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DEARBORN — A groundbreaking research project by Ford and Auburn University shows that global positioning system (GPS) satellites that can “talk” to cars could help prevent serious accidents in the future.

The researchers have found potential for a GPS satellite to act as an early warning system that detects when a vehicle is about to lose control and communicate with the vehicle’s stability control systems and other safety features to prevent a rollover or other serious accident.

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Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally

By BRYAN LAVIOLETTE

DEARBORN – For the second year in a row, Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford, will deliver a major speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, which sponsors CES, told a group of reporters at a luncheon Monday that while some may view the automaker as a “Rust Belt” company, he sees the opposite.

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Automakers are searching for all sorts of new ways to market cars to a new generation of buyers. They talk about engaging these young people on their terms — which means with technology, on the Web and with unique experiences.

So, it was with interest that I found the blog by Jaime Case and Chris Hodges. Instead of having a traditional wedding reception to celebrate their marriage, they decided to use the money to travel the country visiting friends instead. And they got Ford to loan them a Ford Fusion — nicknamed Roxy — to do it.

The couple is more than halfway through their odyssey, but it’s still fun. Just one question. Has Jaime worn that dress for the whole trip?

http://weddingroadtrip.com/

Look, no hands!

If you fear parallel parking, you are in good company. Technology available in the 2010 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT can remove that anxiety by managing this challenging chore for you. Not only does Active Park Assist perform the difficult parallel parking maneuver, it also will help you find a parking space large enough for the vehicle to fit in.

Active Park Assist — How It Works

The push of a single button activates Active Park Assist, and the system begins scanning for an appropriate parking spot. When a suitable space is detected, an audible signal will sound, and the cluster-mounted message center will display a “space found” notification.

Active Park Assist will coach the driver with a prompt when to stop, shift to reverse and let the system take over. The system will not select an inappropriately sized space.

Park Assist will calculate the appropriate trajectory, regardless of the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle parked in the space just ahead. All steering is performed by the system, so the driver only needs to brake. Active Park Assist also properly positions the vehicle relative to the curb.

If the vehicle is not positioned properly in the space, the system will continue to coach the driver for proper placement. The driver will shift and brake normally, but the system steers the vehicle throughout the maneuver.

Active Park Assist is enabled by Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) which is standard on 2010 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoostTM V-6.

Active Park Assist is optional on the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 equipped Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT, on sale late this summer.

Watch this video at this link for a demonstration:
http://www.thefordstory.com/smart-technology/let-your-car-parallel-park-itself-with-active-park-assist/

Ford is trying an innovative project to introduce its Ford Fiesta to potential customers in America. The automaker gave 100 European-spec Fiestas to mostly young people and then gave them missions and challenges out on the roads.
I watched a video by Joel and Mandy visiting Ann Arbor to get recycle some e-junk and for lunch. The Brighton couple shot some funny video, some of it about the car, all available at the below link.
Young people will be one of the prime markets for the new Fiesta, which is part of Ford’s plan to bring its best small cars here from Europe.
The automaker is encouraging its “agents” to use social networking sites such as Facebook, youtube, flickr, vimeo and Twitter to spread the word about the new Fiesta.

http://www.fiestamovement.com/agents/64