FORD CANADA SALES UP 24% DRIVEN BY STRONG CAR PERFORMANCE

Third-quarter results mark a 26% increase in sales: best quarterly sales increase since 2003
September Highlights:
• Overall vehicle sales up 24% compared to last September
• Car sales increased 33% compared to same period last year
• Ford Focus increased sales by 17%
• Ford Fusion sales rose 77%
• Ford Taurus sales were up 201%
• Ford Mustang sales increased 42%
• Ford Escape sales rose 7%, marks the best September on record
• Ford Edge sales up 34%, marks the best September on record
• Ford Flex sales were up 10%, marks the best September on record
• Ford Explorer sales rose 90%
• Ford F-150 sales saw an increase of 56%
• Lincoln MKS sales increased 60%, marks the best September on record
• Lincoln MKX sales rose 26%, marks the best September on record

Ford Park Assist New Technology

The all New Lincoln MKS now Parks itself. This new Technology available on Lincoln MKS, MKT, and Ford Escape and on other models soon allows the vehicle to do a Perfect Parallel Park. The Driver controls the Brakes and the Throttle and the vehicle does the rest.

Hot Topic: Aggressive Deceleration Fuel Shut-off

Ford plans to lead the industry in sustainability and fuel efficiency will play a central role. This Hot Topics looks at AD Fuel Shut-off and how it will contribute to reduced consumption.
What Is It?

Aggressive Deceleration Fuel Shut-off is a powertrain control module (PCM) function that helps improve vehicle fuel economy by deactivating the fuel injectors when the vehicle is decelerating or coasting and then automatically restarting when needed for acceleration or when the vehicle's speed approaches zero.

How AD Fuel Shut-off Works...
Let’s compare two similar vehicles traveling at freeway speeds and slowing for a red light or exiting the freeway. One vehicle has a traditional drivetrain, and the other with an AD Fuel Shut-off equipped drivetrain. With AD Fuel Shut-off Fuel delivery stops when the driver takes his/her foot completely off the accelerator pedal of an AD Fuel Shut-off -equipped vehicle at freeway speeds.

 The PCM completely turns off the fuel injectors. The engine continues to rotate using the transmission energy, instead of fuel, to maintain the momentum. All systems are normal while the vehicle is "coasting."
 All other powertrain, braking and electrical systems continue to function normally while the fuel delivery is stopped Fuel delivery is restored when the vehicle slows to a predefined speed or if the driver depresses the accelerator pedal.
 The PCM seamlessly turns the fuel injectors back on
Without AD Fuel Shut-off
Fuel delivery NEVER stops in a vehicle without AD Fuel Shut-off – even when the driver takes his/her foot completely off the accelerator pedal. The engine is always running even when the vehicle is coasting – which requires fuel.
Mechanical resistance from the transmission and the tires will eventually slow the vehicle if there is no braking
What it means to consumers
AD Fuel Shut-off is all about efficiency. In fact, it is estimated that it can improve fuel efficiency by 1%. Drivers may notice an AD Fuel Shut-off equipped vehicle seems to slow more quickly than a vehicle without the system. This is similar to the "engine braking effect" in a vehicle with a manual transmission.
This is completely normal and indicates AD Fuel Shut-off is maximizing fuel efficiency.

Fast Facts
AD Fuel Shut-off is a Ford technology designed to maximize fuel economy for automatic transmission-equipped drivetrains.

While AD Fuel Shut-off automatically engages, certain drivetrain conditions must first be met:
Engine and transmission must be at normal operating temperatures
Vehicle speed must exceed a specified threshold, which varies by vehicle
Transmission must be in 5th or 6th gear

2010 Ford & Lincoln Vehicles with AD Fuel Shut-off
Fusion (1)
Taurus
Escape
Edge
Flex
F-150
E-Series Van
MKS
MKT
Navigator

(1) AD Fuel Shut-off not available on Fusion Sport

Ford tops in quality survey

Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co.'s newest automobiles had fewer problems than any other manufacturer -- including Toyota Motor Corp. -- according to a new survey of initial quality, details of which were obtained by The Detroit News.

It was the first time ever that the Dearborn automaker beat its arch-rival in the survey, which was conducted for Ford by the RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills. The study also put Ford in a dead heat with Toyota in customer satisfaction. "We've been tied with Toyota before, but it sure feels better to be on the top!" wrote Bennie Fowler, Ford's global head of quality, in a memo to employees Friday, a copy of which was obtained by The News. "We can all be pleased with the progress we have made in quality, even as we face external and internal challenges in a tumultuous climate. Our progress has come as the result of our union partnerships in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, along with the work of dedicated teams in manufacturing, product development, purchasing, marketing, sales, service, legal, IT and others who follow disciplined, standardized processes."

RDA's research is used by a number of automakers, both foreign and domestic, and has historically tracked closely with other independent research by firms such as J.D. Power and Associates. Its second quarter study showed new Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and trucks had 1,185 issues per 1,000 vehicles. Toyota had 1,215 problems, while Honda Motor Co. had 1,291.

Both Toyota and Ford had an 80 percent positive customer satisfaction rating, Fowler said.

The results come a year after he vowed publicly to seize Toyota's crown as the quality leader among fullline manufacturers in the United States. But Ford has found that its quality gains have still not convinced all consumers that its products are on par with those from its Japanese competitors.

Fowler said more work is needed, particularly on the luxury brand, which faces even tougher competition.

"There is more work to be done," he said." We want nothing less than to be the highest-quality automotive manufacturer year over year!"

Find this article at:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090721/AUTO01/907210377/Ford-tops-in-quality-survey

Ford's New 'Active Park Assist' Makes Parallel Parking a Breeze for Lincoln MKT and MKS Owners