The 2015 New York International Auto Show is upon us, and our legion of editors are reporting reside by way of Instagram and Twitter! Join us here and go inside automakers’ pre-show reveal events on Monday and Tuesday, March 30 and 31, and follow all the news and debuts during the media preview days on April 1 and 2. See everything in one location as it happens!
Bill Ford at Burj Khalifa
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Dubai, U.A.E., Nov. 19, 2014 - Ford Motor Company, underscoring its growing ambitions in the Middle East and Africa, today introduced the all-new Mustang on the Burj Khalifa, the world’;s tallest building.
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford capped the live-action event by delivering the iconic pony badge to the 2015 yellow Mustang on the 112th floor of the skyscraper. The event was viewed live around the world on YouTube as well as by approximately 10,000 people gathered in the Dubai Downtown area, overlooking the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa. (To see a replay, click on this link.)
“Today we planted the Ford flag in the Middle East & Africa, an exciting, vibrant region that represents the final frontier for growth in the auto industry,” Bill Ford said. “We also sent a message to the world that Mustang is going global after 50 years as America’;s greatest motoring icon.”
Ford established its new Middle East & Africa business unit this year, which covers the company’;s automotive business in 67 Ford markets in North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa and Middle East regions. Industry sales in Middle East & Africa are expected to grow 40 percent to 5.5 million vehicles by 2020. To meet new customer demand, Ford pledged to launch 25 vehicles in region by 2016, including the all-new Mustang debuting next year.
Viewers of the light-hearted action spectacle witnessed a dramatic journey that started with a hero atop a cliff in Arizona taking an urgent call. The unknown protagonist raced via horseback, airliner, car, helicopter and jet ski to Dubai to deliver the iconic pony badge. Only in the final scene on the 112th floor of the Burj Khalifa – 399 meters (1,300 feet) above the ground — was the protagonist revealed with a wink and a nod as Bill Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford.
“A century ago Henry Ford had a vision to open the highways to all mankind,” said Jim Benintende, president, Ford Middle East and Africa. “Placing our regional headquarters in Dubai lets us tap the innovation and imagination that’;s flourishing here, helping us to bring our founder’;s vision to this part of the world.”
In addition the new Mustang, Ford also previously announced a plan to introduce such new vehicles as Ford Focus, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKC in the Middle East and Africa. The company also announced the accelerated rollout of many new technologies to the region, including EcoBoost engines, SYNC in-car connectivity, inflatable rear seat belts, MyKey and other driver assist technologies.
2015 Ford Mustang
The all-new Mustang is the most advanced version yet of the iconic pony car, offering more advanced driver-assist technology than any other car in its class. The sleek new design of Mustang fastback and convertible is backed up by world-class performance from a range of available engines, including a new turbocharged EcoBoost® 2.3-liter and an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 with more than 420 horsepower. In addition to state-of-the-art connectivity systems, Mustang features available track apps, launch control and more.
Ford Mustang was revealed to the world with a television advertising campaign on the evening of April 16, 1964, before being shown to the public at the New York World’;s Fair on April 17. The car officially went on sale that day, and Ford dealers accumulated a record 22,000 sales and orders that first day on the way to more than 418,000 sales in the first year and 1 million sales in less than 2 years. Over the past 5 decades, more than 9 million Mustangs have been sold.
“Almost 50 years ago Ford captured the world’;s attention by placing a 1965 Mustang Convertible atop what was then the world’;s tallest building, the Empire State Building in New York City,” Bill Ford said. “Today’;s event in Dubai, home to the world’;s current tallest building, completes an incredible global journey for Ford and Mustang.”
A team of 6 engineers travelled with the special Mustang from Ford’;s world headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., to Dubai aboard an Emirates Airlines flight. Once the car arrived in Dubai, it was transported to the base of Burj Khalifa and carefully separated into 6 sections that could be transported to the 112th level via the building’;s elevators. The team reassembled the vehicle over approximately 12 hours.
“We’;ve taken the new Mustang to new heights of technology and refinement, so taking it literally to new heights atop the Burj Khalifa is an amazing achievement for our team,” Benintende said. “There are no cranes that would reach that high, and helicopter delivery is out of the question. Making this happen is truly an example of Ford engineering expertise at work.”
Ford partnered with several organizations to bring this event to life, including Dubai’;s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Emaar Properties.
“Dubai is a destination which offers a remarkable range of breath-taking experiences, so Ford’;s ambition for this event was a natural fit,” said His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism. “It was a privilege to work with Ford and our partners to stage the event and to demonstrate once more that Dubai is a city which continues to push the boundaries of possibility.”
The Weekend Warrior Mud Event scheduled for 1-2 November at at Zwart Kloof farm in Naboomspruit, Limpopo, will be giving away prizes at the event valued at over R70 000.
Prizes include a WARN winch valued at R15 000, 2 sets of VisionX LED lights valued at R20 000, tyres from Cooper also at R20 000, as well as prizes from LA Sport, Safari Centre, Frontrunner, Hi-Lift jacks and Escape Gear. A 10% discount is available for participants booking on www.webtickets.co.za. The Mud Festivals booking page is as follows: http://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=830134207
Weekend Warrior brand ambassadors Andre de Villiers of Safari 4×4 Roetes and Leilani Basson of Bush Babes will be extending their expertise at the event to both the male and female members.
The festival will have 15 different 4×4 and 4×2 obstacles filled with mud and water over the 8km route and will include a mud skid pan, mud pool at the camp site and a dam where mud can be wash off.
The normal entrance fee is R250 per vehicle with up to 4 passengers and R300 including camping payable at the entrance. Weekend Warrior members will receive a discount of R50 per vehicle, payable on the day. The event starts at 10am and runs until about 11pm with the 4×4 obstacle route closing at 5pm.
A maximum of 100 vehicles will be allowed on the day. Members can RSVP with Leonard Chester: leonard.chester@torreauto.co.za or on www.webtickets.co.za.
To be a member of the club or to attend 4×4 enthusiasts must register at at www.theweekendwarrior.co.za. To follow the clubs activities one can do so by liking the Facebook page www.facebook.com/wkndwarriorsa , follow on Twitter @WkndwarriorSA and Instagram: WkndwarriorSA.
Also View:
Safe Driving on Gravel Roads
The Weekend Warrior Mud Event scheduled for 1-2 November at at Zwart Kloof farm in Naboomspruit, Limpopo, will be giving away prizes at the event valued at over R70 000.
Prizes include a WARN winch valued at R15 000, 2 sets of VisionX LED lights valued at R20 000, tyres from Cooper also at R20 000, as well as prizes from LA Sport, Safari Centre, Frontrunner, Hi-Lift jacks and Escape Gear. A 10% discount is available for participants booking on www.webtickets.co.za. The Mud Festivals booking page is as follows: http://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=830134207
Weekend Warrior brand ambassadors Andre de Villiers of Safari 4×4 Roetes and Leilani Basson of Bush Babes will be extending their expertise at the event to both the male and female members.
The festival will have 15 different 4×4 and 4×2 obstacles filled with mud and water over the 8km route and will include a mud skid pan, mud pool at the camp site and a dam where mud can be wash off.
The normal entrance fee is R250 per vehicle with up to 4 passengers and R300 including camping payable at the entrance. Weekend Warrior members will receive a discount of R50 per vehicle, payable on the day. The event starts at 10am and runs until about 11pm with the 4×4 obstacle route closing at 5pm.
A maximum of 100 vehicles will be allowed on the day. Members can RSVP with Leonard Chester: leonard.chester@torreauto.co.za or on www.webtickets.co.za.
To be a member of the club or to attend 4×4 enthusiasts must register at at www.theweekendwarrior.co.za. To follow the clubs activities one can do so by liking the Facebook page www.facebook.com/wkndwarriorsa , follow on Twitter @WkndwarriorSA and Instagram: WkndwarriorSA.
Also View:
Safe Driving on Gravel Roads
PRETORIA, South Africa, 18 July 2014 – Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) showed off 4 new models that are destined for African shores, and detailed its future plans for the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region at its first African Go Further event held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Go Further is Ford’s brand promise and the name of product events it has held in Australia, Amsterdam, and Barcelona. The inaugural South African Go Further event marks the first time it is hosted on the African continent.
With nearly 1,000 media, stakeholders, suppliers and VIPs in attendance, Jeff Nemeth, President and CEO for the Sub Saharan Region, outlined the company’s vision for driving growth in existing markets on the continent as well as entering new ones.
“South Africa remains our engine of growth for the continent, and moving forward, Sub-Saharan Africa will be a key market for Ford,” says Nemeth. “Our vision is to become the first choice for mobility in Africa, and our event today underscores our commitment to serve customers throughout Africa.”
The next 2 years will see an unprecedented expansion of Ford’s vehicle and technology line-up in the Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) region. In total, 17 vehicles will be launched or refreshed, including the new Focus, Fusion, Ranger XL-Plus, Transit and Tourneo Connect – which will be on show for the first time at Go Further – and of course, Mustang.
SYNC® connectivity will feature in many of the new vehicles. SYNC with AppLink will bring voice commands to select smartphone applications, and SYNC 2 will offer a new, interactive version of SYNC boasting a touch screen as well as voice command functionality.
EcoBoost drivetrain options will also be expanded. EcoBoost is a turbo direct-injection technology that significantly improves power and fuel economy while reducing emissions. Globally, EcoBoost is offered in 80 percent of Ford’s nameplates, and 30 percent of vehicles available in South Africa. By the end of 2015 this will increase to 33% in South Africa and 55% in SSA.
“Our products are more than just nameplates,” adds Nemeth. “The smart technologies, high safety, design and quality of engineering in Ford products are what people want and value. EcoBoost engines will power the new wave of modern vehicles, and SYNC connectivity will feature in 70 percent of our line-up by the end of 2015.”
Fusion to lead the charge for smart, connected motoring
The Ford Fusion offers the best of all the technologies from Ford and will go on sale in South Africa in early 2015.
Fusion comes with EcoBoost petrol engines, and will be the technology flagship for Ford in SSA, offering SYNC 2, Active Park Assist, Active City Stop, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Rear View Camera, and Lane-Keeping System. In addition, Ford’s award-winning rear inflatable seat belt safety system will debut on the Fusion.
“With Fusion, consumers will get to experience the leading technologies Ford has developed over the last few years,” says Nemeth. “A smart family car that boasts innovative active and passive safety features, connected technologies, and environmentally-friendly engines.”
New Focus makes the best even better
The world’s best-selling car* – the Ford Focus – is also one of the highlights. First announced in February this year, the new Focus makes its African debut at the Go Further event.
Going on sale next year, the new Focus will feature an all-EcoBoost engine lineup, as well as a host of new safety and driver-assist technologies.
“In 2015 Focus will be updated to include the latest technologies we have on offer, giving buyers more reasons to consider the world’s best-selling passenger car,” says Nemeth.
Mustang to cement commitment to One Ford
Ford’s iconic Mustang performance model is also on show at Go Further. The all-new Mustang, which will be available with both an EcoBoost engine as well as its hallmark V8 powertrain, will go on sale in South Africa and SSA markets next year.
“The Mustang is out of the stable and here in Africa,” says Nemeth. “The One Ford plan means that we can finally bring a global Mustang to our local fans. This vehicle is incredibly special to us; it shows our local fans and customers that we are committed to bringing in the best Ford has to offer while also celebrating the brand’s rich heritage.”
Africa on the horizon
As Ford continues to expand its presence in the SSA region, the company will embrace a philosophy of African ingenuity by going further to bring smart products that are safe, environmentally friendly, and high quality to customers in Africa.
In many ways ‘Go Further’ is a modern interpretation of Henry Ford’s vision to “open the highways to all mankind…” and the freedom that comes with both personal transportation and economic development. Ford is helping realise his vision today throughout Africa.
“The ‘One Ford’ philosophy of a global company building and designing cars for a global audience continues to be the driving force behind the brand. Go Further has provided us with a unique opportunity to share a taste of what’s to come for Ford in the Sub Saharan Africa region in the near future. We hope that everyone in attendance today is as excited as we are about what’s to come in the coming months and years,” concludes Nemeth.
