Ford Connects With California Consumers With Custom Auto Show Display, Vehicles, Tech

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FORD CONNECTS WITH CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS WITH CUSTOM AUTO SHOW DISPLAY, VEHICLES, TECHNOLOGIES

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14 – Ford has the products and technologies that California customers want – including the new 2008 Mustang Bullitt and Ford SYNC™ voice-activated, hands-free in-car communications system – and will be showcasing them at the 2007 Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show in a new, environmentally friendly interactive show stand.

The new Ford display features a wall that runs the length of the space and is made of large cardboard rolls that yards of carpet are usually wrapped around. The wall will be easily recycled into brochures or other printed materials at the end of the auto show season.

Worth seeing on the Ford display:

2008 Mustang Bullitt, which returns to the streets four decades after hitting the big screen and redefining the on-screen car chase. The new car blends the best Mustang ever with the latest Ford Racing technology and delivers a balance of power and performance.

The car features special chassis and suspension tweaks as well as the 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque that Bullitt delivers through its 4.6-liter V-8 engine.

2008 Ford Focus, which brings a bold new look, a refined and flexible interior and a higher level of driving enjoyment to an evolving small car market. With features including Ford Sync, standard side-curtain air bags and highway fuel economy of up to 35 mpg, the redesigned Focus will play an important role in Ford Motor Company’s resurging car portfolio, continuing the momentum built by the successful Ford Fusion mid-size sedan.

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, which delivers highway fuel economy of up to 34 mpg and is still the cleanest and most fuel-efficient SUV in the world. Escape Hybrid combines the fuel economy and emissions benefits of a full hybrid with the go-anywhere capability, toughness and spaciousness of the Ford Escape – America’s favorite small SUV. The Escape Hybrid is a “full” hybrid, meaning it automatically switches between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power or combined operation to maximize efficiency and performance. Its gasoline engine and electric motor work in concert, providing performance similar to that of a V-6 engine. In less demanding situations, the Escape Hybrid can run on its electric motor alone (at speeds up to 25 mph), its gasoline engine alone or the most efficient combination of the two. In fact, the Escape Hybrid provides approximately 80 percent better fuel economy in city driving than the conventional V-6 Escape and can travel more than 500 miles in city driving on a single tank of gasoline.

2009 Ford Flex, which is poised to redefine the modern American journey when it goes on sale in summer 2008. This vehicle sets a higher standard for style, features, functionality and comfort in the industry’s fastest-growing crossover segment. Powered by Ford’s award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 engine and fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission, Flex offers several key features and technologies, including: an available two-tone roof; class-exclusive refrigerator; Multi-Panel Vista Roof™; EasyFuel™ capless filling system; programmable ambient interior “mood lighting”; and standard 18-inch wheels. With seating for up to seven passengers, Flex also will be available with Ford SYNC.

Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999, the fuel cell car that raced to 207.297 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah, setting the land-speed record on Aug. 16. It is the world’s first and only production vehicle-based fuel cell race car. It was built in collaboration with Ballard Power Systems, Roush and Ohio State University and is one of two vehicles demonstrating the potential of fuel cell technology. Ford researchers also are supporting student engineers from Ohio State University on its Buckeye Bullet 2, a streamliner-type fuel cell-powered racer attempting 300+ mph. Ford Motor Company currently has a fleet of 30 hydrogen-powered Focus fuel cell vehicles on the road as part of a worldwide, seven-city program to conduct real world testing of fuel cell technology. The 30-car fleet has accumulated nearly 580,000 miles since its inception in 2005.
Street SYNC, which takes to the streets of California’s three largest cities starting in November as part of a two-month, hands-on consumer marketing effort to launch Ford SYNC. SYNC is an industry-exclusive feature, developed in partnership with Microsoft, which provides customers in-vehicle voice command compatibility with today’s popular and portable MP3 digital media players, such as Apple iPods and Micosoft Zunes, along with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. Eight specially badged “Street SYNC” vehicles – including the all-new 2008 Ford Focus, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX models – will make extended visits to nearly two dozen high-profile locations, including Westside Pavilion in Los Angeles, Pier 39 in San Francisco and San Diego’s Balboa Park. The aim of this grassroots effort is to rejuvenate interest in Ford brand vehicles among California consumers.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, 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.fordvehicles.com.