Go Further With Ford

DEARBORN, MI--June 25, 2014: Ford’s fourth annual “Go Further with Ford” trend conference takes a deeper look at key global trends and issues influencing consumers today and well into the future. Ford has brought together a collection of thought leaders and trend-spotters, as well as Ford designers and scientists to explore key trends in sustainability, design, technology and innovation and discuss future implications on consumer dynamics in 2015 and beyond.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH BIG DATA? FEMALE FRONTIER SUSTAINABILITY BLUES DECODING DESIGN INSIDE THE OVAL INNOVATION: IT’S IN THE DETAILS WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH BIG DATA?

From individual consumers to the world’s largest companies, data has become an increasingly useful and valuable commodity. We share personal data including calendars, preferences and locations with companies like Apple, Google and Facebook. In exchange, they mash it up with data from other sources to remind us where we need to be, suggest what to wear and tell us how to get there. At the other end, companies in fields as diverse as package delivery, manufacturing and computer chip technology derive valuable insights from looking across a diverse range of seemingly disparate data sources. These insights are used to help inform product development decisions, learn about the issues customers are having with products and how to improve processes.

Ford has been a data-driven company since the post-World War II days of the “Whiz Kids.” Alan Mulally’s motto — “The data will set you free,” has helped drive the company to new heights of success. Today, using data effectively is increasingly valuable in everyday life and in business.

FEMALE FRONTIER

Across the globe, women are gaining prominence in politics and in the work force, altering the dialogue regarding gender roles. The result is a new female frontier, with evolving household dynamics and definitions of family worldwide, including more women avoiding marriage and parenting altogether, and men actively stepping in to fill what were previously considered feminine roles.

SUSTAINABILITY BLUES

Water crises – floods, pollution and drought – rank third among the most worrying threats to business and government, behind fiscal instability and unemployment issues, according to the World Economic Forum 2014 Global Risk report. For years, we’ve been fixated on “going green,” protecting 30 percent of the earth’s surface, but today we’re turning our attention to the other 70 percent – recognizing that water is a force of nature and the resource most critical to keeping society afloat.

Between 2000 and 2012, Ford pared down water usage in everything from its cooling towers to parts washing to paint operations. The result? A 62 percent reduction in total global water consumption and a savings of 10.6 billion gallons of water.

But as water scarcity and reduced water quality continue to threaten the planet, the company’s efforts are evolving. Ford is moving beyond reducing the water footprint of its own facilities to working holistically outside its corporate walls to address water concerns in its supply chain and surrounding communities.

DECODING DESIGN

Creating unique and meaningful experiences is at the heart of design today. Whether it’s a car, phone or computer, consumers put a premium on ease of use, functionality and overall emotional connection, as well as aesthetics.

Solutions for how consumers interact with a product – the way technology is integrated to allow the most effective usability and the highest degree of satisfaction – are what elevate design beyond art. Ultimately, design doesn’t just make things beautiful, it makes them work.

Decoding Design explores those brands, products and designers that are leading the way to seamlessly crack this code for customers – not only to create lasting relationships, but also to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Great design intrigues you, captivates you. It creates great expectations that begin with a look and culminate with a touch. Great design begins with a single note and culminates in a crescendo of emotion.

INSIDE THE OVAL

Get a more intimate understanding of how Ford vehicles are created at our Inside the Oval experience. At stations located throughout the Ford campus, Inside the Oval takes you behind the scenes to learn about the intricate processes of designing, engineering and manufacturing world-class cars and trucks.

Virtual Reality Lab is a hands-on experience that explores how engineers worldwide are creating vehicles collaboratively, courtesy of ultra-high-definition,virtual reality technology. Innovations in Safety is an immersive experience that showcases the different tools Ford uses to help design safer products. Studio 2000x brings to life the digital design process, showcasing how Ford designers work with early-stage sketches and renderings to create three-dimensional prototypes. And Tough Testing focuses on how Ford uses robotics technologies to build durable vehicles that can withstand extreme road and climate conditions.

INNOVATION: IT’S IN THE DETAILS

The 2015 Ford F-150 is loaded with innovation. Want proof? The new truck is the most patented truck in Ford history – boasting 100+ new Ford patents and/or patent applications. The all-new F-150 is defining a new standard with innovations that protect, assist and deliver better fuel economy. These innovations add to Ford’s storied history of truck leadership; and any of these innovations are found in details such as the remote tailgate release and LED spotlights.