Ford Motor Company Archives

Why mapsgirl? #UBP14

April 4, 2014 by Wendy S

I started my blog May 4, 2004. Ya, that’s 10 years of blogging!

I started on twitter June 2008.

trying to figure this thing out
— Wendy [mapsgirl] (@mapsgirl) June 17, 2008

When I meet people in person, either at twitter parties or blogging conferences, the questions is always…

Why mapsgirl?

I’m a cartographer.

A what?

A cartographer. I draw maps.

My daughter described it best — carto = maps and ographer = girl

About me…

The easiest thing for me to do is have you read my #UBP13 post from last year

Since last year

I went to Detroit with Ford Canada for the North American International Auto Show

Craig and I started on a new path of health and journey.

So that’s a little about me! Thanks for reading my blog!!

Are you partying?

Please leave a comment below if you are in the #UBP14! I’d love to read your blog!

I really look forward to reading new blog and meeting new bloggers participating in the #UBP14!

I’m running in the Ford Race to End Diabetes! #JDRF #donate @FordCanada

March 4, 2014 by Wendy S

Last year I went with Craig to the Ford Race to End Diabetes held at Coronation Park in Oakville. It was amazing to see so many people come out to run and raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The inspirational speech from a little 8-year-old girl about her life with diabetes was amazing!

(Source: blog.ford.ca)

While watching the runners come across the finish line, I said to Craig, “I should run next year.”

Part of me really wanted to run. Part of me didn’t think that I’d actually follow through.

The old me probably wouldn’t have followed through and I’d just end up standing next to Craig as he tweeted away for @FordCanada and @FordCraigSilva. Cheering as everyone ran past.

The #NewMapsgirl is running!

It’s a year later.

25 pounds are gone.

I’m the healthiest I’ve been in a long time.

I’m doing this!

My girls will cheer for me! Craig will cheer for me! I will cheer for me!

Support me in the Ford Race to End Diabetes!

On Saturday, April 26th I will join more than 500 runners at Coronation Park in Oakville to race to find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Last year the Ford Race raised more than $45,000 for diabetes research, and this year they plan to be bigger and better…and you can help!

To see more about the 2013 race read Bravery On Display At Annual Ford Race To End Diabetes from Ford Canada’s blog.

#FordNAIAS Day 3: #Mustang Redesign Process and #Flex test drive

January 28, 2014 by Wendy S

Tuesday morning was our third and final day at #FordNAIAS . We were up early, packed and checked out of our rooms before our 9am breakfast. We would all be heading home after our morning of activities.

We headed over to the Dearborn Inn for some “behind the scenes” sessions to learn more about Ford, their process, their technologies and their style.

First #FordNAIAS Session: “Big Data”

As a cartographer and GIS Analyst, I deal with a lot of data all day long. Going in I was very excited to hear how Ford uses data analysis. The session didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I was hoping for a deep analytical conversation about databases and data collection process, but this conversation was much more high level and generalized.

John Grinder – Manager, Systems Analysis
Michael Cavaretta – Technical Leaders, Data Science
John Viera – Director, Sustainability & Vehicle Environmental Matters
Sheryl Connolly – Futurist

It was nice to see Sheryl Connolly again. I first heard her speak at ShesConnected.

Second #FordNAIAS Session: The re-design of the 2015 Ford Mustang

Inside Sketches

Sketches become digital

Clay Models are crafted and 3D printed parts are designed

It was really hard to believe that it was all clay.

Fabrics and interior details are chosen

Fabrics and details are added to the model

Exterior Sketches

Exterior Clay Model is crafted

Watching the modeller work with this tools to define the lines and curves of the Mustang was amazing. A true artist!

Exterior Model is built

Once the clay model is ready, 3D photographs are taken and the clay model becomes digital. From the digital designs, the prototypes are created.

This one was a hollow plastic shell.

Exterior Paints are chosen

There are 10 colours that customers can choose from for the 2015 Mustang:

Race Red
Competition Orange
Triple Yellow
Deep Impact Blue
Ruby Red
Black
Magnetic
Guard
Ingot Silver
Oxford White

Prototype is built

From Clay to Model to Prototype

It truly was an amazing experience to talk with the designers to hear about the re-design process for the 2015 Mustang. They all had passion and excitement about their work and you just knew that they had the heritage and love for Ford in their hearts.

Read more on the FordConnect page — Inside the Ford Design Studio

Time to drive!!

We all had a chance to drive a new Ford vehicle. On Day One they had us fill out a little questionnaire to decide which vehicle we’d be driving. I was chosen to drive the Ford Flex. I had driven the Flex before so I knew what to expect, but seeing different sights around Detroit was very fun!

This totally set the tone for my drive!

First stop: Comerica Park — Home of the Detroit Tigers

We ran into some friends!

We drove by Ford World Headquarters

Time to go home

After a great lunch at the Dearborn Inn, we headed back to the hotel to pick up our luggage. After a bit of a wait, we went to the airport to make our way back to Toronto!

The plane’s propeller outside my window

Can you see Ford Canada Headquarters?

Bonjour!

Thank you to everyone who made #FordNAIAS spectacular!

Thanks to my new Canadian blogging friends. It was only a few fun-filled days together, but I feel that I’ve made friends for life!

Thanks to Ford Canada’s Social Media Team — Mike Ellis, Craig Silva and Anson Dixon. Thanks for bringing all of these great bloggers together!

A huge thank you to Ford Canada for inviting me on this amazing trip!

Thanks to the Ford US team for making the whole FordNAIAS experience beyond my imagination! The things that I saw and learned will be with me forever!

#FordNAIAS posts:

Before FordNAIAS

Day 1

Day 2

Disclosure: Ford Motor Company paid for my transportation, accommodations and food. I was not compensated for my time. I was not asked to write blog posts or promote the show or the experience on social media. I did this on my own. All opinions expressed are my own.

#FordNAIAS Day 2: F-150, Mustang, Behind the Blue Oval Room and so much more!

January 28, 2014 by Wendy S

Our second day at #FordNAIAS started very, very early, Monday morning. We were finished breakfast and on the bus heading to Joe Louis Arena by 6:45 am.

Why so early?

Ford Press Conference and reveal of the new 2015 Ford F-150

The Ford Press Conference was at 8:10 am. Due to a broken down vehicle on the highway, it was a mad dash to the arena, but we arrived just in time to see this:

After the Press Conference

All of the media people got to go down to the floor for a closer look

After the Press Conference all of the bloggers had access to Ford’s Behind the Blue Oval room and the full Auto Show!

Upon entering “Behind the Blue Oval”, there were different displays showcasing some of the research and ideas behind the Ford vehicles.

The New F-150

Ford Edge Concept

The All-New 2015 Ford Mustang

Mustang featured in the Need for Speed movie

FordNAIAS Need for Speed Mustang with @AskMamaMOE

Hanging out in the Need for Speed Mustang with @AskMamaMOE

Ford Police Interceptor

Ford Mustang Pool Table

Ford’s Green Technology

More Ford Technology and Innovations

NASCAR Ford F-150

Visual Performance Evaluation Lab

They use special lighting to see how the vehicle reacts in different lighting conditions and what the experience for the driver and passengers will be like.

Clay Modeling

Ford Hot Wheels

On a big media screen, they were showing the social media buzz from the #FordNAIAS hashtag, check out Behind The Blue Oval!

Talking with CEO Alan Mulally and COO Mark Fields

Ford really gave the bloggers a unique experience!

We go to talk with www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HdlFm_c5TQ. I taped the discussion, and even got to ask a question myself!

During our conversation with Mark Fields, COO, he expressed how important bloggers and social media influencers are to Ford and getting Ford’s message out as well as hearing feed back from the customers.

Photo op with Scott Monty

FordNAIAS Ford & Ford Canada Social Media

Mark Ellis, Scott Monty, Craig Silva

#FordNAIAS at #NAIAS

After spending some time learning about the new technology and vehicles, I headed out to the Auto Show floor to see what else was going on. I was blow away at the display that Ford put on!

All the new Trucks!

The New F-150

Ford Tremor and Raptor

Celebrating the Mustangs 50th Anniversary

Ford had an amazing display of all things Mustang to celebrate the 50th Anniversary!

1965 Mustang

Custom Mustang magazine cover with YOU on it!

More Ford Vehicles

Ford Taurus

Fusion

Fiesta

Behind the Blue Oval Diner

At the end of the day, all of the bloggers were invited to the “Behind the Blue Oval” room to have dinner and get a sneak peek of the Need for Speed movie.

Craig playing the Need for Speed video game

Cute BTL appitizers

Need for Speed preview

Interview with the Need for Speed director and lead actor

Relaxing back at the Hotel

After a long, full day, the Canadian bloggers sat down and reflected on all they saw.

Now if you thought that was full day, wait until you read what we did on Day #3!!

#FordNAIAS posts:

Before FordNAIAS

Day 1

Day 3

#FordNAIAS Day 1: Bloggers, start your engines!

January 21, 2014 by Wendy S

Last Sunday, 120 bloggers and social media influencers came together in Detroit, Michigan to kick off #FordNAIAS 2014. I am so very thankful to Ford Canada for inviting me on this amazing trip!!

My journey began in Toronto, when 5 excited bloggers met up at Pearson International Airport. We couldn’t wait to see what was in store for us when we landed in Detroit. Aeryn Lynne, Chris Vollick, Kim Logan, Casey Palmer and I all boarded the same flight. Kim and I had a great time chatting about life, kids and blogging. When we landed in Detroit and made our way through baggage, I enjoyed the neat features of the Detroit Airport.

(The tunnel changed colours!)

The Westin is located right at the airport so we could walk from baggage claim to the hotel is just a few minutes!

(Source: The Westin Detroit)

Arriving at the The Westin, we were welcomed by amazing Ford staff who gave us all the info we needed for our next few days in Detroit. We all headed up to our rooms, dropped our things off and then headed for a quick lunch.

After relaxing for a few hours, all the bloggers had dinner together. Scott Monty kicked off the night by telling us why Ford is HIP — Heritage, Innovative, People. It really set the tone for what they wanted us to learn about Ford over the next few days.

(Source: Ask Mama MOE)

Three storytellers from The Moth talked about the first car they remembered. Their stories were moving, funny, emotional and thought-provoking. One of the storytellers, Amy Brill, shared this story with us — http://themoth.org/posts/stories/future-perfect

After dinner, the bloggers all mingled and got to know each other better. The Canadian contingent really hit it off and moved upstairs to the bar. The conversation went on until midnight (and maybe longer for some).

(Source: Anson Dixon)

I tried writing this post before going to bed that night, but I was so tired from the travel and all the fun, that I just crashed. Good thing, because Day 2 was even more exciting!

#FordNAIAS posts:

Before FordNAIAS

Day 2

Day 3