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WEEK OF JANUARY 2, 2012
News of the Big 3 Automakers in Metro-Detroit
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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
 
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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
 
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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.
 
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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).
 
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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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