Ford Launches Free Accident Management Programme for UK Customers

The U.S auto-maker, Ford Motor Co., has launched a new accident management programme that the company says will help customers in the UK to simplify communications between the Ford repair network and insurance companies. All new and used Ford vehicle drivers can utilise a special hotline to have repairs conveniently carried out at their nearest Ford Accident Repair Centre using genuine Ford parts fitted. The new programme follows the recommendations of the House of Commons Transport  Committee in creating a transparent and efficient programme to drive down the total cost of claims.

Personal injury claims will not be included under the Ford Accident Management Programme, which allows customers to retain their legal right to make a valid claim but neither Ford no any of its partners will benefit from this. The new programme requires no signing of credit agreements by drivers underwriting the cost of repairs or hire car provision. 

Ford's collision repair manager, Paul McDermott, said Ford's Accident Management Programme takes over many complex parts of the repair process such as contacting the insurance company, organising vehicle recovery and providing a courtesy car, with a single phone call.

Ford Use API Technology (Google) To Predict Driving Behaviour

Ford and Google are teaming up to try and predict driver behaviour and optimise performance for their EV’s and Hybrids. Using Google’s Prediction API, Ford aim to increase efficiency and decrease commuting times by tracking regular routes that drivers embark on on a daily basis.

The API technology which was released last year by Google, can convert information on a driver’s actions in the past into real-time predictions, such as where they’re likely to be headed at a particular time of day. The predictive API will be exclusively focused on the driver, logging and analysing driving history. By studying a car owner's driving patterns, the system tries to predict where the driver is going and then optimise the upcoming trip with respect to electric driving zones. Data is collected remotely by Ford and transferred to dedicated server hardware as the history logging and route analysis is quite intensive, in terms of storage and processing power.

Ryan McGee, a Ford Technical Expert said "The Google Prediction API allows us to utilise information that an individual driver creates over time and make that information actionable. Between Google Prediction and our own research, we are discovering ways to make information work for the driver and help deliver optimal vehicle performance". 

Apparently the system will work as soon as the driver starts the vehicle. Making a note of what time the driver has switched on the vehicle will determine what regular routes they would normally take at this particular time of the day. When the vehicle starts, Google Prediction would use historical driving behaviour to predict the most likely destination, check with the driver that it's correct and then optimise driving performance for the journey. When drivers start using the service, an encrypted driver data usage profile could be built, based on routes and time of travel.

A plug-in hybrid vehicle could program itself to optimise energy usage over the total distance of the route, in order to preserve enough battery power to switch to all-electric mode when travelling within an EV-only zone. McGee goes on to explain that "Once the destination is confirmed, the vehicle would have instant access to a variety of real-time information so it can optimise its performance, even against factors that the driver may not be aware of". 

Ford and Google are keen to assure drivers that their privacy will be protected. "We realise that the nature of this research includes the use of personal data and location awareness, something we are committed to protecting for our customers in everything we do," says System Architect, Johannes Kristinsson. 

"A key component of this project is looking at how to develop secure personal profiles that will ensure appropriate levels of protection and specific data use only by the driver and the vehicle to deliver the best driving experience."

Watch a video that goes into more detail about this here:

Ford First Automaker To Back Ban On Using A Mobile Phone When Driving

Ford Motor Company is one of the first auto-maker to back a ban on using mobile phones when driving in the USA. 

Ford have said they are endorsing a bill introduced last month by U.S Rep Carolyn McCarthy.  Pete Lawson, Ford's Vice President of government affairs, said the company is backing the bill "because it represents a practical, common-sense approach to a national problem."


Ford has been eager to protect drivers from distractions that could cause accidents such as using a mobile phone while driving. Sync and MyFord Touch are technologies developed by Ford that allow drivers to make hands-free calls and receive or send text messages orally, rather than using a hand-held mobile phone.


Although nine states and the district of Colombia have introduced a mobile phone ban whilst driving, there are still a substantial amount of states that still have not banned their use. According to The Governors Highway Safety Association, this is because they want to postpone any bans until further research has been completed.

"Research conducted in labs and on roads shows that activity drawing drivers' eyes away from the road — whether text messaging, manually dialing a cellphone or reading maps — substantially increases the risk of an accident or near misses,"Lawson said.

"Ford believes hands-free, voice-activated technology significantly reduces that risk by allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road," Lawson said.

Telecommuncations giant Verizon also has endorsed the bill.

McCarthy said "Ford is demonstrating great leadership and being a good corporate citizen" by supporting her legislation.

"GM has been way out in front for years, among our employees, states and consumers, with a simple message of put the phone down and drive," said General Motors spokesman Greg Martin.

"We're still doing our part, but we're not certain what meaningful effect a federal ban would have at this time as these issues typically reside with state and local enforcement," he said.

GM bars employees driving company cars from using a hand-held cellphone behind the wheel.

States that refuse to comply within two years could lose 25 percent of their federal highway money.

Source: Detroit News.

June's Photo Competition Winner - MondeoSTOC.com Forum

Mondeo Spares Ltd are club sponsors of Mondeo ST Owners Club forum and have been helping to choose winners for the photo competition that the forum runs on a monthly basis.

In June, the competition was to send in a photograph of your Mondeo with the theme 'Old Buildings/Churches' in mind.

 

Thanks to everyone who entered this month!

We'd like to congratulate Steve Feltham  who won this months competition. 

Here is the winning photo:

The photo was taken by Steve outside Old Plumstead Hospital, Norwich. 

Some details about Steve's Mondeo:

05 Plate Mondeo ST TDCi Estate

A few subtle modifications include:

Focus ST 225 brakes;

full stainless exhaust;

and a few badge changes!

Good with a camera???

Don't forget to enter next month's competition for July. 

Go to www.mondeostoc.com to find out what the theme is for this month and you could win yourself some free Mondeo Spares goodies!!!

Ford Motor And Georgia Tech Working On 'Green Eco School Bus'

Georgia Institute of Technology is working in partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund on the country’s first conversion of a traditional school bus to a hydraulic hybrid vehicle running on recycled biofuel.  

Ford Motor Company

The project conducted by Georgia Tech, one of the world’s premier research universities, is financed by a $50,000 Ford College Community Challenge Grant.  It is one of five given each year for a student-led project that matches university resources with an urgent community need related to sustainability.  Focusing on converting existing school buses to hydraulic hybrid, this project could reduce transportation costs for schools and lower greenhouse emissions.

Georgia Tech assistant professor of mechanical engineering, Michael Leamy and his students designed and developed the hydraulic hybrid system for the 16-passenger school bus donated by the Atlanta Public Schools (APS).  

Its installation is close to complete and students at Mary Line Elementary School are painting the “Green Eco School Bus” green.  The elementary students are also organizing a collection drive for used cooking oil for processing into biodiesel.

“Our students are eager to learn about new ways to care for the environment,” said Brian Mitchell, principal, Mary Lin Elementary. “The Green Eco School Bus turns a theoretical concept into a fun and exciting reality that stimulates their learning. Together with Georgia Tech and Atlanta Public Schools, we are taking innovation from the classroom to the community,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.

  “This is a noteworthy example of the types of programs we are bringing to Atlanta as part of our new Operation Goodwill partnership with local Ford and Lincoln dealers with the goal of expanding our engagement with this community.”

Please note, we take no credit for this article. Article taken from: AutomotiveDiscovery.