More than 6,000 youth die in accidents on American roads every year. Girard Ford of Norwich Connecticut, your neighborhood dealer for new Ford vehicles and used cars, understands that creating awareness on safe driving practices among the youth is the need of the hour. That's why Girard Ford is pleased to inform you that Ford Driving Skills for Life, an award winning driver's education program developed by Ford Motor Company Fund and the Governors Highway Safety Association have created a "Belt it Out: Sing for Safety" safe driving campaign to encourage teenagers to compose songs with safe driving messages. The winners of this contest will receive up to $5,000 each. The contest is on and for details log on to www.drivingskillsforlife.com. You can help select the winners by voting for your favorite songs online till April 30th. The winners would be announced on June 1.
Ford Driving Skills for Life deals with four key skill areas: speed management, space management, vehicle handling and hazard recognition. The lack of these skills has been quoted by the experts as the major cause of nearly 60 percent of vehicle crashes for newly licensed drivers aged between 16 and 19. Ford Driving Skills for Life has already reached thousands of teenagers online through interactive training and other events across the country and "Belt it Out: Sing for Safety" is a very significant event which engages the teens creatively for a great purpose. Vote for your favorite songs and support this event.

Labels: Belt it out, Driving for life, Norwich Ford Dealer, Sing for safety

Ford always thinks differently and reinvents the way it approaches research to deliver the products that people want. That is why it is now roping in university students broadening its advanced research and innovation through open collaboration on Ford SYNC, the industry-leading in-vehicle connectivity system. Girard Ford, your neighborhood Middletown Ford Car Dealer, in CT, believes that this unique collaboration will result in new strategic insights which will enhance the in-car experience for drivers, and driver demand for new features in Ford vehicles.
Researchers from Ford and students of University of Michigan and the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) will work together to create and enhance in-car applications and provide valuable insights into the dynamic of current driver trends. Ford would sponsor the UDM/Ford Innovation Contest to conceive a new application for SYNC that addresses an unmet customer need – no hardware or software necessary. The contest would educate students on the basic operation of SYNC and challenge them to envisage a future SYNC application that solves a consumer problem.
At the University of Michigan, students would start beta testing Ford prototype software platforms for a winter course on embedded automotive telematics. The course would have 25 to 30 students of multiple disciplines in small teams collaborating on the Ford developmental platform and build upon its connectivity capabilities – creating social networking interfaces, accessing cloud services and mobile network management.
Girard Ford, your neighborhood Middletown Ford Car Dealer for new Ford vehicles and used cars, in CT, feels that the collaboration with university students is an essential part of delivering innovative ideas. It will redefine the driver experience, making drivers and their vehicles connected-content generators, not just isolated travelers. This is not all. There’s more. Keep on checking these pages to learn more about the innovative changes happening with Ford, and watch for our special Online offers and more at Girard Ford!

Labels: Ford Sync technology, Student reasearch, University research

What does Ford Motor Company have in common with Google, Apple, and Amazon? Girard Ford is please to announce that Ford shares a spot with them on Fast Company’s Top 10 list of “Most Innovative” companies in Mobile technology, and becomes the first automaker to ever be recognized in this category.
“This honor represents Ford’s commitment to innovation and development of technology that enhances the driving experience and adds real value to the consumer,” said Mark Fields, Ford president, The Americas. “We’re very proud of this recognition from Fast Company, and it is truly an accomplishment to be named amongst some of the leading technology innovators and mobile application developers.”
Fast Company ranked Ford fifth in the mobile technology category for the introduction and evolution of SYNC, the industry-leading connectivity system co-developed with Microsoft, as well as the recent reveal of MyFord Touch, an innovative user interface that promises to redefine the in-car experience.
“The automaker has taken a great leap forward,” says Fast Company.
Ford developed SYNC in response to the explosive growth potential of the mobile device and embarked on a strategy to build a software-based connectivity platform that could leverage the increasing power of the phone and improving data networks. MyFord Touch expands on the system’s device connectivity features by delivering a graphical, touch, and voice-controlled user interface that maximizes SYNC’s capability and provides an intuitive and safer way for drivers to interact with the car.

Ford became the first automaker to announce hands-free command and control of smart phone apps. Pandora, Stitcher, and OpenBeak are the first to implement the SYNC Application Programming Interface (API), enabling drivers to voice control the apps through SYNC’s Bluetooth connection.

For more information on our New and Pre-owned vehicles that have this mobile device connectivity technology, SYNC and the new MyFord Touch driver interface, speak to one of our friendly staff, or schedule a test drive today.

And the North American Car of the Year for 2010 goes to...the swashbuckling Ford Fusion Hybrid!

Girard Ford, your neighborhood car dealer near Middletown, CT, congratulates Ford for bagging the top honors, especially during the wrong side of economy. Having come out as a winner amidst turbulent odds, Ford's commitment to deliver the best regardless of any situation is reinforced.

In addition to the Ford Fusion Hybrid's stunning an EPA of 41 MPG city and 36 MPG highway, its "fun-to-drive" factor and the seamless transition between electric and gas engines leaves absolutely no reason to complain.

Quoting North American Car of the Year (NACOTY) juror Csaba Csere, "Though not the first hybrid on the market, or even the second or third, the Fusion Hybrid is simply the best one ever built. In addition to delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car-and a very good one indeed."

Check out the Car of the Year at Girard Ford - your own car dealer near Middletown and surrounding regions of Norwich, CT. We'll provide you with comprehensive data - reviews, technical specifications and we enable you to schedule your test drive online. Get a feel of the North American Car of the Year.

Ford is always in the forefront of installing new technologies in its cars. Girard Ford, a leading Ford dealership in Norwich, CT, is pleased to inform that iTunes Tagging and HD Radio technology that produces crystal clear sound are Ford's latest features newly available on 2010 Ford cars. The iTunes Tagging and HD Radio technology are strong new additions to the growing collection of Ford convenience features and technology.

The HD Radio technology captures free digital radio broadcasts, eliminates static, fadeout and other problems associated with conventional analog radio signals; the result is FM audio that's comparable to near-CD quality and AM audio that sounds like today's FM broadcasts. Further, HD Radio digital technology delivers a host of advanced services such as extra FM channels (Called HD2/HD3 channels) well as useful on-screen Program Service Data such as artist name and song title that are not available with an analog radio. And Ford is the first auto manufacturer to offer HD Radio technology with iTunes Tagging capability.

Girard Ford, the premier Ford dealership for new Ford and used cars in Norwich, CT, believes this is another example of Ford's commitment to bring the widest variety of factory-installed customer-focused technology, features and conveniences to millions of people. For 2010, Ford vehicles offer familiar terrestrial radio, HD Radio technology, SIRIUS Satellite Radio as well as Internet radio through Ford SYNC from a Bluetooth-streaming audio-capable smartphone. Visit Girard Ford, Norwich, for details today. Also check out the brand new 2010 Ford vehicles and special offers.

Have a wonderful year ahead!

Labels: 2010 Ford Fusion, 2010 ford models, Ford Middletown

Girard Ford, your Middletown Car dealer, is proud that MOTOR TREND has declared the Ford Fusion as the 2010 Car of the Year. This year is the 60th anniversary for the MOTOR TREND award - the longest standing editorial automotive award and therefore Girard Ford is proud that the Ford Fusion edged out 22 other vehicles and gained the top spot during this special year.

The 2010 Ford Fusion is a premium sedan that ranges from the efficient entry-level model with a four cylinder engine and six speed manual transmission, to a high-end, highly fuel efficient hybrid as well as a sporty version with a 3.5-liter V-6 and all-wheel drive. Apart from a host of standard features, the vehicle also does very well on safety aspects.

The Ford Fusion's wholesome persona comprising of performance, comfort, fuel efficiency and technology was able to impress the panel of judges and side-step serious contenders like the BMW 7 SERIES, HONDA INSIGHT, HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE, KIA FORTE, MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS, NISSAN CUBE and even its own siblings FORD MUSTANG and FORD TAURUS. The criteria for selection were Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Efficiency, Safety and Value. The MOTOR TREND 2010 Car of the Year was open only to all-new or substantially upgraded vehicles that have gone on sale during the previous one year.

Please contact your Norwich Ford Car Dealer, serving Middletown and surrounding areas, to learn more about the Ford Fusion or to schedule a test drive.

Labels: 2010 Ford Fusion, Ford Mustang, Ford Taurus, Middletown Car dealer, Norwich Ford Car

Girard Ford located in Norwich, Connecticut, is one of the leading dealership for new Ford cars and used cars serving Middletown and surrounding areas. Over the years, Girard Ford has built a solid reputation for exemplary customer service and satisfaction. Our highly skilled professionals understand customers’ needs and delivers excellence in service. The recognition and encouragement from the customers has motivated us to deliver world-class service in and around Norwich, and Middletown as Girard Ford, has become a buddy in the business for them.



Girard Ford stocks, sells and services all Ford models and specializes in Ford sales, Ford service, Ford parts, and Ford finance. Our state-of-the-art showroom, conveniently located at Norwich, showcases a wide range of new Ford coupes, sedans, vans and trucks. We provide a number of online special offers for our internet customers like the new vehicle specials, pre-owned specials, finance specials, service coupons and collision coupons on 2009 and 2010 Ford models.

Further, we have a huge stock of genuine Ford parts and deliver world-class service on all vehicles. The highly skilled and customer-friendly technicians at our state-of-the art full-service Collision Center fixes everything from the carriage ding to a major fender bender. Girard Ford, provides varied Ford services and are a household name in around Norwich and Middletown. Visit us for all your Ford needs as you’ve got a buddy in the business!

Labels: ford dealer middletown, New Car Middletown, used ford norwich