FORD Philippines recently commemorated the 15th anniversary of Ford Driving Skills For Life (DSFL), underscoring its enduring commitment to road and vehicle safety. As this was happening, Ford Ranger’s sales hit 15,000 customers.
DSFL is a globally recognized safe driving program designed to educate and empower drivers and passengers. In the Philippines, it has trained more than 33,000 participants over the past 15 years.
This year’s theme, “Driving Smart. Protecting Lives. Building Safer Roads,” encapsulates the essence of DSFL. It focuses on imparting up-to-date safe driving tips, practical hands-on driving skills, and new modules covering various terrains, night driving, handling floods and rainy conditions, driving with children, and sharing the road with cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
Recognizing the growing presence of motorcycles and bicycles on the roads, DSFL introduces modules addressing road-sharing practices and overall driving dynamics to enhance safety. Over the past decade, DSFL has collaborated with local government agencies, private companies, Ford car clubs, and public transportation groups, with over 3,200 drivers participating in DSFL sessions in 2022, both virtually and in person.
The program will continue to cover essential topics such as vehicle dynamics, safe driving technologies, anti-distracted driving techniques, fuel-efficient driving, and updated road regulations. Practical driving sessions will include exercises on parking, braking, anti-distracted driving, and fuel-efficient driving.
“We are excited to launch this year’s edition of the DSFL and introduce new modules that aim to upskill drivers with smart and safe driving tips and techniques that they can apply every day,” shares EJ Francisco, Communications Director, Ford Philippines and Asia Pacific Distributor Markets. “The last fifteen years has been monumental for DSFL in the Philippines with the scale and impact that it has achieved in promoting driver and road safety in the country. We thank our partners and participants for their support and collaboration and we celebrate this milestone with them.”
Vehicles used in the demonstration part of the DFSL included the Ford Everest and Ranger.
Since its launch 14 months ago the 15,000 customers have bought the Ford Ranger, making it the top-selling vehicle with sales continually growing by 22 percent from a year ago.
The Ranger features a new grille, rear box side steps, wider track and wheelbase, embossed tailgate, LED taillamps and headlights, 8″ digital instrument cluster, 10″ or 12″ portrait touchscreen, 360-degree camera, SYNC 4A with Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto capability, upgraded chassis and suspension, and a suite of advanced driver-assist technologies. It is also equipped with FordPass and is available with a 5-year warranty.
The Ford Ranger is available in the extended Ford Truck Month deals until October 31, which customers a wide array of cash discounts, all-in low downpayment deals, and low monthly payment fees across the Ranger line-up.
Ford Driving Skills For Life originated in the United States in 2003, initiated by Ford Motor Company Fund, the U.S. Governors Highway Safety Association, and safety experts. It aims to teach newly licensed drivers skills that go beyond standard driver education programs. In the Philippines, DSFL is conducted in partnership with Tuason Racing School. The launch of DSFL in the Philippines coincides with the Ford Global Month of Caring, celebrated every September by Ford employees and volunteers worldwide.
