6 Myths about the American Automobile Market...
6 myths about the Detroit 3 Detroit Free Press 11/17/08 by Mark Phelan (c) Copyright 2007, Detroit Free Press. All Rights Reserved. - The debate over aid to the Detroit-based automakers is awash with half-truths and misrepresentations that are endlessly repeated by everyone from members of Congress to journalists. Here are six myths about the companies and their vehicles, and the reality in each case.
- Myth No. 1
- Nobody buys their vehicles.
- Reality General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC sold 8.5 million vehicles in the United States last year and millions more around the world. GM outsold Toyota by about 1.2 million vehicles in the United States last year and holds a U.S. lead over Toyota of about 560,000 so far this year. Globally, GM in 2007 remained the world's largest automaker, selling 9,369,524 vehicles worldwide -- about 3,000 more than Toyota. Ford outsold Honda by about 850,000 and Nissan by more than 1.3 million vehicles in the United States last year. Chrysler sold more vehicles here than Nissan and Hyundai combined in 2007 and so far this year.
- Myth No. 2
- They build unreliable junk.
- Reality The creaky, leaky vehicles of the 1980s and '90s are long gone. Consumer Reports recently found that "Ford's reliability is now on par with good Japanese automakers." The independent J.D. Power Initial Quality Study scored Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Mercury, Pontiac and Lincoln brands' overall quality as high or higher than that of Acura, Audi, BMW, Honda, Nissan, Scion, Volkswagen and Volvo. Power rated the Chevrolet Malibu the highest-quality midsize sedan. Both the Malibu and Ford Fusion scored better than the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
- Myth No. 3
- They build gas-guzzlers.
- Reality All of the Detroit Three build midsize sedans the Environmental Protection Agency rates at 29-33 miles per gallon on the highway. The most fuel-efficient Chevrolet Malibu gets 33 m.p.g. on the highway, 2 m.p.g. better than the best Honda Accord. The most fuel-efficient Ford Focus has the same highway fuel economy ratings as the most efficient Toyota Corolla. The most fuel-efficient Chevrolet Cobalt has the same city fuel economy and better highway fuel economy than the most efficient non-hybrid Honda Civic. A recent study by Edmunds.com found that the Chevrolet Aveo subcompact is the least expensive car to buy and operate.
- Myth No. 4
- They already got a $25-billion bailout.
- Reality None of that money has been lent out and may not be for more than a year. In addition, it can, by law, be used only to invest in future vehicles and technology, so it has no effect on the shortage of operating cash the companies face because of the economic slowdown that's killing them now.
- Myth No. 5
- GM, Ford and Chrysler are idiots for investing in pickups and SUVs.
- Reality The domestic companies' lineup has been truck-heavy, but Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have all spent billions of dollars on pickups and SUVs because trucks are a large and historically profitable part of the auto industry. The most fuel-efficient full-size pickups from GM, Ford and Chrysler all have higher EPA fuel economy ratings than Toyota and Nissan's full-size pickups.
- Myth No. 6
- They don't build hybrids.
- Reality The Detroit Three got into the hybrid business late, but Ford and GM each now offers more hybrid models than Honda or Nissan, with several more due to hit the road in early 2009.
Labels: Amercan Automobiles, Automotive industry, car finance, ford finance, ford of ocala.com, marion county ford
Please join Ford of Ocala in Honoring our Veterans!
At Ford, Quality is Job One!
 Today, everyone associated with Ford should take pride in the quality of the cars and trucks we build that resulted in the latest headlines on Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey. Among those headlines: Ford Reliability Gains on Honda, Toyota, from Bloomberg News, and Ford Builds Most Reliable American Cars, from The Detroit News.
The results from Consumer Reports further validate the quality story we at Ford have been telling for some time. Our efforts to design, build and launch with quality are paying off. As David Champion, director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, noted, This has been a systematic, structural change within Ford.
That structural change shows in the dedicated work by teams in manufacturing, product development, purchasing, marketing, sales and quality using disciplined, standardized processes to deliver significant quality gains. Despite the challenges of the current automotive climate, our teams have remained focused on the goal, to become the highest quality automotive manufacturer. We are well on our way to achieving that goal.
A total of 44 FLM vehicles / configurations earned average or better reliability ratings compared to 41 FLM vehicles / configurations in last years survey.
Some highlights from the Consumer Reports auto issue, which features the Ford Fusion on the cover with the caption, Ford Fusion, top rating in Reliability.
* Ford was singled out as on par with the Japanese automakers and the best of the domestics. The magazine writes: Fords three nameplates Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury lead the domestic automakers and continue to pull away from the rest of Detroit.
* Almost all Ford products now carry average or better than average reliability ratings. The Ford
Fusion and Mercury Milan continue to rank among the most reliable family cars. The freshened Ford Focus sedan rated above average, with the magazine citing a vast improvement. The Ford F150 2WD versions with V6 and V8 are rated better than average. The 2009 model has not yet
been tested.
We all should be pleased with the survey results, but not surprised. We have set a high standard for ourselves and our customers and we are making progress every day to deliver on that standard.Labels: ford of ocala, ford of ocala.com, high quality, Quality is job one
Ford 'Honors' Army Wife with new Mustang!
Chelsea Shand, the winner of Army Wives Gives Back, and Kim Delaney, one of the stars of "Army Wives"
FORD, LIFETIME ‘GIVE BACK’ TO REAL ARMY WIFE
*Ford Warriors in Pink and Lifetime Television’s “Army Wives” today announced the winner of the “Army Wives Gives Back” program, which honors real-life army wives who have survived breast cancer
*The winner, 34-year-old Chelsea Shand, filmed a vignette that will air during the Oct. 26 episode of “Army Wives”
*Ford honored Shand by presenting her with a limited-edition 2009 Warriors in Pink Ford Mustang convertible
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 22, 2008 – Officials from Ford Warriors in Pink and Lifetime Television’s “Army Wives” today announced the winner of the “Army Wives Gives Back” program, which honors real-life army wives who have survived breast cancer. Thirty-four-year-old Chelsea Shand, who is currently stationed with her husband at Fort Bragg, N. C., was selected from more than 1 million entries for embodying the spirit of many of the country’s military spouses. She will appear in a special two-minute vignette that will air during the Oct. 26 episode of “Army Wives” at 10 p.m. EST. Shand was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2004, the same time that her husband was being deployed to Iraq. After undergoing surgery and several rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, she received devastating news from her doctor. “The doctor said that my husband and I would not be able to conceive a child,” she recalled. “We didn’t have any children, so the news hit us pretty hard.” Exemplifying the true fighting spirit of a Warrior, Shand didn’t give up. After nearly four years in remission, she found out that she was pregnant. “I was shocked and overjoyed,” she said. In July, Shand and her husband welcomed their son. As the winner of the “Army Wives Gives Back” program, Shand was granted a wish. She had long dreamed of owning a convertible, and Ford made that dream come true. Shand says she was stunned when “Army Wives” cast member Kim Delaney presented her with a limited-edition 2009 Warriors in Pink Mustang convertible during the filming of the vignette, which airs Sunday night. “I was totally overwhelmed,” she said. “There’s not a lot of good that comes out of a breast cancer diagnosis – and if I could choose, I would choose never to have breast cancer – but this was really cool.” Connie Fontaine, manager, Ford Brand Content and Alliances, says Ford is proud to partner with Lifetime Television for the “Army Wives Gives Back” program to raise awareness of breast cancer and help save lives. “This program has given Ford the opportunity to honor someone who truly demonstrates the fighting spirit when faced with adversity, which is the cornerstone of our Warriors in Pink campaign,” said Fontaine. Prior to her diagnosis, Shand admits she knew little about breast cancer. “I didn’t know what breast cancer meant,” she said. “I never knew anyone who had it, and I was very uneducated about the subject.” Now, as a breast cancer survivor, Shand says she is determined to help increase awareness of breast cancer – especially among younger women. “It is a cause that is incredibly dear to my heart,” she said. “When I first found the lump in my breast, everyone told me that I was too young to have breast cancer, but I wasn’t. I want other women to learn more about this disease and know that it can happen to anyone.” Ford has been a national series sponsor of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for 14 years and has dedicated more than $95 million in cash and in-kind donations to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Since its launch in 2006, Warriors in Pink apparel and gear – available for purchase at www.fordcares.com – has generated more than $1.5 million, with all net proceeds going to Komen.
About Susan G. Komen for the CureNancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and it launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. For more information, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800-I’M AWARE.
About LifetimeLifetime is the leader in women’s television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and the Walt Disney Company.
About Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 229,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.Labels: Army Wives, breast cancer survivor, ford of ocala, ford of ocala.com, warrior in pink
Ford Supports Charities during Difficult Times
CHICAGO, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America (formerly named America's Second Harvest) announced today that Ford Motor Company and Newman's Own will continue their longstanding commitment to combating rural hunger by extending their innovative and effective partnership with Feeding America called the "Partnership for Hunger Relief." This month, under the partnership, seven refrigerated trucks containing Newman's Own food will be donated to food banks that serve struggling rural communities across the country. In November, 100 million pounds of food will have been distributed nationwide under the partnership. The "Partnership for Hunger Relief" enables nutritious food such as meat, dairy and produce to be delivered via refrigerated trucks to remote communities which are often underserved. The announcement was made today by Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.This year marks the eighth consecutive year of the "Partnership for Hunger Relief." The 75 Ford trucks previously donated have traveled a combined total of 3.4 million miles and distributed over 97 million pounds of food -- equivalent to over 76 million meals -- to rural areas in need. The "Partnership for Hunger Relief" not only focuses on the importance of supplying food to rural communities but supplying nutritious protein-based foods and produce that require refrigeration.Vicki Escarra said, "The economic downturn and the dramatic increase in fuel and food costs have made it extraordinarily difficult for our nation's food banks to meet the increase in demand. Rural areas are often underserved and throughout the last seven years, the 'Partnership for Hunger Relief' has provided tremendous relief to millions of families experiencing hunger. We could not he happier that Ford Motor Company and Newman's Own are continuing to support our efforts to feed millions of Americans.""The Partnership for Hunger Relief began eight years ago when Paul Newman asked me if Ford would join with his company and Feeding America in addressing the growing problem of hunger in rural America," said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. "While the effort has produced significant results, the need is even greater today, especially given the current economic environment.""Feeding America and Newman's Own are both about doing good through food. Thanks to our generous partner Ford Motor Company, we can expand with our alliance and help more people in struggling rural communities throughout the country." said Mike Havard, vice president, marketing Newman's Own Inc."Today's donation of seven additional Ford trucks to the Partnership for Hunger Relief brings our total to more than 80 vehicles on America's roads helping to serve the needs of people who are struggling to make ends meet," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "More work needs to done and Ford Motor Company remains committed to doing its part to address the hunger issue."The seven food banks receiving trucks this October are: The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Chattahoochee Valley in Columbus, Ga., Mid-Michigan Food Bank in Lansing, Second Harvest Food Bank of San Diego, The Food Bank of North Alabama in Huntsville, The Northern Illinois Food Bank in St. Charles, IL, The Southeast Missouri Food Bank in Cape Girardeau, MO, and The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana in Monroe.Hunger among rural households is higher than the national average with an estimated 2.3 million rural households facing hunger. Ironically, many of these hungry families are in the very rural and farm communities whose productivity feeds the world and provides low-cost wholesome food to American consumers. Many people need to turn to a food bank or church pantry just to eat in the very same communities where the food is raised. Due to the economic downturn, it is imperative that extra food assistance is sent to remote communities who are underserved.According to the USDA report Household Food Security in the United States, 2006, 12 percent of all rural households are food insecure, an estimated 2.3 million households. The Feeding America study, Hunger in America 2006, found that 42.6 percent of the adult clients served by the network live in suburban or rural areas.This announcement falls on the heels of a troubling nationwide local impact survey conducted by Feeding America. The May 2008 survey of 180 food banks nationwide found that 99% of the food banks reported between a 15 percent and 20 percent increase in the number of people being served, compared to one year ago. 81 percent of the food banks reported that they are unable to meet the growing demand without having to dramatically reduce the amount of food given to each household. Rising food and fuel prices are cited as primary reasons why more individuals are turning to food banks.To learn more about rural hunger please visit: http://feedingamerica.org/learn_about_hunger/fact_sheet/rural_hunger.htmlAbout Feeding America (Formerly America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network)Feeding America provides individuals and families facing hunger with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger through emergency food assistance and programs. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.About Newman's OwnNewman's Own(R), Inc., founded on a lark by Paul Newman and his buddy A.E. Hotchner in 1982, is now (to our own surprise!), a leading (and growing) premium food company that offers more than 175 varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products. Based in Westport, CT, the charitable mission of Newman's Own is expressed in its Company motto: "Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good." The continuation of the company's charitable mission is reflected in the following statement that will appear on every package of Newman's Own products: The Newman's Own Foundation continues Paul Newman's commitment to donate all after tax net profits from this product and related royalties for educational and charitable purposes. Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation have given over $250 million to thousands of charities worldwide since 1982.Visit www.newmansown.com for the nearest retailer/s that carry Newman's Own products and for recipe suggestions using Newman's Own products. Newman's Own(R) Organics, founded by Paul's daughter Nell Newman, offers a wide array of delicious organic products, www.newmansownorganics.com.About Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 228,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
SOURCE Feeding America Labels: ford of ocala, ford of ocala.com, Newman's Own, Second Harvest
Ford of Ocala Supports Local Education with Electric Car
  Ford of Ocala Donates Electric Car to MTI - Students in the Automotive Technology Academy at Marion Technical Institute (MTI) are charged up about a gift from a local auto dealer.Ocala EDC Investor, Ford of Ocala, has donated a 1995 Tropica E.V., an electric car for students to learn more about this unique technology while possibly developing a new alternative fuel source. “This may sound like an impossible dream for a group of High School students,” says Randy Arnold, MTI Auto Instructor, “but if we don’t aim high we will never know what we can achieve.”Arnold plans to lead his students in repair and restoration of the vehicle, as well as a possible future conversion into a hybrid vehicle. The donation from Ford of Ocala brings a unique learning opportunity to MTI students.Although an electric car is not normally associated with the automotive technology curriculum, there are numerous hands on lessons for students to learn. Introductory level students will learn battery construction, maintenance, and service. Advanced students will use the car to understand electronic circuitry, charge rates, power consumption, and electric motor operation. All lessons include math, science, and english skills.MTI Principal Mark Vianello gratefully acknowledges the gift, “Gary Scott with Ford of Ocala has been on board with our program from the very beginning. This is just one more example of his generosity and passion to help our students succeed. The support we have received from all our business partners has brought a level of education to our students that classroom lecture alone cannot provide.” Recently, 14 students in the Automotive Academy earned certifications through the National Association for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). MTI automotive academy students have the opportunity to participate in paid internships while in high school. Since the school opened in 2005, several academy graduates have been sponsored by business partners Ford of Ocala and DeLuca Toyota to attend further training to become high wage, specialized mechanics now employed with the local dealerships.Labels: ford of ocala, ford of ocala.com, Tropica
Ford Foundation donates $600,000 to South Florida programs
SOUTH FLORIDA TO RECEIVE $600,000 IN NEW FUNDING FROM FORD AS PART OF AUTOMAKERS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Ford Motor Company launches Operation Goodwill in South Florida, contributing an additional $600,000 over the next year to community organizations in the region
*Ford is partnering with its area dealers in new ways to increase the focus on the needs of local communities
*44 Hispanic students in South Florida who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in a field that is pertinent to the automotive industry will receive scholarships from the Ford Blue Oval Scholars Program
*New funding will support organizations related to education, human services, automotive safety, volunteer programs, among others
*The Operation Goodwill program kick-off will take place on October 17th in partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
Miami, Fl, October 15th, 2008 - Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford, announced today that they plan to invest an additional $600,000 over the next year in South Florida’s community programs and charities.
The new funding will support a combination of organizations related to education, automotive safety, human services and other volunteer activities that enhance the quality of life in South Florida.
Operation Goodwill gives us the opportunity to better target our philanthropy and community relations activities in key U.S. markets, such as South Florida, and to solidly demonstrate that Ford has been, and will continue to be a supportive corporate citizen in the community,said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. Ford Motor Company is actively committed to South Florida, and now in conjunction with the local dealers we’re increasing the level of involvement, added Vella.
Ford and its area dealers are working together to increase the impact of the company’s philanthropy in South Florida. Ford’s dealers identified more than 15 organizations that will receive support through Operation Goodwill. Ford allocated funds to partner and contribute with these organizations and the local dealers are participating actively with program partners. The company and dealers are pooling resources like never before to support the community outreach efforts.
Operation Goodwill South Florida will be on October 17th in partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Jim Vella will outline the details of the Operation Goodwill program that significantly increases philanthropy and community relations in South Florida.
South Florida Ford dealers are joining forces with Ford Motor Company to regionalize its philanthropic giving, said Lombardo Pérez, Owner/President, Metro Ford Lincoln Mercury. We think this is the right thing to do because the needs within our communities have never been greater, and we can provide guidance to Ford on how to best target programs in our community. Labels: comunity works, ford of ocala, ford of ocala.com, foundation
When Others say NO, Ford says "YES!"
 Ford to consumers: Loans are available... Ford Motor Co. has a message for consumers: "We have our own finance company and we are still loaning money and leasing cars, the The Detroit News reports. All the talk about the credit crisis is keeping consumers away from dealerships. But Jim Farley, Ford's head of sales and marketing, says his company is still able to get loans and leases for most customers with decent credit through its finance arm, Ford Credit. He said this is "a critical advantage" at a time when some manufacturers are turning people away. "Ford Credit is still in business," he told journalists at a dinner Monday night. "We have to start pointing that out. It's up to us to communicate it."Labels: ford finance, ford of ocala, ford of ocala.com, loans
Quality is job one!
Ford Motor Company has taken another stride in quality, reducing Things Gone Wrong (TGW) levels for the third straight year, and is now within striking distance of the best in class, according to U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS). Ford quality has improved by 11 percent, much more than the industry improvement average of two percent by the same study, in which no fewer than 16 Ford vehicles ranked for the top three positions in either TGW performance or customer satisfaction categories or both after three months in service, the usual cut off period for this study conducted by the RDA Group. The results are based on what the study hears from customers on all or some of the parameters such as vehicle trouble and customer satisfaction, after they have used their vehicles for at least three months. The Mustang, Shelby, GT500, E-Series, Crown Victoria, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Mark LT, Mazda MX-5, and Miata ranked best in their respective segments and, not surprisingly, these ten Ford models outperformed the competition. The company`s new launches, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, and Lincoln Navigator L cemented their already strong positions for strong customer satisfaction, while Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKZ did well during the quarter, sustaining their high levels since their launch in late 2004. Are these not enough reasons for you to come to our Ford of Ocala dealership to look for your next Ford? Labels: ford of ocala, ford of ocala.com, high quality
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