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Ford Named A Most Ethical Company 2015 – Lamarque Ford

March 9, 2015 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Today, The Ford Motor Company was named a 2015 World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute. The honor was earned thanks to Ford’s ethics compliance, corporate responsibility, leadership and innovation.

Ford is the only automaker to receive this honor, and the company has earned it for the past six consecutive years. Ford is recognized for promoting ethical business practices both internally and with consumers. Ford has continuously affirmed its commitment to sustainability, workers’ rights and the environment, which show what the company does beyond selling their product.

Ethisphere recognizes companies based on five different categories: corporate citizenship and responsibility, ethics and compliance, culture of ethics, governance and leadership, innovation, and reputation. Ford ranks highly in all the categories and exceeds industry standards by setting future best practices.

Other companies in the list include Gap, Google, Dell, and L’ORÉAL.

Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

Does Your Car Need Wheel Alignment? | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

January 28, 2015 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Is your car pulling to one side and need to hold the wheel to prevent it from drifting away? While there are many factors that can cause this, like uneven surfaces or street inclines, many people in New Orleans experience tire alignment problems.

We’re all used to the many potholes and narrow streets in the city, but one too many times hitting that curb can cause your tires to move off-center. But why should you be worried?

Minor improper alignment can cause your tires to wear faster and unevenly. Since the rubber is not touching the road equally, your tire will deteriorate only on certain sides and still require replacement.

Major problems may arise if your balancing is way off. Besides uneven tire wear, improper balance may lead to accidents or damage to other parts of your vehicle.

If you feel a minor pull in your car’s steering wheel, first check the tire pressure. Unevenly inflated tires can cause a car to behave this way, and should always be corrected immediately. Underinflation can also cause other problems, like poor fuel efficiency and reduced tire life.

Another sign of poor alignment is vibration in your wheels, which can also be caused by balancing or suspension related problems.

If the issue persists after checking your tire pressure, contact a trusted car technician. Tire alignments are inexpensive and can save you hundreds if they need replacement.

During tire alignment, a technician will adjust the suspension –more specifically, the part that connects your car to the wheels. Many believe tire alignment involves the adjustment of wheels or tires themselves, but we call that balancing. Alignment and balancing are often performed simultaneously, specially after hitting a big pothole or a car accident.

Our service department offers high quality services by factory-trained technicians, delivering the highest quality and customer service.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

Ford Opens Research Center In Palo Alto | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie

January 23, 2015 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Last week, Ford announced the opening of a new research center in Palo Alto. The move will allow the company to speed-up its development of new technologies, focusing on mobility, connectivity, autonomous vehicles, and big data.

The Research and Innovation Center Palo Alto is Ford’s latest research center, and joins the Michigan and Germany campuses. As part of the move, Ford is partnering with Stanford to begin the next phase of testing of the Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicles.

Ford is conducting experiments in different areas, including connectivity. The new Palo Alto team will play a critical role in exploring ways to communicate with existing technologies. The team is already integrating Ford vehicles with Nest, and allow for temperature to be managed via GPS and proximity.

Another area of intense interest is autonomous driving technology. Ford is already running experiments globally and in its Michigan and Massachusetts research centers. The new campus will allow Ford to work closely with the Stanford engineering program and to test new path planning and prediction algorithms.

Ford’s autonomous vehicle research has two components: the path planning algorithms and aDRIVE, or Autonomous Driving Refined In Virtual Environments. aDrive is a visual test software that tests algorithms like traffic sign recognition and other road elements.

Ford is also hoping to get input from their human-machine interfaces to control systems. For instance, the company is researching better ways to control functions on a high-tech multi-contour seat, including natural speech recognition and a tablet-based interface.

As wireless technologies become a necessity in our everyday lives, companies are also evolving to align their goals. A century ago, car manufacturers were concerned with the vary basics of the vehicle, which was to move us from point A to point B. Today, the car has become a lot more than that, and vehicles now embrace the latest technologies. Ford has been at the forefront of this trend, and offers innovative safety features in all their models like blind spot information system with cross traffic alert, park assist, inflatable safety belts, AdvanceTrac with roll stability control, and more.

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2015 Ford Explorer: New Engine, New Trims | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

November 14, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Earlier this year we discussed the specs of the 2015 Ford Explorer, and while most of it remains unchanged from 2014, we found out this week about new features coming to the SUV. After making its official global debut at the Los Angeles Auto show, Explorer enthusiasts were excited to learn about a new engine and trim that position the high-end SUV as a luxurious and high performance beast. Let’s find out what Ford Explorer, America’s best selling SUV for 25 years, has to offer.

2015 Explorer: A New Definition Of Performance

For the 2015 model year, Ford engineers focused on making Explorer more capable and decided to give it a new engine, the 2.3 liter EcoBoost. Although it is still a four-cylinder engine, the new configuration outperforms its predecessor, now producing 270 horsepower and at least 300 lb. of torque. 2015 Explorer customers now get an all.around better engine, improving on horsepower by 12 percent, torque by 11 percent, and highway passing times by 10 percent. Hence, the new EcoBoost engine is a winner on the highway.

So how does the 2015 Explorer achieves this? Besides the .3 liter increase in the engine’s displacement, Explorer uses a unique technology that allows it to optimize performance in real time. The active oil control system acts as a regulator and allows more or less oil pressure as needed; the engine uses a higher compression ratio, which burns fuel efficiently at a higher pressure; an active wastegate allows for better fuel consumption when carrying lighter loads.

Other engine configurations carry over from 2014, including the 3.5 liter V6 with its 290 horsepower, and the 3.5 V6 EcoBoost, standard in Explorer Spot and Platinum. The V6 EcoBoost produces 365 horsepower and its coupled with the latest in transmission technology: a six-speed SelectShift Automatic.

2015 Explorer Platinum: Luxury, The Ford Way

Throughout its whole line-up, Ford defines the most luxurious models as Platinum, and they truly elevate the looks and feel to a new level. After seeing most Explorer Sport customers purchased the highest trim available, Ford decided to give them the next luxury level. Explorer Platinum introduces significant changes to both exterior and interior. Let’s take a look.

The exterior gets a new continuous lighting look for its LED headlamps, along with a two-panel moonroof and silver painted elements. Explorer Platinum also gains 20-in wheels with bright machine face pockets. The new integrated exhaust, although beautiful in appearance, was designed to reduce the amount of soot to keep it bright and shiny.

Explorer platinum gets an amazing new interior: multi-contour micro-perforated leather seats, specially quilted stitching, a new aluminum and wood look throughout, leather-wrapped steering wheel and for the first time, an all-new 500-watt Sony Audio System with Live Acoustics and Clear Phase technology, which eliminates unnecessary sound dispersion.

By far, this is the most luxurious Explorer ever, and it will come to Lamarque early next year. Visit us today to look at our inventory.

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2015 Mustang Performance | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

September 22, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

With the all-new 2015 Mustang scheduled to hit dealerships in December, the final specs are rolling in. Several car magazines have done their own tests and they all agree on one thing: the new Mustang is awesome! The 2015 Mustang comes in three engine configurations: a 3.7 liter V6 , a 4-cylinder turbo-charged Ecoboost, and a 5.0 GT.

The standard entry level engine is a 3.7 V6, and it was the first to introduce twin Ti-VCT technology to the Mustang lineup. The V6 produces 300 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft of torque, which ensure a fun ride. However, the best features are its standard equipment, which for 2015 include an independent-rear suspension, 17″ aluminum wheels, HID headlamps with signature lighting, dual exhaust, LED tail lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel and hand brake, and more. The V6 is definitely a great options for first time sports car buyers.

Next comes the four-cylinder EcoBoost, which produces more power and torque than the V6 while getting better gas mileage. The 2.3 is Mustang’s first EcoBoost as it now joins the rest of the Ford family. EcoBoost engines are designed to perform better than bigger legacy engines while reducing emissions. Thanks to its twin turbo-chargers and a new exhaust system, the EcoBoost Mustang hopes to be the most popular model.

Finally, we meet the powerful 5.0 V8. This GT model tops at 435 horsepower and 400 lb. of torque, thanks to improvements like a new intake manifold. The GT’s performance package includes 19 in wheels, a larger radiator, Brembo brakes, and updated suspension for better stability.

Remember to stop by Lamarque Ford and test drive the all-new Mustang next month.

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Ford and Automatic Bring Siri To Cars | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

September 15, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

As in-car technology advances, not only can we control vehicle functions from our home, but we can now control our home components from our car. The Ford Motor Company is excited to announce the collaboration with Automatic Labs, manufacturer of the smart phone mobile driving assistant app. The acquisition will introduce Siri and an app called IFTTT, to affiliated vehicles both old and new.

Automatic Labs, a San Francisco based company, prides itself in creating an app and accessory that allocates automobile technology of the future to older cars. The accessory connects to a car’s data port, and makes available vital information that gives the driver feedback and score, to help them become more consistent in braking, accelerating and cruising. It also records driver history, MPG, and keeps track of gas prices. The app has a crash alert feature that alerts loved ones and emergency services in the event of an accident and it has a do not disturb feature which silences the user’s phone in route. The app also retrieves check engine codes and presents a list of nearby mechanics. It is used to help drivers remember where they parked and even assists in road trip mapping, visualization and expense tracking.

With Automatic Labs newly formed relationship with Ford, however, the technology is taking user experience to a whole new level. Siri integration allows Lincoln and Ford drivers to access all the familiar personal assistant commands through a push-to-talk button located on the steering wheel. This enhances safety and driver experience by allowing one to surf the web, send a text message, launch music playlists, respond to email or make calls, all while keeping both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.

Connectivity with IFTTT, an app which name is short for If This Than That, allows users to create conditional commands between services and devices. Users can program IFTTT to pull information from different sources and create what the app calls a “recipe.” Each recipe contains a trigger and then an action. For example, a user can program their vehicle with the trigger of pulling into driveway and then the action of alerting friends and family that they have arrived to their destination safely. Another example is to signal the vehicle that you are driving home and your thermostat in your house will automatically adjust itself to preferred climate.

According to sources, the app will be introduced at $99.95, and it will roll-out as an iOS 8 only app, grandfathering Ford and Lincoln models 2011 and newer. The app will reportedly be available online in October or November of 2014.

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Ford’s Zero Waste-to-Landfill Facility | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

September 8, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Ford’s Oakville Assembly plant in Canada is achieving a manufacturing milestone: zero waste-to-landfill status. Back in 2011, the Ford Motor Company set a goal to reduce global waste-to-landfill in their manufacturing facilities by 40 percent through 2016. As laid out in their sustainability and electric car strategies, Ford has come a long way and their efforts to build global-leading manufacturing operations are paying off. But what does it mean to achieve zero waste-to-landfill status and how is this accomplished? Let’s find out.

The Oakville Assembly plant sends zero operational waste to landfills, which means everything used in manufacturing gets either turned into a product or reused and recycled. This is no easy feat. Oakville manufactures the Lincoln MKX, Ford Flex, and Ford Edge, and is also Ford of Canada’s biggest manufacturing facility.

So Where Do We Start?

The first step, says Plant Manager Will Cowell, was to reduce the amount of materials used every day at the Ford facility. This includes less water consumption, less shipping packaging, less energy usage, etc. In other words, by finding a smarter way to use resources, the plant produces less waste, which is easier to manage.

Reusing and Recycling

In addition, the Ford facility reuses thousands of plastic bins and containers every day and recycle cardboard, wooden pallets and paper. Last year alone Oakville recycled almost 2,000 tons of materials, saving more than 8 million gallons of water. Also, the Ford plant filters the water used at the facility and sends the sludge collected to a power generating company.

The Future of Sustainability

As mentioned before, Ford has committed time and resources to ensure its facilities operate at a higher standard than others. Can you imagine if all manufacturing plants were zero waste-to-landfill? One single factory is already having a great beneficial impact on resources conservation and energy saving. Ford’s way to move forward is to plan ahead and work with communities to make this possible.

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2015 Ford Taurus | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

August 11, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

The new 2015 Taurus remains the best option for drivers looking for a full-size sedan with excellent gas mileage, an attractive design and the latest technology.

Design Features

The 2015 Taurus’ dynamic and elegant design makes it stand out from the competition. Its angular lines help the vehicle attain better fuel economy, as it improves its aerodynamics to cut through the air with ease. Also, the Taurus’ stance has been widened to allow for better handling and, coupled with the new steering system, hugs the curves of the most challenging roads.

The new Taurus features available HID headlamps, which provide excellent brightness and a more focused beam, extending the light’s reach. HID lamps are also more durable and and consume less energy than regular headlights. The rear of the Taurus is equipped with full LED tail lamps, which not only are brighter but add to the refined looks of the car.

Ford Taurus Performance

Ford is making three engines available for the 2015 Taurus, giving consumers plenty of choice. The base engine is a 3.5 V6 peaking at 288 hp, which provides enough power for a comfortable and exciting ride. Although the base model is a front-wheel drive, Ford offers an upgraded all-wheel drive (AWD), which significantly enhances driving dynamics and all-weather traction.

Next come the EcoBoost models, which have proven to be a success in the Ford lineup. The 2.0 EcoBoost is a four-cylinder turbo-charged engine, which delivers similar performance to the V6 while consuming less fuel. Unfortunately, the small EcoBoost cannot be upgraded to the AWD drive train. Still, the 2.0 packs 240 horsepower and includes a six-speed electronically-controlled SelectShift transmission.

The top-of-the-line engine is a V6 EcoBoost, which consists of a 3.5 liter cam and twin-turbocharged induction system. The result is a significant performance gain in raw power and torque, peaking at 365 hp and 254 lb./ft. respectively. Thanks to its powerful nature, the V6 EcoBoost comes standard with all-wheel drive and paddle activated transmission, which is guaranteed to deliver the best driving experience.

The Latest Technology

The 2015 Taurus wouldn’t be complete without an industry leading in-car infotainment system. The available SYNC in the new Taurus combines voice-activated commands with MyFord Touch, Ford’s intuitive LCD system. With SYNC drivers can perform different tasks without taking their eyes off the road, including playing music stations, calling contacts paired with their phones, even read text messages! Also, Taurus customers can choose to add a navigation option to complement their tech experience, which incorporates SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link for on the go alerts and weather forecasts.

In addition to the best center console companion, Taurus offers other exciting technologies built around the driver. The intelligent access with push-to-start button makes keys a thing of the past, as owners can simply unlock their car without even taking them out of their pockets. The 2015 Taurus incorporates safe driving tech like adaptive cruise control and collision warning, which help drivers be more alert when on the highway, and lane-keeping system, which applies steering torque to correct unintended lane departures.

In all, the 2015 Ford Taurus is a well-rounded full-size sedan that inspires trust and carries on Ford’s legacy of family safety and dependability. Take a look at our current Taurus selection and stay tuned for future updates.

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Tips To Reduce Car Theft | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, LA

August 7, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

There are several factors that determine the risk for car theft, including location, car brand/model, and deterrents. While many of us can’t move to a different city or wouldn’t trade our cars for less susceptible vehicles, there are measures we can take both to make our car more secure and to avoid risky situations. Below you’ll find tips to help you reduce the risk of car theft.

Lock Your Car

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 40% vehicle theft is due to driver error, which means either leaving the car unlocked or leaving its keys inside. Surprising? Yes, but it’s 100% preventable. Next time you step out of your car remember to make sure all the doors are locked, the engine is off, and the keys are with you.

Park Smart

Our vehicles are most vulnerable when left unattended, so it is important to take extra steps when parking at unfamiliar places. Always remember to hide valuables from plain sight and take your purse, bag, cell phone, and other items that might lure someone to break in. In addition, park your car in a well lit area with continuos pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Security Devices

Let’s face it, we’d rather not use these type of gadgets, but as car theft has become more prominent, drivers everywhere are trying to outsmart the bad guys. There are three main types of security devices:

Audible and visible devices. These are the most common and their main purpose is to discourage theft by flashing lights, emitting loud noises, and locking the wheel or brakes.
Immobilizing devices. These are usually hidden electronic systems that prevent thieves from starting your car. The most common ones are attached to your car’s electrical or fuel systems and can be engaged with the flip of a switch.
Recovery systems. If all deterring and security devices still don’t work, some people opt for recovery systems, which monitor your car’s location via GPS or an embedded chip. These are usually installed in the aftermarket, but a growing number of manufacturers are shipping vehicles with these pre-installed.

Additional Information

Car manufacturers have taken extra steps to prevent illegal contraband of car parts, and the NHTSA has put guidelines in place to address some of these problems. By etching your car’s serial number on different parts of your vehicle, like the engine, transmission, hood, and many others, illegal-parts sellers have a harder time finding buyers for them.

To find out more about vehicle theft go the the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s website.

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Ford Safety Features | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

July 28, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Ford has invested in a wide range of technologies to help protect drivers from the unexpected and to teach them drive safer. As part of the Go Further promise, Ford takes pride in being first to market these advancements to improve the automotive industry as a whole. Here’s a look at the initiatives Ford has implemented to grow our already safe line-up of vehicles.

Air Bags Reimagined

Ford is packing unprecedented power in the new 2015 Mustang, and with great power comes great responsibility. The new Mustang is not only the gutsier, but also the safest Mustang ever, as it introduces a new airbag technology that goes beyond the conventional paradigm . The new airbag restrain keeps the front passenger away from impact zones and it activates precisely when is needed. This new safety features props the glovebox open and allows for an inflatable plastic bladder to protect the knee area, expanding all the way to the side of the door to safely secure the passenger’s legs. Additionally, the 2015 Mustang uses eight airbags, twice as many as the previous model.

Inflatable Safety Belts

In everyday use, the new Ford safety belt acts and looks like a normal seat belt. However, when the crash system determines is the right time, the airbag inside the belt rapidly deploys, distributing the crash force across the occupant’s body up to five times more efficiently. After realizing this technology could be a game changer, Ford decided to open up and license inflatable safety belts to other companies, making the road safer for everyone.

Highest Safety Rating

Transit Connect, Ford’s commercial and fleet wagon, earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating. For starters, the 2104 Transit Connect uses high-strength and ultrahigh-strength steels for its body structure, which make it more rigid and better prepared for collisions. The new model also includes front airbags for the main cabin and side curtain-style airbags for the rear passenger area. Transit Connect can also be equipped with Ford’s latest driver assist technology, which include a rear-view camera and front and rear sensing systems.

Virtual Crash Research

In March of 2014, Ford announced an increased investment in research technologies to obtain better data on crash testing. Although Ford has conducted physical crash tests since 1954, the technology doesn’t allow the flexibility and pace of change the company needs today. With this 50% increase in computing power, Ford can retrieve and analyze crash data faster, allowing them to conduct more tests and use it in its in-car technology like perpendicular parking, park-out assist, and SyncApp link.

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