Berglund's Thanksgiving Sale

I'll be working at the sale Friday and Saturday. Come and see me for a great deal!
Nick Breese
540-986-5679

2010 Ford Mustang

Key Highlights
*The new power dome hood, bumpers, fenders, rear end, grilles and wheels make the all-new 2010 Mustang design look fast.

*America’s original Pony car is fortified with a 315-hp V8 or 210-hp V6 – getting up to 26 mpg.*
*
*Carefully crafted details behind the redesigned interior include new, soft-touch instrument panel trim, flow thru center floor console and Ford SYNC®.

Available Trim Levels

*V6

*V6 Premium

*GT

*GT Premium

Features

*Air conditioning

*Ambient Lighting (Premium)

*Audio

-Audio – Premium AM/FM stereo/single-CD player and clock
-Auxiliary input jack
-SHAKER 500 (Premium)
-SIRIUS® Satellite Radio (Premium)

*Easy Fuel™ capless fuel-filler system

*Engine – 4.0L SOHC V6

*Engine – 4.6L 3-valve V8 (GT)

*Ford SYNC® with 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Reports (Premium)

*LED Sequential Tail Lamps

*Mirrors – Power sideview

*Power points (2)

*Power windows and door locks

*Seats:

-Cloth Bucket, 2-way Manual Passenger

-4-way manual driver

-Split-fold rear seats (Coupe)

*Stainless steel exhaust

*Steering wheel –Tilt with speed control

*Transmission – 5-speed manual

*Wheels – 17" painted-aluminum

Safety & Security

*AdvanceTrac® with Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

*Airbags – Dual front and front-seat side impact

*Brakes – Power 4-wheel disc with Antilock Brake System (ABS)

*Illuminated entry

*LATCH – Lower Anchors and Tether anchors for Child-safety seats in rear outboard seating positions

*Personal Safety System® for driver and front passenger – Includes dual-stage front airbags, safety belt pretensioners, safety belt energy-management retractors, safety belt usage sensors, driver-seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, restraint control module and Front-Passenger Sensing System

*Remote Keyless Entry

*SecuriLock® passive anti-theft ignition system

*Side-intrusion door beams

*SOS Post-Crash Alert System

*Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Optional Features**

*Active Anti-Theft System

*Audio - Shaker 1000

*Comfort Package (53B)

*Convertible Boot

*Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (DEATC)

*Electronics Package (58X)

*Glass roof (coupe only)

*HID headlamps

*Reverse Camera System

*Seats

-6-way power-adjustable driver with power lumbar

-Heated front seats

*Security Package (43S)

*Transmission – 5-speed automatic

*Voice-activated Navigation System with SIRIUS® Travel Link

*18" Painted Aluminum Wheels

*18" Polished Aluminum Wheels

*19" Bright Machined Aluminum Wheels

*19" Premium Painted Luster Nickel Aluminum Wheels

*3.55 Rear Axle (GT Premium Coupe with Manual Trans)

*3.73 Rear Axle Package (GT Coupe with Manual Trans)

Select Rapid Spec Content**

*Exterior Sport Appearance Package:

-Lower Tape Stripe
-Decklid Spoiler

*Premier Trim with Color Accent:

-Charcoal Black interior environment with color-accented seats, unique door trim with bright Pony badge, and dark aluminum instrument panel

*V6 Pony Package:

-18" polished cast-aluminum wheels, body color extended mirrors, unique Grille, fog lamps, Pony fender badge, unique chrome exhaust tip, automatic headlamps, unique floor mats, decklid spoiler, and unique lower tape stripe.

Fleet Only Options

*Daytime running lamps

*Driver Ornamentation Package (18R)

*Engine block heater

*Floor mat delete

*Smoker’s Package (63B)

Call me for more information on any Ford vehicle:
Nick Breese
Fleet Manager, Berglund Ford
Salem/Roanoke, VA
Local: 540-389-7291x2251
Toll Free: 888-389-7921
Cell: 540-986-5679
nbreese@berglundcars.com

Live out of state? No problem, I can deliver your new vehicle(s) to your front door, ANYWHERE!

* 2009 EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17 mpg city/26 hwy. with 4.0L V6 and 5-speed manual transmission.
** Available on select series. Restrictions may apply. See your dealer for details.
Ford Motor Company reserves the right to change product specifications at any time without incurring obligations.

Why Ford has become a winner

By James Hinchcliffe
Globe and Mail Update
Racecar driver James Hinchcliffe praises the car maker for the huge improvement in its product

It may have been one small step for Motor Trend magazine, but the selection of the 2010 car of the year certainly was one giant leap for Ford Motor Co. This week it was announced that the 2010 Ford Fusion won the Motor Trend car of the year award. It was the first time since 2003 that a Ford had manage to claim the coveted prize.

I, personally, am very happy that the Fusion took home top honours this year. It gives some well-deserved credit to the only one of the struggling "Big 3" car manufacturers that has actually made real progress in the last few years. The reason I am so happy that Ford has been recognized for its efforts to turn the company around is because of the way it went about it; unlike their Detroit-based brethren, they tried to solve their issue from the showroom instead of the boardroom.

For years we were hearing about the declining popularity of North American cars and the take over of the market share by the leaders out of Europe and Japan. There were explanations and theories about labour costs and people's sudden aversion to buying big gas guzzling cars and SUVs. These were true enough and did contribute to the problem. But at the core of it all, irrespective of what was being created overseas, was the undeniable fact that the cars they made were junk.

Now that might seem a bit harsh. I am sure there are lots of people who own, or owned, a mid-90's to mid-2000's Ford, Chevy or Chrysler product and thought it was great. I'm sure it was. But the fact is there were less people on your side than there were against you. "Junk" is a relative term, of course. Were the cars absolutely unbearable, unreliable and unsafe? No. But compared to what else was out there, buying one would have been a bit like turning down a week vacation in Maui to see the touristy bits of Nebraska.

While the news kept breaking of company restructuring and managerial rearranging, the sad news was the product was left for what it was: simply undesirable. It had been out- styled, out-engineered and outclassed by the competition. For years the U.S. auto makers kept pumping out cars that looked like bars of soap on wheels and left a lot to be desired when driven. They were uninspiring to look at, bland to drive and not all that reliable.

Take the Chevrolet Impala, for example. I look at that thing and can't think of one single attribute that would make it a desirable car to own, other than the fact that Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives one and people move out of your way on the highway because they think you're a cop. For too long now I have looked at the North American cars and can't help but think "rental car." Again, there are a few exceptions; the Corvette is timeless, the new Camaro and Challenger are funky, but you can't carry umpteen sub-par models on the back of a few good ones.

That is why Ford deserves some credit. A few years ago the light bulb went on and they started updating the only part of the company that the consumer sees every day: the cars. What was so puzzling was that Ford and Chevy were both doing well in the European markets, albeit with cars that they didn't sell over here. Was it that big a stretch to believe that maybe they would be popular here too? Did someone not clue into the fact that every time there was a commercial on TV for the Focus it said in small print, "European model shown"? It was better looking!

It took these companies too long to realize that North Americans were ready to embrace change and move away from the big, boxy cars of yesteryear and toward smaller, funkier, more efficient cars like our European neighbours. Ford made the move first and it has been paying dividends ever since.

Ford was the only US auto maker to turn down bailout money from the government, and they actually posted a profit in the second quarter of this year. This has to be largely because their product on the road improved so dramatically.

They started coming out with cooler looking cars, like the Edge. Place it next to the SUVs that came before it like the Explorer and Escape and it looks like the "before" and "after" shots of the lucky guest on Oprah's makeover show. Even things that are a little overboard for me, like the Ford Flex, are selling well. And of course the Fusion is now an industry leader. All this came because they focused their efforts in the right place.

This new fleet of Fords boasts better quality, more focus on things like fuel efficiency, improved driving experience and, certainly not least, vastly improved looks. Not only are they keeping up with the competition, they are leading the pack.

It has been a long time coming, but I am glad that when someone asks me what new cars to look at, I can say, without hesitation, "Have you checked out a Ford lately?"

James Hinchcliffe is a Toronto-based racing driver with the IndyCar Lights circuit.


Call me for more information on any Ford vehicle:
Nick Breese
Fleet Manager, Berglund Ford
Salem/Roanoke, VA
Local: 540-389-7291x2251
Toll Free: 888-389-7921
Cell: 540-986-5679
nbreese@berglundcars.com

Live out of state? No problem, I can deliver your new vehicle(s) to your front door, ANYWHERE!

Ford Taurus – America’s Most Innovative Sedan

Named "Official Car" of the 2010 International CES


The smartest full-size sedan in America, the hot-selling 2010 Ford Taurus, will be the official vehicle of the 2010 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show®), to be held Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas.

“The all-new Taurus is Ford’s technology flagship, offering more user-friendly technology to help keep you safe and connected than cars twice its price,” said Frank Davis, executive director Product Development. “And there’s no better venue to show it off than CES.”

Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally will deliver the opening keynote address at CES, where Ford also will announce enhancements to its award-winning Ford SYNC® communications and entertainment system as well as new technology that builds on the company’s connected-car leadership position.

As the official car of CES, the Ford Taurus will be featured prominently with technology demonstrations and in signage, brochures and other written materials at the show.

“Consumers demand the latest on-the-go innovation in their cars. Ford automobiles are built with cutting-edge technology that makes driving safer and more enjoyable,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association® (CEA), producer of the International CES. “We are thrilled to welcome Ford to the 2010 International CES and to name the new Ford Taurus as the ‘Official Car of CES.’ We also look forward to hearing Ford’s Alan Mulally kick off the 2010 CES with his opening keynote address on Thursday, Jan. 7.”

As Davis notes, the all-new Ford Taurus is a perfect fit for CES – the world’s largest consumer technology trade show for the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. In addition to its expressive styling, the vehicle is loaded with advanced features, making it a virtual dream come true for avid techies.

“The Ford Taurus has 10 class-exclusive features not available from any other manufacturer,” said Davis. “This vehicle offers it all – from Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion™ that are designed to reduce fatigue on long-distance drives to a voice-activated navigation system that can tell you real-time traffic and weather information, and even where to find the cheapest gas.”

The Taurus also offers the latest application of SYNC – Traffic, Directions & Information – along with 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report. SYNC’s USB port and Bluetooth capability connects to MP3 players, memory sticks and smartphones, making them accessible by voice control – a more convenient and safe way to use these devices in the car.

For techies with teenaged drivers, Taurus offers MyKey™, a feature that allows parents to program a key that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume to encourage teens to drive safer and improve fuel efficiency.

In addition to Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion, voice-activated navigation, SYNC and MyKey, other class-exclusive technologies available on the Ford Taurus include:

#
EasyFuel® Capless Fuel-Filler – a self-seal system without a traditional fuel cap. No lost, dangling, or spinning caps. It seals automatically, every time.
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SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry Keypad – a feature that allows you to unlock the driver’s door by entering a five-digit code via a flush-mounted keypad
#
Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support – a feature that allows you to set a cruising speed and uses radar technology to automatically adjust your speed and warn you if you’re getting too close to the vehicle in front of you
#
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert – a feature that uses radar technology to warn you of vehicles in your blind spot and alert you to oncoming traffic when you’re backing out of a parking spot
#
Sony Audio® System – a surround sound system that delivers Dolby® Digital 5.1 sound through 12 high-quality Sony speakers
#
Available EcoBoost™ V-6 – a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that delivers the output of a V-8, 365 horsepower, without compromising its V-6 fuel economy

According to Davis, all of the technology offered on the Ford Taurus is sweetened by the vehicle’s price.

“Even the most zealous techies are careful with their money,” he said. “Taurus offers an unprecedented array of technologies typically reserved for luxury cars at a price that is affordable.”

In addition to being named official vehicle of the 2010 International CES, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO was dubbed Esquire magazine’s first-ever “Car of the Year.”

ALL-NEW 2011 FORD SUPER DUTY PRIMED TO MEET

• The all-new 2011 Ford Super Duty delivers even more productivity for commercial and fleet customers with significantly improved horsepower, torque and fuel economy with both the all-new diesel and gasoline engines along with Super Duty’s best-in-class towing and payload capability

• A full suite of technologies, including Ford Work Solutions™ and SYNC® voice-activated communications, make it easier for fleet owners to manage their vehicles and businesses

• New diesel engine is compatible with biodiesel up to B20 while the new gasoline engine can run on regular-grade gasoline, E85 ethanol or any blend in between, providing a wide array of fueling options for operators of either engine

• All-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift® six-speed transmission manages the improved power and torque with its SelectShift Automatic™ feature and includes upgrades to reduce cost of ownership; available Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) extends diesel capability

DALLAS, Sept. 24, 2009 – When choosing a work truck, commercial and fleet operators demand the best. The all-new 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty delivers, with significantly improved torque, horsepower and fuel economy from both the new 6.7-liter diesel and 6.2-liter gasoline engines that build on the line’s heritage of best-in-class towing and payload.

“Having the most capability means a customer doesn’t have to marginalize any segment while he tries to maintain and build his business,” said Jim Michon, truck fleet marketing manager. “Our customers expect the leadership capability that our trucks deliver and, with the 2011 Super Duty, they’ll also gain a significant improvement in fuel economy. It’s a win-win situation for commercial and fleet owners.”

The next-generation Super Duty builds on its legacy of capability, reliability, durability and dependability.

“Our customers can’t have their truck ‘call in sick,’” Michon said. “The Super Duty truck is their lifeblood. They need it out there every day.”

The 2011 Ford Super Duty line, which includes pickup trucks (F-250 through F-450) and chassis cabs (F-350 through F-550), is well positioned to address the needs of commercial and fleet customers in several ways.

Lowering the cost of ownership

Both the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel and new 6.2-liter gasoline
powertrains will deliver significantly improved fuel economy while also maintaining Super Duty’s best-in-class towing and payload. The architecture of both engines has been optimized for efficiency, as has the new TorqShift™ heavy-duty six-speed transmission.

The transmission’s fluid change interval also has been extended, in part due to a dual filter that provides fine filtration and large capacity in a single package. The dual filter also eliminates the need for a spin-on external filter.


The new 6.7-liter diesel’s architecture reduces down time during service work, which helps get vehicles back on the road faster and improves the bottom line. During service on the turbocharger, for example, the body/cab does not require removal, reducing labor time. Service time on the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) cooler and high-pressure fuel pump also is expected to be markedly reduced because of the new layout. The new spin-on oil filter makes that servicing easier as well.

The new Power Stroke, featuring Tow Haul Mode with the integrated engine exhaust brake, helps improve driver confidence with large loads and prolong brake pad life.

Bottom line: Super Duty is the “and” solution, providing both capability and low cost of ownership that customers truly appreciate in a challenging economic environment.

New-to-segment Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) adds capability

Go to http://media.ford.com for news releases and high-resolution photographs.

One of the functional improvements with the new transmission is the addition of segment-first Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) capability. On 2011 Super Duty diesels with the PTO prep option, the PTO output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers or dump trucks. The power is available any time the engine is running.

Pioneered on agricultural applications, the Live Drive feature is particularly useful when mobile PTO function is required during start-stop operations, such as salt spreading, cement pouring or snow plowing. “A fully functional Live Drive mobile PTO will allow Super Duty customers to take full advantage of the equipment on their trucks,” said Al Bruck, powertrain operations manager.


Flexible fueling options

The new diesel engine is compatible with biodiesel up to B20. Likewise, the new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline FFV-capable engine can run on E85 ethanol.

“For some of our fleet customers, having the option and flexibility of using biofuels is extremely important,” said Todd Kaufman, F-Series chassis cab marketing manager, noting the lower emissions biofuels offer.

Carryover gasoline engine


The proven 6.8-liter V-10 gasoline engine remains in the lineup for F-450 and F-550 chassis cab customers interested in upfitting bodies and boxes to the chassis. The five-speed TorqShift automatic transmission remains as well.

“A lot of F-450 and F-550 commercial customers have built their businesses around our truck with that configuration, so it’s important we retain that,” said Kaufman.

Variety of trim levels

The F-Series Super Duty offers a variety of trim levels – XL, XL Décor, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch® – to suit each customer. Some owner/operators, for example, opt for the King Ranch trim level, which includes Chaparral Leather seats, to help complete their “office.” In each level, customers will find more comfortable seats based off those in the current F-150.

Technology to help your business


Available Ford Work Solutions™ is one of many technologies that can help owners manage their business from the work site. Ford Work Solutions delivers four innovative features:


• An in-dash computer developed with Magneti Marelli and powered by Microsoft Auto that provides full high-speed Internet access via Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and
navigation by Garmin. It’s the first broadband-capable in-dash computer in production.
This system allows customers to print invoices, check inventories and access documents
stored on their home or office computer networks – right on the job site.

• Tool Link™, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system developed
in association with DEWALT, the industry leader in professional power tools, and
ThingMagic, the industry expert on embedded RFID technology. This enables customers
to maintain a detailed real-time inventory of tools or equipment stored in the pickup box.

• Crew Chief™, a fleet telematics and diagnostics system, which allows small fleet owners to efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites and keep detailed vehicle maintenance records.

• Cable Lock security system, developed in association with Master Lock®, the industryleading lock manufacturer, discourages theft of expensive tools too large to fit in the cab.

“Ford Work Solutions is a real game-changer,” said Kaufman. “It provides another way for the owner to improve the productivity of his Super Duty ‘tool’ by increasing access and onboard capability. Paperwork – including billing, quotes and work orders – can be accessed, modified and printed right there in the truck. He doesn’t have to wait until he gets back to the office or back home to do it.

SYNC®, Ford’s industry-first, voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system, leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a customer’s Bluetooth®-capable mobile phone. SYNC’s new application, Traffic, Directions & Information, provides simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather.

As with all Ford products, customer feedback played a vital role in developing the all-new 2011 Super Duty, especially with commercial customers.

“We’ve had our key fleet customers involved every step of the way as we’ve developed the new 2011 Super Duty,” Michon said. “Their valuable input has been reflected in the new truck, from the major features such as B20 capability to more minor, but still important, items such as driver manual lumbar on the vinyl seat. Thanks to the input of our customers, and the strong capability and focus of our engineering, design and manufacturing teams, the new 2011 Super Duty achieves a whole new level of capability.”

Call me for more information on any Ford vehicle:
Nick Breese
Fleet Manager, Berglund Ford
Salem/Roanoke, VA
Local: 540-389-7291x2251
Toll Free: 888-389-7921
Cell: 540-986-5679
nbreese@berglundcars.com

Live out of state? No problem, I can deliver your new vehicle(s) to your front door, ANYWHERE!

Ford Fusion named Motor Trend 2010 car of year

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co's (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Fusion mid-size sedan was named Motor Trend magazine's 2010 "car of the year" on Tuesday, adding to the perception that changes to the No. 2 U.S. automaker's vehicle lineup are gaining traction.

The Fusion was chosen best of 23 new or significantly upgraded vehicles and the full range of Fusion models impressed the judges, from the four-cylinder entry level vehicles to the all-wheel drive sport and hybrid versions, Motor Trend Editor Angus MacKenzie said.

"Ford has proven its resilience in these tough times by delivering to market a car with broad appeal to a broad range of customers," MacKenzie said.

The Fusion, which has become one of the top 10 selling vehicles in the United States, was redesigned for 2010. Ford launched the Fusion in 2006 and it set its previous annual sales peak in 2007.

"What a proof point, to be named car of the year by one of the most rigorous tests in the world," Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally told reporters at Ford headquarters after MacKenzie announced the award.

Motor Trend tested the vehicles on acceleration, braking, handling, noise and responsiveness under various road and traffic conditions. It also considered design, fuel efficiency, safety and value.

Ford posted a nearly $1 billion third-quarter profit this month that surprised Wall Street analysts and is the only large U.S. automaker not to reorganize in bankruptcy with U.S. government support in 2009.

The automaker has said it expects to return to a solid profit in 2011 with a gradual recovery in the auto industry in the United States and key regions internationally.

U.S. auto sales peaked at nearly 17 million vehicles in 2005 and have been falling since. Ford expects 2009 U.S. auto industry sales of about 10.6 million units including medium and heavy trucks, or around 10.3 to 10.4 million light vehicles.

"We are cautiously optimistic that we are near the bottom right now," Mulally said of the U.S. auto market.

Ford's shares reached a more than two-year high on Tuesday, a day after billionaire investor George Soros' hedge fund disclosed taking a 7.3 million share stake in Ford during the third quarter.

U.S. 2009 sales of the Fusion were up 15 percent through October at 148,045 but trail Toyota Motor Corp's (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Camry and Honda Motor Co Ltd's (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Accord in the mid-size sedan segment, one of the key areas in the U.S. market.

Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford has looked to set itself apart from U.S. rivals General Motors Co GM.UL and Chrysler Group LLC, which reorganized under government-funded bankruptcies this year, and increasingly uses Toyota and Honda as benchmark competitors.

Sales of the Fusion have helped keep Ford's U.S. sales declines for 2009 slower than the overall drop in the industry. Through October, Ford's U.S. sales are down 20.4 percent for the year, while the industry is down 26 percent.

Ford shares were up 15 cents, or 1.7 percent, to $8.86 in Tuesday afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Earlier on Tuesday, the stock reached $9, a more than two-year high that is also a nearly 29 percent increase since Ford posted its third quarter profit in early November.

Reuters.com

Call me for more information on any Ford vehicle:
Nick Breese
Fleet Manager, Berglund Ford
Salem/Roanoke, VA
Local: 540-389-7291x2251
Toll Free: 888-389-7921
Cell: 540-986-5679
nbreese@berglundcars.com

Live out of state? No problem, I can deliver your new vehicle(s) to your front door, ANYWHERE!

FORD ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF ALL-NEW POLICE INTERCEPTOR FOR LAW ENFORCMENT USE NATIONWIDE

* Ford confirms development plans of an all-new Ford Police Interceptor and affirms continued commitment to the police and municipal vehicle businesses
* New Police Interceptor’s durability, safety and performance will exceed the existing Crown Victoria’s law enforcement vehicle lineup
* Ford is the market leader in the law enforcement vehicle segment, selling 45,000 of the 60,000 police vehicles sold in each year in the U.S.

Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 13, 2009 – Ford Motor Company announced today it will produce an all-new purpose-built Police Interceptor specially designed and engineered to replace the Ford Crown Victoria law enforcement vehicle lineup in 2011.

The new Ford Police Interceptor is being developed in conjunction with Ford’s Police Advisory Board, which provided input during the past 14 months on key vehicle attributes, such as safety, performance, durability, driver convenience and comfort. The new Police Interceptor will be offered without interruption when production of the Ford Crown Victoria ends in late 2011.

“We have heard the repeated requests from the law enforcement community to continue uninterrupted support of the law enforcement community,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Ford is answering the call with the new Police Interceptor – engineered and built in America.”
Ford – which currently controls approximately 75 percent of the police pursuit vehicle business in the U.S. – has invested significantly in designing the purpose-built new police and municipal vehicles to meet the needs of these crucial customers.

The new Police Interceptor is designed to provide municipalities with reduced ownership costs through improved fuel efficiency, quality and the kind of durability police departments nationwide have come to expect from Ford.

“Ford’s commitment to the law enforcement community produced the Crown Victoria, the benchmark police vehicle,” said Lt. Brian Moran, fleet manager, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and a member of Ford’s Police Advisory Board. “This commitment has continued, and Ford has been working closely with the Police Advisory Board on developing the new Police Interceptor. I am confident that the next-generation Ford police vehicle will meet the future needs of the law enforcement community and will set the new standard.”

Ford plans to reveal the new model and provide full vehicle specifications in the first quarter of 2010 – in time for law enforcement agencies, police equipment manufacturers and upfitters to develop a transition plan from the Crown Victoria to the new product.

Each year, Ford sells approximately 45,000 police vehicles, making the Blue Oval the nation’s largest provider of police and municipal vehicles.

“Ford long has supported our public servants with vehicles that work as hard as they do,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service. “We intend to build on this legacy with a new generation of municipal and police vehicles that set even higher standards.”



Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

Call me for more information on any Ford vehicle:
Nick Breese
Fleet Manager, Berglund Ford
Salem/Roanoke, VA
Local: 540-389-7291x2251
Toll Free: 888-389-7921
Cell: 540-986-5679
nbreese@berglundcars.com

Live out of state? No problem, I can deliver your new vehicle(s) to your front door, ANYWHERE!

Electric-powered Ford Transit Connect will go 80 miles between charges, other Ford electric vehicle plans revealed

Ford Motor's begun to trickle out details of its electric-vehicle plans.

It says Azure Dynamics will supply its so-called Force Drive drivetrain to create an all-electric version of its Transit Connect small commercial van. The plug-in vehicle should go on sale to commercial customers in the U.S. and Canada late next year.

The battery-powered Transit will go at least 80 miles on a full charge, Ford says, and possibly more. A final decision hasn't been made on battery size, which will determine the range. Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the lithium-ion battery. And it will be "dual badged":

The electric Transit Connect is to be marketed as both a Ford and an Azure, and possibly warrantied by Azure, not Ford.

In 2011, Ford says, it will offer a battery only, plug-in Focus, with at least some intended for regular showroom customers rather than strictly commercial and fleet buyers.

In 2012 will come an unidentified "next-generation" hybrid (meaning it'll have a lithium-ion battery) and an also-anonymous "plug-in hybrid vehicle." Ford won't say if these will be two versions of the same model -- such as two versions of a Fusion sedan -- or separate models, such as a next-gen Fusion hybrid, for instance, and a plug-in Escape.

Too bad all those weren't around during the cash-for-clunkers program. They'd have qualified, in spades.

Transit Connect on assembly line in Turkey by Murad Sezer/Reuters
USA Today

Call me for more information on any Ford vehicle:
Nick Breese
Fleet Manager, Berglund Ford
Salem/Roanoke, VA
Local: 540-389-7291x2251
Toll Free: 888-389-7921
Cell: 540-986-5679
nbreese@berglundcars.com

Live out of state? No problem, I can deliver your new vehicle(s) to your front door, ANYWHERE!

Ford to put air bags into back seat belts of SUV

DETROIT — Air bags have long been mounted in the steering wheel, dashboard and sides of vehicles. Now, they're in the seat belts.

Ford Motor Co. plans to introduce seat belt-mounted air bags in the back seat of the 2011 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle, which will hit the market next fall. Ford says it's the first automaker to mass produce the technology.

The belts have a cylindrical air bag that stretches from the buckle to the shoulder and fits inside a pocket sewn into the belt. The car sends a signal that releases the bag, which inflates more gently than a front air bag, so it's safer for children.

Srini Sundararajan, the Ford engineer who was chiefly responsible for developing the device, says the wider belts and bags help distribute crash forces across the occupant's chest, so there's less chance of serious injury. It also supports the head and neck.

"The top two lifesaving devices today are the seat belt and the air bag. This combines them into one great feature," Sundararajan said.

Clarence Ditlow, head of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, says the belts are particularly effective at protecting the elderly, who are more frail.

"You often end up with broken ribs" during a crash with a conventional seat belt, Ditlow said.

Ford has been working on the technology for a decade and had to overcome numerous challenges bringing it to market.

Front air bags are powered by a device that generates hot gas. They deploy very quickly because they need to cover a greater distance before they reach the driver or passenger. Seat belt air bags don't have that distance to cover, so they can deploy more gently, using cold gas technology, although Srini said they're still fully deployed in a tenth of a second.

Ford also did a significant amount of testing to make sure the bags would protect children, even if they're sleeping and their heads are drooping. The belt also works with booster seats.

Sue Cischke, Ford's group vice president for sustainability, environmental and safety engineering, wouldn't say how much the belts with air bags will cost, but she did say the technology is expensive. They will be available as an option at first, since some drivers — particularly those without children — may not feel they need them.

"With any new safety technology, you have to do a lot to educate the consumer," she said. "We're not sure what people will value with this."

Cischke said the Explorer was chosen for the new seat belts because it's popular with families and has also been a platform for other safety introductions, such as side-curtain air bags and stability control. Cischke said the price could come down substantially if Ford decides to put the seat belts on other vehicles.

Edward DeSmet, a technical seat belt specialist at Ford, said test subjects found the padded belts even more comfortable than regular ones. He hopes that leads more people to use them. U.S. seat belt usage in back seats is still at a dismal 60 percent, compared with 83 percent in the vehicle as a whole, DeSmet said.

Associated Press

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Ford Debuts 2010 Raptor Powertrain at SEMA

Ford’s Raptor is much more than just a truck. As Ford’s top-level F-series offering with unparalleled capability and performance, it’s given the Blue Oval a unique halo vehicle that just can’t seem to stay out of the headlines. And it’s paid off too; over 3,000 orders have been taken with 700 trucks already delivered. And that was just the beginning.

When Ford first announced the Raptor, the news release came with a caveat: that the 2009 Raptor would only be available with the standard 5.4L Triton V8. Although a powerful enough engine in its own right, the 5.4L lump didn’t quite match the level of engineering prowess that was poured into the truck’s race ready suspension, and Ford officials were quick to cite the inclusion of an upcoming (and then) secretive 6.2L V8 that was to exceed 400 horsepower.

Well, now that 6.2L engine isn’t quite so secret, as Ford has used the 2009 SEMA show to display the 2010 Raptor with the optional powerplant under the hood. Exceeding initial estimates, the 6.2L produces 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, making the Raptor the most powerful half-ton pickup extant. Although the 5.4L will still be available, the price differential on US models is roughly $3,000 US, making the 6.2L a fantastic value.

Story found at Carguideweb.com

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Ford Unleashes 2010 Cobra Jet Mustang

Ford's re-packaging of the Mustang into its 2010 model-year form factor has pleased the critics with a sleeker look, but now Ford Racing is getting ready to please the folks that live only to see quick ETs with the 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet, which was revealed today at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas.

Since its victorious introduction at the NHRA Winternationals in 1968, Ford's Cobra Jet Mustang has created a legacy of power, performance and triumph. The latest version, on show today, was finished in a “SEMA Special” paint scheme and a contrasting graphics package.

The 2010 Cobra Jet, like its predecessor, is a factory-built race car that is intended for NHRA Stock and Super Stock racing. The goal for the 2010 Cobra Jet was to enhance the race features to further make its own place in NHRA history. These include options for a full race-prepared automatic or manual transmission, drag race-specific shocks and springs, manual steering and brakes, and a fully certified roll cage.

Additionally, Ford engineers have developed for the 2010 Cobra Jet a factory-first launch control/rev limiter that will allow drivers to preset the rpm after they stage the car--when they are ready to leave, all they do is put the throttle pedal to the floor. Previously, the launch control/rev limiter was only available as an aftermarket option.

Production of the new race cars will commence in January, with delivery of all vehicles expected in the first quarter of 2010.

Story founda at MotorAuthority

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Ford surprises with $1B profit; sees profit in '11

By TOM KRISHER and DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP
Mon Nov 2, 9:58 AM EST

Ford, the only Detroit automaker to dodge direct government aid and bankruptcy court, surprised investors with net income of nearly $1 billion in the third quarter and forecast a "solidly profitable" 2011.

The automaker said Monday earnings were fueled by U.S. market share gains, cost cuts and the Cash for Clunkers program, which drew flocks of buyers to showrooms this summer. Ford's shares rose 68 cents, or 9.8 percent, to $7.68 in morning trading.

The latest results signal that Ford's turnaround is on more solid ground. The company lost more than $14.6 billion last year and hasn't posted a full-year profit since 2005. While it made a profit in the second quarter, that was mainly due to debt reductions that cut its interest payments.

Ford, based in Dearborn, Mich., reported third-quarter net income of $997 million, or 29 cents per share. Its profit forecast for 2011 was a step above previous guidance of break-even or better for the year.

Ford's key North American car and truck division posted a pretax profit of $357 million, the division's first quarter in the black since early 2005. Ford cited higher pricing, lower material costs and increased market share for the improvement.

Excluding one-time items, Ford earned 26 cents per share, blowing away analysts' expectations of a loss of 12 cents.

The earnings came despite an $800 million revenue drop. But Ford said it cut costs by $1 billion during the quarter, accomplished through layoffs in North America and Europe, reduced pension and retiree health care costs and improvements in productivity and product development.

Chief financial officer Lewis Booth said the company took in $1.3 billion more than it spent in the quarter, an improvement over its $1 billion cash burn in the second quarter.

"That's a huge deal," Booth said.

Ford's plan to create demand and get better prices for its products, coupled with cost cuts, gave the company confidence that it will make money in 2011, Booth said.

But Ford still faces obstacles in its turnaround. Last week, workers overwhelmingly rejected an agreement with the United Auto Workers that would have brought Ford's labor costs in line with rivals General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC. Workers objected to clauses limiting their right to strike and freezing entry-level wages, and felt the company was healthy enough and didn't need further concessions.

The rejected deal also would have changed rules so skilled tradesmen such as electricians and pipefitters work in teams and perform more than one task.

Rejection of the deal isn't likely to place Ford at an immediate cost disadvantage to its crosstown rivals because savings from the concessions are longer-term, said Gary Chaison, a professor of labor relations at Clark University in Worcester, Mass. Neither the company nor the UAW has released any cost savings numbers.

The third-quarter profit makes it extremely unlikely that the company will push to head back to the bargaining table before the current UAW contract expires in the fall of 2011, and union leaders also are unlikely to take another deal to the membership, Chaison said.

"I think the company has no credibility asking for concessions now, and I think the leadership is quite embarrased for making a case for concessions," he said.

Chaison said Ford could make some noise about moving new vehicle production to Canada, where unionized workers on Sunday approved a package of concessions, but it's more likely that Ford will live with the current contract until 2011.

The other area where Ford has a cost disadvantage is debt. Ford reported $26.9 billion in debt, up $800 million from the second quarter.

The company avoided the same fate as rivals Chrysler and GM by mortgaging its factories and even the familiar blue oval logo to borrow $23.5 billion before credit markets froze last year.

Ford didn't quantify the impact of Cash for Clunkers, which offered buyers rebates to trade in their vehicles. The program helped Ford cut costly incentives and raise production.

It also won buyers; the fuel-efficient Ford Focus sedan and Ford Escape, a small SUV, were among the top five sellers under clunkers. Ford sales climbed 17 percent in August thanks to the program.

Ford's revenue fell $800 million for the quarter, to $30.9 billion, due mainly to its financial services arm, Ford Motor Credit, making fewer loans.

But the division still posted a pretax profit of $677 million, and revenue from auto operations rose slightly to $27.9 billion.

Ford also has benefited from consumer goodwill after it declined government bailout money and didn't go into bankruptcy over the summer as GM and Chrysler did. Ford grabbed sales from its rivals, posting the largest increase in market share of any automaker in September. Ford expects an overall gain in U.S. market share in 2009, a feat it hasn't accomplished since 1995.

(This version CORRECTS 5th graf that Ford's North American car and truck division posted the first pretax profit since the first quarter of 2005 sted company's first pretax profit since first quarter of 2005)

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