Ford Buys Startup Company to Reshape the Connected Car

WESTLAND, Mich. - Ford has announced that they have recently purchased an in-vehicle connectivity software company named Livio, for less than $10 million. Ford has bought this startup company to reshape the connected car which means it will become easier to connect your smartphone to your vehicle - great news for those who love the convenience of technology!

Ford hopes to use Livio to raise the standard for how smartphones connect to the screens in Ford vehicles. By using this software, they hope to remove the complexity of in-vehicle connectivity - to put it simply, they want to make it as easy as possible for you to connect your phone to your vehicle.

Livio currently allows users to put popular broadcasts and streaming music services directly into their stereos. It also allows you to integrate apps from Escort, Accuweather and Waze. Although Livio is now part of the Ford Motor Company, it will continue to support existing customers.

Ford has bought Livio to reshape the connected car, which means over the next year or two we'll be able to see how much easier it becomes to seamlessly connect your phone to your car. While this system is still being worked into Ford vehicles, we currently have great in-car connectivity systems such as AppLink, Ford SYNC and SYNC with MyFord Touch. If you'd like to discuss the various technology options, we'd love to go over it with you! So stop by your Ann Arbor Ford Dealer today!

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

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Zipcar Expands Vehicle Sharing in Detroit City

WESTLAND, Mich. - Zipcar Inc. has announced that they will be expanding their vehicle sharing in Detroit City. Up to 40 vehicles, most of which are Fords, will be made available to the public to use in various parts of the city.

Zipcar is a carsharing company that provides automobiles to its members, allowing them to pay for the vehicle by the hour or the day. This is a great option for those that live in bigger cities and have the ability to walk almost everywhere. Since there is an option to quickly walk to where you're going, owning a car becomes more of a choice rather than a necessity.

Zipcar will offer a variety of Ford vehicles in Detroit, the most noteworthy being "Martius" the Ford Escape, "Motor City" the Ford Focus, and a Ford Mustang named "Belle Isle". These vehicles will be located across the city in public and private lots and garages in neighborhoods. Zipcar vehicles are also available at Wayne State University and the College for Creatives Studies.

Zipcar is expanding its vehicle sharing program in Detroit City - a great thing for those that live within walking distance of everything! However, most of us are located outside of the city which makes owning a vehicle necessary to get to our destination. If you are in need of a new vehicle, or want to upgrade from your old one, stop by and see us today!  We have a variety of New Ford Cars, New Ford Trucks, and Used Cars For sale - all of which are available for you to test drive today. Whether you're looking for fuel efficiency, towing capability, low maintenance costs or maybe a little of all three, we've got the vehicle for you! So come see us! 

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgable sales team will be happy to help!

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Ford Hits 2 Million Mark With EcoBoost Engines

WESTLAND, Mich. - With so many vehicles now having a turbocharged option, Ford has hit the 2 million mark with EcoBoost Engines. This milestone has been reached because of the quick production of the gas-saving engine, with more than 100,000 being produced a month.

The turbocharged EcoBoost engine is a great option for drivers looking to save a little money on gas. While the engine option may cost a little more, the savings is certainly made up when you calculate how much money you save on gas. This engine delivers up to 20 percent better fuel economy than the standard gasoline engine - something that makes this engine extremely popular with Ford drivers.

Ford has hit the 2 million mark with EcoBoost engines, and the lucky car to get the historic number 2 millionth engine was a Ford Escape built in Ford's Louisville, KY plant. Besides the Ford Escape, 7 other vehicle brands by Ford will offer the EcoBoost engine by the end of the year.

If you'd like to discuss which vehicles come with the EcoBoost option, we'd be happy to help you! We have a great selection of New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks - most of which have the turbocharged option. So stop by and see us today! We are proud to be Ann Arbor's Used Car Dealer, so whether you're looking for a new vehicle or a gently used car, we have options for you!

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgable sales team will be happy to help!

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Ford SYNC AppLink Gets an Update

WESTLAND, Mich. - Ford is constantly working to update and evolve the technology in its vehicles to make your life easier and your drive safer - that's why the Ford SYNC AppLink has gotten an update! The SYNC system will now incorporate TomTom and Hotels.com into the in-car infotainment system, making your drive that much more fun.

These updates have one major difference from the past changes - it doesn't use Apple's Siri or Samsung's S Voice solution. Ford has instead developed their own voice-control system, allowing you to use the vehicle's voice-control to access the TomTom navigation and Hotels.com.

The TomTom navigation app is particularly useful because it means that you won't have to tap on your phone's screen or lean forward to mess with GPS systems to get where you're going - all you have to do is voice your command to the TomTom application and it will direct you to an address that you have saved, or one that you speak out loud. This allows you to keep your attention on the road while getting access to turn-by-turn navigation.  The app also gives you access to world-class maps, navigation technology and traffic information. After you arrive at your destination, you can search for the nearest hotels through the Hotels.com app, pick a place, and then confirm your booking over the phone. Talk about easy!

The Ford SYNC AppLink gets an update and it's super convenient and easy to use. If you aren't sure how to update your SYNC system, or need assistance on how to use it, come see us today! We are more than happy to help you figure your system out and answer any questions you may have. So stop by our Ypsilanti Area Ford Dealership and let us help you today! 

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

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2016 Ford Mustang GT350 Spotted

WESTLAND, Mich. - One of the world's most popular vehicles, the Ford Mustang is one that is always being watched and admired. Recently, fans of the pony vehicle have spotted a camouflaged Ford Mustang out and about in the streets. However, this isn't just any Mustang, as it's believed that the 2016 Ford Mustang GT350 has been spotted.

Rumors have suggested in the past couple of weeks that Ford will be replacing the GT500 with the GT350 model for the next generation Mustang. The beefy wheels and tires, large disc brakes, extra air inlets and various other identifiers help support this rumor, proving that there might quite a bit of truth behind all the gossip.

Because this is a prototype, not much can be said about the specifications or design of the 2016 Mustang just yet. However, Ford's 5.9L naturally aspirated V8 engine is the most obvious pick for the vehicle. We won't know anything for sure until more time has passed, or until we see the finished result when it is released sometime in 2015.

If you'd like to discuss what modifications the 2016 Ford Mustang GT350 will most likely undergo, or even check out the current Mustang model, stop by our Ann Arbor Area Ford Dealer today! We have a great selection of Ford Mustangs, both new and used, so come by and we'll set you up with a test drive - but be warned: you're going to love driving a Mustang!

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

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Ford to Auction off Mustang Cobra Jet Prototype

WESTLAND, Mich. - When a prototype is released from an automobile company's grips, it's sure to cause a stir in the media - something that is currently happening with Ford's decision to auction off a Mustang Cobra Jet prototype. This Mustang Cobra Jet is a one-of-a-kind factory prototype that will be auctioned off to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

This 2014 Mustang Cobra Jet prototype comes with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, T4 competition gearbox, a wheelie bar, chromoly roll cage, weld wheels, racing brakes and so much more. It's serial number is 2014 BJMS CJXX1 and the vehicle is ready for NHRA competition.  In fact, the winning bidder of the prototype will receive tutelage at Roy Hill's Drag Racing School, as well as tours of the Ford Product Development Center, Ford Racing headquarters and Ford Design Studios.

As for the charity that the auction will benefit, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a charity that works to create a world free of multiple sclerosis. They do this by promoting research that helps to prevent, treat and cure the MS; reaching out to families and individuals that live with multiple sclerosis; and working to motivate politicians to fight for the needs of people with MS "through activism, advocacy and influence."

If you'd like to find out more about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or see what you can do to help, visit www.nationalmssociety.org.

Since Ford is auctioning off the Mustang Cobra Jet Prototype to benefit NMSS, that means you won't be seeing this one-of-a-kind vehicle on our lot. However, we do have a variety of Ford Mustangs and Ford vehicles for sale at our Ann Arbor Area Ford Dealer. North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

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Ford to Increase F-150 SVT Raptor Production to Meet Demand

WESTLAND, Mich. - Ford has revealed plans to increase F-150 SVT Raptor production to meet demand. The off-road truck is currently being manufactured at the Dearborn Truck plant, where production will be increased to keep up with the constant demand for the four-year old truck.

At the Dearborn Truck plant, the Ford Raptor was being produced at a rate of three trucks an hour for years. Now production will increase to about five an hour within the next couple of weeks, resulting in a huge increase of product. However, this extra product is not expected to sit around on dealer's lots for long, as the vehicle currently only stays for an average of 15 days.

The 2014 Raptor will start at $44,000 and will come with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 411 hp and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. It also comes with four-wheel drive and a special suspension - all of which make this vehicle desirable to drivers who are looking for a durable, functional and luxurious ride.

Since Ford is going to increase F-150 SVT Raptor production to meet demand, that means we will have more Raptors on our lot soon. In the meantime, stop by our Ann Arbor Area Ford Dealer today and check out the Raptors and various other Ford vehicles for sale. We have everything from Ford Mustangs to Ford C-Max to a huge selection of Certified Pre-Owned Cars For Sale. So come see us today! We look forward to helping you into a vehicle you'll love for years to come. 

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

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Ford Motor Company Has Best Sales Month Since 2006

WESTLAND, Mich. - Ford Motor Company has reported their best sales month since 2006, and showing no signs of stopping. Due specifically to the strong demand for vehicles such as the Ford Fusion and F-Series, Ford did extremely well in August with sales expected to surpass 16 million vehicles by the end of this year.

This 16 million mark is the greatest goal that Ford has seen since 2006. The surging demand for the Ford Fusion and F-Series pickups has a lot to do with these impressive numbers, as they are vehicles that are receiving a lot of media attention this year. The Ford Fusion was recently given a five-star safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, making it one of the safest vehicles on the market. It was also named one of the Best Family Cars by KBB.com! As for the F-Series pickups, the F-150 was named the best light-duty pickup truck on the market.

With sales booming, Ford is expected to surpass last year's total sales (14.7 million) by speeding past the 16 million mark. In the month of August alone, Ford Motor Company had the sales of its Ford brand vehicles increase by 12.7 percent, the truck sales increase by 18.4 percent and the car sales increase by 17.5 percent. That's impressive!

Ford Motor Company has reported their best sales month since 2006 - with quality vehicles and superior performance, this comes as no surprise. If you'd like to check out which Ford vehicles are on our lot stop, by our Ypsilanti Area Ford Dealer. We have a variety of New Ford Trucks, New Ford Cars and Used Cars For Sale. So come visit today and let us help you into the vehicle of your dreams! North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

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Safe Driving Tips for Teens

WESTLAND, Mich. - New drivers are always a concern when you're on the road, especially when the weather is not ideal. That's why it's necessary to make young drivers aware of how important a safety belt can be and how distractions on the road are extremely risky. To help make them aware, we've compiled a few safe driving tips for teens to help keep them focused on the road and out of harms way.

According to data gathered by Ford Motor Company, more than half of teens say that they become easily distracted by others in the car. This could be anything from actual passengers to phone conversations to texting friends. Teens are believed to look away from the road for longer and more frequent periods of time than more experienced drivers, which can often result in severe injury or worse. So make your teens aware of how dangerous distracted driving can be.

Also, teens often get excited about having passengers and/or driving their friends around. Make your teens aware that, by law, they are only allowed a certain number of passengers in their vehicle. Then stress to them the importance of not losing focus when they are on the road.

One good way to discourage distracted driving habits is to set a good example! Put your phone away, only take important calls, and use hands-free technology when possible - all of this will set a good example of how your teen should be driving.

Another way to encourage safety through example is wearing your seat belt! Ford data revealed that 78 percent of teens wear a safety belt while driving, but there is still a percentage that doesn't. Make your teens aware of how effective seat belts are - not to mention, let them know it's against the law to not wear one. By requiring your kids to buckle up the minute they get in the car, you'll get them into the habit of wearing it all the time. By making it habit, they'll most likely continue to buckle up when they have their own vehicle. 

While we hope these safe driving tips for teens help ease your mind about your young driver being on the road, we can also help you find a car with a great safety rating and safety features. So stop by our Ann Arbor Ford Dealer today and let us help you find a vehicle that is both safe, and affordable. North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

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Deliciously Easy After School Snacks

WESTLAND, Mich. - School is back in session which means kids will be trying to adjust to the long school days and will be coming home ravenous. Instead of reaching for the potato chips and goldfish, we have a few deliciously easy after school snacks that are both healthy and easy to make.

Fruits and veggies are the best snacks for kids, since they are healthy and can taste great if prepared correctly. Unfortunately, most kids will avoid the fresh produce and go for a chip bag or a candy bar. That's why we've found a couple of ways to get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies - by adding something sweet!

Chocolate banana pops are delicious and easy, just simply cut your banana, stick a wooden handle in each piece, dip it in melted chocolate and freeze! When frozen, the banana slices taste more like ice cream, which gives your kids another reason to love them!

Apple smile snacks are delicious as well. Taking two slices of apple, put peanut butter on one side and make an apple sandwich with marshmallows in the middle. Your kids will love this snack for the taste, and also for the silly smile!

Simply cutting up various fruits and vegetables and providing them with a dip might work as well. With the fruit, we recommend giving them the option to dip it into a marshmallow fluff or Nutella. As for the veggies, any kind of ranch or veggie dip will work!

One final deliciously easy after school snack that your kids will love is putting a variety of fruit and chocolate chips in an ice cream cone! It's convenient for them to hold on to, and keeps the unhealthy ice cream out of the picture.

With these quick and easy recipes, hopefully you'll be able to find something healthy that your kids will love. At North Brothers Ford, we have something YOU will love: New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks! We have an extensive selection of vehicles, both new and used. We are proud to be the Ann Arbor Area Ford Dealer as well as the Ypsilanti Area Ford Dealer. So stop by and let us help you into a vehicle that you'll love!

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

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2014 Ford Fiesta Review

WESTLAND, Mich. - The Ford Fiesta has been an American favorite, having recently been voted the Women's World Car of the Year for 2013. This subcompact car has so much to offer, which is why we've compiled all the best aspects of the vehicle in a 2014 Ford Fiesta review.

First off, the Ford Fiesta is a great little car that is fun to drive. It comes standard with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque, and it gets about 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. It also goes from 0-60 mph in 9.5 seconds which is an average time for the Fiesta's class.

As for safety, the 2014 Ford Fiesta has antilock brakes, traction and stability control, hill launch assist, integrated blind-spot mirror, and more. In a brake test, the Ford Fiesta SES came to a stop from 60 mph in 119 feet which is one of the best distances in its segment. As for how it does with overall protection, the Fiesta received the highest possible rating in the frontal-offset, side and roof-strength tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

With great safety features and an engine that is actually pretty quick for the vehicle's size, the 2014 Ford Fiesta also handles like a dream. Although 120 hp doesn't seem like much, this subcompact car actually gets up to speed pretty quickly and does so smoothly. It's lightweight and nimble, allowing you to have complete control of your vehicle while having it drive smooth.

If you're looking for a car to only be used occassionally with the speed of a Mustang, this isn't the car for you. However, if you want a subcompact car for day-to-day use that is not only luxurious but also reliable and fuel-efficient, then this is the vehicle you've been looking for. We have a variety of Ford Fiesta vehicles on our lot, so stop by your Northville Area Ford Dealer today and we'll set you up with a test drive! If you decide the subcompact car isn't the one for you and our 2014 Ford Fiesta review hasn't convinced you, don't sweat it! We have a great collection of New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks - all available for you to look over and take out.

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com
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