AIMS: Ford's interactive exhibit
Attendees of the Oz motor show can drive Ford's latest vehicles on a massive 4600 square-metre outdoor displayFord will inject a large dose of involvement into its exhibit at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney by holding a 'Smart Drive' outdoor experience that lets show goers drive and fiddle with Ford's latest and greatest vehicles.
Positioned outside the Sydney event in the Darling Harbour precinct, the 4600 square-metre outdoor display will allow show goers to participate in a 10-minute 'Smart Drive' of selected Ford vehicles: Focus Titanium, Ranger Wildtrak and the all-new Ford Kuga, which isn't expected to go on sale here until mid-2013.
The 'Smart Drive' course will be open for all 10 days of the motor show and has been designed to "highlight key technologies and capabilities of the vehicles," says Ford. The president of Ford Australia, Robert Graziano, says the interactive outdoor display is the best way to communicate Ford's cutting edge technologies.
"The Ford stand is dynamic and the 'Smart Drive' experience is a key part of our strategy to showcase our Smart technologies and stimulate participation in a really exciting drive experience at the show. Our show stands are known for their customer involvement, creativity and energy and this year we wanted to take it to the next level," he said. "The Darling Harbour precinct is a perfect location for our 'Smart Drive' experience. It’s only 10 metres from the main Darling Harbour entrance and will be a must-see experience for all visitors to the show.".
Show goers who take the new Focus Titanium for a spin will get to test the Active City Stop auto braking system, the Active Park Assist parking system and SYNC infotainment connectivity. The all-new Kuga will demonstrate its "open sesame" automatic tailgate and horsepower fanatics can check out the EcoBoost engine from the Falcon and other vehicles on the "dyno" display.
Made from shipping containers, the 'Smart Drive' display also has some rough terrain, designed to test the Ranger ute's off-road abilities. Ford says that up to seven vehicles can rotate around the specially built track. Ford will also have a static undercover display of 14 vehicles from its range, such as the Focus ST, Mondeo EcoBoost, XR6 Ute and Ranger.
Head-turning performance vehicles will also be on display - the new GT RSPEC and Pursuit Ute, not to mention Ford Performance Racing's 2013 'Car of the Future' V8 Supercar that will do battle with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Nissan Altima and Holden Commodore in 2013.
Ford has a reputation to maintain at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, claiming to have previously had the longest dwell-times at its exhibits. It also won the 'Australian Event of the Year' award in 2010 at the Sydney motor show.
"The combination of Ford's showroom of the future and the massive hands-on 'Smart Drive' experience demonstrate how Ford is Going Further to deliver a really memorable experience for all show visitors," Graziano concluded.
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