Ford Named Among World’s Most Ethical Companies

Posted on March 20, 2014 by admin

Ford Most Ethical Company 203Ford Motor Company is making positive headlines again for the fifth consecutive year. Ethisphere Institute (a leading think tank dedicated to the advancement of best practices in business ethics, social responsibility, anticorruption and sustainability) has recognized Ford has been recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies.

Ford Cars, Ford Trucks, Ford SUVsThe American automaker is among 144 companies selected from thousands of businesses around the globe. Ford is the only automaker to receive the honor for 2014, and one of just a few companies to earn the recognition five times.

Ford has been selected for its corporate responsibility efforts, governance and business practices. To see the entire Ford lineup of vehicles now available, visit www.ReedHasIt.com.  For more information about the award and the entire list of the world’s most ethical companies can be found here.

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Two Ford Cars in Top 10 Cool Cars Under $25k

Posted on March 10, 2014 by admin

Say “so long” to the days where cool cars cost as much as a house. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) recently noted both the 2013 Mustang and the 2013 Focus ST as two of the top ten coolest cars you can buy for under $25,000.

2013 MustangRegarding the Mustang, KBB notes: “Even in V6 form, the seminal American pony car remains a highly desirable travelmate. Bolder front and rear fascias add even more visual kick for 2013, while an optional V6 Performance Package lets you take full advantage of the 305 spirited horses underhood.”

Our customers tend to agree, and so do we. With a sleek, sporty body style and high-powered engine, the 2013 Mustang delivers the high-performance American muscle you expect without the bulky price tag. Check out what Road & Track Magazine said of the 2013 Mustang.

KBB also lists the Focus ST among the top ten. Again, this comes as no surprise as the Focus ST offers a lot of bang for your buck. With a extensive range of features available, the Focus ST is one of the coolest sub-$25k cars on the market. Here’s a few of the features that we think make it cool without making it cost.2013 Focus ST

  • 2.0L EcoBoost engine with 252 horsepower and 270 ft.-lb. of torque
  • Standard with 18-inch aluminum wheels, chin and rear spoilers, push-button start, and 6-speaker audio system with SYNC and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Unique ST sport suspension and independent rear suspension

With standard features like these, it’s no wonder that Kelley Blue Book ranks two Ford models, the 2013 Mustang and 2013 Focus ST, as two of the coolest cars under $25,000. You’ll find the Mustang, Focus ST, and other several other Ford models by visiting us at www.ReedHasIt.com!

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Ford Spotlights International Women’s Day

Posted on March 7, 2014 by admin

Ford Spotlights International Women's DayAs part of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8th, 2014), Ford is celebrating the integral role that women have played over the past 50 years in the development and production of the Ford Mustang. Ford is also showcasing a handful of key women involved in the creation and development of the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang. Read about the role of a few of these ladies here, and see their work in action in the video below!

Women have long been a strong influence on the progression of this American muscle car, not to mention that the first Mustang sold was purchased by a woman in Chicago (2 days before they even went on sale!) Even today, women continue to hold vital positions at Ford Motor Co. with a wide array of roles, including engineering, customer drive experience, and vehicle aesthetics oversight.

Join us along with Ford Motor Company as we celebrate the irreplaceable influence that women have had in one of the most iconic cars in American history. Find your favorite Ford vehicles like the Mustang and more at www.ReedHasIt.com!

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Need for Speed Mustang GT Races to Auction

Posted on March 3, 2014 by admin
Need for Speed Mustang2014-03-03 at 12.24.23 PM

Ford Mustang GT, Need for Speed movie star, rolling to Barrett-Jackson auction block for charity.

The custom 2014 Ford Mustang GT that starred in “Need for Speed,” is heading off to be auctioned off for charity by Ford Motor Company. It goes up on the block at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction on April 12.

The awesome ‘stang appears in the movie which premiers March 14. The famous Ford Mustang will be offered with reserve and all the proceeds will benefit the Henry Ford Health System, a not-for-profit group founded by Mr. Ford to improve the health and well-being of a the community. Check out this extended preview…


“Need for Speed” is the latest of over  3,200 film and TV appearances for Mustang over the past 50 years. The Mustang being auctioned is one a a distinct few that were developed specifically for the movie and promotional engagements.

The sleek sliver-screen star boasts a custom-designed wide body rolling on unique Forgiato 22-inch alloy wheels. Other unique elements include an enlarged lower grille with new air intakes, extended rocker panels, a twin-snorkel hood and low-profile mirrors. The visual sizzle is highlighted by custom silver paint with Kona Blue racing stripes and angel-eye fog lamps in the grille.

“Mustang was cast in a leading role of the movie with screen time equal to many of the actors,” said Steve Ling, North America car marketing manager for Ford. “Director Scott Waugh challenged our team to give this central character enough personality and American masculinity to take on some of the world’s most exotic cars, just like in the popular Electronic Arts video game that inspired the movie.

Ford Health System was founded in 1915. It is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems. It provides health insurance and health-care delivery. You can learn more at http://www.henryford.com.

Want your own fab Ford Mustang? Shop online anytime from anywhere at www.ReedHasIt.com!

 

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MotorWeek Names Ford Fiesta ST Best Subcompact

Posted on February 10, 2014 by admin
Ford Fiesta wins MotorWeek Award!

Ford Fiesta wins MotorWeek Award!

MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Subcompact Car goes to… the 2014 Ford Fiesta ST! For its combination of power, reliability and innovation, the Fiesta has earned yet another amazing accolade.

The European-style five-door Fiesta ST “packs a potent performance punch,” according to MotorWeek. It cites the Ford’s 197-horsepower 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine and a “lowered suspension that carries the goods through corners.”

While the Fiesta ST was designed to be fun, that doesn’t mean that drivers have to pay extra for that the pump. The Fiesta returns an EPA-estimated 35 mpg on the highway.

This compact machine sports a unique grille and chin spoiler with new rear diffuser and fascia. Bright tipped dual-exhaust pipes and high-mount spoiler along with unique 17-inch wheels complete the visual package.

As for how it drives.  The steering is more direct and responsive. It has a unique suspension with modified front knuckle makes for a quicker overall steering ratio of 13.6:1. The rear axle gets increased roll stiffness to improve stability through fast corners, while the Fiesta ST body sits 15 millimeters closer to the ground than the base model.

Increased mechanical grip provided by the suspension improvements is further enhanced with electronic Torque Vectoring Control which reduces understeer during hard cornering maneuvers. Three-mode electronic stability control – standard, sport or off – enables the ST driver to select the amount of electronic aid based on current conditions.

When you’re ready to drive a new Ford or Fiesta for yourself, check out www.ReedHasIt.com for a huge selection of vehicles!

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Alan Mulally Looks at F-150 and Ford’s Growth Plan

Posted on February 2, 2014 by admin
mulally_naias_sv1_1355_large

Alan Mulally, Ford CEO at NAIAS

Wondering what is happening at Ford? Some of the biggest news in the auto industry recently was Ford unveiling its new pickup at at the North American International Auto Show.

Huge names were there to see what Ford had to offer, including financial gurus from The Motley Fool — John Rosevear and Rex Moore. It’s always interesting to hear their take on things In a recent blog, they said: “we can tell you that it was a very impressive event. Not so much for the theatrics of the truck’s unveiling — although that was fun — but because Ford managed to present a complete state of the company update in less than half an hour.”

Other folks on hand included Executive Chairman Bill Ford and, of course, CEO Alan Mulally. He gave a comprehensive overview of Ford’s global growth plans and strategy — emphasizing the importance of small cars, as well as trucks, to Ford’s global ambitions.

If you missed it, here is a brief recap….

When you’re ready to shop for a new Ford, check out ReedHasIt.com. You can shop online for multiple brands from the comfort of your home or office. Like the Reed Factor on Facebook and follow me on Twitter, too! We will make sure to follow you.

 

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Randall Reed Receives Ford’s Salute to Dealers for Contributions to the Community

Posted on January 25, 2014 by admin

We are very excited to share some wonderful news…

SaluteToDealerLowResindexFord Motor Company announces Randall Reed, owner of World Class Automotive Group, is awarded its Salute to Dealers recognition for providing outstanding products and services while improving the lives of individuals and their communities at his Planet Ford store in Humble, Texas.

This video, produced by Salute to Dealers, shows how much the Reeds and the dealerships truly care about community…

Salute to Dealers is a Ford community service initiative that identifies and honors Dealer Principals who improve the lives of those in need.  “The dealer nominees’ and honorees’ impact on their communities is extraordinary! Each year, as a group, they provide support for and participate in hundreds of programs for a multitude of worthy causes,” reads the award recognition statement.

Reed family and Planet Ford donate a new school marquee to the local middle school

Reed family and Planet Ford donate a new school marquee to the local middle school

Mr. Reed was nominated for recognition from the Ford Houston Region based on his commitment to community, furthering education and assisting children with special needs. His donations and leadership provide support to battered services including women’s shelters and school systems with items including books, computers, I-pads, band instruments, fixtures, facilities and playgrounds. In addition, Mr. Reed and his team help raise funds for centers that assist families and children with learning disabilities.

Randall and Sherry Reed, Planet Ford in Humble give a new Ford Escape to the Humble ISD Teacher of the Year!

Randall and Sherry Reed, Planet Ford in Humble give a new Ford Escape to the Humble ISD Teacher of the Year!

Moreover, for the past two years, Mr. Reed has led the effort within the Humble, TX Independent School District to provide an annual Teacher of the Year award that includes a gala event at which he presents a new Ford vehicle to the top educator. This year, his generosity has expanded to include additional teacher and student scholarship recognition in other communities where he owns automotive dealerships.

Left to right: Chuck Kramer, GM; Kristi Williams, Community Relations; Randall Reed, CEO of World Class Automotive present a check to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Left to right: Chuck Kramer, GM; Kristi Williams, Community Relations; Randall Reed, CEO of World Class Automotive present a check to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

“Over the past 25 years, our family of Texas dealerships has won dozens of awards, but this one, by far, is the one I cherish the most,” said Mr. Reed. “I am thrilled to receive this award, on behalf of my partners at Planet Ford, Chuck and Claire Kramer, Bob and Nancy Taylor, and most of all Kristi Williams, our director of community relations that single handedly made this award possible for our store.  But honestly, the biggest reward is experiencing first-hand how giving back impacts the kids and residents of our community.”

ExploringNewCustomTransportationforMosaicBestBuddiesAn example of this is that while shooting the recognition video for Edsel Ford at the National Automotive Dealers Association annual meeting, Mr. Reed spoke with the local representative of the Best Buddies and Mosaic programs, which assists and also provides transportation for children and people with special needs. He learned the group was in need of a safer vehicle, so his Planet Ford family promptly arranged for the donation of a 2013 Ford Expedition.

Ford honored Mr. Reed at the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) Convention in New Orleans, LA on January 24. The honorees received a portrait that captures the dealers’ involvement in their communities. The portrait will be included in the Salute to Dealers exhibit in the lobby of Ford’s World Headquarters in Detroit, MI. It will join those of previous Salute to Dealers honorees for perpetuity.

About World Class Automotive Group

World Class Automotive Group is family owned by Randall and Sherry Reed. The business is comprised of dealerships throughout Texas & Oklahoma, including: Planet Ford in Humble, Planet Ford in Spring, Planet Lincoln in Spring, Prestige Ford in Garland, Park Cities Ford Lincoln in Dallas, and Randall Reed Ford in Oklahoma City.

“The gifted man bears his gifts into the world, not for his own benefit, but for the people among whom he is placed; for the gifts are not his, he himself is a gift to the community.” HENRY FORD, 1926

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Ford Teams Up with MIT, Stanford for Automated Driving Research

Posted on January 23, 2014 by admin
Ford researches future of automated driving with MIT and Stanford.

Ford researches future of automated driving with MIT and Stanford.

Talk about Ford’ward thinking. Ford has already been working on an an automated Ford Fusion Hybrid research vehicle, which they unveiled last month. Now, Ford has  announced some projects they are doing in conjunction with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University. They are working to research and develop solutions to some of the technical challenges surrounding automated driving.

This may sound like stuff right out of the future, and you’re right! Automated driving is a key component of Ford’s Blueprint for Mobility, which outlines what transportation will look like in 2025 and ford’ward. In addition, it looks at the technologies, business models and partnerships required to get there. With its automated Fusion Hybrid research vehicle at the center of all the action, Ford is exploring potential solutions for the longer-term societal, legislative and technological issues that we all could face with a future of fully automated driving.

Check out this video…

“To deliver on our vision for the future of mobility, we need to work with many new partners across the public and private sectors, and we need to start today,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and Vice President, Ford research and innovation. “Working with university partners like MIT and Stanford enables us to address some of the longer-term challenges surrounding automated driving while exploring more near-term solutions for delivering an even safer and more efficient driving experience.”

The automated Fusion Hybrid is unique because it is the first to use the same technology Ford Automated Driving Sensors - part of stanford researchalready in Ford vehicles in dealer showrooms. They then added four LiDAR sensors to generate a real-time 3D map of the vehicle’s surrounding environment.

While the vehicle can sense objects around it using the LiDAR sensors, Ford’s research with MIT uses advanced algorithms to help the vehicle learn to predict where moving vehicles and pedestrians could be in the future. Armed with this “predictive data,” provides  the vehicle with a better sense of the surrounding risks, enabling it to plan a path that will safely avoid pedestrians, vehicles and other moving objects/hazards.

Ford is also working with Stanford to explore how the sensors can see around obstacles. Usually, when a driver’s view is blocked by an obstacle like a big truck, the driver may try to maneuver within the lane to take a look around it and see what is ahead. Similarly, this research would enable the sensors to “take a peek ahead” and make evasive maneuvers as required.

 

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New 2015 Ford F-150 Makes Detroit Auto Show Debut

Posted on January 13, 2014 by admin

2015FordF-15SmartestTruckAfter much anticipation, Ford Motor Co. has unveiled the all-new F-150 truck at the Detroit auto show. Along with it comes the announcement of some huge changes for America’s top-selling vehicle.

From nose to tailgate, the 2015 Ford F-150 is a new truck down to its signature feature – an all-new, fully boxed ladder frame with more high-strength steel than ever. This helps to make it stronger yet lighter.

Plus, for the first time, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys are used throughout the F-150 body. These alloys, already used in aerospace, commercial transportation and other industries, make the new truck’s body lighter, stronger and more resistant to dents. Overall, the F-150 is up to 700 pounds lighter, helping the truck tow and haul more, accelerate and stop faster, and operate more efficiently.

Check this out…

Changes were made under the hood as well. There are four engine options that include an all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost® with standard Auto Start-Stop technology, delivering an important combination of power and efficiency.BedShot_R02 copy

Bumper-to-bumper, the next-generation F-150 takes advantage of Ford’s state-of-the-art technologies to offer the smartest F-150 ever built. Features include: a 360-degree rear camera, dynamic trailer hitch assist and a host of driver-assist technologies put F-150’s truck smarts at the head of the class.

Longing for a Ford F-150 now? Check out www.ReedHasIt.com for all your automotive needs!

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Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept Goes Off the Grid

Posted on January 6, 2014 by admin
C-Max Solar

C-Max Solar

Always moving Ford’ward… The Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is the first-of-its-kind sun-powered vehicle. It has the potential to deliver the best of a plug-in hybrid without depending on the electric grid for fuel.

The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept has a solar panel roof that draws power from a special solar concentrator lens similar to a magnifying glass. By using renewable power, the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is estimated to reduce the annual greenhouse gas emissions a typical owner would produce by four metric tons.

Check Out the C-Max Hybrid & It’s “Kickin'” Features…

“Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept shines a new light on electric transportation and renewable energy,” said Mike Tinskey, Ford global director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure. “As an innovation leader, we want to further the public dialog about the art of the possible in moving the world toward a cleaner future.”

The concept vehicle takes a day’s worth of sunlight to deliver the same performance as the conventional C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid. Ford C-MAX Energi gets a combined best miles per gallon equivalent in its class, with EPA-estimated 108 MPGe city and 92 MPGe highway, for a combined 100 MPGe.

The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept will be on display at the 2014 International CES in Las Vegas from Jan. 7-10. It debuts as Ford’s strong electrified vehicle lineup is expected to post a record 85,000-plus sales for 2013.

When you’re ready to shop for a Ford C-MAX or other great fuel-efficient vehicles, check out our huge selection at ReedHasIt.com! You can choose from thousands of new vehicles including: Ford trucks, Ford cars, Ford SUVs, Lincoln cars, Lincoln SUVs, Volkswagen cars, Volkswagen SUVs and tons of pre-owned vehicles.

 

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