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Tag: Ford Motor Company

  • Ford recalls 15,600 cars in South Africa over fire risk

    Ford recalls 15,600 cars in South Africa over fire risk

    Ford Motor company is recalling nearly 16,000 Ikon and Figo models in South Africa due to a potential fire risk, the firm said on Friday.

    The models were built between 2004 and 2012 in India, Ford said in a statement.

    “A power steering fluid leak could result in fumes being emitted from the engine compartment.

    “It may also be possible for power steering fluid to come into contact with the vehicle’s exhaust system components, creating the potential for smoke and in extreme cases, fire.”

    Earlier this year in South Africa, Ford recalled 4,500 Kuga SUVs following dozens of reports of the vehicles catching fire.

  • Ford partners US firm

    Ford partners US firm

    Ford Motor Company has announced a new collaboration to develop manufacturing innovations in automotive-grade carbon fibre for use in future products.

    Ford and DowAksa are accelerating joint research to develop high-volume manufacturing techniques – aiming to make vehicles lighter for greater fuel efficiency, performance and capability.

    The companies will be part of the newly formed Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, created by the United States government. The institute is part of the larger National Network for Manufacturing Innovation supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

    “Our collaboration with DowAksa and participation in this organisation significantly boosts what we are able to achieve,” Ken Washington, Ford vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering said.

    “We have a true alliance of highly talented people working to take automotive materials to the next level,” he noted.

    The mission of the institute and the goal of Ford’s collaboration with DowAksa – a 50/50 joint venture between The Dow Chemical Company and AksaAkrilikKimyaSanayii A.S. – is to overcome the high cost and limited availability of carbon fibre, while developing a viable, high-volume manufacturing process.

    “This opportunity builds upon Ford’s current joint development agreement with Dow Chemical and accelerates our timeline to introduce carbon fibre composites into high-volume applications,” Jim deVries, Ford global manager, Materials and Manufacturing Research stated.

    “This collaboration,” he stated, “helps us accelerate our efforts to create lighter automotive-grade composite materials that benefit customers by enabling improved fuel economy without sacrificing strength.”

    Ford and Dow Chemical began working together in 2012 to develop low-cost, high-volume carbon fibre composites. Also in 2012, the European Ford Research and Innovation Centre in Aachen, Germany, investigated new production processes to reduce cycle times for carbon fibre components through the Hightech.NRW research project.

    Ford last month revealed the all-new Ford GT supercar that makes extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon fibre and aluminium – enabling outstanding acceleration and handling with improved efficiency. With the broad application of structural carbon fibre elements, the GT will exhibit one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car.

    “Our goal is to develop a material that can greatly reduce vehicle weight in support of improved fuel economy for our customers,” said Patrick Blanchard, Ford supervisor, Composites Group. “The flexibility of the technology allows us to develop materials for all vehicle subsystems across the product line – resulting in a weight savings of more than 50 per cent compared to steel,” Blanchard said.

  • Firms celebrate Mustang’s 50th anniversary

    Firms celebrate Mustang’s 50th anniversary

    Ford Motor Company has collaborated with leading cosmetics manufacturer, OPI Products Incorporated, in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Ford Mustang.

    The popular pony car, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in April, has inspired an exciting line of OPI limited-edition nail lacquers in an array of bold, dramatic shades. The collection’s signature shade, Race Red is a tribute to one of Mustang’s most iconic colours.

    Mustang Marketing Manager, Melanie Banker, said the striking colours of the limited-edition nail lacquers mirror the essence of the Mustang.

    “Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car and we are excited to be working with OPI on an exclusive collection that captures the spirit of our iconic car. There is no better way to express Mustang’s bold personality and the excitement it creates than through colour,” Banker stated.

    “OPI is just as enthusiastic about being associated with the Mustang. OPI is thrilled to partner with one of the world’s top automotive companies in celebrating 50 years of Ford Mustang,” Co-founder/Executive Vice President of OPI, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann said.

    “For women, cars and nail lacquer offer a way to express personality. This new collection will deliver elements of sophistication, luxury, power and style fitting for both OPI and Mustang consumers,” she added.

    Mustang’s unique combination of style, performance and affordability established an entirely new class of sporty cars. The Mustang’s next illustrious chapter unfolds with the 2015 Ford Mustang. Acclaimed as its most advanced version yet, the 2015 edition of the car features an all-new sophisticated design that was clearly inspired by its 50-year heritage.

    Next year, the all-new Mustang will go on sale in Nigeria, with the choice of a 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 320kW and 536Nm, or a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine producing 228kW and 440Nm. Mustang now also boasts an all-new, integral-link rear suspension. This design endows it with improved mechanical grip for high-performance applications, while still delivering world-class ride quality.

    The all-new Mustang also features a significant amount of innovative technologies providing drivers with enhanced information, control and connectivity when they want it. From Intelligent Access with push-button start to SYNC® and MyKey® in every Mustang built, plus standard Track Apps™, MyColor® gauges and a new Shaker Pro Audio System, with which drivers will be able to customize their time behind the wheel.

    The Ford Mustang is about to become the newest member of a very exclusive club of vehicles to have been in continuous production for 50 years. More than 9.2 million Ford Mustangs have been sold over the past five decades.

  • Ford unveils Figo Concept

    Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) will give a glimpse of its vision for a new global B-segment compact car, in the form of the Ford Figo Concept, at the inaugural Go Further event in Johannesburg,.

    Highlighting premium design along with smart and safety features, the concept vehicle provides an indication of the design language to be used in a future version of the popular Figo.

    It is also confirmed that a production version of the Figo Concept is planned for South African and Sub-Saharan African (SSA) markets; however details and specifications have yet to be confirmed.

    Ford aims to set new standards for quality and craftsmanship in the B-segment, and exceed the expectations of consumers in emerging markets.

    Ford SSA Vice president for Marketing, Sales and Service, Mark Kaufman, said: “We don’t want consumers to have to compromise when it comes to choosing modern design, value, safety, and technology in their cars. Figo Concept offers all of the above in a package that would surprise many.”

    Building on Ford’s compact car offerings, the Figo Concept illustrates how Ford plans to face growing global demand for compact vehicles. Despite its rapid growth, the compact car segment will remain highly competitive as increasingly savvy buyers look for ways to make their money go further.

    “Increasingly we are seeing everybody – from first time buyers to families looking at their second or third car – demanding more from their cars,” says Kaufman. “With the Figo Concept we explore the possibilities of offering fresh design, a roomy interior, as well as the latest safety and connected technologies.”

    With the goal of bringing unexpected levels of refinement to the compact car segment, designers created the Ford Figo Concept using design elements common to more expensive vehicles.

    “In designing the Figo Concept we took a no compromises approach,” says Moray Callum, Ford Motor Company’s vice president, Design.

    “The Figo Concept’s premium, long-lasting design was crafted from the ground up, building on Ford’s global small car expertise and success. The design is clean and elegant, to convey a sense of precision, efficiency and sophistication, and to provide our customers worldwide with the global standards of design, quality and performance they are looking for.”