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Remember when Leno left the show, but didn’t really leave and then there was that whole fiasco with the orange haired guy? Well forget about the guy and check out the orange car he donated to the Petersen museum. more Everyone knows that Jay Leno is a car enthusiast. That is to say, Leno owns more cars than you do toothpicks. Don’t think about that too hard, we’re moving on. The day of the internal combustion engine are numbered if you talk to some experts. It is no secret that we’d all love not to have to pull up to a pump that asks if you want to spend a week’s worth of grocery money in your fuel tank. It is getting crazy. It may be a while before you see any electric cars humming down the streets of Lawrenceburg. Ford F150 owners would need retraining to look lower to the ground for other cars, that’s for sure. That’s not to say you can find a good hybrid in the mean time. If you’re around Lawrenceburg, Ford Fusion comes is several styles including a half gas half electric. However, I in no way encourage any of you to drive off the lot with an orange one. Obviously the whole point of buying a car is to stand out and yell look at me! Wait, I’m just being told that it isn’t the whole point. You’re telling me that gas mileage, conveyance, and comfort are also big factors in the decision. Well this just rocks my whole understanding of the auto industry. Seriously though, if you’re looking for a new car and want to save some money on the deal and at the pump, head over to O’brien Ford and let us show you the goods. Whether you’re looking for a hybrid to save some money with, or a work truck to make some money with, we’ll be glad to help you. I could go into a whole Tom Bodett lecture with my sweet and compelling deep voice, but you’re reading this and that’s not going to help. Besides there is no way I’m leaving the light on for you all night long.

It is not often that America Builds something overseas only to then ship it over here. Ok, to honest there are a lot of things we do that with, but bare with me for a moment. Introducing the new, well new to us anyway, Ford Euro Focus. more What Is It? One of the great things that separates our culture on this side of the Atlantic from our cousins on the other side, is here in America we have what is known as a driving culture. Believe it or not, if you’ve never visited Europe, the amount of people who own their own cars is significantly less per capita than here in the United States. Europe evolved into the modern age with a greater focus on public transportation that we here in the greatest country in the world. Why? Land mass is the easiest answer to that question. There aren’t hardly any countries in Europe, if any at all, that could equal the landmass of Texas. What does that mean? It means that the great distances more commonly traveled here would be near impossible to network by anything other than roads. Which of course then translates into us all having cars to drive on them to wherever our hearts desire. What Is Coming? On the note of us doing all the driving, we commonly discuss gas prices. Bottom line here is that they are terrible. I’m not going to get political, so I’ll simply say that the car that people want that can deliver the gas mileage they dream of, well sir that car would be king. Naturally here at O’brien, we’re hoping it’s a Ford. If you need to work around Shelbyville, used Ford Superduty will get the job done. It may not be pretty on mileage, but you’ve got a job to do.  If you’re just driving around Shelbyville, used cars may fit a little better into your budget. However, if you’re a little patient, you might take a look at the 2012 Ford Focus from Europe and see what they play with over there.

Ring the bell because Ford is turning up the heat on the Hybrid competition and this fight is going to get serious. All kidding aside, the old blue oval has really outdone itself yet again. If you’re looking for an American made car that gets you all those bragging rights your foreign owning friends have, get in your gas guzzler and head to O’brien Ford. more If you’re looking to silence the stuck up sounds coming out of your foreign car driving friends mouths, then Ford can help. The new Ford Fusion Hybrid will give you 41 miles per gallon in the city, and still blast out 36 on the highway. No sacrifice here folks. Why Do You Need To Trade Up Right Now Because I said so 41 Miles per gallon despite stop lights Seats five with comfort Sync Finally, IT’S A FORD! I know I keep saying that the last few years has seen Ford get better and better. I know I’ve talked about our fearless leader bringing the company into a new golden age. I even know that the possibility exists that you’re not really reading this and only here for the really cool pictures, however believe me when I say that this will truly be one of the many things we do here at Ford to change your lives for the better. If you’re leaving Frankfort, Ford bound for Shelbyville, then you already know we’re going to help you find what you want. That way you can return back to Frankfort Ford Fusion Hybrid style. What’s that you ask? I’ll tell you. That’s when your neighbor asks you when the last time you filled the tank with gas and you reply that you can’t remember because it’s been so long. Then I recommend you laugh all the way to the store that sells that thing you want and can now afford thanks to all the money you’ve saved with your new Ford Fusion Hybrid. Don’t have a hobby? My friend, you’re got plenty of time, and plenty of money to now find one, happy hunting.

So this guy at the New York Times, Jerry Garret, gave his top ten best cars of the previous year, and low and behold, there are three Fords on it. What a pleasant, and wonderful surprise to see. more It’s been a long and winding road for the blue oval, but here at the company there is nothing but calluses from hard work, and beams of pride for what we have all accomplished in the last couple of decades. Praise is definitely owed to our owner. Knowing a Ford was running the company once more gave us all hope, but what gave us all success was having a Ford with the courage to say he needed men who knew how to run a company and listened to their advice. Now, simply put, here we are. 2011 has a great challenge to meet, but for a moment let’s look at what got us here in the last year. Mr. Garret had some very nice things to say about the Harley Davidson special addition F-150. With its luxury interior and eye catching exterior it was a great addition to his list. If you’re looking for a truck of your own, stop by Shelbyville, used Ford Superduty selection is here for you to get your jobs done with the toughness you can only find in a Ford.  If you’re in Shelbyville, used cars catching your eye, we’ll happily help you with those as well. The other stars on Mr. Garret’s top ten included the Ford Mustang, he mentions that even though this last year the new Camaro outsold the Horse, the Mustang still offers more options and practicality. Not to mention you can actually see out of the Mustang, what a concept right? Then there’s the Ford Fiesta. Until this whole energy crisis, or whatever is going on, the Fiesta didn’t really have a home here since the seventies. Still popular overseas, the Fiesta is making its triumphant return to its country of origin and native roads. Fans of Ford can enjoy a classic, save money, and if nothing else, makes silly jokes about driving a party.

If it were still the Eighties, they’d have to change their slogan to the past tense, I loved what you did for me…. Now comes again the time of Ford. more It has been a long climb, but we have arrived my friends. The excitement here at O’brien is pretty big. Let’s recap: in the last couple of years there have been many changes in the automotive industry. The bail outs were huge, green found its way to car companies like it was some brilliant new idea, and best of all Ford put the right people in charge to surge ahead to what will soon make us the number one consumer preferred car brand in America. According to Consumer Reports, the nation’s top selling car company has “plummeted” from its once tall and unreachable mountain to a mere three point lead over Ford Motor Company. Ford gained huge numbers in the last two years and we’ve done it by hearing what everyone was asking for. This country has a huge problem in building products that no one asked for. My personal favorite is an electric car that’s no better than a golf cart, still uses gas….what’s the point!? Where does it all rank? Based on several factors like safety, quality, and value, Ford has made up remarkable ground to create a new top five: Toyota – 147 Ford  - 144 Honda – 121 Chevrolet – 102 BMW – 93 Can any of you remember the last time the race was this close. The best part is we can promise you there are no signs of stopping. Ford will continue to give America what they want at an affordable price. Give us a few months, and soon you’ll see something truly remarkable. In the meantime, there’s work to be done. Head on up from Frankfort, Ford truck selection is waiting for you to pick your favorite and get to work. Your Frankfort Ford dealer, O’brien Ford, is more than proud to be part of the fastest rising car favorite in the country. Believe me, even here at the local level it has been a lot of hard work, but as you can see above, well worth it.

My Dad still talks about his ’65 Mustang and how he regrets ever getting rid of the classic. Then he goes on to brag how he only paid less than five grand for the thing. Though that isn’t quite realistic anymore, I have a wish to grant for you that will make the past obsolete. Today I am looking for the first time at the new 2011 Ford Mustang GT! more Folks you have to come down here and see it for yourself. It is beautiful. Soon to be one of the top ten cars of the new year, from where I’m standing it is well earned. The new Mustang has everything V8 power – 100 more horsepower than the V6 Won’t break the bank – starts at only $30k Gas Mileage –  26 mpg on the highway If you’re looking for a thrill, then the new Mustang has all you could ever want. That is of course unless you suddenly feel the urge to step up to a Shelby Mustang GT500. Then I will admit, that will have more thrill, but that may not be for everybody. The Mustang itself may not be for everyone out there. If you’re cruising Shelbyville, used car shopping, I still invite you to head down here to O’brien. We’ll help you find what you’re looking for while your teenager drools on the new Mustang. It’s ok, we do it all day long. If you’re not looking for speed and you need some hauling room, then again, if you’re around Shelbyville, used Ford truck options here on the lot won’t disappoint either. Dad had the mustang in the early days, and yeah things have changed a lot in the, they don’t make them like they used to department, but I have to admit, and the other day he did too, that it sure is nice seeing Ford turn out the classics again. The last couple years have been crazy, but all they’ve done is put us back where we belong, on the top of American auto making, and back to cranking out good old fashioned American muscle.

If you’ve seen our corporate ads on the TV lately, then you’ve heard the changes taking place in some of the top seats. Better resale value and gas mileage are finally coming back to the American made company that started it all. more In the last few years everything has gone from muscle to fuel efficiency. A true car dealer makes sure you have both choices when you want them. Down here in the showroom we’ve got the classic mustang on the right for when you want to burn it up, and on the left we have the new Ford Fiesta for when the last thing you want to burn is your wallet. Being a hatchback subcompact, the Fiesta may be a little smaller, but in all the right places. The amount of gas you fill up at the tank every week is much smaller. The price you shell out at the dealer for one of these new beauties, oh yes, that is much smaller too. We Know Some car dealers lost their luster because they stopped listening and tried giving you, the driving people of America, what you wanted. Ford has a better solution. You asked for an affordable car that got great gas mileage and was something you would actually want to drive, and we’re proud to say, here you go. Your Louisville Ford dealer will have one waiting for you when you’re ready. Even if you head on over from Frankfort, Ford Fusion, F150, even the Fiesta will all be waiting for you. The Fiesta is a little different than you’re used to seeing. The first one that came off the car hauler was a little confusing, but like a new born puppy, you just can’t help but fall in love. For years now you’ve had to listen to your foreign driving friends brag about their mileage, but you were unwilling to sacrifice American made. My friend, yours and our time has finally come. The Fiesta will seat 5 and is available with four doors as a wagon if you need the extra space. With 37 mpg’s on the highway and a whopping 28 in the city, this little number will get the job done nicely.

I remember oh so long ago when you actually had to instant message someone if you wanted to virtually talk to them. No, but seriously, I’m only 28 and even I still feel a little out of touch. Luckily Ford hires people smarter, or younger as the case may be, to take care of  that so I don’t have to worry about it. more I talked to a friend at a radio station and he explained how the new wave of the future for employment, for college age kids, is going to be social media management. The successful wave of sites like facebook and Twitter have brought on a new age of interaction and selling. The Future Get on board or get left behind. The world moves much faster than before and with a level of human interaction unprecedented. I watch my girlfriend spend all day and night on Facebook just to make sure she doesn’t miss an opinion on anything. Ford has employed that same idea to the marketing of our vehicles. By connecting with loyal Ford owners, the brand itself can grow out from there and reach new potential customers through their friends. The new head of social media, Scott Monty, has helped revolutionize the way Ford showcases our vehicles. Here locally if we have friends on our page in Shelbyville, used cars are coming in and we want to showcase them, then all we have to do is post a picture on the website and instantly we know that vehicle has already been displayed to potential buyers. The same would work in Frankfort, Ford truck is ready to roll off the carrier, with one picture and a couple of clicks, it’s only a matter of time until the future owner heads our way. Join Us If you’re looking for the best deal, the best car or truck, and show something can actually come from clicking around on facebook all day, help show my girlfriend is actually doing the right thing. Social media is here to stay and there are new ways of helping get the right product in the right hands all the time. As far as what I think about this, you’ll have to check my Twitter.

Wow, the Ford Taurus just got a lot cooler than the one my Mom has. Now the new Ford Police Interceptor is cool and stylish enough to make my Father wish he were still a cop. more Out With The Old The Ford Crown Victoria has been made for police use for sixty years and hasn’t changed its look in over fifteen. Dad had a Crown Victoria when the wind storm put a tree thru his windshield, another one when the deer hit him on Christmas morning, and I’m pretty sure every other cop on the department did too. In With The Super Cool Not anymore! The new Ford Police interceptor is a slight redesign on the new Taurus with some hi tech innovations. Replacing the old gas guzzling V8 in the Crown Vic, is a new flex fuel V6 that cranks out more power while using less gas. Eat Your Hearts Out Jake and Ellwood The Blues Brothers wish they had a car this sweet, and I’m sure some cops do too. The difference between the two groups is one of them is real and about to be really happy. Now in production and ready to roll out and enforce the new year, the Interceptor will have adaptability and customizable accessories to let each department create the cruiser they need. Not even the transformer that was disguised as a police car looked this cool. If you still want  a used police car, after these babies roll out, check a Shelbyville used car lot. They are bound to be loaded with them. If you’re looking for one that won’t have the wheels fall off the minute you leave the lot, head to the Shelbyville used Ford Dealer. Just Doin’ Their Job You may think twice before stepping out of line against one of these babies. Very soon cops all over the country are going to have the next generation of machines to keep you inside the law and the power to catch and run you down when you don’t. Think I’m being dramatic? Tell you what, wait a couple of months, then see who’s laughing.

This will be the first of many stories to come about my family and its relationship with Ford Motor Company. Ford has helped my family grow, travel, and nap for fifty years, all traditions I will do my best to keep going. My Grandfather worked for Ford Motor Company for thirty years before retiring, moving back home, and making sure he gets his nap every day at three. Ford has been good to our family. It helped my Grandpa raise my Father and Uncle, myself and my sister, and give me the values to someday raise my own children. more What I Miss The first thing I miss is visiting my Grandpa at the Ford Plant in Chicago Heights, IL on Halloween. I really miss the free peanuts he always had whenever we’d visit him The thing I miss the most, is my Ford F-150, but you’ll hear a lot more about that in the future. For now, let’s talk less about where I was with Ford in the past and where I am with them in the present. In the last two years I have watched the American economy go haywire to say the least. I was a millwork specialist and then people stopped building homes. I had a Ford pickup truck and couldn’t be happier. When I started my new job which was all driving I had to give my truck to my Father and get a better gas mileage vehicle. New Truck Before Too Long One of the many stops on my work route is in Kentucky, near Louisville. Ford F150 just calls my name from the lot to the road. I may have gotten rid of my 2006, but thanks to Ford’s decision not to take TARP money and redesign their brand from the bottom up, their cars and trucks are just getting better and better all the time. They’re just begging me to come back. I stopped in to Shelbyville, used Ford Superduty had caught my eye and I knew right away it wasn’t going to be long before I was back in the best driver seat there is, a Ford truck!

Ford continues to use social media to help promote its brand and vehicles. The launch of the Ford Fiesta, for example, was done almost entirely through advertising via non-traditional social media channels. And coming soon is the Focus Rally: America, which is an interactive cross-country road rally featuring the Ford Focus. more Think Twitter meets Facebook meets The Amazing Race. Casting calls for the show are on currently ongoing, and involve users submitting a 2-5 minute video and uploading it to YouTube with the “focusrally” tag. Most recently, Ford has turned to Twitter followers for content. In Frankfort, Ford owners and fans have the opportunity to interact directly with Ford through Twitter by following @Ford, and also through many of the specific brands, such as @FordFocus and @FordFiesta. Last month, rather than running ad copy in a Promoted Tweet, Ford instead linked to user-generated content from a blog post written by writer and social media consultant Mack Collier. With Collier’s permission, the link directed users to the blog post that he wrote in response to a video that was posted by Ford CMO Jim Farley regarding the impact of social media on costs. From New York to LA, Seattle to Frankfort, Ford fans have flocked to social media to get the latest and greatest news from the manufacturer. But perhaps the best part about the social media is the fact that the information provided is accessible to anyone, directly from Ford. It makes no difference whether you’re in Antarctica or Shelbyville. Used cars and new cars can both be featured as well. As long as you have an internet connection and a Twitter account, you’re good to go. By allowing followers to have an active part in content, Ford can only help their goal of generating even more buzz about their vehicles. As buzz grows, more followers will have the incentive to create more blog posts, more tweets, and more videos to interact with Ford and the rest of their friends. In Shelbyville, used cars and new cars alike should definitely benefit from the new online chatter surrounding Ford. It can sometimes be hard for auto manufacturers to try new things. As we all know, the auto industry has historically been painted as slow-moving and reluctant to change. But with these new campaigns and better customer interaction online, Ford is showing that they “get it” when it comes to social media.

Frankfort Ford fans get ready, the Fiesta is coming. As Ford’s new entry-level model, the Fiesta has been gaining steam as this season’s upcoming HOT car. more Early reviews suggest that one simple thing is powering the momentum: fun. Shelbyville used cars are usually not very fun to drive. However, those willing to take the plunge with the Fiesta will be in for a real treat. Gone are the days when buying a small, inexpensive car means you are stuck with a boring ride. Another major positive of the Fiesta is the opportunity to choose between a sedan and a hatchback. Some people prefer the utility and cargo space of a hatchback, while others would rather have the more traditional look of a sedan. With either of the two options, drivers are in for a smooth ride with responsive handling. Even better, the cabin is surprisingly quiet even at high speeds. And even though you won’t be shelling out a ton of money for the Fiesta (starting at $13,320), there are still some luxury options such as keyless ignition and voice command recognition. All in all, there will be plenty of options for potential owners in Frankfort. Ford Fiesta buyers will have five different trim options to choose from: three for the sedan and two for the hatchback. The list of options for the sedan range from the bare bones S version (no power windows or locks, AM/FM only) to the high class SEL (power everything, premium sound system, satellite radio, voice command, navigation, etc). The hatchback offers a midline SE version and the upgraded SES. And even with all those options, there are still other customizable features, such as a “Super Fuel Economy Package” that uses small aerodynamic modifications to help maximize fuel consumption. In Shelbyville, used cars are as popular as ever. However, Ford’s Fiesta will certainly give some consumers a reason to think twice before finalizing their next purchase. We can say without reservation that the Fiesta is the most fun to drive of all the cars in its class. Go ahead, give it a test drive. We dare you. Even driving around in bumper to bumper traffic is a fun experience in the Fiesta.