Help Improve Quality of Life for Thousands of Children
DEARBORN, Mich., April 26 – Ford Motor Company is making tracks to more than 25 cities with TOMS Shoes and Airstream International Travel Trailers as part of a spring tour aimed at helping disadvantaged children step into better, healthier lives.
TOMS is donating a pair of shoes to a needy child for each pair it sells. TOMS’s shoe samples as well as information about the program and the company will be packed into an Airstream trailer – and towed cross-country by an all-new 2007 Ford Expedition.
“American icons Ford and Airstream are recognized for helping people explore and discover new territories, and this groundbreaking connection with TOMS Shoes seemed only natural,” said Michael Laquere, Ford SUV communications manager. “The 2007 Ford Expedition is comfortable, flexible and capable, making it the perfect fit for long-haul journeys that involve both moving people and a lot of gear.”
TOMS was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie out of a commitment to produce stylish, comfortable and practical footwear while improving the lives of children.
In 2006, while vacationing in Argentina, Mycoskie volunteered in poverty-stricken areas and was disheartened to see the severity of the poor living conditions. Each day men, women and children have to walk miles for fresh water with no shoes, leaving their feet injured and infected. Also, children without shoes are denied schooling.
“I was inspired by a traditional Argentine shoe and challenged by a continent’s poverty and heath issues, so I created TOMS with a singular mission: To make life more comfortable,” says Mycoskie. “I wanted to personally share my ‘fashion with a conscious’ concept with our retail partners and consumers, so we’re taking our TOMS and our ‘Shoes for Tomorrow’ program on the road, with help from Ford and Airstream.”
Earlier this year, Ford and Airstream also teamed up to reveal the Ford Airstream Concept, a futuristic crossover vehicle powered by powered by a new plug-in hydrogen hybrid fuel cell – called HySeries Drive – that operates under electric power at all times and delivers the combined city/highway equivalent fuel economy of 41 miles per gallon. Media hailed the Ford Airstream Concept as a bold, thought-leading crossover for the 21st century following its reveal at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.
Also internationally recognized and appearing on the feet of Hollywood’s elite, TOMS has already given away more than 10,000 pairs to underprivileged children in Argentina and hopes to do more after the spring tour.
TOMS is instant hit not only for its philanthropic mission but for its style. The fashionable canvas shoe comes in a variety of colors and patterns, inspired by the traditional rope-soled, Argentine shoe.
“This really is a dream come true for me. To travel cross-country spreading the message of TOMS, and to do it with such style, is wonderful. At such an early stage in our company, we feel incredibly blessed to have such blue chip partners like Ford and Airstream, and to know 10,000 more children will have shoes once we finish makes each mile traveled that much more rewarding,” says Mycoskie.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company.
For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com
TOMS Shoes
Inspired by an Argentine shoe with a hundred year history and the continent's poverty and health issues, TOMS was created with a singular mission: To make life more comfortable. TOMS accomplishes this through it's ultra lightweight design and the company's commitment to match every pair purchased with a donated pair to a child in need...there are no complicated formulas, it's simple - you buy a pair of TOMS and the company gives a pair to a child on your behalf. The vibrant colors and patterns in the debut collection depict Blake Mycoskie's life changing experiences in his travels to South America where he embraced the lifestyle wholeheartedly and therefore gave back by creating TOMS - shoes for Tomorrow. www.tomsSHOES.com
Airstream
The First Airstreams, known for their high-quality riveted aluminium shells and state-of-the-art interiors, were built in 1931 by Wally Byam. Airstream, a subsidiary of THOR Industries Inc. since 1980, is world-renowned for quality, innovation and design. An Airstream is more than just a trendy product; it’s a way of life embraced by thousands around the world for more than seven decades. Now celebrating its 75th anniversary, the company continues the legacy today with its world-class travel trailers, motorhomes, and services.
For additional information about Airstream, please visit www.Airstream.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
Showing posts with label Ford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ford. Show all posts
Friday, April 27, 2007
Ford's New "Parts Plus" Internet Site Goes Live
BRENTWOOD, Essex, 26 April, 2007 – Ford’s Parts Plus website has been launched with an all-new look to promote its aftermarket parts programme.
The site supports Ford Parts Plus, which addresses the requirements of Independent Motor Traders (IMTs) and independent bodyshops. Ford Parts Plus aims to provide a competitive alternative to motor factors with the key advantage of offering original equipment parts.
Unlike some non-original parts, Ford parts are easier and quicker to fit, saving on labour and costs. Also Ford original parts are manufactured to the company's specifications to guarantee reliability. While many non-original parts might appear to be good value, they do not always offer the same quality and can affect a car’s safety.
The new Ford Parts Plus site highlights the importance of using original Ford parts. It contains information about the parts offered and it provides a dealer locator as well.
www.Fordpartsplus.co.uk features the Blue Oval Club, Ford’s parts trade club, and the current promotions available. In response to customers’ requests for more technical support and information, the Ford Blue Oval Club was created to provide the key information required to repair and maintain the entire Ford vehicle range.
"Our new Ford Parts Plus website will be Ford's online link to trade customers, recognising the increasing importance of the internet in the automotive repair business," said Axel Wilke, European marketing director of Ford Customer Service Division. "Ford Parts Plus has become a strong brand and proposition for parts trade customers in Britain and across Europe since its launch in 1994. It represents a professional parts delivery service through the Ford Parts Plus dealer network – the preferred source of genuine Ford parts for many IMTs and independent body shops."
Source: Ford Motor Company
The site supports Ford Parts Plus, which addresses the requirements of Independent Motor Traders (IMTs) and independent bodyshops. Ford Parts Plus aims to provide a competitive alternative to motor factors with the key advantage of offering original equipment parts.
Unlike some non-original parts, Ford parts are easier and quicker to fit, saving on labour and costs. Also Ford original parts are manufactured to the company's specifications to guarantee reliability. While many non-original parts might appear to be good value, they do not always offer the same quality and can affect a car’s safety.
The new Ford Parts Plus site highlights the importance of using original Ford parts. It contains information about the parts offered and it provides a dealer locator as well.
www.Fordpartsplus.co.uk features the Blue Oval Club, Ford’s parts trade club, and the current promotions available. In response to customers’ requests for more technical support and information, the Ford Blue Oval Club was created to provide the key information required to repair and maintain the entire Ford vehicle range.
"Our new Ford Parts Plus website will be Ford's online link to trade customers, recognising the increasing importance of the internet in the automotive repair business," said Axel Wilke, European marketing director of Ford Customer Service Division. "Ford Parts Plus has become a strong brand and proposition for parts trade customers in Britain and across Europe since its launch in 1994. It represents a professional parts delivery service through the Ford Parts Plus dealer network – the preferred source of genuine Ford parts for many IMTs and independent body shops."
Source: Ford Motor Company
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Production Commences at Ford Motors' New Joint Venture Engine Facility in Nanjing, China
Ford, Mazda and Changan Automotive Group Partner to Create One of the Largest and Most Modern Engine Manufacturing Facilities in China
NANJING, CHINA, April 26, 2007 - Volume production officially kicked-off today at Ford Motor Company's new joint venture engine production facility, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Company Ltd. (CFME), in Nanjing, China. The first BZ series engines rolled off the production line at CFME, representing the latest strategic deployment by Ford Motor Company to enhance its competitiveness and continue its rapid expansion in the world's fastest growing major automotive market.
CFME is one of the largest and most modern engine manufacturing plants in China, with a massive 350,000-unit annual production capacity that will supply production operations for Ford and Mazda vehicles in China. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility consists of three major plants for casting, machining, and assembly. Five key components of the motor are being manufactured on-site, including the cylinder block, cylinder head, crankshaft, camshaft, and connecting rod.
The US$312.5 million facility is a joint venture between Ford, Mazda and China's Changan Automotive Group, with Changan holding a 50 percent share and Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Company holding 25 percent each.
“CFME represents a critical progression in Ford Motor Company's long-term vision and growth strategy for the China market, and keeps us on track to becoming one of the key players in the world's second largest automotive market,” said Mr. Mei-Wei Cheng, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor (China) Ltd.
“This world-class facility and its state-of-the-art production technologies will push the industry benchmark higher in China, and help bolster the future development and expansion of Ford Motor Company and our partners in the China market," commented Cheng.
Executives representing the three CFME partners signed a joint venture agreement in April 2005, and then five months later broke ground for the plant, which is located in Nanjing's Jiang Ning Economic and Technological Development Zone.
CFME’s BZ series engine is one of the world’s finest engines, embodying the latest engine designs and manufacturing techniques from Mazda. The BZ series engine adopts a modern aluminum cylinder head and block, intake VCT (variable cam timing), plastic intake manifold, TSCV (tumble swirl control valve), and multi-point electronic fuel injection. All of these features significantly improve engine performance, adding more power and better fuel economy, reducing exhaust and noise, as well as exceeding Chinese government standards.
CFME expects to introduce additional Ford and Mazda engine series into production as its future volume utilization expands.
# # #
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., U.S.A., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. The company’s automotive brands available in the China market include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, and Volvo, as well as automotive-related services that include QualityCare, and Ford Credit via Ford Automotive Financing (China) Co., Ltd. (FAFC).
Ford’s history in China can be traced to 1913, when the first Model T was imported and sold in Shanghai. In 2001, a joint venture was formed with Changan Automotive Corporation Ltd., called Changan Ford Automobile Corporation Ltd. (Changan Ford). With an investment from Mazda in March 2006, the company was restructured and renamed as Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA). Additionally, Ford owns a 30 percent share of Jiangling Motors Corporation Ltd., which produces the Ford Transit commercial vehicle.
Changan Automotive Corporation Ltd, Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Company's three-way engine plant joint venture - Changan Ford Mazda Engine Company Co., Ltd., started volume production on April 26, 2007. Changan Ford Mazda Automobile's second passenger car plant in Nanjing is scheduled to go online before the end of 2007.
Source: Ford Motor Company
NANJING, CHINA, April 26, 2007 - Volume production officially kicked-off today at Ford Motor Company's new joint venture engine production facility, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Company Ltd. (CFME), in Nanjing, China. The first BZ series engines rolled off the production line at CFME, representing the latest strategic deployment by Ford Motor Company to enhance its competitiveness and continue its rapid expansion in the world's fastest growing major automotive market.
CFME is one of the largest and most modern engine manufacturing plants in China, with a massive 350,000-unit annual production capacity that will supply production operations for Ford and Mazda vehicles in China. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility consists of three major plants for casting, machining, and assembly. Five key components of the motor are being manufactured on-site, including the cylinder block, cylinder head, crankshaft, camshaft, and connecting rod.
The US$312.5 million facility is a joint venture between Ford, Mazda and China's Changan Automotive Group, with Changan holding a 50 percent share and Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Company holding 25 percent each.
“CFME represents a critical progression in Ford Motor Company's long-term vision and growth strategy for the China market, and keeps us on track to becoming one of the key players in the world's second largest automotive market,” said Mr. Mei-Wei Cheng, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor (China) Ltd.
“This world-class facility and its state-of-the-art production technologies will push the industry benchmark higher in China, and help bolster the future development and expansion of Ford Motor Company and our partners in the China market," commented Cheng.
Executives representing the three CFME partners signed a joint venture agreement in April 2005, and then five months later broke ground for the plant, which is located in Nanjing's Jiang Ning Economic and Technological Development Zone.
CFME’s BZ series engine is one of the world’s finest engines, embodying the latest engine designs and manufacturing techniques from Mazda. The BZ series engine adopts a modern aluminum cylinder head and block, intake VCT (variable cam timing), plastic intake manifold, TSCV (tumble swirl control valve), and multi-point electronic fuel injection. All of these features significantly improve engine performance, adding more power and better fuel economy, reducing exhaust and noise, as well as exceeding Chinese government standards.
CFME expects to introduce additional Ford and Mazda engine series into production as its future volume utilization expands.
# # #
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., U.S.A., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. The company’s automotive brands available in the China market include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, and Volvo, as well as automotive-related services that include QualityCare, and Ford Credit via Ford Automotive Financing (China) Co., Ltd. (FAFC).
Ford’s history in China can be traced to 1913, when the first Model T was imported and sold in Shanghai. In 2001, a joint venture was formed with Changan Automotive Corporation Ltd., called Changan Ford Automobile Corporation Ltd. (Changan Ford). With an investment from Mazda in March 2006, the company was restructured and renamed as Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA). Additionally, Ford owns a 30 percent share of Jiangling Motors Corporation Ltd., which produces the Ford Transit commercial vehicle.
Changan Automotive Corporation Ltd, Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Company's three-way engine plant joint venture - Changan Ford Mazda Engine Company Co., Ltd., started volume production on April 26, 2007. Changan Ford Mazda Automobile's second passenger car plant in Nanjing is scheduled to go online before the end of 2007.
Source: Ford Motor Company
Monday, April 16, 2007
Ford Motors Connects to Loyal Customers Via NASCAR
Ford's market share among race fans is 46 percent higher than its share among non-race fans.
April 15, 2007 (By Robert Musial, FCN) -- Ford's affiliation with NASCAR goes back to 1949 when the first Grand National race at Charlotte Speedway was won by Jim Roper -- in a Lincoln.
Since then, Ford brands have crossed NASCAR's finish lines first nearly 600 times. Even Plymouth racing legend Richard Petty earned nine checkered flags in a Ford in 1969 while Dale Earnhardt drove a Ford into victory lane three times between 1982 and 1983 before switching to Chevy.
The publicity from such racing victories and the sales that result from them are incalculable. That's why supporting NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series, the Busch Series and the Nextel Cup is a no-brainer, said Kevin Kennedy, public affairs manager, Ford Racing.
It seems the old axiom, "Race on Sunday, sell on Monday," still works when it comes to NASCAR. Each week, their races attract 75 million fans, second only in the U.S. to the audience reach of the National Football League.
"Studies show that 56 percent of the Ford owner base classifies themselves as race fans, so it's a very good place to market," said Kennedy.
Furthermore, the purchase consideration of Ford brands is 72 percent higher among race fans than non-race fans. And the market share among race fans is 46 percent higher for Ford products than the share among non-race fans, Kennedy said.
"It's simple: race fans consider Fords and buy Fords more often than non-race fans," he said.
As a sponsor, Ford Trucks are even listed as the "official truck of NASCAR," which makes business sense since so many race fans are also truck owners -- and buyers.
That's the same reason Ford Trucks has been the title sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) Built Ford Tough series since 2003. Fans attracted to this rough-riding event are more likely to be truck owners than the general population, said a PBR spokesman.
A check of the parking lot of The Palace of Auburn Hills (Mich.), where the touring PBR stops tonight and Saturday, will prove the connection between "Built Ford Tough" and "The Toughest Sport on Dirt."
Such sponsorships aren't merely limited to racing and rodeo in North America. Ford of Europe is a longtime partner of the UEFA Champions League for European football (soccer) while Ford Brazil helped sponsor the broadcast of the 2006 World Cup championship in that country.
But sponsoring car racing is a natural fit for Ford, noted Kennedy.
"We're not just out there because it's something 'cool' to do. We're out there because the Ford Motor Company doesn't make tennis rackets -- they make cars. And racing gives us a chance to go head-to-head with our competitors every week in front of a large customer base," he said.
Fusion marketing manager Killol Bhuta agrees.
"NASCAR is so popular and since Fusion as our entry now, it's a very natural tie-in to promote our cars and increase their awareness among race fans," said Bhuta.
"When our drivers do well, that's positive brand equity for Fusion as well as for Ford, and it translates to the showroom," he said.
But Ford receives other benefits from its association with NASCAR as well, said Kennedy.
"A lot of technology in racing these days goes back and forth to and from the companies but the real development is in computer-aided design and the development of engineers," he said.
For instance, Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's director of Advanced Product Creation and the Special Vehicle Team, spent two years with the Champ Car series. Kerry Baldori, SVT's chief vehicle engineer, also spent two years as a racing engineer.
"If you're an engineer working in racing, you're faced with instantaneous challenges every day. If you have a problem on Friday, you have to have it figured out by Sunday," said Kennedy.
Source: Ford Motor Company
April 15, 2007 (By Robert Musial, FCN) -- Ford's affiliation with NASCAR goes back to 1949 when the first Grand National race at Charlotte Speedway was won by Jim Roper -- in a Lincoln.
Since then, Ford brands have crossed NASCAR's finish lines first nearly 600 times. Even Plymouth racing legend Richard Petty earned nine checkered flags in a Ford in 1969 while Dale Earnhardt drove a Ford into victory lane three times between 1982 and 1983 before switching to Chevy.
The publicity from such racing victories and the sales that result from them are incalculable. That's why supporting NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series, the Busch Series and the Nextel Cup is a no-brainer, said Kevin Kennedy, public affairs manager, Ford Racing.
It seems the old axiom, "Race on Sunday, sell on Monday," still works when it comes to NASCAR. Each week, their races attract 75 million fans, second only in the U.S. to the audience reach of the National Football League.
"Studies show that 56 percent of the Ford owner base classifies themselves as race fans, so it's a very good place to market," said Kennedy.
Furthermore, the purchase consideration of Ford brands is 72 percent higher among race fans than non-race fans. And the market share among race fans is 46 percent higher for Ford products than the share among non-race fans, Kennedy said.
"It's simple: race fans consider Fords and buy Fords more often than non-race fans," he said.
As a sponsor, Ford Trucks are even listed as the "official truck of NASCAR," which makes business sense since so many race fans are also truck owners -- and buyers.
That's the same reason Ford Trucks has been the title sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) Built Ford Tough series since 2003. Fans attracted to this rough-riding event are more likely to be truck owners than the general population, said a PBR spokesman.
A check of the parking lot of The Palace of Auburn Hills (Mich.), where the touring PBR stops tonight and Saturday, will prove the connection between "Built Ford Tough" and "The Toughest Sport on Dirt."
Such sponsorships aren't merely limited to racing and rodeo in North America. Ford of Europe is a longtime partner of the UEFA Champions League for European football (soccer) while Ford Brazil helped sponsor the broadcast of the 2006 World Cup championship in that country.
But sponsoring car racing is a natural fit for Ford, noted Kennedy.
"We're not just out there because it's something 'cool' to do. We're out there because the Ford Motor Company doesn't make tennis rackets -- they make cars. And racing gives us a chance to go head-to-head with our competitors every week in front of a large customer base," he said.
Fusion marketing manager Killol Bhuta agrees.
"NASCAR is so popular and since Fusion as our entry now, it's a very natural tie-in to promote our cars and increase their awareness among race fans," said Bhuta.
"When our drivers do well, that's positive brand equity for Fusion as well as for Ford, and it translates to the showroom," he said.
But Ford receives other benefits from its association with NASCAR as well, said Kennedy.
"A lot of technology in racing these days goes back and forth to and from the companies but the real development is in computer-aided design and the development of engineers," he said.
For instance, Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's director of Advanced Product Creation and the Special Vehicle Team, spent two years with the Champ Car series. Kerry Baldori, SVT's chief vehicle engineer, also spent two years as a racing engineer.
"If you're an engineer working in racing, you're faced with instantaneous challenges every day. If you have a problem on Friday, you have to have it figured out by Sunday," said Kennedy.
Source: Ford Motor Company
Ford Joins Automotive Consortium to Accelerate Its Research Work Using Virtual Human Crash Test Dummies
DEARBORN, April 16, 2007 – Ford Motor Company will bring its 14 years of research and development expertise using computer human models to a consortium of automakers and suppliers as a way to improve restraint systems for all vehicles of the future.
Ford is one of nine automakers and two suppliers that will consolidate their pre-competitive research and development activities in human body modeling into a single global effort to advance crash safety technology. The computer models, which represent human beings in minute detail, could help scientists determine and better understand injuries that are likely to result from a vehicle crash. Ford is the only automaker whose full human body model includes highly detailed internal organs, especially the human brain model.
Ford began building the human body model in 1993, creating the regions of the body such as the head, neck, ribcage, abdomen, thoracic and lumbar spine, internal organs of the chest and abdomen, pelvis, and the upper and lower extremities. These regions were brought together in 2004 to create the full body model.
The human body model represents an average adult male and is constructed using technologies like data gathered from MRI scans and topographies from human body anatomical texts. Validation of the computer model is done through cadaver and volunteer human testing.
The model includes a highly detailed spine with all the vertebrae segments and cartilage attached, and a comprehensive brain model that has been used to determine the extent of injuries that can occur during a crash.
Dr. Saeed Barbat, manager, Passive Safety Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company says that in the future, virtually-pressurized "blood vessels" may be developed to help determine how internal organs react during specific types of crashes.
“The Human Body Model will help reduce physical testing on component and full-scale levels during vehicle development," Barbat said. “It will also be used to develop more sophisticated instrumentation that could lead to more human-like crash dummies.”
The data gathered using both actual and virtual crash test dummies will help Ford and members of the consortium develop and bring to market innovative safety technologies faster than ever and in advance of possible future government regulations.
In addition to Ford, members of the consortium include: DaimlerChrysler AG., General Motors Corp., Honda Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co., Nissan Motor Corp., PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault s.a.s., Takata Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and TRW Inc. These members formed the Global Human Body Models Consortium LLC in April 2006 following three years of organizing and planning.
The consortium has sent requests for proposals to some 40 research and university groups worldwide. The consortium plans to create five centers of expertise for body region models, such as the head and neck, and two centers for full body model integration.
Phase One proposals are due by June and call for having the first six human body models – large, medium and small males and females – developed by March 2011 at an estimated cost of up to $18 million. Additional funding and sponsorship is being sought from outside sources, including the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
After the first six virtual humans are created, the consortium envisions a second phase consisting of adult models of any age, body shape and size followed by a third phase focused on developing child models.
Consolidating all pre-competitive R&D activities in human body modeling into a single global effort would save money in model development costs; speed results through the elimination of duplicate work; and commonize vehicle development tools for enhanced crash safety.
To mimic or replicate specific crash-induced injuries at the tissue level in math data will require more basic research and it will have to take the advantage of the rapid expansion in computing power.
The new models will be very detailed and might have a total number of finite elements, 10 to 30 times more than existing commercially available human body models.
The use of finite element models to simulate vehicle crash tests has a strong potential to improve vehicle safety and to save time and money in hardware prototyping and testing. But the differences between the human body and the crash test dummy limit engineers to assessing injury potential with indirect gross injury measurements, such as chest deceleration and deformation.
The virtual humans initially will be used in automotive safety testing but could be used in other ways.
Source: Ford Motor Company
Ford is one of nine automakers and two suppliers that will consolidate their pre-competitive research and development activities in human body modeling into a single global effort to advance crash safety technology. The computer models, which represent human beings in minute detail, could help scientists determine and better understand injuries that are likely to result from a vehicle crash. Ford is the only automaker whose full human body model includes highly detailed internal organs, especially the human brain model.
Ford began building the human body model in 1993, creating the regions of the body such as the head, neck, ribcage, abdomen, thoracic and lumbar spine, internal organs of the chest and abdomen, pelvis, and the upper and lower extremities. These regions were brought together in 2004 to create the full body model.
The human body model represents an average adult male and is constructed using technologies like data gathered from MRI scans and topographies from human body anatomical texts. Validation of the computer model is done through cadaver and volunteer human testing.
The model includes a highly detailed spine with all the vertebrae segments and cartilage attached, and a comprehensive brain model that has been used to determine the extent of injuries that can occur during a crash.
Dr. Saeed Barbat, manager, Passive Safety Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company says that in the future, virtually-pressurized "blood vessels" may be developed to help determine how internal organs react during specific types of crashes.
“The Human Body Model will help reduce physical testing on component and full-scale levels during vehicle development," Barbat said. “It will also be used to develop more sophisticated instrumentation that could lead to more human-like crash dummies.”
The data gathered using both actual and virtual crash test dummies will help Ford and members of the consortium develop and bring to market innovative safety technologies faster than ever and in advance of possible future government regulations.
In addition to Ford, members of the consortium include: DaimlerChrysler AG., General Motors Corp., Honda Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co., Nissan Motor Corp., PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault s.a.s., Takata Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and TRW Inc. These members formed the Global Human Body Models Consortium LLC in April 2006 following three years of organizing and planning.
The consortium has sent requests for proposals to some 40 research and university groups worldwide. The consortium plans to create five centers of expertise for body region models, such as the head and neck, and two centers for full body model integration.
Phase One proposals are due by June and call for having the first six human body models – large, medium and small males and females – developed by March 2011 at an estimated cost of up to $18 million. Additional funding and sponsorship is being sought from outside sources, including the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
After the first six virtual humans are created, the consortium envisions a second phase consisting of adult models of any age, body shape and size followed by a third phase focused on developing child models.
Consolidating all pre-competitive R&D activities in human body modeling into a single global effort would save money in model development costs; speed results through the elimination of duplicate work; and commonize vehicle development tools for enhanced crash safety.
To mimic or replicate specific crash-induced injuries at the tissue level in math data will require more basic research and it will have to take the advantage of the rapid expansion in computing power.
The new models will be very detailed and might have a total number of finite elements, 10 to 30 times more than existing commercially available human body models.
The use of finite element models to simulate vehicle crash tests has a strong potential to improve vehicle safety and to save time and money in hardware prototyping and testing. But the differences between the human body and the crash test dummy limit engineers to assessing injury potential with indirect gross injury measurements, such as chest deceleration and deformation.
The virtual humans initially will be used in automotive safety testing but could be used in other ways.
Source: Ford Motor Company
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Ford Motor Company Proxy Reports 2006 Ford Executive Compensation
DEARBORN, Mich., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) today filed its 2007 proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statement outlines compensation for select executives, including William Clay Ford, Jr., executive chairman and former chief executive officer, and Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer.
The proxy includes a table summary of the total annual compensation provided, granted to, or received by, each of the named executives for 2006. It is important to note that the amounts shown in the Summary Compensation Table associated with stock and option awards reflect the company's accounting expense recognized in our 2006 financial statements for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value that may be recognized by the named executive. Because some of the equity awards have vesting conditions, their costs generally are recognized over multiple years, and the dollar amounts shown generally reflect the company's accounting expense of the awards made during 2006 and prior years.
Compensation details found in the 2007 proxy statement include:
-- William Clay Ford, Jr., executive chairman and former chief executive officer, served as CEO from Jan. 1, 2006 until Sept. 1, 2006, and received no cash salary, bonus or other awards for 2006 pursuant to his May 2005 compensation arrangement to forego any new compensation until the company's Automotive sector achieves sustainable profitability. His 2006 compensation totaled $10,497,292. The expense related to his previous options and other stock-based awards totaled $9,950,585, and an increase of $152,859 in the present value of accrued pension benefits, are included in Mr. Ford's 2006 compensation. Mr. Ford received other compensation totaling $393,848, which included $185,232 in value for required use of the corporate aircraft and $85,708 for security.
-- Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, served as president and CEO from Sept. 1, 2006 for the remainder of the year, and earned $666,667 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $28,183,476. Mr. Mulally received a bonus of $18,500,000 which consisted of a $7,500,000 hiring bonus and $11,000,000 as an offset for forfeited performance and stock option awards at his former employer. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $8,682,376, and includes cost recognized in 2006 for a $5 million stock option grant that he received in March 2007 as part of his 2007 option grant. Mr. Mulally received other compensation totaling $334,433, which included $172,974 for required use of the corporate aircraft, and $55,469 for relocation costs and temporary housing.
-- Don Leclair, executive vice president and chief financial officer, earned $1,000,933 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $4,401,100. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $795,132. In addition, he received $1,684,000 in non-equity, performance-based, incentive plan compensation which included payment of $364,000 under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan and a cash settlement of $1,320,000 under the 2006-2008 Senior Executive Retention Incentive Arrangement for certain executive officers. In addition, an increase of $900,116 in the present value of accrued pension benefits is included in the value of Mr. Leclair's 2006 compensation. Other compensation totaled $20,919.
-- Mark Fields, executive vice president and president, The Americas, earned $1,250,933 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $5,574,850. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $567,308. In addition, he received $2,662,500 in non-equity, performance-based, incentive plan compensation which included payment of $375,000 under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan and a cash settlement of $2,287,500 under the 2006-2008 Senior Executive Retention Incentive Arrangement for certain executive officers. An increase of $437,318 in the present value of accrued pension benefits also is included in the value of Mr. Fields' 2006 compensation. Other compensation totaled $656,791, which includes $517,560 for personal use of the company aircraft. Pursuant to his request, Mr. Fields no longer uses the company aircraft for personal travel.
-- Mark Schulz, executive vice president and president, International Operations, earned $1,000,933 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $2,680,384. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $541,364. In addition, he received $259,800 in non-equity, performance-based, incentive plan compensation under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. An increase of $835,395 in the present value of accrued pension benefits also is included in the value of Mr. Schulz's 2006 compensation. Other compensation totaled $42,892.
-- Lewis Booth, executive vice president, Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group earned $850,933 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $4,274,509. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $525,979. In addition, he received $1,891,250 in non-equity, performance- based, incentive plan compensation which included payment of $191,250 under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan and a cash settlement of $1,700,000 under the 2006-2008 Senior Executive Retention Incentive Arrangement for certain executive officers. An increase of $610,023 in the present value of accrued pension benefits also is included in the value of Mr. Booth's 2006 compensation. Other compensation totaled $396,324, which includes costs associated with his international service assignment, including: home leave travel; temporary housing; lodging and meals during relocation; and a housing allowance.
-- Jim Padilla, former president and chief operating officer, who retired from the company on July 1, 2006, earned $750,133 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $8,673,622. The expense for his options and other stock- based awards totaled $6,801,256. In addition, he received $262,500 in non- equity, performance-based, incentive plan compensation under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. Other compensation totaled $467,945, which includes $82,265 for personal use of company aircraft and $27,096 for use of the company's car and driver service.
The company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Thursday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Hotel du Pont, 11th and Market Streets, Wilmington, Delaware.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
The proxy includes a table summary of the total annual compensation provided, granted to, or received by, each of the named executives for 2006. It is important to note that the amounts shown in the Summary Compensation Table associated with stock and option awards reflect the company's accounting expense recognized in our 2006 financial statements for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value that may be recognized by the named executive. Because some of the equity awards have vesting conditions, their costs generally are recognized over multiple years, and the dollar amounts shown generally reflect the company's accounting expense of the awards made during 2006 and prior years.
Compensation details found in the 2007 proxy statement include:
-- William Clay Ford, Jr., executive chairman and former chief executive officer, served as CEO from Jan. 1, 2006 until Sept. 1, 2006, and received no cash salary, bonus or other awards for 2006 pursuant to his May 2005 compensation arrangement to forego any new compensation until the company's Automotive sector achieves sustainable profitability. His 2006 compensation totaled $10,497,292. The expense related to his previous options and other stock-based awards totaled $9,950,585, and an increase of $152,859 in the present value of accrued pension benefits, are included in Mr. Ford's 2006 compensation. Mr. Ford received other compensation totaling $393,848, which included $185,232 in value for required use of the corporate aircraft and $85,708 for security.
-- Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, served as president and CEO from Sept. 1, 2006 for the remainder of the year, and earned $666,667 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $28,183,476. Mr. Mulally received a bonus of $18,500,000 which consisted of a $7,500,000 hiring bonus and $11,000,000 as an offset for forfeited performance and stock option awards at his former employer. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $8,682,376, and includes cost recognized in 2006 for a $5 million stock option grant that he received in March 2007 as part of his 2007 option grant. Mr. Mulally received other compensation totaling $334,433, which included $172,974 for required use of the corporate aircraft, and $55,469 for relocation costs and temporary housing.
-- Don Leclair, executive vice president and chief financial officer, earned $1,000,933 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $4,401,100. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $795,132. In addition, he received $1,684,000 in non-equity, performance-based, incentive plan compensation which included payment of $364,000 under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan and a cash settlement of $1,320,000 under the 2006-2008 Senior Executive Retention Incentive Arrangement for certain executive officers. In addition, an increase of $900,116 in the present value of accrued pension benefits is included in the value of Mr. Leclair's 2006 compensation. Other compensation totaled $20,919.
-- Mark Fields, executive vice president and president, The Americas, earned $1,250,933 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $5,574,850. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $567,308. In addition, he received $2,662,500 in non-equity, performance-based, incentive plan compensation which included payment of $375,000 under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan and a cash settlement of $2,287,500 under the 2006-2008 Senior Executive Retention Incentive Arrangement for certain executive officers. An increase of $437,318 in the present value of accrued pension benefits also is included in the value of Mr. Fields' 2006 compensation. Other compensation totaled $656,791, which includes $517,560 for personal use of the company aircraft. Pursuant to his request, Mr. Fields no longer uses the company aircraft for personal travel.
-- Mark Schulz, executive vice president and president, International Operations, earned $1,000,933 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $2,680,384. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $541,364. In addition, he received $259,800 in non-equity, performance-based, incentive plan compensation under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. An increase of $835,395 in the present value of accrued pension benefits also is included in the value of Mr. Schulz's 2006 compensation. Other compensation totaled $42,892.
-- Lewis Booth, executive vice president, Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group earned $850,933 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $4,274,509. The expense for his options and other stock-based awards totaled $525,979. In addition, he received $1,891,250 in non-equity, performance- based, incentive plan compensation which included payment of $191,250 under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan and a cash settlement of $1,700,000 under the 2006-2008 Senior Executive Retention Incentive Arrangement for certain executive officers. An increase of $610,023 in the present value of accrued pension benefits also is included in the value of Mr. Booth's 2006 compensation. Other compensation totaled $396,324, which includes costs associated with his international service assignment, including: home leave travel; temporary housing; lodging and meals during relocation; and a housing allowance.
-- Jim Padilla, former president and chief operating officer, who retired from the company on July 1, 2006, earned $750,133 in salary. His 2006 compensation totaled $8,673,622. The expense for his options and other stock- based awards totaled $6,801,256. In addition, he received $262,500 in non- equity, performance-based, incentive plan compensation under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. Other compensation totaled $467,945, which includes $82,265 for personal use of company aircraft and $27,096 for use of the company's car and driver service.
The company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Thursday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Hotel du Pont, 11th and Market Streets, Wilmington, Delaware.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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