Ford has been America's favorite automotive brand since 1903, based on sales, and continues to rank among consumers as one of America's best brands, according to syndicated research.
Elements of the centennial oval are apparent through many evolutions of the company's logo since 1903. In 1909, the style of the word Ford, designed by C.H. Wills, an engineer and draftsman who came to Ford shortly after its incorporation, continues as part of today's logo.
"The oval is a memorable visual symbol that conjures up great images of the storied experiences people have had with their Ford vehicles," said Valentic. "Almost everyone around the world has been touched by the oval by owning a great car, riding in a friend's, singing about our great nameplate, or seeing Ford vehicles on the silver screen. Ford, the oval, is a thread in the fabric of our culture."
General Motors Announces First Vehicles To Feature Displacement On Demand '05 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, GMC Envoy XUV to use fuel-saving technology General Motors has announced that the '05 GMC Envoy XL, Envoy XUV, and Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT will be the first vehicles to showcase its innovative Displacement on Demand fuel-saving technology. The announcement was made at a media briefing highlighting GM's short-term, midterm, and long-term advanced technologies that benefit the environment and GM's business.
Displacement on Demand will be a standard feature in the vehicles' optional Vortec 5300 V-8 engine. The more efficient engine will boost the fuel efficiency of these vehicles by about 8 percent (based on an EPA testing procedure).
In addition, GM previously announced it would introduce this technology as part of a new overhead-valve V-6 family of engines in some '06 midsize passenger cars. By 2008, more than two million vehicles with the V-8 and V-6 engines will feature Displacement on Demand.
Both customers and the environment will benefit from the engines' improved fuel economy. In addition, GM owners won't have to sacrifice superior engine performance and power to go farther on a tank of gas.
"Displacement on Demand will enhance fuel economy without compromising performance or the ability to carry heavy loads," said Sam Winegarden, GM Powertrain chief engineer of Vortec V-8 engines. "We will be able to deliver the same top-of-the-line performance with less effort and energy. That's the essence of efficiency."
Enabled by GM's powerful electronic powertrain controls, Displacement on Demand saves fuel by using only half of the engine's cylinders during most normal driving conditions. When loads are light, the control system automatically closes both intake and exhaust valves for half of the cylinders, cutting off their air and fuel supply. The valves are reopened to provide all-cylinder operation when the driver needs it for quick acceleration or for hauling heavy loads.
The V-8 engine always starts on eight cylinders, and in the case of the V-6 engine, six cylinders. But once the vehicle has accelerated to speed, the engine control module activates Displacement on Demand, providing improved fuel economy through a relatively inexpensive change in displacement to meet the vehicle load requirements.