Car Dealer Reputations: FORD ENEWS – From The Ford Motor Company Newsroom

EcoBoost will power smallest engine ever for Ford

Ford is expanding its industry-leading range of fuel-efficient powertrains in North America with the addition of a new 1.0-liter EcoBoost™ three-cylinder – the smallest engine Ford has ever built – and an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. In addition, Ford's next generation of hybrid vehicles, including a new plug-in hybrid that will launch next year, will have a Ford-engineered transmission that will be built in Michigan. The arrival of the latest member of the EcoBoost family, Ford's first eight-speed automatic and its new hybrid transmission will further strengthen the company's lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles.

Richard Truett | rtruett1@ford.com | 313.323.7045

Robots with laser vision help Ford continue to boost quality

Robots with laser vision are the newest high-tech system that Ford is using to improve quality as it strives to lead the industry in customer satisfaction. Ford Motor Company is investing $100 million globally to install robotic plant laser inspection technology to help make parts fits more accurately and reduce wind noise – a top industry quality issue. The technology is first being used during assembly of the 2012 Focus at Michigan Assembly Plant and the Saarlouis, Germany, plant and the Ford Explorer at Chicago Assembly Plant. It will then be rolled out globally.

Wes Sherwood | wsherwoo@ford.com | 313.390.5660

Ford Crew Chief telematics system can improve fuel economy

Users of Ford Crew Chief™ powered by Telogis are improving fuel efficiency for their fleets by up to 20 percent through better management of vehicle diagnostics, location and driver behavior. Crew Chief was developed by Ford Motor Company in response to commercial customer demand for a system that would allow fleet managers to monitor the location of the trucks in their fleets. To help managers improve the fleet operation even further, Ford developed a system that reports vehicle diagnostics along with driver behavior - information that helps drive a safer, greener and more efficient fleet.

Alan Hall | ahall32@ford.com | 313.594.3744

New Ford Focus available for The Sims 3 simulation video game

The Ford Focus has moved from driveway to computer hard drive as part of The Sims 3, the world's most popular life simulation video game. Players of The Sims 3 are now able to download the all-new 2012 Focus sedan as part of the new Focus Neon Nights package. It's the second time Focus has been a part of The Sims line of games – the first was in The Sims 2. Electronic Arts is creator of The Sims, a title that has sold more than 145 million copies.

Alan Hall | ahall32@ford.com | 313.594.3744