New Ford video shows some of the world’s best drone pilots tackling a unique and challenging course involving a Focus RS, a Mustang & a robot.

• New Ford video shows some of the world’s best drone pilots tackling a unique and challenging course involving a drifting Focus RS, a smoking Ford Mustang – and a robot
• Drone racing stars Luke Bannister and Brett Collis also pilot their drones under a Ranger pickup and through a B-MAX car, navigating remotely with the help of special goggles
• “Dronekhana” was filmed at Ford’s European HQ in Cologne, Germany, the city that this week hosts Gamescom – Europe’s biggest interactive games trade fair. Ford, also this week, will target gaming GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title with the Ford GT supercar

Ford has brought together one of the world’s most exciting new sports and some of its finest fast cars to create a new video called “Dronekhana”.

Two of the planet’s best drone pilots tackle a unique obstacle course that includes a drifting Focus RS, a smoking Ford Mustang, and a robot. 

Pilots Luke Bannister and Brett Collis navigate their drones remotely with the help of special goggles, which provide a first-person view as they fly under the Ford Ranger pickup and through the Ford B-MAX’s pillarless doors. 

A rig of 36 GoPro cameras captured the drones mid-action in a style made famous by the 1999 film The Matrix.

“It’s basically like stepping into the cockpit. It was a tough course and we had some mishaps – but at least the Mustang’s all right, that’s all that matters,” said 16-year-old World Drone Prix champion Luke Bannister who took on the course with Tornado XBlades team mate and fellow Brit, Brett Collis, 22.

Named in tribute to the YouTube phenomenon Gymkhana, starring Focus RS consultant Ken Block, “Dronekhana” was filmed at Ford’s European headquarters in Cologne, Germany, the city which this week hosts Gamescom Europe’s biggest interactive games trade fair. 

It follows previous “Snowkhana” videos that have become a festive Ford tradition.

Ford has also invited five gamers from across Europe to Cologne to try to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the “Longest video marathon on a racing game”, in Forza Motorsport 6. 

They face a two day stint behind the wheel of a virtual Ford GT race car to take on the simulated Le Sarthe circuit used for the Le Mans 24 Hours – where the real-life Ford GT race car won earlier this year. To set a new record, the gamers will need to race for more than 48 hours 1 minute – starting at 14:00 C.E.T on Tuesday Aug. 16. 

If successful, a presentation will be made to the record-breaking gamer on the Microsoft stand, at Gamescom, on Thursday.

IRELAND - Ford see's big growth which will continue with new models, better specifications, and great pricing.

In the traditionally brisk January car and van sales period, Ford vehicles were the top sellers.  According to figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), during January, car sales jumped 33.6 per cent to 39,812 units and light commercial vehicles experienced an even more healthy rise of 38.4 percent to 7,081 units (versus 29,808 cars and 5,115 vans for January 2015).

In the combined new vehicle market for January 2016, Ford sold the highest number of vehicles with a tally of 6,002 units (4,381 cars and 1,621 vans) ahead of Toyota with a combined total of 5,434 and Hyundai’s combined total of 5,130.  This is the second year in a row that Ford has been the top seller during the January sales period.

Speaking at the first Irish drive of the all new Ford Mustang, the first time that the iconic nameplate has been available in a right-hand-drive version in Ireland, Ford Ireland chief, Ciarán McMahon, said: “Following the healthy rise in vehicle sales throughout 2015, the January 2016 increase in sales is a clear sign that our economic turnaround is thankfully here to stay,”

“Of course, we are delighted that Ford was the top-selling vehicle in the combined car and van market, but what is particularly heartening is the continued growth in the van sector – commercial vehicle sales give a very clear reflection of the level of confidence of business managers, on the evidence of these strong new van sales figures, the economy is set to continue on its upward trend”.

Retaining its position as Ireland’s favourite range of vans, Ford’s Transit range again dominated the van sales chart.  In relation to cars, the Ford Focus and the Ford Fiesta were both placed in the top-five best-selling models in second and fourth place respectively.

	Top Five Models Jan 2016	Units
1	Hyundai Tucson	2,480
2	Ford Focus Range	1,606
3	Toyota Corolla Range	1,361
4	Ford Fiesta Range	1,282
5	VW Golf Range	1,254

UK SALES OCTOBER - Decade follows Decade, and Ford continues to dominate the sales charts, in all sectors.

UK market leader Ford recorded 101,598 65-plate registrations during September and October, as it stretched its sales leads in total vehicle, car and commercial vehicles.  Ford commercial vehicle (CV) sales are more than double those of its nearest rival.

According to the official October sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

• Ford is the UK market leader in total vehicle, car and CV sales
• Fiesta is UK best-seller; Transit Custom and Transit first and second in CV sales
• Transit range is second in UK total vehicle sales
• Ford’s car sales lead increased 20 per cent, compared with October 2014
• Ford has five models in the UK Top 20 – Fiesta (1^st), Focus (4^th), Transit Custom (9^th), Transit (16^th) and Kuga (18^th)

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "Ford is building on the strength of its core models in the UK market, while stretching into new segments with models such as Mustang, Mondeo Vignale and Ford Edge.

“Fiesta is in its seventh year as the UK market leader, while the success of our extended Ford CV family is demonstrated by Transit range sales exceeding those of any car – apart from Fiesta.  Our strong results are a direct result of the wider range of these exciting new models - delivered through our dealer partners, who make up the strongest network in the UK.”

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales in October were down 1.1 per cent to 177,664 units, compared with October 2014. Ford car sales were 22,081, 6,190 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.  For the year to date (end October) total UK car sales were 2,274,550, up 6.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2014.  Ford car sales for this period were 290,409, some 62,418 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.

Ford is also the clear leader in retail car sales, which most accurately reflect the preferences of private buyers.  For October, Ford’s retail car sales beat a shrinking retail market and increased 8.2 per cent, compared with October 2014.  At 13.1 per cent, Ford’s retail car sales share was 5.1 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival, and for the year to date, Ford’s retail car sales share was 12.3 per cent, a lead of 4.2 percentage points.

The Ford Fiesta is the UK’s top seller and in October it recorded 8,577 registrations, 3,516 ahead of its nearest rival.  With total registrations of 116,631 for the year to date, the Ford Fiesta is the UK best seller by a significant margin – 38,735 sales and 1.7 percentage points of market share ahead of its nearest competitor.

Ford’s broad customer appeal across its car range is demonstrated by Fiesta, B-MAX, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga and Galaxy all occupying top three places in their respective market segments. Ford Kuga sales are at the highest level since it was launched with October registrations of 2,343, up 12.0 per cent, compared with October 2014, and sales for the year to date of 27,948, up 33.1 per cent, compared with the same period in 2014.

UK commercial vehicle sales in October were down 3.6 per cent at 34,228, compared with October 2014.  At 8,344, total sales of Ford CVs were up 10.9 per cent, compared with October 2014.  For the year to date total UK CV sales were up 16.3 per cent at 360,168, compared with the same period in 2014.  Total sales of Ford CVs for the year to date were up 22.3 per cent at 89,177, compared with 2014.

Ford light commercials sales for the year to date were up from 14,589 to 19,539, compared with the same period in 2014 and Ford medium commercials sales for the year to date were up from 58,316 to 69,638, compared with 2014.

The full availability of Ford’s extended CV family has helped deliver this strong sales momentum.  Fiesta Van, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger all lead their respective market segments.

Oxford, UK, could be powered by the electricity saved by Ford of Europe's plants after a raft of energy saving schemes.

• Energy usage, per vehicle produced, reduced by 25 per cent since 2011 following investments of £20 million in Ford’s European plants
• Generated annual energy saving of 800 gigawatt hours – equivalent to the energy used each year by a city the size of Oxford
• New Energy Management Operating System contributes to prestigious International ISO 50001 certification for Ford facilities at Cologne and Saarlouis in Germany
• Industry-first heat recovery system transforms and recycles low-grade waste heat from paint systems

Ford in Europe is on course to achieve a reduction in energy usage, per vehicle produced, of 25 per cent since 2011, following investments of  £20million specifically targeting energy waste.

This means that each year Ford will save about 800 gigawatt hours at its European plants – roughly the amount of energy used annually by a city with a population of 170,000, such as Oxford.

As part of the Ford Production System, a new energy management operating System is now deployed throughout Ford’s European manufacturing centres. Facilities in Cologne and Saarlouis, Germany, for example, have achieved International ISO 50001 status for their energy management and efficiency.

“Constantly finding new ways of saving natural resources is an important challenge for Ford, especially in an energy intensive industry such as car-making,” said Richard Douthwaite, manager, Energy Management, Ford of Europe. “Recycling waste heat from factory paint ovens is just one of the creative ways we are reducing energy demand, helping us to lower the environmental impact of our manufacturing facilities around the world.”

The energy-saving measures include a system that recovers heat energy from the paint oven exhaust stacks and returns it as useful heat into the district water heating system. The system in Cologne has delivered 16 gigawatt hours since start-up in November 2013. A similar system is now operational in Ford’s Saarlouis plant and a further one is planned for its factory in Valencia, Spain.

A second paint heat recovery project, believed to be an industry-first, relates to the transformation of massive volumes of low-grade heat otherwise exhausted from the Cologne paint spray booths. The process uses heat pump technology, and some residual energy from the paint oven exhaust recovery, to convert low-grade heat to useful heat that is then re-introduced at the fresh air intake of the paint spray booth to offset the gas burners. Anticipated full year savings are 50 gigawatt hours.

The company is continuing its switch to low-energy LED lighting at its manufacturing facilities in Europe. More than 25,000 new LED fixtures were installed at facilities around the world last year. Ford is also rolling-out the installation of an advanced automated building heating control and ventilation system at its factories. The hi-tech system allows Ford energy teams to remotely control – and even switch off – heating systems in individual offices, or areas that are not in use, within its plants.

In the UK, Ford’s Dagenham and Bridgend engine plants both use renewable energy sources to help power their operations. Three wind turbines at Dagenham provide enough clean energy to power engine production at the Ford Dagenham Diesel Centre while a wind turbine and solar energy contribute to Bridgend’s sustainable energy actions.  

Sustainability is a core part of Ford’s business strategy, both in terms of smart manufacturing and mobility solutions; and a range of technologically advanced, fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford’s Sustainability Report is an important part of the company’s commitment to transparency and has helped to drive progress within Ford and across the industry.

Ford grows sales in both Spetember and year to date, with new models still to come, it can only grow.

• Ford’s total vehicle sales* grew 8 percent in September and 10 percent year-to-date
• Total vehicle market share at 8.9 percent in September, and 8.1 percent year-to-date
• Ford No. 2 in total vehicle and passenger car sales; No.1 for commercial vehicles
• Ford increased market share in 12 of its 20 traditional European markets, including Germany, Spain, France, Italy and others; share also up in Turkey; leads UK market
• Ford sales in higher value retail and fleet segments accounted for 73 percent of its passenger car sales in both periods – 1 and 3 percentage points better than industry
• Mondeo sales up 45 percent in September; EcoSport compact SUV sales doubled; Ranger sales rose 17 percent; Mustang orders at almost 10,000 in Europe
• Commercial vehicle sales up 12 percent in September and 26 percent year-to-date
• One of four cars ordered with Ford EcoBoost direct injection petrol engine; One of five with award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost

Ford’s European vehicle sales increased again in September driven by strong demand for its all-new or significantly freshened vehicle line-up, led by the new Mondeo, the company’s SUV range and commercial vehicle family.

Ford sold a total of 140,300 vehicles in its 20 traditional European markets* last month, and 978,800 vehicles in the first nine months of the year – a year-over-year increase of 8 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The company’s total vehicle market share was 8.9 percent September and 8.1 percent year-to-date, the best total vehicle share for the first three quarters since 2011. Ford was the No. 1 brand for commercial vehicles sales in Europe in both September and year-to-date, up from No. 7 in 2012, and remains Europe’s No. 2 selling brand in Europe for total vehicle and passenger car sales.

"We offer our customers not only one of the freshest and broadest vehicle line-ups in the industry, but also a wide range of technology options, including our fuel efficient EcoBoost petrol engines,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “Today, one of four cars is ordered with Ford EcoBoost technology, and one of five with the multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine.”

The company’s combined sales in the retail and fleet market accounted for 73 percent of its passenger car sales in September and in the first nine months, 1 percentage points and 3 percentage points better than industry average, respectively.

Ford said it was also seeing a strong take rate for more upscale and well-equipped versions of its vehicles, such as Titanium series.

Passenger Car Sales

Ford’s momentum comes on the back of growth across the company’s product range, led by new model introductions.

Almost 10,000 European customers have ordered the all-new Ford Mustang which went on-sale in Europe this summer for the first time in the iconic Muscle car’s 51-year history.

Sales of the all-new Mondeo were up 45 percent year-over-year in September and up 60 percent year-to-date. Customer orders for the new Focus were up nearly 37 percent in September. The Fiesta continued to be the best-selling small car in Europe for the first eight months of 2015, according to Jato Dynamics.

Ford’s SUV range also continued to increase sales. Kuga sales in September and year-to-date were the highest since the launch of the first-generation Kuga in 2008. Sales of the EcoSport compact SUV doubled in September compared to September 2014.  

Commercial Vehicle Sales

Ford was No. 1 in commercial vehicles sales in September and year-to-date as demand continued to grow for its completely new and expanded Transit range – including Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier – and the Ranger pickup. Commercial vehicle sales were up 26 percent year-to-date. Market share for the period was up 1.5 percentage points at 12.8 percent, the best share performance in almost two decades. Customer orders for Transit grew 25 percent in September.

Demand for the Ranger pickup continued to grow with September sales up 17 percent, the best September and first three quarters since the model’s launch in 1999. Customer orders for Ranger were up 73 percent in September. The Ranger claimed the No. 1 sales position in the European pickup market in the first seven months this year, according to the latest available data.

Market highlights

Ford closed a strong September and year-to-date across many markets in Europe.

Ford was market leader in total vehicle sales in the UK in September and year-to-date, in Ireland in September and in Hungary year-to-date, and achieved market share improvements in 12 of its 20 traditional European markets, including Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, and Poland, plus at its Turkish joint venture, Ford Otosan.

New model announcements

At the recent 2015 Frankfurt IAA, Ford reaffirmed that it is launching five all-new or redesigned vehicles that will compete in the SUV and crossover space in Europe in the next three years, starting early next year with the Edge large SUV.

Ford guarantees the future of it's Bridgend Engine Facility, Wales, with a £181 Million Investment for new engines.

Ford has approved an investment of £181 million at its Bridgend Engine Plant in South Wales to produce a family of all-new, technologically-advanced, fuel-efficient petrol engines. The investment includes Welsh Government support of £14.67 million, with production planned to start in late 2018.

The Ford announcement was welcomed by Welsh Economy Minister Edwina Hart: “Ford is a Welsh Anchor Company and the Bridgend Engine Plant plays a key role in the economy of South Wales. In a climate of stiff global competitiveness, we have been actively seeking to win a share of this investment for Wales and so we are delighted with today’s announcement.

“Ford’s decision to manufacture its new innovative engine here in Wales is a tribute to the reputation of the local management team and the quality and loyalty of the Welsh workforce and will safeguard more than 750 skilled Welsh jobs for many years.”

Teams from the Ford Dunton Technical Centre in Essex, as well as Ford’s Technical Centre in Merkenich Germany, and the Ford Research and Innovation Centre in Aachen, Germany, have worked together on the design and development of the all-new engine family.

Earlier this year, Ford built its 5 millionth vehicle worldwide equipped with a fuel-efficient EcoBoost petrol engine, and in Europe more than one-in-four of all Ford vehicles sold are fitted with an EcoBoost engine. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – winner of the International Engine of the Year for an unprecedented three years in succession – is the most popular EcoBoost version in Europe, with one-in-five vehicles sold in the region being equipped with the engine.

Notes for Editors:

• The Bridgend Engine Plant has benefitted from a total £1.8 billion investment since it opened in 1980.  It builds six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines for customers and, together with Ford four-cylinder engines, total production is currently 3,400 engines a day, or one every 24 seconds off the busiest line.
• Bridgend’s success has been encouraged through a partnership with the Welsh Government who have committed to maximising the potential of Ford’s own investment.  The Welsh Government supports the plant with an annual grant for training of £50,000.
• Ford Bridgend total production now exceeds 19 million engines and its products power the Ford Fiesta, B-MAX, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga and Mondeo models. 

Plant Opened	May 1980
Number of Employees	1,860
2014 production	701,392 total
Plant size	141,702 sq m on 60 acres
Plant manager	Ian Pearson