• Ford to debut the ultimate stealth Police Interceptor at SEMA – a customized concept of its all-new Police Interceptor sedan
• Revamped grille, lighting, exhaust and interior provide a sleek, yet slightly sinister look designed to blend muscle with mystery
• Designer drew inspiration from the SR-71 Blackbird, the original stealth airplane revealed in the ’60s and considered by many aviation experts to be the ultimate aircraft 

DEARBORN, Nov. 1, 2010 – Sleek, streamlined and slightly sinister, a specialized stealth concept version of Ford’s Police Interceptor will debut at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) trade show in Las Vegas. 

Using the strong lines and muscular stance of the Ford Police Interceptor sedan as a base, Ford designer Melvin Betancourt developed a customized undercover stealth version that’s both stylish and full of high-tech surprises. 

“This car offered the perfect canvas for me as a designer,” Betancourt said. “The Police Interceptor sedan is already a unique vehicle. I just started looking at ways to give it that mysterious but high-tech look.” 

The Police Interceptor sedan was introduced in March, followed by a utility version in September. Both Interceptors will debut simultaneously when production of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ceases in late 2011. 

The stealth concept vehicle will be on display throughout the SEMA show, which runs Nov. 2-5. 

Betancourt started the undercover version by lowering the body and giving the illusion of added width. The body was lowered an inch, and the special 22-inch wheels are inside a staggered rim section so the front is 3 inches and the rear is 3.5 inches. 

“The rim section is stacked to give it the illusion of greater width,” he said. “The center of the wheel is glossy black, and the rim is chrome. So we have that racy, hot rod look, but at the same time we’re building a sinister, stealthy, ‘Don’t mess with me’ feeling.” 

Top-secret airplane provides inspiration

Betancourt used imagery of the SR-71, the original stealth airplane, for inspiration as he customized the vehicle. Known as the “Blackbird,” this high-altitude, long-range reconnaissance aircraft was secretly designed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Its top speed was more than three times the speed of sound. Now retired, the Blackbird is considered by many aviation enthusiasts as the ultimate airplane. 

Betancourt kept in mind the Blackbird’s iconic imagery and status as he considered the elements of his own stealth project. “When you think stealth, you think, ‘there, but not there.’ This is all about strength, secrecy and concealment.” 

The exterior of the Police Interceptor stealth vehicle is solid black. The grille is mesh, like the original sedan, but the metal is thicker, offering more depth. The lights on the car are designed to be inconspicuous, with the surrounding area painted black so they blend in until illuminated.  

The back of the vehicle was given an aggressive spoiler adorned with bead lights painted black so they remain unnoticed until the car is started. The taillights are smoked, the windows tinted.  

It’s a vehicle that exudes power – and it should. The production Police Interceptor sedan model offers two powertrain options, allowing police to choose the engine that best meets their needs.  

A 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering at least 280 horsepower and E85 compatibility is 25 percent more efficient than the 4.6-liter single-overhead-cam V8 offered in the current Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. And an all-new 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged, direct-injection EcoBoost^™ V6 engine will deliver at least 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad rpm range.  

That strength complements the mystery inside the revamped interior of the stealth version. 

“It’s all about concealing everything,” Betancourt said. “The headliner is black, we wrapped the B-pillars in black, and then we started looking at, ‘Where can I hide this? How can I conceal this?’ We repackaged the console – it looks like a production console with the waterfall of the instrument panel. But when you start opening doors and panels, that’s when you see everything.” 

Unless you’re supposed to be in the vehicle, you won’t know where and how to find the compartments, he said. For example, the radio is hidden inside the console, as is an onboard computer. Also, the glove box has a secret space designed for weapons.  

Betancourt anticipates visitors to SEMA will immediately sense the uniqueness of the car. 

“Right away, they’ll see this vehicle that looks different, that looks sinister – but they won’t know exactly why. Then, as they get closer, they’ll start to see all of these touches that work together to create the overall image.” 

DETROIT, MI – The General Motors Foundation today provided a $10,000 grant to the scholarship fund of the Organization of Black Designers (OBD) to support the non-profit organization in its mission to offer financial aid to creative young people at major design schools across the country.

The OBD launched an initiative in 2009 to establish a scholarship funding program. However, as is the case with many non-profit organizations in the present environment, the OBD is contending with today’s recovering economy. The GM Foundation’s grant will help the OBD reach its goal of establishing a scholarship at every major design school in the country. The scholarships cover the disciplines of transportation, interior, graphic and product design.

 “Through the OBD, we’re proud to help make an investment in America’s creative young people, especially those who are interested in pursuing a career in design,” said Ed Welburn, GM Vice President, Global Design.  “The GM Design team is made up of designers from a variety of disciplines, not just vehicle design specialists. Designers from architecture, digital, fashion, ceramics, graphic and interior design fill the studios of our ten Design Centers worldwide. Efforts like the OBD’s are important to create awareness among young people of the design opportunities in the automotive industry, and to help us fill these critical needs both today and in the future.”

 “The Organization of Black Designers is profoundly grateful that GM is supporting our national scholarship initiative,” said David H. Rice, founder and chairman, Organization of Black Designers. “We look forward to partnering with GM to provide the essential financial and mentoring support that the talented youth of America fully deserve.”

DETROIT – Beginning today, owners of 2011 Chevrolet models can access their vehicle information and OnStar services right from their smart phones. The myChevrolet and OnStar MyLink applications, available as free downloads, provide drivers with unprecedented connectivity to their vehicles from their Android or Apple iPhone device.

“This is a great example of how we are focusing on smart technologies that address customers’ needs,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “With myChevrolet and Onstar MyLink apps, customers can search their owners’ manual, find their parking spot, and even unlock their car – right from their phone.”

Features of the apps, also available on Buick, GMC and Cadillac models, fall into three categories: location-based services, vehicle-specific information, and OnStar connectivity features.

The location-based services include a parking reminder that allows drivers to save their parking location to a GPS-enabled map, set a timer to track how much time they have on the parking meter, and even add a note or photo with details about their parking location. If they return to a flat tire, the driver can use the app to request roadside assistance or to locate the closest Chevrolet dealership and schedule a service appointment.

Vehicle-specific information is accessible after scanning the vehicle identification number using the smart-phone camera. These features include searchable content for the most-commonly accessed information in the owner’s manual, such as directions saving radio presets. The app also provides explanations of warning lights and indicators on the vehicle instrument panel at the touch of a button. 

In addition, myChevrolet integrates with the OnStar MyLink app to access exclusive OnStar technologies. Through OnStar’s unique connection to the vehicle, owners can send remote vehicle commands such as unlocking or locking the doors, and starting the engine. In addition, owners can access key diagnostic information, including fuel tank level and range, remaining oil life, current and recommended tire pressure and lifetime average miles per gallon. The diagnostic information is current as of the last vehicle start, giving OnStar subscribers an up-to-date health report of their vehicle anytime they need it. 

myChevrolet and OnStar MyLink are currently available for download, free of charge, from www.apple.com, or from www.android.com.

• Ford Motor Company brings together local experts to discuss Chicago’s electric vehicle future
• Experts from Ford, ComEd and the Chicago Department of Environment examine what the Windy City is doing to prepare for electric vehicles including infrastructure development and grid readiness 
• Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van (late 2010), Focus Electric passenger car (2011), two third-generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012)
• Ford is working with utilities across the country to educate consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology. Chicago and Detroit are the only Midwest stops on the “Charging Into the Future – Ford Electric Vehicle Tour”

CHICAGO, Oct. 29, 2010 – Ford Motor Company today convened key experts from the city of Chicago and ComEd to examine critical issues related to consumer adoption of electric vehicles. Ford has been working to engage utilities, city and state governments and infrastructure providers in efforts to promote the commercialization of electrified vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions and increase energy security.

“Ford has an aggressive plan to bring five new electrified vehicles to market over the next two years including the Transit Connect Electric later this year and the Ford Focus Electric in 2011,” said Sherif Marakby, director of Electrification Program and Engineering, Ford Motor Company. “There is incredible excitement for electric vehicles in the Chicago area. To support the rollout and acceptance of these vehicles in Chicago and across the country, it is critical to work with local utilities and cities to make sure the necessary electric infrastructure and grid is ready for both vehicles and consumers.”

Ford plans to work with utilities as well as state and local officials to address issues related to the permitting and regulations that can support electric vehicle infrastructure. An easy charging station permitting process is considered an important element for electric vehicle acceptance in the Chicago area, Illinois and across the country. 

“Electric vehicles will be a key new technology in helping to reach the goals of the Chicago Climate Action Plan,” said Suzanne Malec-McKenna, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Environment. “We are excited about bringing electric vehicles to Chicago so that residents and businesses can take full advantage of the benefits these vehicles offer.”

The “Charging Into the Future – Ford Electric Vehicle Tour,” which kicked off at Portland State University in Portland, Ore., last month, is visiting 14 key cities to promote Ford’s electric vehicle strategy as well as educate consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology. Chicago and Detroit were the only two Midwest cities included in the tour.

Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van (2010), Focus Electric passenger car (2011), two third-generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012). These vehicles will achieve breakthrough efficiency; some, like the pure battery electric Transit Connect Electric and Focus Electric, will use no gasoline at all.

Electrification is an important piece of Ford’s overall product sustainability strategy that features a range of fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel technologies including EcoBoost™ engines, six-speed transmissions, electric power-assisted steering, aerodynamic improvements and light-weighting materials. Ford’s electrification strategy also leverages the most fuel-efficient powertrains, the most technically competent hybrids and global vehicle platforms in order to develop affordable, fuel-efficient choices for consumers.