Ford C-MAX Energi Tops All Utility

Ford C-MAX Energi Tops All Utility and Compact Vehicles with EPA-Rated 620-Mile Range; Triples Prius Plug-in’s Electric Range

• Ford C-MAX Energi has the most range of any utility or compact vehicle by achieving an EPA-rated 620-mile range on a single tank and a single charge, taking customers 80 miles further than the Toyota Prius plug-in

• C-MAX Energi achieves up to 21 miles in all-electric range – more than triple the Prius plug-in hybrid’s six-mile all-electric range – with a 108-MPGe EPA city rating

• C-MAX Energi addresses trends of more Americans “super commuting” longer distances and increased congestion; electric-only operation in stop-and-go traffic is estimated to waste 1.9 billion gallons of gasoline annually

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DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 16, 2012 – America’s most efficient utility vehicle – Ford’s new 108-MPGe C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid – also has the most range of any utility or compact vehicle with a 620-mile overall driving range as rated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

This means C-MAX Energi customers could drive from Detroit to New York City, San Francisco to Las Vegas, or even Portland, Ore., to Twin Falls, Idaho, through the combined use of the power stored in the vehicle’s advanced lithium-ion battery and one tank of gasoline.

The Toyota Prius plug-in trails the C-MAX Energi by 80 miles at 540 miles of overall range, and the Chevrolet Volt comes in third at 380 miles.

“C-MAX Energi is America’s most efficient utility vehicle, a great symbol of how Ford gives customers the power to choose leading fuel-efficiency across our lineup with gas prices spiraling upwards of $5 a gallon in some parts of the country,” says John Davis, C-MAX chief engineer. “The C-MAX Energi’s leading range also means customers can spend more time on the road and more money on their priorities instead of at the gas pump.”

C-MAX Energi achieves up to 21 miles in all-electric mode, meaning at least one leg of the average work commute – reportedly 20 miles each way – could be completed each day on electric battery charge only, allowing customers to save gas as they face traffic congestion in their commute.

The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid offers up to six miles in all-electric range, meaning C-MAX Energi can travel three times more distance than the Prius plug-in hybrid before first engine start.

A study by the United States Department of the Treasury estimates congestion consumed an extra 1.9 billion gallons of fuel in 2011, approximately 5 percent of all gasoline used.

“The C-MAX Energi is the first plug-in hybrid to combine significant electric only range with great overall range on a tank of gas,” says Davis. “We expect many C-MAX Energi customers will commute largely on electricity, yet will still have the range, space and flexibility to take a long road trip without stopping every few hours.”

Debuting this fall with a 108 MPGe city EPA rating and for $29,995 after a federal tax credit, the C-MAX Energi is Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid vehicle and part of the company’s first dedicated line of hybrids.

Drivers can handle the roads with power and style as well. Offering 195 horsepower with a fully charged battery, the new C-MAX Energi has 60 more horsepower than the Prius plug-in hybrid and boasts class-exclusive technologies such as hands-free liftgate and active park assist.

With the growing trend of commuters spending more time on the roads, the C-MAX Energi’s combination of fuel efficient highway driving and electric-powered city driving is more important than ever. A recent study from New York University’s Rudin School of Transportation shows today’s commuters are on the road longer than ever before, and the number of people who commute more than 90 miles to work has doubled over the past 10 years. With a 108 MPGe city rating and 92 MPGe on the highway, C-MAX Energi gives customers leading fuel efficiency throughout their commute.

Power of choice

C-MAX Energi figures prominently in Ford’s rollout of electrified vehicles. Ford’s other electrified vehicles include:

• Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe city and 105 MPGe combined; 6 MPGe better than the Nissan Leaf
• C-MAX Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway ratings – 7 mpg better than the Toyota Prius v on the highway – for a 47 mpg combined rating
• All-new Fusion Hybrid is America’s most fuel-efficient sedan after being certified by the EPA to deliver 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway, 47 mpg combined. This beats the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg highway, 4 mpg city
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of this year; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world with more than 100 MPGe

Built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., the all-new C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid begins arriving this fall at EV Certified Ford dealers in 19 markets, followed by nationwide rollout in all 50 states in early 2013.

More information about Ford’s electrified vehicles – including press releases, fact sheets and product sheets, photos and video – can be found here.

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About Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 168,000 employees and about 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Ford Warriors in Pink Launches 2013 Collection

Ford Warriors in Pink Launches 2013 Collection, Continues Celebrating Breast Cancer Survivors With Its ‘Models of Courage’ Campaign

• The 2013 Ford Warriors in Pink collection of apparel and accessories is now available at www.fordcares.com; 100 percent of the net proceeds benefit breast cancer charities.

• Ford Warriors in Pink^® once again honors breast cancer survivors who have demonstrated strength and courage in their battle with its “Models of Courage” program — showcasing11 survivors, 11 stories of hope.

• For the past 19 years, Ford has fought the battle against breast cancer 365 days a year, raising more than $120 million for the cause with $4.7 million in donations generated from Warrior wear and gear.

DEARBORN, Mich., May 29, 2012 – Ford Motor Company and its Warriors in Pink^® campaign kicks off its 19^th year of support in the fight against breast cancer with the arrival of its 2013 collection of Ford Warriors in Pink apparel and accessories. Created for women, men and children, the collection features important symbols signifying the message of hope, strength and unity in the fight against breast cancer. The new collection is now available at www.fordcares.com, with 100 percent of net proceeds going directly to the fight against breast cancer.

 

“Models of Courage,” a program launched in 2012 to highlight the stories of breast cancer survivors, is continuing this year with inspirational stories of 11 women and men who were selected for the Models of Courage program to serve as Ford Warriors in Pink role models and inspire everyone involved in the fight against breast cancer.

 

Ford Warriors in Pink created the Models of Courage program to celebrate breast cancer survivors who have demonstrated strength and courage in their battle. In 2013, the Models of Courage will build upon their roles, traveling around the country as ambassadors for Ford and the breast cancer fight, sharing their stories of hope and survival, and connecting with women and men who need support and encouragement.

 

“The Ford Warriors in Pink campaign, with $120 million dedicated to the cause, is nowhere near done. As long as breast cancer affects our moms, sisters, daughters, fathers and sons we will continue to fight,” said Tracy Magee, Ford’s primary brand experiential manager. “The personal stories and experiences of the Models of Courage will help raise awareness, as well as inspire those battling breast cancer to continue the fight. Their stories inspire me every day.”

 

Supporters can learn more about the campaign and each of these individuals on the Ford Warriors in Pink Facebook page, under Models of Courage.

 

The Models of Courage will also appear nationally as models for the 2013 line of Warriors in Pink wear and gear. Also available for viewing at fordcares.com is “Bang the Drum: Living Out Loud in the Face of Breast Cancer,” the first Ford Warriors in Pink film. The documentary provides personal stories on what a breast cancer diagnosis meant for these Models of Courage, and how their diagnosis served as a channel that inspired each of them to do more and live with greater purpose.

 

Along with the 2013 apparel, Ford Warriors in Pink ® will once again team up with Remo, Inc. an iconic leader in the music products industry, and produce a “Warriors in Pink” line of percussion instruments. A $5-20 donation of each sale will be made to Ford-sponsored charities that support research and education and offer financial aid for people in treatment. In addition, autographed drumheads will be auctioned on E-Bay for ten days starting June 3^rd, 2013. 100% of the pledged amount from the auction will be donated to breast cancer charities. Participating bands include No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Montgomery Gentry, Jerrod Neimann and Band, Dierks Bentley, Steve Smith, and Franklin Vanderbilt.

 

Warriors in Pink shoppers have the opportunity to choose which breast cancer charity to support with their apparel purchase at checkout. The four organizations highlighted include:

 

• Susan G. Komen ® — Komen’s promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, the organization has invested almost $2 billion to fulfill its promise, working to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world through groundbreaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 50 countries.
• Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (DSLRF) — With more than 365,000 grassroots volunteers from around the country, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundationconducts, funds and fast tracks research with the unique mission of creating a future without breast cancer by understanding the causes and ways to prevent it.
• The Pink Fund — Provides financial aid in the form of direct bill payment on behalf of breast cancer patients in active treatment. Many patients are unable to work during treatment. Others lose their jobs. With mounting bills and either no income or severely limited income, they quickly find themselves in dire financial distress. The Pink Fund provides Real Help Now.
• Young Survival Coalition (YSC) — The Young Survival Coalition directly improves the lives of thousands of young women with breast cancer. One in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45 years old. YSC provides free resources and programs to support, educate and empower these women.

Ford Warriors in Pink is giving breast cancer supporters the chance to win a new 2013 Warriors in Pink Fusion Hybrid. The all-new Fusion Hybrid has a best-in-class EPA-estimated rating of 47 highway miles per gallon. The Fusion Hybrid is an entirely new idea of what a car can be. Supporters can enter the contest here: fordvehicles.emipowered.net/2013wipsweeps/.

 

The Ford commitment runs well beyond raising funds. The company is dedicated to making a difference 365 days a year by encouraging women to become informed and visit their doctors, educating them that early detection saves lives. 2013 marks Ford Motor Company’s 19th year of support, dedicating more than $120 million to the cause to date.

 

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Ford Leads Auto Industry

Ford Leads Auto Industry in Using 3D Imaging to Improve Quality, Making F-Series Trucks Even Tougher, Quieter

• Ford now using 3D mapping to better analyze rear truck axles for problems that could affect reliability; technology also provides for a smoother, quieter ride in F-Series pickups

• Photogrammetric pattern reader (PPR) technology instantly stitches together 9,000 images of truck axles during assembly for 3D analysis

• PPR automated analysis provides faster and more efficient assessment over manual visual inspections

Click to download images.

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 28, 2013 – Ford engineers are using 3D mapping in what is believed to be the technology’s first application in the auto industry to better analyze rear axle parts of F-Series pickups during assembly, leading to a smoother, quieter ride for drivers of Ford trucks.

 

Similar to Google Earth, which uses three-dimensional imaging to map the world, Ford’s photogrammetric pattern reader (PPR) uses a pair of digital cameras to combine photos of the axle gears into a series of 3D pictures that are compared against an ideal computer model of the gears. Gears that don’t meet “Built Ford Tough” specifications are discarded.

 

“PPR technology is the next evolution in quality control for our commercial trucks,” said David Gravel, an engineer in Ford’s advanced manufacturing group. “While traditional, visual inspections of our axle gears ensure we’re delivering dependable, tough trucks to our customers, this new technology allows us to conduct our inspections faster, and at a level of detail the human eye just cannot discern.

 

“We constantly look for ways to go further for our customers,” he added, “and this system is one example of how we are making our trucks even more reliable.”

 

Ford’s system uses line scan cameras and infrared lights to turn a series of two-dimensional image slices into a single three-dimensional image for analysis. It was developed with Madison, Wis.-based Automated Vision and ATM Automation in Livonia, Mich.

 

 

“This technology is part of a trend where companies like Ford are using advanced automation to increase accuracy and consistency in production,” said Nan Zhang, a scientist at Automated Vision. “Computer vision is booming and is a very important topic for the next decade.”

 

Now in use at Ford’s Sterling Axle Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., PPR stations are being rolled out in Ford plants worldwide.

 

How does it work?

The complex curvature of the hypoid gears used on the rear axle ring and pinion makes it impossible to see both sides of each gear tooth in a single image. The two cameras used on the inspection rig capture 9,000 1024x1-pixel images from each side of every gear tooth in a matter of seconds as the gears rotate. The processing system contains a digital model of the gear profile that is then used to stitch these images together and flatten out the gear teeth into a single 3D panoramic image that can easily be scanned to ensure the teeth are meshing correctly.

 

Any parts that show anomalies that could cause noise or durability issues are scrapped. On average, only two to five parts per every 1,000 parts fall outside the tight tolerance range for acceptability.

 

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About Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Utility Vehicles Driving Ford

Utility Vehicles Driving Ford to Unprecedented Sales Gains in Critical Markets Around the World

• Ford utility vehicles making unprecedented gains in California; Ford brand retail utility share now more than 15 percent in the first quarter, almost 6 percentage points higher than 2006

• Ford projected to outpace the industry in global utility sales growth in key markets such as China, according to IHS; China utility vehicle sales expected to double in the next five years

• Small utilities are the fastest-growing vehicle segment globally; Ford expected to outpace industry growth over the next five years – led by the global launch of EcoSport and Escape/Kuga utility vehicles

DEARBORN, Mich., May 29, 2013 – Ford is leading a major global shift to fuel-efficient and functional utility vehicles, growing its sales in the last five years faster than any other Ford vehicle segment and faster than the industry average.

 

“This was a major bet we made with the One Ford plan, and it is paying off,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president, global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln. “Utilities are helping us grow our share in the North American market – particularly in the traditionally difficult coastal markets – and they’re driving our expansion in developing markets, where utility growth is exploding.”

 

The One Ford plan has delivered a global family of utilities, including EcoSport, Escape/Kuga, Edge and Explorer, which will fuel the company’s growth during the next few years.

 

In the United States, Ford is the best-selling utility brand. Nowhere is the U.S. impact more evident than in California, where Explorer retail sales are up 43 percent and Escape retail sales are up 51 percent through April of this year. A Ford analysis of Polk retail registrations indicates the company’s two newest utilities have helped to increase its share by 6 percentage points in California – the biggest retail sales growth since 2006 of any non-premium brand in the critical state.

 

The trend is even more promising globally, where industry sales are expected to surge during the next five years, according to data from IHS Automotive. With the recent global launches of EcoSport, Escape/Kuga, Edge and Explorer, Ford is expected to see sales of its utility vehicles grow in every market around the world.

 

Small utilities to lead globally

Data provided by IHS Automotive indicate global utility vehicle sales grew 35 percent between 2007 and 2012. The segment now accounts for more than 13 million sales annually – 18 percent of the global automotive market.

 

Small utilities are leading the growth, with sales up 154 percent in that period.

 

In 2012, small utilities accounted for just more than 7 million vehicles, approximately 9 percent of total global vehicle sales. The subcompact EcoSport and the larger compact Escape – or Kuga in markets outside North America – represent Ford’s small utility vehicle offerings.

 

Further utility vehicle growth is expected in the coming years, driven mainly by the small utility segment, which is the fastest-growing segment and is projected to increase by 51 percent.

 

Ford small utility sales are projected to outpace the overall industry, according to IHS Automotive. The increase will be driven largely by introduction of EcoSport into key markets, including India, China and Europe, and the launch of Kuga in the fast-growing China market.

 

“Nothing has been more prolific than the global rise of the small utility,” said Farley. “Once a trend in Western markets, we now see a rapid convergence toward the segment globally as customers become enamored by vehicles offering the size and functionality of a utility coupled with car-like dynamics and fuel economy.”

 

In China, small utility sales climbed to more than 1.4 million vehicles last year, up from about 120,000 units sold in 2005, according to IHS Automotive. Ford’s launch of the EcoSport compact SUV there this year will round out a portfolio that includes Edge, Explorer and Kuga, which has seen sales of more than 20,000 units since going on sale in February.

 

“There is little doubt the biggest opportunity for the industry is China,” said Farley. “With the entire utility market expected to double there during the next five years, we have a distinct advantage offering customers in China an entire family of utility vehicles – small, medium and large.”

 

In Europe, the utility segment is the only segment that has grown since 2005. Ford increased Kuga production 8 percent this year to meet demand, as Europe expects to produce 100,000 annual units of the small utility for the first time. Kuga will be joined later this year by the new EcoSport, with the larger Edge to follow. Ford recently announced production of the iconic Explorer in Russia, marking the first time the utility has been produced outside the United States.

 

Leading the way for Ford in North America is Escape, the best-selling utility in the United States and the top-selling utility in its segment in Canada for nine consecutive years. Customers in North America have responded to Escape’s improved fuel economy, sleek new design, enhanced cargo capacity and innovative technology like its hands-free liftgate.

 

Consumer appeal

Small utility growth has been fueled in part by an aging global population increasingly becoming empty-nesters. Small utilities also are steadily growing in popularity thanks to improved fuel economy coupled with a greater sense of security behind the wheel and increased capability with available all-wheel-drive systems and more cargo capacity.

 

With improvements in engine technology, Ford’s utility vehicles also have become even more fuel efficient. Ford’s EcoBoost^® engines can help provide up to 20 percent better fuel economy without sacrificing the power that drivers want. The new Escape features two EcoBoost engines – a 1.6-liter and a 2.0-liter that make up about 90 percent of sales volume.

 

Consumers also find utilities offer greater flexibility than most passenger cars, with the potential for myriad opportunities and tasks – from road trip vacations to hauling packages home from a store.

 

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Ford Escape, Fusion Accelerate

Ford Escape, Fusion Accelerate ‘Super Segment’ Share Gains

• Ford retail market share to date in the “super segment,” the combined subcompact, compact, midsize sedan and small utility segment, is up 28 percent, compared to a 9 percent overall industry gain

• Fusion and Escape retail sales volumes increasing fastest in coastal states – Fusion sales up 60 percent this year in coastal states, Escape sales up 46 percent through April  

• Ford’s California April retail sales up 78 percent in the super segment, compared to 59 percent for the first four months of 2013

• Super segment now represents more than half of new vehicle sales nationwide, compared to 35 percent in 2004; Ford share of super segment stands at 13 percent through April vs. 11 percent last year – highest share levels in company history

Click to download image.

 

DEARBORN, Mich., May 16, 2013 – Driven by strong sales of two of Ford’s newest vehicles, the Ford Fusion and Escape, Ford’s share of the “super segment,” comprised of subcompacts, compacts, midsize sedans and small utilities, stands at 13 percent through the first four months of 2013 – representing a gain of 2 share points compared to the same period last year.

 

The future success of automakers in the United States will in large part be based on market gains in four key vehicle segments – subcompacts, compacts, midsize sedans and small utilities. Combined, these four segments represent more than half of all new vehicle sales in the U.S. In 2004 the super segment was only 35 percent of the total market.

 

“Ford’s share has grown this year faster than all other automakers. The driving force behind this is our phenomenal rate of growth in the super segment and our continued success with these key vehicles in the long-dominated Japanese regions of the country,” said Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. sales analyst. “Once our additional manufacturing capacity on Fusion comes on line, the battle for sales leadership in the midsize segment will tighten considerably.”

 

Over the last five years, Ford’s market share gains in the super segment have been among the fastest in the industry. In 2008, Ford had 8 percent share of this segment. A good portion of these gains have come at the expense of Honda and Toyota.

 

In 2008 Honda and Toyota captured approximately 36 percent of super segment sales in the U.S. For the first four months of 2013 that number declined to 28 percent, while Ford gained share in the super segment over the same period. During the first four months of this year Ford’s share stands at 13 percent, up 2 points from the same period a year ago and moving ever closer to Toyota’s position of 15 percent.

 

Ford expects more growth in the super segment as baby boomers continue to downsize their vehicle purchases and first-time millennial buyers enter the market. Combined, baby boomers and millennials account for more than 160 million people in the U.S.

 

“Each of our vehicles in the segment is doing great things for Ford in different ways,” said Amy Marentic, group marketing manager, Ford global small and medium cars. “Two-thirds of all buyers shop both the Escape and Fusion when they come to our dealerships, and sales of both are way up.”

 

Fusion

Fusion is closing the sales gap with Camry, and in the first four months of 2013 Fusion sales were up 25 percent. While Fusion’s share of the midsize sedan segment increased more than 2 percentage points to just more than 12 percent this year, Camry has fallen approximately one point, to almost 15 percent.

 

Fusion retail sales gains are occurring in every market area of the country. The strongest growth is coming from the nation’s largest passenger car market – California; retail sales there were up 117 percent during the first four months of 2013 and accelerated to 146 percent in April.

 

Based on retail sales registrations for the first quarter of this year, Fusion’s share of California’s midsize sedan market is now operating at its highest levels ever at more than 8 percent, which is about double Fusion’s share last year. Fusion sales in the coastal markets are up 60 percent this year, with April posting a 72 percent increase. Nationally, Fusion’s conquest rate is running at 53 percent, while in places such as Los Angeles it is much higher, at 59 percent. Miami and San Francisco are running at 60 percent and 56 percent, respectively. Fusion is also turning at its strongest rates in these markets, with the car spending just 17 days on dealer lots in Los Angeles and Miami, 18 days in San Francisco.

 

Escape

Escape, through the first four months of this year, is America’s best-selling utility, with 98,809 vehicles sold. Like Fusion, the all-new Escape is pushing sales of the super segment in the coastal markets. Retail sales of Escape were up 46 percent in coastal markets the first four months of 2013 and in April sales in the coastal markets expanded by 57 percent. This represents Ford’s best-ever coastal retail share and sales results for Escape.

 

Escape retail sales are up in every region and market area of the country, but it is the coastal markets that are growing at a faster rate than the overall national average. Nationally, the competitive conquest rate for Escape is 52 percent, with the highest conquest rate coming from San Francisco at 60 percent, followed by New York at 58 percent, Boston at 56 percent and Miami at 54 percent.

 

This aligns with regional sales increases and high turn rates for Escape. Escape retail sales in Miami are up 85 percent this year, with sales in Florida up 65 percent and San Francisco up 54 percent.

 

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About Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Home Is Where the Hybrid Is

Home Is Where the Hybrid Is: KB Home Features Ford’s MyEnergi Lifestyle

• Collaboration pairs Ford C-MAX Energi and other energy-efficient technologies with KB Home’s ZeroHouse 2.0 model home to showcase affordable sustainable living

• KB Home to feature Ford’s MyEnergi Lifestyle^® in ZeroHouse 2.0 in San Marcos, Calif.

• ZeroHouse 2.0 represents the next generation of energy-efficient home design that can help lower cost of home ownership compared to a typical resale home. A fully optioned ZeroHouse 2.0 could entirely eliminate monthly electricity charges

• With a starting price of $29,995, Ford C-MAX Energi is America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle

Click to download images.

DEARBORN, Mich. & SAN DIEGO, April 19, 2013 – Ford Motor Company and KB Home (NYSE: KBH) today announce that products from the Ford-led initiative MyEnergi Lifestyle^® will be featured in the homebuilder’s ZeroHouse 2.0 model home in San Marcos, Calif., and potentially in additional KB Home markets.

The relationship between these two innovative leaders is intended to raise awareness of MyEnergi Lifestyle benefits and provide a showcase for electric-powered vehicles, solar power systems and smart appliances. The initiative will demonstrate how the typical American family can potentially save money while reducing their impact on the environment by combining a highly efficient home design with the latest in smart home technology and an affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle.

MyEnergi Lifestyle works by leveraging technology so key energy-consuming devices in a home use less energy, while also shifting energy usage to less expensive periods. At night, for example, when energy costs are lower, a smart refrigerator can perform high-energy tasks like ice making or defrosting – just as Ford’s plug-in vehicles do with recharging.

At an event today in San Marcos, Ford’s all-new C-MAX Energi was on display and plugged into ZeroHouse 2.0’s built-in electric vehicle charge station, which is engineered to charge the vehicle during off-peak hours for maximum cost efficiency. C-MAX Energi boasts an impressive 100 MPGe combined, according to the EPA, plus – unlike others in the segment – returns “real car” performance with up to 195 horsepower, engaging driving dynamics and a quiet interior. With a starting price of $29,995, C-MAX Energi is America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid.

“KB Home is a leader in incorporating state-of-the-art sustainable building practices, and we’re thrilled to feature MyEnergi Lifestyle products in these homes,” said Mike Tinskey, Ford global director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure. “The home and vehicle share a common ‘fuel’ called electricity, now more than ever. Our commitment to sustainability compels us to work collaboratively to find technology solutions that are greater than the sum of the parts.”

The future of net-zero energy

ZeroHouse 2.0 continues a national rollout of the net-zero energy home options KB Home began in fall 2011. The ZeroHouse 2.0 in San Marcos pushes the envelope even more, as it’s the first WaterSense-labeled home built in San Diego County, and includes both a comprehensive Schneider Electric Wiser^™ Home Management System and all-new Whirlpool smart appliances that incorporate Whirlpool^® 6th Sense Live^™ technology. The Wiser Home Management System allows homeowners to monitor energy consumption, and provides automation control via a Web-based portal or mobile application. This marks the first time these innovative products have been used by a production homebuilder.

Whirlpool’s smart products allow homeowners to monitor and program their appliances through wireless networks, providing greater convenience and control over energy consumption. With Whirlpool 6th Sense Live, homeowners can set their appliances so their highest energy consumption activities happen at times when electricity rates are lowest. They can also receive alerts about the status of their smart appliances – all from their smartphones or computers.

“We’re so pleased to announce our new relationship with Ford, and to have the opportunity to use our innovative new ZeroHouse 2.0 as a true model for an energy-efficient and sustainable lifestyle that we know many of today’s consumers desire to achieve,” said Jeff Mezger, president and CEO, KB Home. “We continue to refine our ZeroHouse 2.0 options and benefits by further developing and incorporating some of the latest new home building practices and technologies available today.”

The higher efficiency of ZeroHouse 2.0 is the result of a whole-home approach – from the inside out – that includes additional insulation; upgraded HVAC systems; dual-pane, low-emitting windows; and roof-mounted solar panels by SunPower. Additionally, a WaterSense-labeled home is designed to use 20 percent less water than a typical new home. For a family of four, that’s a difference of about 50,000 gallons of water a year compared to a typical home, or enough for nearly 2,000 loads of laundry and as much as $600 in annual utility bills.

At today’s event students from San Marcos Middle School and local officials learned firsthand how much money can potentially be saved by living in an energy-efficient ZeroHouse 2.0 home. The students toured the home to learn about the efficiency features included, then watched as a dump truck load of schoolyard dodge balls was spilled out, symbolizing the amount of water a WaterSense-labeled home saves in less than a week compared to a typical new or resale home. KB Home announced it would make a cash donation to the school, equivalent to a year’s worth of energy and water savings enjoyed by a family living in the ZeroHouse 2.0 home when compared to a typical resale home.

History of MyEnergi Lifestyle

The Ford-led MyEnergi Lifestyle collaboration is comprised of leaders in the home appliance, solar power and power management industries, and includes Eaton (NYSE: ETN), SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) and Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR). Additional featured companies include semiconductor provider Infineon (FSE: IFX/OTCQX: IFNNY) and Nest Labs, with its latest learning thermostat represented in the research and implementation phase of the collaboration.

In January Ford released results of a Georgia Institute of Technology computer model that calculated the electricity usage of a typical single family in their home for one year, and the associated savings with moving to an energy-efficient lifestyle. The cumulative results predict a 60 percent reduction in energy costs and more than 9,000 kg of CO₂ (a 55 percent reduction) saved. If every home in the U.S. were to implement these energy-saving technologies, it would be the equivalent of taking all the homes in California, New York and Texas – 32 million homes – off the power grid.

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About Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 171,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About KB Home

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One-Millionth Ford Mustang

Flat Rock Assembly Plant Celebrates Producing One-Millionth Ford Mustang As Year 50 Begins

• Nine years after Ford Mustang production moved to Flat Rock, Mich., Flat Rock Assembly Plant celebrates producing one million of these iconic sports cars

• Raj Nair, Ford group vice president for product development, commemorates the occasion by riding off the line in a Ruby Red 2014 Mustang convertible accompanied by a senior plant employee

• Ford celebrates 49 years of continuous Mustang production with more than 8.5 million of America’s favorite sports cars produced

Click to download images.

FLAT ROCK, Mich., April 17, 2013 – Happy Birthday Mustang! Forty-nine years to the day after its 1964 debut in New York, the iconic sports car celebrates another milestone: One million Mustangs have rolled off the line at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant since production moved there in 2004. Ford is celebrating this milestone as year 50 of continuous Mustang production gets under way at Flat Rock Assembly.

Raj Nair, group vice president for global product development, today rode off the line at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in a Ruby Red 2014 Mustang convertible. Nair was riding shotgun with Ed Salna, material planning and logistics manager at the plant. Salna is a 27-year veteran of Flat Rock Assembly, starting work there more than a year before the plant produced its first car.

“Mustang is one of the most beloved nameplates in the industry, with fans around the world and throughout Ford Motor Company,” said Nair. “The team here at Flat Rock Assembly has built an outstanding reputation for quality while producing one million Mustangs over the last nine years, and we expect that to continue for many years to come.”

Ford has built Mustangs near its home base in Dearborn, Mich. for 49 years. The car was built at Ford’s famous Rouge factory, just a few minutes from company headquarters, for four decades before moving a few miles south to Flat Rock in 2004.

Introduced in April 1964, Mustang proved to be far more popular than anyone expected, prompting Ford to add production capacity outside Michigan. By early 1965 plants in Metuchen, N.J. and San Jose, Calif. were also building Mustang. Less than two years later, on Wednesday, March 2, 1966, the one-millionth Mustang rolled off the line in Dearborn. To date, Ford has produced and sold more than 8.5 million Mustangs.

The launch of Mustang production at Flat Rock coincided with introduction of the then all-new fifth-generation model – first in the series to get a dedicated platform. In addition to the standard V6 and the V8-powered GT model, Mustangs coming out of Flat Rock Assembly Plant have included several special editions and race cars:

• In 2006 Flat Rock built a limited run of black and gold Shelby GT-H coupes for Hertz rental fleets to commemorate the 1966 Shelby GT350H rental car
• 2007 brought the debut of the Shelby GT500 Mustang developed by SVT with a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 producing 500 horsepower, the most ever for a Mustang then
• For the 2008 and 2009 model years, the Mustang lineup included the Bullitt, inspired by the car driven by the title character in the 1968 film of the same name
• For the 2012 and 2013 model years, Flat Rock built the track-optimized Boss 302
• The Flat Rock line has produced numerous competition versions of Mustang including the FR500, Boss 302R and the extremely successful Cobra Jet drag racer

The Flat Rock factory has been producing vehicles since 1987, when it opened as Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA and built the Mazda MX-6. In 1992 Ford purchased a 50 percent share in the plant and it was renamed AutoAlliance International. Over the years Flat Rock Assembly has produced the Mazda 626, Mazda6, Mercury Cougar and Ford Probe. In addition to Mustang, Flat Rock will add production of the Fusion sedan later this year.

“Flat Rock has gone through an amazing transformation over the past year,” said Tim Young, plant manager, Flat Rock Assembly Plant. “We’ve invested $555 million including a state-of-the-art, fully flexible body shop and an upgraded paint shop to make sure we’re continuing to build the best of the best for the next one million Mustangs.”

“The one-millionth Mustang is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the Flat Rock Local 3000 membership,” said Tony Bondy, UAW Local 3000 chairman. “It’s been great building an iconic American car since 2004, and with the introduction of Fusion along with our new plant upgrades, we will keep building world-class quality in Flat Rock for years to come.”

Ford is adding 1,400 jobs and a second shift at Flat Rock Assembly Plant to support new Fusion production as part of its plan to add 12,000 hourly jobs in the United States through 2015.

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 171,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.