Ford Reveals Biggest, Most Experiential Display at 2010 North American International Auto Show

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Jan 08, 2010, 10:00 ET

DETROIT, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

The Ford display at the 2010 North American International Auto Show is more than 54,000 square feet, 48 percent bigger than last year, making it the largest Ford stand ever
Additional space will be used to showcase 24 interactive displays, engaging consumers in experiential and educational exercises that demonstrate Ford's technologies and innovations
Ford will conduct live driving demonstrations of its Active Park Assist (APA) technology inside Cobo Center using hybrid vehicles
During the show, Ford executives around the world will participate in NAIAS's first-ever social media press conference, with 12 hours of live Twitter Q&As, Live Stream Interviews, Facebook Wall chats and blogger interviews
In 2009, Ford auto shows alone generated a record 125,000 leads, 22,000 test drives and more than 2,000 sales

Ford Motor Company's stand at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) promises to be the biggest and most engaging in history, with more than 54,000 square feet of new vehicle displays, 24 all-new interactive displays and a variety of high-tech presentations including live driving demonstrations inside Cobo Center.

The auto shows held throughout the year - beginning with NAIAS in Detroit - are an important way for Ford to communicate with consumers about new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products and technologies. Last year's Ford display generated more than 125,000 consumer leads, 22,000 actual test drives and 2,020 vehicle sales to date.

"Allowing consumers to interact with our products in an engaging and experiential way is a very effective way to demonstrate the strength of our products," said Jim Farley, group vice president of Global Marketing and Canada, Mexico and South America operations. "There's no better venue than an auto show to demonstrate our advanced technology and products at a critical point in the buying process for many attendees."

One of the highlights of this year's Ford show stand - which is 48 percent larger than last year's - will be live driving demonstrations of Ford's new Active Park Assist (APA) technology, which helps drivers parallel park a vehicle with the touch of a button and without ever laying a hand on the steering wheel.

"Ford will offer auto show visitors the opportunity to participate in an actual driving experience," said John Felice, general manager, Ford, Lincoln-Mercury marketing. "Our advanced hybrid technology allows us to demonstrate these vehicles in battery only mode which eliminates all vehicle emissions. This gives us yet another opportunity to provide an experience that is more engaging than a static display."

Also for the first time ever at NAIAS, Ford executives from around the world will host a social media press conference on Jan. 11, which will include 12 hours of continuous live social media activities on Twitter Q&As, Live Stream Interviews, Facebook Wall chats and blogger interviews.

More new vehicles, interactive displays

At NAIAS, Ford Motor Company will display 60 new Ford cars and trucks and 21 new Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. A new powertrain display includes two assembly-line robots from the Cleveland Engine Plant, named Eco and Boost, where the company's new EcoBoost engines are built.

Ford's entire new car portfolio will be on display inside the floor's Blue Oval - everything from the new Ford Fiesta to the company's flagship sedan, the Ford Taurus.

Visitors to the Fiesta area can take a break and play Foosball on one of the world's largest Foosball tables, Twitter their reactions to Fiesta, and learn about the 15 class-leading exclusive features that put Fiesta head and shoulders above competitors in the B segment. A Taurus SHO in-car theater will take visitors for a ride through both the tame and wild sides of Taurus SHO.

Taking center stage in the Ford display will be the next-generation Ford Focus, where visitors can learn about the agility and precision of Focus's driving dynamics by playing the Control Blade Challenge, which is like a Wii game. Touch-screen digital displays explain Focus technologies and allow visitors to integrate their pictures into a virtual world and e-mail it to themselves. There also will be special zones for Ford crossovers and trucks and specially built areas for the Ford Mustang, Taurus, Fiesta, Fusion, Transit Connect and Super Duty.

The latest entry in the Lincoln lineup - the 2011 MKX - will launch at NAIAS, too. Lincoln will present an attention-getting cutaway of the vehicle to demonstrate the class-leading technology, safety and luxury features, including the industry exclusive MyLincoln Touch(TM).

To demonstrate this advanced feature, a one-of-a-kind 16 x 3-foot interactive table will take visitors on a journey through Lincoln's thoughtful, purposeful technology; with the new MyLincoln Touch seamlessly integrated into the experience.

"The Ford auto show display is proof that Ford is launching more product than any other manufacturer," said Farley. "In 2010, Ford globally will deliver five times more new or freshened product than even 2009, bringing to market an unprecedented volume of new products people want - with class-leading fuel economy, quality, safety and technology."

About Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company