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August 28, 2008

2010 Mustang Musings

The official 2010 Ford Mustang announcement is not too far off, and with that thought here are a couple of Mustang-isms to ponder...

New hood
Okay, what engines will see use under this hood? The power-bulge should give some sort of hint.

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New logo

There will be a new 'Stang gracing the Mustang grille and whatever. Which of the two pictured here is the new pony?

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August 20, 2008

Ford cutting way back on '09 F-150 choices

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Finally some sensible decisions on Ford's part: They are cutting the crazy amount of choices available on the '09 F-150. Winding Road (via Automotove News) is saying it could be as high as 99 percent from the billions (you read that correctly!) currently available. If true, that's HUGE!

The Expedition will also be reduced greatly from roughly 250,000 possible choices to around 10,000. Even the Focus is going to offer about 150 possible combos, which is down 95 percent.

Full story here.

August 13, 2008

GM and Dodge scramblin' to get truck sales edge

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No doubt we can add Ford, Toyota and Nissan to this list too; but for now we have news on what GM and Dodge are up to.

GM

First off, beside offering hybrid pickups, GM will offering a high-mileage versions of the 2WD 1/2-tons. Known as "XFE" models (as in eXtra Fuel Economy), these are vehicles using well proven technology, as they employ lots of gears (6) and a tall 3.08 rear axle ratio. The 5.3L V8 as also been tweaked somewhat.

On the hybrid front, word has it that these models have been pushed back to the first half of next year for release.

Full story here and here.

Here's Inside Line's take: GM Announces New Extra Fuel Economy Large Trucks, SUVs

Dodge

For Dodge it's a good-news-bad-news situation. The good news is that they have priced the '09 Ram lower than the '08 model, and have given it more standard features than a comparable '08 model.

The bad news is that they have priced the '09 Ram lower than the '08 model, and have given it more standard features than a comparable '08 model. That mean any remaining '08s on dealer lots are going to be hard to move once the '09 models start arriving.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Priced: 2009 Dodge Ram

Here's AutoObserver's take: 2009 Dodge Ram: Priced Less than '08 Ram - On Paper

August 11, 2008

Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus X may get axed

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The news of the Sable possibly being dropped is no surprise; same with the Taurus X. I must say, however, the Taurus X has had one of the shortest product lifespans of any recent vehicle that I can think of.

"The Taurus X doesn't really have much of a place anymore," said Erich Merkle of Crowe Chizek and Co.

"The Sable is a good enough car, but it doesn't really matter because they don't sell enough of them to make a difference."

Full story here.


August 8, 2008

Ford tables plans for F-100 pickup

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No sooner had Ford announced plans to build a full-size-lite F-100 pickup, that they've now announced that they've scuttled them. Instead Ford plans on offering smaller turbo-charged EcoBoost engines in the F-150 line, which should occur in about 18 months according to The Detroit News.

As bad as truck sales are, the Ford F-series continues to one of the best-selling vehicles, and Ford seems to think this direction makes more sense than going ahead with the smaller F-100.

"We have no intention of giving up our leadership in trucks," Derrick Kuzak, Ford's global product development chief said Wednesday, adding that Ford will now make fuel efficiency a priority on all its vehicles. "Fuel economy (will be) a reason to buy -- no longer a reason to reject -- Ford vehicles."

There are supporters of this new Ford truck strategy.

"The small pickup segment doesn't really provide a lot of benefit," said Erich Merkle, an analyst from Crowe Chizek and Co. "You buy a pickup truck for bed space and towing. There really isn't much substitute for a full-size pickup. But it all depends on what happens to the price of fuel."

So, do you think the possibility of seeing a super-high-tech 4-cylinder F-150 is a good idea?

Full story here and here.

August 5, 2008

Ford and GM may develop engines together

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The Detroit News is reporting that Ford and GM are considering developing powertrains together, as the cost of doing them separately is just so expensive, and getting more so as time goes on. It could also give Ford access to GM's Volt technology.

So is this a good thing? More to the point, could this ultimately become the first (baby) steps towards a merger of the two corporations sometime down the road, as there would be more commonality between the vehicles?

Full story here.

Here's Green Car Advisor's take: Ailing Ford, GM Look to Save Costs by Partnering on Powertrain Development

Here's AutoObserver's take: Engine Sharing: Even Desperate Times Don't Call for This

July 30, 2008

Knight Rider to get a F-150 4x4

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Those following the Knight Rider TV show revival know all about the trick Shelby GT500 Mustang to be used on the show (Latest Knight Rider Series Unveil: KITT Recreated Again). However, did you know that there will be another Ford star on that show? As in an equally tricked out F-150?

Full story here.

July 28, 2008

Mercury gets a life

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More news on what Ford has in store for the Mercury brand is starting to trickle out. The brand will offer smaller entry-level premium cars and crossovers that will complement the Lincoln brand.

Rumors had been that Ford was going to eliminate the Mercury brand and give Lincoln more models. Dealers protested, pointing out that Mercury brings a different demographic into the showroom than any other Ford brand.

"Mercury brings a younger, more female customer than the Ford brand. We're focusing (Mercury) very much on small, fuel-efficient products," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's global product chief.

Sounds good in theory, but will it work?

Full story here.

July 26, 2008

Built-in Navigation a dead-end says Ford

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If you believe Ford, the future is not in expensive built-in navigation systems, but rather in portable cell phone units, much like the new Apple iPhone 3G which has navigation capability, that work in tandem with the vehicle.

Ford is betting on their Sync, and other Sync-like information systems, is where everything is headed. You just dock your (very trick) cell phone into the car, and let Sync take it from there. The video screen to display maps and directions will likely remain, but the expensive global-positioning locator, the software to select routes and the databases of streets and destinations like gas stations and ATMs will all move to a central database like MapQuest.

Full story here.

July 24, 2008

Ford reports huge $8.7 billion loss for 2nd quarter

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It's been a tough time for Detroit, and of the Detroit automakers, and Ford is feeling it the worst. They have just reported a staggering $8.7 billion loss for for the second quarter, mainly due to the tanking truck and SUV sales.

That's the bad news. The good news is that Ford has got big plans in store, that will completely overhaul their North American lineup over the next few years. For details, check out AutoObserver's editorial:

Ford Reports $8.7 Billion Loss in Second Quarter; Realigns Products, Plants

In other related auto news, Toyota has again topped GM in global sales for the first half of the year. The irony here is that GM is doing really well overseas--and especially in China and Russia. Unfortunately those global gains can't offset the losses here at home--again thanks to poor truck and SUV sales. Here's AutoObesrver's take:

Halftime Score: Toyota Leads GM in Global Sales

2010 Triumph Thunderbird

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When most folks think of the word "Thunderbird," they think of the Ford T-Bird which debuted in 1955. Those into motorcycles, specifically Triumph motorcycles, know full well that there was another Thunderbird which preceded the Ford product by a good six years or so. Yep, the 650cc twin cylinder Triumph Thunderbird (bottom image) debuted in 1949. When I was riding, back in the late 1960s, the rather tame Triumph T-Bird was not sold here. Instead we were offered, in 650cc format, the hotter TR6, the hotter-still twin-carb Bonneville and its racing brother, the Bonneville TT.

Now Triumph has introduced a new 2010 2-wheeled Thunderbird, which seems to fit in just fine with Triumph Thunderbird history, as this is an easy-ridin' cruiser, not a crotch-rocket cafe racer.

Full story here.

July 23, 2008

Spy photos: First Shots of 2010 Ford F-150 With Diesel Engine

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We knew there was a diesel version of the 2009 Ford F-150 in the works, and now we have the photos to prove it. Caught while testing in Death Valley, this F-150 Diesel prototype didn't try to conceal its identity. Under the hood, a Powerstroke-labeled engine cover makes it pretty clear that Ford will carry over its brand name from the heavy-duty diesel engine. Closer inspection also revealed a clearly visible additive inlet for the fluid used to clean up the exhaust. Expect to see the 2010 Ford F-150 Diesel on sale by the end of next year.

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July 21, 2008

Ford at Le Mans Classic 2008: Outstanding performance for the Model T

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A 1923 specially restored Ford Model T returned to the famous Le Mans 24 Hours circuit for the 2008 Le Mans Classic. This significant car took part in the very first Le Mans 24 hour race in 1923, and never before has such an old car participated in this prestigious biennial meeting of Le Mans Classic.

The press release and more after the jump.

Continue reading...

July 14, 2008

EcoBoost F-150 in the works?

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Are you ready for a 4-cylinder turbocharged F-150? Well Earl, hang on to your suspenders, as one is being considered. If green-lighted we should see it here in 2013.

The reasons are twofold: One the ever-rising fuel prices, and two, the new 28.6 mpg CAFE standard that goes into effect by 2015.

Full story here.

Vintage Canadian Fords and Mercurys

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Every now and then I stop by Hemming Auto Blogs to see what's going on with old cars.  Today I saw an entry on vintage Canadian cars, more specifically on Canadian Fords and Mercurys.

For those too young to remember, beginning back in 1946 and running through the 1960s Fords and Mercurys sold in Canada were badged differently than those here in the USA. I believe Lincolns were the same on both sides of the border, however.

A Canadian Ford was called a Meteor. Canadian Mercurys were called Monarchs and Canadian Ford trucks were sold as Mercury trucks. Not only was the badging different but so too was the styling. Ford was not alone here as GM and Chrysler also had their own Canadian-specific models.

Full story here and here.

July 9, 2008

Diesel pickups being spurned by buyers

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With the super-high diesel prices, customers of diesel pickups are turning their backs on them. Instead they are going back to gas-powered versions.

Diesel's have consistently run at 70 percent or better, for General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC. It was even better at Chrysler, as they sold close to 90 percent diesels for the Ram Heavy Duty.

Not so any more, as in May, the percent of Ford Super Duty Pickups diesels dropped to 51 percent. That time last year, the Super Duty diesels were selling at 71 percent.

From January-to-May Chrysler's Ram, diesel-engine share reached a high point of 88 percent in 2006, and was 87 percent in 2007. Now for the same period this year, diesel-engine sales for Ram Heavy Duty are down to 82 percent, while overall Ram Heavy Duty sales are off by 38 percent.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Buyers of Heavy-Duty Pickups Turning Their Backs on Diesel

July 8, 2008

Volvo to Chery?

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Rumors started popping up everywhere that Chery Automobile of China may be considering purchasing Volvo from Ford. According to reports, Chery is in the very beginning stages of undertaking a feasibility study of taking Volvo off of Ford's hands. The deal is expected to be worth around $4.4 billion.

Full story here.

July 2, 2008

June vehicle sales crash--hard!

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No surprise here: June vehicle sales went head-first into a brick wall. The only survivor of the 'Big 6' automakers is Honda. Some of the smaller brands that focus on smaller vehicles also showed some gains, Subaru, Mazda, VW and Suzuki being several. Check out the grizzly results on AutoObserver's monthly tally.

June Car Sales: U.S. Buyers Almost Veer Off the Road

Here's Inside Line's take: Ford, General Motors and Toyota Show 20 Percent Sales Drop in June and Honda Shines as Domestic Auto Industry Slumps

July 1, 2008

Is a Volvo sale next?

Now that the Land Rover/Jaguar sale to Tata is complete, might Ford be considering selling Volvo?

Ford has long denied that Volvo would be sold, however, Just-Auto.com is now reporting that just such a sale may indeed be in the works; if not in the works, at least is being comtemplated. If it happens, it would be much more difficult considering so that many Ford products are tied to Volvo platforms and vice-versa.

Full story here...

Continue reading...

June 25, 2008

Ford going after "workers" with '09 F-150 launch



The other day I posted about how Ford is going back to their original truck buyers with the launch of their all-new 2009 F-150 (Ford shifts trucks back to core buyers). Now we're seeing more details on this. Expect to see more ads touting 2-door work-related models, and less ads on 4-door family-oriented crew cabs or on luxury stuff. Also expect to see more XLT and XL ads, and less premium trim level ads...

Continue reading...

June 24, 2008

DOA: AutoObserver predicts future market failures

AutoObserver lists its "Dead-on-Arrival" new models. Some are already on the market, while others are just a few months out.

So do you agree? I question their listing of the Honda Accord here, as that model is selling quite well—but that could change...

Continue reading...

June 23, 2008

Ford shifts trucks back to core buyers



Look for a much greater emphasis from Ford on their 2009 truck marketing towards the traditional, core truck customers. These are the folks who will always need need a truck, and as such, Ford believes that's where their future lies.

Here are some interesting Ford truck facts from over the past few months, and what to expect next year from Ford:

• Regular cab sales have jumped from 12 percent to 20 percent.

• Crew cab sales have dropped from 65 percent to somewhere in the mid-50 percent range...

Continue reading...

Ford delays launch of '09 F-150

More evidence of the dying American truck market: First GM announced that the next generation full-size truck is being pushed back a few years (GM to delay next generation fo fullsize trucks and SUVs). Now Ford has announced that the '09 F-150 won't go on sale until later in the fall. This is roughly two months later than was originally planned for. The reason being is that Ford needs time to clear out inventory...

Continue reading...

June 12, 2008

Ford retooling truck plants to build Euro-Fords

Talk about a dramatic shift, Ford is going to revamp U.S. truck plants to build European Fords. One such conversions I'm excited to hear about is that Ford will start building the European Dodge Sprinter-sized Transit vans here, possibly at their Avon Lake factory, which currently build E-Series vans.

Other models under consideration for U.S...

Continue reading...

June 9, 2008

2009 F-150 and Ram 1500: New models in Tough Times



There's nothing much that can be done, as these vehicles were designed and planned for when truck sales were booming. Now the truck market is tanking and both Ford and Dodge have all-new 1/2-ton models that are about debut in one of the toughest truck markets ever seen. What's their chances of success? Is there anything that Ford and Dodge can do to, short of giving them away, to help these models succeed this fall when they arrive at dealers?

Full story here...

June 6, 2008

Ford cutting salary costs by 15%

In an e-mail to Ford salaried workers, Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, said that Ford would be delaying merit pay increases and would be cutting some benefits as well. In addition there will be a still-unknown number of involuntary layoffs. This is obviously a response to current market conditions in which a huge shift from large profitable trucks and SUVs to smaller more fuel-efficient (and less profitable) vehicles is taking place.

“This unfortunately will result in involuntary separations of Ford employees and agency personnel as well as cost savings through attrition and the consolidation of open positions,” he said...

Continue reading...

June 5, 2008

Model T Ford 100 year anniversary



This year marks the Model T Ford's 100 year anniversary. As such Ford's Piquette Avenue plant will be open on select dates. The Detroit plant has been restored to look like what it did back in 1908 when it first started building the car. Since the Model T is such an important car in terms of automotive history, I would expect that there would be a whole bunch of celebrations across the nation celebrating this vehicle this year...

Continue reading...

June 4, 2008

Honda Civic top seller in May



For the first time since 1991, the Ford F-150 has been pushed out of the number one selling slot by the Honda Civic (53,299). In fact the F-150 was also passed by the Toyota Corolla (52,826), Toyota Camry (51,291), and the Honda Accord (43,728). The F-150 came in fifth just 800 shy of the Accord (42,928). This just more evidence that the established order in the auto industry is quickly falling by the wayside...

Continue reading...

June 2, 2008

Jaguar/Land Rover/Tata transfer a done deal



It's a done deal. Tata now owns Jaguar and Land Rover, as official word of the sale was just announced. The deal nets Ford, the former owner, $1.7-billion, which is roughly one third of what they paid for the two luxury brands.

"This is a momentous time for all of us at Tata Motors," Tata Chairman Ratan N...

Continue reading...

Ford's next Fiesta, Fusion and Ka



Ford's next US-spec Fiesta (a model name not used here since 1981) is going to be built in Mexico. The Fiesta will be built in a plant that used to build F-Series trucks. It will be available as both a sedan and hatchback, and will arrive as a 2010 model.

Here's Inside Line's take: Ford Fiesta Sedan and Hatchback To Be Built in Mexico

Here's AutoObserver's take: Ford Builds Fiesta Sedan, Hatchback in Mexico

It looks like the next Ford Fusion will be getting a smiley face, sort of...

Continue reading...

Harley-powered "T" street rod



Now this is cool—I mean really COOL! Finally a new take on the well-worn street rod theme: A Model T Ford rod not powered by the expected hulkin' 'Merican V8, but instead powered by an unexpected hulkin' 'Merican Harley-Davidson V-twin. You can't get much more creative or patriotic than that.

...And it can be yours, as it was found on eBay by the auto sleuths over at Autoblog (here)...

Continue reading...

May 29, 2008

Would Jesus (or you) buy a Ford from Kieffe & Sons?

Kieffe & Sons, a Ford dealer from California, has taken it upon themselves to tell non-Christians to "sit down and shut up," in their car TV commercials.

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Did you know that there are people in this country who want prayer out of schools, "Under God" out of the Pledge, and "In God We Trust" to be taken off our money?

But did you know that 86% of Americans say they believe in God? Now, since we all know that 86 out of every 100 of us are Christians who believe in God, we at Kieffe & Sons Ford wonder why we don't just tell the other 14% to sit down and shut up. I guess maybe I just offended 14% of the people who are listening to this message...

Continue reading...

May 20, 2008

Ford has big plans for small trucks

Straightline (via PickupTrucks.com) reported last week that Ford was planning on reintroducing a smaller F-100 as a hedge against the collapse of the big truck market (Ford thinking about bringing back the F-100). Now The Detroit News also has a story up on this.

They also are reporting that Ford has an even smaller global truck in the works to replace the the Ranger. This new Ranger replacement is being designed in Australia, and will be built in South Africa...

Continue reading...

Ford to bring their Kuga and C-Max Stateside



More European Fords are coming. The already announced Fiesta, Focus and Transit Connect will be followed by the Kuga SUV (pictured) and C-Max MPV according to Motor Authority. The Fiesta should arrive in 2010, and the Focus in 2011, while the Kuga and C-Max are expected around 2011 or 2012.

Full story here...

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May 12, 2008

Ford thinking about bringing back the F-100



I have long hoped that Ford would up-size the next-gen Ranger, and call it an R-100. Well it appears that Ford has been thinking somewhat along those same lines, but with a twist: Replace the "R" with an "F."

The more I think about it, this is a brilliant marketing move—and sooooo much better than my idea!

The "F-100" name is iconic. It is one of the main reasons that Ford is where they are in terms of their F-Series popularity...

Continue reading...

May 6, 2008

Ford first automaker to join Climate Registry

Ford is the first automaker to join Climate Registry, which is an organization that keeps tabs on greenhouse gas emissions.

Ford’s willingness to join the registry will allow it to allow it to focus on reducing greenhouse gases as opposed to be concerning itself with reporting standards that vary around the globe.

The hope here is that Ford will voluntarily measure, verify and report greenhouse gas emissions annually and members of the public will be able to see these figures, meaning Ford will have to make a concentrated effort to reduce greenhouse gases in order to keep public opinion in its favor.

Full story here...

Hyundai to offer Sync-like infotainment system



The Microsoft Sync wireless communication system has been a huge hit for Ford. This is especially true on the Focus model line, as sales of Sync-equipped models have jumped off the charts. As a result expect to see more vehicle brands to offer similar units, and the first being Hyundai.

Hyundai has just struck up a deal with Microsoft, to offer a infotainment system much like what Ford is offering...

Continue reading...

Ford diesel video

Autoblog recently did video interviewing Ford's Powertrain boss, Dan Kapp, on diesels and their future at Ford. What I found interesting is where Kapp compares diesel to gasoline engines, some of which I already knew, but some of which I didn't.



Full story here