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Ford Preaches Big Performance, Small Cars at Frankfurt Motor Show Focus ST Headed for United States, Fiesta ST May Follow
QUINCY, Mass., Sept. 22, 2011 – The Ford Focus debuted as a practical, fuel-efficient set of wheels more than a decade ago, but the Ford Focus ST might just defy categorization when it arrives at U.S. Ford dealers in 2012. Showcasing new technology that delivers power without losing any fuel-efficiency, Ford revealed the final production version of the performance compact hatchback at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13. The Focus ST shared the spotlight at the event with another racy hot hatch, the Ford Fiesta ST Concept car.
Both the Ford Focus ST and Fiesta ST Concept reflect Ford’s new global ST – or Sport Technologies – performance strategy, which emphasizes the development of cars that offer racetrack-worthy capabilities with commute-worthy practicality. That means combining power, refined drivability and impressive fuel-economy, and the Ford Focus ST comes through with a 247-horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that is expected to improve fuel efficiency by more than 20 percent compared with the previous-generation Focus ST, which was available only in Europe.
“Ford is mixing the dynamic chassis of the Focus with the power and efficiency of the EcoBoost drivetrain, and what’s resulted is a winning combination that I’m excited to see in action,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of Quirk Ford, a Greater Boston Ford dealership. “The Focus ST is going to show the imports how to be speedy on a budget.”
The Ford Fiesta ST Concept also features an innovative EcoBoost engine, putting out between 175 and 180 horsepower and a similar amount of torque, impressive numbers for only 1.6 liters of displacement. Like its big-brother Focus ST, the Fiesta ST Concept channels power to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, which according to Ford will allow sprints to 62 mph in less than seven seconds.
Both of Ford’s hot hatchbacks feature more aggressive styling, including modified front fascia, side sills and bumpers, along with bespoke rims that set the ST trims apart from the standard cars. The Focus ST will be Ford’s first global performance vehicle, available in markets around the world. Though there are no current plans to produce the Fiesta ST, Ford is hinting that it could soon be a reality.
“American consumers are getting into smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, but the Focus ST shows you can have superior performance as well as practicality,” Quirk noted. “The Focus and Fiesta have already found an audience amongst those looking for fuel efficiency. Now Ford is looking to expand that market to drivers who demand more performance.
About Quirk Ford: Quirk Ford, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is the largest Ford dealer by sales volume in New England and a winner of The President's Award for customer satisfaction six years in a row. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and Escape Hybrid models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery in Quincy, Mass.
Redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer Delivers for New Owners
2011 North American Truck of the Year Has Satisfied Its Drivers, According to AutoPacific Survey
QUINCY, Mass., Aug. 25, 2011 – Ford transformed its iconic Explorer SUV for the 2011 model year with a new drivetrain, high-tech features and modern styling, and the vehicle has quickly found a satisfied customer base, according to automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific. The Ford Explorer topped the Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV category in the 2011 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards, which honor those vehicles that best meet the demands of their owners.
AutoPacific surveyed more than 72,000 vehicle owners who purchased a 2011 model year vehicle between September and December of 2010 to determine the Ideal Vehicle Awards. The survey was administered in January and March this year and focused on 15 vehicle attributes, asking car owners what they would change about their vehicle. The winning vehicles in each category were those whose owners wanted the fewest changes.
“Ford redesigned its Explorer to meet the modern needs of drivers that still want the capability of a traditional SUV,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of Quirk Ford, a Greater Boston Ford dealership. “For a vehicle to have so few gripes from customers during the first year of a redesign is a testament to Ford’s engineers, and we expect things to stay that way in coming years.”
While suggested changes were few and far between, attributes that the Ford Explorer scored particularly well on in the AutoPacific survey were seat comfort, ride quality, size and handling, all traits that are important to Boston Ford owners that want stress-free driving experiences.
There is still plenty of space inside the revamped Ford Explorer, which has room for up to seven passengers, making it a family friendly choice. Room for various belongings is abundant as well, with up to 80.7 cubic-feet of cargo space available with the second and third rows of seats folded flat, giving the Explorer van-like capacity without the van-like looks.
On the outside, the headlight and grill treatment is thoroughly modern and aerodynamic, helping the SUV cut through wind resistance more efficiently. The end result is 25 mpg on the highway with the standard 3.5-liter V6 powerplant and front-wheel drive, a number that can’t beat be in the Explorer’s class. Fuel efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of power though, as the V6 pumps out 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, providing the Explorer with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. 2012 Ford Explorer shoppers later this year will also have the choice of a new four-cylinder EcoBoost engine with 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque that returns 28 mpg on the highway.
“The Ford Explorer is a sport-utility icon, and the latest redesign respects its SUV heritage even as it moves forward with fuel-efficient powertrains and designs,” Quirk added. “Nothing else on the market has such a commanding presence, and that’s because nothing else is an Explorer.”
In total, six Ford models won their respective categories in the AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards, more than any other automotive brand. Joining the Ford Explorer in the winner’s circle were the Ford Fusion, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford F-150, Ford F-Series Super Duty and the Ford Flex.
About Quirk Ford:
Quirk Ford, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is the largest Ford dealer by sales volume in New England and a winner of The President's Award for customer satisfaction six years in a row. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and Escape Hybrid models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery, Quincy, Mass.
Massachusetts Ford Dealership to Host Tech Event on SYNC and MyFord Touch
Quirk Ford Offering Free Tech Clinic on August 3rd to Educate Ford Owners
QUINCY, Mass., July 28, 2011 – Ford has been quick in recent years to introduce innovative technology aimed at reducing distracted driving, and recently the automaker was the first to support legislation in Congress that would ban hand-held phone use while driving. But rather than just wait for politicians to pass a law, Ford is actively working to make its technology so easy to use that manually using a phone while driving will be seen as a hassle. Part of the effort to make its technology more intuitive is educating drivers, and Massachusetts Ford dealer Quirk Ford in Quincy is doing its part by hosting a Ford Technology Event on Wednesday, August 3 that will reveal the ins and outs of the Blue Oval’s cutting-edge SYNC and SYNC with MyFord Touch systems. The technology allows drivers to access music, make phone calls, adjust climate control and get directions with just the use of their voice and buttons on their steering wheel. Instructors will be on-hand to answer any and all questions Ford owners may have about their software-filled vehicles, while potential customers can learn about the impressive high-tech capabilities of new Ford models. “Part of the fight to end distracted driving is to get phones out of drivers’ hands,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of the Greater Boston Ford dealership. “To do that Ford has given us the technology capable of eliminating the need for hand-held phone use. Now we just need to educate the public on how to best use the amazing gadgets in new Ford models, which is why we’re hosting the Ford Technology Event.”WHAT: Ford Technology EventWHEN: Wednesday, August 3, 4 p.m. EDT – 8 p.m. EDTWHERE: Quirk Ford, 540 Southern Artery, Quincy, Mass. HOW: Admission is free, but space is limited. RSVP at www.fordtechtour.com/t72. Registrants will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $250 Best Buy gift card. The event will also feature complimentary food and other giveaways.While local Ford dealerships are reaching out to customers to help them get the most out of their vehicles, Ford is working diligently to make its systems even more user friendly, which means increasing SYNC’s vocabulary. Working with Burlington, Massachusetts-based Nuance Communications, Ford is changing the way SYNC listens and responds to users. When SYNC first debuted in vehicles like the Ford Edge and Ford Explorer for the 2008 model year, it could understand roughly 100 words. That number has now risen to 10,000. The next step is to get the technology to the point where users won’t have to remember specific commands at all. Researchers are working to allow SYNC to understand intent, which means in the near future a driver can ask, “Did the Red Sox win last night?” and the system will understand that the driver wants the score of the game.“Ford has put an enormous amount of time, energy and money into creating the most advanced voice-recognition software it can,” Quirk added. “Right now, we’re able to teach Ford owners how to more effectively use their cars through these tech events, but Ford’s engineers are making rapid strides towards making all this technology as natural as driving itself.” About Quirk Ford:Quirk Ford, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is the largest Ford dealer by sales volume in New England and a winner of The President's Award for customer satisfaction six years in a row. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and Escape Hybrid models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery, Quincy, Mass.
Ford EcoBoost Proves Truck Buyers Will Choose Smaller Engines
QUINCY, Mass., June 15, 2011 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- A V6 engine used to be considered a serious offense in a full-size truck, but Ford’s six-cylinder power plants are swaying new buyers’ opinions. U.S. Ford F-150 sales in May saw the automaker’s potent six-pots take the reins away from their V8 counterparts at Ford dealerships like Quirk Ford, who have seen a dramatic rise in six-cylinder sales since the introduction of Ford’s EcoBoost power plant.
After its debut in late 2010, the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine quickly made inroads with the truck-buying public, proving that power and efficiency can come in one technologically advanced package. Ford recently revealed that V6 sales made up 55 percent of 2011 Ford F-150 sales in May, with 41 percent of new F-150 customers choosing the V6 EcoBoost power plant and 14 percent going with the 3.7-liter V6.
“Massachusetts truck buyers are a hard group to please when it comes to engines,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of Greater Boston Ford dealership Quirk Ford. “Big V8 engines have had the run of things for a long time, so the V6 models have had to win consumers over by proving they could do the same work while getting better fuel mileage.”
Producing 365 horsepower and twisting out 420 pound-feet of torque at just 2,500 rpm, the V6 EcoBoost-equipped 2011 Ford F-150 has the same towing capacity as an F-150 with a 6.2-liter V8, the biggest engine found under the hood of Ford’s light-duty trucks. The V8 returns 18 mpg on the highway in 4x2 operation, while the EcoBoost will go 22 miles per gallon under the same conditions. With gas prices more than one dollar higher than they were a year ago according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the EcoBoost’s improved fuel economy is proving a powerful draw for new truck buyers.
While the V6 EcoBoost grabs more headlines, the naturally aspirated V6 available in the F-150 is no slouch. The 3.7-liter engine produces 302 horsepower, a number that would have made V8 owners happy just a few years ago. Though it’s the least powerful engine in the F-150 lineup, the 3.7-liter V6 is still capable of towing 6,100 pounds when properly equipped, enough capacity for a small camper or boat. The naturally aspirated V6’s edge is its 23 mpg on the highway, a truly impressive figure for a full-size truck.
“Ford is providing exactly what truck owners need: more power and better fuel efficiency,” Quirk said. “Laughing at the guy with a V6 pickup truck is a thing of the past; today’s six-cylinder engines can leave some recent V8s in the dust.”
Ford’s F-Series trucks continue to be the best-selling vehicles in the United States, with May sales of 42,399 units and year-to-date sales of 214,461, an increase of 11 percent compared with the same period in 2010.
About Quirk Ford:
Quirk Ford, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is the largest Ford dealer by sales volume in New England and a winner of The President's Award for customer satisfaction six years in a row. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and Escape Hybrid models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery, Quincy, MA.
Ford SYNC May Soon Bring the Doctor to the Dashboard
QUINCY, Mass., May 27, 2011 — Whether it’s the newest pop music sensation or low glucose levels that make you feel ill, the Ford SYNC system can help you find a cure. The innovative in-car entertainment and navigation system is learning a few new tricks to monitor driver health that may soon be found in Greater Boston Ford dealership showrooms like Quirk Ford in Quincy.
Ford is offering support for two audiences with the research and technology going into new SYNC services: diabetics, who number nearly 19 million people in the United States according to the American Diabetes Association, and those with asthma or severe allergies. Leveraging the Bluetooth connectivity and cloud-based computing used to provide entertainment and navigation, Ford SYNC could soon monitor glucose levels and display location-based air-quality reports. SYNC is available in 13 different Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, ranging from the 2012 Ford Focus to Ford Super Duty trucks.
“With the amount of time we spend in cars, it makes sense to incorporate some health monitoring into the technology we already use,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of Quirk Ford. “Ford is working with industry innovators to bring these technologies to market as quickly as possible. Some of the applications, like glucose monitoring, will take time to perfect, but other features like pollen and air-quality readings could be implemented very soon.”
Allergy Alert could be one of the first applications added to the SYNC lineup, which is welcome news to Massachusetts Ford drivers dealing with allergies this spring. Ford is currently working with Pollen.com and SDI Health to SYNC-enable its Allergy Alert smartphone application through AppLink, Ford software that allows users to control smartphones with voice commands. Allergy Alert features that Ford drivers can look forward to include real-time index levels for pollen, other allergens and UV rays based on GPS-targeted locations. The applications also furnish four-day weather forecasts to help drivers plan ahead.
Medtronic is another healthcare company working with Ford to develop in-car health monitoring. A leading manufacturer of glucose-monitoring hardware, Medtronic is developing a system that will use Bluetooth connectivity to allow Ford SYNC to display and track trends directly from a Medtronic glucose-monitoring device. The system will even be able to alert the driver if glucose levels drop to a point that makes it dangerous to be behind the wheel.
The entire suite of SYNC healthcare services will be integrated with WellDoc’s cloud-based mHealth services. Ford SYNC users will be able to access their personalized WellDoc accounts and use voice commands to update their profiles and receive instant patient coaching, medication reminders and behavioral advice based on their past and current medical histories.
“Connectivity is the name of the game now, from computers to phones and now to cars,” Quirk said. “Ford’s SYNC was a leap forward in the evolution of in-car control systems, and now Ford is taking another big step by integrating healthcare services into cars. It’s not a replacement for a real doctor, but it is a step toward a healthier driving public.”
Ford is exploring other wellness technologies that will help reduce stress behind the wheel. The automaker paired with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a nine-month study that explored the connection between stress and driving performance. The study found that technology which improves driver confidence, like Ford’s active park assist and cross-traffic alert, helps to reduce stress on the road.
About Quirk Ford:
Quirk Ford is the largest Ford dealer by sales volume in New England and a winner of The President’s Award for customer satisfaction six years in a row. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and Escape Hybrid models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery in Quincy, Mass.
Ford Says Boston is Ready for the Electric Car Revolution
QUINCY, Mass., May 3, 2011 — Greater Boston Ford dealers like Quirk Ford are charged up after Ford Motor Company named Boston to its list of the top 25 electric-vehicle-ready cities in the United States. Though plug-in electric vehicles have yet to appear at dealerships in significant numbers, Ford has been hard at work ensuring that the infrastructure it will need for the upcoming 2012 Ford Focus Electric is in place. At the same time, Ford has been striving for fuel economy in its current gas-powered cars like the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus.
“The Focus Electric will be right at home in Boston when it debuts in 2012,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of Quirk Ford. “That doesn’t mean that Massachusetts Ford drivers have to wait to lower their fuel costs. The 2011 Focus is already a money saver and a perfect companion on Boston’s streets.”
The 2012 Ford Focus is a true fuel miser, returning 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway in the base model. Those numbers earned the Focus a spot on the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) list of Top 10 Green Cars of 2011. KBB.com editors praised the 2012 Focus for its sporty handling, expressive styling and available SYNC entertainment and communications technology.
Those looking for even greater savings at the pump can choose the 2012 Focus’s Super Fuel Efficiency (SFE) package, which nets 28 mpg in urban driving and boosts highway fuel economy to 40 mpg. With a 12.4-gallon fuel tank, the SFE model can go nearly 500 miles between stops at the gas station. The 2012 Ford Focus is powered by a direct-injection 2-liter engine producing 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Transmission options are a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic.
Good fuel mileage doesn’t come at the expense of comfort; the Focus can be a purchased with a bevy of options that defy its price tag. WardsAuto.com took note of the car’s interior, recently adding the 2012 Ford Focus Titanium to its 10 Best Interiors list. Editors at WardsAuto.com liked the two-tone leather seats, navigation system and the moon roof that come with the Titanium package. They also enjoyed the Parking Technology Package that includes a rear-view camera, and ultrasonic sensors that allow the car to parallel park itself nearly three times faster than its competitors.
“The 2012 Focus is an impressive combination of fun, features and economy,” Quirk said. “With fuel prices on the rise, car buyers are paying more attention to mileage than ever before. Ford designed the 2012 Focus not only to park itself, but to steer its owners away from the gas station.”
About Quirk Ford:
Quirk Ford, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is the largest Ford dealer by sales volume in New England and a winner of The President’s Award for customer satisfaction six years in a row. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and Escape Hybrid models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery in Quincy.
Ford Super Duty Regains Best-in-Class Towing; Tops Competitors in Customer Satisfaction
March 3, 2011, Quincy, MA… Production changes to the newest batch of Super Duty pickups have restored best-in-class towing to Ford’s popular workhorse trucks. Super Duty trucks, such as the 2011 F-350 and F-450 models available at Greater Boston Ford dealer Quirk Ford, manufactured after mid-February will carry a maximum towing capacity of 17,500 pounds, beating two-wheel drive Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra models by 1,000 pounds. Four-wheel drive Super Duty trucks beat the competition in towing by 500 pounds.
The production changes, which include a higher-strength steel frame and an improved hitch, add 1,500 more pounds of towing capacity compared with earlier 2010 Super Duty models, an increase of more than 9%. Both two-wheel and four-wheel drive F-350 models carry the 17,500-pound tow rating. Massachusetts Ford buyers who need the extra towing capacity will find it in 2011 F-350 and F-450 models equipped with the 6.7-liter V-8 turbocharged diesel engine.
“When you’re talking about work trucks, capacity is everything,” said Michael Quirk, general manager of Quirk Ford. “Our Massachusetts Ford customers know that an extra 500 pounds of towing could be the difference between making one trip or two for supplies. When you’re on the clock, saving that second trip means more productivity and less travel. That’s something that any business owner wants to have.”
The 2011 F-250 has also received an upgrade, which allows both two-wheel and four-wheel drive models to tow up to 14,000 pounds, a full 1,000 pounds more than Chevy and Dodge competitors.
The upgrades to the 2011 Super Duty models come even as Ford leads all truck makers in customer satisfaction. A 2010 Global Quality Research Survey conducted by RDA Group found that Super Duty owners had an overall quality satisfaction rating of 83%, 6 points higher than Dodge and 10 points higher than Chevrolet. The Super Duty also registered almost 50% of total heavy-duty truck sales according to research from R.L. Polk, which is Ford’s highest share of the market since 2001.
That combination of quality and power has led to a series of awards that should help 2011 models retain more of their value in years to come. Popular Mechanics named the 2011 Super Duty trucks their Best Workhorse, and both Automotive Leasing Group and Kelley Blue Book awarded the F-Series Super Duty the highest residual value in the full-size truck class.
“Not only will a Super Duty let business owners get more work done now, it will give them more down the road when they’re ready to trade it in toward a new truck,” Quirk said. “There’s a reason why the Super Duty has almost half of the heavy-duty truck market; these models inspire customer loyalty with their exceptional value and capability.”
About Quirk Ford:
Quirk Ford, located in Quincy, Massachusetts, is the largest Ford dealer by sales volume in New England and a winner of The President's Award for customer satisfaction six years in a row. Quirk offers a full line of new Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, Ford Focus and Escape Hybrid models, as well as an extensive selection of pre-owned cars, SUVs, trucks and hybrids. For more information, call 877-236-7314, visit them online at www.quirkford.com, Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkFord or stop by their dealership at 540 Southern Artery, Quincy, MA. |
