If General Motors takes the opportunity to promote its latest fuel-friendly vehicles during prestigious events such as the Grammy and Oscar Awards, well, Ford won’t allow itself be left behind.

In ford.com last Friday, the world’s third largest automaker confirmed that it will be giving out Ford Escape Hybrids to the top two American Idol finalists. Not only that, Ford will also be sponsoring an “American Idol experience” to one lucky fan who will receive grand prizes such as cash and a 2008 Ford Focus equipped with reliable suspension bushings. The winner will also be given the chance to attend the Tuesday and Wednesday American Idol finale shows. American Idol, as we all know, is an American reality TV show televised on Fox that features aspiring young singers competing for the grand title -- the American Idol. This year marks its seventh season and it will be made more meaningful by Ford’s commitment to support the show which entertains over 30 million viewers.

More than just plain advertisements, Ford will integrate its products in the show through a music video starring the final 12 contestants as they promote the Ford Focus, Ford Mustang and Ford Fusion in a creative and meaningful way to highlight its latest SYNC system -- a connectivity system technology that features voice-commands to digital media players, 911 Assist, and Vehicle Health Report via the SYNC website. This state-of-the-art technology is exclusive to only 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle models.

As of press time, American Idol already had 243 episodes, enough to bring Ford closer to the homes of million American Idol fanatics.

Aside from the American Idol, Ford’s hybrid vehicles will also be featured in other high-rating TV programs including Oprah’s Big Give, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Knight Rider.

Do you wanna know if the car you’re driving belongs to the Top Ten list? Then better read on...

1. 2001 BMW M Roadster
2. 1998 Acura Integra
3. 2004 Mercury Marauder
4. 1999 Acura Integra
5. 1995 Acura Integra
6. 2002 Audi S4
7. 1996 Acura Integra
8. 1997 Acura Integra
9. 2001 Acura Integra
10. 2000 Jaguar XJR

Just to tell you, those cars were the top ten most stolen cars based from records provided by research firm R.L. Polk and Co., to Los Angeles Auto Insurance (LAAI). According to LAAI, owning any of these cars increases the insurance rate due to the theft rate. So they recommended installation of safety devices to lessen insurance rates.

One remarkable thing about Ford recently is its initiative to install safety systems although Ford vehicles are least likely to be stolen. In an article, Ford confirmed that it will be setting up new SmartAlert services in partnership with SkyWay Systems, a leading provider of vehicle safety and security service in US. This system has security features such as online wireless tracking and early theft detection that qualify its users for 33 percent insurance discounts.

Aside from those features, SmartAlert also empowers users to track their vehicle’s whereabouts immediately after a theft. According to Dr. Robert Yandrofski, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SkyWay Systems Inc., using Smart Alert encourages safe driving particularly to teenagers and small-business owners who want to monitor their vehicle’s condition. He added that it is the latest technology available that can stop thieves because it applies anywhere and can be installed regardless whether you’re using a new or an old vehicle. It works like a steering rack that keeps your car in the right direction by allowing you to trace its exact location. SmartAlert is connected to a call center that unlocks your car remotely plus it features speed alerts to prevent possible collision.

You may be asking how SmartAlert operates, don’t you? Well, SmartAlert communicates with its subscribers online via telecommunications and computer technologies such as email, phone or text messages. For the first year, SmartAlert installation costs $700 to $1,200, after which subscribers will be required to pay monthly fees.

This system will be available in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers.

The newest breed of small cars from the Ford Motor Company has been baptized with the global name Fiesta. The company’s latest small car family will make use of this name worldwide. Ford’s announcement yesterday marked another company highlight. So raise your glasses, cheers and yell happy for the Fiesta!

The Auto Channel reported that Ford’s small car was initially developed and designed in Europe. This vehicle is intended for customers from around the globe between 2008 and 2010, in more than five continents such as Europe, Asia and North America to name a few. The all-new Fiesta is the pioneering major product of the company’s latest worldwide product expansion process. The Fiesta preserves a title with over 30 years of accomplishments connected to it.

"The new Ford Fiesta captures every aspect of what's defined Ford as a small-car leader in Europe and builds on it in terms of driving dynamics and design. When it arrives in North America in 2010, the Ford Fiesta will set a new standard in the small car segment. Even before it arrives in this market, though, the new Fiesta demonstrates how leveraging our global strengths can yield attractive benefits for customers around the world," eplained Mark Fields, president of the Americas for Ford Motor Company.

Ford Fiesta’s vibrant new form along with its striking body parts and global family of small cars was seen earlier this year in three Ford Verve Concept vehicles.

"With the all-new Fiesta, we want to create a world standard for small car quality, design and comfort in a vehicle that is as exciting to drive as it is to look at. We believe this all-new model will attract a whole new generation of small car buyers, whether they are in Britain, Spain, China or California. The new Ford Fiesta will set the standard for delivering to our customers products they really want and value while taking advantage of our wonderful global resources,” says Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company President and CEO.

"The new Ford Fiesta is an example of how good a small car can be. The Fiesta is great to look at, great to drive and it has quality you can see, feel and touch. It's going to be an important growth product for North America," he concluded.

Labels: small car

“Mundus” is Latin for “world". Fits just right for what Ford considers as a “world car.”

While Ford sales declined in United States last month with a reported four percent decline, the world’s third largest automaker announced last week that its European sales jumped by 1.5 percent. Reports from Reuters said that the European division of Ford sold about 142,460 vehicles equivalent to a market share of 9 percent in January.

Surprisingly, this rise in sale was boosted by none other than its revamped Mondeo model which sold 16,800 units. That means a 50 percent increase in sales compared to the previous month. The Mondeo, a huge family car, debuted in March 1993. Back then, it was available in three trims which includes a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback and a five-door estate. Designed to be a “world car,” Ford Mondeo cost the auto company about US$6 billion, thus, replacing the Ford Sierra in Europe.

In March last year, Ford launched its latest Mondeo model - a Mondeo sedan which as expected earned profit for the company in Europe. The 2008 Mondeo sedan boasts of a smooth and stress-free road experience made possible by a collision mitigation technology, the vehicle feature that alerts the driver during potentially dangerous circumstances on their route. It also has an adaptive cruise control (ACC), equipped with a radar system that is able to automatically slow down when the vehicle suddenly brakes in front as well as seven airbags, soft ambient lighting and an information screen. This gives the drivers enough safety and comfort that they need while traveling.

According to Ford Active Safety Supervisor Volker Weinhold, this makes the vehicle more beneficial because it offers an immediate action from the car’s braking system.

The 2008 Mondeo sedan is a five-door hatchback or wagon. According to automobilemag.com, it has a gorgeous design like the previous generations of mid-size Mondeo vehicles, as stylish as an Acura Legend spoiler. It comes with an engine that range from a 1.8-liter diesel to a five cylinder gas unit and is capable of 200 horsepower.

Stephen Odell, Ford of Europe vice president of marketing, said that the company expects this positive trend in sales to continue with Ford’s introduction of a new Focus small car, Kuga crossover and a new car based from the Verve concept on this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

A happy family wouldn’t be complete without the basic members like the father, mother, brother, sister and baby. It can also be compared to a car! An automobile won’t have the capacity to run without its basic components like the engine, wheels, and mufflers to name a few. So why are we tackling family stuff? Let’s ask Ford about that!

A few months ago, Ford established their newest Ford Focus family. However, the group fell short with one model to complete the family. But today, the last vehicle needed to fill up the line has arrived! The all-new Coupé-Cabriolet will be the latest addition to Ford’s Focus family. Ford.com reported that the four-seater Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet will have its first ever worldwide exposure at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Joining the Focus family are the three-door, four-door, five-door, wagon and sporty ST models.

"As with the generic new Ford Focus, with the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet we also felt the importance of aligning this charismatic vehicle with our 'kinetic design' language as soon as possible," says Stephen Odell, Vice President Marketing for Sales and Service at Ford of Europe.

"The new Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet is a special blend: We felt that the new very 'kinetic' front end design will perfectly complement the timelessly-elegant, Italian flavoured profile and rear end design. The result is a perfect mix of latest level Focus dynamics and the special Coupé-Cabriolet design execution that we had already developed jointly with Pininfarina," says Chris Bird, Design Director at Ford of Europe.

Here are few of the several cool features of the all-new Coupe-Cabriolet courtesy of Ford.com:

• Available 'Ford Power' button for keyless start, plus keyless entry system
  
• Standard emergency hazard warning light activation system (Info: except Finland and Sweden)
  
• New optional Tyre Deflation Detection System (DDS)
  
• New audio connectivity module for external devices and new levels of Bluetooth ® and USB connectivity, voice control and navigation systems
  
• New navigation systems include an affordable navigation option with 'SD' card slot as well as a DVD based system with 7" colour touchscreen
  
• Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) tuner on Sony radio system available