The Middle

Escape Hybrid: Base price (or it could have been the price of the one we looked at, I was never able to make that clarification) $26,500, Approximate MPG of 34 in the city and 31 on the highway. Remember it is a Hybrid they are better for city driving under 30mph. The car is made from 80% green materials, which I assume means melted down metals for the body and such, and recycled plastic bottles for the cloth. I did not drive nor ride in this car as this is the one that will be delivered Friday for me to take up to Oakland, so you will get my true perspective next week. I did however glance into the back seat, knowing Adam's friend would be back there for a long time and am a bit concerned about the lack of leg room. Ford is notorious for having poor leg and head room in their cars.

Focus Coupe: Mom had the Focus Sedan and I hated it with a passion, I drive a Focus Wagon and I love it. The main thing I despised in mom's sedan was the stupid big ass hump in the ceiling of the front seat. Guess what was the first thing I saw when I opened the driver's door of the coupe? Yep right there in the middle. Since I am not the strong silent type, as soon as questions were called for I spoke up to Freeman and said “Why does Ford hate tall people?”. I explained the number of times I had hit my head on that damn thing in mom's car and I asked if anyone in the design staff was over 6 feet tall. He made some excuse about needing a place for the wires for the lights and moved on. Sorry guys but I have to call Bullshit on this. Every other car on that lot (and millions more around the world) have in cab lights and they do not have as big of a hump in the front seat like that. It is only apparent on the Focus coupe and Sedan, I don't have it in the Wagon. So please for the sake of tall people everywhere DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Edge: Base price (I did find out this is the base on this one) $24,900. Again the first thing I did while they were giving the sphiel was look into the back seat for leg and head room. I was more than pleasantly surprised. It was not only adequate but when I later rode in the backseat during the drive arounds I was very comfortable (for those that are not aware of my body image, I am 5' 10.5” and over 300 lbs. I am not a smallish type woman). Also it has a “back back” that was VERY VERY spacious. I could have easily fit the entire team's equipment in their from Adam's baseball days. The ride was smooth (I choose to be a passenger in all of my drives because I did want to find out about the backseats most of all) except for the nitwit driving. Thank goodness for the OS handle in the back (although there was not one for the front passenger much to the dismay of that participant). Now before you think about rushing out and buying one of these let me let you in on a bad part of the Edge. Cup holders, or actually the lack thereof. I was sitting behind the driver. After assessing the leg room, the head room and the capability of having a car seat and two comfortable passengers, I looked for cup holders. We had a PR person in each car and I asked “where the hell are the cup holders”? Yep, just like that. He insisted there were some and said maybe in the doors, nope there are pockets molded into the hard plastic but they are straight not sufficient for inserting my super big gulp. I noticed a notch in the middle seat and yep sure enough you had to pull down the “tray” in the middle in order to have access to two cup holders. That is insane. What do you do when the car seat is in the middle and the two kids on either side have a drink? What about when you have two adults of my stature in there and you have to pull that thing down? Uh no. Again something for Ford (and Freeman) to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Lincoln MKS: Base price (I think) $37,600. Beautiful car. Has that Lincoln look and feel. Lincoln has always been the rich Uncle of Ford cars. And it still is. This car had rain sensitive wipers, adaptive headlights and even keyless usage. Notice I didn't say keyless entry? Because it is more than that. With the key in your pocket, you simply touch the side of the door and it will wirelessly transmit the ability to unlock your car and then when you get in there is no need to take your key out and put out the effort of inserting and turning said key, just touch the starter button and again that wireless technology starts and runs your car. HOLY COW! I can think of so many negatives to this supposed positive that I won't even bore you with the details. I did not ride in this car, when I heard the seats were made to resemble Luis Vuitton I knew it did not need me in there to mess something up.

Flex: My new love. Base price $28,295. I fell in love from the moment I saw it, before I even got into the meeting, when I walked passed it to go into the Ford building, I contemplated running away with it and eloping. It's boxy, not smooth, it's big and strong, not thin and weak. It reminds me of an old Woody, it is beautiful. Again, although I would have liked to drive this one but there was a long line of drivers, I chose to check out the back seat. This is a three row 7 passenger vehicle. (ok downer part, third row is a joke, more on that later) You can opt for 6 passengers with captains chairs in the middle row instead of a bench seat and even through in a refridgerator in the center console of the captains chairs. The only way I see the third row being a viable option (for very very small people mind you) is too have the captains chairs sans the fridge.

*All photos are stock photos from media.ford.com I told you I forgot my camera

** The color of the Escape in the picture above is the same color of the one that was just dropped off at my house. I will have pics of that later this week.

The Beginning

The event for Ford was down in Irvine (past Disneyland), so I asked around for how long I would need to give my self to get there. Since Maggie has been gone it is necessary for me to rely on Google maps and such to get me places (damn I miss her, but that is another post). The Google map said it should take me about 55 minutes, I asked Kathy if I should leave (to arrive by 9:30 a half hour before “call time”) at 8ish and she said to leave closer to 7:30 to give my self enough time. I left at 7:30 and was there before 8:30 so now I was an hour and a half early. No worries, we Van Houten women go no where without a book.

Once we get past the niceities of introducing all the Ford and the PR people we get down to informing us.

Hal Dewsnap (forgive me if the name is incorrect) – Sales Manager for California ( a native Detroiter I believe), informed of the drop in units being built due to the drop in sales. This year so far there is a 5 million drop in units and the year is only half through. Even though people are supposedly forgoing their bigger cars for smaller gas friendly cars it really is not boosting sales of vehicles. The economy is so down trodden that people can't afford even a new used car to make the switch. He also informed us that the Los Angeles County Lifeguards are now all driving Ford Escape Hybrids that have been specially built for them. They were having problems with the cars they were driving sometimes spinning in the sand. When their contract was up, THEY contacted Ford about customizing the Hybrid for their Lifeguards. While speaking about this I recalled (and someone later mentioned) an article in Westways (AAA) magazine that talked about the new Lifeguard vehicles. What the Hal didn't mention but Westways did, is that Ford donated those vehicles. Hal also spoke effectively (to me anyways) about something called PZEV, again that's another post, because it is what generated the most attention form me and I think is totally underated in our quest for going green.

Tom Hodges – I don't know his title, but I know he was in charge of the Sync (approx. $400 option). Sync is a collaboration with MicroSoft (so it will probably crash more than once) that includes, your entertainment system, your hands free (now mandatory in CA) phone system and soon to be your GPS and infotainment system. The first thing I notice about the hands free system is that while it has features like On-Star (from GM), like automatic accident assistance and emergency help response, it uses your bluetooth phone. That could be good or bad. Good in that, you don't have to purchase separate minutes as you do with On-Star and you can connect up to 12 different Bluetooth phones to this system (albeit only one at a time can actually be recognized). But bad in a sense that what if you are in an accident and unable to respond? Your wonderful Sync will respond for you but only if you remembered to bring your phone with you that day or it isn't out of battery or didn't go flying or get damaged in the accident. Just something for Ford to think about. Something else the Sync does is run a Vehicle Health Report (again using your phone though, so you have to use your minutes), which will be used to collaborate information from your car, your dealer (as if anyone actually uses dealers for maintanence anymore) and then transmitted to your computer. You can then access all of that information on the Sync My Ride web site. There is no fee for the health report other than your cell plan minutes. All in all I was very impressed with the Sync, but have a hard time believing that something that is in association with Microsoft is going to be good all the time and you won't need to “update or upgrade” it every couple of months or so.

Freeman (?) - Lead Designer. I have no idea if that is his last name or first name or his moniker. While all the other Ford heads were in suits and ties he was in jeans and a sport coat. There was no mistaking he was the “artsy” end of the drawing board. He admitted right at the start of his presentation that he and his staff were “abstract thinkers”. I like that. He referred to his team as being “cultural engineers”, which I took to mean they weren't designing cars to be just people movers but as a part of the culture of our world. Which was a part of their thinking when designing the Flex (did I mention how much I liked this car?). The best quote from his presentation struck a chord with me “Driving a Ford is like wearing a white cotton t-shirt and a pair of worn blue jeans”. I have always felt that jeans and a white shirt were the sexiest outfit a man could wear, so no wonder I am so attracted to the Flex.

At this point we went outside and got a “walk around” each of the cars we were focusing (pun totally intended) on that day. After that it was time for lunch (uh no thanks) and then time to drive.

Where to Begin?

Uncle Marcel commented: "I am not excited about any of this, basicly because I am used to seeing something like this every year. Most of the time the eventual marketing studies reveal that buyers will not pay for it, and it all dies a quiet death."

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you are referring to "concept" cars and yes I agree with your statement in that regard.

But what I was shown at the Ford Western Regional Headquarters did not have anything to do with "concept". everything we saw had been tried and tested and proven. We were there to be made aware and in turn to make you aware. And aware I was made.

In respect of full disclosure. I have always loved FORD. You can fill in the acronym any way you personally want but to me it will always be FORD is meant "FOR Driving". *That's totally something I just made up and if anyone at Ford wants to use it, it will only cost you a new Flex!

Let me also lay this disclaimer on you. This was a "media" event. I have never thought of myself as a member of the media, hell I barely think of myself as a Blogger. I am by no means a Journalist and I hold those that are in high regard. I'm just a girl (shut up Gwen Stefani) who writes a blog.

There were some serious journalists there. People who write about cars and things having to do with cars for a living, for fun and for formal information. It was interesting to meet them and to realize that things I was looking at in the cars we were shown were of no interest to most of them.

I also met some great people at Ford. Mr. John Clinard is the Manager, Western Regional Communications. He made a point of telling the assembled group about Grandpa's tenure with Ford. It made me very proud. He used Grandpa as an example of how Ford has been commited to it's employees throughout the years and vice versa. That is truly was a family business. I appreciated that. *if anyone reading this has had "problems" with Ford, this is not the forum. Take your trolling elsewhere please.

This is getting too long. Tomorrow I will tell you a little about something I learned about that is better than Hybrid. Then over the weekend I will let you in on the cars I drove in and give you a peek at the Flex (my new dream car).

BTW I totally forgot to bring my camera, so I am going to start sucking up to the new friends I made to see if I can provide some non-stock photos for you.

Plans for Tuesday

I have been invited to an event at the Ford Western Regional Headquarters here in Irvine. This is the info I got:

The event is about Ford's technologies that are aimed at improving the environmental friendliness and quality of our vehicles. It's an exclusive one-day event that runs on Tuesday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ford Western Region Offices in Irvine .


While at the event you will have access to:
* More fuel-efficient vehicles, which will be displayed by the 2009 Escape, 2009 Escape Hybrid and updated Focus Coupe;
* Test drive 2009 Model vehicles such as the Flex, MKS, Escape, Escape Hybrid and the Focus Coupe;
* Ford's industry experts and the opportunity to discuss Ford's current and upcoming actions in an intimate setting;
*Demonstrations of industry-exclusive Ford SYNC™, a fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system that works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players;
* SIRIUS Travel Link, a suite of data services that links drivers to traffic and weather information, up-to-date sports and entertainment news, and the lease expensive fuel prices at nearby stations, along with a 23,000-song personal jukebox.

I'm excited, how about you?

Have You Driven a Ford Lately?

I drive one everyday. It's all I buy (except for the Corolla when Ford didn't approve our credit). My first car at 18 was an Escort Wagon and now 20 years later it is a Focus Wagon.

Born and raised in Detroit (city of, not the 'burbs), many family and friends worked for The Big Three. My Grandfather worked for Ford for as long as I can remember. I know that when a "mandatory" retirement age was implemented he was already past that age and "grandfathered" in. My Uncle Jim worked for Ford as well and had a pension that has taken care of his widow for many years. Of course much has changed in the automobile business, parts are built around the world and shipped in for assembly here. Growing up though ALL was done in Detroit, parts and assembly both were done at the Rouge plant and others.

When the trip to BlogHer last month happened and GM was a sponsor, I was thrilled to be allowed to drive one of their Hybrid cars and give my opinion. I have to admit now that it felt a bit sacreligious to drive something other than a Ford but it's not like I bought it and at least it was one of The Big Three and it was a Hybrid so it's ok.

A couple of weeks ago, Adam was talking about a concert up in Oakland that he and his friend wanted to attend. We looked at airfare, train even bus fares and none were very cheap. I told him that I wouldn't mind driving them since it would be the same cost and I'm sort of a control freak that way. He said it would be fine, that I wouldn't cramp his style.

During this same time, a bunch of blogging friends were in Dearborn to check out the Ford Media Day. Ford is ahead of their time to invite Social Media in with Regular Media and have the opinions of many respected Bloggers check out their 2009 fleet (including an Awesome Pink Mustang).

The wheels in my head began turning. I contacted the Social Media contact for Ford and explained my background and the issue of the GM car and expressed my interest in doing a compare and contrast with a Ford Hybrid. He told two friends and they told two friends and so on and so on...... no really, he emailed me that I should expect to hear from someone soon.

Today I received an email from a Distributor in Irvine and they will be dropping off an Escape Hybrid on August 29.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

I asked, everything is pointing towards receiving. Keep your Ford lovin fingers and toes crossed.

S.O.S.

Do you love me? I know you do, cuz otherwise you wouldn't be here. Now I need your help.

No not money, just your vote. It doesn't matter which "party" you belong to because you are voting for ME!

Head over to this website: Jessica Knows and look on the left sidebar and vote for me.


I really really really want to win the FLip video. So tell your friends to vote for me also.

Fall Fashion

Jessica is holding a contest and I want to win. In order to win I have to enter and in order to enter I have to blog about my favorite fashion trend for Fall 2008.

As you all know I am nothing if not a maven to the denizens of the fashion world. What with my ill fitting (sometimes too tight, sometimes too baggy - same pair of pants mind you) capris and lest we forget my revered Crocs (don't knock til you tried em!).

But I really really really want to win the Flip video so here goes.

I did a Google search for Fall 2008 Fashion Trends. Plaids, Blues, Betsey Johnson all seem to be the norm for this coming season. But what the pictures showed me were pencils wearing all of these items. I my dear reader am not a pencil, I am a Marks-A-Lot jumbo sized thank you. So none of that appealed to me. Then I went to Avenue website to see what they had showing for Fall and while nice, still the pieces just look like they are made for rails not bales.

Now what?

I go back and re-read Jessica's contest rules and realize this contest is sponsored by Wal-Mart, so what the heck let's go see what they have. Lo and behold I find something I like right off the bat, it's not blue or plaid but it is in their New Styles section so that counts right? And it is definately more in my price range than anything Betsey Johnson will ever make.

*for the record, I adore Betsey Johnson but let's face it, her stuff looks much better on Jade than on me

Merci, Gracias, Danke

How many ways can you say "Thank You"?

The second annual National Thank You Day will again feature a contest to search for one small deed that deserves one big thank you.

Sponsored by merci® Finest Assortment of European Chocolates in collaboration with the Emily Post Institute (yes, she's related to Peggy!), the National Thank You Day Contest hopes to encourage people to remember and recognize the everyday acts of kindness shown to us by asking people to nominate someone whose good deed has gone a long way to help or inspire them. One grand prize winner will be awarded a thank you prize personally selected by his or her nominator with a value up to $20,000. Peggy Post, etiquette expert and best-selling author for the Emily Post Institute and spokesperson for National Thank You Day, will present the grand prize winner with his or her thank you in person on National Thank You Day, Monday, September 22, 2008.


“Participating in National Thank You Day is a great way to show gratitude and acknowledge an act of kindness,” says Peggy Post. “I encourage everyone to nominate someone whose kind deed has made a difference. By doing so, you’ll experience the importance of the everyday ‘thank you’ – and how this simple expression of appreciation goes a long way toward making our world a kinder place.”

To enter someone in the contest, nominators are asked to submit an essay up to 150 words about who they would like to nominate and why, and to suggest the ultimate thank you gift valued up to $20,000. The grand prize winner will be selected by Peggy Post, among other judges.

One-hundred first prize winners will receive an autographed copy of Post’s latest book, Excuse Me But I Was Next…The Top 100 Manners Dilemmas and a box of merci Finest Assortment of European Chocolates.

Details and entry forms are available at http://www.nationalthankyouday.com/;
the contest began July 1, 2008 and ends August 15, 2008.

Last year, nearly 12,000 nominations were entered, with the grand prize winner, JoAnn Miller of Woodbury, NJ, receiving a donation to her personal mission to feed the homeless in her area and a guest appearance on the Rachael Ray show.

“We all have people around us who do little things like helping us with paperwork or babysitting our kids or even just making a peanut butter sandwich – that really mean a lot in the scheme of things,” said Mary Lebeau who nominated grand prize winner, Miller. “That’s why I was so interested in National Thank You Day. It was a reminder to me that giving thanks to those who make the extra effort is important.”

National Thank You Day is held annually on the last Monday of September (in respect of Rosh Hashanah it is being held on the 22nd) and was inspired by the findings of a survey conducted by merci and The Emily Post Institute that found that while 87.3 percent of Americans said they are bothered when people don’t say thank you, 90.2 percent feel that they don’t say thank you enough. The survey also found that saying please, thank you and you’re welcome are the most important common good manners Americans need to observe more, followed by practicing patience and politeness while waiting in lines.

Do you have someone in your life that deserves thanks? I know I do, and I nominated her.

For Your Consideration

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Bored.....Tubby.....Mild

I couldn't figure out how to embed this so you will just have to click


Bored....Tubby....Mild

Operation Baking Gals

This is such an amazing effort being made by these great ladies. I have signed up to help. I would hope that you would like to help as well. It doesn't take much to bake some cookies, the packaging might be a pain in the ass, but when you put it in the terms of what they are doing over there meh, packaging schmackaging.

If you want to sign up to help all you have to do is email bakinggals@gmail.com they will set you up. If you want to just help me do mine then email me avanhouten@sbcglobal.net either way, start your ovens!

BlogHer09

Look to your left.

Yes YOUR left, see it?

See the survey? Take it.

If you are related to me and really don't give two shakes about the survey then vote my proxy - LAS VEGAS!

I WANT THIS!

Calling all my family members! Go here and enter to win this, then have it shipped to me, because you love me. Or keep it to yourself and lord it over me.

Did you have this much fun Monday?

Caitlyn did!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

See this beautiful baby?


His name is Joshua and he has the bestest mommy in the whole world!





His mommy entered a contest and WON! She won a web cam so the rest of his family can see him more often!

Congratulations Molly!

Pool Time