Sunset Ford Dealer home of a great selection of new and used Ford cars in South County MO is committed to keeping its loyal customers and blog readers updated on the latest in automotive news.

In recent news, automotive legend Carroll Shelby passed away.  The following statement is attributable to Edsel B. Ford II, member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company and great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company.

“Today, we have lost a legend in Ford Motor Company’s history, and my family and I have lost a dear friend. Carroll Shelby is one of the most recognized names in performance car history, and he’s been successful at everything he’s done. Whether helping Ford dominate the 1960s racing scene or building some of the most famous Mustangs, his enthusiasm and passion for great automobiles over six decades has truly inspired everyone who worked with him. He was a great innovator whose legend at Ford never will be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Carroll Shelby was a member of the Ford family for nearly 60 years, producing spectacular performance vehicles.  Shelby said that his passion for performance cars were always at a peak when he worked with Ford Motor Company.

Shelby worked with Ford on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang which has been deemed the most powerful production V8 engine in the world, working up until the age of 88.

According to Ford News; “Carroll Shelby was nearly 30 years old before he entered his first car race – a quarter-mile drag meet in 1952. The hot rod he drove to the finish line that day was powered by a Ford V8.”  “Shelby’s first Ford derivatives were the legendary Cobras and Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s. He was heavily involved in the design and engineering of the Ford Shelby Cobra Concept car unveiled in 2004, and was a key member of the dream team that built the 2005 Ford GT.”

Ford News reports that “Carroll Shelby may have gotten a late start, but he was a winner from the beginning. Just two years into his driving career, Aston Martin racing manager John Wyer recruited him to co-drive a DB3 at Sebring. Within months, the chicken farmer from Texas was bumping elbows and trading paint with the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill and Paul Frère. Driving an Aston Martin DBR1 with Roy Salvadori, he won Europe’s prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959.”

“In January 1965 Ford hired Shelby to lend his expertise to the GT40 campaign. Three cars had run the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans, but none finished. Shelby began installing the more reliable 7-liter stock car engine in what would come to be known as the GT40 Mark II. It proved considerably faster than the Mark I, and in just two seasons became a strong contender. In 1966 the GT40 began a domination of endurance car racing that would last for four years.”

“While Ford and Shelby took on Ferrari at Le Mans, at home they fought Corvette. The first effort was the legendary Shelby Cobra, a Ford-powered, Shelby-engineered derivative of the AC Ace. The car had a one-ton weight advantage over the Corvette,” says Ford News.

Sunset Ford home of a great lineup of new and used Ford cars in Eureka, is pleased to announce that Ford is jumping on the band wagon when it comes to volunteering.  The Ford Accelerated Action Day includes over 700 Ford Volunteer Corps members getting involved in saving the environment.

Ford is donating $110,000 for supplies and tools to help volunteers at Ford Motor Company to complete over 36 new projects with other community organizations.

The volunteers are working on various projects across the country including 9 different states including; Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina and Washington.

Some of the projects that Ford volunteers are involved with are; planting gardens, installing rain barrels, creating trails, building birdhouses, and feeding the hungry to name a few.

“Ford volunteers are making important contributions to a better world by working together with our nonprofit partners to improve the environment and promote sustainability in our communities,” said Robert Brown, vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “We’re committed to building a stronger business and a better world. It’s part of Ford’s legacy of social responsibility that has endured for more than 100 years.”

Projects in Michigan which will receive grant money include;

• Advanced Technology Academy, Dearborn: Build student-designed birdhouses
• Angels’ Place, West Bloomfield: Build raised garden beds and install rain barrels
• Arbor Hospice, Ann Arbor: Build a gazebo, retreat space for families
• Boy Scouts D-bar-A Ranch, Metamora: Clean banks of stream and construct footbridge
• Grandmont Rosedale Development Corp., Detroit: Restore four baseball fields
• Habitat Huron Valley, Ann Arbor: Install kitchen cabinets, countertops and flooring in houses
• HAVEN, Pontiac: Create swales in organic garden to increase crop growth
• International Wildlife Refuge, Trenton: Build and install boardwalk and bike rack, plant trees
• Liberty Hill Housing, Wayne: Improve and restore landscaping at four homes
• Lutheran Child & Family Services, Farmington Hills: Install ecologically sound landscaping
• Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor: Correct trail erosion with stable gravel surface
• Recycle Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor: Utilize recycled materials to construct storage, work areas
• Salvation Army-Echo Grove Camp, Leonard: Construct boardwalk and footbridge in wetland
• Samaritan Center, Detroit: Develop outdoor play area and provide outdoor education space
• Starfish Family Services, Inkster: Prepare Grow and Learn Garden, build compost bins
• U-M Dearborn E.I.C., Dearborn: Construct wooden beehive boxes, build beekeepers shed
• Veterans Hospital, Detroit: Establish green space in rooftop Healing Garden for veterans
• YMCA Western Wayne, Inkster: Construct educational garden for Head Start children

“It’s a good feeling to help create a better world, and Ford volunteers bring positive energy and a commitment to the community with every project they tackle,” said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. “We’re proud to be able to help our neighbors in need.”

Sunset Ford Dealer, home of a great lineup of new Ford cars near House Springs is pleased to announce that the 2012 Ford Warriors in Pink collection apparel is available on line at fordcars.com.  The program supports survivors of breast cancer with proceeds collected on the website. Ford Motor Company has raised over $115 million over the past 18 years in the fight against breast cancer. Ford’s program was developed to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and the new campaign highlights stories of 11 survivors who are inspiring others to get involved in the fight. “The Ford Warriors in Pink campaign recognizes the strength and courage it takes to deal with the daily challenges of fighting breast cancer,” said Tracy Magee, Ford’s primary brand experiential manager. “We are so thrilled to highlight these inspirational women and men as our Models of Courage. We hope their personal stories and experiences with breast cancer will help raise awareness and serve to inspire those on the front lines battling breast cancer.” The Warriors in Pink accessories are created for women, men, as well as kids, with symbols that stand for the message of hope and strength in the fight against breast cancer. On the website this year, shoppers are able to select from 4 different charities to give to including;

• Susan G. Komen for the Cure – empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures for breast cancer.
• Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (DSLRF) – With over 365,000 volunteers from around the country conducts research, funds research, and fast tracks research with the unique mission of moving breast cancer beyond a cure by understanding the causes and ways to prevent it.
• The Pink Fund – Provides financial aid in the form of direct bill payment on behalf of breast cancer patients in active treatment.
• Young Survival Coalition – improves the lives of thousands of young women with breast cancer. 1 in 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45 years old. YSC provides free resources and programs to support, educate and empower these women.

Sunset Ford, home of a great selection of new Ford trucks near Eureka is pleased to announce that Ford Motor Company plans to produce close to 40,000 more Ford cars and trucks this summer by lowering its summer reduction of workers at several North American plants. Ford will keep as many as 13 plants including Ford Motor Company will produce nearly 40,000 additional vehicles this summer by idling 13 plants, including 6 assembly plants. “We are working most of our North America plants at maximum capacity and we are adding production shifts in three of our assembly plants this month alone,” said Jim Tetreault, vice president of North America Manufacturing. “Requiring more capacity from our plants is a good problem to have and having the flexibility to add a week of production in our plants goes a long way toward solving it.” The Ford assembly plants including Chicago Assembly, Dearborn, Kentucky Truck, Louisville Assembly, Michigan Assembly, an Kansas City Assembly plants will have just one week shut down instead of the usual 2 week closure in order to keep up with the demands for more Ford trucks. Other plants that will only close for one week are the; Dearborn Engine, Chicago Stamping, Cleveland, Engine No 2, Lima Engine, Essex Engine, Sterling, and Rawsonville plants. According to Ford News; “Ford’s production boost due to its altered summer shutdown schedule is consistent with the company’s plan to increase its annual vehicle production capacity by 400,000 units.” To test drive a top selling new or used Ford truck in Missouri or Illinois, visit your local Sunset Ford dealer located in Waterloo and St. Louis.  You won’t be disappointed!

The 2010 Ford Expedition competes effectively with Chevrolet’s Tahoe and Suburban.

Many consumers feel that the Full Size SUV days have come to an end with the number of crossovers available which can seat as many people as a full sized SUV.  Buyers are selecting more affordable fuel efficient options today, but there continues to be a market for the larger SUVs.  According to Edmunds.com “”For those with the need for a large SUV, the 2010 Ford Expedition should be on your short list.”

The interior of the Expedition is said to bring “the most praise,” according to reviewers.  The 2^nd and 3^rd row folds flat into the floor easily with the press of a button.  The passenger space in the Expedition’s interior seating offers ample space for adults which is according to the test drivers; “is a rarity in this class.”

The Expedition is the same as the Lincoln Navigator.  For 2010 there are many changes such as trailer sway control and the standard MyKey system, as well as an additional 15 inches of length.

“Built on the solid F-series pickup chassis, the Expedition is a traditional full-size SUV that delivers quiet operation, a supple ride, and attractive interior décor.” — Car and Driver

“Expedition is an excellent vehicle for those who genuinely need the power and space of a large truck-type SUV.” — Consumer Guide

“Simply beats a comparable [Chevrolet] Suburban at its own game.” — Motor Trend

“Sure, you might want to think about something that uses less fuel if all you’re buying it for is getting to work and back, or picking up the kids from school and driving them to T-ball practice and gymnastics, but for those who need to tow or haul eight adults.”

To test drive a new or used Ford Expedition in Missouri or Illinois, visit your local Sunset Ford dealer in West Chester and Waterloo today, you won’t be disappointed!

Sunset Ford, home of a great lineup of new Ford cars in Waterloo Illinois is pleased to announce that Ford Motor Company has announced that the company and Automotive Components Holdings have announced signing of agreements with Faurecia for sale of ACH’s automotive interior trim components at the ACH Saline plant

The sale is scheduled to close on June 1^st this year.

Most all of the employees currently working at the business have been offered continued employment.

The agreement was to form a joint venture “Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS), between Faurecia and Rush Group Ltd., part of the Rush Group of companies that includes one of Ford’s largest minority- and woman-owned suppliers. DMS will do injection molding, assembly and sequencing of interior trim parts. About 500 people are expected to be employed at the DMS facility in Detroit,” according to Ford News.

“This announcement is an important milestone for Ford and ACH and marks a major development in our journey to develop a financially healthy, diverse supply base,” said Tony Brown, group vice president, Ford Global Purchasing. “Ford also is proud to play a role in helping to revitalize Detroit at this critical time for the city.”

The Saline plant plans to focus on core technologies like an injection molding, skin manufacturing, and foam operations.

“I am pleased that the sale of the Saline ACH business ensures the retention of jobs for UAW members and communities surrounding the Saline plant while helping rebuild Detroit,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president and director of the National Ford Department. “The UAW is committed to diversity and looks forward to continuing our productive relationship with the Rush Group.”

“This sale is another significant and noteworthy step as we move closer to achieving our strategic vision for Automotive Components Holdings,” said Mark Blair, ACH president and CEO.

Sunset Ford, home of a great lineup of new Ford cars in Waterloo Illinois is pleased to announce that the Ford Fusion and Ford Edge set all-time high April records with 21,610 Fusions and 10,520 Edge models sold.  Ford Motor Company April U.S. sales totaled 180,350

The Ford Explorer also reported a record high last month, its best April sales since 2005 with 13,419 vehicles sold.  Ford Explorer sold 47,037 units up 12 percent year to date.

Of course the top selling vehicle in the U.S., Ford F-Series were up again.  Ford posted a 4% gain in April compared to the same period last year with  47,453 trucks sold, its best April sales since as far back as 2007.  Ford EcoBoost engine sales accounted for 42% of all F 150 retail sales.

According to Ford News; “U.S. sales of some of Ford Motor Company’s most fuel-efficient vehicles grew again in April, with the Ford Fusion and Edge setting all-time April records, Explorer reporting its best April sales since 2005 and F-Series sales reaching its best April sales since 2007.”

Ford Fusion was another model that set a sales record in April with 21,610 units sold.   In fact, according to Ford News; “Fusion set an April record with 21,610 sales. Focus sales were up 13 percent for the month, totaling 19,425 cars. Year-to-date Focus sales are up 57 percent, marking the strongest start for Focus since 2001.”

The new Ford Edge set an April record as well with 10,520 units sold, a 6% increase over 2011 April sales.  Year to date, Edge has sold 43,428 units.

To test drive a new or used Ford vehicle, contact your local Illinois Ford Dealer, Sunset Ford today, you won’t be disappointed!

Sunset Ford Dealer, home of a great selection of new Ford cars near Red Bud is pleased to announce that TechShop offers Metro Detroit residents an opportunity to access classes, coaching and state of the art tools in order to transform ideas into form.

The Employee Patent Incentive Award program provides free membership to Ford employees who submit inventions.

TechShop is Michigans latest “do-it-yourself” workshop, immolating Henry Ford’s first ever motorized vehicle which was assembled in his backyard shed.

According to Ford News; “It’s an individual within a growing movement of people interested in turning their ideas into reality – whether these are one-off art objects or potentially marketable products – someone who might not have the tools or know-how to get it done.”

Ford was instrumental in helping bring TechShop to Detroit with help from Bill Coughlin CEO of Ford Global Technologies.  Coughlin’s goal is the help promote innovation among Ford engineers.

“Innovation and invention are at the core of Ford Motor Company,” he says. “When I heard about TechShop and how they are inspiring and helping a new generation of inventors, I had to find a way to lure them to Detroit. Not only is it a great opportunity for the community, but it will be a strategic tool to spur creativity and new ideas within the Ford engineering community to help us continue to build our intellectual property portfolio.”

Inventors are now eligible for the Employee Patent Incentive Award program and can receive a 3 month free membership for submitting an invention deemed worthy of a patent.  This program was launched in 1988 and it provided financial rewards to Ford employees.

There are an estimated 2,000 incentive memberships provided to Ford employees each year.  Invention submission is up 30% this year compared to last year’s submissions.

“By collaborating with TechShop Inc. to bring this new facility to southeast Michigan, we hope both to inspire and enable some of the great minds that live in this region to create, experiment and invent,” said Venkatesh Prasad, senior technical leader, Ford Research and Innovation. “At TechShop, the many creative people including talented engineers, designers and scientists who work in the auto industry can exercise their imaginations and innovate well beyond their usual job description.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Ford – a company that truly embraces the open innovation model – to drive innovation in the Greater Metro Detroit area,” said Jim Newton, TechShop founder. “TechShop provides a great resource to Ford employees and the many other local entrepreneurs looking to incubate new technologies, as part of Detroit’s growing innovation community.”

Sunset Ford Dealer, home of a great lineup of new Ford cars in Waterloo Illinois is pleased to announce that Ford Motor Company has offered free memberships to employees who participate in offering ideas for new inventions to TechShop which is a “do-it-yourself workshop and fabrication studio.”

Ford Safety Electronics Manager, Steven Schondorf works on development of the use of radar for collision mitigation technologies and airbag control modules.  Schondorf’s primary responsibility is keeping drivers safe if an accident occurs.

According to Ford News; “the radar-based safety system Schondorf and his team produce will be featured in the 2013 Ford Fusion, one of seven “must-have” technologies. When activated, the system “looks” down the road, adjusting Fusion’s speed if slower traffic is detected. If a potential crash is spotted, the radar enables braking support to help mitigate the situation.”

A patent that Schondorf implemented as a result of getting his car stuck in deep snow resulted in Schondorf being awarded a membership to TechShop.

“I couldn’t get unstuck, no matter how much I rocked it back and forth,” he said. “And it gave me this idea we called ‘Stuck in snow mode,’ a way for the car to automatically get out of the snow.”  Schondorg’s idea is to develop new technology which allows cars to drive in a pattern that would “rock the car out of the snow,” according to Ford News.

“The process of experimenting at TechShop by taking an idea, visualizing what it should be and translating it to a real object helps me to be more creative in my work on a regular basis.”

Another participant in TechShop, James Marleau’s job at Ford is to maximize the functionality of the side door.  “In the real world, as the closure system engineer explains, that means his team’s job is to make sure doors seal securely, keep water out, reduce unwanted noise, and more. His team takes care of a lot of things drivers might not even notice – unless they didn’t work.”

“We have a very holistic approach when we look at doors,” Marleau says. “We look at everything as an entire system that has to work together to give drivers the quality they expect and the results they need.”

“TechShop is very people-friendly, and everyone wants to collaborate,” Marleau says. “Everyone brings their own piece of knowledge to the table. When I’m there, I might be attacking something from one direction, but someone else will suggest another way, which can give me a new way of looking at a problem.”

Sunset Ford, home of a great selection of new Ford trucks in St. Louis is pleased to announce that Ford has taken top honors for its award winning trucks yet again. AOL Auto’s editor’s choice has deemed the Ford F 150 XLT Supercab 3.5 L EcoBoost as the leading truck brand in the United States.  The F 150 has a long track record of offering reliability and the truck has a long line of loyal owners.

The F Series offers a wide selection of options and features in trucks starting in the low $20,000s and going all the way up in price to luxury level for those who prefer to ride in a truck that is all decked out in leather and chrome.  There are many other options such as many options for towing packages and dual rear wheels.

According to Ford News; The Ford F-150 XLT SuperCab with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine has earned AOL Autos’ Editors’ Choice award as Best Pickup Truck in America. The F-150 beat out the Ram, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tacoma for top honors. EPA ratings for F-150 with EcoBoost are 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, with starting MSRP $25,695. Also on the list, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, which rounded out AOL’s top five.”

If you are looking for an award winning ford truck available in the mid $30,000 with options, you can get what editors call a “serious workhorse truck.”  The interior cabin is well appointed in the 4 door Ford F 150 with EcoBoost engine and the truck offers a lot of power without the extra cost at the pump.

The EcoBoost twin turbo direct injection engine offers 365 hp and 420 lb/ft of torque.  EcoBoost is a power horse when it comes to towing and hauling with power equivalent to an 8 cylinder and even more torque.

The F Series EcoBoost truck was rated the best pickup truck on the market today when considering fuel economy, value, and working capacity.