Ford Fusion Tales

Ford Is First to Launch Spotify in the Car; Streaming Music Service Soon Available for SYNC AppLink

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Spotify, the leading on-demand music streaming service providing access to a catalog of more than 20 million songs globally is now compatible with Ford SYNC^® AppLink^™ for simple hands-free, voice-activated entertainment while driving.

Spotify is the largest and most successful music streaming service of its kind globally, available in 20 countries including the United States, and with more than 20 million active users and 5 million paying subscribers. AppLink will enable Ford drivers to enjoy Spotify songs and playlists while keeping their hands on the steering wheel and their eyes focused on the road.

The integration with Spotify to offer the streaming music service in Ford SYNC AppLink-equipped vehicles is the company’s first direct collaboration with an automotive manufacturer.

“Spotify brings you the right music for every moment: on your computer, your mobile phone, your tablet, your home entertainment system and soon also in your Ford vehicle,” said Pascal de Mul, global head of hardware partnerships, Spotify. “Our collaboration with Ford SYNC AppLink will enable music-loving drivers to enjoy access to Spotify’s huge catalog of more than 20 million tracks while on the road."

More than 1 million Ford vehicles in North America are now equipped with SYNC AppLink, enabling drivers to voice-control smartphone apps from the driver’s seat.

“Spotify is a terrific addition to the SYNC AppLink ecosystem helping add even more value to the experience of driving a Ford for both new and existing customers,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president, Ford Motor Company, during the announcement of the collaboration at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Hands-free control of your music

When drivers with a Spotify Premium subscription have the app running on their SYNC-connected iPhone, they will have access to a wide array of functionality using voice commands such as:

• Now playing (the car will speak details of what’s playing)
• Star/unstar track
• Add track to your “Road Trip” playlist
• Choose playlist (the car will ask which playlist to play)
• Play starred (the starred playlist will play)
• Play music (the car will start playing your library)
• Similar music (the car will present more albums by the current artist)
• Recently played (the car will allow you to choose from the 10 most recently played artists, albums or playlists)
• Start album/artist/track radio
• Shuffle on/off
• Repeat on/off

Drivers can also use the audio controls to:

• Skip track forward/back
• Play/pause
• Program the preset number keys so they work like a radio and save the currently playing album, artist or playlist to that number for easy access

Even Spotify’s built-in social sharing capabilities work on the road. When the Spotify app is connected and running, if a friend sends a track, album, artist or playlist to your inbox, the car will read it aloud – for example, “You have been sent a new playlist. Would you like to play it?” Answering “yes” will start playback of the sent item, which is great for when friends aren’t with you and want you to hear an album they like.

Spotify is also confirmed as the first music service provider for the upcoming launch of SYNC AppLink in Europe. The updated Spotify app will be available soon in the Apple App Store.

Courtesy of Ford

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J Mays of Ford Motor Company: Thoughts on Design

Power to the People! Fiesta Movement: A Social Remix Gives Control of New Ford Fiesta Ad Campaign to the People

Building on the groundbreaking social engagement program that launched the Ford Fiesta in the U.S. in 2009, Ford now plans to introduce its new 2014 Fiesta through an innovative ad campaign created entirely by consumers.

To tell the new car’s story, Ford announced today that it is seeking 100 social influencers, who – through a mix of paid media, social media and experiential events – will convey the unique personality and attributes of the new 2014 Ford Fiesta in an entirely different way. Ford made the announcement at the Social Media Week convention in New York.

“Fiesta was designed to reflect the individuality of the customer, so we feel the marketing efforts should give the reins to the people who will be driving it,” says Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln. “We have a fuel-efficient, tech-savvy and stylish car that doesn’t sacrifice on performance – it truly has its own personality. That personality will come through in the stories and experiences of real people.”

Ford will partner with nationally prominent television, entertainment and sports events including American Idol and X Games, legendary music festival Bonnaroo, and other media and entertainment hubs where agents will be at the center of the action.

Ford was the first automaker to truly introduce vehicles through social media and now, the evolution of the Fiesta Movement takes the use of social channels for reveal to an entirely new level. Building on the success of the initial launch, Ford will give the agents a new Fiesta, then step back and let them do what they do best: Entertain their followers. As a result, the voice of this exciting new car will come straight from the people – making this the Blue Oval’s first completely user-generated campaign.

Fiesta attracts more Millennials than any Ford vehicle, and that means telling its story in a way that is different from other models. Unlike other campaigns, Ford will use content created only by selected influencers – “agents” – then reveal it through multiple media channels and partners.

Social Media Week provides an ideal backdrop for Fiesta Movement: A Social Remix. This worldwide event is designed to explore the social, cultural and economic impact of social media. Since its inception five years ago, the event has become a major forum for some of the biggest, most significant news in the world of social media.

The new Fiesta Movement will bring together alumni from the highly acclaimed original Fiesta Movement. The campaign will include celebrities, current Fiesta owners and new agents – all carrying out a series of exciting missions with the 2014 Fiesta. Ford will provide agents with gas, insurance coverage, cameras and other tools they need to create content.

The missions – which will span the country throughout the year – are expected to be seen on TV shows, social media sites and paid advertisements, and engage millions of people. Over the course of the original Fiesta Movement, agents traveled more than 1 million miles in Fiestas, created more than 50,000 pieces of content, and generated nearly 30 million views through social media.

“Consumers – Millennials in particular – like being a part of the brands they feel represent them,” says Keith Koeppen, Ford advertising and media manager. “This demographic is accustomed to creating content about their lives, so it just makes sense to give their creativity a bigger platform with greater scale.

“It’s all part of the democratization of media,” he adds.

Ford will kick off the campaign by recruiting agents – influencers as expressive as the new car – who inspire their friends both online and off. Agents will be selected based on their story and social prominence, among other attributes, and through their voices they will help to shape the story of the new 2014 Ford Fiesta.

Agents will debut the content they create on their own social pages, and then, as it gains popularity, Ford will feature it on www.fiestamovement.com and amplify the best of the best across digital, print, broadcast and outdoor advertising. Any and all content can become part of the living, breathing story of the new Ford Fiesta.

“We are giving agents the unprecedented chance to launch a car through the content they create,” says Koeppen. “The possibilities are limitless. For example, if there’s a video we really like, we can turn it into a TV commercial, if there’s a photo we think is really eye-catching, we can incorporate it into a print campaign.”

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show this past November, Ford’s new Fiesta redefines the segment with an available 1.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine, projected 40 mpg-plus fuel economy, an exciting new look, and class-exclusive technology and special features that make it the most fun-to-drive car of its size.

Additionally, a new high-output variant of the award-winning 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine propels the performance-minded Fiesta ST with an estimated 197 horsepower and 214 lb.-ft. of torque.

Courtesy of Ford

Another great review from another happy customer!

"Shopping for a car can be very tiresome. I had been looking for my perfect match for a few weeks when I came across an ad for a used Jeep Wrangler at Friendly Ford. I set an appointment with Tony Rickman to come test drive the vehicle. Tony was very friendly and gave me all the required information I needed. The next part of this review will really let you know how easy it was to make a purchase at this great dealership.

1. 11:15 Hello, Welcome to Friendly Ford, I'm Tony.
2. 11:20 Test Drove
3. 11:30 Made 1 offer to manager which Tony had approved
4. 12:50 All paperwork complete, Jeep Washed.
5. 12:55 Was on the road back home.
The above was not an exaggeration. It literally took no time and all and on top of that, Tony made the experience comfortable. Where I come from you always make sure thank the person who helped you. I believe Tony was a bit surprised when I called a week later to thank him, but I think he assumed I was calling about my tags rather than a simple thank you." -Jason H.

Thank you for this stellar review!

"Most times when we take time to write a review its either 5 stars or one star. Im glad I was able to delete my prior comment because I really did get a good deal on the Expedition we recently purchased. The vehicle had some cosmetic issues that no one noticed at the time of purchase. I would like to thank Austin and the Salinas family for listening and careing when a customer has a problem and working toward a solution we can both live with. See you next time Im in the market for a vehicle." -Russell

Ford the Only Full-Line Automaker Named to Fast Company 2013 Ranking of World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies

Fast Company’s annual Most Innovative Companies issue honors leading businesses, including Apple, Amazon, Google and Target along with such rising newcomers as Square, Fab and Tumblr. Ford Motor Company is the only full-line automaker named to the 2013 list. Nike ranks No. 1 following the release of two major innovations, FuelBand and Flyknit technology.

Fast Company editors highlighted an array of recent efforts by Ford, including the opening of a Silicon Valley Lab in Palo Alto, Calif. in June 2012 where Ford engineers can collaborate with some of the best and brightest technology minds.

Among the innovative features already available in Ford vehicles, the award-winning SYNC® connectivity system enables drivers to stay connected with the latest mobile technology using voice commands so that hands can stay on the wheel and eyes on the road. The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion offers one of the industry’s most complete suites of advanced driver assist systems, including adaptive cruise control and the Lane Keeping System all in an affordable midsize family sedan. Ford researchers are also hard at work on future systems including a driver workload estimator to help drivers manage stressful situations on the road.

The Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s most significant, high-profile editorial effort of the year. The editorial team spends months gathering and sifting data to identify those enterprises that exemplify the best in business from across the economy and around the world. The end result is a package that dares to be different, emphasizing not just revenue growth and profit margins but also progressive business models and an ethos of creativity. This year’s honorees include major brands like Samsung and Coca-Cola, creative upstarts like Nasty Gal and Uber, and social disruptors like Coursera and D-Rev. Internationally Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies package spans the globe celebrating such companies as Kenya’s Safaricom (No. 9), Israel’s SodaStream (No. 23), Russia’s Oktogo online travel service (No. 35) and China’s Landwasher (No. 38).

In addition to the Top 50, Fast Company also ranks the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in 10 categories, including Big Data, Entertainment, Finance, and Food — all of which are featured in the print edition and on FastCompany.com. Additional Top 10 lists will continue to be rolled out online and through social channels in the weeks to come. Special online-only coverage: The Most Innovative Moments in Business, from Apple to Starbucks, Airbnb to Disney.

Notable on this year’s list: the absence of social media giants Facebook and Twitter. “Neither produced innovations worth celebrating,” the magazine explains in an accompanying article. “In the history of our list, fewer than one-third of the companies return from one year to the next. This year, only seven are consecutive honorees, an indication of how more companies in more corners of the world are innovating to seek a competitive edge, with the stakes only getting higher.”

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March 2013) is on newsstands beginning Feb. 19 and available online at www.fastcompany.com/MIC as well as in app form via iTunes.

Courtesy of Ford

Another great review from another happy customer!

"I just bought a new 2013 ford raptor from fidel and austin had a great experiance and easy to work with! i would recommend friendly ford to any one looking to buy a new car or truck. Hunter H" -Hunter

Check out our February special!

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Thank you for this great review!

"I found Friendly Ford very easy to deal with. I must say that I did my shopping online and Tony Rickman helped me get the best deal on my new Ford Edge. While getting my first oil change free, I ended up buying my daughter a new Ford Mustang for Christmas. Everyone there was very friendly and seemed to try to help in every way they could. Thank You all" -Dianne S.

The Super Duty is a superstar for the University of Michigan Championship Crew Team

2013 Chicago Auto Show

Dates

• Public Show:  Saturday, February 9 through Monday, February 18
• First Look for Charity:  Friday, February 8, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Black tie. More info.
• Media Preview:  Thursday, February 7 through Friday, February 8. More info.

Location - McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60616.

First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marks the 105th edition of the Chicago Auto Show.

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) is the nation's oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. The CATA has produced the Chicago Auto Show since 1935.

Ford plans to give show-goers a peek at the Atlas Concept! Check back with us once the event kicks off for more details!

The Auto Show Through the Years.

Detroit just hosted its 106th North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Started in 1907, and turning international in 1989, it has always been a big deal for all car fans. Which is why over 700,000 awesome people around the globe love to come year after year.

Now, the show might be over, but excitement is still in the air. Which is why we dug into the archives to show you, our badge-wearing, Ford-loving fans, some old shots from auto shows of the past. Check out that rollerblader jumping over the red-hot Escort. And how about that first pony?

Looking back makes us realize how far we’ve come. To think, we have hands-free technology to open a hatch with your foot and cars that can parallel park themselves. Take that, driver’s ed! It’s incredible the way technology has allowed us to advance, and the inspiration behind our advancements is you, the driver. Which is why we want you to share some of your favorite auto show moments with us. What have been some of your favorite years? Which Ford classics do you think made the biggest statements?

Courtesy of Ford Social

Thanks for the great review on Yelp!

"Overall excelent." -Judy M.