Ford Supports Ban on Handheld Cell Phone Use by Drivers

STONEHAM, Mass. -- Ford has recently become the first automaker to throw their support behind a bill written by U.S. Representative Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y. that would create a nationwide ban on using handheld cell phones while driving, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Numerous states have already implemented bans on handheld phone use, ranging from texting to making calls at all, but the federal government has yet to chime in on the subject. Massachusetts passed a law banning texting while driving in 2010, but handheld cell phone use remains legal for non-junior operators in the state, with many seeing it as a serious danger for drivers that already have enough distractions

“It’s about time we start tackling the problem of distracted drivers nationally, and cell phones should absolutely be at the top of the list,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealership Stoneham Ford. “I’m very pleased that Ford has been proactive about supporting this bill, even as other automakers are still burying their heads in the sand. When it comes to driver safety, we can’t delay any longer.”

According to a 2006 study by the University of Utah, using a cell phone while driving delays the driver’s reaction time as much as being at the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.8 percent, and a 2009 study by Virginia Tech reported that dialing on a cell phone made it nearly three times more likely that a car driver would be involved in a crash or near-crash situation. In addition, drivers performing the same act in a heavy vehicle or truck increased the likelihood of a crash by nearly six times. With an ever-increasing mountain of evidence, auto manufacturers and legislators are finding ways to get cell phones out of drivers’ hands.

Automakers have been keen on introducing technology into their vehicles that enable hands-free operation of phones – an action that would remain legal should the new legislation pass. Ford offers affordable access to this technology through its SYNC software, which allows calling through voice commands and buttons on the steering wheel with most Bluetooth-enabled phones. SYNC is available across the Ford lineup, either as standard feature or as a $400 option. The automaker is also working with Burlington, Massachusetts-based Nuance Communications to improve the system’s vocabulary and ability to decipher the intent of the driver should they use unrecognized commands.

In an effort to stay ahead of the curve of growing smartphone usage, Ford is expanding and improving its SYNC AppLink offering, which grants users voice-controlled access to smartphone apps like Pandora internet radio, a service that drivers might otherwise access with their hands while driving. Currently available on the 2011 Ford Fiesta, SYNC AppLink will be featured in 10 Ford vehicles for the 2012 model year.

“Ford isn’t just saying that driving while talking on cell phones is dangerous and then leaving it at that,” Melkonian added. “They are investing a lot of time and resources into improving the situation. Ford has proved that the technology to create safer highways is out there and drivers don’t have to be in a luxury sedan to have access to it. It makes our team proud to be working at a Ford dealership.”

Massachusetts Ford Dealer Stoneham Ford Contributes to High Five Tour

STONEHAM, Mass. -- This summer, Colonel John Folsom, United States Marine Corps (retired) embarked on an important mission. Setting out in a 2011 Shelby Mustang GT500, Colonel Folsom plans to meet as many Americans as possible to thank them for their support of military families and raise funds for the mission of Wounded Warriors Family Support (http://woundedwarriorsfamilysupport.org/). Folsom’s organization helps families of soldiers who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations.

The High Five Tour is making its way across the country and visiting Ford dealerships like Stoneham Ford, which will be making a $2,000 contribution to the organization’s fundraising efforts during its Boston-area stop on Thursday, June 30^th.

“We are thrilled to have Colonel Folsom visit our dealership during his drive through Massachusetts,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Stoneham Ford. “We have enormous respect for what he is trying to accomplish. The brave men and women of our armed services need our support and so do their families, so we are pleased to have this opportunity to give a little something back to them.”

“I am grateful for Ford’s support of the tour and for Stoneham Ford’s donation,” said Colonel John Folsom. “Soldiers and their families need our help to cope with the physical, psychological and spiritual stress that war causes. With generous donations like this, we can continue our mission.”

The High Five Tour will be visiting Stoneham Ford around noon this Thursday. For additional information on the High Five Tour, visit: http://www.highfivetour.com/.

Ford Fusion Hybrid Offers Antidote for High Gas Prices

STONEHAM, MASS. -- Alan Melkonian eyes the collection of 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedans at Stoneham Ford, his Massachusetts Ford dealership. They’re selling well with their sharp looks and 41 mpg fuel economy in the city, just the thing for Boston Metro commuters squeezed by rising costs at the gas pump.

The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid leads the entire mid-size sedan class in city fuel economy, and a report from Ford Inside News suggests that the automaker wants to widen the gap. When 2012 Fusions arrive at Greater Boston Ford dealerships next spring, they could offer as much as 48 mpg in the city with help from Ford’s new electronic continuously variable transmission.

“Massachusetts drivers are seeing more and more money poured into their gas tanks these days,” Melkonian said. “There’s no reason to settle for a car that gets poor gas mileage, or to buy something that sacrifices size or performance in the name of fuel economy. The hybrid 2011 Fusion gets the job done in a spacious, fun-to-drive package by running on electric power at low speeds, so those traffic jams we get stuck in won’t be siphoning cash out of your wallet.”

The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid earns 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, numbers usually seen in compact cars. The secret behind the numbers is Ford’s use of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-Cycle four-cylinder engine that runs with incredible efficiency at all speeds and pairs seamlessly with the hybrid drive.

Fusion owners will find it easy to pair up with their cars as well, thanks to the innovative SmartGaugeCluster with EcoGuide that can show as much or as little information as the driver wants. The built-in electric vehicle meter helps drivers stay in electric-only mode for as long a distance as possible and at speeds up to 47 mph in ideal conditions. There are also meters that show how much power is going to accessories like the radio, air conditioning and lights.

While efficiency is at its core, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is not an austere vehicle meant only for gas savings. The options list allows for plenty of creature comforts, including leather upholstery and a remote-start system. Standard options include dual-zone electronic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and four-way power-adjustable passenger seat. Ford SYNC technology allows voice control of a Bluetooth-connected phone or connected MP3 player for everything from switching songs to sending simple replies to text messages.

“Ford’s 2011 Fusion Hybrid mixes the efficiency of a hybrid drivetrain with everything owners demand in a sedan, and I’m sure that tradition will continue in the 2012 model,” Melkonian noted. “There are no sacrifices here. You simply get in and go, and I think most people will have a hard time telling it’s a hybrid at all.”

Ford Truck Buyers Warming Up to Smaller, More Efficient Engines

STONEHAM, Mass. -- Truck buyers have a reputation for avoiding anything less than a traditional V8 engine, but Ford is challenging that old notion, as sales of fuel- efficient V6 F-150s at Ford dealers continue to grow. In April, Ford’s V6 engines accounted for 50 percent of all F-150 sales, up 10 percent from March, as buyers put a continued priority on fuel economy.

Contributing 75 percent of Ford F-150 V6 sales in April, Ford’s recently introduced twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine has given the big is more crowd a reason to think small. The EcoBoost captured roughly 35 percent of total April F-150 sales, thanks to its ability to get 22 mpg on the highway, kick out 365 horsepower and tow 11,300 pounds. Ford’s new naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 brought in the remaining 25 percent of V6 F-150 sales last month.

“Past V6 models in the F-Series struggled to find buyers, because truck owners demand power from their engines,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealership Stoneham Ford. “Fuel economy isn’t on the map for these buyers unless the truck has the capabilities they need. The new V6 engines deliver where it counts, and with gas prices squeezing margins for small-business owners, Ford’s V6 options are very attractive.”

A comparison with Ford’s entry-level V6 engine from last decade shows how far the automaker has come. In 2005, the 4.2-liter V6 on the F-150 produced a scant 202 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, getting 19 mpg on the highway. The new base 3.7-liter V6 beats the older engine by 100 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque, while offering an improved 23 mpg on the highway.

Innovative thinking has propelled the V6 engine back into the limelight, but Ford engineers have expanded their economy-minded thinking to create two new V8 options for Ford F-150 buyers who need more power. A new five-liter V8 engine has a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, even while returning 21 mpg on the highway in 4x2 operation. Owners of the new 6.2-liter V8 in the F-150 will be treated to a best-in-class 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, and net 18 mpg on the highway.

Ford put serious energy into the new Ford Super Duty trucks as well, designing a new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel for its Super Duty F-Series models that provides best-in-class power and torque and more miles per gallon than the outgoing model. The new Power Stroke twists out 800 pound-feet of torque and 400 horsepower to tackle the toughest jobs. Ford’s other Super Duty option is a new 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine that produces 385 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. According to Ford, owners can expect an 18 percent fuel economy improvement in pickup models and as much as 25 percent in chassis cabs compared with the old models.

“Ford has made sure that these Super Duty engines do everything that buyers expect,” Melkonian said. “These trucks work just as hard as the Super Duty models we had last year, they just need less fuel to get the job done, which is a real bonus right now.”

Ford Has the Edge on Safety

STONEHAM, Mass. -- When it comes to crash protection, Ford has an Edge in its lineup. The 2011 Ford Edge midsize crossover earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), thanks to a new roof design that met the challenge of stricter IIHS testing.

The Top Safety Pick designation applies to Edge models built after February 2011. The Edge is the sixth Ford to be named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 2011 Explorer, Taurus, Fusion and Flex all previously received IIHS safety honors, as did 2011 Fiesta models built after July 2010.

The 2010 Edge missed out on a Top Safety Pick last year after receiving an “Acceptable” score in IIHS roof-strength tests. The old design could support 3.5 times its overall vehicle weight, which was shy of the highest possible “good” rating that requires the roof to withstand four times the vehicle’s weight. After coming up short in the test, Ford immediately improved the design and created a roof that withstands 4.7 times the vehicle’s weight, surpassing IIHS standards.

“Safety is a top priority for Ford, and the new Top Safety Pick for the Edge shows how hard the company works to meet the highest safety standards,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealer Stoneham Ford. “Some automakers would have said ‘Good enough’ and put off a redesign, but Ford put in the hours to make the Edge better in 2011. I think a lot of car buyers can appreciate that level of dedication to safety.”

With 18 percent of U.S. medium crossover sales in the first quarter of 2011, the Ford Edge was the sales leader in its segment during this period. New customers have been drawn to Ford dealers by the Edge’s roster of safety options, including adaptive cruise control, a collision-warning system that precharges the brakes for quicker stops in emergencies, blind-spot sensors and tire-pressure monitors. The Ford crossover also features the innovative MyKey system, which lets parents enable specialized settings for teen drivers that reduce distractions and limit speed.

Ford engineers did remember to pack some fun in with all the safety features. Edge SE, SEL and Limited models are powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Plus, the fuel-friendly Edge SE returns impressive fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the SEL and Limited trim models lead their segment at 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. For power junkies, the 2011 Edge Sport delivers 305 horsepower from a 3.7 liter V6 that twists out 280 pound-feet of torque even as it still gets 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

“The Ford Edge is a model that offers the latest in design, fuel-efficiency, performance and technology,” Melkonian added. “Its sleek styling appeals to young buyers, but it’s also a superior family car that is prepared for the worst weather New England can deliver. As Ford continues to push innovation in the Edge, I fully expect it to maintain its place as a leading U.S. crossover.