Ford Focus is the best car to buy, says The Car Connection

High Gear Media has named the 2012 Ford Focus its Best Car to Buy 2012. Focus earned the highest ranking from The Car Connection, chosen from 40 nominees that included luxury car makes. Using unique "meta reviews," a gathering of reviews from around the Web, editors said Focus goes "well beyond state of the art," and that its win "comes down to personality." Focus was praised for having "great looks, gas mileage and handling, plus some of the most advanced technology features in its class."

Escape Routes to help launch new Ford SUV

Ford is looking for a few dynamic, fun-loving individuals to compete in real-world challenges with the help of online followers – all while experiencing the new Ford Escape. Escape Routes is a new online, interactive reality series featuring unique road-trip competition among teams. The teams will solve physical and mental challenges in real time while their social circle of fans and followers play along virtually. Contestants can apply online or at 10 casting calls held throughout the country. One team will be selected by online voting.

Angie Kozleski  |  akozlesk@ford.com  |  313.323.1984

Fuel-efficient F-150s get thumbs-up

Customers are as happy with the new F-150's V6 EcoBoost® engine as with their favorite V8, as Ford proves people will move in large numbers to smaller engines. F-150's EcoBoost engine and another fuel-saving technology – electric power-assisted steering – earned high ratings in Ford's 2011 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS), a quarterly survey conducted by the RDA Group. The EcoBoost F-150 is achieving customer quality ratings on par with F-150s equipped with the popular 5.0-liter V8, according to data from GQRS.

Susan Krusel  |  skrusel@ford.com  |  313.322.7998

Slacker Radio gives Ford drivers more content possibilities

Ford drivers with SYNC® AppLink™ now have another entertainment option with the addition of the Slacker Radio app. AppLink builds on the award-winning SYNC connectivity system by enabling drivers to access and control apps on their smartphones simply by using their voice, allowing their hands to stay on the wheel and their eyes on the road. Slacker Radio allows for a fully customizable and personal online radio experience that includes the most varied and compelling range of content offered by any interactive Internet radio service. The Slacker Radio experience includes more than 150 expert-programmed music stations, news, sports and comedy, as well as leading music festival stations.

Alan Hall  |  ahall32@ford.com  |  313.594.3744