Fred Beans Ford Lincoln Mercury of West Chester

2007 Ford Edge

The Edge is Ford's all-new SUV that debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January and is aimed to compete in the hot crossover SUV market. The Edge design features a bold three-bar grille that is similar to the Ford Fusion sedan, a raked windshield, a fast-sloping back window, a high-mounted rear spoiler, a high beltline and wheels that are pushed to the far corners to deliver an aggressive stance. The interior features seating for five and cargo space can be maximized to carry objects up to 8 feet long when the rear seats and the front passenger seat are folded.

The 2007 Ford Edge is powered by a new 265-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the Edge is equipped with MacPherson struts in the front and a four-link independent rear suspension for improved ride and handling. The interior features a center console that can fit a laptop computer and a number of options including a panoramic Vista Roof, a segment-first MP3 audio jack and six-way power-heated adjustable front seats. Standard safety features include Advance Trac with Roll Stability Control, seat-mounted side airbags and Safety Canopy air curtain system with rollover detection and extended-duration side-curtain airbags.

The Ford Edge car-based SUV is based on the Mazda6 platform. It is styled similarly to the Ford Fusion sedan and shares the basic platform with the new Mazda CX-7. The powertrain will feature a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.

 

Fred Beans Honored For Good Works

President of Fred Beans Family of Dealerships earns annual 'Salute To Dealers' award

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - Mix the old-fashioned values of hard work, honesty and kindness and you get Fred Beans, president of Fred Beans Family of Dealerships, who has made a lasting impact on countless people in his eastern Pennsylvania community and beyond.

Beans achieved a dream when he bought his first Ford dealership 31 years ago. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to grow his business into a successful company with values grounded in customer service, employee development and community enrichment. Along the way he has enlisted the help of his three daughters, all of whom work for him and are active in the community, as well as hundreds of employees. Beans is truly a pillar of his community,

"It's important to me that my involvement and the involvement of my company be meaningful and engaging," said Beans, who owns seven Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships in eastern Pennsylvania. "Giving back to the community is good business and a sound personal strategy. We all have an obligation to give, and to teach others to give."

For his outstanding corporate citizenship, Ford Motor Company has named Beans among the nine recipients of its sixth annual Salute To Dealers award.

"Fred Beans is an example of the best of good corporate citizens who gives back to the community by supporting a myriad of institutions across this region," said Bruce Katsiff, executive director of the James A. Michener Art Museum. "From quality transportation products, to thousands of jobs in our community, to philanthropic support for hospitals, churches, schools, social service agencies and museums, this region is a better place to live because of the presence of the Beans organization."

The art museum - in the historic former home of the Bucks County jail - was built and is maintained with the support of the Fred Beans Charitable Fund, a non-profit that distributes monies to a range of organizations and programs. An endowment from the Beans organization allowed the museum to add the Fred Beans Gallery, acquire additional collections and add a reflecting pool in the sculpture garden. An ongoing free ticket program, which awards museum passes to every Beans vehicle purchaser, also gives the institution ongoing operating support.

"I feel really strongly about the art museum - not just the excellent collections, but also the buildings and architecture, which are preserved to leave a lasting mark on the community," Beans said. "I like us to do things that will be around for a long time."

Another favorite cause is the Central Bucks Family YMCA, where Beans' generosity helped build a playground for young families to enjoy and provide a major renovation of the gymnasium. "Fred Beans' commitment to the community in so many ways has greatly improved the lives of everyone in our area," said Gene Smith, CEO of the Central Bucks Family YMCA. "Everyone knows Fred Beans for his kindness and generosity."

Beans believes strongly in the Boy Scouts of America's ability to shape responsible, hard-working young men. He supports many other local projects and causes involving education and young people, such as Delaware Valley College, a high school mentoring program, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, reading programs, teacher education, the public library and sporting teams. He has been honored by numerous groups for the company's charitable efforts over the years.

Always on the go, Beans is a staunch advocate of healthy living and encouraged his employees' establishment of a committee to foster healthy lifestyles with workplace programs, such as smoking cessation, weight loss, flu shots and heart health.

Beans and his employees recently reached outside their community to help hurricane victims through the Bucks-Mont (Pa.) Katrina Relief Project, which adopted the Waveland-Bay St. Louis communities in Hancock County, Miss. After flying a task force in the company jet to survey the devastated area, Beans challenged his employees to raise $100,000 to furnish the Katrina Relief Project's first major venture, a new childcare center. With more than $74,000 pledged or collected in a little more than a month, they're confident their furnishings project will be ready when the center is finished this summer.

"It has always been my core belief that we are all just caretakers for future generations, and it is that which keeps me going," Beans said. "I always think we could a lot more than we do."

Salute To Dealers was established in 2001 to demonstrate Ford Motor Company's commitment to its dealer principals who improve the lives of those in need in their communities while providing outstanding products and services. The program is conducted under the guidance of Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of Henry Ford and a member of Ford's Board of Directors.

"Fred Beans' dedication to enriching the lives of people in his community is a commitment that extends beyond his showroom," Edsel Ford said. "He is an inspiration."

This year, 62 nominations for exceptional individuals representing 30 states were received for the award. Dealers representing all Ford Motor Company brands - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Volvo, Mazda, Land Rover and Aston Martin - are eligible to be nominated by a regional representative. A panel of judges selects the honorees based on the dealer's individual activities, length of participation and personal motivation.

This year's award recipients will be honored February 10 at a private reception preceding the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) convention in Orlando. Ford commissioned a portrait of each award honoree depicting in montage form the dealers' involvement in their communities. These portraits commemorating the corporate citizenship efforts of the 2006 honorees will join those of previous honorees in a special display in the lobby of Ford Motor Company's World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.

About Fred Beans Automotive Group:

The Doylestown-based Fred Beans "Everything Automotive" Family of Dealerships includes 21 dealerships selling 23 different auto makes. Based in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa., the automotive group also locally owns and operates Fred Beans Collision Center, Detail & Accessory Center, NAPA of Doylestown, Autorent of Doylestown, Fred Beans Parts Warehouse and Noble Advertising & Marketing. The wider organization includes partnerships with McCafferty Automotive in Langhorne and Mechanicsburg and New Holland Motors, which bring numerous subsidiaries and two additional auto makes into the southeastern Pennsylvania group.