Ford’s motto used to be “Drive One” in North America and “Feel the Difference” in Europe. Now they are shifting their brand name to “Go Further” across North America and Europe. The new slogan was supposedly inspired by the powerful mottos “Just Do It” by Nike and “I’m Lovin’ It” by McDonalds.

The three Detroit automaker companies have announced strong sales in the past year, especially due to increased consumption in December. GM posted a 4.5% gain in December, which gave them a 13% rise in sales for the year. Ford posted the best December sales in five years, which led to an 11% sales gain for the year. Chrysler posted the largest gain as December sales rose 37% and full year sales rose 26%. If these increases in market share hold up against Toyota, then it would be the first time since 1988 that all three Detroit companies posted market share gains at the same time. [CNN]

Ford Motor Company has announced this past Friday that sales in the U.S. have surpassed 2 million. The last time that happened was 2007. The sales through November was up 18% for the first 11 months of 2010. Sales of small cards this year are on pace to rise over 20% and utility vehicles are up over 30%. On December 1st, the company sold about 1.94 million vehicles in 2011. Ford’s sales has improved this year as people are starting to replace the cars that they were holding on to during the recession. The company also did a holiday advertising blitz that convinced some people that now is a good time to buy. [MSNBC]

Ford Motor Company has decided to do something offbeat for the holidays by creating this sleigh concept for Santa Claus. Since Santa has to travel 200,237,360 km, why shouldn’t he try to be more green? The sleigh is based on the Ford Evos concept and it will save 214,670 tons of CO₂. Santa would also save money from having to spend $191 million to feed his reindeer carrots.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has announced and aftermarket accessory for playing music through a USB mass storage device. The accessory is called the Ford USB Music Box. Songs and albums can be selected using the steering wheel-mounted controls and the USB Music Box can recharge phones and MP3 players when connected. The USB Music Box is compatible with the following vehicles:

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling about 16,000 2011 F-150 pick-up truck vehicles that were built between September 9 and September 22, 2011. The recall also consists of the Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and Heavy Duty models. About 16,091 total vehicles are being recalled. The NHTSA said that vehicles that do not comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 114, which is theft protection. The transmission can be shifted out of park without pressing on the brake pedal due to brake shift interlock switch problems.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has announced in the past week that the 2012 Ford Focus Electric will be the first five-passenger vehicle to have the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon. The 2012 Ford Focus Electric vehicle will be manufactured as the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. The car charges in about half the time that the Nissan Leaf does. The charge time of the Ford Focus Electric is about 3 hours with 240-volt outlets.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has started recalling 128,616 Fusion and Mercury Milan sedan vehicles because of defective wheels that could fall off. The wheel studs of the cars could fracture while driving which leads to “vibration and/or wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash” said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall is for 2010 and 2011 models.