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As is so much the trend these days, Ford is using social media outlets to promote its newest version of its vehicle line-up, the Ford Focus.  Sure Ford has seen huge sales increases across the country.  From LA to Frankfort, Ford truck vehicles have been flying off the lots.  However, right now it’s all about the Ford Focus and I must admit Ford has put its own creative spin on this particular social media promotion and the event sounds pretty cool. more Through its Ford Focus Facebook page, Ford is encouraging people to apply for a test-drive event for the 2012 Focus.  Only, this is unlike any test-drive you’ve ever heard of. In fact, Ford is calling this event “a test drive like no other” on its Facebook page.  This is because the test drive will take place in some yet-to-be-specified location in southern Europe!  Applicants are instructed to post a video on the Ford Focus’ page explaining why they should be chosen, as well as speak about their favorite charity.  Ford will then choose 100 different drivers from around the world and fly them to the mysterious location in southern Europe for a two-day test drive. Ford asks for information on applicant’s favorite charity because they have pledged to donate $10,000 per driver in conjunction with the event.  The only expectation of participants will be to show up in Europe and then provide feedback to ford personnel after their two-day romp with the vehicle.  Sounds easy enough! Getting picked by Ford will of course be the hard part.  Ford will base its picks on the number of “likes” viewers receive on their video post.  Ford will also be looking at the “reach in social networks” and “content creation skills” applicants possess.  Clearly, Ford is looking for a socially connected individual who will share their experience in Europe through their own social media pages such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as blog about it.  After all, a participant savvy in creating easily accessible online content will only increase awareness of the new Ford Focus, which ultimately is the purpose for the event. Another Ford event has a local dealership even more excited however. O’Brien Ford, hopes to sell residents of Frankfort Ford Fusion vehicles around the promotion of Ford’s partnership with The Amazing Race TV reality show.  Residents of Frankfort, Ford Fusion owners and Ford enthusiasts alike will have the chance to participate in a race across America called Focus Rally: America.  Ford will again be looking for “adventurous, socially connected people” to form six teams of two to participate in a 5-week Amazing Race- like adventure across America.  Winning teams will earn $100k and 10 2012 Ford Focus vehicles will be given away to followers on Facebook. Regardless of your preference for transportation around Frankfort - Ford truck or sedan – the new Ford promotions are exciting opportunities for Ford fans.  Visit Ford’s Facebook page today for more information!

Ever since being unveiled at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto show, the Ford Fiesta has been a major player in the domestic subcompact market. Previously, the Fiesta had been popular abroad, but was not available in the US. This year, however, the Fiesta is available and on the top of many people’s minds as a “hot” car. more Is the Fiesta good enough to win an award? Definitely. In fact, some awards have already been claimed, such as the “Car of the Year” award from Auto Express Magazine’s 2009 awards. This is on top of other worldwide accolades, such as Australia’s 2004 “Best Small Car” award. But perhaps the most exciting possibility is the inclusion of the 2011 Fiesta on the short list of nominees for the “hottest car” award, which will be given at the upcoming Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. In Frankfort, Ford truck owners are used to seeing awards for their trucks, especially the F-150. However, Ford owners across the board are also getting excited about the current and upcoming sedans, compacts, and subcompacts as well. Frankfort Ford Fusion drivers are already used to awards as well, such as the Fusion hybrid’s 2010 North American Car of the Year award from the January 2010 Detroit Auto Show.  The Fiesta and the Fusion are truly both HOT these days. Before you know it, in Frankfort, Ford Fusion drivers and Ford Fiesta drivers may end up topping the number of drivers of the F-150! The SEMA award would definitely be a huge boost to the Fiesta’s award case. Although the SEMA show is not open to the public, it is one of the premier automotive trade shows in the world. More than 100,000 industry leaders from over 100 different countries are scheduled to attend. SEMA has even issued a challenge. A special page on their website offers the chance to win a trip for two to the 2011 SEMA show in Las Vegas. By going to http://www.sema.org/challenge, entrants can select who they think will win the “hottest car” category. There are currently 12 cars on the short list. The Fiesta joins the Mustang as the Ford representatives. Also, Frankfort Ford truck owners can go to the same link to vote for the “hottest truck” category, which features the Ford F-Series as one of four on the list. The show is scheduled to run from November 2 nd through November 5 th, and hopefully Ford will take home some hardware!

Ford has recently come out swinging for the fences with the new F150. Frankfort Ford truck owners already loved the 2010 F150, but the new powertrain upgrade for 2011 is sure to make waves with truck owners all across the country. With the new model, Ford has managed to pack four brand new engines into the engine bay. more Let’s go through a quick detail of the four different engine options. 1.     The base engine – A 3.7 liter V6, featuring 302 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. 2.     Previously seen in the 2011 Mustang GT, a new 5.0 liter Coyote V8, featuring 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. 3.     The EcoBoost – A 3.5 liter, featuring 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. 4.     The big hoss – A 6.2 liter V8, featuring 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque. Whether you’re driving across the country or just cruising around Frankfort, Ford truck power really resonates in these four engine options. The EcoBoost, as the name suggests, even adds a bit of “green” to the mix. So what about someone who isn’t used to driving a truck? In Frankfort, Ford Fusion owners may be a good example of people that could be a little intimidated when getting behind the wheel of a truck with the history and power of the F150. Although the F150 can’t be said to handle like a car (it is a truck after all), Frankfort Ford Fusion drivers may be surprised with the ride. And of course, the power of the F150 is definitely a huge bonus to someone looking to upgrade from a car to a truck. If you’re someone who is mainly concerned with power and tow capabilities, the 6.2 liter has an 11,300 pound tow rating. And for those who are looking to save a little money on gas, the EcoBoost was estimated by Motortrend at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway, while still managing to maintain the same tow rating as the 6.2 liter. For those looking to try any of the different engine options, O’Brien Ford is located at 720 Mt. Eden Road, in Shelbyville. Stop in for more information today!

Frankfort: Ford Fusion has a sibling - the Fiesta - that is getting all the attention.  We all know what this is like – an over accomplished, more out-going, funnier, friendlier, and more attractive version of ourselves.  A Frankfort Ford Fusion is to the Ford Fiesta what Jamie Lynn Spears is to Britney Spears (okay bad example but you get the picture). more Anyways, a recent YouTube video highlights all the desirable traits the Fiesta embodies through a cleverly written song.  What is interesting, however, is the fact that the video was not made by a marketing exec from Ford.  Instead, a company named Film Riot put the clip together.  Film Riot produces an online “how-to” show about filmmaking.  Another company named the Blue Oval supports the company. The Ford fans out there may know that the Blue Oval is an independently run online website that specializes in Ford Motor Company news.  Apparently, they especially like the Fiesta and wanted to promote the vehicle.  Their choice of descriptors for the video? – “So pimping, so sexy.” In the film-spot, the vocalist managers to mention some key features of the hatchback Fiesta.  Most notably, the Fiesta apparently earns 40 miles-per-gallon.  However, the driver of the vehicle (who has just purchased the Fiesta and is unaware of its characteristics) asks if this is highway or city fuel efficiency but does not have his questioned answered.  In addition, the Fiesta comes with a standard powershift, 6-speed automatic transmission.  The lyrics also mention the seven standard airbags on board the vehicle, while taking a swipe at BMW’s pathetic offering of three standard airbags. More fitting to the theme of the vehicle, and likely to the crowd who would purchase the vehicle, the vocalists points out the ability to play music through a phone or a USB port.  Pod-casts can also be played through a voice-activated system.  The Blue Oval is clearly attempting to play on the desires of the teen to early twenties market group by playing up the entertainment capabilities of the vehicle.  The lyrics specifically mention that the Fiesta is the only vehicle in its class to offer an LCD display screen as a standard feature. Although I’ve described the entire song in the video, my words certainly don’t do it justice.  Below is the link to the YouTube video.  Trust me, its worth the three plus minutes it will take you to watch it. Not feeling “so pimping and so sexy?”  Maybe a Frankfort Ford Truck is more fitting. O’Brien Ford has the Frankfort Ford Truck for your needs.  However, maybe after a test drive in the Fiesta, your inner-self will succumb to that “so pimping, so sexy” feeling. http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/01/video-2011-ford-fiesta-is-so-pimping-so-sexy/

Clever product placement is nothing new. American Idol fans can no doubt recall that Ford has been a primary sponsor of the show since its inception in 2002. The show even includes a special Ford music video with each new episode in the final weeks.  With Idol currently in the offseason, Ford is once again turning to another popular genre, this time one with a little bit of bite. The genre? Vampires. more Ford has taken to Facebook and other social media sites to tout the upcoming appearance of the 2011 Fiesta in the CW program Vampire Diaries. The car is scheduled to be featured on an episode sometime in October. This program will give the Fiesta a great amount of exposure to the younger age market. Any consumer should be used to automobile advertising nowadays. In Frankfort, Ford truck ads can be seen everywhere from local billboards to the television at the nearby pub. And in Lawrenceburg, Ford F150 drivers may be familiar with the “It’s not just a pickup truck. It’s a Ford” tagline from a recent campaign. But more recently, marketers are noticing that traditional methods of advertising are increasingly being ignored by the younger generations. These are the generations of shortened attention spans, Twitter, and text messaging. Ford is trying to step outside the realm of traditional advertising by using these exact forms of social media to their advantage. Back in the day, if you lived in Frankfort, Ford truck ads were primarily on billboards or television commercials. Today, prospective buyers may be targeted in more personal ways, such as Facebook messages and message board posts. The company is looking to engage viewers in positive dialogue, as opposed to just featuring a one-way line of communication. All throughout Lawrenceburg, Ford F150 fans are already well aware of the brand. However, younger buyers with limited interest in traditional media may find themselves seeing Ford advertisements on websites, streaming video sites, or even the aforementioned product placement on popular TV shows. Companies that do not leverage social media effectively risk falling behind those that do. So for me, I’m certainly no fan of these vampire shows. But my daughter is. And although she’s not buying a car just quite yet, product placement such as the Fiesta’s inclusion in Vampire Diaries may get her liking the quirky little car, which in turn could lead to a sale a few years down the road.

It’s not enough to just be a small, fuel efficient car anymore. In Frankfort, Ford Fusion and Ford Fiesta drivers will be happy with the versatility, comfort, amenities, and design of their cars. And of course, a very popular feature of the Fiesta is the price, which ranges from $13,995 for the sedan model. to around $20,000 for the fully equipped five door model. more Ford has recently engaged in a strong marketing blitz, even putting journalists throughout the world up to the task of road tripping across the country in a Fiesta. Despite the car’s small stature, most of the comments and writings from the journalists showed surprise at how comfortable and smooth the ride is. Although the road trips did not manage to make their way through Frankfort, Ford Fusion fans will probably be interested to know that reviewers throughout the country remarked on the smooth, sporty handling that the Fiesta features. If you’re looking for a ton of space, you may want to look elsewhere in Frankfort. Ford truck drivers would probably prefer the amount of storage the back of their truck offers. However, when you consider the fact that the Fiesta is considered a “small” car, the amount of space on the inside is still admirable. Some reviewers reported that taller drivers may have a little bit of discomfort in the back seat, but for the most part the comfort reviews were very favorable. Here in Shelbyville and Frankfort, Ford truck fans most likely outnumber “small car” fans. That’s just the nature of life out here. However, by sending the Fiesta out on road trips throughout the country, Ford hopes to raise the profile and stature of the company’s newest small offering, even in areas where small cars are not normally popular. Can it work? It will probably be hard to get people around here to switch away from their trucks and larger vehicles. But for some, the price point really makes a huge difference. Some people with large families might not find it feasible to shuttle an entire family around in a Fiesta, but a single person or a smaller family can really take advantage of the cheaper base price that is offered. And the gas mileage (estimated 29 miles per gallon in the city and up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway) can’t hurt either. 

Frankfort Ford dealership, O’Brien Ford, is getting the party started with the newest edition to their impressive line up: the 2011 Ford Fiesta.  The coupe is slick, quick and eye catching.  In addition, the car is inexpensive yet well made and is packed with entertainment technology that will make the miles fly by.  Ultimately – it’s a party on four wheels! more The Fiesta, which Ford introduced to the media on the coast of Thailand, is a four dour hatchback with curvaceous lines and an ultra-modern grille.  It boasts new headlight designs and Ford’s Kinetic Exterior Design, which claims to use the outside air to cool the engine and aid the air conditioning more efficiently. Behind the scenes, the Fiesta is made of a material called Boron steel, which is rumored to be four times harder than “normal steel,” but weighs in 15% lighter.  This combination allows for a strong, safe vehicle that can still whip around corners and navigate crowded city streets with ease.  The solid vehicle is pushed by a 1.6-liter engine, aided by a 6-speed PowerShift, dual-clutch automatic transmission.  Altogether, it’s easy to see where this fun little steam engine got its “get-the-party-started” name. On the insides, the Fiesta offers Bluetooth and Voice Control features that allow you to make a phone call without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.  In addition, you can also control your musical entertainment in this same manner.  The Fiesta also has an iPod jack and a USB port, so you won’t have to deal with fuzzy radio stations or finding a station to play your iPod through after you’ve driven just 50 miles outside of town.  Finally, four to six speakers deliver the audio through Digital Signal Processing, which is noted for its excellent audio quality. Expect to find the Fiesta starting around $14 k and earning 29 miles-per-gallon in the city and 40 miles-per-gallon on the highway.  Visit your Frankfort Ford dealership today for a test drive. In addition, O’Brien Ford also offers Frankfort Ford Fusion vehicles, if you’re looking for more of a professional and less “party-centered” ride.  Either way, cruising the streets of Frankfort, Ford Fusion and Ford Fiesta vehicles will get you from point A to point B safely and efficiently every time.  Check out both models today!

Welcome to our brand new blog! Thanks for stopping by our second online home. We just got started with this new endeavor, but soon we will be adding content on a regular basis. We hope you'll stop by often to check out our posts about the latest Ford news, closer looks at all Ford models and the latest news and sale information at O'Brien Ford of Shelbyville. You can subscribe to our RSS feed to that you'll never miss a post. We hope to see you stopping by our blog and our dealership soon!