600 Miles In a Ford C-max, Is That Possible?

We came across this great post from a driver on Ford Social. Do you have a Ford story? Please share with us! Tell us why you love your Ford in the comments below, on our Facebook page, join us on Twitter... and be sure to come see us at Hilbish soon. There's always something exciting happening -- no obligation, just fun! 

YES! More than 600 miles!

I am a 1st time hybrid owner and I bought the Ford C-Max for the great drivers view/position, the utility of the 60/40 fold flat seats with the lift gate, the great technology in the My Ford Touch and navigation with the awesome, awesome Sony sound, and the perfect combination of POWER and MPGs in a single car: the C-Max SEL Hybrid.

I have owned my SEL since the first week of December 2012 and as of end of April, I have clocked 13,000 miles on it. Taking the time and distance to learn the fuel efficient driving takes time and it does not necessarily mean you have to go slow as I can still get 40 to 60 instant MPG driving > 65 mph (called ICE High MPG). However, driving FE will reward the owner with far more than the 47 MPG, but you also have the option of driving the car like a gas guzzler if you so wanted to...

As such, my work travel takes me across the northern Los Angeles and Ventura counties, I have been able to achieve SEVEN 600+ mile tanks in my daily work. I clock about 60 to 120 miles a day in this awesome car and that includes climbing steep canyon roads.

To me, Ford has more than delivered on the 47/47/47 in real world driving conditions – not some test bed like the EPA.

Thank you Ford and Ford Social for getting out my experience with this awesome car!!!

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Want to experience going FURTHER with Ford? Come see us at Hilbish Ford and test drive a hybrid or fuel-efficient ride TODAY! No obligation - just fun! 

Are You a Mustang Woman?

The 50th birthday of the Ford Mustang is next month. As we and countless others celebrate the car that changed the world in April 1964, join us as we look back, and celebrate those who brought the new 2015 Ford Mustang to fruition, notably the women, from design to engineering to customers!

Inspired by Ford Social, we want to know: 

Are you a Mustang Woman? 

Why are you a Mustang enthusiast? 

What is your first Mustang memory? 

Why do you love the Mustang so much? Tell us!

Take a peek at some of the buzz happening on Ford Social: 

Anne P. said she “knew women had to be involved somewhere to make it good looking.” 

Paul M. added, “Women with great taste.”

Rosemary M. noted she is “so glad to see all these successful women working for Ford and taking care of the Mustang. I loved my Ford Mustang with an overhead cam that I gave to my daughter when she graduated from college in 1982. It was a 1979, bronze color.”

Pam L. said, “I am glad to see the women who make a difference in the industry! I own a red 2007 Mustang and work in in the manufacturing industry myself.” 

Carol G. wrote, “Great job ladies, I have a 2014 and I love it! I will always stick to the Mustang as long as I can drive.” 

And Alan B., “I love my ‘13 convertible! Not surprised some truly savvy women are involved in the Mustang line at key positions.”

But it may be Jennifer H. who summed it up best when she wrote, “Lucky ladies. #DreamJob.”

Please join us at Hilbish Ford in celebrating not only the birthday of the Mustang, but the women (and men) who have had a part in its evolution. 

Share your thoughts here in the comments section, and please join us on Facebook and Twitter to keep the conversation going: Use the hashtags #MustangBday and #MustangWomen

Into the Wild with Ford

Hilbish Ford loves the stories shared on Ford Social. And this one was so cool, we HAD to share it with you. Read about the journey of two Ford-lovers and their trip into the wild...

After 47 years of marriage, four children and five grandsons, Rich and Linda Kaufmann were ready for the next big adventure. They weren't interested in a cruise... They were going to DRIVE; five months, hauling an 8,000-pound, 33-foot trailer into the Alaskan wilderness.

The trip would take them from their home in Racine, Wisconsin, to legendary Dawson City, the Yukon and even the North Pole. Their vehicle had to be fierce yet comfortable, safe, able to tackle the treacherous highways and remote roads on top of the world.

The choice was simple: a 2008 Ford Expedition Limited.

In May 2009, they packed up and went west. Rich was mostly in the driver’s seat, Linda on the passenger side and their Chihuahua, Cricket, sleeping comfortably on the wide console. For Linda, it was all about the roominess of the SUV, particularly the six-way adjustable seats. For Rich, the Expedition offered perfect handling and a smooth ride.

Having done extensive reading...they were prepared for the extreme conditions: frost heaves caused by freezing and thawing soil that lift up the ground, washboard roads and longitudinal cracks and all the dumps, dips, ruts... you could imagine. “Sometimes [it] was like riding a roller coaster in slow motion,” Linda said.

Dog-Expedition

The Expedition got through it all, allowing them to experience real Alaska – remote, beautiful and wild. Linda says the highlight of Alaska was seeing Mt. McKinley in all its glory.  “It is only fully visible about 20 percent of the time. The first day we went into the park it was raining, but the second time we went in, it was completely visible,” she added.

After completing 15,015 miles on this trip, the Expedition pulled into their Wisconsin garage. They held on to it until 2013 when their life changed again. Family was priority and they needed to be closer to home.

They traded in for a 2013 Ford C-MAX hybrid.

#NearlyDouble with Ford Fusion!

NEARLY DOUBLE!

That's right - with an EPA estimated rating of 47 combined mpg, the 2014 Ford Fusion + Hybrid nearly DOUBLES the fuel economy rating of the average vehicle. 

Visit www.hilbishford.com, find out if you could #nearlydouble your fuel economy, and then stop by for a test drive TODAY!

2015 Ford Mustang Shines at Detroit Auto Show

It may be cold outside, but it's been top-down weather inside the 2014 International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2015 Ford Mustang has everyone talking, and for good reason...It was just named the BEST production car of the year!

Perfect timing, too. This year marks the Mustang's 50th anniversary, and you won't believe the incredible features it offers. And though the Ford Mustang has always been known for its good looks, there's no denying this one is truly impressive.

This video from the Detroit Auto Show gives a close-up look into the 2015 Ford Mustang:



At Hilbish Ford, we're keeping the conversation going. Let us know - What do you think has been the best year for the Mustang? Be sure to share your Ford Mustang photos with us on Facebook too!

Ford Remote Access is Here!

Ford Social always has fun updates to share, and this one is both fun and something we've been eagerly awaiting. Enjoy! 

Imagine talking to your Ford about your needs, and it could, to a certain extent, take care of them for you. Say, it’s snowing and you want to get into a vehicle that’s toasty warm. Or you need help finding where you parked. Those and many other perks are now a reality.

Ford has launched Ford Remote Access, giving you the ability to access some key vehicle functions from your iPhone or Android smartphone. This includes being able to control certain functions of your Ford vehicle, asking it to remotely lock, unlock or start from anywhere there is Wi-Fi or cellular service. And we mean from across the street or even from across the country.

“Having a vehicle that’s capable of a two-way conversation can give drivers peace of mind,” said Mouhanad Dahabra, Ford Global Electrical Commodity Manager...Think of it as having a virtual keyfob. And the app can even provide email or text security alerts if your Ford is being accessed when you are out of town or away from it.

Mouhanad and Jeff Daugherty developed the Remote Access app as a convenience feature that “lets you check in with your vehicle anytime, from almost anywhere,” Mouhanad explained. The Genuine Ford Accessories hardware is available through, and must be installed by, an authorized Ford dealer, but it won’t require cutting any wiring. And it’s available for these models: 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Flex, as well as the 2011-2014 Ford Edge, Explorer, F-150 and Super Duty.

And that’s something to talk about. Especially with your Ford.

Visit www.hilbishford.com and see more high tech innovation found in each and every vehicle in the Ford lineup! What are you waiting for? Come, feel the Ford difference for yourself.

Hilbish Ford Outstanding Teacher Award - January 2014

Congratulations to Anna Cutler Austin, 1st Grade Teacher at Forest Park Elementary School for being named Kannapolis City Schools' Teach of the Month!

The parent that nominated Anna said Ms. Austin loves her students as if they were her own children. She also said that Ms. Austin does much more than teach. She sends home food with students over weekends and holidays and coordinates help for her students’ families at Christmas.

Ms. Austin makes sure they have presents, decorations, and necessities. Because of her outstanding teaching ability and her show of love, her students show improvement.  Ms. Austin also researches and submits educational projects to be funded by donors to provide the best educational experience for her students.  She is a one-of-a-kind gem!

We are extremely proud that Anna Austin is part of our Kannapolis City Schools’ family, and we are delighted that Tim Vaughn, General Manager at Hilbish Ford, is here to present her with the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award.  Congratulations!

See more ways Hilbish Ford supports the community at www.hilbishford.com, then stop by the dealership and let us know how we can help!