Love Cars. Love Ford.

2010 Ford Mustang Got Its Much Smaller Look

2008-06-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was introduced to the public in 1964 at the New York World Fair in 1964. It was first produced in Dearborn, Michigan, and it was introduced to the public on 17 April 1964 at the New York World's Fair.

The first generation Ford Mustang was launched as a coupe or as a convertible, and it has many similar characteristics with the Ford Falcon. The second generation has been longer by 2 inches then its predecessor. The third generation got four headlights and a better looking nose.

Ford designers and have given the all-new 2010 Mustang the look of a much smaller car. The overall length and size of the new Mustang are the same as those of the 2008 Mustang, but due to the designers’ cleverness, they’ve been able to make it look like the wheels are further out, further forward and further rearward.

According to Ford’s Peter Horbury "We have a car which I think is more suitable for the times than the Challenger and the Camaro. The center line is the longest part" of the next Mustang, he said, "and the widest part of the car is the middle. From there on, you can tuck it in and bring the apparent size down.”

With rising fuel prices and increased environmental concerns, consumers do like smaller cars because it is associated to better fuel mileage. With this new design, Ford Mustang may have better environment-friendly recognition to the customers.

Awesome Power Potential

2008-05-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

“The Shelby Mustang is a performance muscle car from the 1960s. It was a series of Ford Mustangs which were specially modified by Carroll Shelby's company and sold as a series.”

The 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the most powerful factory-built Mustang in history. Even more powerful than the 1969 Mach Super Cobra Jet and the legendary 1969 Boss 429.

The 2008 Shelby GT500 is a carryover from 2007. It is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, or convertible sports car, available in two trims, the Coupe and the Convertible. It was revealed at the 2007 New York International Auto Show.

“Both trims are equipped with a standard 5.4 liter, V8, 500 horsepower, supercharged engine that achieves 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.”

The Shelby Coupe differs from an ordinary Mustang with unique front and rear styling. It has a unique rear fascia, and a bulging hood. It features Le Mans-style stripes along the top of the vehicle.

In its interior the car has its standard features such as 500-watt audio system with six-disc CD changer and MP3 capability, power door locks with remote keyless entry, and cloth bucket seats. It also has an interior upgrade package with satin aluminum trim etc. The all-leather interior has a Carroll Shelby signature embroidered headrests and an official Shelby CSM 40th Anniversary GT500KR

As far as safety features are concerned, the car is equipped with dual-stage front airbags, traction control, front passenger side-impact airbags and antilock brakes.

The Most Powerful Ford Taurus

2008-05-16T02:03:00.000-07:00

Taurus has been a benchmark for Ford’s family sedan for more than two decades. So now it is time to return the powerful Taurus nameplate. The 2009 Ford Taurus model have gone into a significant styling facelift update and power upgrade. This vehicle was first introduced as a redesigned Ford 500. The 2008 Taurus is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging from the SEL FWD to the Limited AWD.

“The SEL FWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 263-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. The Limited AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 263-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.”

This new model has improved its safety with some structural improvements and an AdvanceTrac stability control system. It now has its functional voice command, with SYNC, an integrated, voice-activated communication and media system. SYNC allows you to access your music collection by genre, album, artist or song title and operate your Bluetooth phone and the premium stereo system is had been well improved.

This car looks decent as ever. But I understand the hate of some reviews. When the Taurus was first released, it was way ahead of the competition in every way including styling. But not anymore since it has been successful in the past couple of decades. This new model has improved well in its interior instead.

Nissan “Denki Cube” Electric Vehicle

2008-05-14T02:11:00.000-07:00

The Nissan Denki Cube is a lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicle concept created by Nissan. It was publicly displayed at the Nissan exhibit at Jacob Javits Convention Center from March 21 through March 30, 2008. This concept serves as a preview of Nissan's future small car design strategy for American market. Production of these electric vehicles may be expected to start in 2010.

The electric vehicle is based on Nissan’s Cube minicab. But unlike the old model, this concept is expected to draw power from lithium ion batteries. A recharge of the lithium-ion batteries may take about 8 hours. The Denki Cube Concept is expected to be capable of traveling 100 miles per charge at a top speed of 75 mph.

Its exterior features some new front and back styling upgrades, including a new "electric themed" front grille design with an AC power charging port. With a new headlight design, new bumpers and turn signal lamps.

I actually like it. I can say that it’s boxy but not unattractive, yet it is charming, fashionable and very functional. It is cute and it looks very convenient for delivery uses. The maintenance cost is expected to be low due to it is an electric car. This would be a very practical buy, and it’s perfect for persons who are sick and tired of sedans ordinary style.

With this vehicle, I can say that Nissan is focused on reducing CO2 emissions, reducing exhaust emissions, and accelerating recycling efforts which are very significant for the preservation of our environment.

Spada Codatronca Concept Supercar

2008-05-07T23:42:00.000-07:00

This new super car was designed and produced by the Italian-design company, the SpadaConcept. The Spada Codatronca's style is inspired not by superhero cars but by the 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The design is attributed to a team that includes father and son Ercole and Paolo Spada. Ercole Spada is an Italian automobile designer who is known for designing notable sports cars by Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati, and others.

The car is going to be unveiled in Monaco at the Top Marques show including a more powerful Turismo Super Sportivo version that’s currently under testing. This show gathers many manufacturers specialized in the field of the luxury and race cars.

To keep its cost low, the Codatronca was designed around the Corvette platform. Key features of this vehicle include its ultra-light structure, efficient aerodynamics, and its sharp agility. One strange thing that this vehicle has is its digital readout on the vehicle's rear which seems to display the car's current mph. It is the first of its kind, but I can’t quite figure out what that thing is for. Well maybe it will be a fun experience showing off your speed in the faces of those that get passed by this car.

This new super car will be manufactured in Turin by SpadaVettureSport, a company created and controlled by Spadaconcept. It will be built on Corvette’s chassis for a limited number. It would be great to see one of these traveling down the freeway, leaving all persons who see’s it truly amazed.

McMurray Gets Free Flight Ticket

2008-02-24T23:19:00.000-08:00

Ford driver Jamie McMurray recently conquered more than the Daytona International Speedway but also the skies when he was taken for a ride by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

Before the first race of the season, McMurray was invited to fly with the Thunderbirds according to The Auto Channel. Capt. Elizabeth Kreft, Thunderbird No. 12. pointed out that the reason why they chose McMurray.

"We invited Jamie out for a flight because as a NASCAR race champion he understands the dedication and teamwork involved in the pursuit of perfection," said Capt. Kreft. "We wanted to show Jamie - and thousands of race fans - the Air Force's commitment to those same professional goals."

"Each person who steps into our jets will know why we understand the power of speed and accuracy, and why we choose to put on the uniform and continue to serve our country," she added.

When it was time to take to the air, the Ford driver shared a plane with Major Tony Mulhare Flying Thunderbird No.8. After several maneuvers which I am sure would have had me throwing up, the two landed safely and Jamie was awarded a 9-G pin for being able to endure forces of up to 9G.

The Ford driver is full of praise for the Thunderbirds. "I can't believe we just did what we did," said McMurray. "What a thrill to be able to fly with some of the greatest pilots in the world. Today Major Mulhare showed me what it is like to fly at speeds of over 500mph. The minute we took off, I knew it was going to be a fun ride."

It's too bad though that he did not carry the jet's speed with him in Daytona.

Kvapil, Fastest Ford Driver

2008-02-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

The 50^th staging of the Dayton 500 is close at hand and the pole qualifier was held recently. Jimmie Johnson, two-time defending champion took the pole position making another good start for Chevrolet. Beside Johnson on the starting grid is Michael Waltrip driving a Toyota.

Unfortunately, no Toyota driver was able to get into the top two spot. In fact, the fastest driver only had the seventh fastest lap time. And his name is Travis Kvapil. Just a tip here: if you are playing fantasy racing, you can use Kvapil as your fifth driver.

The final position of other drivers except Johnson and Waltrip will be decided on Thursday at the Gatorade Duel 150. Kvapil said that he is excited to get back on the tack again.

"I’m excited to get back here on Wednesday and see how these cars drive. I’ve talked to a lot of drivers and they didn’t have a lot of good things to say about how they drove, so hopefully we can get out there and work on our handling package and get it to drive comfortably and stable and worry about Thursday. Then we’ll worry about what we think we can apply for Sunday," reported the Kvapil who will drive the No. 28 K&N Filters Ford Fusion.

Kvapil is confident going into the duel. "We think we had a little bit in the bank, but you just never know. We’re happy with that. Anytime you can repeat or pick up just a little bit you’ve got to be pleased. We definitely made all the right moves and did all the right things over the past few days, so we’re happy with where we’re at. That should get us toward the front of the 150 and we’re excited to see what we’ll learn in the 150 that we can apply to Sunday," he added.

Krystal Enterprises On The Red Carpet

2008-02-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

Ford.com reported last week that Ford Motor Company recognized Krystal Enterprises as this year’s top volume limousine and livery Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM). Now, we can really say that its going to be one hell of a show! The much awaited Hollywood awards will take place next week.

“We are proud of our longstanding relationship and partnership with Krystal Enterprises and appreciate the premium image that Krystal conversions create for the Lincoln Town Car and our SUVs. It’s a tribute to the entire Krystal team that they have been the only QVM coachbuilder to earn the QVM title for the limousine and livery industry since the introduction of the award,” says Kevin Koswick, the director of Ford North American Fleet, Lease, and Remarketing Operations.

According to Ford, Krystal Enterprises won the award for in seven consecutive years since the prominent awards night was launched.

“Our QVM coachbuilders are dedicated to delivering the highest quality products for the limousine and livery industries, helping make Krystal Enterprises and the Lincoln Town Car the industry leader,” stated Doug Walczak, Ford’s Limousine and Livery Manager.

"Krystal is dedicated to delivering high-quality, luxurious vehicles for the limousine and funeral industry, and Ford provides the industry-leading products for us to accomplish this. We are extremely proud of our long-term relationship with Ford Motor Company and the QVM program,” says Ed Grech, president & CEO of Krystal Enterprises.

“Krystal Enterprises is proud to showcase its extensive line of superior vehicles. As the world’s largest manufacturer of stretch limousines and a top producer of professional vehicles and luxury mid-size buses, Krystal remains committed to quality, safety and customer satisfaction,” added Grech.

Safe Thinking

2008-01-22T17:16:00.000-08:00

Take note: Less safe and unsafe are two different things.

Being noted as one of the world's least safe cars in 2007 by Forbes magazine didn't stop the Ford Motor Company from making it to the list of safest cars for 2008 as released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Electronic stability control (ESC) was regarded as one of the top criteria used by IIHS.

"Vehicles should be designed to provide good occupant protection when crashes occur, but now with ESC we have the possibility of preventing many crashes altogether," IIHS President Adrian Lund said.

The secret lies in Ford's Personal Safety system that ensures the protection of its passengers. Like what the new Ford Focus has. Front, side and curtain airbags plus a strengthened body shell and definitely, durable and competent seatbelts.

Indeed, nothing beats the value of using seatbelts in order to safely arrive in one's destination (rather than heaven or hell, of course). It is claimed that this device saves about 11,000 Americans from car accidents annually. In fact, Ford Motors pioneered the development of automotive lap belts back in 1956. Ever wondered how the world's first seatbelt differ from an Acura Integra seatbelt? Made out of tightly woven nylon, the belts were said to be two inches wide to provide best protection to the vital parts of the car passengers' body.

Now, various innovations have already been made to car seat belts. From inflatable seatbelt to invisible seat belts, who knows?

So long as active minds exist, nothing's impossible. Next time, arguments arise about the word safe, think of seatbelts. Think of Ford and the revolutionary advancement it has done for car safety.

Ford, Toyota, GM Rev Up Hybrids

2008-01-18T15:17:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors said they can display plug-in hybrids in showrooms in a matter of half a decade. The major automakers added they will be offering dramatic increases in fuel economy plus modest price premiums.

At the upcoming Washington, D.C. Auto Show, Ford will showcase its Escape hybrid plug-in SUV. The automaker will develop 20 lithium batteries for trials by Southern California Edison.

According to reports, plug-in hybrids are capable of running 50-100 miles per gallon on short trips primarily using their battery power. "If we can't decide within five years whether we can do this, something is wrong," said Greg Frenette, FoMoCo’s chief engineer for plug-in and fuel-cell vehicles.

Plug-in hybrids are like ordinary hybrids which have gasoline and electric as power sources. The only difference is that they have bigger batteries which can be charged using a household outlet. The extra battery capability allows them to run on battery-only power for the first 5 or 10 miles. Then it goes back to normal hybrid mode, amalgamating the power sources.

Last Thursday, the U.S. Energy Department said it will award up to $30 million to projects intended to "deliver up to 40 miles of electric range without recharging" and to make plug-in hybrids "cost-competitive by 2014 and ready for commercialization by 2016." The government department said 40 miles would cover most commutes and 70% of average driving.

The catalyst that is expected to spawn hybrid revolution is the progress on lithium-ion batteries. The latter is said to store more energy and much smaller in size than nickel-metal hydride batteries, which is commonly used today.

Toyota, meanwhile, aims "to be sure they're robust enough to withstand the extreme charging-discharging cycles in a plug-in hybrid, and still last the life of the car," said Jaycie Chitwood, senior planner at the automaker’s advanced technologies unit in the USA.

At the NAIAS, Toyota displayed a plug-in Prius hybrid prototype. It said the company could start regular production within a few years. "It's more when than if," said Chitwood.

General Motors, on the other hand, said it plans a plug-in version of its Saturn Vue hybrid "as soon as 2010."

credit: USA Today

Ford Flaunts Verve Subcompact

2008-01-14T22:32:00.000-08:00

To pull more shoppers closer, Ford has showcased a new subcompact at the Detroit Auto Show. Such was an effort to give auto buffs some hints of the future.

“The Ford global design team remembered, not so fondly, the econo-boxes of the 1970s and created the Verve concept as a vision of just how good a small car can be,” said Ford Design Chief J Mays. “Verve aims to ‘right’ North American buyers’ earlier small-car experiences by offering a product that changes customers’ views of small cars from ‘cheap’ to chic – and from affordable to desirable.”

"We know that when we come out with our small car we have to be a heck of a lot better than our competitors," Mark Fields, Ford's president for the Americas, said in an interview.

“Millennials will be the defining group of customers in the future, driving all types of consumer trends,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president, Marketing and Communications. “Ford’s European-based cars are a great fit for this generation of drivers, who have grown up with the Internet and mobile phones as necessities, not luxuries – believing that bigger isn’t necessarily better, precision is everything and technology rules.”

GizMag describes the Verve as:

“…the concept has been developed with a global product development strategy in mind and the company aims to capitalize on an expected boom in the North American small car segment over the next three years. In the U.S., it's predicted that sales of small cars will grow by 800,000, or 25% – to a record 3.4 million units by 2012 - and small cars and crossovers are the only vehicles with projected near-term growth in the U.S. The driving force in this market is a group of young people aged 13 to 28 years – dubbed ‘Millennials.’ Today, this group stands 1.7 billion strong worldwide and will represent 28% of the total U.S. population by 2010.”

The Verve concept is built off of a design architecture flexible enough to yield 3 unique vehicles. The North American Verve sedan, painted in Rouge Red, has been slightly modified. It features idiosyncratic LED side markers, inverted trapezoidal front lower grille, and sophisticated technology such as dynamic sound system, refined electronic navigation as well as in-car phone functionality.

As I see it, the Verve will surely captivate a good number of car buffs.

The End of Ford’s 30 Year Truck Streak

2007-12-28T01:28:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Co. has long started its Truck of the Year Streak, in 1977. It was the Year Star Wars Premiered in Theaters and AJ Foyt won his record 4th Indy 500. Now, in the 30th year, the streak has ended, frozen by Toyota Tundra as it took the Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award.

In the 1990, Ford’s Motto at One Time was “The Best Never Rest”. But now, it is “Bold Moves”, which is barely enough to keep the Streak alive.

An author in sportingnews.com wrote, “Even though I am a Toyota Guy, a lot of this shift has to do with Toyota ‘Moving Forward’ on their NASCAR Program, which NASCAR drives a lot of Auto Purchases not only here, but all over the World, and in the near future, I’d love what Ford has done since Mark Martin was sold off to the highest bidder at Ginn/DEI was not worth having to take pride in Driving a Ford Lately because I’d hate to break the news to all the true truck purists, but sadly, this would be no longer Built Ford Tough as history’s greatest streak comes to an end just like why there ain’t no new episodes on TV because of the Strike and the true color of society has shown its color in this country because ‘The Truck Streak’ has ended.”

Some of you might not believe it, but Toyota Tundra is indeed the 2008 Truck of the Year – a sad fact for Ford.

The 2009 Ford Focus RS

2007-12-20T01:06:00.000-08:00

Ford of Europe confirms its plan to launch an exciting all-new, high performance version of Focus RS in 2009.

The new Focus RS will be based on the dynamic new Focus ST. The Ford Team RS - a specialist team led by Jost Capito who will be the Vehicle Line Director for Ford of Europe Performance Vehicles starting January 1, 2008 – will be responsible for the development.

According to John Fleming, Ford of Europe’s President and CEO, “With two consecutive Manufacturer’s World Rally Championship titles under our belt, the time is right to create a new Focus RS.” He said, “With the Fiesta and Focus ST models, Jost and his team have proved already that they can deliver exciting and practical performance road cars. The success of these models, combined with Jost’s experience in motorsport and Ford of Europe’s positive business results, mean that we now have a credible business case for a no-compromise Focus RS roadcar for more enthusiastic drivers.”

Under Capito’s leadership, the basic concept for a new Focus RS has already been under development for quite some time. Now that the programme has been approved, Capito along with his team will give fully concentration on the project.

Capito said, “We have reviewed our technical options and worked closely with the Design team on how the car might look, and I’m very excited by the results … Now with the programme going ahead, the hard work really starts as the small team working on the project takes the car from prototype to production.”

Unfortunately, Ford of Europe will not disclose any of the technical details regarding the new Focus RS, until near the launch in 2009. For now, Ford is planning to show a concept version of the car, for the first time, in the mid of 2008.

Fleming, said, “We’re not ready to confirm any of the technical details of the new Focus RS yet – Jost and his team have a lot to do to finalize the exact specification and styling … But make no mistake, I can assure you that ultimately, the car we plan to launch will be worthy of weating the coveted Ford RS badge.”

Capito, on the other hand, said, “We will use the redesigned 2008 Focus St as the base for a no-compromise RX model that will become the ultimate road-going Focus … Just as the Focus RS WRC owns the rally circuit, we want the new Focus RS to own the road, so we have the major competitors in our sights as we develop the car’s performance, design, handling and braking.”

That sound’s great. The company is really working on the development carefully. It is right for them to think that the new Focus RS should be seen with no flaws in all aspects by the time it is showcased publicly.

Workers goes back to work at Russian Ford Plant

2007-12-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Co. is really going through some tough times and challenges, among which was the strike in one of its assembly plants. Now, let us discuss about how things are going with the company.

After almost a month-long strike, Monday, Russian employees went back to work at the Ford Motor. Co. assembly plant near St. Petersburg. The strike ended after the union and the company, last week, agreed to continue negotiations on wage and hours demands.

However, according to Alexei Etmanov, head of the union that is seeking wage increases of over 30 percent and a reduction of the night shift to 6.5 hours, “It’s neither a failure nor a victory for either side. It’s just a new stage in the struggle for our interests.

Currently, the assembly line workers are making approximately 19,000 rubles ($800) a month. The American automaker has offered them an 11 percent raise, but would start on March 2008.

Last year, the plant in Vsevolozhsk has produced around 60,000 cars, majority was the Focus model.

Plant director Theo Streit said, “We are very pleased with the decision by the trade union that will allow all employees to get back to work.”

Ford’s New-Model Quality Center

2007-12-11T23:45:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Company has invested $208 million to build a New-Model Quality Center in the Dearborn Glass Plant at the Rouge site which was just recently opened. The center was specifically designed to help support the introduction of the 2009 F-150 pickup and eventually ensure its top quality.

According to Mark Fields, president of The Americas, Ford Motor Company, “Our recent launches have shown that we are among the best in the industry in quality … The New-Model Quality Center at the Rouge will ensure the same top quality for the new F-150 when it goes on sale next fall.”

In the center, Ford will be testing the vehicles and training the employees for the next-generation F-150.

Fields said, “In our design studios, in our product development laboratories and in our manufacturing plants, quality is our top priority … Our teams are showing incredible discipline in following the processes and adhering to the highest standards.”

The center will help provide training on key assembly processes for a third of Dearborn Truck’s 3,200 employees. Employees are expected to be trained on workstations, designed to replicate those in the chasses and final assembly areas. There will be two workstations that will allow in-depth study of the F-150’s new frame. Other workstations will be provided with platforms that can be raised and lowered depending on the employee’s height and job requirements. Within it, employees will have the chance to learn installation procedures of new parts and components.

In a news release, Bennie Fowler, vice president for Ford Quality, said, “Our vehicle quality has shown dramatic improvement this year because we’ve standardized a set of rigid processes throughout the design, development and manufacturing of our vehicles … The New-Model Quality Center at Dearborn Truck represents an important part of the quality process in manufacturing.”

Ford currently has a quality center at each assembly plant in North America.

McRae Enduro rally car gets a Ford-built engine

2007-12-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

The McRae Enduro rally car has been powered with a Ford-built engine, which is a 2.7 L V6 turbo. The diesel engine, assembled at the Ford Dagenham Diesel Centre in Essex, generates 220 horsepower.

Recently, the rally car won the prestigious ‘Idea of the Year’ at the 2007 Autocar Awards. Chas Hallett, Autocar’s editor, announced the award to an audience of 480 global motor industry leaders and celebrities.

Upon receiving the award, Christopher Bibb, commercial director for the McRae Enduro operation based at Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex, said, “Rally driver Alister McRae, the younger brother of Colin, is our chief test driver.” “As soon as testing started, Colin was keen to drive the Enduro, but for many reasons that never quite happened, and sadly now never will. We therefore dedicate our award to Colin McRae – one of Britain’s greatest sportsmen,” he added.

On the other hand, Chris Harrison, director of Ford Component Sales, said, “As the supplier of the engine and other Ford components, we are proud to be associated with the Enduro … With an extensive portfolio of more than 100,000 components in Europe alone, Ford Component Sales offers an extremely attractive package to smaller companies … It makes sense for low-volume manufacturers to use the resources of a global giant by dipping into its extensive parts bin. Design and development costs are kept to a minimum, and reliability and quality at competitive prices are assured.”

The MCRae Enduro team is credited for the design of the car. Ford supplied the engine that comes with a six-speed manual ZF gearbox, helping in the transfer of 220 horsepower to the full-time four-wheel-drive system.

The rally car will be competing in races, including the 6,000 km cross-Saharan Dakar Rally. It will compete in its first event – the Saudi Arabia Baja – in February next year.

For Sale: Jaguar and Land Rover

2007-12-05T23:29:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Corp, the world’s third largest automaker, has been planning to have its iconic British brands – Jaguar and Land Rover – sold. The company hired investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to have the sale arranged.

Land Rover is hoped to make a profit, but Jaguar has been losing for years. That urges the company to give it up. Speculations persist, saying that the US automobile company is in early-stage talks with several potential buyers. Fiat and Renault dismissed the speculation that they are considering the purchase of the British marques.

Last year, Jaguar and Land Rover lost $12.6bn (£6.3bn), making a huge financial drain on Ford. That would be a big reason for Ford to get them offloaded.

Previously, Ford was even reported briefing with British politicians regarding its plan to sell the brands.

Ford’s Premier Automotive Group (PAG) is partly made up of the two brands along with Volvo. Volvo, however, is not though to be sold at this point. And, since Jaguar and Land Rover share production facilities, it would hard for Ford to dispose the brands separately.

Considering that the company wants a quick sale, Ford named it “Project Swift”. The company has already sold another PAG marque – the popular Aston Martin – to two Kuwait investment companies.

In 1989, Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion. And, in 2000, it has taken Land Rover for $2.7 billion.

Why You Should Buy the 2008 Focus

2007-11-29T21:46:00.000-08:00

The all new 2008 Ford Focus is one of the most highly anticipated model from Ford that is scheduled to roll out in dealerships in the spring of 2007. Consumers should get their hands on this model as it carry a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of less than $15,000.

Check out the other reasons why you should purchase this exciting new model, according to Ford.

1. Ford SYNC
"The 2008 Ford Focus is the first vehicle to offer the company’s industry-exclusive Ford SYNC technology.:

2. Fuel-Sipping Focus
"Although Ford engineers added an average of 64 pounds of content to the 2008 Ford Focus, they also took dozens of actions to trim the weight –making the average car nearly 38 pounds lighter."

3. Fun to Drive
"The Focus has long been hailed as an affordable car that handles and drives like a car twice its price."

4. Mood Lighting
"Tapping the emerging trend of configurable lighting, Ford is making its ambient lighting system available to Ford Focus customers as a factory-installed option."

5. Cool Coupe
"The 2008 Ford Focus features expressive new exterior styling inspired by the highly successful Fusion."

6. Inviting Interior
"Focus introduces an all-new interior design with unique materials, plenty of storage space and new levels of craftsmanship."

7. Focus on Safety
"The 2008 Focus comes standard with Ford’s Personal Safety System, including thorax side air bags and side air curtains for increased coverage in the event of a side-impact crash."

8. Value Leader
"The 2008 Ford Focus offers the best value in its segment, starting at only $14,695."

9. Sounds of Silence
"Ford engineers made numerous enhancements to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) on the 2008 Focus."

10. Manufacturing for Quality
"Along with its new look and new features, the 2008 Ford Focus benefits from new manufacturing methods designed to deliver outstanding quality."

“Ultimate Fan Champion” Will be Decided Next Week

2007-11-08T22:46:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Company will allow NASCAR fans to compete with each other with Ford’s “Race to the Dream” promotion. Participants who joined the Built Ford Tough Race to the Dream Ultimate Fan Experience” promotion and chosen as one of the nine finalists will meet at the Homestead-Miami Speedway from November 10 to 11 to compete with each other aboard Ford Fusions race cars as well as Ford trucks.

Todd Eckert, Ford Truck and SUV marketing communications manager commented:
“The Built Ford Tough Race to the Dream Ultimate Fan Experience has been a major success in its first three years and we expect more of the same in 2007. We’ve connected with thousands of consumers and provided them with an opportunity to learn more about the best-selling and most capable lineup of trucks in America – Ford F-Series – while giving them a chance to win a racing experience only Built Ford Tough Trucks and Ford Racing could provide."

Tim Duerr, NASCAR marketing manager, Ford Racing Technology also commented:
“Race to the Dream has been a major success for us because not only has it allowed us to communicate on a more personal level with our loyal Ford fans, it also exposes others to the impressive new products we have to offer. We like to say there’s a little bit of racing in everything we do and nothing is a better example of that than Race to the Dream. We feel like this is a home run for us from a marketing standpoint, and it obviously has been a hit with the fans."

The winner will take home the title of “Ultimate Fan Champion” and will a guest at the Ford Championship Weekend NASCAR finales in November 16 to 18. According to Ford, other prizes/benefits for the winner include:

* All areas access to all three Ford Championship Weekend NASCAR races
* Being an honorary member of the No. 21 Wood Brothers crew for driver Bill Elliott during the Ford 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race on Nov. 18
* Being honorary starter for the Ford 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Nov. 17
* Riding in the pace truck at the Nov. 16 Ford 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race
* “Meet and greets” with Ford NASCAR drivers and personalities throughout the weekend
* A live national television interview capturing the excitement of the Race to the Dream experience

Watch out for this event next week.

Unique Chevy Silverado Models Heading to SEMA

2007-10-30T00:30:00.000-07:00

Two customize Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck models are heading to 2007 SEMA Show this week in Las Vegas.

First off is the Chevrolet Country Music Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab inspired by the country music culture. Highlights of this model include:

- Makeshift stage with lighting and power for microphones and amplifiers
- Music-inspired graphics package
- Saddle-like aniline leather trim that with real wood accents
- guitar-style mother-of-pearl inlays
- Silverado 3500HD crew cab 4x4
- 6.6L Duramax diesel with six-speed Allison automatic transmission
- Custom aluminum wheels
- Music-theme exterior graphics
- HD trailering package
- Convertible performance stage
- Aniline leather interior
- Real wood trim accents
- Mother-of-pearl inlays
- Chrome grille
- Six-inch chrome tube steps
- Chrome hood louvers
- Overhead DVD player
- Chrome Cadillac Escalade outside mirrors

In addition, Chevrolet also showed its support and partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) with the launch of the Chevrolet Major League Baseball Silverado. This unique Chevrolet Silverado model takes design cues from our "national pastime". Highlights of the vehicle include:

- Power-lifting tonneau cover
- Wide-screen TV with Wii gaming console
- Silverado 1500 crew cab
- 6.0L V-8
- Multi-color, MLB-inspired paint scheme incorporating all team logos
- Bose Surround Sound system
- Leather-trimmed interior with baseball stitching, color and feel
- Ash wood (baseball bat material) trim
- Chrome mesh grille
- Twenty-two-inch chrome wheels
- Hard shell tonneau cover
- DVD headrest system
- Ground effects kit

Watch out for these two Chevy Silverado models at 2007 SEMA Show and wait for the availability of these vehicles.

2007 Ford Mustang: Specs and Features

2007-10-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

If you are planning to purchase a new Ford vehicle model, try the 2007 Ford Mustang. I mean you can get more value from this model compared to the 2008 model year it is because the 2008 Mustang only received minor facelifts from the 2007 model.

Anyway, check out the specs and features of the 2007 Ford Mustang below. You might head onto the nearest Ford dealer showroom after reading this stuff.

POWERTRAIN/TECHNICAL FEATS
- 4.0-liter (4,009 cc) V6 front engine with 100.4 mm bore, 84.4 mm stroke, 9.7 compression ratio, overhead cam and two valves per cylinder
- Power: 210 HP (157 kW) SAE at 5,300 rpm; 240 ft lb (325 Nm) at 3,500 rpm
- Fuel economy: EPA highway (mpg): 28 and EPA city (mpg): 19
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
- Immobilizer
- Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
- Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
- beam rear suspension rigid with coil springs

EXTERIOR and AERODYNAMICS
- Body color front and rear bumpers
- Electric softtop convertible roof with glass rear window
- Driver and passenger power black door mirrors
- External dimensions: overall length (inches): 187.6, overall width (inches): 73.9, overall height (inches): 55.7, wheelbase (inches): 107.1, front track (inches): 62.8, rear track (inches): 63 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 33.4
- Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
- Metallic paint
- Rear window with defogger
- Tinted glass on cabin
- Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,477
- Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe

INTERIOR, SAFETY, and SECURITY
- 12v power outlet: front and 2
- Air conditioning
- Fixed mast antenna
- Audio system with AM/FM and CD player
- Cargo area light
- Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 9.7
- Clock
- Full dashboard console , full floor console with covered storage box
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Cruise control
- Front seats cup holders fixed
- Door ajar warning
- Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
- Floor mats
- Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment , passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
- Bucket driver seat with height adjustment , bucket passenger seat
- 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
- Front seat center armrest
- Two height adjustable head restraints on front seats
- Illuminated entry system
- Low tire pressure indicator
- Remote power locks includes power windows
- Power steering
- Front power windows with two one-touch
- Front reading lights
- 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side and passenger side
- Two fixed bench/sports front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
- Rear view mirror
- Remote control remote trunk/hatch release
- Upgraded cloth/velour seat upholstery with additional upgraded cloth/velour
- Seating: four seats
- Four speaker(s)
- Plastic multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment
- Tachometer
- Driver and passenger vanity mirror
- Ventilation system

Ford Transit Gets New Improvements

2007-10-08T23:42:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company's European arm (Ford of Europe) adds up a new engine variant for the Ford Transit van. Ford will continue providing customers with a practical and functional van for commercial use with the release of the new powertrain unit. This action is a part of the commercial vehicle program proposed by Ford of Europe. The Ford Transit van was recently named as the 2007 International Van of the Year and Ford aims to defend this title.

The new power unit, which is 3.2-litre five-cylinder in line Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel engine will be offered in the European market. The engine is capable of producing a maximum of 200 PS and pulls out 470 Nm amount of peak torque rotating between engine speeds of 1,700 and 2,500 rpm.

Using the turbo diesel common rail injection technology (TDCi), the engine boasts an impressive and smooth performance while offering low fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions. In fact, the engine already complies with the European Stage IV Emissions standards. A Durashift 6-speed manual transmission completes the powertrain package for the Ford Transit van.

According to Simon Palmer, Powertrain Programme Manager for the Ford Transit:
"The new addition of the 3.2-litre 200 PS Duratorq TDCi five-cylinder engine to the Transit powertrain line-up adds further versatility to the Transit range. Combined with the upgraded transmission long-haul driving, towing capabilities and overall driving quality are all significantly enhanced. With one of the largest capacity engines in its class, the new 200 PS delivers more power than any of its two tonne segment key competitors."

"Many of our customers told us they needed a more powerful engine for their long-haul deliveries, and our new 200 PS Duratorq TDCi engine is bound to impress both in terms of performance and efficiency," said Henrik Nenzen, Director Commercial Vehicles, Marketing Sales & Service, Ford of Europe.

Meanwhile, other new features of the Ford Transit van include new front bumper, new bumper beam, new heat shields, modified grille opening panel, newly designed front grille, modified air intake, and a new exhaust system and cooling system. Ford also offers standardized features like the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Active Yaw Control (AYC), Roll Over Mitigation (ROM), Roll Movement Intervention (RMI) and Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA). Anti lock braking system (ABS), Load Adaptive Control (LAC), and Hill Launch Assist (HLA).

In addition, Ford of Europe also improved the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) capability
of the popular Ford Transit. This allows the van to achieve a higher payload capacity, thanks to the van's strengthened front and rear axles.

Ford Launches 60th Anniversary F-150 and Super Duty Models

2007-09-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

The Ford F-Series, dubbed as America's best selling full size pickup truck model is celebrating its 60th anniversary as the leader in the segment. As a part of the celebration, Ford Motor Company will roll out the 60th anniversary package for the Ford F-150 truck and Super Duty models.

“The F-Series is more than just the long-running foundation for Ford. This truck line-up embodies the values of Ford Motor Company and, in many ways, the values of America. ‘Built Ford Tough’ is just another way of saying these trucks are built for hard-working, independent Americans.” said Mike Crowley, Ford Truck and SUV group marketing manager

The 60th Anniversary Ford F-150 and Super Duty Limited Edition models will roll out in Ford dealer showrooms this winter, but Ford did not yet released the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the vehicle. Ford will produce a limited number of 7,500 units of the Anniversary F-150, and 2,500 units of the Anniversary Super Duty model.

Customers can choose either 4x4 or 4x2 configuration with SuperCab and SuperCrew body stylings for both the 60th Anniversary F-150 and Super Duty. Powertrain options for the 60th Anniversary F-150 include a 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter V8 engines, both coupled with an automatic gearbox. For the 60th Anniversary Super Duty, Ford offers three engine options including 5.4-liter Triton V8, 6.8-liter Triton V10, and 6.4-liter PowerStroke Turbo Diesel.

Other highlights of the 60th Anniversary Ford F-150 and Super Duty Limited Edition include:

- Special two-tone paint scheme of Dark Shadow Gray over Ebony or a reverse color scheme - with Ebony over Dark Shadow Gray
- XLT Chrome package including chrome grille, running bars and exhaust tips
- Chrome wheels (60th Anniversary Ford Super Duty)
- Commemorative 60th Anniversary badge on the armrest
- Special gauge cluster appliqué graphic
- This special-edition F-150 edition is equipped with the
- FX4 sport cloth seats in Dark and Medium Flint
- Charcoal/Stone interior (60th Anniversary Ford Super Duty)

Meanwhile, check out some of the Ford F-Series milestones throughout the 60 years.

1948
F-Series “Bonus Built” trucks are introduced

1953
F-100 pickup is introduced, replacing F-1

1959
Ford’ 4x4 models are introduced

1965
Twin I-Beam front suspension is introduced

1974
Ford introduces F-Series SuperCab
1975
F-150 pickup debuts

1978
Ford sells 864,000 F-Series trucks

1980
Ford’s diesel pickups debut with 6.9-liter V-8

1987
F-Series becomes first truck with rear-wheel, anti-lock brakes

1994
Driver’s-side air bags introduced

1995
F-Series introduces the Eddie Bauer edition truck.

1997
Completely redesigned F-150 and F-250 models introduced.

1999
Ford and Harley-Davidson introduces the Harley-Davidson edition of the F-150

2001
Ford debuts the new super-premium King Ranch edition truck. During this time, Ford also
unveils the second Harley-Davidson edition model

2003
Ford’s third Harley-Davidson edition F-150 debuts

2004
Ford debuts new super-premium King Ranch edition truck.

2005
Ford launches an all-new Super Duty

2006
Ford’s fourth Harley-Davidson edition F-150 and the first Harley-Davidson edition built on the new 2004 F-150 platform.

2007
Ford introduces a supercharged F-150 Harley-Davidson edition truck and the 2008 F-Series 60th Anniversary Edition models

Ford Racing Successful in NASCAR

2007-09-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

This past week can be considered as the strongest time for Ford Racing teams and drivers, as drivers posted back to back victories in NASCAR Nextel Cup and NASCAR Craftsman truck series. Carl Edwards, aboard his No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion for the Roush Fenway Racing team bagged the trophy at the recent Dodge Dealers 400 race that took place at Dover International Speedway. His teammate, Greg Biffle driver of the No. 16 Nintendo Wii Ford Fusion followed him and landed on the 2nd place, giving Roush Fenway Racing team a 1-2 finish. In addition, Edwards' win also allowed Roush Fenway Racing to celebrate its 100th NASCA Cup victory.

After the race in Dover, Jack Roush, owner Roush Fenway Racing commented: “The track owner here that passed away last year, Melvin Joseph, was a Ford man all the way and he really enjoyed celebrating every time we won here. It feels like we won eight or 10 times at Dover, Delaware, for him. This is where he’d have wanted us to win our 100th win, and he wanted a Ford win, I’m sure.”

Carl Edwards now climbs up in the 3rd place at the Chase for the Championships. Edwards also commented: “I think this Chase is turning into what people predicted, the depth is such that I think you’re going to have to win races. We’re two races in and guys had bad luck and all that stuff, to have the top seven guys within 30-something points – is that right? – that’s insane. I think it’s going to be an extremely tough Chase. You’re going to have to have win races to be leading the points at the end. And, I wouldn’t have said that before it started, really, looking at the past Chases, but this one’s for sure that way.”

In the NASCAR Busch series, Roush Fenway driver Matt Kenseth was also successful finishing in the 3rd place, while Carl Edwards remained as the point leader.

Ford Racing's Roush Fenway Racing team continued their winning spree at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in Las Vegas when driver Travis Kvapil landed the victory aboard the No. 6 Ford F-150. Kvapil is still in the 3rd place and aims to score more wins in the six remaining races for the 2007 season.

Check out what Kvapil said after the race:
“I tell you what, coming into tonight, I didn’t think we had much of a shot. You never give up hope and you never know what can happen in six or seven races. We gained 80-some points in one night. And one or two more nights like that, we’re right in the mix.

He added: “We’ve got some tracks I feel like we’re going to keep running this truck right here at Texas, Atlanta and Homestead. This is the third win this truck has this year. It just seems to run really good. We’re going to continue to run up front and try to win races. If they have a bad day here and there, I think we’ll be right there in the hunt by the time we get to Homestead.”

Well, I hope Ford Racing teams and drivers can obtain a championship title this 2007 season. I wish them luck.

Ford Models Conquer TV Shows

2007-09-21T23:54:00.000-07:00

All-new 2008 Ford models are now getting ready for their appearance in the new season of some of the popular television series.

According to Ford Global Brand Entertainment (FGBE) manager, Bob Witter:
"The demand for our vehicles is unprecedented. Our placement garage is pretty well empty. We’ve got cars working all over town."

Al Uzielli, senior adviser of FGBE also commented: "That kind of product integration is important because it compliments our traditional advertising and creates a sense of emotion for our vehicles. By being located in the heart of one of the world’s creative capitals we can seek out opportunities that further our products in totally unique ways." Uzielli is also one of the creators of FGBE.

FGBE has been loaning new Ford vehicle models to studios and other production networks. In return, these Ford models are being aired on TV, movies, and other media. In addition, Ford models are also being used by some of the main characters of certain TV shows on its episodes.

One of the latest additions to Ford's celebrity vehicles is the 2008 Lincoln MKX. Dana Delaney, the newest character in "Desperate Housewives" will go aboard this model when she drives down the Wisteria Lane.
"The guys at Ford have been invaluable. On Wisteria Lane, everything has to be perfect including the cars. The Ford team works with our producers in making critical story decisions on what’s right for our characters. They’re always looking for what’s best for Ford and we’re always looking for what’s best for the show. In the process we’ve developed an incredibly strong symbiotic relationship." said Bo Ehrig, transportation director for "Desperate Housewives."

NBC's new TV series "Life" will also feature Ford models. According to Brian Daly, senior VP with Team Detroit, the transportation director for the series called him up and asked him to provide the show with an American-made car to be driven by Damian Lewis, which portrays the lead character in the series. Daly said: "Lewis plays a cop who spends a lot of time in his car, it’s practically his office. I sent a 2008 Ford Taurus over for an audition and they loved it. The character is young and the car is brand new. Plus, from a practical point-of-view it's large enough to accommodate cameras for interior shots."

Other upcoming TV shows that will feature Ford, Jaguar, Mazda, Range Rover, and other Ford vehicle models include "The Neighbors," "Notes from the Underbelly," "Pushing Daises," "Chuck" and "Dirty Sexy Money." Other shows also include "Brothers and Sisters," "CSI:Miami," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Ford Racing's Marcus Grönholm to Retire After 2007

2007-09-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

Current World Rally Championship (WRC) point leader Marcus Grönholm along with his long time co-driver Timo Rautiainen in the BP-Ford World Rally Team announced that they will retire in WRC racing after the 2007 season.

Grönholm, aged 39 said that his plan to retire in WRC is a very tough decision to make, and wanted to retire while he is on top of this racing series. Gronholm said: "This has been an incredibly hard decision for me to make. Rallying has been my life for so many years and when the Monte Carlo Rally comes round in January to start next year's championship, it will feel strange not to be there. But the time is right for me to finish now. I wanted to stop while I still had the speed to win rallies. I didn't want to leave the decision too late so that I wasn't capable of winning any longer."

Gronholm added: "This will allow me to spend more time with my wife and three children. They have fully supported me all the way through my career and I would like to thank them for that. I could not have achieved what I have without their encouragement. Now this decision is made, I want to concentrate on the remaining five rounds of the season. We lead both the drivers' and manufacturers' championships and I would like nothing more than to end my career with another title."

Although Gronholm started his WRC career aboard a Peugeot rally car, Marcus Gronholm will finish his career on a Ford Focus RS WRC. In fact, Gronholm contributed to the success of BP-Ford World Rally Team during his inception to the team last year.

John Fleming, Ford of Europe President and CEO commented: "Marcus has done a superb job for the team and it is no coincidence that his arrival in 2006, coupled with the introduction of the new Focus RS World Rally Car, signalled the start of one of our most successful periods in the WRC. We greatly appreciate his contribution during the last two seasons and will miss him and the inspiration he brings to the team."

Anyway, check out below for Marcus Gronholm's wins in his WRC career so far. The list shows win number, WRC event, year, co-driver, and the rally car.

1 49th International Swedish Rally 2000 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
2 30th Rally New Zealand 2000 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
3 50th Neste Rally Finland 2000 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
4 13th Telstra Rally Australia 2000 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
5 51st Neste Rally Finland 2001 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
6 14th Telstra Rally Australia 2001 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
7 57th Network Q Rally of Great Britain 2001 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
8 51st Uddeholm Swedish Rally 2002 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
9 30th Cyprus Rally 2002 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
10 52nd Neste Rally Finland 2002 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
11 32nd Propecia Rally New Zealand 2002 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
12 15th Telstra Rally Australia 2002 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
13 52nd Uddeholm Swedish Rally 2003 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
14 33rd Propecia Rally New Zealand 2003 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
15 23º Rally Argentina 2003 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 206 WRC
16 54th Neste Rally Finland 2004 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 307 WRC
17 55th Neste Rally Finland 2005 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 307 WRC
18 2nd Rally Japan 2005 Timo Rautiainen Peugeot 307 WRC
19 74ème Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2006 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
20 55th Uddeholm Swedish Rally 2006 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
21 53rd Acropolis Rally 2006 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
22 56th Neste Oil Rally Finland 2006 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
23 7th Rally of Turkey 2006 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
24 36th Propecia Rally New Zealand 2006 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
25 62nd Wales Rally GB 2006 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
26 56th Uddeholm Swedish Rally 2007 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
27 4º Supermag Rally Italia Sardinia 2007 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
28 54th BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally of Greece 2007 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 06
29 57th Neste Oil Rally Finland 2007 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 07
30 37th Propecia Rally New Zealand 2007 Timo Rautiainen Ford Focus RS WRC 07

The Jaguar XF at IAA Frankfurt

2007-09-14T02:10:00.000-07:00

Finally! Ford Motor Company's Jaguar Cars division unveiled the much-awaited Jaguar XF sedan featuring the British automaker's bold new design language.

The Jaguar XF stirred the crowd at the recent 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) that took place in Frankfurt, Germany. This new model from Jaguar Cars comes with numerous innovative features as well as advanced technological systems. The XF is already available to order in Jaguar dealerships in various markets all over Europe. The vehicle will arrive in customer's garage in March 2008.

The Jaguar XF comes with three powertrain options mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles (Jaguar Sequential Shift TM). Engine options include:

- 3.0-litre V6 petrol: 0-60mph in 7.9 secs (0-100kph in 8.3 secs) and a top speed of 148mph
- 4.2 n/a V8 petrol: 0-60mph in 6.2 secs (0-100kph in 6.5 secs) and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph
- 4.2 s/c V8 petrol: 0-60mph in 5.1 secs (0-100kph in 5.4 secs) and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph

The vehicle will roll out in markets with three available model trim levels incuidng Luxury, Premium Luxury, and SV8. Check out the other highlights of the Jaguar XF luxury sedan below, as stated by a recent Ford official press release.

* The XF is a four-door Jaguar that fuses the style and performance of a sports car with the refinement, space and sophistication of a luxury saloon.
* The exterior styling of the XF is the first expression of Jaguar's new design language in a saloon car. With interior design that is the equal of the exterior in terms of crafted execution and visual excitement, the XF offers a truly contemporary, luxury environment.
* The coupe-like lines of the XF belie the amount of space inside: there is room for five adults in comfort, generous interior stowage and a boot capacity of up to 540 litres * (plus the opportunity to fold the rear seats and add a further 420 litres).
* Jaguar craftsmanship adopts a sharp new edge on the XF. Sophisticated instrumentation, a Touch-screen, modern materials and graphics complement new ‘surprise and delight’ features. On entry to the XF, the start button pulses red, like a heartbeat. Start the engine and the JaguarDrive Selector TM rises into the palm of the hand, while rotating vents turn from their flush, 'parked' position to their functional open position.
* The best torsional stiffness in class delivers both refinement and dynamic performance – underpinning the driver-focussed yet remarkably comfortable driving experience.
* Key driving aids on the XF include Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Engine Drag Torque Control. And, for the first time in a Jaguar, Understeer Control Logic which decelerates the car and helps to restore grip to the front wheels when required.
* The new XF has a wide portfolio of driver assistance features including a Blind Spot Monitor, Front and Rear Parking Aids, Rear Camera Parking Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Speed Limiter and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Bluetooth® compatibility, iPod®/MP3 player interfaces, JaguarVoice TM, Digital radio and a single or six-disc CD player ensure owners can listen and talk as they choose.
* XF offers three levels of audio system, all controlled through the Touch-screen. The top-of-the-range Bowers & Wilkins 440w Premium Sound System option offers extraordinary clarity and faithful sound reproduction. Designed and tuned for the XF by Bowers & Wilkins, the surround-sound system delivers a powerful and vivid performance.
* In a first for a Jaguar saloon, the XF has the marque’s new Pedestrian Contact Sensing System. This can mitigate pedestrian injury by firing actuators that deploy the bonnet, resulting in a cushioned space between the bonnet and engine hardpoints.

[source: Ford Motor Company]

2008 Ford Focus Heading to Frankfurt

2007-09-12T00:56:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company has released the details of the 2nd-generation model of the Ford Focus that is bound for the European market। The 2008 Ford Focus is set to debut in the 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt this week. According to a recent Ford of Europe press release, the three-door, Coupé-Cabriolet, and the ST variants of the 2008 Ford Focus will roll out in dealer showrooms all over the U.K. starting in spring 2008.

Several powertrain options for the 2008 Ford Focus are available. Aside from the new 110PS versions of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, Ford will also offer the Focus "ECOnetic" model featuring a 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) under its hood. This newly developed unit offers an impressive fuel economy as well as low exhaust emissions. The 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi achieves an average fuel consumption of 65 mpg, and
an average CO2 emission of only 115 g/km.

Another powertrain option for the 2008 Ford Focus is the Flexifuel 1.8-litre Duratec petrol four-cylinder engine. This engine can run on bio ethanol E85 fuel as well as the conventional unleaded gasoline fuel, or even a mixture of both fuels. Moreover, a 2.0-litre Duratec engine variant offered for the 2008 Focus can be fueled with CNG (compressed natural gas) and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

The 2008 Ford Focus will roll out in European markets with four model trim levels: Studio, Style, Zetec and Titanium. Check out the highlights of the 2008 Ford Focus below.

- Ford’s ‘kinetic design’ approach to styling
- trapezoidal grilles
- swept back headlamps
- bold wheel arches
- newly shaped rear glass
- contoured tailgate and new tail lamps
- chrome detailing and a stylish, body-coloured upper rear spoiler
- soft-touch plastics on the instrument panel
- soft-touch plastics the upper front door trim
- plush new seat fabrics plus a variety of attractive fascia finishings
- re-designed instrumentation
- ergonomically improved two-zone air conditioning
- newly designed centre console for the Titanium
- four-litre-capacity storage compartment
- storage areas for back-seat passengers
- optional 230 volt socket or the USB audio connection box
- Ford Power Button positioned near the gear shifter.
- all-new automated gearbox - Ford PowerShift transmission

The complete details and technical specs of the 2008 Ford Focus will be released during dates closer to the vehicle's launch in 2008, so you better watch out for it.

Ford Wants You to "Swap Your Ride"

2007-09-05T01:38:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company has recently launched its newest marketing campaign called “Swap Your Ride.” This campaign will feature real people sharing their feedbacks after driving Ford vehicle models for about a week.

“When consumers experience a new Ford vehicle for themselves – especially when they haven’t driven one of our products lately – it’s almost always an eye-opening experience. In ‘Swap Your Ride,’ real people tell this story in their own words.” said Barry Engle, general manager, Ford Marketing.

According to Ford, to ensure the authenticity of the feedbacks from customers, they created a market research company called In Home Test Drive Experience LLC, to recruit about 90 competitive vehicle owners to evaluate and test drive one of 11 Ford vehicle models for one week including the Ford Fusion, Focus, Mustang, Taurus, Edge, Escape, Escape Hybrid, Expedition, Expedition EL, F-150 or F-Series Super Duty. A video crew will follow the participant during the one week of test driving. These documents will be converted into a 30-second TV spots. In addition, the advertising campaign will also hit other media including print ads and the internet.

This marketing campaign also encourages consumers to get a new Ford vehicle (hence the name “Swap Your Ride”) with the lease and retail offers below:

* Up to $1,000 “Swap Bonus Cash” on most 2007 and 2008 model year Ford vehicles in addition to all existing retail and lease offers
* The “Swap Bonus Cash” offer for most eligible vehicles is $1,000; the 2008 Ford Fusion and Mustang are eligible for $500 “Swap Bonus Cash”
* 2007 F-150 models will offer $1,000 “Swap Bonus Cash” plus zero percent financing for 60 months
* 2007 Explorer, SportTrac and Ranger will offer stand-alone zero percent financing for 60 months (or 1.9 percent financing plus $1,000 “Swap Bonus Cash”)
* Certain 2007 and 2008 models, including Shelby and Harley-Davidson models, are not eligible for “Swap Bonus Cash”

So ah... are you willing to swap your ride?

Ford Launches Harley-Davidson F-150 Truck

2007-08-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company and motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson will be celebrating its 105th anniversary in the industry. To commemorate this milestone, the two companies will release a limited edition 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 truck model.

Although Ford did not yet release the availability and the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), check out some of the highlights of the 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150, according to a Ford official press release.

* Standard 300-hp 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine or an available SALEEN intercooled supercharged V8
* Unique chrome billet grille and lower front valance.
* Body color bumper, mirror caps, ground effects, door and tailgate handles.
* Blacked-out headlamps with black bulb shield and dark tinted, smoked-out taillamps.
* Windshield with Bar & Shield logo dot pattern and Alliance logo.
* New 22-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels with the Bar & Shield logo on center caps.
* Forged aluminum “105 th Anniversary Harley-Davidson F-150” Medallions on the fenders and tailgate.
* Chrome dual exhaust tips and tie-down hooks.
* Rubber bed mat with HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar & Shield logo.
* Black/Dusted Copper leather-trimmed front captain’s chairs
* Rear bench seat with die-cast Bar & Shield logos embedded in the leather
* Two-tone leather shifter, console lid and steering wheel.
* High-gloss piano black floor console and center stack with the Bar & Shield logos, as well as chrome vent rings and unique instrument cluster.
* Serialized nickel plate displaying the production VIN and number.
* Brushed stainless steel pedals.

Meanwhile, Todd Eckert, Ford Truck and SUV communications manager said: “Ford Harley-Davidson trucks have turned a shared passion for open roads into one of the most successful alliances in the industry. The new 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson ™ F-150 perfectly blends the flexibility and capability of F-Series trucks with the free spirit and raw power of Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles – the principles that continue to drive both companies after 105 years.”

Ford Launches IVDC

2007-08-30T14:09:00.001-07:00

Ford Motor Company in the United Kingdom has released a new innovative automotive peace of engineering that focus on active suspension system for the Ford Mondeo. The Interactive Vehicle Dynamic Control (IVDC) provides the driver the desired suspension settings, including sports, comfort, and regular settings to handle the vehicle comfortably.

Norbert Kessing, Ford vehicle dynamics manager explained the advantage of IVDC:
“New Mondeo's ability to monitor its handling interactively with the driver improves safety and comfort. An active suspension system makes particular sense in larger cars like the new Mondeo. It enhances dynamic stability, particularly under critical driving conditions, and works with the car's other safety systems to reduce braking distances by up to 10 per cent on rough roads.”

IVDC is based on inputs from seven sensors around the suspension system. Sensors are on wheels and three others measures the acceleration, pitch and roll of the Mondeo. Data is sent through the control unit and automatically adjusts and tune the dampers and other suspensions parts to match the driving situations and road terrain.

The IVDC is another addition to Mondeo's wide range of driver assistance systems including Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), as well as other safety features.

Edwards Bags Sharpie 500 Trophy!

2007-08-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

After a few unlucky races these past weeks, Ford Racing teams finally earned a victory in the Sharpie 500 race that took place at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee for the 2007 season of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Carl Edwards pushed his No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion to the limit and landed the victory for Roush Fenway Racing. Edwards is now ranked 5th in the NASCAR point standings with a total of 3160 points. Another Ford driver, and Edwards' teammate Greg Biffle also made it into the top 10 finishers.

Edwards commented after the race:

"My Office Depot Fusion was really good tonight," said Edwards. "It sure made it a lot of fun. Man, those restarts were just wearing out my nerves there. That took about three or four years off of my life, I think. I’m just very excited to win this race to say the very least. I’m very, very grateful to even be here, so to win this race. I don’t know if it’s sunk in yet. I get to go home tomorrow and spend a little time at home and it’s very exciting."

"I feel pretty good about the championship. It’s neat, the sport has its ups-and-downs and it was very frustrating last season at times and at the beginning of this season, but I know I firmly believe that hard work can get you somewhere and I feel like everyone has been working really hard."

Below is the result of the Sharpie 500 race in Britstol. Check it out!

1. Carl Edwards Ford
2. Kasey Kahne Dodge
3. Clint Bowyer Chevrolet
4. Tony Stewart Chevrolet
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet
6. Kurt Busch Dodge
7. Ryan Newman Dodge
8. Bobby Labonte Dodge
9. Kyle Busch Chevrolet
10. Greg Biffle Ford
11. Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet
12. Jeff Burton Chevrolet
13. J.J. Yeley Chevrolet
14. David Stremme Dodge
15. Reed Sorenson Dodge
16. Kevin Harvick Chevrolet
17. Juan Montoya Dodge
18. Scott Riggs Dodge
19. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
20. Robby Gordon Ford
21. Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet
22. Casey Mears Chevrolet
23. Michael Waltrip Toyota
24. Paul Menard Chevrolet
25. Bill Elliott Ford
26. Jamie McMurray Ford
27. Jeff Green Chevrolet
28. Tony Raines Chevrolet
29. Elliott Sadler Dodge
30. David Gilliland Ford
31. Dave Blaney Toyota
32. Kenny Wallace Dodge
33. Ward Burton Chevrolet
34. Dale Jarrett Toyota
35. A.J. Allmendinger * Toyota
36. Aric Almirola Chevrolet
37. Jeremy Mayfield Toyota
38. Ricky Rudd Ford
39. Matt Kenseth Ford
40. John Andretti Dodge
41. David Ragan Ford
42. Johnny Sauter Chevrolet
43. Denny Hamlin Chevrolet

2007-08-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Land Rover North America, a division of Ford Motor Company has announced the details of its
new LR2 HSE, an enhanced model of the popular Land Rover LR2 compact crossover SUV. The vehicle will roll out in Land Rover dealer showrooms all over the U.S. early this coming November.

"The LR2 reflects Land Rover's dynamic design, with a smart and spacious interior and an abundance of advanced technologies. It has been very well received around the world since its introduction. The HSE version offers subtle changes for those customers seeking a slightly different look to their LR2." said Phil Popham, Land Rover's Managing Director.

Check out the key features of the Land Rover LR2 HSE below:

3.2-liter inline-six engine that develops 230 bhp and provides 0-60 mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds)
new six-speed automatic transmission with Land Rover's CommandShift(TM) offering manual sequential gear changes
Land Rover's Terrain Response(TM) system is standard
permanent intelligent all-wheel-drive system
patented Gradient Release Control with Hill Descent Control
body color bumpers and side sills
rear spoiler
titanium door handles
19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
8x6-way power adjustable seats
storage box with a sliding cover

Watch out for the Land Rover LR2 HSE when it rolls out in dealerships in your area.

Rocket Ranger: The Fastest Diesel-Powered Pickup Truck on the Planet!

2007-08-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

Ford's collaboration with SPAL USA and Hypermax has successfully set a new milestone. The SPAL USA "Rocket Ranger", a high performance truck model based on the Ford Ranger recently set the record for the World's Fastest Diesel Pickup Truck with an average top speed of 215.091 mph, with Hypermax engineering Max Lagod aboard the vehicle. The event happened during the Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week. This achievement by SPAL USA's "Rocket Ranger" is recognized by the Southern California Timing Association/Bonneville Nationals Inc. (SCTA/BNI).

Max Lagod commented: "It came down to the 11th hour, but in the end the truck definitely had a record-breaking performance. It was so exciting to beat the existing land speed record to become a member of Bonneville's 200 mile-per- hour club with the 'Rocket Ranger'."

Lagod has been part of motor sport racing since 1988. He won the SCCA GT-1 class national championship in 1997 and 1998, and obtained several podium finishes in his SCCA Trans-Am racing career.

Going back to the SPAL USA "Rocket Ranger", the vehicle is equipped with a monstrous Ford Powerstroke(R)/International 6.0- litre diesel engine. This power plant also features several high performance engine enhancements like Hypermax intercooled series turbochargers, injectors, Mach 7 performance module, and dual SPAL USA 12-inch high-performance cooling fans. A ZF 6-speed gearbox completes the powertrain package for this vehicle.

"Nothing comes easy at Bonneville. "We are very proud of the work our dedicated team has put forth. This record breaking performance would not have been possible without the support of Hypermax, International Truck, Ford Motor Company, and Creative Werks Inc." said Mark Kitlinski, sales and market manager -- bus & truck, SPAL USA.

Heath Langenfeld, sales and market manager - powersports, SPAL USA also commented.
"The Bonneville Salt Flats is the ultimate proving ground to demonstrate the performance of our cooling fans and centrifugal blowers. We are thrilled to achieve this prestigious record, not only for SPAL USA, but also for Hypermax."

In addition, Max Lagod said the SPAL USA team plans to return in Bonneville Salt Flats sometime in October to beat the record, his own record. Well, good luck Mr. Lagod!

Ford Racing at the 3M Performance 400

2007-08-22T02:45:00.000-07:00

After a series of poor, or rather unlucky performance in the past NASCAR Nextel Cup races, Ford Racing drivers finally obtained their spot in the top 10 placers during the recent 3M Performance 400 that took place at the Michigan International Raceway (MIS).

The race was dominated by Dodge driver Kurt Busch, and followed by two Chevrolet drivers Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson. Matt Kenseth finished the race aboard his
No. 17 DeWalt Ford Fusion and finished in the 4th place.

Kenseth commented about the race: "I hit the wall a little bit early, chasing Kurt around, and he got sideways up there and I kind of lost track of where I was at and bumped the fender in. They're just so aero-sensitive that we could never quite get that fixed and get that back. But, overall, we had a good car all day and I made that mistake and took us out of a chance to win." About the car, Kenseth said: "We just made some small changes, and we finally had it right right before I hit the wall and it kind of went downhill from there."

Anyway, check out what the other Ford Racing drivers said after the race in recent 3M Performance 400 race.

Greg Biffle, No. 16 3M Ford Fusion (19th)

"The car was just too loose -- too much spring in the back, or something. I got my car just way too loose, mechanical chassis-wise, and we weren't just able to recover all day. It was unfortunate. We just could never get it back. It was too loose -- that's what it all boils down to."

David Ragan,No. 6 AAA Insurance Ford Fusion (finished 18th)

"It's been a few races since we've been the best rookie. So, that's a good day today. I feel like we lost a little bit those last two re-starts. It took our car a few laps to get rolling. Our car was really, really fast all day, but we just off a little bit there at the end. Like I said, I feel like we lost three or four spots that we shouldn't have. But, all in all, an excellent day for the AAA Ford, and a top-20 gets some more points and a good way to head into Bristol."

Ford Delivers E85 Models in Missouri

2007-08-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company continues their commitment in providing consumers with alternative fuel systems by delivering the company's demonstration models of ethanol powered hybrid vehicles.

Ford has delivered four E85 Escape Hybrid models to selected areas in the U.S. including
one in the State of Missouri, and three for the Kansas City Power & Light at company’s Kansas City Plant.

"As a leader in both hybrid vehicles and in vehicles capable of operating on ethanol-based fuels, Ford is the ideal company to bring both technologies together for the first time. This innovative research represents one of many projects we have at Ford to address our customers desire for a fuel efficient product that meet all of their functional needs, while working on reducing our nation's dependence on oil imports and helping to address global climate change.” said Nancy Gioia, director, Sustainable Mobility Technology, Ford Motor Company.

“Great Plains Energy’s environmental strategy is aggressively pursuing the use of renewables. We are pleased to be among the first to take advantage of the flexibility of a hybrid vehicle that uses E85 fuel. Our current biofuel program has already offset approximately 20 percent of our gasoline usage and these Ford vehicles will advance our long-term commitment to a diversified fleet.” said Michael Chesser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Great Plains Energy.

Meanwhile, Gov. Matt Blunt also commented: "My administration has and will continue to strongly encourage the use of these environmentally-friendly technologies. The use of renewable fuels improves our environment and the air we breathe. With old-fashioned American ingenuity, like that displayed by the Ford Motor Company, we can become more energy independent. Our state is doing our part to look for alternative fuels to help lessen America’s dependence on foreign oil. The more clean-burning, renewable fuel Missouri produces and uses, the better off we will all be in the long-term."

Ford E85 Escape Hybrid is considered as the first ever vehicle model that is capable of running in 85% ethanol fuel, blended with other fuels like gasoline or diesel. The E85 Escape Hybrid offers an impressive fuel economy and low exhaust emissions. Ford is planning to deliver a total of 20 E85 Escape Hybrid models in selected customers in six states.

Ford to Participate at Woodward Dream Cruise

2007-08-17T00:29:00.000-07:00

Here is something you should watch this week.

The upcoming 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise that will take place in Michigan this coming August 11th will be filled with excitement as automakers display their historic and other striking vehicles models.

Ford Motor Company has already prepared for this event. In fact, the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker announced that it will display more than 100 classic and new vehicle models at the Shane Park in Birmingham.

Crystal Greene, manager, Sponsorship and Alliances for Ford
“Our display in Shane Park has a slightly different feel this year. In the past it was solely a classic car show; this year we are bringing more family fun to the environment. People can interact and learn more about the new vehicles, too, and of course see the great vintage vehicles.”

“Visitors who visit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) booth will have a chance to win Detroit Pistons tickets. We’re also selling raffle tickets for the new Ford Edge, with all the proceeds going to JDRF. The JDRF exhibit also features an award-winning Deuce coupe, and we will have one signed by Edsel Ford II as well as others from area clubs." said Rob Bremer, coordinator, Special Events, Ford Motor Company.

Ford's display in Shane Park include Cruisin’ Legends and exhibits from Ford divisions and affiliate companies like Ford Racing, Saleen, Barrett-Jackson, Roush, and Steeda. The upcoming Ford Shelby GT500KR is also expected to be a highlight in Shane Park. Visitors can see the vehicle ahead of its launching next year. Another highlight at the 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise is the Fusion Hydrogen 999. This fuel cell vehicle recently broke the 200 mph barrier.

Ford will not only display their vehicle models during the event. For entertainment purposes, Ford will organize a live band performance in Shane Park. Take some time to visit the 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise.

The 2008 Lincoln Navigator in Detail

2007-08-16T20:57:00.000-07:00

Ford has already released the details of the 2008 model year of the Lincoln Navigator full size SUV. The vehicle comes with numerous enhancements inside and out and other optional packages for customers.

Ford is offering two model variant for the Lincoln Navigator: Navigator base model and the Navigator L (long wheelbase model). Both variants will roll out in U.S. markets with two drive train configurations: 4x2 and 4x4. Under the hood of both models is a monstrous 5.4-liter 3-valve V-8 engine. This power plant boasts a 300 hp output and 365 lb ft amount of peak torque, coupled with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Check out the highlights of the 2008 Lincoln Navigator below.

Exterior
- Power liftgate
- bold chrome grille
- high-intensity-discharge (HID) projector headlamps
- integrated fog lamps
- prominent "powerdome" hood
- chiseled side mirror shells
- Lincoln-signature chrome strip
- chrome body-side trim
- wing-shaped lamps
- 18-inch machined aluminum wheels/available 20-inch chrome wheels
- three exterior colors including White Suede Clearcoat Metallic, Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic, and Stone Green Clearcoat Metallic
- Monochrome Limited Edition Package featuring unique badge, body-color lower grille, lower bodyside cladding, upper chrome grille, and power-folding heated mirrors with puddle lamps

Interior/Safety
- dual-zone electronic air temperature control
- SIRIUS® Satellite Radio
- 10-way power adjustable driver/passenger seat with power lumbar and recline
- voice-activated DVD-based navigation system
- THX II-Certified audio system
- AM/FM tuner compatible with the Radio Data Broadcasting System (RDBS)
- entertainment system with an 8-inch screen and two wireless headphones
- available Monochrome Limited Edition Package with monochromatic exterior treatments: White Chocolate Tri-coat, Black Clearcoat, Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic and Stone Green Clearcoat Metallic.
- Monochrome Limited Edition Package also comes with unique black carpet and floormats, Ebony wood trim, unique Stone or Camel seats with black leather inserts and black piping, and stitched Lincoln logo on the headrests.
- AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control)
- dual-stage second-generation driver and front-passenger air bags
- three-row Safety Canopy side curtain air bags
- seat-mounted side air bags for the first row
- energy-absorbing knee bolsters.

Watch out for this vehicle when it roll out in dealer showrooms in your area.

Ford Racing Update...

2007-08-13T23:31:00.001-07:00

Ford Motor Company’s racing division (Ford Racing) has recently earned victories in two racing series - the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

NHRA legend John Force took his 2nd victory this season aboard his Castrol GTX Mustang in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals race that took place in Brainerd, Minnesota. Overall, John Force has recorded 125 wins in Funny Car races. In addition, Force will have his own spot at the Countdown to the Championships.

John Force commented after the race:
"Austin Coil [crew chief] has run this track a lot more than me from the old days of match racing and he really knows this place, whether it's hot or cool here. This season has been something. Early on I couldn't beat anyone, including that girl named Force, and I remember awhile back telling Coil we were pathetic. Something just had us snake-bit and we never did find what it was.”

Meanwhile, Travis Kvapil won his 3rd race this season. Kvapil was one of the Ford drivers who finished in the top 10 in the recent Craftsman Truck Series race in Nashville behind the steering wheel of a Ford F-150 truck.

“It was pretty awesome. It took our K&N Ford half the race to get the track position and the right adjustment in it. We started practice yesterday and really weren’t any good. I expected to come here to be a contender. This is the truck we won with in Michigan with and finished second in Kentucky." said Travis Kvapil after the race.

He added: “We had a good note on it an always had speed every time we take it to the race track. We were 10th or 15th yesterday off the truck and we ran a lot of laps and made a lot of changes. The team really busted their tail in practice yesterday and the team engineer made all the right moves yesterday. We didn’t spend much time on qualifying effort and then got ready for qualifying. We started the race and it was a little too tight, but I felt like a lot of that attributed because to the fact that I was back there 10th and having a lot of traffic. Mike (Beam, crew chief) told me what the truck was doing and wanted to do some air pressure adjustments. That first stop, we made an air pressure adjustment off the tires and really lift the truck up and really brought it to life. The lap times we could run in the long haul were just amazing, we were three-tenths better than everybody and my truck was just driving good and we didn’t make any adjustments on the second stop… just made a fuel run.”

Other Ford Racing drivers also performed well in their respective racing series like Robby Gordon (top Ford driver in the recent NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race) and Matt Kenseth, who was the leading Ford driver in the recent NASCAR Busch Series race in Watkins Glen.

Ford to Conduct Research on Alternative Fuel Systems, Says DOE

2007-08-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company has been recently chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a research regarding flex fuel engines that are capable of running with E85 and clean diesel fuels. Ford will do the research in conjunction with the Michigan State University (MSU). Ford and MSU will focus on improving the flexible-fuel engines in day to day applications.

Ford has received a total of $4.5 million from DOE to fund the research. In fact, DOE will put up 21.5 million to finance 11 cost-shared research and development projects here in the US. Two of these 11 research projects were given to Ford. DOE gave the Dearborn-based automaker with $3.2 million for the research on improving flexible-fuel engines, and $1.3 million for a research project that focus on diesel-boosting technologies to improve the efficiency and performance of advanced clean combustion diesel engines.

Ford was pleased with this announcement. According to Sue Cischke, Ford's senior vice president Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering: “We are very excited about this news. As a leader in both flexible fuel and hybrid technology, Ford is the ideal company to be involved with this research.”

Cischke continued: “In addition to hybrids and flexible fuel vehicles, Ford is committed to the development of other advanced alternative fuel technologies, including clean diesel, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen. This research grant will help us further develop technologies designed
to help reduce this nation's dependence on imported oil.”

Well, we should support this kind of research and hope that this will contribute in the development of alternative fuel powertrain system.

Ford Racing: Marcos Ambrose Preview

2007-08-08T18:24:00.001-07:00

Ford racing teams and drivers for the NASCAR Nextel Cup series are quite unlucky these past races. In the recent race in Pocono, no driver made it into the podium or even in the top 10 slot. Too bad for Ford Racing drivers in Nextel Cup.

Anyway, let us first forget about the NASCAR Nextel Cup series, shall we? Let us take some time to visit the NASCAR Busch series this time.
Marcos Ambrose, the driver of the No. 59 Kingsford Ford Fusion now prepares for the upcoming race at Watkins Glen International in New York.

Here is what Marcos Ambrose has to say about the upcoming race.

“I think Watkins Glen is exciting. It’s a historic road-racing track. It’s got a lot of energy to it. It will be great to turn up there and have a great race. I like racing new tracks; it’s a hobby of mine to keep a tally of all the tracks that I’ve raced around the world and this is adding another one to my list. It’s a handling race track; there are a lot of fast corners there and I’m looking forward to it.”

“Qualifying will be somewhat a factor, but this will be about race strategy and staying out of trouble. We qualified well and stayed out of trouble for most of the day in Montreal, it does help, but it’s not everything. We’ve got a good strategy going into this weekend. You’ve got to look after your gear and save your equipment for the last 30 laps of the race.”

Well, let us just wait for the race and see if Ford drivers can perform a lot better in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Ford Launches New Paint Technology

2007-08-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company has recently collaborated with U-Haul, one of the leading equipment rental companies here in the U.S. and made history by painting vehicles with Ford's new environmental-friendly technology. This new technology from the Dearborn-based automaker reduces harmful emissions by about 15%. In addition, Ford said this technology also reduces the company's production costs. About 200 models of Ford E-Series trucks have been painted with this new technology from Ford and delivered to U-Haul centers all over the U.S.

During the annual Center for Automotive Research Management Conference, Joe Hinrichs, Vice President of North America Manufacturing, Ford Motor Company said:
"Ford will monitor the U-Haul fleet over the next year to gather important durability data that will help the company develop long-term rollout plans for its industry-first technology."

“This marks a big win for our customers, the environment and the business. We have high hopes for this technology based on our laboratory testing. Once we understand how it performs in the real world, we’ll determine how best to apply it to other manufacturing facilities." he added.

So how does this new painting technology from Ford help the environment? Well, according to Ford, the technology uses an advanced chemical formulation of high-solids, solvent borne paint, and the so called 3-wet application process. Although personally I cant understand these technical terms, Ford said this technology requires a smaller and a less expensive paint shop. In addition, this paint technology is cleaner that other painting process found in conventional and traditional automotive paint shops.

Mary Ellen Rosenberger, paint manager of Ohio Assembly Plant commented:
“Painting vehicles has traditionally been one of the auto industry’s biggest environmental challenges. Ford has found the solution. It’s environmentally sound. It’s cost-efficient. And it produces beautifully painted vehicles with long-term durability.”

Meanwhile, Dean Cerimeli, U-Haul’s director of Truck and Trailer Product also commented: “When it comes to the environment and sustainability, we are happy to partner with Ford in this important field test. We believe this is the most environmentally responsible way to paint vehicles. And we applaud Ford for leading the industry.”

Well, I really hope that Ford will continue this new painting technology. Maybe they should also share this stuff to other automakers with no charge! LOL!

Ford Posted Strong Q2 2007 Sales

2007-08-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

Although the consumer demands for Ford crossover sport utility vehicle models continue to grow rapidly with string sales, the overall sales of the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker declined for the month of July 2007. Sales were down by 19% compared to the previous year of the same period.

According to Mark Fields, Ford's President of the Americas:
"We are encouraged by the progress we have made and consumers' response to our new products. At the same time, we know we have a lot of work to do, and July is a sobering reminder of the economic and competitive challenges we face."

But these sales results is for the United States alone. The good news is... Ford Motor Company has earned high revenue with its 2007 second quarter (Q2) global sales. Ford posted a $44 billion income in Q2 2007, a 6% increase compare to the second quarter of 2006.

Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally said:
"We continue to focus on the four priorities of our plan - restructuring the business to operate profitably, accelerating the development of new products that our customers want and value, funding our plan and improving our balance sheet, and working even more effectively together as one global Ford team, leveraging our assets. Our team is very encouraged by the significant progress we are making. We recognize the challenges that lie ahead and remain fully committed to delivering our plan."

Check out Ford's sales highlights for the second quarter of 2007, according to a Ford Motor Company official press release.

* Strong performance in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Survey, with five segment winners - Ford Mustang, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ and Mark LT, and Mazda MX-5 Miata - more than any other manufacturer.
* Ford Edge recognized as "Highest-Ranked Midsize MAV" in the J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.
* Fifth consecutive year of improved manufacturing productivity as measured by the Harbour Report North America 2007.
* Ford Edge the best-selling mid-size crossover in second quarter.
* Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus X earned five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
* Ford earned the most Top Safety Picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the company's history, with Ford Edge, Ford Taurus, Ford Taurus X, Lincoln MKX and Mercury Sable taking top honors.
* Strong Ford Europe sales - up about 5 percent in first half of 2007.
* Record Land Rover sales - up 8 percent in first half of 2007.
* Ford China sales up 22 percent in first half of 2007.
* Achieved $1.1 billion in cost savings in first half 2007, including $600 million in the second quarter.
* Reduced North America personnel by 6,400 in the second quarter.
* Completed sale of Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO) and Aston Martin.

[source: Ford]

Land Rover Wins Auto Express Honor

2007-07-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

Here is another great success for Ford Motor Company.

While the Ford Mondeo bagged the Car of the Year, Best Family Car, and Best Estate Car, Ford's Land Rover division also received two awards from Auto Express New Car Honours 2007.

Auto Express honored the all-new Land Rover Freelander 2 as the Best 4x4 Recreational beating other strong competitors in the 4x4 SUV segment including the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe. Meanwhile in the Best 4x4 Off Roader category, Land Rover's Discovery 3 successfully won the honor leaving other aspirant behind like the luxurious Mercedes M-class and BMW X5.

"We are absolutely delighted to win these awards from Auto Express for both the Freelander 2 and the Discovery 3, in a year where we will have a third successive sales record." said Phil Pophamm, managing director of Land Rover.

"Achieving the Best 4x4 Off Roader award for the Discovery 3 - a car that continues to be an outstanding success, consistently beating new entrants from other manufacturers - is a testament to its class-leading diesel engine, its versatility and its all-round package."

Auto Express' road test editor, Ollie Marriage also commented: "The off-road king is back. The Freelander 2 has returned to the top of its class with a neatly designed and beautifully executed second-generation car."

Well, I guess Ford currently dominates the auto awards scene.

Ford Mondeo Wins Auto Express Award

2007-07-27T00:32:00.000-07:00

Auto Express, one of the leading automotive publications in the UK has awarded Ford Motor Company's new Mondeo as the 2007 Car of the Year. In addition the Mondeo also other prestigious awards including the Best Family Car and the Best Estate Car.

According to David Johns, Editor in Chief of Auto Express: "The Mondeo delivers effortlessly, performing with aplomb everywhere. It steers beautifully, rides with a composure and smoothness that's absent from even the best German executive cars, handles tautly and has a great range of engines. It's also vast inside, beats its rivals for quality, is clearly laid out with great refinement and comfort levels to take the sting out of everyday driving."

Both the Ford Mondeo hatchback and estate wagon models impressed the road test crew of Auto Express. The testers recognized the Mondeo's striking exterior design, interior features, and vehicle functionality (including cabin and luggage spaces).

Johns added: "Combining the sheer amount of room on board with its trademark hatchback, the Mondeo is more flexible than booted rivals. Every passenger gets increased space and greater seat comfort and no rival cruises as comfortably at high speed or deals with coarser surfaces so well. It even delivers a cosseting ride around town and thanks to its stiffer body it handles beautifully too. The incredible 75-car range completed the credentials that made Mondeo a worthy winner of the family car crown."

John continued:: "Although Ford made public its intentions to make the Mondeo an object of desire, its designers didn't fall into the trap of putting form ahead of function. Quite simply, the new Mondeo estate is what all good load-luggers should be – big, practical and superb at carrying stuff. From its hangar-like luggage bay to clever options such as the sliding floor, the Ford feels like a car which is designed to work for a living."

So this only means that the Ford Mondeo not just rock the UK market, but it also kicks other vehicle models' asses. (if they have one. LOL!)

Coming Soon: Aussie-Built Ford Focus

2007-07-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company is planning to expand its manufacturing operations in the Land Down Under. A recent press release from Ford Australia reports that the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker plans to manufacture small cars in Australia due to the increasing demands of smaller vehicles in the country.

The Ford Focus will be added to the production lineup of Ford Australia in the Campbellfield manufacturing assembly plant. Focus will join other small car models currently being produced in Australia like the Falcon and Territory. Production starts in 2011, and Ford Australia said they are targeting 40,000 units of Ford Focus to be produced every year.

Tom Gorman, Ford Australia President said:
"Manufacturing the Ford Focus in Australia will allow us to deliver key business requirements of improving our capacity utilisation and strengthening Ford Australia's integration into the global Ford Motor Company. It also reflects the contemporary market demands for smaller vehicles and opens up significant additional export opportunities within the region."

Mr. Gorman added: "With the support of the Federal Government and Victorian State Government, Ford Australia will be the first local car manufacturer to respond to these changing market dynamics in this manner. We look forward to offering Australians their first locally produced small car in more than a decade."

So to all of the Aussie auto freaks out there, you better watch out for the Ford Focus to roll out in you area. While waiting for that, why not try to upgrade or replace your Ford or Saab fuel pump?

Aston Martin’s Historic Newport Pagnell Factory Closed

2007-07-23T02:35:00.000-07:00

Finally after the last Vanquish rolled off at Aston Martin’s historic Newport Pagnell factory the site will now be sold and converted into offices and homes.

Aston Martin has been using the Newport Pagnell factory in making cars since 1958 starting with the DB4. It has built 13,000 cars at the site and now just a year short of celebrating its golden anniversary, the plant was closed.

Aston Martin was officially handed over to its new owner last June 1 although it was last March that Ford has announced its split from the parent automaker.

Aston’s new bosses have decided to sell the prime land where the former historic Newport Pagnell factory stands.

Officials refrain from divulging the exact value of the land however the factory is situated in affluent Buckinghamshire which gives us a clear idea on how much it will cost---not lower a million that’s for sure.

There is already a plan submitted to the local council for the development of residential and commercial structures on the site with the intention of retaining some of the famous buildings that would include the boardroom with portraits of the Queen and the clubby leather seats.

The workers and employees of closed down Newport Pagnell factory have shift to Works Service site over the road where they provide car services like repairs, restoration, and customization based on what their customers’ whims.

A former staff member has told Car Online, "It's a sad day. Aston Martin is so much a part of Newport Pagnell and it's a jerk to see the factory close. We are worried that the Works Service could be next; the company's new owners are bound to want us all under one roof in the long term."

The new owner of Aston Martin is preparing to launch its DBS at the Frankfurt Motor Show while the Rapide four-door is schedule for launch in 2009.

Europe to get Ford Kuga in 2008

2007-07-19T01:36:00.000-07:00

Now here’s more reason to think that Ford loves European fellows than they do us Americans.

News is that Europe is about to get a much better-looking crossover than our Escape here. According to a press release by the company released today, Ford of Europe is about to have an all-new addition to its model range early in 2008 – a sporty looking ride that they are calling the Ford Kuga. The name’s a bit weird I know, but if you look at the photo above, you’d certainly pick that one up to a Ford Escape, I bet.

A preview model of the production vehicle will reportedly be presented to the press and public at the 2007 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, which opens on September 13.

Based on the stunning Ford Iosis X concept car introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the forthcoming Ford Kuga uses the automaker’s exciting 'kinetic design' form language which, the company press release says, is meant to introduce a compact and distinctive new 4x4 crossover to the Ford portfolio.

"We recognised that image-conscious customers for this kind of vehicle want a very individual car in which impressive on-road capability blends seamlessly with substantial off-road ability," said Martin Smith, Executive Design Director for Ford of Europe.

Okay. But we are image-conscious here too, aren’t we? Sure we have our veritable Mustangs and kickass trucks, but hey, that Kuga is a catch. Just like the Mondeo (not sold here) and the European Focus (also not here).

The Ford design team is releasing its first official styling sketch of the new model.

"Kuga is adventurous and distinctive, and we wanted to highlight this in our first official image," Stefan Lamm, Ford's Chief Designer for Exteriors, commented. "We believe that there is a role for a more athletic and charismatic vehicle that marks a departure from the norm, in the same way that the award-winning Ford S-MAX carved out new territory for an MPV."

Lucky U.K. folks.

The all-new Ford Kuga will go into production early in 2008 at Ford's Saarlouis plant in Germany. It will be launched across Europe from Spring 2008.

Premium Hatchback Ford Fusion launched in Indian Market

2007-07-17T23:37:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday Ford India has launched a diesel variant of its premium hatchback Ford Fusion with a price tag of Rs 6.69 lakh. The introduction of the hatchback Ford is an indication that the local market is now considering the idea of compact cars.

Ford’s new diesel variant hatchback is powered with a 1.4 liter Duratorq engine which is eligible for a six percent rebate in excise duty on small cars.

According to company Managing Director and President, Arvind Mathew in an interview with reporters during the launching of the new Ford Fusion, “Our customers were demanding a diesel variant of Fusion. Based on their feedback, we are launching the new product."

Ford India is presently selling a petrol variant of Fusion wit a price tag of Rs 6.41 lakh in Delhi.

Mr. Mathew further said that the company intends to further enhance its share in the mid-size segment with the launching of the new Fusion. And when asked about plans for small cars he said, “At the moment, we are not looking at that price point; we are just looking at a small car. Ford does not have any product in that price range."

He also added that the company might consider such low cost car costing around $3,000 just like the ones offered by Renault-Nissan if and only if “customers demanded for it. We are always focused on what our consumers want... if our consumer comes back and says here are the trade-offs, I am willing to make ($3,000 car) and this is what I will accept and live with."

Tata Motors is also planning to introduce a compact car at Rs 1 lakh by the middle of next year. But Mr. Mathew preferred to stay non-committal to the company’s plans if such scenario will really push through. He said, “At the moment, I am not being categorical, I am very curious to see how this car looks like."

Ford’s Aussie Unit Hoping for Export to Increase its Profit

2007-07-13T02:29:00.000-07:00

Ford’s money-losing Australian unit has announced last Friday its plan of boosting exports in order to become more profitable.

Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary has told media, "Essentially, we are looking for a new manufacturing strategy that is going to set us up for the future. The alternatives include an export program."

Ford is currently Australia’s third ranking automaker by sales as of June 2007 but unfortunately its main plant in Melbourne is operating below capacity and according to reports from local media the possibility of closing an engine plant in Geelong, outside Melbourne that has started operation in 1926 is high.

McAlary also said, "There are a number of studies underway and I can't be specific about any of them. We have to become more efficient and we have to change our business." At present the buying trend of Aussies in terms of cars is shifting to smaller vehicles. Ford has already incurred a net loss of A$40.3 million for its 2006 fiscal year from a net profit of A$148.2 million in 2005.

Ford has currently a minimal export program of 7,000 vehicles destined for New Zealand, South Africa, and Thailand that is out of the total 81,500 locally made cars. But unluckily for Ford it was not been able to make inroads as fast as its rival Toyota Motor’s Australian unit which by the way has a very strong export program to the Middle East. As expected the three big automakers that are sharing in the Aussie market are Toyota with 22.2 percent, followed by General Motor with 14.5 percent and then Ford with 10.4 percent.

Ford Sales: US and Canada

2007-07-06T22:45:00.000-07:00

Although the US sales of Ford Motor Company for the month of June 2007 were down by 8.1% overall, the combined sales for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) models were up by about 83% over the same period last year. This is due to increasing consumer demands for crossover SUV models, according to the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker.

Mark Fields, Ford’s President of the Americas commented: "These new crossovers are proof we are building more products people want to buy. "The Edge and Lincoln MKX and other new and redesigned products are helping us to stabilize our retail market share, a key goal in our plan to return to profitability in North America."

Sales highlights of Ford branded crossover SUVs for the month of June 2007 include:
2008 Ford Escape – posted a 19,147 units sold, up by 33%
Mercury Mariner – posted sales totaling 3,788, up by 97%
Lincoln MKX – increased sales by 15% compared to June 2006

Meanwhile, for the month of June 2007, Ford's Canadian division set all time sales results for its truck and SUV models. Ford of Canada posted strong sales record with an increase of 13% compared to last year's results. Bill Osborne, president and CEO of Ford of Canada also commented: "Outstanding is the word that comes to mind when talking about customer response to the newly re-designed Ford Escape and our hot crossovers, the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. And that's what we're here to do – build vehicles that inspire."

Check out the all time sales highlights of Ford Canada for the months of June 2007

Ford Edge – posted sales up in 6 consecutive months
Ford Escape – posted increased sales up by 61%, the best month since its launch
Ford Escape Hybrid - sales up by 86%, the best June sales since its launch
Ford Escape - the best selling small SUV Canada
Ford Ranger - posted sales increase by 46%, best ever June sales record since 1988
Ford F-Series - recorded total sales up by 8%, the best sales for the month of June since 2000
Ford Fusion - best June sales, up by 9%
Lincoln MKX - best month since its launch
Lincoln Navigator - posted an impressive 57% sales
Lincoln MKZ - recorded sales up by 6%

Wait until next month and see if Ford Motor Company can boost their sales this July. How will they do it? Of course, it's up to the company's sales and marketing division. D'oh!

Ford Racing at Loudon

2007-07-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

Ford Racing teams and drivers were quite unlucky during the recent Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon. Why? It is because no Ford Racing driver made it into the podium or even in the top 5. Only Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 DeWalt Ford Fusion for the Roush Fenway Racing team obtained a top 10 spot when he finished 9th in the race.

Here is an interview with Matt Kenseth after the race:

"We ended up passing some cars on pit road and making some adjustments and got it better, but we're not good enough to beat these guys. With these cars it's all about being in the front. It's really hard to come from behind and do much with them."

DID YOU MAKE THE CAR BETTER? "Yeah, we definitely made it better. We were still off, but it was a lot better. It was a top-10 car and we finished ninth, so we definitely made some improvement."

WILL THE CHANGES BE SOMETHING YOU CAN APPLY FOR THE NEXT COT RACE? "I hope so. We've got a long way to go with these things to compete for wins. They're so sensitive to little things. There are only so many areas you can work, so the areas we can work we're just missing it a little bit. We've got to work on the front suspension and figure out how to make the front ends turn better and then, hopefully, we'll be more competitive."

YOUR PIT CREW WAS STRONG AGAIN. "Yeah, they always do really good. They always keep us in the races."

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOUGH TRACK TO PASS ON, BUT WAS IT EVEN HARDER WITH THIS NEW CAR? "Yeah, way tougher. They're just so tight. You're just kind of at the mercy of the front tires in the middle of the corner, but I thought it was a lot harder to pass than the other car, but my car wasn't right either. The fastest car didn't win. The guy who got two tires got out front and won, so I think it's probably more about track position with these cars than even the old ones."

Meanwhile, other Ford Racing drivers including Carl Edwards, series rookie David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, and Robby Gordon drove their Ford Fusions to the finished and obtained the 13th, 15th, 16th, and 17th place, respectively.

Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Boston Red Sox Ford Fusion commented:
"We had an awesome car. The good news is we had an awesome car. The bad news was it fell off the jack when we were leading the thing pitting under green, but everybody kept their composure. The car was still good enough. We finished 13th, but this is a race winner right here. It's a huge step forward for us with the car of tomorrow. It's just terrible. This is the same thing that happened to us at Pocono last year. We had a plan. We got the car back up and we only lost a lap, so it wasn't the end of the world."

As a Ford Racing fan, I hope that these drivers can perform better during the upcoming race Daytona International Speedway.

Another Ford Production Plant Closes in Norfolk

2007-07-02T01:09:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company has a share of both good and bad news over the net. But unfortunately, Ford is now known to be one among the three famous cash-craving car companies in the US. General Motors Corporation as well as the Chrysler Group is also part of the domestic auto makers that is experiencing hardships at present.

However, in fairness to Ford, most of the car models they made this year have received a lot of quality recognition. Ford Taurus X and Jaguar X-type are just few among the cars on their line-up that received positive news this week. It was impressive that no matter how they are suffering from the present economical situation, they still manage to create quality and heavy-duty car models for the customers. But things are not going well still. Ford had to cut another production plant operation in order to compensate for their budget-cutting situation.

Ford already had the last batch of pickup truck rolled off its production plant in Norfolk this morning. And sadly, this was the last vehicle that was produced on this plant. Ford was reported seeing the factory workers going out of the plant wearing memorial shirts. At 8 am these employees were noted to file out of the assembly plant wearing royal blue shirt that has no prints on front. However, the back of their shirt says “R-I-P Ford Norfolk Assembly Plant April 20, 1925 - June 28, 2007”. The news was taken from the Virginian-Pilot.

Last year, Ford Motor Company announced that they have plans of closing the Norfolk Assembly plant. The plant is where the F-150 pick up trucks are made. Before, there are more than 23,000 factory workers that worked on the assembly plant but the number of employees decreased as the years passed.

The plant managers purchased the truck and it went through chances to Portsmouth’s Corey Bauswell. The truck was seen driven out of the plant at around 8:20 a.m.

United Auto Workers Local 919’s President Chris Kimmons said, he did not plan to be on the plant’s last day of operation. However, he was spotted on the union hall together with the guys. It was like attending a funeral he said. He even uttered, "You don’t want to go, but you know you’ve got to be there."

This was the last day of the Norfolk Ford’s assembly plant operation. I hope this is the last. Toyota was right when they decided to slow down on making local assembly plants in the US. I guess Ford should have done it before.

The Jaguar X-Type and Taurus X both Gained Awards this Week

2007-07-01T23:56:00.000-07:00

Ford was recently awarded with quality picks award. The award will definitely help boost the reputation of Ford’s vehicles plus the company itself which is currently in dire need of inspiration and good publicity. It is no secret that Ford sales have been declining starting last year. It is also true that Ford is cash-hungry right now. However if there is one thing that can be admired of Ford its in terms of its commitment in making quality cars which is part of the things they would never give up. And this is the reason why Ford has recently been garnering awards pertaining to quality.

And now, two awards were again received by two of Ford’s famous brands; the Ford Taurus X and Jaguar X-Type. Amazing, both of the car models are wearing X on their names. Does this bring more appeal o the new vehicles? Well, am not really sure but one thing is clear that these cars won because of quality.

When the Ford Taurus X was subjected on a car test done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) it was able to pass with flying colors and this is because Ford has made the new Taurus X much tougher than the previous model. The Taurus X was given the highest Five-Star rating by NHTSA.

The Taurus X also obtained a “Good” rating on the recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) car crash test. Maybe this is the first time that the two testing centers jived on their ratings. And because Taurus gets the top ratings, it was regarded as the organization's Top Safety Pick label.

Another Ford car model was awarded by the firm AutoPacific's Vehicle Survey Award. It was the Ford Jaguar X-Type, which was awarded as the 2007 Aspirational Luxury Car segment. Well, the award giving body might not be as famous as the J.D. Powers and Associates but hey this award has undergone several tests as well.

Before the AutoPacific's Vehicle Survey Award was able to proclaim the Jaguar as the most inspirational car of 2007, they have asked almost 24,000 US new car buyers to answer the survey and it all turned out to be the fortune of the X-type. The respondents were asked to score the cars they bought after 60-90 days of buying it. And the President of AutoPacific George Peterson has a better explanation of how they got the result. He said,”Often times, the most satisfying vehicle is the one with the most personality, not the one that is screwed together the best."

The cars which were found to have minimum car defects where all included on list. These cars were proven to function effectively even after the allotted three months. And luckily, the Jaguar X-Type was the one on the top of the list.

Ford Models Earn APEALing Awards

2007-06-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

Two Ford vehicles ranked as the highest models on their respective segments at the 2007 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. The Ford Mustang was ranked as the highest in the Midsize Sporty Car category, while the all-new 2007 Ford Edge bagged the highest award for the Midsize MAV segment.

“This is more good news and further affirmation that we’re delivering more products people really want – especially when you consider the newest vehicles in our lineup,” said Mark Fields, president, The Americas, Ford Motor Company.

“Last year, Fusion topped its segment in the J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study. This year, fresh on the heels of Ford receiving top honors in five vehicle segments in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), Ford receives more strong quality feedback from customers who made Edge the industry standout and a top performer in the fastest-growing and most competitive segment in the industry,” he added.

Other Ford Motor Company vehicle models joined the Ford Edge and Mustang on the winner's list. They are the Ford Explorer Sport Trac (2nd in Midsize Pickup segment), Lincoln Navigator (3rd in the Large Premium MAV) and Mazda CX7 (2nd in the Truck / Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) Segment).

Fields continued: “It’s gratifying to have two strong Ford nameplates – Edge and Mustang – leading the pack on consumer appeal. While we’ll celebrate this achievement with our employees, we know that the quality race never ends. We’re going to continue working harder to provide people even more reasons to consider driving Ford vehicles again.”

Meanwhile, check out the complete list of the Top Three Models per Segment for the 2007 APEAL Study.

Sub-Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Honda Fit (Tie), Toyota Yaris (Tie)
Nissan Versa

Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Rabbit
Honda Civic

Compact Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Volkswagen GTI
Scion tC
Volkswagen Eos

Compact Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Porsche Cayman
Porsche Boxster
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Entry Premium Car
Highest Ranked: BMW 3 Series
Lexus IS 250/IS 350
Acura TL (Tie)
Audi A4 (Tie)

Midsize Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lexus GS 350/GS 430/GS 450h
BMW 5 Series

Large Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
BMW 7 Series
Lexus LS 460

Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: BMW 6 Series
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Chevrolet Corvette

Midsize Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Ford Mustang
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Midsize Car
Highest Ranked: Nissan Altima Sedan
Volkswagen Passat
Saturn AURA

Large Car
Highest Ranked: Hyundai Azera
Toyota Avalon
Dodge Charger

Truck / Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) Segments
Compact MAV
Highest Ranked: Honda CR-V
Mazda CX-7
Toyota FJ Cruiser

Midsize MAV
Highest Ranked: Ford Edge
Saturn Outlook
GMC Acadia

Large MAV
Highest Ranked: Nissan Armada
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Suburban

Midsize Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: BMW X5
Audi Q7 (Tie)
Mercedes-Benz M-Class (Tie)

Large Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: Cadillac Escalade EXT (Tie), Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (Tie)
Lincoln Navigator

Large Pickup
Highest Ranked: GMC Sierra LD
Chevrolet Avalanche
Chevrolet Silverado LD

Midsize Pickup
Highest Ranked: Honda Ridgeline
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Toyota Tacoma

Van
Highest Ranked: Honda Odyssey
Kia Sedona
Hyundai Entourage

California Team Bags Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition

2007-06-26T22:38:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company, in partnership with the American Automobile Association (AAA) has recently conducted the national finals for the 2007 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills. The competition aims to find the best student auto techs. Last fall, more than 7,000 high school students from every state enrolled in the competition, but only 100 students were given a chance to compete in the finals that took place at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

Among the 49 two-person teams, Austin Castro and Daniel Lehmkuhl, of San Luis Obispo High School, San Luis Obispo, California claimed the 1st place. The two students diagnosed and repair the problem of their Ford Fusion in just 49 minutes and six seconds. The two brought home thousands of bucks and college scholarship grants.

During the competition, Allan Stanley, manager of Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills said: "Daniel and Austin today proved to be the best of the best high school automotive technicians in the United States. These auto-savvy teens typify the determination and work ethic of all 100 finalists. It's essential to the motoring public that the automotive industry attract such driven and dedicated young men and women to keep America's vehicles operating safely and trouble free."

"Professionally trained auto technicians maintain and repair the vehicles of millions of drivers every year. AAA has been co-sponsoring this Auto Skills contest annually since 1984 to provide motorists with the confidence that their vehicles will be properly serviced at all AAA-inspected and approved repair facilities." said John Nielsen, director of the AAA Approved Auto Repair program

Darryl Hazel, senior vice president of Ford Motor Company and president, Ford Customer Service Division also said: "Ford and its dealer network offer these contestants and other talented young people unparalleled opportunities to train for a high-tech career with excellent salaries and great benefits, such as insurance coverage, paid vacations, and retirement savings programs. Co-sponsoring the Auto Skills competition enables us to continue to attract the best young technicians to Ford's professional technician training programs and to careers in our dealer network."

Meanwhile, here are the top 10 winning teams of the 2007 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills:

1st Place: California. Austin Castro and Daniel Lehmkuhl. Instructor:
Jeff Lehmkuhl. San Luis Obispo High School, San Luis Obispo.
2nd Place: Michigan. Alex Dobroy and Zachary Hastings. Instructor Tim
Timoszyk. Saline High School, Saline.
3rd Place: Colorado. Eric Hess and Christopher Wu. Instructor Brad
Wheaton. Doherty High School, Colorado Springs.
4th Place: North Carolina. Evan Martin and Kyle Wishlinski. Instructor
Martin Page. Lake Norman High School, Mooresville.
5th Place: Virginia. Douglas Dunn and Gaetano Guiffre. Instructor
Scott Freeman. Fauquier High School, Warrenton.
6th Place: Ohio. Michael George and William Hrabowy. Instructor Dave
Gillies. Trumbull Career & Technical Center, Warren.
7th Place: Oklahoma. Jesse Cobb and Christopher Johnson. Instructor
Randy Henderson. Mid America Technology Center, Wayne.
8th Place: Massachusetts. Daniel Svizzero and Nicholas Wood.
Instructor David Haskins. South Shore Vocational Technical High School,
Hanover.
9th Place: Oregon. Levi Tolman and Chase Williams. Instructor Merle
Saunders. Vale High School, Vale.
10th Place: Hawaii. Brandon Sato and Dustin Texeira. Instructor Neill
Nakamura. Maui High School, Kahului.

Carl Edwards Infineon Raceway Preview

2007-06-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

Here is another race preview of a Ford Racing team.

Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) team is now heading for Sonoma, California to compete in the Infineon Raceway Sears Point. Edwards is also Matt Kenseth's teammate.

"Bob Osborne and the rest of the Office Depot team have been doing a lot to help improve our road course program. We recently tested Road Atlanta to get in some practice on a road course and I think it has helped. I don't come from that kind of racing background, but getting a few races under our belts has helped a lot." said Edwards.

"After our win last week at Michigan, our team is a lot more confident and we're looking to build on this momentum." he added.

Check out some trivia about Carl Edwards' career at the Infineon Raceway. (credits: Roush Fenway Racing)

* Carl Edwards will make his third NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start at Infineon Raceway. In his two previous starts Edwards has achieved one top-10 finish

* Edwards best finish at Infineon is sixth place, captured in 2006

* Edwards ended his 52-race winless streak last weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The win came on Edwards' 100th NEXTEL Cup Series start.

* Edwards is currently sixth in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series point standings with 1,905 points, 487 points behind leader, Jeff Gordon

* This weekend Edwards travels between Sonoma and Milwaukee to compete in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series events. Edwards currently leads the NASCAR Busch Series point standings with a commanding 701 points lead over second place.

* Office Depot Store No. 2377 from Chicago, Ill. is this week's sales winner and will ride along on the No. 99 at Infineon this weekend

Meanwhile, Bob Osborne, Crew Chief of Roush Fenway Racing also commented about the upcoming race in Infineon Raceway:

"Carl's only raced Sonoma twice, but has managed to pull off some pretty solid finishes there. We tested Road Atlanta a couple of weeks ago and were able to gather a lot of really good information, so hopefully we'll have a competitive car come Sunday. I am so proud of the hard work this Office Depot team has been doing over the past several weeks -- it's really paying off. Our win last week at Michigan was just what we needed to build momentum for the rest of the season."

Well, let us just wait until June 24th for the race results.

Matt Kenseth's Preview at the Sonoma Race

2007-06-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No। 17 Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) Ford Fusion is now prepared for the upcoming race that will take place at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California this June 24rd.

Check out what Matt Kenseth has to say about the race at Sonoma:
"For the longest time I really dreaded coming to a road course, but I guess it's kind of like anything else, the more you do it, the more comfortable you feel, and I don't dread it nearly as much as I use to. We've gotten a little better with our road-course program, but more importantly, I think I've got a better feel for that type of racing as I get more experience. The biggest challenge for me is being able to tell Robbie (Reiser) and Chip (Bolin, engineer) how to make the car better. I'd say that's one of our strengths most of the time, being able to adjust the racecar and keep getting it better. But, for me, it seems a little bit harder on road courses."

Kenseth added: "The main thing is track position. We need a good qualifying effort, which, ironically, Sonoma seems to be one of our best tracks in terms of qualifying, which, come to think of it, is kind of backwards from how we are on the ovals. But, this is probably the best I've ever felt about our chances at a road course this weekend. Hopefully, we can get a good qualifying spot and keep our track position all day and maybe end up with a top 10."

Kenseth's Crew Chief at RFR, Robbie Reiser also commented: "Everyone will be taking a brand new car this weekend and, while I'm sure most people have tested theirs, it should be interesting on Friday. My thinking is that the same guys that usually run good on road courses will continue to do so, while those that struggle will continue to struggle. I don't think the new car is going to make that big of a difference where someone who usually runs about mid pack is suddenly going to compete for a win out there. That's not going to happen. It's all about track position when it comes to road courses. We need a good qualifying position and then it usually comes down to pit strategy and solid stops. Everyone works the pit strategy on road courses backwards, meaning that they figure how many laps they can make on a fuel run and then count the laps backwards from the end to determine the soonest the can pit in order to stay in their window and make it to the end on fuel."

"The last thing you want to do is have to pit in the last 10 or 15 laps and lose 20 or 30 positions, because there's always a lot of cars on the lead lap and passing is so hard, there's no way you're going to be able to make it up."
Well, as a fan of all Ford Racing team's in NASCAR, I hope Matt Kenseth and the other Ford drivers will dominate the race in Sonoma. I cant wait for the race and see the results!

Ford is selling its UK brands

2007-06-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

We are all aware of the Way Forward plan from Ford. And late last year, they were forced to implement job cuts, to close some of their production plants and to sell some of their brands. In fact, earlier this year, one of the members of the Premier Automotive Group, Aston Martin was sold. Now, Ford is moving way forward. And the movement was not that impressive.

Last week there were news about Ford to sell some of their UK brands. Some ford officers were noted saying, they are open for option. This was the same thing that the officers of the Chrysler group said when they plan to sell the brand. So many people have assumed that Ford will sell their UK brands such as Land Rover and Jaguar. As for Volvo, the highest profitable subsidiary of Ford, the US car maker doesn’t have any plan of selling it.

However, on the news that I read today, Ford Motor Company is seeking for buyers of their brands Land Rover, Jaguar including their most cash-gaining subsidiary Volvo. Is this true?

According to some sources on the net, Ford had lost $12.6 billion last year so they hired Morgan Stanley as well as Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated to do their management on sales for Ford. Ford Motors Company had this particular strategy to boost up their sales. It’s not the Way Forward plan, its Project Swift. However, the few people who are involved in this plan refuse to give comments because according to them, it is strictly confidential.

According to the European companies, selling some of the Ford UK brands would end a 20-year initiative to broaden the sales rate of these luxury cars. If you can recall in 1998, Ford was able to gain the no.1 because of its Lincoln subsidiary. That was even before they had Dearborn and Michigan-based production plants for both Land Rover and Volvo.

“This company desperately needs focus in terms of preserving its capital and concentrating its management resources. It currently has too many mouths to feed,” said Casesa Strategic Advisors LLC’s Managing Partner in New York, John Casesa.

About the 2008 Ford Taurus

2007-06-20T18:17:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company's resurrected 2008 Ford Taurus mid size sedan offers the best little things that you can find in an automobile, according to Ford design and engineering team who created the vehicle. Want to know these small things that Ford engineers are talking about?

According to Robert Parker, Car Marketing Manager, Ford Division: "One of the areas that we focused on is what we like to call the 'handshakes' of the vehicle -- the things that influence a person's initial impressions of the car,". "It's an attention to detail that tells the customer on either a conscious or subconscious level that the vehicle is well built."

"Things such as the way the door sounds when it closes, how the audio control knobs feel when you turn them or the way the vehicle sounds when it's idling are just a few examples of the kinds of details that leave lasting impressions on car buyers. This could be something as simple as the way the door handles are molded. We used to mold the plastic in the previous generation in such a way that the seam was right where your fingers were so that when you grabbed it, you felt a rough edge. We spent a lot of time improving small details like that in the 2008 Ford Taurus."

In addition, Ben Winter, chief engineer for the Ford Taurus also said that shifter knob is one of these small things. Mr. Winter said: "We developed a new shifter knob and shifter assembly that feels more solid and substantial in the customer's hands. We also standardized leather on the shifter and added chrome and wood accents as an option. In general, we made the shifter feel, look, sound and operate in a more refined and solid way."

"We made the gauges and the clock in the 2008 Ford Taurus much easier to read no matter what kind of lighting condition you're driving in -- broad daylight, twilight with the lights on, or dark with the lights on. It's the type of refinement that makes the customer feel more satisfied with their car." He added.

Meanwhile, Susan Sage, interior designer of the Ford Taurus commented: "With fashion, for example, you can change your jewelry and make an outfit look totally different. The same concept applies to vehicle interior design. We added chrome ring accents to the audio and climate control knobs," she said. "It's a fairly small thing, but we’ve received a lot of complements about it from the media, guide book editors and even customers in final drive research."

So these small things contribute to the overall quality of the 2008 Ford Taurus for the customers. I think that is exactly what the Ford engineers and designers were trying to say.

Carl Edwards: Citizens Bank 400 Preview

2007-06-14T02:14:00.000-07:00

After winning his 4th race this season at Nashville Superspeedway for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series, Carl Edwards is now heading to Michigan International Speedway for the Citizens Bank 400, the 20th racing event in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Carl Edwards will enter the race behind the steering wheel of his No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion.

Edwards shared his preparations for the upcoming race and said: "I'm really looking forward to Michigan. It's a great track with some really awesome racing. You can pass and I think the fans always see a good show there. I'm just really looking forward to going to Michigan and doing everything I can to win there. Michigan is a kind of bragging rights track. It's in Roush's back yard, Ford's back yard -- so a win there would be huge. Bob and the team have worked so hard this year and I can't thank them enough for really making tons of improvements."

Edwards added: "This weekend will also be my 100th NEXTEL Cup Series start and I'm really excited about that. It is truly amazing how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday I got the call from Jack (Roush, team owner) letting me know I'd be taking over the No. 99. I remember being so excited and really nervous. Now 100 races later, I am just as excited about the opportunity he gave me."

Check out the other facts about Carl Edwards' career:

* Edwards made his Cup Series debut at Michigan in August 2004 -- started that race 23rd and finished 10th

* Edwards is currently seventh in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series point standings with 1,710 points, 539 points behind leader, Jeff Gordon

* This weekend Edwards travels between Michigan and Kentucky to compete in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series events. Edwards is coming off a Busch Series win at Nashville and currently leads the Busch Series standings

* Office Depot Store No. 2370 from Clermont, Fla. is this week's sales winner and will ride along on the No. 99 at Michigan this weekend

Fuel Efficiency Tips from NAPA Auto PARTS

2007-06-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why despite the soaring gas prices, the demand for it has not dropped? As far as I can remember my Economics professor taught us that once prices increase, demand goes down. Unfortunately, gasoline is a commodity that we simply can’t live without at least for now.

At present, gasoline prices have increased to a jaw-dropping $4 per galloon but did this prevent our fellow Americans from traveling? Hell, no!

And this exactly what motivates Kit Johnson, 2007 NAPA Technician of the Year from East Helena, Montana to come up with these very useful tips:

Plan ahead - When going out to run errands, map an efficient route to handle all of your tasks in one trip and not backtrack. Also, observing the speed limit can have a significant impact on fuel usage. With most vehicles, increasing your speed from 55 mph to 65 mph will increase fuel consumption by about 20 percent.
Try to predict the flow - In heavy traffic avoid constant accelerating and braking. Research suggests driving techniques can influence car fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.
Don’t drive with your windows open – Driving with your windows down drastically reduces your fuel efficiency, far more so than when using the air conditioning during highway driving. In the upcoming warmer months keep the windows open during city driving and the air conditioning on during trips where you exceed 55 mph.
Keep the load light - Your vehicle could stand to lose a few pounds. Those heavy bags of sand and salt you may carry around in your trunk during winter serve no useful purpose in spring, summer and fall. The extra weight just means wasted fuel and unnecessary emissions. Treat your trunk to a spring cleaning!
Avoid excessive idling - Believe it or not, unnecessary idling is one of the biggest problems among motorists. Most of today’s newer cars do not benefit from idling more than 30 seconds. In fact, the opposite is true: in addition to wasting fuel, excessive idling can contaminate engine oil and damage engine components.
Vehicle gas caps - Nearly 17 percent of all vehicles have gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing resulting in 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
Under-inflated tires - When tires aren’t inflated properly, it’s like driving with the parking brake. According to Johnson, under-inflated tires can cut fuel economy by two percent per pound, which means if your tire pressure is 27 pounds per square inch (psi) when it should be 32 psi, you’ve reduced your gas mileage by 10 percent! An alternative can be Nitrogen-filled tires which don’t allow oxygen to migrate out and doesn’t degrade the rubber through oxidation allowing the tires to stay fuller, longer.
Worn spark plugs - A vehicle can have either four, six, eight, or ten spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat, electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel.
Dirty air filters - An air filter clogged with dirt, dust or bugs chokes off the air and creates a "rich" mixture - too much gas being burned for the amount of air - which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 20 cents a gallon.
Watch that engine light! – The engine light is also a sensor that handles fuel management. It could be a warning of gas or oil leaks. Remember that even the smallest leak can turn into a large hole in the wallet if not caught and fixed.

But just a reminder folks from Johnson, aside from the tips given better driving habits and car maintenance is the best and easiest way. Happy driving!

India’s Scorpio to Arrive in US in 2009

2007-06-08T00:42:00.000-07:00

In the news: India’s Mahindra&Mahindra is reportedly headed to the US with hopes of selling more than 10,000 units of its Scorpio SUV by the end of the decade.

According to news reports, the first vehicles will hit US shores in 2009, but the range will initially be offered to the UK market later this year, while the folks downunder will see the launch of an M&M pickup this week.

“Our goal is to be known as global specialist players in SUVs and pickups,” said Pawan Goenka, the head of the group’s automotive unit in an interview with the Financial Times.

Scorpio Feature includes:
- tower tail lamps
- bonnet scoop
- air dams and mud flaps
- spoiler
- roof-top ski racks
- integrated foot steps
- air extractor
- new styled IP and Console
- two tone interiors
- CRDe engine
- 5- zone cushion suspension
- Voice assist system, vehicle security system and remote locking unlocking
- Protective side cladding
- Middle row sliding seats(for 8)
- Centre armrests (2nd row seats)
- Individual armrests( 1st row seats)
- Full fabric seats
- Tilt able steering
- Heating, ventilation and AC with rear vents
- ORVM manual remocon and swivel interior lamp
- Tubeless tyres
- New spaces for storage
- Mobile charging facility
- Intelligent front wipers
- Rearwash and wipe
- Rear demister
- Follow me home headlamps and illuminated footboards
- Theatre style interior illumination w/ lit front foot wells
- Foot well lamps for driver and co driver and illuminated key ring
- Power steering
- Power windows
- Audio system
- New combination switch
- Bigger glove box
- Headlamp leveling switch and fuel lid opener
- Collapsible steering column and side intrusion beams
- Crash protecting crumple zones and child locks
- Fire resistant upholstery

Based in Mumbai, M&M already sells a range of tractors in the US and has exported its Scorpio SUV to South Africa, Italy, France and Spain in limited numbers.

The SUV will be offered in three variants for the US market, with pricing expected to start well below the $25,000 mark. The top of the line Scorpio SLX retails for 828,132 rupees in India, which is approximately $18,500.

The group’s vice-chairman and managing director, Anand Mahindra, revealed that the new model would undercut comparable SUVs offered by GM, Ford and Toyota by up to $1,500.

Ford Unleashes the 2008 F-150 Truck!

2007-06-06T02:37:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company brings out the all-new 2008 Ford F-150 pickup truck model equipped with new features inside and out, as well as innovative and patented systems from the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker. In addition, the 2008 Ford F-150 now comes with a wide range of model trims for the customers to choose from. These include the entry-level F-150 XL, F-150 STX, F-150 XLT, the off-road ready F-150 FX4, and the luxurious F-150 Lariat.

Check out the highlights of the new 2008 Ford F-150 full size pickup truck.

Innovative Features

Cargo Management System that provides a simple, easy-to-use solution for secure storage of all types of cargo. The basic system comes with two side rails, a pair of bins, a pair of crossbars and a header bar.
Rearview Camera System that is mounted in the tailgate handle bezel and is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle.

Additional New features:

Standard tachometer on F-150 XL and STX with manual transmission.
Power Code ä Remote Start System available as a factory-installed option.
Manual telescoping Trailer Tow Mirrors with Power Glass and Chrome Skull Caps available with F-150 XLT and Lariat Chrome Packages.
A Tire Pressure Monitoring System is included in the Heavy Duty Package.
Two new exterior colors: Stone Green on all models and Mahogany on the King Ranch

Like all other Ford models, the 2008 Ford F-150 also comes with bunch of active and passive safety systems to protect its occupants. These safety features include:

Strong hydroformed front frame rails to help manage crash forces
Ford Personal Safety System and occupant-sensing technology for the first-row passenger
Frontal air bags
Height adjustable safety belts with pretensioners and energy management retractors
Four-wheel, vented-disc, anti-lock brakes (ABS)

Ford offers three power plant options for customers including the 4.2-liter V-6, 4.6-liter Triton V-8 and the top-of-the-line 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine.

Unfortunately, Ford Motor Company did not yet released the availability and the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the 2008 F-150 truck. Let us just wait for other Ford press releases soon.

Ford denies plans of selling Volvo

2007-06-04T22:31:00.000-07:00

Early last week rumors were flying all over that Ford will be selling Volvo to BMW and for the second time in the past month, Ford has come up and denied the reports.

A company statement released Tuesday last week said that, "Ford Motor Company is not in discussions with BMW or any other company regarding an interest in the Volvo Car Corporation…We have seen this kind of speculation for the past year, as Ford Motor Company has been assessing our operations and portfolio — as any good business does and we will continue to do."

British auto magazine Autocar, Swedish newspaper Goteborgs Posten, and U.K. business daily the Financial Times all reported BMW is or was in informal talks with Ford about an acquisition.

This isn’t the first time the Dearborn automaker has been forced to issue a statement denying rampant media speculation. Earlier this year, the company was forced to issue a press release denying plans to build a Mustang sedan and station wagon, after Autocar and AutoWeek claimed such projects were underway.

SPIED: Jaguar's JaguarDrive Transmission Design

2007-05-30T02:01:00.000-07:00

Here is something from Ford Motor Company's British luxury brand.

The spy photographer's at World Car Fans (WCF, www.worldcarfans.com) spotted the image of the "JaguarDrive", which is the latest transmission design interface from Jaguar Cars. According to Jaguar officials, the JaguarDrive will be installed in the new Jaguar C-XF mid-size luxury sedan, but the spies at WCF found this new Jaguar transmission on the XKR test car.

To give you a brief info about the JaguarDrive, the British automaker described this new system as: "Sink into the C-XF driver’s seat and a jewel-like Power button pulses on the centre console – its rhythm representing the heartbeat of the car. Press the button and beneath your hand, concentric aluminum rings spiral downwards to allow the new circular JaguarDrive Selector to nestle directly in your palm."

Meanwhile, check out what the WCF spies said about this JaguarDrive stuff:

"It appears that JaguarDrive - Jaguar’s new transmission interface previewed on the C-XF concept - may be in development for more than just the new Jaguar XF. We spotted this XKR test car, sporting a camouflaged front bumper, which prompted us to take a closer look inside. We were surprised by what we saw, or rather, what we didn’t see. The car’s normally prominent J-gate shifter was notably absent. The transmission tunnel was covered with fabric, so we couldn’t see what resided in place of the J-gate, but whatever it was, it laid flat, with no vertical protrusion to speak of, which pretty much describes the gear selector used in the C-XF concept. Some serious computer diagnostic gear sat in the passenger seat, and a mass of wires fed directly into the transmission tunnel, further suggesting that there is some real engineering work going on here."

Feared on 2007 Ford Harley-Davidson Edition

2007-05-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

Ford's heavy-duty pickup trucks get a new turbo diesel engine, redesigned, upgraded interior, and an exterior facelift for next year, considered to be the Ford's cleanest, quietest truck diesel ever.

Specifications:
- Cranks out a maximum 350 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque
- Black-and-copper paint scheme
- Lower rocker panels continue around the rear wheel well to wrap the rear bumper
- Copper-colored seat
-Trim panels dress up the big truck's interior
- Visible badges from every exterior angle
- Center caps of the large black-and-chrome wheels
- Blacked-out grille
-Horizontal chrome strips within the grille frame
-Revised headlamps flank the sides
-New Ford oval is upsized with an extra chrome ring
- Smaller impellers are lighter and able to spool faster (equals more power more quickly and thus better performance)
- Uses Ford Clean Diesel Technology (Diesel Particulate Filter)
- Uses advance fuel injection
- Uses tough, durable transmission
- Rear suspension with 8-inch longer rear leaf springs
- Roll Stability Control
- Entirely spot welded hydro formed front end assembly
- Fully integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC)
- Trailer brakes for seamless braking even with the heaviest loads
- Telescoping trailer tow mirrors
- Maximum payload of 6,120 lbs
- Stowable Bed Extender (cargo support)
- Integrated step hidden in the tailgate
- Including a unique flip-up grab bar
- Tailgate liner
- Pin-lock for added stiffness
- Rapid Heat (supplemental heating element)
- Large mirrors extend up to 70 mm
- Heated glass
- Integrated turn signal and clearance lamp

Ford Steps Up Ethanol Plans

2007-05-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

These days automakers are not only about the coolest cars. These days, automakers like Ford are also after a cleaner environment too, working to combat the effects of global warming. Ford Motor Company is one of these auto makers that care for the environment.

This year Ford is working to step up ethanol production among a broad range of renewable fuel options for its future vehicles. The Dearborn automaker already has more put than 2 million flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) in American roads including models from their line up: Ford F-150, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car. Last year, together with DaimlerChrysler and General Motors, they promised to double annual production of vehicles capable of running on renewable fuels by 2010.

This year, the three automakers renewed their commitment to make half of their annual vehicle production running on alternative fuel by 2012.
On the other hand there is also a need for sufficient allocation system for ethanol or E85, a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Curtis Magleby, director, State and Local Governmental Affairs says that E85 should be at a right price that will not sacrifice the performance of the vehicle. Not to mention that access to it has to be convenient to customers.
In year 2006 Ford entered into a unique E85 partnership with VeraSun Energy Corporation and MFA Oil to create the Midwest Ethanol Corridor. The objective was to offer flexible-fuel vehicle owners the capacity to drive between Chicago and Kansas City, powered by E85 at the same time educating the owners about the advantages using ethanol.

Since America has no alternative fuel option, this serves as a challenge for them to reach great marketability. Actually Bill Honnef, senior vice president, VeraSun estimates that its production in the U.S. will reach a capacity of 14 billion gallons, or roughly one-tenth the annual consumption of gasoline by American motorists (140 billion gallons), within the next five years.
It would be of great advantage if they will take into account what Brazil did, where the government gives incentives to their farmers 10 years ago to grow more sugar canes to produce ethanol. Now they have sold two-thirds of the vehicles that has the ability to run on pure ethanol, known as E100 which result to low dependency on foreign oil.

ROUSH Brings Out Your Worst Nitemare!

2007-05-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

I hope that shivering title didn’t scare you to death. Anyway, the Nitemare that I am talking about is the special limited edition Ford F-150 pickup truck model designed by ROUSH. The 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150 comes with exclusive features inside and out from the Livonia, Michigan-based automotive tuner.

Unfortunately, only 100 units of this very limited edition model will roll out in ROUSH authorized Ford dealers, so you better hurry and place your orders starting this June 2007. Now that's your nightmare! The 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150 truck carries a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSR) of $41,750.

Check out what this very limited edition Ford F-150 model has to offer. Standard ROUSH features include:

ROUSH charger 5.4-liter 3 valve engine pumping out 445 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque
ROUSH "go fast" components including intake manifolds, intercooler, radiator, and air induction system
ROUSH Nitemare logo embroidered into the ROUSH custom leather seats and in the black

ROUSH instrument cluster
ROUSH Nitemare embroidered floor mats
ROUSH black dash trim kit
ROUSH billet aluminum pedals
Exclusively black exterior color with matte black design stripes
ROUSH front chin spoiler and black aluminum billet grille
ROUSH dual rear exit exhaust system
Ford limited slip 3.73 rear axle

You can also add these available features for the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150, which include:

A rear wing
Hood scoop
Locking lug nuts
GPS system
ROUSH sport suspension system lowers the truck 2 inches in the front and 3 in the rear
ROUSH-engineered front coil springs, rear leaf springs, front sway bar and specially-valved shocks.

Maybe the Nitemare F-150 will scare the hell out of other drivers when it takes the road anytime soon.