Day 3 of Ford’s Trend Conference #FordTrends

Started off yesterday at Ford’s “Proving Ground”.

Every automaker has one, and I’ve always dreamed to go, just because of the name.

A little track time, but I only cruised around.

Was neither the time nor place to punch it.

More individual posts coming about the robot cars, and some new headers.

But the best part of the day was touring Ford’s factory.

SO rare that media is permitted to take photos. Extremely rare. And since I filmed every robot I could find, that ought to become a good exclusive video.

Nestled into a gorgeous post, just look at this photo example.

As an OCD wackjob, this was right up my ally.

Then it was back to the airport, where next week’s column came from (Ford uses Craigslist to hire men to test its F150).

Passed through this terminal, and folded space and time #NoFilter

Throw in a wing tip photo here, to quickly illustrate I was travelling.

Hoovered up 100 American MBs (since Tuesday afternoon).  Thankfully TELUS has good US plans, because I bet many of you didn’t put that much through while here at home.

kk I am OUT of here.

I had 2 deadlines with the paper today, and I’ve been sitting in a booth at a franchise restaurant for hours now, pounding my keyboard.

TTY Monday. I’m not travelling anywhere far next week, so back to normal around here.

Have a great weekend xo

 

 

Day 2 of Ford’s Trend Conference #FordTrends

Great day, because I learned a lot from some great speakers who I wouldn’t usually get to see.

I’ll tell you more in-depth in the coming weeks, but it was a day filled with two of my favourite topics:

1 – Pattern Recognition

2 – The Mind

Even got to try out a MindFlex for the first time!  I blogged about this game forever ago, hang on I’ll grab the link…. here: February 2011.

It’s a game that uses thought-controlled computing.

The object is: the more you focus and concentrate, the higher the ball raises.

I was a natural, obviously.

Found lots of fodder to make new blog headers.

I toured the testing facility, which I’ll tell you about in next week’s column.

There were ROBOTS.

And Ford’s all-new Edge made its world debut.

And I really need to invest in another dress(es).

Track time tomorrow!

Then flying out late afternoon, and the end.

 

 

In Michigan with Ford for their Trend Conference

Flew down this morning, out of Terminal 1 Gate F93, you know the one, the hottest gate ever, in a far far away land.

O the world’s smallest plane – 18 seater.

On which I wrote the news #professional

I’m here till Thursday night, Ford invited my blog to attend their 2014 Trends Conference.

As someone with an entire blog section devoted to Predictions, is this ever up my alley.

Plus stuff like this.

And tomorrow’s keynote speaker is Ms. Sheryl Connelly, who I interviewed back in February for a Keri on Driving column – Ford’s Newest Exclusive feature: it’s Futurist (read it on Autonet).

Before arriving, attendees were asked to rate our level of interest in a variety of topics.

Obviously I chose first big data and the connected car first, and sustainability and anything fuel economy- related last. Remember when I drove Ford’s new 1.0 L “like a pig”?

And apparently there will be track time!

View from my room.

And hi hi from inside it, just got home from the event, and have to be downstairs for 7am so night TTYT

 

 

The Smallest Engine Available – Ford’s 1.0 L

At just 1.0L, Ford’s all-new engine is the smallest for sale in Canada, and at about 11 inches, it will fit into a piece of luggage – really!

It’s available only on the Fiesta, which was all-new last year, so, same interior and exterior styling, and new Aston Martin inspired grille.

* this 1.0L engine is available only in manual. 

Interesting huh. I’m fine with that, but considering 80% of Fiesta buyers choose automatic transmissions, hmmm. Certainly though, it helps with its excellent fuel economy, which is the purpose of this engine – gas powered that’s fun to drive, while still achieving a low rating.

Read my full review on Autonet.

My driving partner for this test was Jeremy Sinek… Mega Test Team, UNITE.

I’ve tested more cars with him than anyone else, and it’s a good match because we are opposites.

At 1.7 years of auto journalism, I’m still the new kid, and at 40 years, he’s a veteran. He’s into hyper-miling, whereupon I “drive like a pig” (I actually got that line in the paper ha.)

Read his review here, that’s me he’s talking about, 9th paragraph.

Best part of the test was the track.

I hurled the little guy around, and there was even some clapping after one particular hairpin.

(photo: Jeremy Sinek)

I’m nothing special behind the wheel, but as I’ve said before in video, I have great enthusiasm, and the appropriate amount of aggression.

My new skills were thanks to my trainers.

Left is Paul Caravello, and right is Daniel Bois, welcome to my blog guys!

How’s this for a closing-post shot?

 2014 Ford Fiesta

Add the 1.0 L engine, the “SE Manual EcoBoost Package”, for $1,295