http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html Sat, 18 May 2013 11:10:26 +0000 86400 Manage articles http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/triple-win-for-ford-at-2013-honest-john-awards-r1390 Ford has scooped three top wins at this year’s Honest John Awards, with new Fiesta crowned “Most Popular Small Hatchback” and for the second year running Mondeo and C-MAX named “Most Popular Large Family Car” and “Most Popular MPV” respectively.This year’s third Honest John Awards are split into 14 main categories from “City Car” to “Sports Car”. The awards are not determined by judges or a panel, but instead are decided by honestjohn.co.uk website users. The cars that fans search for most o... Fri, 17 May 2013 11:07:03 +0000 0c0bf917c7942b5a08df71f9da626f97 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-transforms-customer-care-with-new-breakthrough-programme-r1389 Ford is to transform its aftersales experience for retail customers with the introduction of a range of new services launched under the “Ford BlueService” name. With a joint investment of £7.5m by Ford and its dealers, Ford BlueService is being rolled out across Ford’s 650-strong service network – the UK’s largest.Ford BlueService includes a free electronic vehicle health check (Ford eCHECK), online service booking, Ford Assistance, Ford Accident Management and a Ford One Call helpline. Ford... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:26:46 +0000 47c6d232c6a4468118a74a72097b1876 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-engineers-trade-spanners-for-3-d-glasses-r1388 The room where Ford cars of tomorrow are fine-tuned appears slightly incongruous at first glance. Large white walls form a three-sided box with projectors throwing images on to each wall and the ceiling. Mounted in the middle is a dummy car interior.However, once you climb into the car seat and slip on 3-D glasses framed with motion detectors, the screens instantly melt into a hyper-realistic virtual world where you find yourself immersed in the computer-simulated interior of a new car.Ford M... Thu, 16 May 2013 15:25:03 +0000 98f0d5f93731b7f3186531c37cca0945 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-transit-helps-power-british-gas-with-520-van-order-r1387 The Ford Transit was chosen by British Gas when asked which van best suited the needs of their central heating installation engineers. This compatibility was one of the key factors that resulted in an order for 520 Ford Transit models from British Gas.As the UK’s largest central heating installer, British Gas chose the Ford Transit primarily for its class-leading economy and low emissions, provided by its Dagenham-built 125PS 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine. The Ford Transit also enabled British... Wed, 15 May 2013 10:51:52 +0000 7d24c36ac85da6029d610602b6994085 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-double-at-2013-diesel-car-awards-r1386 The all-new Ford B-MAX and latest Ford Fiesta have earned a pair of top awards from Diesel Car magazine. Recognition was also given to the Ford Mondeo, S-MAX and Focus estate, all of which were highly commended in their categories.The segment-leading Ford B-MAX, on sale since September last year, was crowned best MPV ahead of the Ford C-MAX, while the new Ford Fiesta, Britain’s best-selling car, fought off strong opposition to win the best small car title.Ian Robertson, Diesel Car editor, sa... Mon, 13 May 2013 20:29:34 +0000 3063682597f05e7a82731afefaf55300 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-maintains-clear-market-lead-with-stronger-retail-and-cv-sales-r1385 UK market leader Ford increased its car and commercial vehicle (CV) sales in April and for the year to date, compared with 2012.Ford’s retail car sales were also up for April and for the year to date, compared with 2012. The Ford Fiesta was the retail sales leader, continuing to outsell its nearest rival by more than two to one.According to the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):Ford leads UK car and CV sales in April and for the year to dateFor... Thu, 09 May 2013 08:24:08 +0000 949694a5059302e7283073b502f094d7 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/blue-oval-scholars-meet-ford-mentors-at-dunton-technical-centre-r1384 Ford has invited all 100 of its Centenary Blue Oval Scholars to the Dunton Technical Centre in Essex, to engage with their mentors and to experience the latest automotive technologies.The Blue Oval Centenary Scholarship programme was announced in May 2011 to encourage a new generation of engineers, scientists and innovators, and to mark 100 years of Ford’s operations in Britain. Through 12 leading universities across the UK, 100 undergraduate students on a selection of engineering, science, m... Thu, 09 May 2013 08:22:20 +0000 881317e81cbf9521edf4df205a545eb8 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-wins-double-awards-for-vehicle-dynamics-r1383 Ford has won two awards for vehicle dynamics at the 2013 Vehicle Dynamics International (VDI) Awards: the Dynamics Team of the Year and Dynamicist of the Year.The Ford vehicle dynamics department won for the development of Ford vehicles including the new B-MAX, all-new Kuga, Focus ST and new Fiesta ST. Ford Team RS vehicle dynamics specialist David Put – the star of The Ford Fiesta ST Versus Legendary Lommel Track 7 Video – won for his work on the Focus ST and new Fiesta ST.The jury of auto... Wed, 08 May 2013 20:50:16 +0000 2bfec16d7d15a063cda186788f08cdeb http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-double-at-2013-diesel-car-awards-r1382 The all-new Ford B-MAX and latest Ford Fiesta have earned a pair of top awards from Diesel Car magazine. Recognition was also given to the Ford Mondeo, S-MAX and Focus estate, all of which were highly commended in their categories.The segment-leading Ford B-MAX, on sale since September last year, was crowned best MPV ahead of the Ford C-MAX, while the new Ford Fiesta, Britain’s best-selling car, fought off strong opposition to win the best small car title.Ian Robertson, Diesel Car editor, sa... Wed, 08 May 2013 20:47:34 +0000 cb3213ada48302953cb0f166464ab356 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-and-schaeffler-demonstrate-ewheeldrive-project-r1381 Ford Motor Company and Schaeffler today demonstrated the Fiesta-based eWheelDrive car, a driveable research vehicle that could lead to improvements in urban mobility and parking by making possible smaller, more agile cars.Powered by independent electric motors in each of the rear wheels, eWheelDrive technology offers space under the bonnet that in conventional cars is occupied by the engine and transmission, and in electric cars by a central motor.This technology could in the future support t... Wed, 08 May 2013 19:59:23 +0000 189e3f782cbb3f4cc1ae9702adca884e http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-fiesta-st-accelerates-past-1000-orders-in-first-weeks-r1380 The new Ford Fiesta ST is just now reaching dealer showrooms, but since prices were announced at the end of January, over 1,000 customers have already placed an order.Priced from just £16,995 - up to £2,000 less than segment competitors – and receiving praise for its engaging and entertaining drive, the Fiesta ST is already in strong demand at the head of the new Ford Fiesta range.Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain managing director, said: “Our Fiesta ST offers the winning combination of accessible p... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:20:14 +0000 340f2a36d43c3b00e592cf08cef006f1 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/drivers-embrace-ford%e2%80%99s-rear-view-camera-%e2%80%93-the-blue-oval%e2%80%99s-fastest-growing-driver-aid-r1379 Reversing and parking are among the biggest sources of stress for many drivers, and now more and more Ford customers are buying cars that make those activities easier.Ford’s fastest-growing driver assistance technology of 2012 was the rear view camera that helps drivers with reversing manoeuvres including parking. Ford customers in Europe bought 55,000 cars equipped with rear view cameras, over 11,000 of which were in the UK. This represents an increase of 45 per cent on the 38,000 sold in 2... Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:28:58 +0000 94e945f53cd92f059c89b61e2a4b1323 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-launches-new-fuel-efficient-15-litre-ecoboost-engine-boosts-company%e2%80%99s-global-ecoboost-capacity-r1378 Ford Motor Company today announced that a new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will join its line-up of fuel-efficient, innovative powertrains. The 1.5-litre engine is a key strategic entry for Ford, as the company works to meet the strong global demand for its four-cylinder EcoBoost engines.With the launch of the newest fuel-efficient engine, Ford now has capacity to build 1.6 million EcoBoost engines annually. By the end of 2013 six plants across Europe, Asia and North America will be produ... Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:11:25 +0000 92317e800b76782e2f2c02f0e703b8a0 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/simplified-ford-mondeo-range-introduces-new-series-and-lower-co2-r1377 Ford has announced upgraded versions of its acclaimed Mondeo executive car range, including new series specified for both private and business customers.The new Ford Mondeo Graphite offers retail buyers a compelling combination of exterior appeal and excellent interior features with prices from £15,995.Following the success of the Ford Mondeo Zetec Business Edition, the new Titanium X Business Edition offers even higher standards of technology and interior luxury, which have helped to secure... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:34:29 +0000 b803a9254688e259cde2ec0361c8abe4 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-fiesta-ecoboost-joins-aa-driving-school-r1376 The award-winning Ford Fiesta 1.0-litre EcoBoost will help thousands of new drivers onto the road as it joins the 2,000-strong fleet of the AA Driving School.AA Driving School’s long-standing exclusive deal with Ford is to supply 3,500 cars a year, a mix of Focus and Fiesta models. The company believes the frugal yet potent 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine in the Ford Fiesta will prove a major attraction to instructors and learner drivers alike.“The split between Focus and Fiesta has been roughly 50... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:32:44 +0000 49844ba129a1cbc3d964703fcdb756ba http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-focus-is-best-selling-vehicle-nameplate-worldwide-fiesta-is-best-selling-sub-compact-r1375 The Ford Focus is officially the world’s best-selling vehicle nameplate, and the Ford Fiesta the world’s best-selling subcompact car, according to the automotive data and trends forecasting leader Polk.Polk global market registration data revealed sales of the Ford Focus totalled 1,020,410 cars worldwide in 2012 to take the title of world’s best-selling vehicle overall. It also confirmed the Ford Fiesta as the best-selling subcompact car globally, with 723,130 registrations last year.“Focus a... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:30:29 +0000 ecfb953d9d17e80aa226d13ff9dd04a8 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/all-new-ford-transit-courier-makes-global-debut-at-birmingham-cv-show-completing-four-vehicle-transit-range-r1374 Ford’s compact and efficient all-new Transit Courier van makes its global debut at the 2013 Birmingham CV Show as the company presents its complete line-up of four next-generation Transit commercial vehicles for the first time.Offering class-leading loadspace, running costs and safety features, the Transit Courier is the smallest member of the all-new Transit range, and joins the Transit Connect, Transit Custom and Transit in the most comprehensive ever line-up of Transit vehicles.“Ford has n... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:16:04 +0000 8beca3817318ec14b010b1e4a39b4380 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/torture-testing-a-new-ford-transit-custom-r1373 Ford’s Transit engineers are well-known for their passion for commercial vehicles. In the case of the all-new Ford Transit Custom one-tonne van it was more like tough love.More than 150 professional test drivers, plus customer fleet drivers and Ford engineers, put the Ford Transit Custom through a punishing regime, covering the equivalent of three million miles. Ford Transit Custom tests included marathon non-stop driving tests to simulate an extremely demanding 10-year lifecycle in just six... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:07:50 +0000 367ac971f08b41f2fe1248a63e28e837 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/new-ford-kuga-production-increases-to-meet-higher-demand-r1372 Ford Kuga production is set to increase by 10 per cent this year to cope with an increasing demand throughout Europe. As a result, production of Ford’s latest smart utility vehicle is expected to reach 100,000 units annually for the first time.Demand in the UK is helping drive Kuga’s production growth. Since it was launched at the end of last year, over 8,000 orders have been placed as families switch to SUVs in favour of conventional saloon cars.Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, S... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:42:09 +0000 f4b31bee138ff5f7b84ce1575a738f95 http://www.talkford.com/page/index.html/_/ford-tops-march-registrations-and-boosts-car-and-cv-sales-through-2013-r1371 UK market leader Ford has increased its car and commercial vehicle (CV) sales for March and the year to date, compared with 2012. Ford’s retail car sales and share were also up for March and for the year to date, compared with 2012, with the Ford Fiesta outselling its nearest rival in retail sales by more than two to one.According to the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders(SMMT):First quarter 2013 highlights: Ford leads UK market: total vehicle sales 10... Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:42:47 +0000 8e80aa8666161beb9f25f5bed48f06c7