Better quality is translating into fewer trips to the car dealership for warranty repairs and that leads to happier customers. The latest J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Customer Service Index (CSI) study shows a historic low across the industry in the proportion of customers bringing their vehicles to the dealer for repair work versus maintenance, as well as an increase in overall satisfaction.For example, 51% of Ford service customers were in for maintenance work back in 2005 and 49% were in for repair work. In 2008, the maintenance rate jumped to 66% and the repairs dropped to 34%. The company’s ongoing efforts to increase quality can be pinpointed as one reason for the trend.“This is further proof that Ford’s quality processes are working,” says Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Quality. “We’re launching with quality – right out of the factory – and that leads to long-term durability for our customers.”The CSI study – which explores satisfaction with dealer maintenance and repair services – ranked Lincoln and Mercury fifth and sixth, respectively, while Ford brand improved at a greater rate than the industry average.
Our plan is actually quite simple: to build the best vehicles on the road today and make them affordable for millions. We are accomplishing this by:
Aggressively restructuring to operate profitably at the current demand and changing model mix
Accelerating development of new products our customers want and value
Financing our plan and improving our balance sheet
Working together effectively as one team
When do we plan to do this?It's already under way.During the past three years, we have switched to a lineup that includes many new cars and crossovers. They've been proven to match the quality of the imports,* along with enhanced safety, better fuel mileage, and innovative technology.You'll be glad to know Ford has been making great progress ... we're sure you will agree. Ford Motor Company, Honda Motors and Toyota Motors quality ratings are in a dead heat.* Our cars, trucks and SUVs deliver fuel economy that's competitive with that of all other automakers.** Fifteen 2009 Ford Motor Company vehicles are rated Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than those of any other automaker. Our factories and the vehicles they produce have pioneered environmentally friendly techniques.
Matt Kenseth Wins the Daytona 500 Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag for the 17th time in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career with today’s win at Daytona International Speedway. It is Kenseth’s first career Cup win at Daytona. (He won a Nationwide race at Daytona in 2000.) This is Kenseth’s first victory since the 2007 season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ford has now won 593 all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Ford has now won the Daytona 500 10 times. This is Roush Fenway Racing’s first-ever Daytona 500 victory. It is Roush Fenway’s fourth all-time win at Daytona. MATT KENSETH – No. 17 DeWalt Ford Fusion (finished 1st) – VICTORY LANE INTERVIEWS: “It’s gonna be really wet out here because I’m crying like a baby, but I’ve just got to thank my team and thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity first of all. I’ve had a lot of great opportunities in my life – from my family getting me in racing and really DeWalt, Ford, Carhartt, USG Sheetrock, R&L Carriers, all the sponsors that we have that have stuck by us and made this happen in an up and down economy. Man, I don’t know. Winning the Daytona 500 is definitely a dream moment. It’s just an unbelievable feeling.”
STUDY: FORD RANKED AS INDUSTRY LEADER FOR QUALITY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF TECHNOLOGY PATENTS
Leading patent analyst ranks Ford above all other automakers for the quality and significance of its technology patents.
The 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid – America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – sets new standard for technology innovation with 119 U.S. patents and patent applications
DEARBORN, Jan. 28, 2009 – A new study by the world’s leading patent analyst, The Patent Board™, found that Ford Motor Company outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents. “Ford’s patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors,” says Christine Wren, director of business development for The Patent Board, which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally. Technological innovation is a core value at Ford as the company drives for leadership in quality, safety, fuel efficiency and in-car connectivity. For example, the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, which is America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan, have 119 patents, a record for Ford. The Patent Board recently issued its Top 10 Innovators in Automotive & Transportation Patent Scorecard™ for the fourth quarter of 2008, which ranks Ford above all other automakers in Research Intensity™ and Industry Impact™. Ford’s Research Intensity score, which is more than twice that of the industry average, indicates the extent to which its portfolio includes patents with strong scientific support.
Similarly, The Patent Board’s Industry Impact score measures the broader significance and impact of a company’s patent portfolio across the industry. This indicator analyzes how other patents build on Ford’s innovation by looking at patent-to-patent citations. “Ford’s overall patent portfolio plays a significant role in serving as a foundation for other technology innovation as shown by receiving 20 percent more citations than the average portfolio in this industry,” Wren says. For the Fusion Hybrid, for example, teams of research scientists and engineers developed Ford-exclusive technologies that helped the vehicle achieve a certified 41 mpg in the city, 8 mpg better than the Toyota Camry hybrid. “Ford is using technology to remake our lineup with the green, high-tech vehicles customers want,” says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Fusion Hybrid team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.” Patents on the Fusion Hybrid pertain to technologies such as Ford’s new-generation hybrid powertrain and SmartGaugeTM with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster that helps coach drivers to achieve better fuel efficiency. “We focus on getting high-quality patents that have the best breakthrough potential for the company,” says Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies. Specific Fusion and Fusion Hybrid patents include:
Hybrid technology – The Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy. The overall system upgrade allows the hybrid to operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. The city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.
SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide – This unique instrument cluster helps coach Fusion Hybrid drivers on how to optimize performance of their vehicle for maximum fuel efficiency. It features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant mpg report.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert – Ford’s new Cross Traffic Alert feature will help warn drivers of impending traffic while backing out by using radars to pick up moving objects within a 65-foot range from either side of the vehicle. Two warnings are given: an indicator lights up in the corresponding outside mirror and an audible alert is sounded. The feature works in conjunction with Ford’s radar-based Blind Spot Information System, utilizing this system’s two multiple beam radar modules, which are packaged in the rear quarter panels – one per side. The radar identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone and illuminates an indicator light on the corresponding sideview mirror providing a warning that a vehicle is approaching.
EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System – This industry-exclusive feature eliminates the need to touch dirty gas caps and helps to reduce evaporative emissions that create smog. When fueling is completed and the fuel pump nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.
Patenting is a global activity at Ford, with experts in the United States, Europe, India and China sharing common processes and reporting through Ford Global Technologies, LLC, a wholly owned Ford subsidiary responsible for managing Ford’s intellectual property worldwide. # # #
The Fusion and Milan Hybrids have been approved by the IRS for a full tax credit of $3,400. Customers who order or purchase a Fusion or Milan Hybrid by March 31, 2009, may be eligible to claim this full tax credit. The full line of Ford Motor Company 2009 hybrid vehicles are also eligible for tax incentives up to $3000 as well. Since it is an IRS incentive plan it can be difficult to locate or understand on the www.irs.gov website. I did find an easier to locate and read page on www.fueleconomy.gov . But the easiest way is to just give us a call at (352)732-4800 and we'll be happy to help you cut through all the red tape!
I don't have the numbers in front of me but Ford's quality of build continues to improve year after year and several models now rank highest in initial quality over foreign and domestic competitors. If you haven't been in a Ford lately, I invite you to come down to Ford of Ocala for a test drive. I guarantee you will be more than pleasantly surprised! 352.732.4800
Yes, there are other truck brands. Yes, some are nice to sit in or drive. But day in and day out, year after year, a Ford truck is the best quality made truck in America. From safety ratings to quality of build, value retention and reliability we are the industry leader. Visit or call us today to learn more!
Motorcraft® Premium Synthetic Blend Oil and filter change
Rotate and inspect four tires
Check air and cabin air filters
Inspect brake system
Test battery
Check belts and hoses
Top off all fluids Retail purchases only. Up to five quarts of Motorcraft® oil and Motorcraft oil filter. Taxes, diesel vehicles and disposal fees extra. Hybrid battery test excluded. Rebate form must be postmarked by 04/30/09. See participating dealership for rebate form, vehicle exclusions and details through 03/31/09.
