www.FordInsideNews.com
December 17, 2010
By: Nick Saporito

In what is becoming a regular occurrence out of Ford social media outlets, a Ford employee of significance chatted with consumers on Facebook today. Today’s employee guest was Matt Niesluchowski, whom is in charge of all safety related features on the upcoming 2012 Focus. Niesluchowski divulged several new details about the new Focus and the ‘focus’ Ford has placed with safety on it.

Perhaps the most notable specification mentioned is that the new Focus was crash tested 80,000 times in real life and another 12,000 simulated crashes. That seems like a lot, but Nieslouchowski claimed that Ford’s crash testing is amongst the most efficient in the world.

Also mentioned was the fact that the Focus B-pillar is pioneering a new tailor rolling process so that it can be fabricated from very high strength steel. Niesluchowski stated that this new process allowed for the B-pillar design to be what it is today without compromising the safety aspect of the vehicle.

One participant asked what the biggest safety difference is between the last generation Focus and the 2012. The response was that the new Focus is leverage much more high strength and ultra high strength steel- including Boron steel.

Another participant asked if the 2011 Explorer’s inflatable seatbelts would make their way into the new Focus at some point, but Ford dodged the question by stating that the inflatable seatbelts would be rolled out to additional vehicle lines in the future.

The new Focus comes standard with six airbags and will be launching in the United States towards the end of next month.

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Ford Motor Company’s world-first technology will allow parents to block explicit radio content and offer four top speed limits so they have more peace of mind while their youngsters are driving. The new features are major upgrades to Ford’s award-winning MyKey teen safety technology that is a standard feature on most new Ford and Lincoln vehicles. This innovative technology allows parents to limit a vehicle’s top speed and audio volume, and can even mute audio if front seat belts aren’t buckled. Andy Sarkisian, (Sar-kay-zian) Safety planning and strategy manager at Ford, says MyKey is a big hit because Ford listens to what customers want.

Cut #1: “We’re continually listening to the customer and making improvements and a couple of things that we heard in particular, was being able to have alternative top-speed limitations, so that’s one of the changes. The other is, there is a lot of freedom in the vehicle today and that’s great for our young drivers, but it can also be distracting and some of the programming on Satellite radio is something that parents were concerned with.” :21 sec.
Starting with the Ford Taurus and Explorer in late 2011, parents will be able to use a V-chip-like feature to block explicit programs while their teen is driving, as well as limit their car’s top speed to 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph, in addition to the current safety features available through MyKey.
Cut #2: “We have the equivalent of a V-Chip that will allow parents to filter-out certain adult programming on satellite radio. In SIRIUS radio they actually broadcast a little code for adult programming and so when My Key is turned on, we look for that code and if that code is present in the channel that the MyKey driver is listening to it will suppress that channel and a message will be on the radio that says, that has been suppressed by MyKey.” :30 sec.
Sarkisian says Ford expects to have this technology on 80-percent of their vehicles in the near future, and went on to say they have had very positive feedback from sales people and consumers.
Cut #3: “Sales people have told us that when they have a buyer and the buyer has teenagers and they mention the MyKey feature on it… every single one of them says how do I turn that on and there have been no complaints coming back.” :13 sec.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), teens are more likely to take risks such as speeding – a contributing factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes. Teens also are less likely to wear safety belts than older drivers. MyKey is an innovative addition to Ford’s SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft and allows the parent to program any key through the intuitive MyFord Touch interface. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the system reads the transponder chip in the key and immediately identifies the MyKey code, which enables certain default driving modes, including: Ford’s Beltminder system that chimes every six-seconds till the seat belt is fastened, earlier low-fuel warning, and now parental control of mature radio programming, plus limiting top speed of 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph and traction control systems, that limits tire spin, which cannot be deactivated.

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Dad & I and Robinson Brothers employees would like to THANK EVERYONE for an outstanding year. We are truley BLESSED with some GREAT CUSTOMERS in a GREAT area! Thank You!

The Robinson Brothers family would like to wish YOU and your family a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL!

Remember, if you are going to be on the road this holiday season PLEASE be careful & drive SAFELY

Published December 20, 2010 | FoxNews.com

Four years after abandoning the minivan segment, Ford is coming back in a big way with a very small car.

The C-Max seven-passenger people carrier has two sliding rear doors, a footprint smaller than a Fusion midsize sedan and a number of unique features that the Detroit automaker hopes will make it an appealing choice for young families. It’s size is truer to form to the original minivans of the 1980s than the current crop of vehicles to carry the description, most of which have stretched the term “mini” to new lengths, and is similar to the current Mazda5.

Along with a flexible 2-3-2 seating arrangement that includes a second row middle seat that can be folded and stowed away under the cushion of the right outboard seat for better access to the third row, the C-Max will be available with a slate of electronic options including a self-parking
system and an industry first foot-operated tailgate. With a smart key fob in your pocket or purse, all you have to do is swipe your foot under the rear bumper of the C-Max and the tailgate will open automatically, allowing you to access the cargo compartment while your hands are full.

The C-Max is aimed to be a fuel efficient alternative to larger crossovers and SUVs, and will come with a choice of two four cylinder engines when it goes on sale later this year. The top level option will be the smallest version of Ford’s new line of turbocharged engines, known as Ecoboost. The company predicts that the 168 horsepower motor will get 20 percent better fuel economy than similarly-powered engines.

The C-Max will make its public debut next January at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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WAYNE, Mich., Dec. 14, 2010 – Ford Motor Company’s Michigan Assembly Plant, which once churned out large SUVs, has completed a $550 million transformation that will make it the world’s first factory to build not only fuel-efficient gas-powered cars, but also three production versions of electrified vehicles including battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.

Michigan Assembly will be home to the all-new global Ford Focus, which has started production and goes on sale early next year. The Focus Electric zero-emission battery electric vehicle goes into production late next year followed by production of a new hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

“We’ve modernized just about every square foot of this facility to establish a new standard for a high-tech, green, flexible and efficient auto factory,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president of North America Manufacturing. “The transformation of Michigan Assembly Plant stands as a symbol for the transformation of Ford.”

On the outside, a new 500-kilowatt solar panel system will be installed to help generate renewal energy for production of Ford’s all-new Focus and Focus Electric cars. Ten new electric vehicle charging stations on the property will be used to recharge the electric trucks that transport parts between adjacent facilities.

Inside, new cars making the three-mile trip down the assembly line must pass dozens of rigorous quality inspections. A new three-wet paint booth utilizes 66 paint robots with seven axis of movement to precisely apply paint to the cars. In the body shop, 500 new robots capable of 4,000 welds per vehicle add to the plant’s flexibility. And a new internal communications system flashes updates and information to the plant’s 3,200 employees via 163 monitor screens distributed throughout the plant.

Flexible: Trends move fast
Bright, modern and green – like the car it is building – the refurbished Michigan Assembly Plant is the company’s new benchmark for flexible manufacturing. At 1.2 million square feet – about the size of 22 football fields – the plant becomes Ford’s most flexible, high-volume and modern manufacturing facility in its global operations. Ford will continue to evolve its manufacturing flexibility as the company’s facilities are rapidly being transformed into more nimble, flexible, and technologically advanced operations.

The changes at the plant will allow the company to run multiple models down the same production line without requiring considerable downtime for changeover of tooling. Two different models of the Focus can be adjusted between builds without restrictions.

“If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that customer wants and needs can change quickly – much more quickly than we have been equipped to efficiently respond to in the past,” said Tetreault. “At Michigan Assembly, we will achieve a level of flexibility we don’t have in any other plant around the world, which will allow us to meet shifting consumer preferences in real time.”

Renewable: Power from the sun
Michigan Assembly also will boast Michigan’s largest solar power generation system and several electric vehicle charging stations for greener, more sustainable manufacturing when installation is completed next year.

Ford is teaming with Detroit Edison and Xtreme Power to install the 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system. The system will be integrated with a 750-kilowatt energy storage facility that can store 2 million watt-hours of energy using batteries – enough to power 100 average Michigan homes for a year. A secondary, smaller solar energy system will be added at a later date to power lighting systems at Michigan Assembly. The combined systems are expected to result in projected energy cost savings of about $160,000 per year.

Quality: At every turn
To ensure best-in-class quality for the all-new Focus, vehicles on the line will endure rigorous examinations. Workers will perform hundreds of comprehensive quality tests and checks to ensure every bolt, seam and joint has been thoroughly inspected before continuing down the line.

“We are leveraging our people, processes and products to consistently build cars that will surpass the competition,” said Tetreault. “This plant embodies everything we as a company strive to become – modern, efficient, flexible, global and sustainable.”

Contributing to Focus’ best-in-class quality and Michigan Assembly’s transformation:

•Virtual manufacturing technology to improve ergonomics for easier, safer work
•Redesigned water soak testing booth to ensure zero water entry for long-term durability
•Highly efficient and environmentally friendly painting process
•Best-in-class squeak and rattle track that shakes and rolls vehicles for noises
•New energy-efficient illumination lighting for better vehicle inspections
•Moving platforms with real-time height adjustments for better operator ergonomics
•Vision-guided automation for better installation, fit-and-finish of doors, decks and hoods
•New robotic paint spray booths for more consistent and environmentally friendly application
•Electric tools capable of precisely measuring torque and the number of rotations required to secure bolts, screws and other attachments
Adding to the physical transformation of the plant, Ford and the United Auto Workers have developed a framework to establish a strong, progressive culture that encourages joint problem solving and continuous improvement of the production process.

“This plant is an inspirational example of how a modern manufacturing facility should look and work,” said Tetreault. “It’s bright, high-tech and efficient, while also being environmentally and ergonomically friendly.”

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Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics have begun shipping the first Ford Transit Connect Electrics to early customers in North America and to the United Kingdom for a demonstration project. The all-electric commercial vans, built on the Ford Transit Connect vehicle body, equipped with Azure Dynamics’ patented Force Drive™ battery electric powertrain, and assembled by AM General at its facility in Livonia, Mich., are reaching the market 13 months after the collaboration to develop the zero-emissions vehicle was first announced.

Read More

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by Ford in the News on December 8, 2010

Technology and safety continue to be at the forefront of new Ford products. By the end of 2011, Ford will continue this trend by making its innovative Rear View Camera System available on nearly all Ford and Lincoln models.

“Ford is making new innovations such as the Rear View Camera System available to a wide range of customers in most of our vehicles to help them see better when reversing,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronics systems engineering at Ford. “Our research shows that visibility is one of the biggest customer concerns today, which is why we are the only company to offer a Rear View Camera System, Blind Spot Mirrors and the radar-based Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic system.”

Rear view cameras are intended to enhance visibility directly behind a vehicle. The camera, embedded in the rear of the vehicle, sends images to the driver via a rearview mirror or the navigation system screen. Ford’s system in particular features images that are overlaid with lines, indicating the width of the vehicle. The system also works in low light, making it useful in even the darkest parking spaces.

“We believe Ford’s Rear View Camera System is easiest to use because there are lines to mark the vehicle’s size for easier parking in tight spots,” Buczkowski said.

Vehicles receiving ford’s system will include the new 2011 Explorer. Ford believes it’s important to offer such a system on full-size pickups, vans and crossovers because it helps truck owners align and hitch trailers.

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DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 2, 2010 – What looks like a harmless speck of sand to one person can be a big nuisance for a new car owner. That is why engineers at Ford Motor Company are working with the same computed tomography (CT) scanners that police and hospitals use to improve vehicle quality.

Much like crime solvers on television, Ford has its own team of “forensic” investigators employing cutting-edge scientific methods to improve the quality of parts such as gears, latches, welds, nuts, bolts, fasteners and sensors before they are assembled into a finished car.

Analysts like Ford’s Vlad Beltran in the past would spend hours, days — and even weeks — sanding an individual part, such as a bolt, one layer at a time until a small scratch or bump was discovered. Now, Beltram uses 3D virtual imaging to target a flaw inside, such as an air pocket or scratch, that may be no bigger than a dust particle.

Beltran’s work keeps Ford quality high by uncovering the air pockets, indentations, and blemishes that mean the difference between acceptable and optimal performance.

The critical tool is a Skyscan Micro-CT scanner that fits on a table-top.

“The CT scanner is an essential tool to help us study why parts aren’t performing at their optimum level,” said Beltran. “It can be used for any number of things – troubleshooting for supplier parts, new parts that engineers are testing or parts from vehicles undergoing durability testing. When a part contains a deficiency, it’s critical to address it right away. We need to find out why. We need to either improve the part or improve the process.”

Ford works closely with its suppliers to understand how parts are made. The CT scanner can help check for internal and structural deficiencies, and verifies that any changes suppliers make do indeed improve the quality and performance of the part.

The remarkably advanced Skyscan works on the same premise as larger CT scanners used in hospitals or crime investigations. Lab analysts take an X-ray of the part being studied and then use the scanner’s software to reconstruct it virtually. The virtual image of the part can be viewed horizontally and vertically in digitized slices. The scanner can detect defects down to 17 microns – smaller than a single particle of sand or one-fifth the diameter of a human hair. That means problems not visible to the naked eye can be seen on the computer screen.

Using the software, analysts also can create a short, three-dimensional video from the data to better explain the situation.

The overall goal is to think and work proactively, said Jeff LaDuke, product development supervisor at Central Laboratory. “There are so many components on so many systems of a vehicle, and if one part is flawed, it can compromise the integrity of the entire vehicle or vehicle system,” LaDuke said. “What we’re doing here is finding problems before they become issues with customers.”

Before the lab obtained the scanner, each component was studied and taken apart by hand. “We’d spend hours sanding it a little, polishing it a little, examining it under a microscope and then take a picture of it, repeating this process several times,” said Beltran. “Even then it was possible that we could go right through a defect and not even know it.”

With the scanner, many issues can be solved within a few hours. Once the mystery is solved, the information is given to a materials engineering group that works with designers and a supplier base to resolve the issue and/or correct the situation.

“Word has spread since we’ve obtained this technology, so we’re increasingly seeing different types of parts from all over the world,” added LaDuke.

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