Go Further with Ford Night

November 15, 2012 

From 4 PM to 9 PM

Please stop by Thoroughbred Ford and enter to win a Ford Fusion from Ford Credit

Then you can tryout to be selected as a guest judge on American Idol!

Register NOW!!

In conjunction with showing off the all new Ford Fusion, we will be raising money for Toys for Tots!

For Everyone that comes to the dealership and registers Thoroughbred Ford will make a donation to Toys for Tots!  We also hope that everyone will bring a toy to the event.

Food will be catered by Cafe Italia from Parkville, MO.

2013 Ford Fusion

We now have our first 2013 Ford Fusion's on the ground:

We are very excited to offer the all-new totally redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion, with three available engines, and Front wheel or All wheel drive.  

Fuel economy numbers for the Fusions are:

• 1.6-liter EcoBoost: 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, 29 mpg combined
• 2.0-liter EcoBoost: 22 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined
• 2.5-liter: 22 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Projected 100-plus MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent)

This is an exciting time at the dealership with the new Fusion and the new Escape.  We have plenty to choose from so come on by!

See the Fusion's here http://www.flickr.com/photos/thoroughbredford/sets/72157631643967106/

See our inventory of Fusions here  http://www.fordfusionkc.com/

Fusion Certified Most Fuel-Efficient

Ford Fusion Certified As America’s Most Fuel-Efficient Midsize Sedan

• All-new Ford Fusion is America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan after being certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deliver 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway, 47 mpg combined in hybrid model

• Ford Fusion Hybrid beats Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg highway, 4 mpg city

• New Fusion offers greatest powertrain range of all midsize sedans with five engines, including two EcoBoost^® options and hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants for true power of choice

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2012 – The all-new Ford Fusion is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America with an EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined fuel economy rating for its hybrid model.

Fusion Hybrid tops the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg highway and 4 mpg city, and delivers the highest-ever fuel economy numbers in city and highway driving for a midsize sedan.

“The new Fusion is part of our plan to offer vehicles with the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value,” says Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. “We are absolutely committed to class-leading fuel efficiency as a reason to buy Ford vehicles, with customers able to choose the fuel-efficient powertrain that best fits their lifestyle.”

Power of choice: Two EcoBoost engines, one hybrid, one plug-in hybrid

The all-new Fusion brings the widest range of powertrain options to the U.S. midsize segment.

Fusion offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants and two fuel-efficient EcoBoost^® four-cylinder engines for customers. In addition, Fusion is available with Ford’s patented Auto Start-Stop system, which automatically shuts off the engine at stationary idle to help save customers even more fuel in stop-and-go city driving. Fusion is available in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations with both six-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions.

“Ford is bringing power of choice to midsize sedan buyers,” says Mark Fields, president of The Americas. “More than 2 million customers this year will purchase midsize cars. Our new Fusion delivers the fuel savings people truly want and value, with technologies that cost two to three times the price on some German sedans.”

Fuel economy numbers for the remainder of the Fusion lineup are:

• 1.6-liter EcoBoost: 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, 29 mpg combined
• 2.0-liter EcoBoost: 22 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined
• 2.5-liter: 22 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Projected 100-plus MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent)

The Fusion equipped with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is available with Ford’s patented, fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop system, which smoothly shuts off engine power when the car is stopped and seamlessly restarts as the driver releases the brake pedal. This feature, available for just $295, improves fuel efficiency by 3.5 percent and reduces emissions.

Fusion Hybrid features two additional innovations to help deliver industry-best fuel efficiency: Ford’s patented SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide that coaches drivers for top fuel efficiency; and ECO Cruise, a greener cruise control functionality that helps optimize powertrain elements for convenient yet economical highway travel.

Fusion Hybrid achieves a top speed of 62 mph in electric or EV mode and also has Active Grille Shutters, which make the car more aerodynamic at highway speeds to improve fuel efficiency. An underbody with aerodynamically designed panels provides even better fuel efficiency.

World-class craftsmanship, driving dynamics

The full Fusion range delivers visual quality through improved materials, elevated levels of craftsmanship and attention to detail. To deliver its world-class driving dynamics, Ford engineers equipped Fusion with a specially tuned electric power-assisted steering system, MacPherson strut front suspension and all-new multilink rear suspension that is comparable to the setups found in more expensive Audis and BMWs.

“Fusion is a driver’s car,” said Raj Nair, group vice president of Product Development. “We have carefully tuned this car to reward the driving expert and flatter the novice.”

Ford’s quietest midsize sedan ever, Fusion Hybrid models are equipped with Active Noise Cancellation, which uses the audio system to mitigate powertrain noise.

Technology you can use

The all-new Fusion offers an unprecedented portfolio of driver assistance and convenience technologies using sensors, cameras and radar to enable the car to “see” and respond.

Fusion can help drivers maintain proper lane position, adjust vehicle speed to changing traffic conditions, identify suitable parking spaces and practically park itself – it can even aid drivers backing out of a parking space in which visibility is obstructed. Specific technologies include:

• Lane-Keeping System: Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, this system “looks” down the road, monitoring lane lines to determine that the car is on course. The system will alert a driver if drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping is detected. The second element warns a driver with a steering wheel vibration if the Fusion drifts too close to lane markings. Finally, Lane-Keeping Aid will actually apply pressure on the steering to help bring the car back into proper lane position
• Adaptive cruise control: Using forward-looking radar, this system “looks” down the road when activated, slowing the Fusion when slower traffic is detected ahead. The system can help slow the car if the potential of a crash is detected
• Active park assist: Employing sensors, this technology identifies a suitable parallel parking space, calculates the trajectory, and steers the car to properly position it within the spot. Drivers operate accelerator and brake pedals
• BLIS^® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert: Sensors in both Fusion rear quarter-panels are able to detect traffic in a driver’s blind spot, providing both audible and visual warnings if traffic is detected. BLIS technology enables cross-traffic alert, warning the driver of oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views, such as between two large vehicles

The all-new Fusion also offers the newest version of Ford’s award-winning SYNC^® communications and entertainment system, which enables voice-activated communication through a driver’s mobile phone and interaction with the car’s audio system.

Fusion is available with the latest version of MyFord Touch^®, allowing a driver to interact with vehicle systems through voice control, a touch screen tap or a conventional button.

Both SYNC and MyFord Touch – powered by SYNC – help reduce the potential for driver distraction through voice-controlled functionality, allowing drivers to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Fusion equals growth

The midsize car segment is the fastest-growing segment in America this year. Overall U.S. industry sales are up 15 percent in 2012, while midsize car sales have grown 26 percent.

To meet expected demand for the new Fusion, Ford is adding 1,200 hourly jobs and investing $555 million at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

New Fusion models begin arriving at dealers nationwide this fall.

Press releases, videos, photos and other material related to Ford’s electrified vehicles can be found here.

The story behind the new Fusion

For more on the new Ford Fusion, check out http://FordFusionStory.com, a special mobile site featuring articles, videos and graphics that are easily shareable directly from a smartphone, tablet or computer browser to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and blogs.

# # #

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 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

What Does A Ford Trade-in Look Like?

The trend has been subtle, I have noticed it over the last 3 years, a small rising wave, but the other day it grabbed me.  I walked out of the dealership and saw three trade-in's parked next to each other waiting to be stocked in:

What is unique about these cars is that they are no longer the Exception.  In one morning last week we took in both of these BMW's and this Audi. What I used to expect when I started selling Ford's almost 20 years ago was a Chevy, Buick, Dodge, Toyota, etc.  What we expect today is very different, we see everything: 

  

10 years ago when a customer drove on the lot with one of these high end cars the older seasoned salesman would run away because, they did not expect that they could find the right vehicle for the customer.

 

Today these cars driving onto our lots has become normal, no one blinks, because we know that our cars are as good or better than what the customer is driving and that is why they are here.

 

I came to understand this almost two years ago while I was delivering a Ford Flex. The couple had ordered the Flex and when it came in they drove up to the dealership in the husbands loaded Mercedes.

 

While I was delivering the vehicle and showing them what the car could do, the husband who was in the back seat said, "My Mercedes doesn't do that", I smiled.  I continued on with the Sync system, and from the back heard, "My Mercedes doesn't do that", I chuckled.  As I was finishing the Navigation system demonstration, the husband said,  "My Mercedes doesn't do that", and the wife said, well "My Ford does".

   

Our Ford's Go Further!

Thoroughbred Ford - Park Hill South High School - Drive One 4UR School

Thoroughbred Ford would like to thank, Park Hill South High School and the Panthers Band for a wonderful event at the school on Saturday.

Park Hill South High School set a Thoroughbred Ford record with 246 drivers on Saturday. This will raise almost $5,000 for the schools band. Everyone that came out for the event was wonderful and the organizers were tremendous.  We really appreciated the support and we hope that everyone had a good time.

On the Same note our Platte City store Thoroughbred Ford of Platte City will be holding a Drive One 4UR School event on May 12th 2012, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  We would like to challenge the Pirates of Platte City High School to beat the Panthers record of 246 drivers. We had a great event last fall, so let's do it again!

Platte City R3 High School's Zachary Breitenstein put this video together after we did our Drive One 4 UR School event up there.

4 Millionth Sync Installed

Ford Delivers 4 Millionth SYNC In-Car Connectivity System; 9 Million More Expected by 2015

• Ford SYNC^®, the voice-activated in-car connectivity system introduced in 2007, now is installed in more than 4 million Ford Motor Company vehicles

• With plans to begin offering SYNC in Europe and Asia this year, Ford projects 9 million additional vehicles will be equipped with SYNC by 2015

• Powered by the Microsoft Windows Embedded Automotive platform, SYNC has created the “upgradeable car,” allowing new features and improvements to be seamlessly integrated on a pace with consumer trends and preferences

• SYNC is now available on 100 percent of Ford’s 2012 retail product lineup in North America; all-new Ford Fusion and Flex are launching with SYNC as standard equipment – setting a trend for a hands-free, voice-activated future

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2012 – Just one year after eclipsing the 3 million mark, Ford has sold the 4 millionth vehicle equipped with SYNC^®, the industry-leading in-car connectivity system powered by Microsoft.

Launching globally this year, Ford SYNC powered by Microsoft is forecasted to reach 9 million new customers around the world in the next three years.

“SYNC has been a transformational technology not only for Ford, but for the industry,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president for Global Product Development. “SYNC has been integral to keeping pace with the consumer, delivering value through a constant flow of new features that keep them connected to their digital lives in a safer, simpler and smarter way while driving.”

SYNC has evolved quickly since first introduced in late 2007 and grown to provide customers even more value, with no additional cost.

Soon after launch, Ford added SYNC 911 Assist^™, which connects drivers directly with 911 operators after an accident. It is the only in-car, non-subscription call-for-help system.

Ford’s SYNC Services launched in 2009, providing voice-activated access to a cloud-based network of information including traffic, news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes and movie listings along with business searches and turn-by-turn directions.

In 2010 Ford added SYNC^® AppLink^™ – allowing smartphone-equipped customers access to a growing number of popular apps using voice control such as Pandora internet radio and Stitcher.

Operator Assist, introduced in 2011 and available through SYNC Services, gives users access to live help with business searches and turn-by-turn directions.

The upgradeable car

Ford’s open platform approach to mobile device connectivity has helped SYNC stand out in the industry, allowing for continuous improvement of the user experience and the addition of new features.

“Listening to customers and monitoring consumer trends has helped make SYNC a ‘must-have’ technology,” said Kuzak. “We will continuously improve SYNC based on customer feedback with the availability of software updates and upgrades.”

Ford internal research has found that customers who bought 2011 models of Ford vehicles treat SYNC as a must-have technology and purchase the system 82 percent of the time. Also, more than 80 percent of SYNC users said they are likely to recommend the system to others.

And using information collected in customer clinics, Ford engineers have been able to pinpoint opportunities for improvement and are acting on it with plans to soon launch a significant software upgrade for existing owners of SYNC with MyFord Touch^®.

“SYNC has allowed us to create the upgradeable car,” said Kuzak. “With the SYNC platform inside the car, offering our owners updates will be very similar to what they experience with their smartphones and laptops.”

During the customer clinics held after the initial release of MyFord Touch, customers said they wanted the system to be faster and easier to use with simpler graphics. Ford engineers listened, resulting in a major upgrade to MyFord Touch that will roll out in a few months as 2013 model year vehicles are introduced.

Engineers and developers from Ford and Microsoft often collaborate on upgrades and other projects related to the performance of SYNC to ensure functionality with the Microsoft Windows Embedded Automotive platform.

“Ford and Microsoft are driven by a common vision to give consumers the ability to combine their digital lifestyle with their life on the road,” said Windows Embedded General Manager Kevin Dallas. “Windows Embedded Automotive enables Ford more flexibility and extensibility to innovate, speed up the product refresh cycle, and evolve SYNC to keep up with the fast pace of the consumer electronics industry.”

The upgrade will appear first on the all-new Ford Escape, and 2013 Flex and Taurus models. Current owners of 2011-12 models of Ford Explorer, Edge, Lincoln MKX and the 2012 Ford Focus will be mailed a USB memory stick equipped with the software upgrade at no charge.

In addition to faster touch-screen response time, the software upgrade will include the following enhancements:

• Improved voice recognition experience powered by Nuance
• Tablet device compatibility
• Audible.com audiobook support
• Connected navigation powered by TeleNav featuring new map data by NAVTEQ
• Improved phone compatibility
• Gracenote album cover art database featuring the latest music metadata available

# # #

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 166,000 employees and about 70 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 delivered the first Focus Electric – the first electric vehicle to achieve a 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) with seating for five – to Google just before the 2011 holiday break. The vehicle headlines Ford’s fuel-efficient lineup, nearly one-third of which features a model with 40 mpg or more in 2012.



Ford Introduces Gas-Free Focus Electric with 100+ MPGe Expected; Nearly a Third of Lineup Now Offers 40-mpg Model

• Ford introduces gasoline-free 2012 Focus Electric, expected to be the first five-passenger electric vehicle with a 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe)

• Nearly one-third of Ford's vehicle lines will feature a model with 40 mpg or more in 2012

• Focus Electric is the first all-electric vehicle to offer faster charging technology, allowing it to charge in half the time of a Nissan Leaf using 240-volt outlets

• C-MAX Hybrid is projected to achieve better fuel economy than Toyota Prius v and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid projected to achieve better miles per gallon equivalent in electric mode than Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. With the C-MAX lineup, Ford becomes the largest hybrid transmission producer in North America


DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford's world-class Michigan Assembly Plant is starting production of the 2012 Focus Electric, expected to be the first five-passenger, all-electric car to achieve more than a 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) fuel efficiency rating.

Focus Electric also is the first of its kind to feature faster charging, which will halve Nissan Leaf's time to fully recharge the battery and help drivers to more than double the expected single-charge range in a busy day of driving and recharging.

The car headlines Ford's transformed lineup, one-third of which will feature a model with 40 mpg or more in 2012, building on the company's commitment to give fuel-efficiency-minded customers the Power of Choice.

"The Focus Electric is a shining example of the leading fuel economy Ford is offering for each new vehicle," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "Whether people want a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full battery-electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider, providing a range of options to best meet their needs and support their driving habits and lifestyles."

Even with relatively stable gas prices, fuel economy is the top purchase consideration for new vehicles. Nearly 45 percent of customers say fuel economy is their top consideration based on a Ford survey of Americans in 36 cities this fall. Styling is the next consideration, with only 16 percent of study participants saying it is their top purchase driver.

Ford's rollout of electrified vehicles began in December 2010 with the 2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric – a small commercial van built in collaboration with Azure Dynamics. Ford's other 40-mpg vehicles include:

• Focus SE
• Fiesta
• Focus Electric
• C-MAX Hybrid
• C-MAX Energi
• Three vehicles yet to be announced

With 20 years of Ford research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology, the company offers proven engineering and design with Focus Electric. Ford holds approximately 500 patents on the hybrid technology used in the new Focus Electric and its other electrified vehicles.

Faster charging

Focus Electric is designed to offer enough range to cover the majority of daily driving habits of Americans. Its expected 100 MPGe is better than Chevrolet Volt and all electric vehicles with seating for five.

It will be the first electrified vehicle to offer faster charging with 240-volt outlets, which can be installed in customer homes. The battery can be recharged in just more than three hours using a 240-volt charging station, about half the charging time of the 2012 Nissan Leaf.

Faster charging with 240 volts also can extend range as drivers can more quickly recharge between stops – up to 30 miles per charge hour – so they can more than double the vehicle's range with multiple charging stops during a busy day of driving.
A unique value charging feature, powered by Microsoft, will help owners in the U.S. charge their vehicles at the cheapest utility rates, lowering the cost of ownership.

Elec-tech

Focus Electric introduces new features and technologies – including a unique version of the MyFord Touch® driver connect system especially for electric vehicles and a smartphone app called MyFord® Mobile that helps plug-in owners control their vehicles remotely.

The sleek and stylish five-door hatchback is designed to deliver real driving enjoyment as well. The all-electric powertrain and single-speed transmission provide immediate responsiveness and smooth acceleration when the driver steps on the accelerator, up to a top speed of 84 mph.
The Focus Electric is a dynamic driver's car, sharing the steering, handling and braking feel with the agile, sporty, fuel-powered Focus models upon which it's based. At the same time, the absence of a gasoline or diesel engine and outstanding aerodynamics lead to a remarkably quiet, comfortable in-car experience.

A limited number of Focus Electrics will first be available in California and the New York/New Jersey areas. Availability of the Focus Electric will expand in 2012 to the remaining 15 launch markets as production ramps up.

The 19 launch markets also include Atlanta; Austin and Houston, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Los Angeles; San Francisco; San Diego; New York; Orlando, Fla.; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Portland, Ore.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Seattle; and Washington, D.C.

MAXimum efficiency

The Ford C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid are Ford's first compact multi-activity vehicles (MAVs) in North America and offer high mileage and low emissions as well as a distinctive design and flexible interior.

The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi use the company's next-generation powersplit hybrid technology in combination with a lighter, smaller lithium-ion battery system. Both models provide maximum fuel efficiency by pairing the high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor with a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. This technology enables the gasoline engine to run less than the previous generation.

C-MAX Hybrid is targeted to deliver better fuel economy than the Toyota Prius v. C-MAX Energi is expected to deliver better MPGe in electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and to achieve more than 500 miles of driving range using the battery and engine.

The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi, like the Focus Electric, have been engineered and built to deliver engaging driving dynamics and technologies. In addition, C-MAX Energi and Focus Electric will offer MyFord Touch and MyFord Mobile, designed to make charging and driving the vehicle even more efficient, affordable and easier to live with.

Hybrid transmission leader

When C-MAX Hybrid launches, Ford becomes North America's largest maker of hybrid transmissions.

Ford engineered the transmission and upgraded the controls with a goal of creating the industry's highest-performing and smoothest-operating hybrid transmission. Among the hybrid transmission's innovations:

• Electric motors capable of operating at higher electric speeds
• A new, super-efficient cooling system that enables higher speeds in electric drive
• Optimized gear ratios enabling improvement in fuel economy
• More precise controls to deliver higher levels of refinement as the powertrain transitions between engine and electric drive
• Reduced weight to help increase fuel economy

This is the first hybrid transmission to be designed and built by Ford. Production is moving from a supplier in Japan to the Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., which also will assemble battery packs for Ford's hybrid and electric vehicles.

Building green vehicles cleaner
Ford completely transformed Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., into an environmentally friendly workplace with flexible manufacturing capability.

With the new electrified vehicles and the new Focus ST performance model also coming in 2012, Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant is the first facility in the world capable of building a full array of vehicles – gas-powered, EcoBoost®, electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid – all on the same production line.

The plant also features one of the largest solar power generation systems in the state as well as several electric vehicle charging stations, allowing the facility to operate on a blend of renewable and conventional electricity.

Renewable energy collected by the solar panels directly feeds the energy-efficient microgrid, helping power the plant. When the plant is inactive, such as holidays, the stored solar energy will provide power during periods of insufficient or inconsistent sunlight. Projected energy cost savings are approximately $160,000 per year.

The plant also has 10 electric vehicle charging stations that recharge the electric switcher trucks that transport parts between adjacent facilities – saving an estimated 86,000 gallons of gas a year.

Plus, 50 percent of the parts arriving for the all-new Focus are packed in cardboard, are carefully collected, sorted and recycled, as is the bubble wrap, the Styrofoam and the water bottles used by employees.