Stoneham Ford Earns Google Recognition

STONEHAM, Mass. -- Greater Boston Ford dealer Stoneham Ford joined an elite group of American businesses in June with the announcement that the company has been designated a Favorite Place by Google. Fewer than 250,000 businesses in the United States, across all industries, received this designation.

"We put a lot of effort into building a website that offers comprehensive information on all the latest Ford cars, trucks and SUVs," said Stoneham Ford General Manager Alan Melkonian. "We are so proud to receive this recognition, because it means that local Ford shoppers view our website as the user-friendly destination to research all things Ford."

California-based Google selected its Favorite Place recipients by analyzing web traffic from December 1, 2009, to February 28, 2010. Websites that generated the most traffic received the recognition, which was presented in June to less than 1% of all businesses in the United States.

Along with the recognition, Stoneham Ford received a new way to connect with customers. A window sticker sent by Google identifies the Massachusetts Ford dealer as a Favorite Place and includes a bar code. People who scan the bar code with a smart phone get instant access to a mobile web page that includes reviews and information about the business.

Visitors to Stoneham Ford's website can get a complete multimedia profile of each new Ford model in stock. Included in this profile are videos of Ford trucks, cars and SUVs in action, model photos from several angles, detailed specs and even complete vehicle brochure that can be downloaded directly from the site.

Stoneham Ford's goal is to be there for car buyers at the earliest stage of the buying process. According to in-depth research released last October from Capgemini, a worldwide consulting firm, 90% of all automotive shoppers use the internet to research vehicles. To get the attention of these consumers, dealer websites must be easy to use and provide pertinent inventory and financing information. This emphasis on user-friendliness has helped Stoneham Ford drive sales.

"We devoted a section of our site to the Ford Fusion Hybrid, and we have become a top dealer for Boston Ford Fusion models," Melkonian said. "While our goal is for people who visit our site to become satisfied Stoneham Ford customers, we are happy to know that people turn to us when they want to know more about Ford cars and trucks."

Gentlemen, Choose your Engines

STONEHAM, MASS -- In a bid to deliver best-in-class fuel economy, the 2011 Ford F-150 will ship with four different engine choices, including a base-level V-6 and the first application of Ford's Ecoboost engine in a pickup truck. Ford also promises best-in-class horsepower across its engine line in an appeal to truck buyers who would rather go big than go green.

The base model F-150 ships with a four-valve, 3.7-liter V-6 that has 300 horsepower and a towing capacity of 6,100 pounds. The base engine for Super Duty models is a 6.2-liter, 385-horsepower V-8, which ups the towing capacity to 11,300 pounds.

Buyers who opt for a 5-liter V-8 upgrade in their F-150s can increase their horsepower to 360 and their towing capacity to 9,800 lbs while still enjoying class-leading fuel economy. Both the 3.7-liter V-6 and 5-liter V-8 are flex-fuel capable, for those who have access to E85 fuel. Early next year, Ford will offer the 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine as an option on some F-150 models, which promises a 20% fuel economy gain over the 5.4-liter V-8 engine of the 2010 F-150.

"Fuel economy is hardly the first thing truck buyers worry about, but the business owners who buy from us are looking at those mileage numbers," said General Manager Alan Melkonian of Massachusetts Ford dealer Stoneham Ford. "The ability to squeeze more miles out of every gallon of gas has a real impact on the bottom line for a small business. The new F-150s cost less to run and still deliver the towing and hauling capacity that businesses need."

All four of the new engines will be paired with a redesigned six-speed automatic transmission, making Ford the only manufacturer to offer a six-speed automatic as standard equipment on all its full-size pickup trucks. SelectShift allows the transmission to operate in a manual mode, giving drivers more control in demanding situations, such as coaxing a trailer down a steep incline.

Ford hopes to appeal to the entire spectrum of F-150 owners with its 2011 models. The base V-6 is ideal for contractors and landscapers, while the stronger V-8 options provide the power needed by plow operators and boaters. Performance truck enthusiasts will want the Baja-tested 2011 Raptor on their shopping lists, which features a race-tuned engine and suspension. The only challenge for Greater Boston Ford owners will be finding the open, off-road space needed to let the Raptor run free.

While EPA estimates have yet to be released for the new engines, Ford anticipates fuel economy gains at every level. The EcoBoost is expected to compare favorably with hybrid pickup trucks in its mpg rating.

"These new engine options mean that any buyer can find an F-150 that is tailored to their specific needs," Melkonian said. "Ford has solved the problem of having to buy too much truck to get some extra towing strength, and has given the customer the ability to control fuel costs. This means a lot when gas prices float around $2.75 a gallon in a struggling economy."