DEARBORN, Mich., March 30, 2011 – Ford engineers know that not all roads are created equal. Some are pockmarked with potholes. Others simply consist of merciless off-road-like tracks. Only a blessed few roads around the world are kind to the vehicles driving over them.

Engineers know that too many drivers speed over four-inch-deep potholes or take turns too fast on cobblestone roads.

To ensure its vehicles can withstand such driving behavior, engineers at Ford’s Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium and Michigan Proving Ground in the United States test vehicles for all global markets.

Several types of road conditions are simulated including moderately rough roads such as those in Europe and North America and severely rough roads like those in emerging markets, taking into account that weather conditions can make these roads even worse.

With much of Europe having been gripped by two bitterly cold winters in succession and public spending cuts leaving little money for surface repairs there and in the U.S., motorists on both continents are driving into spring on roads scarred by potholes and damaged surfaces.

Yet Ford drivers can rest assured their vehicles are built to cope, thanks to the rigorous testing and development processes established for chassis and suspension systems.

via Ford’s Extreme Road Testing Helps Cars Conquer Potholed Roads around the World | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• Ford details its rigorous pothole testing techniques (autoblog.com)
• Ford’s Extreme Road Testing Helps Cars Conquer Potholed Roads Around the World (prnewswire.com)

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DETROIT, Oct. 25, 2010 – Ford Motor Company today announced plans to invest an additional $850 million in Michigan between 2011 and 2013 as part of the company’s commitment to competitively grow its engineering and manufacturing employee base, upgrade its facilities in the state and further improve its vehicle fuel economy.

“Fuel economy and technology are consumers’ biggest priorities – and we have made them Ford’s as well,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “We are pleased to work with state and local government leaders to find new ways to work together, invest in our people as well as Ford facilities, further improve our competitiveness and secure jobs in Michigan.”

Ford’s investment will generate up to 1,200 new full-time positions in manufacturing and engineering operations in Michigan by 2013.  The company expects approximately 900 jobs will be hourly positions in its Michigan manufacturing facilities and the remaining 300 will be salaried positions within its engineering and manufacturing operations.

via FORD TO INVEST ADDITIONAL $850 MILLION IN MICHIGAN TO ENGINEER, BUILD FUEL-EFFICIENT NEW VEHICLES | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• DTE Energy, a company that provides natural gas and electric utility services to 3.4 million Michigan homes and businesses, recently purchased 19 Ford Transit Connects and is exploring additional ways to integrate the new compact van into its vehicle fleet
• The Ford Transit Connect is a greener vehicle choice than many of the vehicles currently in use by DTE Energy and it supports the company’s sustainability efforts
• The Ford Transit Connect – 2010 North American Truck of the Year – offers fleet customers a fresh choice with improved fuel economy and maneuverability to operate in crowded urban areas

DEARBORN, Mich., March 19, 2010 – DTE Energy, a company that provides natural gas and electric utility services to 3.4 million Michigan homes and businesses, recently purchased 19 Ford Transit Connects and is exploring ways to integrate the new compact van into its vehicle fleet.

“What interested our team in the Ford Transit Connect was the fuel economy,” said Gerard Huvaere, DTE Energy Fleet Operations. “It provides better fuel economy than many of the full-size pickup trucks and vans we have in our fleet.”

via FORD TRANSIT CONNECT BUILDS ON ENERGY COMPANY’S SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• AT&T Becomes Lead Customer for Ford Transit Connect Electric (newswire.ca)
• Chicago 2010: Ford Transit Connect Taxi burns CNG, LPG and four acres of space (autoblog.com)
• Ford Unveils Electric Version of Transit Connect Utility Van (treehugger.com)

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