Ford, General Mills team up for Box Tops for Education

Ford and General Mills, two companies that have made supporting education a key element of business, are partnering to provide additional funding to schools through the popular Box Tops for Education® program. Ford, the first automaker to partner with General Mills on this initiative, kicked off the two-month program that aims to generate $1 million in support for schools throughout the U.S.

Aaron Miller  |  amill226@ford.com  |  313.323.7045

All-new Ford Escape to get new EcoBoost engines

Ford continues to offer more choices for customers craving top fuel economy, delivering its largest-ever EcoBoost® lineup in the all-new Ford Escape debuting next month at the L.A. Auto Show and an all-new C-MAX Hybrid that’s 25 percent more fuel efficient than even today’s Escape Hybrid. The new Escape will feature three fuel-efficient four-cylinder options, including the new 1.6- and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines and a 2.5-liter Ti-VCT engine. Next year, Ford also will grow its electrified vehicle production capacity when it launches the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in vehicles.

Angie Kozleski  |  akozlesk@ford.com  |  313.323.1984

2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor keeps it fresh

The 2012 F-150 SVT Raptor is set to deliver a new level of the no-compromise off-road performance the truck is famed for with a variety of new technologies and interior and exterior updates. A new Torsen front differential increases grip significantly and improves the truck’s capabilities in handling obstacles, slippery conditions and steep grades. A class-exclusive new front camera system makes its debut, enabling drivers off-road to see what’s directly in front of the truck, even when their view from the driver’s seat might be blocked.

Henry Platts  |  hplatts@ford.com  |  313.248.8812

Ford and Zipcar empower university students with grant program

Ford and Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network, have launched “Students with Drive,” a grant program that provides students with free Zipcar memberships and driving credits to support their community service activities and student organizations. Ford will provide $300,000 in grants to be awarded to student organizations and universities. Students with Drive will run through April. It will culminate with one student organization being awarded a grand prize of $5,000 in Zipcar credits, $10,000 to put toward its cause and $10,000 to be awarded to the winning school.

Angie Kozleski  |  akozlesk@ford.com  |  313.323.1984

Castor oil: Just what the doctor ordered

The instrument panel foam rubber in 2012 Ford Focus models built at Michigan Assembly Plant now features more than 10 percent sustainable content using castor oil from plants. In addition to improved durability and strength characteristics, the castor oil-based foam boosts craftsmanship as it is softer to the touch. Ford teamed with BASF to innovate this new foam rubber compound, saving more than 5,000 barrels of oil for every 300,000 Focus models produced.

Dan Pierce  |  dpierc41@ford.com  |  313.594.0949