New Ford Multicultural Marketing Campaign Showcases All-New Ford Fusion and Delivers a Riveting Message to African American Community; Campaign Features Tupac Shakur’s Poem, ‘The Rose That Grew from Concrete’

• Ford’s newest multicultural marketing campaign tied to the all-new Ford Fusion features the poem by the late Tupac Shakur, “The Rose That Grew from Concrete,” which symbolizes the Fusion’s breakthrough in performance, style and innovation – a transformation of consumer expectations of midsize sedans

• The campaign launches today and features TV ads, print, radio and a digital execution that highlight the breakthrough styling and design of the all-new Ford Fusion

• The digital portion of the campaign features a series of Web videos that emphasize the inspiration behind the design of the Fusion

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 19, 2012 – There’s no denying that the all-new Ford Fusion has broken the mold when it comes to the design of a midsize sedan. This truth has become the inspiration behind the development of Ford’s newest advertising campaign targeting the African American community. The inspiring campaign demonstrates the continued commitment from Ford to “go further” in bringing game-changing products to its consumers.

 

The campaign, called “A Rose,” debuts today and includes a TV advertisement in which consumers witness members of a Ford product team creating a breakthrough product by chiseling a large block of concrete into the all-new midsize sedan. The ad, which features Andre Royo from HBO’s “The Wire,” includes a voiceover reciting the late Tupac Shakur’s poem, “The Rose That Grew from Concrete.”

 

“The all-new Ford Fusion is such a breakthrough vehicle for Ford,” said Shawn Thompson, Ford manager, Multicultural Marketing. “The late Tupac Shakur’s poem, “The Rose That Grew from Concrete,” is the perfect description for the way the new Fusion’s design came to be. As it’s described in the words of the poem, the Fusion is a clear testimony of what we can do if we keep our dreams.

 

“This campaign breaks completely away from anything we’ve done in the past to introduce consumers to a new vehicle utilizing a poem by one of hip hop’s most celebrated artists,” Thompson added. “This campaign, like the poem, has an inspiring message at its core.”

 

The fully integrated campaign also includes radio and print ads in addition to a digital execution featuring a series of Web videos that will live on www.ford.com/brandnew. The videos feature interviews with some of the team members behind the design of the all-new vehicle. The Web videos can be found on the Ford Fusion YouTube channel and Ford Fusion Facebook page beginning today.

 

The TV advertisements will air on broadcast networks that include BET, TV One and NBA on TNT; the print ads will be featured in a number of leading African American print publications that will include “ESSENCE” and “JET” magazines.

 

The Ford Fusion has a sleek design and equips consumers with seven must-have technologies, including an available Lane-Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch^®. In addition to its technology features, Fusion offers the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.

 

“We hope this campaign gets consumers buzzing about this segment-defining vehicle,” said Thompson. “The Ford Fusion truly sets itself apart from all other midsize vehicles in the segment and this new advertising campaign is just a first glimpse of that.”

 

The entire advertising campaign was created by UniWorld Group, Ford’s African American advertising agency of record.

 

The new Fusion is on sale now at Ford dealerships.

Ford Motor Company Fund Pledges $1 Million to American Red Cross

• Ford Motor Company Fund announces $1 million pledge over two years to American Red Cross for disaster relief and career training for veterans and family members

• Through this grant, 200 veterans, those soon to leave military service, or their family members will receive scholarships for free training for a career in health care

• Healthcare Scholarships are available to military families in Detroit, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Tenn. and Louisville, Ky.

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 15, 2012 – Ford Motor Company Fund is pledging $1 million to the American Red Cross for workplace development training for veterans, military members and their families, as well as to disaster relief through the Red Cross Disaster Responder program.

 

In this two-year commitment, Ford’s longstanding support of the American Red Cross is being expanded with 200 Blue Oval Scholarships for nurse assistant training in the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program. These scholarships will enable veterans, or those soon to leave military service, and their families to receive training for careers in the health field in five cities: Detroit, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Tenn. and Louisville, Ky. All are cities in Ford’s Operation Goodwill program.

 

The Red Cross nurse assistant training program equips trainees to achieve state-level certification as nurse assistants and obtain sustainable and competitive employment. The program provides job development and work readiness resources as well as help for graduates to find employment.

 

“Ford’s support allows us to extend our nurse assistant training program in five areas of the country and helps us serve a larger number of service members and their families,” said Lynn Crabb, senior director of Policy and Programs, Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.

 

“Recent government data show unemployment among post-9/11 veterans is at 9.7 percent,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “This expansion of our Red Cross partnership provides deserving veterans and their family members the chance to build new careers in the nursing field, which is a win-win-win for them, the Red Cross and our communities.”

 

This support builds on $50,000 in Ford grants in the past two years for the southeastern Michigan region health care career training program and disaster services programs.

 

As part of this partnership, Ford also is joining the Red Cross Disaster Responder program and pledges donations on an ongoing basis in advance of major disasters, which helps the Red Cross ensure an immediate response to meet the needs of those affected by disasters of all sizes, at no cost and regardless of income.

 

In addition, Ford Motor Company is donating two Transit Connect vans to support crisis response in Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico

Ford Escape wins inaugural Car of the Year from Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics has unveiled its 2013 Automotive Excellence Awards, and not only is the Ford Escape among its 10 best vehicles, for the first time ever the magazine names a Car of the Year and Escape is editors’ choice for the award. Escape earned the honor for being “an affordable vehicle that excels in multiple auto excellence categories,” for its “excellent engine options, abundance of technology and great price.” Reviewers pointed out that “Escape is freshly minted, with a solid new chassis shared with the European Ford Kuga. The driving experience feels like it’s two full generational leaps ahead of the old Escape.” Read the full report here.

 

Click to download images.

Lessons from a master

I have been re-watching the documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi ” for the past couple of months. I’ve seen it at least 10 times, probably more, while writing drafts for this article. I’ve watched it alone, with my wife, with friends, and I don’t tire of it; I’ve recommended it to everyone I know, and now I’m wholeheartedly recommending it to you.

This little gem of a documentary by David Gelb takes a look at the work and life of Jiro Ono, a Michelin three-star sushi chef who, at 85 years of age, continues to work on his craft every day at his tiny restaurant in a Tokyo office building basement opposite a subway station entrance. His colleagues, his country, and at least one very knowledgeable food writer recognize him as perhaps the greatest sushi chef alive.

I have watched this film in fascination, trying to extract lessons from this master. What have I learned from him? And what questions do these lessons open up for me?

You must fall in love with your work

“Once you decide on your occupation,” says Jiro, “you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of success and is the key to being regarded honorably.”

Jiro himself is enormously happy with his work; he is a blissful craftsman who truly enjoys his work, which keeps him vital in his old age.

However, it’s crucial to note that he doesn’t say “find work that you love,” as if suggesting one goes on some romantic quest in search for the perfect job, but rather he tells us to love the work we have chosen.

This means to consciously and voluntarily cultivate love, much like we do in a marriage. This is different from a teenage crush whereby one gets struck in the head by a random force and goes temporarily mad, only to wake up to disillusioned weeks or months later. Jiro’s path to joyful work requires a lifetime of devotion.

This brings to mind a more common conception of work some of us have: We tend to categorize jobs as being either “passion work” or “work just for the money.” Then we tell ourselves that passion work is a pipe dream and we must endure a lifetime of mindless toil until the day we retire and begin to enjoy life.

What would happen, I wonder, if we consciously and purposefully loved the jobs we feel condemned to do “just for the money”? Could this perhaps completely revolutionize our relationship with work, increase our quality of life, and diminish our hunger for retirement?

Specialize, simplify, go deep

Sushi is by definition a minimalist food, and Jiro has taken this simplicity to another level, not only in his sushi-making technique, but also in the composition of his menu. Unlike other restaurants of its kind, Jiro’s does not serve appetizers. Rather, they create a daily menu of about 20 pieces of sushi per person. He serves sushi only, and no other dishes.

Moreover, his restaurant has only 10 seats. This allows the staff to focus on preparing top-quality sushi and serving each client the best possible way, noticing little details like how much they eat or if they are right- or left-handed.

Jiro’s eldest son, Yoshikazu, who is a sushi chef in his own right but still works with his father as the heir apparent, says that at the restaurant they try to repeat the same thing every day. What’s left implied is that mastery results from this constant repetition.

This focus goes beyond the confines of work: Jiro repeats the same routine every day, down to standing on the same spot to take the train. He dislikes holidays and wants to return to work as soon as possible.

It seems to me that Jiro increases his creativity by going deep, rather than wide — start with an automatic daily routine, pursue a narrow focus at work, and within that narrow focus, the combination of talent and hard work open up a universe for creative exploration.

This reminds me of that mad genius William Blake, who wrote in “Auguries of Innocence”:

To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

With happiness like that, who needs vacations?

Loving your work requires sacrifice

If we stick for a moment with the “passion work” scenario I mentioned earlier, I notice that some people tend to assume that doing work you love is free of difficulties and that everything will be well in your life if you just switch careers. It is not. Doing work you love may cost you dearly, especially in the initial stages, and everyone choosing such a path should be willing to pay the price of admission.

In my case, pursuing studies in the humanities and striking out on my own instead of finding a place in academia meant I have to work longer hours and make less money compared with people working in established organizations and with perhaps fewer years of education.

I have made peace with that fact because I am doing work that I love, but the trade-off is evident. Today I aim to increase my income to a more comfortable level by cultivating focus and honing my skills, but it’s a steep climb. Still, this was a conscious choice that I do not regret.

I know this may seem to contradict a little bit what I said earlier about loving the work you’ve chosen, but I guess what I’m trying to say is that loving your work can at times be difficult, but if you persevere you will find yourself rewarded for it.

In the case of Jiro, the demands of his job kept him away from his family while his children were growing up. He also had to struggle against poverty; when he got married he had no money in the bank, and years later his kids had to save for months before they could afford a Coca-Cola.

Things have changed today, Jiro shares a good relationship with his children, who learned their craft from their father, but it took years of sacrifice and hard work to get there. Jiro himself had to endure being slapped or kicked during his learning years, but he didn’t quit. He’s had apprentices, however, who only lasted a day in his kitchen.

The point of this, to me, is that the kind of bliss Jiro finds in his daily work can’t be achieved through quick solutions and four-hour workweeks. It takes hard, intense, concentrated, and often painful work. Dream jobs don’t simply work their magic because you find them; they do because you marry them for life and they reward you for your efforts as years go by.

I am not suggesting, of course, that citizens of 21st-century Western democracies with different cultural prejudices put up with unfair or unsafe work conditions, but Jiro’s tale is a reminder that love and sacrifice can reward us in transcendental ways that cannot be reduced to quick formulas for easy success. His path may not be for everyone, but I believe it’s at least worthy of examination.

Ford C-MAX Hybrid Outsells Toyota Prius v in First Full Sales Month, Helps Ford Set Hybrid, Small Vehicle Sales Records

• In its first full month of sales, Ford’s new C-MAX Hybrid outsells Toyota Prius v, 3,182 units to 2,769

• Ford sets record for hybrid sales in October with 4,612 units – double October 2011 hybrid sales

• C-MAX hybrids help Ford achieve strongest October small car sales in 11 years –a total 25,493 vehicles for a 54 percent increase year over year

• Nearly 70 percent of C-MAX Hybrid buyers are new to Ford, with 25 percent of sales in California as Ford continues to make in-roads on the coasts

Click to download images.

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 2, 2012 – The new Ford C-MAX Hybrid – America’s most fuel-efficient and affordable hybrid utility vehicle – is now the best-selling hybrid utility vehicle after outselling Toyota Prius v, 3,182 units to 2,769 units, in just its first full month of sales in October.

 

The new C-MAX Hybrid led Ford in achieving its best October hybrid sales month ever with a total of 4,612 sales, up 142 percent over October 2011. C-MAX Hybrid sales helped Ford deliver its best October for small car sales in 11 years. Ford sales of Focus, C-MAX and Fiesta were up 54 percent to 25,493 units year over year.

 

“The new C-MAX is off to a fast start in the heart of the hybrid market, not only outselling Prius v, but drawing a lot of interested Toyota customers who chose our new hybrid instead,” says C.J. O’Donnell, manager, Ford Electrified Vehicles. “Customers now come into our showrooms for fuel economy, and we’re delivering with six vehicles that offer 40 mpg or better, including the new C-MAX Hybrid at 47 mpg combined, with another two on the way by year’s end.”

 

C-MAX Hybrid’s leading EPA-rated fuel economy – up to 7 mpg better than Prius v – is already helping attract new customers in key coastal markets that own import vehicles. One in four C-MAX Hybrids sold in October were sold in California, with Los Angeles as the best-selling region and San Francisco following in second.

 

Additionally, initial conquest data show that more than 70 percent of C-MAX Hybrid buyers traded in a competitive model or added it without trading in another vehicle. And one third of C-MAX Hybrid customers in October said they cross-shopped the Toyota Prius and Prius v.  

 

“The C-MAX Hybrid is winning over customers with its best-in-class passenger room, smart technologies and leading fuel economy,” says O’Donnell. “And its $25,995 price tag gives customers the value they are looking for without having to make the typical compromises that have defined most hybrids until now.”

 

Customers are demonstrating that even in a hybrid vehicle, they are looking for “real car” features. More than 60 percent of sales of C-MAX Hybrid are the SEL model, which offers Intelligent Access with push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, heated seats, SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^®, ambient lighting and the Reverse Sensing System standard. Early sales of the SEL model are running about 20 percent higher than expected.

 

Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid  

C-MAX Energi – America’s most fuel-efficient and affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle – is now available at Ford EV-certified dealers in half the states across the country. As Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid, C-MAX Energi provides customers with an all-new electrified vehicle offering that delivers a class-leading 108 MPGe city EPA rating, “real car” horsepower of 195 (versus Prius plug-in’s 134 horsepower) and a leading EV-only speed of 85 mph, 20 mph above the Prius plug-in.

 

According to a Pike Research report, Ford’s electrified vehicle offerings will help the company join Toyota as leaders in electric vehicle sales by 2020. The report projects plug-in hybrid sales will reach nearly 48,000 units in 2012, and sell faster than the early days of conventional hybrids by later this decade.

 

Maximum power of choice

The all-new C-MAX Energi joins Ford’s all-new electrified vehicle offerings, including the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, America’s most fuel-efficient sedan, which is on sale now. The new Fusion will also give customers the power to choose across three powertrain options – gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.

10 Jobs That Make at Least $100 an Hour

(Guest Post by Kristina)

Good Morning friends! We couldn’t enjoy the finer things in life without money, and we wouldn’t have money without having a job. But what is the different between a job and a career?

Some people say that the difference is in the level of education that’s required for the position, and others say it’s the annual salary or hourly wage that differentiates a job from a career. Can you have a career that pays an hourly wage, though?  Or better yet, let me ask you a personal question…How much do you make per hour? That’s right! I asked it!

How much money do you earn per hour at your job? Since I asked the question, I will also answer the question; I make approximately $43 per hour, which doesn’t include my quarterly or annual bonus. Even with my bonuses throughout the year I definitely don’t make $100 per hour. Here are 10 Jobs (or should I say careers?) that earn at least $100 an hour, according to CNBC. You may be surprised at which careers have the most earning potential.

1. Underwater Welder. Could you spend 30 days at sea working underwater, 12 hours a day, to earn $1200? Underwater Welders usually repair and replace pipes for oil and gas companies.
2. Anesthesiologist. These are MDs who administer the drugs that knock us out prior to a surgery or a medical procedure. Anesthesiologists are Doctors, and they make over $100 per hour.
3. Tattoo Artists. Do you watch NY Ink, Miami Ink, or LA Ink? Did you think that Ami James or Kat Von Dee makes over $100 per hour? Although tattoo rates are negotiated with each client, some Tattoo Artists can earn up to $130 per hour. However, the workflow is not guaranteed, and therefore a Tattoo Artist’s monthly income can vary.
4. Arbitrator. An Arbitrator is a legal professional, usually an Attorney, who is a neutral third party who is brought in to solve a dispute when two parties cannot agree. Arbitrators are very often used during labor relations when Union contracts are being negotiations. They are also sometimes used in divorces.
5. Orthodontist. My parents constantly remind me that my teeth cost them $5,000, and therefore I should always take excellent care of them. It is estimated that half of all Orthodontists earn over $100. I had braces for 2.5 years and a retainer for another 2 years when I was younger – the Orthodontist bills can definitely add up.
6. Freelance Photographers. The average starting rate for a Freelance Photographer is $13-$50. However, after 5-10 years of experience, and depending on the domain and geographic location, some Freelance Photographers can earn over $100 per hour.
7. Interior Designers. Have you ever wanted to have your home professionally decorated? Would you pay $100 per hour for a Professional Interior Designer? A Bachelors Degree is usually required for Interior Designers, and in some cases so is a License to Design. Interior Designers may also provide architectural and engineering advice.
8. Parts Models. A hand or feet, or other Parts Model, can earn an average of $100 per hour. However, they have to take extremely good care of that specific body part, which can be costly. Is anyone else thinking of the Seinfeld episode where the Hand Model burns herself on the hot iron?
9. Life Coach. The goal of a Life Coach is to bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be in our life. Life Coaches earn $100-$150 per hour.
10. Massage Therapist. They have the potential to earn up to $100 per hour, but it will have to be in a private practice or clinic. Massage Therapists who work in a Spa earn less than half of those in private practices.

Do any of these professions interest you?  So you can make over $100 per hour? At a yearly salary, that looks to be around $195,000 a year.  How much are you making now?

Ford Fusion Launch Ads Show How All-New Sedan Sets Itself Apart from the Bland Competition

• Three television commercials for the all-new Ford Fusion debut this week and show viewers how and why this sleek new sedan outshines the competition

• In one of the new ads, all other vehicles on the road become invisible while the new Fusion remains, standing apart from the crowd. In another, a Fusion drives over a cliff showing off “the one thing” the car cannot do

• The ads are part of an integrated launch campaign that builds on the “Random Acts of Fusion” digital series starring Ryan Seacrest and print ads developed with input from Chinese artist Liu Bolin

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 2, 2012 – If there’s one thing commentators agree on when talking about the all-new Ford Fusion, it’s that this is one midsize sedan that people really notice. This is the theme of the surprising launch campaign for the car, which debuts this week.

 

 

These words open the debut television commercial for Ford’s all-new midsize sedan, which is part of the new campaign that shows how this revolutionary new vehicle sets itself apart from the competition.

 

“The media launch of the Fusion will showcase how Ford is shaking up the bland midsize sedan segment,” said Jim Farley, group vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service. “Why do car buyers have to sacrifice styling and forward-looking design for fuel economy? They don’t.”

 

At the center of Fusion’s design inspiration was the goal to achieve unparalleled fuel economy. The new Fusion is designed with the driver in mind, offering functional design elements that enhance its sleek exterior. Unique to Fusion is a range of engines including a normally aspirated engine, two EcoBoost^®engines, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid model.

 

Beginning this month, three TV advertisements will debut during a mix of prime-time network programming and various broadcast sporting events. The first spot shows Fusion as the only car left standing as all the other vehicles on the road become invisible. The second twist features a Fusion driving off a cliff, demonstrating “the one thing” the car cannot do. The final spot shows other cars moving backward while Fusion moves forward, going further toward its destination.

 

The advertisements make note of the Fusion’s strong fuel economy including 47 mpg combined in the Fusion Hybrid and 100 MPGe in the plug-in electric model.

 

Building on digital, print campaigns

The new TV advertisements build on the momentum developed by the prelaunch digital series “Random Acts of Fusion” starring Ryan Seacrest and a new series of print ads developed with Chinese artist Liu Bolin. Two million people visited the Random Acts of Fusion website generating nearly 12 million video views. During the course of the prelaunch, Fusion picked up 100,000 new fans on Facebook.

 

The successful Random Acts of Fusion campaign will be extended through the vehicle launch in digital and social channels evolving to provide individual experiences to new fans (and skeptics) of the car. For example, in one video Ford surprises a follower named Michael who is skeptical of the EcoBoost engine’s performance. Ford shows up at Michael’s door with a new Fusion and takes him out for a hot lap on a nearby racetrack.

 

The advertisements showcase the all-new Fusion’s sleek new design and how it brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford.

 

In addition to its fresh face, Fusion offers the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive applications and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.

 

The new Fusion is on sale now at Ford dealerships.

Ford Police Interceptors Sweep the Competition in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Testing

• Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle topped the competition in series of annual performance tests conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)

• Following their successful performance in Michigan State Police testing last month, the Ford Police Interceptors consistently demonstrated their class-leading performance

• Ford has more than 15 years of leadership in the police car business and is the first and only manufacturer to offer pursuit-rated all-wheel-drive police vehicles

Click to download images.

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 26, 2012 – Ford’s new Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle were best-in-class at this year’s series of performance tests conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).

 

The entire portfolio of new Police Interceptor vehicles, which launched earlier this year, passed the extreme testing conducted by the LASD and proved to the public and law enforcement industry that Ford delivers purpose-built, pursuit-rated Police Interceptor vehicles.

 

“Yet again, Ford’s fleet of Police Interceptor vehicles stood up to the competition and proved why they are the choice of so many government agencies with their combination of capability and value,” said Lisa Teed, Ford Marketing manager for Police Interceptor. “The LASD testing proves the performance and durability of Ford’s latest generation of police vehicles.”

 

Leading the competition

The annual test to validate pursuit performance on police vehicles is conducted by the LASD with the support of the Los Angeles Police Department. To match real-world patrol conditions, emphasis is placed on a semi-continuous run of 32 high-speed pursuit laps at the 1.46-mile track at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., to test for brake and tire durability, powertrain robustness and high vehicle temperature driveability. The Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle boasted top marks in braking, 0-100 mph acceleration and lap times, and earned positive comments from the officers testing the vehicles.

 

Highlights of the annual testing include:

• The EcoBoost^® Police Interceptor sedan achieved the quickest acceleration time. It also set a new all-time single-lap record and had the fastest average lap time on the city pursuit course
• The Police Interceptor sedan 3.7-liter engine achieved the fastest naturally aspirated V6 engine acceleration, the shortest overall stopping distance, and the second-fastest lap time in city pursuit, just behind the Police Interceptor 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost sedan
• The Police Interceptor utility was the best-in-class utility vehicle with faster acceleration, shorter stopping distance and faster lap times than the Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle

“Setting the all-time record on the city pursuit test is significant,” said Bill Gubing, Police Interceptor chief engineer. “However, the real engineering excellence is designing a portfolio of Police Interceptors for an industry that demands superior durability, braking power and handling.

 

“City pursuit is a test that simulates real-world police driving in an urban environment,” he added. “We designed a purpose-built vehicle for all day every day, by managing power and optimizing the all-wheel drive to give the driver more control in handling tight situations.”

 

The LASD test proves Ford has built a utility police vehicle that meets muster for handling and control. The Police Interceptor utility vehicle’s driving dynamics are similar to the sedan’s, and it provides greater fuel economy than previous V8 Police Interceptors while also providing more space, more versatility, command seating and ease of driving.

 

Experience makes the difference

Building on more than 15 years of leadership, Ford took key product attributes that made Crown Victoria Police Interceptor the leading law enforcement vehicle and increased the next-generation product’s capabilities including the first and only pursuit-rated all-wheel-drive police vehicles. Now police departments and other law enforcement agencies can get an all-new, American-made vehicle with the same durability as the popular Crown Victoria. The new Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle are built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.

 

Working with its Police Advisory Board consisting of law enforcement professionals from the United States and Canada who provided feedback on attributes such as safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality, Ford has ensured that its new Police Interceptor vehicles are purpose-built to meet the requirements of this demanding industry.

Ford Small Car Sales Reach Highest October in 11 Years; F-Series Sees Best October Sales Since 2004

• Ford October small car sales total 25,493 vehicles – the company’s strongest October small car sales in 11 years – with a 54 percent increase year over year
• Escape compact utility sales increased 4 percent for the month; 19,832 Escape sales mark best October sales since 2001
• In its first full month on sale, C-MAX sells 3,182 vehicles
• F-Series posts its best October sales since 2004, providing its 15th consecutive year-over-year monthly sales increase; sales totaled 56,497 pickups – an 8 percent increase
• U.S. sales at the Ford Motor Company total 168,456 vehicles in October, unchanged from a year ago; retail sales up 2 percent compared to last year

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 1, 2012 – Ford total U.S. sales grew across the portfolio in October, with cars up 2 percent, utilities up 2 percent, F-Series pickups up 8 percent and Econoline and Transit Connect sales up 19 and 22 percent, respectively.

“Our commitment to deliver a fuel-efficient lineup of cars, utilities and trucks is winning over customers and helping grow our retail sales,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Our fuel-efficient and capable full-size pickups delivered our strongest October sales results since 2004 – an F-Series record year – and we surpassed our own expectations for the first full month of C-MAX Hybrid sales.”

Focus, all-new C-MAX Hybrid and Fiesta sales totaled 25,493 vehicles in October, Ford’s best October small car sales month since 2001 and a 54 percent increase year over year.

October Escape sales increased 4 percent, with 19,832 vehicles sold. Escape is on-pace for another record sales year in 2012, aiming to surpass 2011 record sales of 254,293 vehicles.

America’s best-selling vehicle, Ford F-Series, sold a total of 56,497 vehicles during the month of October. This not only represents an 8 percent increase over last year but also the 15th straight month of sales increases for F-Series.

Ford sold 168,456 total vehicles in October, unchanged from a year ago. Retail sales were up 2 percent compared to last year.

The Windfall Question

Perhaps three or four times a week, a reader will email me asking what they should do with a sudden windfall that they’ve inherited, whether it’s from a deceased relative, lottery or gambling winnings, or some other source.

Almost always, their goal is to keep the money safe for the short term while also earning some level of return on that money while it’s safe. It is very rare for a person asking this question to have a clear short-term goal – if they did, they wouldn’t be asking the question.

So, I assume that people asking this question have a long-term goal for this money, usually extending to the ten year mark or further out, if they have any goal at all.

What are the options with that perspective?

The first (and best) option is to pay off debt. If you receive a windfall and have any outstanding personal debt, get rid of it.

From a purely “dollars and cents” perspective, debt reduction might not be the best option available to you if your interest rates are low. After all, if you can earn 7% long term in the stock market compared to a 4% debt, your money would grow better over the long term in the stock market.

However, paying off debt is secure. It guarantees you a return on your money equal to the percent interest on the debt for as long as you would have otherwise have the debt because you’re no longer paying that interest. It stays in your pocket where it belongs.

Even better, fewer debts mean fewer monthly bills, which means less lifestyle risk. The fewer monthly bills you have, the lower the impact of things like job loss, career changes, unexpected illnesses, and many other situations. If you have a big pile of monthly bills, you begin to walk a tightrope where things fall apart quickly if you slip. Paying off debt lowers that tightrope quite a bit.

What do you do, though, if you’re free from debt already? If that’s your situation, you shouldinvest it for the long term.

The problem is that there are a ton of options available when it comes to long-term investing. You can keep it in savings. You could buy a CD. You could invest it in stocks. You could buy real estate. Those are just some of the options.

Each of those options has some benefits and drawbacks. Let’s look at the ones mentioned above.

If you want your money to be as secure and safe as possible, with virtually no risk of losing the balance of it, and you’re willing to accept a very small but steady return on your money for that, then a savings account is probably the best place for you. This is the option I would choose if I was very concerned about risk or if I had very limited income. Unless you can get a CD rate that’s more than a percent higher than what you can get in a savings account, I would never buy a CD.

If you are willing to accept some risk and you already have some additional income (and some spare time), real estate can be a solid option. You can either buy land to sit on it for the future, or you can buy properties to rent or lease to others. In the first case, you don’t need much money to maintain the land other than the cost of property taxes, but the investment on the whole will have some risk to it. In the latter case, you’ll need property tax money as well as funds to maintain the property (and you’ll need time as well to take care of that maintenance and other landlord issues), but you can earn a solid income.

If you are willing to accept some risk and want to invest with minimal effort and time investment, stocks are a good choice. The broader stock market is estimated to return an average of 7% a year over the very long term, though over individual years you can potentially earn much less (even a loss) or earn much more.

If you’re more interested in long-term returns that you might want to spend in a lump in the far future (ten years or more) and don’t care that much about earning regular income right now, I’d invest in a broad stock market index fund by opening an account at Vanguardand investing all the money in the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index, which essentially buys a slice of almost every publicly-traded American stock.

If you’re more focused on earning some regular income while the balance sits there and largely breaks even, I’d open an account at a brokerage (say, Scottrade) and split the money up among several steady dividend-paying stocks. I’d stick with big companies you’ve heard of that have a long history of paying dividends (these ten are a great place to start). Dividends are simply cash payments made to anyone who owns a share of a company’s stock. For every share you own when a company issues a dividend, you earn a small amount depending on the dividend size. If you buy a stable stock with a long dividend history, then it’s going to be fairly reliable income.

These are the options I would strongly consider in these various situations if I suddenly received a windfall. At this point in my life, I would probably invest in stocks, as I have no interest in the issues and time involved with being a landlord, I don’t have any debt, and I don’t mind some risk.

Good luck!

Limited-Edition Ford Racing History Artwork Unveiled at SEMA; Limited-Edition Print Sales to Benefit JDRF

• Special limited-edition Ford Racing history artwork is unveiled at the annual SEMA show as part of the Ford press conference

• Famed automotive artist Sam Bass created the artwork at the request of Edsel B. Ford II, with proceeds from sales of limited-edition autographed prints benefiting JDRF

• Drivers and Ford race vehicles featured on the special artwork include Henry Ford (Sweepstakes), Trevor Bayne (No. 21 Fusion), Dan Gurney/A.J. Foyt (Ford Mark IV), Bob Glidden (NHRA Thunderbird), Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell F1), Jim Clark (Lotus-Ford Indy car), John Force (NHRA Mustang) and Parnelli Jones (SCCA Mustang)

 

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 30, 2012 – Just as Ford Racing drivers try to lock down major 2012 championships on the track and consumer holiday shopping begins off the track, Ford Motor Company is unveiling a special limited-edition Ford Racing history print today at the SEMA show that will be sold to benefit JDRF.

 

This special Sam Bass artwork celebrates Ford’s storied 111-year racing history, with proceeds from the limited-edition prints benefiting JDRF. Commissioned for his private collection by Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of Henry Ford, the original artwork dramatically portrays some of the greatest moments in Ford Racing history.

 

There will be only 500 numbered prints created, all hand-signed by Edsel B. Ford II and Sam Bass, and retailing for $449 on www.fordimages.com. All proceeds from sales will benefit JDRF.

 

Print No. 1 will be on display at the Ford stand at SEMA, and will be sold as part of a special online auction on eBay. The link to bid on Print No. 1 is http://item.ebay.com/180992921115. Both eBay and Channel Advisor are waiving their fees to support this charitable effort.

 

In addition, a collectible Fathead^® peel-and-stick graphics piece featuring the artwork, Ford and JDRF logos will be available at the Ford merchandise trailer during the show.

 

The lower center of the artwork, in black-and-white, features Henry Ford himself, on top of his Sweepstakes racer, which he took to an upset win over Alexander Winton, the greatest racer in America, on Oct. 10, 1901. Ford’s victory, with mechanic Spider Huff perched on the side to assist him, helped him gain the investors to start Ford Motor Company in 1903. That race is considered the start of the Ford racing program. Below Ford is a rendering of the cut-glass punch bowl he received for winning that day, a prized racing artifact lost for more than 60 years.

 

To the left of Ford is the 1965 Indianapolis 500-winning Lotus-Ford 38/1 Indy car driven to victory by Jim Clark. The Lotus-Ford was the first rear-engine car to win Indianapolis and it changed the sport forever. Clark’s victory for team owner Colin Chapman was assisted by NASCAR’s Wood Brothers Racing team, which was brought in by Ford to pit the car that day.

 

Just above the Lotus is the famous No. 15 Boss Mustang driven by Parnelli Jones to the 1970 SCCA Trans-Am Championship. The late 1960s and early 1970s were considered the golden era of Trans-Am racing, and no car and driver better represent that era than Jones and his Bud Moore-prepared Mustang.

 

Just above Jones is the NHRA Mustang Funny Car of racing legend John Force. Force drove the Mustang to his record 15th NHRA title in November 2010, coming from behind on the final day to capture a victory for the ages. The championship – at age 61 – was even more special due to the fact Force had fully returned from serious injuries that almost ended his career just three years earlier.

 

To the right of Force and just below the Ford oval is Elf Team Tyrrell of Jackie Stewart, who took the Ford-powered car to his third and final Formula One World Championship in 1973. Stewart, certainly one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, scored the final victory of his career with this car in Germany, ending with 27 wins in just 99 starts.

 

To the right of Stewart’s car is the Motorcraft Ford Fusion of Wood Brothers Racing, the longest-running NASCAR team in history. No. 21 is shown as a new 2013 model NASCAR Fusion at Daytona International Speedway, recalling the Woods’ most recent victory at the 2011 Daytona 500 with Trevor Bayne. That victory was the fifth Daytona 500 win for the Wood Brothers, and Ford’s 600th in NASCAR Sprint Cup.

 

Below the Fusion is the famous Motorcraft Thunderbird NHRA Pro Stock car of Bob Glidden. Glidden was the king of Pro Stock racing, ending his career with a then-record 85 victories. He also won 10 NHRA Pro Stock championships, including five in a row, with his family race team.

 

Finally, in the lower right corner is the Ford Mark IV race car that won the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans. The No. 1 car remains the only all-American car, powered by an American engine, prepared by an American team with American drivers to win Le Mans overall. Racing legends A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney drove the car to victory, the second of four Ford wins at Le Mans in the late 1960s.