Ford Warriors in Pink is a program started about 18 years ago by Ford Motor Company to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer. This program has recently launched a new campaign highlighting stories of breast cancer survivors with "Models of Courage." Eleven men and women have been selected for "Models of Courage" to serve as Ford Warriors in Pink role models and inspire everyone involved in the fight against breast cancer. This campaign is meant to celebrate breast cancer survivors who have demonstrated strength and courage in their battle. The Models of Courage will appear nationally as models for 2012 line of Warriors in Pink wear and gear. This line of apparel will have clothing for women, men, and children, and will showcase symbols of hope, strength, and unity in the fight against breast cancer. All of the proceeds from this line go straight to the fight against breast cancer. Shoppers will be able to choose which breast cancer charity they would like to benefit with their purchase. They may choose from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, The Pink Fund, and Young Survival Coalition. Ford Warriors in Pink is also giving supporters the chance to win a 2013 Ford Escape. This is Ford Warriors in Pink's 18th year, with more than $115 million dedicated to the cause in that time. To learn more about Models of Courage or to shop the Warriors in Pink apparel, please use the links below.
Ford has produced the first ever all electric NASCAR pace car. This wonderful vehicle is the all-new Focus Electric, and will perform all pace car duties at Richmond International Raceway on April 28.
Ford research shows that the majority of Americans would consider buying an electric car, but they don't really know the different technologies. Using the Focus Electric as a pace car would be a fun and great way to inform and educate people about this new technology.
Another interesting fact: about 35% of new car intenders are motorsports fans, and about 78% of those people are NASCAR fans. Also, Ford race fans are 67% more likely to buy a Ford product than general market consumers. Just more reasons this pace car could do great for Ford electric vehicles.
The Focus Electric is America's most fuel-efficient five seat car that offers the equivalent of 110 miles per gallon (MPGe) city and 99 MPGe highway, operating on entirely battery-generated power. The Focus Electric can be compared to Nissan's Leaf, which gets 106 city and 92 highway, but the Focus has more passenger room, more motor power, and almost half the charging time.
“The Ford Focus Electric is a major statement of Ford’s commitment to bring green innovation and performance together, demonstrating for NASCAR fans how conserving the environment, creating jobs and strengthening our country can be made to happen without compromise,” said Mike Lynch, managing director of Green Innovation for NASCAR. “With the largest sustainability program in sports, the NASCAR family is proud of Ford Motor Company’s accomplishment with the Focus Electric pace car and what that means in terms of the tremendous impact of American innovation now and in the future.”
TechShop Detroit is teaming up with Ford employees, along with all Metro Detroiters and allowing them access to classes, coaching, and state-of-the-art tools to turn ideas into reality. Ford’s Employee Patent Incentive Award program a free 3-month membership to TechShop for Ford employees who submit ideas with a chance at a patent. TechShop is a place for people to take their ideas and inventions when they do not know how to carry out their ideas and get them produced and/or patented. With Ford’s membership incentive program, invention submissions are up 30% year-to-date versus 2011.
Steven Schondorf is one of the Ford employees to take advantage of this program. He is a Ford safety electronics manager who works in the development of the use of radar for collision mitigation and airbag control modules. One of his ideas (not yet implemented) came to him when he was stuck in the snow. He could not get out, no matter how much he rocked back and forth. So, Steven came up with “Stuck in Snow Mode.” This is the idea that cars would calibrate a drive and reverse sequence that rocks the car out of the snow. Schondorf also created the “Whirlygig.” It’s a piece of acrylic cut into concentric shapes that spin in the wind and reflect the light in interesting ways.
James Marleau is another member of TechShop for Ford. He got into the program with his invention of a one-way valve to let air out of passenger compartments. This patented valve allows for better-defogged windows, fresher air, and improved noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics.
There are so many more patents and inventions to come from Ford’s incentive program, some of which we will see in future vehicles. TechShop is helping keep Ford ahead of the innovation curve, and we thank them for that! For more information on this topic and more inventions, please use the links below. Who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired!
At the Louisville assembly plant, amazing technology is being used to help out the workers and to build the new Escapes, and it's the kind of stuff you see in movies! Robots with laser eyes and suction cup hands are being used to reduce physical strain on humans and help save energy, while boosting the quality of the new Escapes. These robots were first introduced in Europe, and use laser-guided and camera-enabled technology to ensure every vehicle is built the best that it can be. Robots are used in the assembly line to reduce human labor exertion and to improve accuracy and quality. "Some of the robots work in concert with our line workers to built the Escape more efficiently," said Marty Smets, an ergonomics engineer. "We also have a variety of semiautonomous robots, which do tasks that aren't safe for humans to do repetitively." Some of the jobs that these robots do include placing instrument panel, glass, paint and fenders on the Escapes. Due to these robots, door panels fit tighter, the glass is glued on more consistently for a perfect fit everytime, and these vehicles are better than they could have been if made by human hands. Using the robots for painting the vehicles inside and out saves energy and reduces carbon emissions by reducing airflow and climate control. At the Louisville plant, more than 700 robots are used in the building of the new Ford Escape. For this original article, click here.
What happens when you tell a NASCAR driver that they're allowed to scare the living daylights out of nine Ford engineers? Well....he has a REALLY good time!
Carl Edwards recently teamed up with Ford to film several "Rocket Science" clips highlighting the completely revamped 2013 Ford Taurus- which, if you haven't seen it already, may shock you...
There are 7 contestants left on American Idol, and we're giving you the opportunity to win prizes for your votes! After you call in your votes for the show each week, go to our Facebook page and answer our poll question for who you think will be voted off. Everyone who guesses correctly is entered into a drawing for a free oil change! We will do this every week until the grand finale. For the last episode, the stakes will be raised. If you guess correctly who will win, you will be entered into a drawing for your choice of a $250 gas card or a $250 gift card to Hutcheson Ford! So, whether you watch the show or not... go to our page every week and put your vote in!
*You can only vote once a week. Voting closes before the results show every Thursday evening.
This weekend road trip is going out a little early so you can get ready before Friday. This week, we're sending you to St. Louis for the Cards home opener! And to make it even sweeter, they're playing against the Cubs! Game times will be Friday at 2:15, Saturday at 12:05, and Sunday at 1:15.
There is a small chance of rain in St. Louis this weekend, but if we dodge that, we will have some great baseball weather. There's plenty of other stuff to do this weekend in St. Louis as well, if you're not a huge baseball fan. Comedian Kevin Hart will be performing at the Concert Club at Scottrade Center Friday night. If you've got kids to entertain, Grant's Farm opens up for the season on Saturday.
Now, for you Titanic fans, there's a centennial celebration going on in St. Louis this weekend. There will be events going on from Friday to Sunday, including movie showings, champagne receptions, and fashion and food from the Titanic Era.
As always, there are a ton of other things going on in St. Louis this weekend; these are just a few suggestions. Below are some links to help you plan your weekend, and I hope it's a good one!
Ford Motor Company and the Green Festivals are partnering together to fund a $5000 Community Green Grant to be awarded during each of the five upcoming 2012 Green Festivals. The purpose of this grant is to encourage non-profit organizations to come up with forward-thinking ideas to better their environment or quality of life for people in their community. Business submit these ideas, and have them reviewed by Ford and Green Festivals, who will then choose a winner to receive $5000 to impact their community.
Here at Hutcheson Ford, we like reflect the Ford Motor Company's vision on community. We like to support our friends in local businesses. Our newest reflection of this value is "Adopt-a-Pet Day." On Saturday, April 28, from 9am to 2pm, we are teaming up with Tri-County Humane Society for an "Adopt-a-Pet Day." They will be bringing dogs and cats to our lot and setting up services outside. Anyone is able to come and adopt a pet, and we may even provide a little extra something for you if you adopt a pet! Please come out and join us in helping save the animals and supporting our locals!
