Shelby GT500 convertible blasts into the Windy City in celebration of SVT

The official launch of SVT came at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show with the unveiling of the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning. Now, Ford returns to Chicago to celebrate the past and look to the future with the 2013 Shelby GT500 convertible. With the optional Performance Package, the new GT500 convertible clocked nearly 3.5 seconds faster than the outgoing model at Sebring International Raceway. SVT has produced more than 210,000 cars and trucks during its 20-year history over more than seven different nameplates.

Said Deep  |  sdeep@ford.com  |  313.594.0942

Intelligent AWD in all-new Escape thinks faster

As winter conditions slow travel across the country, the all-new Ford Escape's all-wheel-drive system offers drivers a little extra traction in the ice and snow. Advanced, Ford-developed software behind this intelligent AWD system pre-emptively reassesses conditions about 20 times faster than the blink of an eye, readjusting the power split to give the driver the precise blend of handling and traction at all times. The system can send all the torque the powertrain can produce to the rear, putting power where the driver really needs it most.

Angie Kozleski  |  akozlesk@ford.com  |  313.323.1984

Focus in high demand in California; manual-shift Titanium added

Focus sales in the trend-setting state of California are rolling at the fastest clip since 2004. The car's combination of style, technology and convenience offerings and its fuel economy of up to 40 mpg on the highway is fitting the bill for more and more motorists in the Golden State. Dealers are seeing a wave of imports as Focus trade-ins, coming from drivers who haven't been in Ford dealerships for quite some time. And now, in response to demand, customers of the high-end Focus Titanium model can shift for themselves with a new manual transmission offering.

Octavio Navarro  |  onavarr1@ford.com  |  313.845.2387

Ford dealers honored for giving back

Ford is recognizing its dealers who go above and beyond with its 12th annual Salute to Dealers award. Six dealerships were selected from among more than 8,500 Ford dealers worldwide for exhibiting unparalleled dedication to their communities. Salute to Dealers is conducted under the guidance of Edsel B. Ford II, a member of Ford's board of directors. The program was launched in 2001 to demonstrate the company's commitment to its thousands of dealer principals who step beyond their showroom doors to make a difference in the communities where they live and work.

Elizabeth Weigandt  |  eweigand@ford.com  |  313.845.4147

Ford snags two kbb.com Total Cost of Ownership awards

The 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid and Expedition have been named winners of Kelley Blue Book's inaugural kbb.com Total Cost of Ownership awards. These awards honor current model-year vehicles and brands with the lowest projected ownership costs, based on Kelley Blue Book Total Cost of Ownership data for the initial five-year ownership period. The Escape Hybrid was named winner in the hybrid utility category while the Expedition took the full-size sport utility category. Read more here.