When it comes to iconic police cars, few in the history of the automobile rival the beloved Ford Crown Victoria, cherished by police departments everywhere for its comfort, versatility and indestructible reputation.

Department mechanics loved the cars, too, since spare parts were both cheap and ubiquitous, thanks to the Panther platform's popularity among taxi fleets and car services, too.

Nothing lasts forever, and Ford has built its last Crown Vic. For law enforcement, the car has been replaced by two vehicles, one based on the Ford Taurus sedan and a second based on the Ford Explorer SUV.

Bad news…

The interior lighting in the all-new Ford Fusion proves that out; it moves beyond simple functionality. Ford researchers realize that a person's attention span is limited, and lighting can play a key role in providing a driver with critical and noncritical driving-related information without diverting attention.
 
Lighting in a vehicle is about space and dimension, said Mahendra Dassanayake, Ford technical leader for Design, but there's more to it.
 
"Lighting gives you a sense of orientation," said Dassanayake. "It's a unique combination of functionality and comfort. Lights, graphics and…

Motor racing is unique among sports, thanks to its ties to big industry. Nobody ever went to a football game to cheer on a brand of football. Nobody ever dreamed of driving a hockey puck. At a car race, consumer brands are the center of the action. And there are no brands more synonymous with America than Ford and Chevrolet.

As Nascar heads into Sunday's Daytona 500, its kickoff extravaganza, fans, team owners, and racing executives are hyping a return of the big-time manufacturer rivalry for the first time in years-Ford versus Chevy, a rivalry older than Nascar itself…

To keep up with modern trends while targeting the younger and more technologically apt generation, Ford has made huge strides with their automotive technology. Ranging from products like the EcoBoost engine (on the Ford Explorer) to fully integrated Bluetooth connection, the automaker continues to strive towards saving energy and fun driving.

Introducing their own "infotainment" systems into new inventory, Ford continues to adapt their models to coincide with the latest technological advances. With the addition?

Ford continues to donate funds to many different communities and charities. Makers of the 2012 Ford Focus have added the American Indian College Fund to their donations, awarding the organization $50,000.


Ford Motor Company Blue Oval Scholars Program makes the amount available for the 2011-12 academic year, to Native American students attending tribal colleges and universities. Information on other charitable opportunities can be found at Future Ford Lincoln of Concord in Concord, CA.


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Ford Motor Co. has released details about a new commercial van that the automaker says gives passengers a more luxurious car-like experience.

It's part of Ford's push to grow its lucrative line of commercial vehicles.

The Tourneo Custom concept, a light-duty, front-wheel-drive, passenger van, will be available in Europe and Asia. It's one of five global platforms the automaker is rolling out that include the Fusion, Fiesta, Focus and Ranger, though the Ranger will not be available in North America.

The automaker plans to debut it at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

"We're making a…