,650 and will be available from early May through late June, marking the end of the 2007 model run.
“The red package is all about exclusivity,” said Robert Parker, Ford’s Car Marketing manager. “Our Mustang customers are eager to buy unique vehicles like the Shelby GT500 and will certainly appreciate the opportunity for something even more exclusive, made in an even more limited number. These are great customers and very passionate. I’m glad we can continue to deliver what they want.”
Shelby GT500 is among the Most Successful Performance Mustangs Ever
Enthusiasm doesn’t begin to describe the ongoing demand for the Ford Shelby GT500. In the hyper-competitive auto market where supply routinely surpasses demand, the Shelby GT500 still has a long waiting list of buyers.
The Shelby GT500 was created by racing legend Carroll Shelby and Ford SVT and is a modern interpretation of the classic Shelby Mustang of the 1960s. Beneath the hood of every GT500 – including the new Red model – is a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine officially rated at 500 hp. A 6-speed manual gearbox features evenly spaced gears that help provide a sharp, lively driving experience on both road and track.
In addition to the engine upgrades, Ford’s SVT engineers retuned and upgraded key Mustang chassis components. Improvements include revised shocks, spring rates and upgraded stabilizer bars that help the Ford Shelby GT500 maneuver with authority.
The GT500’s unique design features include wide upper and lower fascia openings with a functional air splitter. On either side, slanting headlamp openings add to the dramatic front appearance. The carefully tailored hood has heat extractors protruding near the leading edge, combining to provide improved airflow and aerodynamics.
The MSRP of a 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 starts at $41,675.
In terms of initial vehicle quality, Ford Motor Co. is in a statistical dead-heat for second place with Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co., according to a new study the Dearborn automaker plans to release today. Honda Motor Co. is the quality leader.
The report is based on an annual survey of 31,000 new vehicle owners that was conducted for Ford by the RDA Group, a market research firm based in Bloomfield Hills. The study evaluated 2007 model cars and trucks from all full-line manufacturers and asked drivers to list any problems they had encountered during their first 90 days of ownership.The Detroit News reviewed the findings with sources familiar with the report. These sources said four Ford vehicles — the Mercury Milan, Ford Shelby GT-500, Ford Expedition EL and Lincoln Navigator — led their segments in initial quality.
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