Earlier this month, The Ford Motor Company invited 150 of the world´s most influential automotive, design, art, lifestyle, green and fashion bloggers to be their guests at the North American International Auto Show 2012, in Detroit, Michigan.
I had never been to Detroit before but had a preconceived idea of the place thanks to Eminem and 8 mile road. It´s not the most attractive metropolis but things are looking up for Motor City. I walked away from the NAIAS experience with a positive outlook. Motor manufacturers are manufacturing and customers are demanding green, smart cars.
Live Eco was honored to be selected as one of the 150 bloggers for this brilliant social media initiative – a clear demonstration of Ford´s growing appreciation and commitment to new media.
The trip coincided with the launch of the new Driving America Exhibition at The Henry Ford Museum. Us bloggers got to attend a special preview of the exhibition the night before the NAIAS. Driving America is a collection of historically significant automobiles and includes the Reagan car, a 1972 Lincoln, as well as some of the early electric cars. It´s a fantastic and informative exhibition for anyone who has an affinity for cars.
Driving America at The Henry Ford Museum
The main event which started out our day at the NAIAS, was a press conference hosted by Bill Ford, Henry Ford´s grandson; where the all-new Ford Fusion was launched.
The new Ford Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, each with expected top fuel economy, underscoring Ford´s commitment to give customers the power of choice.
Revealed in North America as the midsize Fusion sedan, this all-new car signals the next-generation Ford Mondeo for world markets. For more on the new Ford Fusion, check out http://FordFusionStory.com
New Technology
Ford has recently setup a new Silicon Valley lab to work with technology start-ups, with the likes of Apple, Microsoft and other smaller start-ups. The aim of this is to bring fantastic, innovative technology to customers at affordable prices.
MyFord Touch powered by SYNC (Microsoft technology) is one of these new technologies which includes phone, entertainment, navigation and climate control, which can all be voice controlled, on clear, colorful LCD touch screens. We got to test this out and it works fantastically, you just got to watch out for strong accents! I love that you are able to personalize your vehicle in this way. Smart and Safe.
Ford´s main priorities are Quality, Green, Safe and Smart and judging by what I saw in Detroit they are getting it right in all of the above. I can´t wait to see this new technology on SA shores.
*Ford Motor Company paid for my travel and accommodations at the 2-day Innovation and Design Fantasy Camp event, I was not compensated in any other manner for my time. My opinions posted here are my own.
