• Ford is working more closely than ever with suppliers to offer increasing levels of new technologies in its vehicles
• Ford uses Aligned Business Framework principles to promote early collaboration with suppliers on innovative vehicle features

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 1, 2011 – Ford Motor Company, which is working closely with suppliers to offer increasing levels of new technologies in its vehicles, was named a winner Monday of the 2011 Automotive News Suppliers’ Choice Award.

The award, announced at the Center for Automotive Research’s annual conference here, recognizes outstanding work in bringing innovations to market. Winners were chosen through a detailed survey of suppliers that J.D. Power and Associates conducts for Automotive News every two years. It ranks North American automakers on their ability to support, foster and commercialize the suppliers’ innovations.

“I am pleased to accept this award, not just on behalf of Ford Purchasing, but for all our colleagues in Product Development and throughout the entire Ford organization,” said Birgit Behrendt, executive director, Ford Global Programs and The Americas Purchasing.

Ford’s top performance in 2011 follows a significant improvement in the 2009 study, and is the latest example of Ford’s continuously improving supplier relations. Ford uses the principles of its Aligned Business Framework (ABF) to guide how it works with suppliers. In addition to collaboration and transparency, ABF promotes early sharing of product plans and new technologies between Ford and its key suppliers.

“Smart technologies are a distinguishing feature of Ford vehicles and we are collaborating more closely than ever with our suppliers to put these in customers’ hands,” said Tony Brown, group vice president, Ford Global Purchasing. “It is gratifying to see that our efforts are paying off, because they represent a win for both Ford and our suppliers.”

The new Ford Focus shows how Ford is working closely with suppliers to equip vehicles with numerous technologies that enhance customer comfort and convenience – technologies that are normally associated with luxury vehicles. The Focus includes 14 key technology benefits, such as the Active City Stop feature that helps drivers avoid low-speed collisions, that are the result of early cooperation with suppliers during the car’s development process.

“Suppliers are a tremendous source of the new ideas that bring added benefits to our customers,” said Brown. “Using ABF, we will continue to improve on our relationships and become the customer of choice for innovations that benefit all of us.”

In the Automotive News survey, automakers are evaluated on five factors: openness to new ideas; ease of working with the automaker on innovative ideas; level of trust; willingness to provide financial incentives or rewards for supplier innovation; and ability to implement innovations.

The 2011 survey included responses from supplier CEOs, presidents and executives, and represents all areas of vehicle design, engineering and manufacturing. Responses on 15 automakers that manufacture vehicles in North America are included.

The survey, launched in 2003, was conducted for Automotive News by J.D. Power.

Courtesy of media.ford.com

Travelers will be pleasantly surprised by current gas prices (David Kiley, AOL Autos)

Though we are right smack in the middle of July, a time of vacationing and road trips for millions of Americans, gas prices are remaining relatively cheap.

As of Monday morning, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.631, which is up slightly over yesterday’s average of $3.627, but is noticeably less than the average one month ago, $3.714.

Gas prices tend to trend up in the summer, as demand is usually higher. With many people vacationing during the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays, gas station owners can generally get away with charging more per gallon.

This summer, however, seems to be bucking that trend, which is great news for travelers and the economy.

Gas remains most expensive in the typical spots. Drivers in states such as California, Michigan, New York and Hawaii can expect to pay between $4.071 and $3.748 per gallon. Commuters in southern states, however, won’t feel nearly the amount of pain at the pump, as average prices in states like Texas, Louisiana, Arizona and Tennessee are currently between $3.521 and $3.371.

In order to find the cheapest gas near you, check out the AOL Autos Gas Prices page. Average prices may be down, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shop around for the best deal.

Courtesy of autos.aol.com