Ford Shows Off 4 Top New Innovations at the 2016 North American International Auto Show #FordNAIAS

February 2, 2016 by Kathryn 31 Comments

For anyone that loves cars, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is a chance to indulge in endless eye candy and new auto innovations to the heart’s content. But it’s also a chance for manufacturers to show off their latest and greatest developments. And Ford Canada is always at the forefront with vehicles, technology and transportation debuts that go above and beyond expectations.

This year was no exception, and I was honoured to be among a select group of Canadian bloggers that were offered the chance to attend the show with Ford and experience the future of the company firsthand. Toys, trucks and transportation innovation are all part of Ford’s plan for the next year. These are four of the ways Ford is blazing into 2016 in style!

Ford Partners with LEGO

If there’s one thing my boys love more than cars, it’s their beloved LEGO sets. And now they can have both thanks to a partnership between the beloved brick company and Ford! Available this March, LEGO is offering two fabulous Ford vehicle sets in its LEGO Speed Champions collection: the Ford F-150 set and the Ford Mustang set. The Mustang features 185 pieces and retails for $14.99. The F-150 set, complete with a custom garage, contains 664 pieces and retails for $49.99. The attention to detail on these sets are what had my heart racing…the truck even features a working suspension system! [Read more…]

Baby You Can Drive My Car? Ford Predicts the Future of Cars May Not Involve Driving Them #FordNAIAS

January 21, 2016 by Kathryn 40 Comments

Despite living in a small town with limited services and having a lifetime love of cars, I didn’t get my license until fairly late in life. In fact, I was in my early thirties with two kids before I became a licensed driver. I think that at least partly because of that, I have a strong love of driving. After so many years of having somebody else drive me around, being behind the wheel feels like freedom.

But for many, driving is a hassle rather than a pleasure. In fact, my younger sister absolutely hates driving and only does so when she has to. She thinks that the entire concept of hurtling down a highway at high speeds and trusting everyone else on the road to be responsible enough to keep you safe is crazy.

Our two different attitudes are my own first-hand experience of larger global attitudes about driving, vehicles and transportation in general. And recently I had the chance to explore some of those attitudes, and what they might mean in the future, while in Detroit with Ford Canada at the North American International Auto Show.

The event kicked off with a delicious dinner at Ford Field. Having the chance to tour the stadium, see the locker rooms of the players and even attempt kicking a field goal was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget. I probably should have worn different shoes, but I still had a blast even though I didn’t score our Canadian crew an extra three points! [Read more…]

Getting a Look at the Future of Automobiles with Ford Canada #FordNAIAS

January 8, 2016 by Kathryn 2 Comments

Three years ago, I attended the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan on a special blogger trip with Ford Canada. I had the chance to see into the past of the Ford Motor Company while exploring the Henry Ford Museum, and then glance into the future as the Ford’s newest vehicle was unveiled for the first time. Of course, I also spent a bit of time admiring the many other gorgeous vehicles at the auto show too!

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Moving into the Future with Ford at the #FordNAIAS Event in Detroit, MI

January 24, 2013 by Kathryn 22 Comments

When I attended the #FordNAIAS event in Detroit last week, the first day or so gave me a chance to experience some of the Ford Motor Company’s rich history. But Ford is a company that is always going forward and the rest of the time in Detroit, for me, was about moving into the future.

kathryn lavallee ford canada fordnaias techshop detroit — Posing with Ammar of Ford Canada, Jen of Mom vs. the Boys and Felicia of Single Mom of Two after arriving at TechShop Detroit

There’s no better place to discuss moving forward than at TechShop Detroit. This membership-based workshop and prototyping studio is designed for creating and contains any type of machine or tool that a person might need to bring their ideas to life. We headed to TechShop for dinner and while there we were treated to a presentation by Scott Burnell, Ford’s Global Lead for Business Development and Project Management, who introduced us to the new Ford Developer Program. Basically, this software will allow third-party programmers to create apps that can be integrated into the Ford SYNC AppLink system in vehicles. While the system isn’t available in Canada quite yet, I loved the concept and I can’t wait to see how it enhances the driving experience for the average family.

ford developer porgram presentation scott burnell — Ford’s Scott Burnell explains the Ford Developer Program to the crowd

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Wordless Wednesday with Linky-I Wish I was an Oscar Meyer Weiner

January 22, 2013 by Kathryn 25 Comments

kathryn lavallee henry ford museum oscar meyer weiner — At the recent #FordNAIAS event, thanks to this fun display beside the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile at the Henry Ford Museum, I finally got to fulfill that childhood dream!

If you have a Wordless Wednesday post, please link it up below; I’d love to check it out! [Read more…]

Stepping into the Past with Ford Canada at the #FordNAIAS Event in Detroit, MI

January 19, 2013 by Kathryn 20 Comments

One week ago I had the tremendous honour of being chosen as one of 200 bloggers around the world to head to Detroit for the #FordNAIAS Digital Summit. The event was overwhelming and to me, it embodied ideas of past and future that I believe are cornerstones of the entire Ford brand. The first idea (the one that I’ll be focusing on today) is that moving forward can only be achieved with an understanding of, and respect for, the past.

henry ford museum oscar mayer weinermobile — An iconic piece of American history!

We received our first glimpse into that past at the opening night dinner at the Henry Ford Museum. The rich history of this Detroit treasure was evident as soon as we walked through the door and I, like many others, was blown away by just how many amazing exhibits the museum contained. From the bus in which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to the hilarious Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, the exhibits had my emotions jumping.

kat in front of rosa parks bus henry ford — It was an honour to actually see the bus in which Rosa Parks took her stand. Her bravery is an inspiration to this day.

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