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WEEK OF JANUARY 2, 2012
News of the Big 3 Automakers in Metro-Detroit
Ford Named Director Emeritus
DEARBORN – Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) recently named Edsel B. Ford II as Director
Emeritus of the HFCC Foundation during a special ceremony held at the College
on Dec. 8.
Ford, a director on the Foundation Board since 1999, is the first individual to
receive this honor in the Foundation’s 30-year history.
“We are delighted to award Edsel this special honorary board status,” said Walter Talamonti, M.D., chair of the HFCC Foundation and medical director
of clinical operations at Ford Motor Company. “When it came time to make our selection, there was no other candidate discussed
beyond Edsel. His service to the college, his standing as a leader in industry
and manufacturing, and his many charitable endeavors uniquely qualify him for
this honor.”
Edsel B. Ford II
GM China Tech Center on Target
SHANGHAI – The second phase of the General Motors China Advanced Technical Center, the
most-comprehensive advanced automotive technology development center in China,
remains on track to open in the second half of 2012.
Adjacent to the GM China International Operations and GM China Headquarters in
Shanghai, the second phase of the two-phase ATC will focus on advanced design,
vehicle engineering, advanced powertrain development, urban mobility and
manufacturing processes.
Construction began in late summer and is about one-fourth complete.
It will complement the first phase of the ATC, the Advanced Materials
Laboratory, which opened in September and is engaged in research and
development of battery cells and lightweight materials.
Phase two of GM's China Advanced Technical Center, the most advanced automotive
technology development center in China
A Safe Winter Driving Season
DEARBORN – With winter officially beginning recently, and as drivers prepare for the
height of the slick driving season, Ford offers a Top 10 list of driving safety
do’s and don’ts to help drivers and their families stay safe on the roads this season:
10. DO allow a few minutes to brush and scrape your vehicle. Clearing windows is
crucial for visibility, and removing snow or ice from the top of your car will
spare cars behind you from encountering an unexpected snow assault, impairing
visibility or even cracking a windshield.
DON’T forget to clean snow and ice off your headlights and taillights.
9. DO use winterized windshield wiper fluid to make sure your wiper sprayer
doesn’t freeze over or crack, preventing you from washing away dirt and salt.
Whether you go over the river or through the snow, Ford offers 10 “dos and don'ts” for safe winter driving. Pictured is the Ford Explorer.
Chryslers Named for Safety
AUBURN HILLS – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named 11 models from
Chrysler Group LLC as Top Safety Picks for 2012.
The 2012 models include the Chrysler Town & Country 300 and 200; Dodge Grand Caravan, Durango, Charger, Journey and
Avenger; Jeep Grand Cherokee and Patriot, and the Fiat 500.
The IIHS annually recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people
in front, side, rollover and rear crashes based on a “good” rating in a series of tests conducted by the Institute.
Additionally, the vehicles must be equipped with standard electronic stability
control systems.
The Chrysler Town & Country minivan was one of 11 such 2012-model year Chrysler vehicles awarded a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
How Technology Affects Safety
General Motors Executive Director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness Gay Kent
recently shared her insights about the importance of technological innovation
and continuous improvement as part of GM’s safety strategy.
Kent is an engineer who worked in full-size truck development before holding a
variety of positions in vehicle safety and crashworthiness leading to her
current position.
Q: What should customers know about GM’s commitment to vehicle safety?
A: Our safety strategy is about providing continuous protection for our customers
before, during and after a crash. For example, the crash-avoidance ystem
features a forward collision alerts.
Gay Kent, GM Executive Director of Vehicle Crashworthiness and Safety, discussed
her job and auto safety.
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