Chris Lewis, who works for @First Parts Solutions in the Midlands, is getting his stock car ready for it’s first race on 5 April, but he needs your help. Chris doesn’t know what to call it!
What do you think?
Give us your suggestions so that we can get the car sign written in time for Chris' first race at Grimley Raceway on 5th April!
Who ever choses the winning name will be invited to Heartlands Ford, 971 Kingsbury Road, Erdington, B24 9QB so that they can be photographed with the car and presented with their winner’s prize.
The car will be sign written with the logo of local charity The Kaleidoscope Club which provides play activities for children with disabilities in the Birmingham area. Heartlands Ford are the official sponsors of the KClub for 2010 and are asking all entrants of the Name the Car content to donate generously!
Donations can be made direct to the club or can be sent to Viv Duffy, Heartlands Ford, 971 Kingsbury Road, Erdington, B24 9QB.
Now, put your thinking caps on and see if you can come up with the winning name!
February is National Heart Month and staff at Heartlands Ford in
Erdington have been going ‘Red’ in more ways than one over the last week –
through taking part in a series of active challenges in order to raise
awareness of heart and circulatory disease.
In a specially organised ‘healthy heart week’ at the Kingsbury Road
dealership, employees worked up a sweat during a ‘sit up and push up’ contest,
followed by a hula hoop competition in the showroom, where they competed
against each other throughout the day to see who could keep the hoop spinning
the longest.
During the week they also hosted a charity quiz and a game of bingo, as
well as displaying posters and leaflets to inform staff and customers of the
many ways they can stay active throughout their day to protect themselves
against heart and circulatory disease - the UK’s biggest killer.
Viv Duffy, Heartlands Ford’s ‘healthy heart week’ organiser, said: ““We wanted to promote
healthy living amongst our staff and customers in a fun and interactive way.
Our health can impact on every aspect of our lives therefore it’s important for
people to realise that keeping active can be easily fitted into their daily
lives”.
She continued:
“We have all enjoyed talking part in National Heart Month, which is organised
by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and hope that we have gone some way to
help raise awareness of the great work that they do across the UK”.
For
more information about the BHF and National Heart Month, or to take part in a
fundraising activity of your own, visit www.bhf.org.uk.
You
can visit www.heartlands-ford.co.uk
to find out more about the dealership which is based in Erdington, Perry Barr
and Tamworth.
February is National Heart Month and local dealership Heartlands Ford
is planning a special ‘Healthy Heart Week’ in support of the British Heart
Foundation (BHF) to promote the benefits of a healthy and active
lifestyle.
The
dealership will be raising money through the BHF’s ‘Red for Heart’ campaign
where staff must donate money in return for wearing bright red clothing to work.
They also have a series of fun and interactive activities planned over the
course of a week, including a “sit up and push up” contest, a charity quiz,
Valentine’s raffle, bingo and a hula hoop contest in the main
showroom.
Dealership staff will also be displaying posters and leaflets
throughout the showroom to encourage and inform staff and customers of the many
ways they can stay active throughout their working day – protecting themselves
against heart and circulatory disease, the UK’s biggest killer.
Visitors
to Heartlands Ford in Kingsbury Road, Erdington between the 12th and
19th of February can also donate money to the BHF through filling out
the donation forms available on reception or dropping their spare change into
the collection box.
Jackie
Skeel, Head of National Campaigns at the British Heart Foundation, said: “The
money raised by Heartlands Ford will go towards helping to save lives and fight
the UK’s biggest killer. Everyone can get involved with ‘Red for Heart’ so
please encourage your colleagues or friends to take part too and help the BHF
make a real difference.”
Heartlands Ford’s general manager, Nigel Vollrath said: “Supporting
the health and welfare of our staff is important to us, as is helping excellent
causes such as the BHF so our Healthy Heart Week should be very
worthwhile.”
The
national ‘Wear Red Day’ for the rest of the UK is on Friday 26th
February and if you would like to find out how you can get involved or would
like some inspiration on how to fundraise, please visit www.bhf.org.uk/red, call 0845 2410976 or
email red@bhf.org.uk.
This
Valentine’s Day, while you’re showering your loved ones with gifts and treats,
take some time out to demonstrate your affection for the other love in your
life – your car.
Our cars
have very much become a part of our extended family; they go with us
everywhere, we thank them after long journeys, we even name them! So to show them
how much we appreciate them, why not invest in a little bit of TLC?
Booking
your car in for a service is the perfect way to ensure that it runs well, feels
good and continues to ‘purr’ with happiness. To make it easy for you to treat
your car, Heartlands Ford is offering a great
‘Value Service’ to owners of Ford vehicles aged three years old or more.
Available at
any dealership or Rapid Fit centre, the £99 Ford Value Service includes an oil change, new
oil filter and new air filter as well as a comprehensive Visual Health Check
covering more than 25 vital maintenance and safety assessments.
Among the items examined are the brakes,
clutch, seat belts, tyres, steering,
suspension links, drive shafts, wheel bearings, transmission, wheel nuts and
several major engine components, including the cooling system.
Included with the Value Service is 24/7 Europe-wide roadside assistance for
12 months (or until the car reaches it’s next scheduled service interval,
whichever comes up sooner). So, if your
car loves nothing better than to go for a nice long drive, why not treat it to
a weekend away in Europe, safe in the knowledge that if the worst happens, help
is always close at hand.
If you decide to take out the Ford Service Payment Plan – a tailored
regular payment plan that enables drivers to smooth out the cost of servicing
on a monthly basis – you can also treat your car to a pampering session as the
Plan entitles you to a free Wash and Vac with every service!
So, to find out
more about the many ways you can treat your car this Valentine’s Day, contact
your nearest Heartlands Ford dealership today:
While
most buyers of the UK's best selling car are swayed by its stylish
looks and technology-laden interior, the Ford Fiesta hides an important
secret under the skin.
At
the heart of the Fiesta’s appeal is an advanced steel bodyshell which
combines light weight with outstanding strength and durability.
Light
weight means better fuel economy and performance, while the strength of
the structure is reflected in the Fiesta’s five-star Euro NCAP safety
rating.
To
achieve this impressive combination, Ford engineers turned to new
metals for the body. Over 55 per cent of the structure is made from
ultra high strength steel – helping to make the Ford Fiesta 40kg
lighter than the model it replaced.
Bernd
Liesenfelder, Ford body engineering manager, said: “Small cars like
the Fiesta need to be as light as possible without sacrificing any
strength in a crash. By using these advanced new steels, we have been
able to give Fiesta owners the protection of a robust safety cell,
combined with excellent fuel economy from a lightweight body.”
The
Fiesta bodyshell features a range of different high-strength metals,
including boron steel – one of the strongest weldable materials
available.
Sophisticated
computerised design tools allow Ford engineers to locate the
high-strength steels exactly where they are required to provide maximum
protection in a crash.
High-strength
steels can be used more efficiently than normal steels without reducing
strength, allowing components to be lighter.
This light weight helps to reduce fuel consumption and CO2
emissions across the Fiesta range, including for the exceptionally
frugal ECOnetic model, which achieves combined fuel economy of 76.3mpg*
and 98g CO2/km emissions for road tax-exempt motoring.
HIGH-STRENGTH LIGHTWEIGHT STEEL BODYSHELL
What is it?
Advanced bodyshell design which uses special steels to combine maximum strength with minimum weight.
How to get it
All new Ford Fiestas have a bodyshell which uses over 55 percent of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels.
What's the cost?
No additional cost.
* Note:
Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy
Directive EU 80/1268/EEC and will differ from fuel economy drive cycle
results in other regions of the world.
BRENTWOOD, Essex, 01 February, 2010 – Ford's S-MAX and Galaxy models have been confirmed as favourites for business customers following two wins at the 2010 BusinessCar magazine awards.
The Ford S-MAX was voted Best Mini-MPV while the Ford Galaxy was awarded the top slot in its class with Best MPV for the fourth consecutive year. The BusinessCar Awards are nominated by readers of the magazine, who are key participants in the business car industry.
Commenting on the Ford awards, BusinessCar Editor @paul_barker said: "The S-MAX and Galaxy have proved their worth to the business car market, with the people that experience and rely on the products every day – the readers of BusinessCar - voting in their droves for the two models in their respective categories"
He continued: "Both models have a market-leading combination of practicality, great running costs and an excellent driving experience, and these awards are well-deserved."
Commenting on Ford's success, Nigel Sharp, Managing Director, Ford of Britain said: "The Mini-MPV and MPV markets are very competitive and we are delighted that BusinessCar readers have elected these two models best-in- class.
"We are confident that the new Ford S-MAX and new Ford Galaxy launched later this year will continue to lead the market, especially with enhanced exterior and interior styling and the introduction of our fantastic new Ford EcoBoost engine and latest Ford Powershift twin clutch automatic transmission into the range" he added.
The new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy debuted at the 2010 Brussels Motor Show earlier this month, boasting a fresh new Kinetic design, innovative safety technology including the Blind Spot Information System and exciting new high-efficiency EcoBoost four cylinder, advanced turbocharged, petrol direct injection engines.
For people with disabilities and
their carers, choosing a car can be an extremely confusing process. The
importance of selecting a car that meets your needs now and in the future is
paramount and with a huge range of vehicles currently available - expert advice
is vital.
Heartlands Ford is the UK’s leading
dealership group for mobility needs, having won Motability’s prestigious
“Dealer Group of the Year” award for the last four successive years.
Their enthusiasm for the Motability scheme means that
they are now “putting their money where their mouth is” and offering anyone who
is eligible for the scheme but does not have a Motability
car at the moment, a £20 supermarket voucher in return for 20 minutes of their
time to learn how Motability can help provide worry free motoring – no purchase
necessary!*
Each dealership has four or more of the
UK’s best-trained sales and service Motability
specialists to advise you on your purchase. They can also arrange for
any special adaptations to be fitted to your chosen car to suit your
requirements.
Malcolm Tutton, Heartlands Ford’s
Head of Motability said: “Whether you drive yourself or prefer to be driven,
with a car from Motability you really can look forward to worry free motoring –
get out and about and enjoy life with more independence. Whether it’s a trip to
the shops or a day out in the countryside, a Motability car can make your
journey more relaxed and “Worry-free”.
To benefit from
the Motability scheme, you simply exchange your mobility allowance – either the
Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (currently
£49.10 a week) or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (currently £54.85 a
week) – for a brand new car.
Your car comes complete with a host of benefits including insurance,
tax, breakdown cover, servicing, replacement tyres and a wide range of free
adaptations. Many cars are also available at "Nil Advance
payment" so all you will need to budget for is your
fuel!
Heartlands
Ford’s “20/20” offer is open until 31st March 2010 so to receive
your £20 voucher in return for 20 minutes of your time, get down to your nearest dealership now to find out more!
According to Car Dealer Magazine, TWITTER and Facebook are opportunities being missed by the vast majority of UK car dealers reveals one expert.
GForces* has found that less than 10 percent of the UK’s top 200 car dealers are represented on social networking sites.
Methods include having a Page on Facebook, communicating via Twitter, or simply posting thoughts and insights on a blog.
Commercial director Tim Smith said car dealers are thus missing out on a prime free PR opportunity.
‘Blogs, Facebook and Twitter can be a very useful addition to a dealer’s marketing arsenal - having a blog, for example, improves your business’s online visibility by using keywords related to your activity and products, and back-links to your website, to improve traffic.
Smith revealed some huge numbers. ‘In August, 14.5 million people in the UK visited at least one blog, representing 41 per cent of the total internet audience.
‘If just 0.01 per cent of these find their way to a blog maintained by your business, then you have an opportunity to market your stock to a wider, previously untapped audience.
‘Customers are already engaging with social media, and dealers would do well to think about how to tap into its true commercial potential.’
Smith even revealed some advice for car dealers starting out on social networking. How many are you following?
GForces’ Top Tips for social networking
• Maintain it – Make sure you do so regularly and react when interacted with.
• Offer something – People ‘friend’ companies because they’re looking for a reward. Disappoint them and they won’t be back.
• Give it impact – Be relevant. This will mean more links and more traffic.
• Combined approach – Establish your presence in a variety of social media.
• Ensure accuracy – Despite their informality, Tweets and blogs still need to be correct.
* GForces is a web management company
Does this ring true? How many other industries are missing out on a great opportunity without realising it?
If you'd like to follow us on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/HeartlandsFord
Christmas came early in 2009 for more than 350 disadvantaged children across the world - thanks to the generosity
and goodwill of local communities in Birmingham.
In the two months leading up to Christmas, individuals and groups dropped off present-filled shoeboxes to Heartlands Ford showrooms in Erdington, Perry Barr and Tamworth which once again opened up their doors as part of the annual ‘Operation
Christmas Child’ appeal.
Heartlands Ford acted as a collection point for the appeal
run by the Samaritan’s Purse; which brings joy and happiness to children in hospitals,
orphanages, refugee camps, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods in
some of the world’s poorest countries.
Nigel Vollrath, General Manager at Heartlands Ford
said: “This was the fourth year that we have taken part in this appeal and we
are delighted that we could help bring a little bit of extra happiness to so many children.
It’s such a great cause and we would like to thank everyone who donated shoeboxes,
in particular the Erdington Woman’s Guild and Grenfell and SaltleyBaptistChurches”.
In 2008, the Samaritans Purse volunteers sent 1.2 million shoeboxes
to children across Eastern Europe and Africa.
Since the appeal began in 1990, more than 60 million boys and girls have
received a present filled shoebox.
All the staff had great fun getting involved themselves and agreed that the mountains of shoeboxes that were delivered, definately gave the showroom a fantastic 'Christmassy' feel!
Local Ford dealer Heartlands Ford is
gearing itself up for the imminent arrival of the new, top-selling S-MAX and
Galaxy seven seat MPVs, which are being unveiled on 13th January at
the Brussels Motor Show.
With fresh designs, both models introduce
new interior materials and features, a range of more efficient engines and a
host of driver focused technologies aimed at improving safety and comfort.
"Ford has given both cars a
fresh new look and more premium appeal, but it is beneath the skin that the
major changes have been made," said Jim Higgins, Regional Director at Heartlands
Ford, adding, “S-MAX and Galaxy were the first Ford vehicles to include
elements of Ford’s 'kinetic design' styling which has transformed the way people
view the Blue Oval brand.”
More Distinctive Outside
From its launch in 2006 the S-MAX
quickly established itself as a car without peers – a sporty, high quality and
well-equipped crossover that provides the benefits of a people mover, but
without sacrificing style or driving enjoyment.
The new model maintains this
tradition and has been thoughtfully updated with significant detail changes to
the exterior, including a strongly sculptured bonnet and all-new front fascia,
emphasised by a distinctive gloss black lower grille.
The rear of new S-MAX has been
re-designed with a more dynamically profiled tailgate and new LED tail lights
that extend deep into the rear side flanks.
Boosting its premium appeal is a horizontal satin chrome bar which runs
between the LED tail lights and is embossed with the S-MAX logo.
The new Galaxy also features a
re-designed frontal section. A new, more
sculptured, bonnet combines with new front fascia design and new-look fog
lights. Titanium and Titanium X models come with chrome bars in the upper
grille as well. The roof incorporates new bolder integrated silver rails, while
at the rear, distinctive new LED lights and a body-coloured lower fascia are
standard.
More Luxurious Inside
Carefully balanced new colour and
material choices deliver a luxurious and dynamic feel. For both vehicles, the Ford
FoldFlatSystem comes as standard for the second and third row of seats.
S-MAX high series models get a new
multifunctional overhead console with generous stowage, sunglasses holder and
child-watch mirror, and a new one-piece panorama roof equipped with power sun
blinds. For the first time high series S-MAX models, and all models fitted with
the panorama roof, get a new LED interior lighting system.
Power and Economy
Ford's new S-MAX and Galaxy are the
first vehicles to offer an all-new 2.0-litre Ford ‘EcoBoost SCTi’ engine, which
heralds a new era in Ford's petrol engine development. The new engine has a
maximum output of 203 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, enabling the S-MAX to achieve
0-62mph in 8.5 seconds (8.8 seconds for the Galaxy) and a top speed of 137mph
(135mph for the Galaxy).
Yet even with this responsive
performance; fuel economy and CO2 emissions are significantly
improved. Compared with the previous 161 horsepower 2.3-litre automatic
powertrain, CO2 is reduced by 19 per cent to 189g/km - even though
the new 2.0-litre SCTi engine has over 25 per cent more power! This translates
into a combined fuel economy of just 34.8mpg* and an extra urban figure of 44.1
mpg*.
At the same time, Ford's diesel
offering for the new S-MAX and Galaxy has been significantly improved. For the
first time, the upgraded 2.0-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi engine is also available
in three power levels – 115, 140 and 163 horsepower.
Enhanced Safety and Comfort
The new S-MAX and Galaxy are Ford of
Europe's first vehicles to feature the new ‘Blind Spot Information System’.
This radar-based technology warns drivers of vehicles in their blind spot area.
Also, the new ‘Adjustable Speed Limiter Device’ (ASLD) is designed to help
drivers set, and then not exceed, specific speed limits unintentionally –
another first for Ford of Europe.
*Note:
Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy Directive EU
80/1268/EEC and will differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other
regions of the world
For further details and to see the
complete Ford range contact your local main Ford dealer at:
It’s that time of year again – when everybody is dusting off their winter boots, gloves and scarves and bracing themselves for the cold weather outside.
However, while it’s easy for us to prepare ourselves for the winter ahead, have you thought about how you can do the same for your car?
Cold weather, dark nights and busy streets can introduce more hazards than usual into everyday journeys, so it’s important to pay extra attention to your vehicle’s health and carry out a few simple checks before you set off onto the roads.
Local car dealership Heartlands Ford has compiled a handy list of pre-journey checks that you can make yourself to minimise the chances of being involved in an accident or breakdown this winter:
Check your brakes
Look for any signs of wear and tear; listen for squeaks and pump brakes with your foot, taking note if they feel ‘spongy’. If in doubt, get them checked by a professional.
Tyres
Ice can seriously affect your tyres’ ability to grip the road so it’s important to check that each tyre tread is at least 1.6mm. Ideally you will have between 2-3mm of tread left during the winter. You should also ensure that all tyres are pumped up to the correct pressure, according to your manufacturer’s specification (this will usually be listed inside your car door when opened up).
Top up your anti-freeze
Check which sort of antifreeze is best for your car and make sure that your radiator is topped up. Usually, you will need to create a 50-50 mix of both antifreeze and water.
Oil
Check the oil levels regularly and keep topped up to avoid any damage to your engine.
Battery
Check your battery before the cold weather really starts to set in. You may want to consider replacing it if it is more than five years old – particularly if you own an older car which has problems starting from cold. Excessive use of lights and heaters can also drain a battery, which is why battery failures are one of the most common breakdown faults during winter.
Lights
Low visibility for yourself and other drivers is a common cause of accidents. Ensure that all lights, including indicators, fog lights and brake lights are working properly and are wiped clean of any mud, snow or spray.
Windscreen and windows
Again, to combat poor visibility, keep your windscreens topped up with water and screen wash. Take the opportunity to check the condition of your wiper blades and ensure that they clear the screen effectively.
Servicing
It’s good practice to put your car in for a service at this time of the year, particularly if you haven’t had one in a while. This will ensure that your car is in tip top condition to keep you going and won’t leave you out in the cold.
To encourage drivers to put safety first this winter, Heartlands Ford is offering a great ‘Value Service’ to owners of Ford vehicles aged three years old or more.
Available at any dealership or Rapid Fit centre, the £99 Ford Value Service includes an oil change, new oil filter and new air filter as well as a comprehensive Visual Health Check covering more than 25 vital maintenance and safety assessments.
Among the items examined are the brakes, clutch, seat belts, tyres, steering, suspension links, drive shafts, wheel bearings, transmission, wheel nuts and several major engine components, including the cooling system.
For more advice on preparing your car for winter or to book your car in for a service with Ford-trained technicians, call into or visit your nearest Heartlands Ford dealership or service centre:
Heartlands Ford is part of Ford Retail - the largest Ford dealership group in Europe. Ford Retail trades within the UK under the brands Dagenham Motors, Brunel Ford, Polar Ford and Heartlands Ford.
You can find Heartlands Ford in Erdington, Perry Barr and Tamworth.
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