More Ford EcoBoost Vehicles in 2012
Now that record sales of 127,683 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles in 2011 are on the books, Ford aims to more than triple production capacity of vehicles using this fuel-efficient technology in 2012.
Ford will expand its portfolio of fuel-efficient offerings this year with the fuel-saving 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine in the Escape and Fusion nameplates, and five new electrified vehicles.
“EcoBoost expansion and availability in high-volume nameplates such as the all-new Ford Escape and Fusion will take this affordable, fuel-saving technology to the heart of the market,” said Ford Group Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering Sue Cischke. “Ford is committed to delivering class-leading fuel economy for our customers, which benefits the environment and helps the U.S. move toward greater energy independence.”
The full-size Taurus sedan becomes the first Ford vehicle to offer customers a choice between two EcoBoost engines. It will offer a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder making an estimated 237 horsepower and giving customers up to an anticipated class-leading 31 mpg, while the iconic Taurus SHO sport sedan features a 365-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivering 25 mpg highway.
The green and mean Focus ST arrives this year as a high-performance – yet fuel-efficient – sport compact EcoBoost application.
Additionally, Ford offers an EcoBoost-powered Police Interceptor for 2012. It is the first-ever turbocharged law-enforcement vehicle offering.
By the end of 2012, nine Ford models will deliver or are anticipated to deliver an EPA-certified 40 mpg highway or higher, with still more fuel-efficient vehicles on the way.
Source: Ford
Ford Now Has Industry’s Highest Customer Satisfaction with Quality
A new consumer research study shows Ford Motor Company now has the highest customer satisfaction with vehicle quality among all major automakers.
According to the Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study conducted for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 84 percent of customers who purchased 2010 model-year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks are satisfied with the quality of their vehicle. This is a 4 percentage improvement since the fourth quarter of 2009.
With the improvement, Ford’s customer satisfaction scores are now significantly higher than all other full-line automotive manufacturers, including Asian and European automakers.
The study also showed Ford has the fewest number of vehicle defects or “things gone wrong” among all full-line manufacturers in the first three months of ownership.
“To become the No. 1 automaker in terms of customer satisfaction with vehicle quality is [an] amazing accomplishment and testament to the whole company’s commitment to quality,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. “All the third parties’ studies are showing the same thing – Ford now has world-class quality.”
As Ford’s quality has improved, it has reduced warranty repair rates on vehicles in their first three months of service by an average of more than 40 percent in every major business region around the world in the past three years.
“Ford has proven its commitment to quality by demonstrating steady improvements through consistency and discipline,” said Donald Pietrowski, president, RDA Group. “Those improvements are clearly reflected in rising customer satisfaction with its products.”
Ford captured eight segment leaders in customer satisfaction, TGW or both. Notably, Fusion Hybrid owners now report 93 percent satisfaction with the quality of their vehicle while 92 percent of Taurus owners are satisfied.
The following models led their respective segments in the survey:
• Taurus – Satisfaction leader D/E car.
• Fusion Hybrid –Satisfaction leader C/D car
• Milan Hybrid – TGW leader C/D car
• Focus — Satisfaction leader C car
• Mountaineer – TGW leader Medium Traditional Utility
• Expedition – TGW and Satisfaction leader Large Utility
• Navigator – TGW and Satisfaction Leader Large Premium Utility
• Ranger – TGW and Satisfaction Leader Compact Pickup
These dramatic gains in quality have also contributed to a 23 percent year-over-year improvement in the resale values of Ford vehicles with one to five years on the road – outpacing the industry average by 4 percentage points.
“While we are proud of the progress we’ve made, we know how important it is to keep the momentum going,” said Fowler. “We can never be satisfied.”
The GQRS study is conducted on a quarterly basis with scores assessed from survey responses collected from owners of vehicles purchased within specific time frames.
New vehicle owners are asked to report any defects or issues as well as rate their satisfaction with vehicle quality on a scale of 1 to 10 across an array of vehicle systems and features.
Source: Ford Motor Company
Stop by Beach Ford in Virginia Beach or Suffolk today, and see what keeps Ford customers so satisfied.
About Beach Ford
Our Dealerships offer new Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury cars, trucks, vans, and all makes of used cars and trucks.
We built a 30,000 square foot world class collision repair and paint facility and a 53,000 square foot Quality Care Service Center in Virginia Beach.
We have also built an 83,000 square foot collision/paint repair and Quality Care Service Center in Suffolk.
We have done all this to ensure we take care of our customers long after their initial purchase.
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