On December 1, Ford dealers will start taking orders for its new 6.2-liter 2010 V8 Raptor. The pickup, now the most powerful half-ton truck on the market, makes 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque -- 91 hp more than the standard 5.4-liter Triton V8. The high-speed off-roader will start at $41,995, including destination and delivery.
Also today, Ford announced a limited-edition race version, the 2011 FR Raptor XT.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Honda CR-Z to Make it Stateside Honda confirmed at the Tokyo Auto Show that the CR-Z concept coupe will go into production and debut in North America in the second half of 2010. This sporty two-seater will be Honda's latest expansion into the hybrid market and one of the first to have any sort of athletic leanings.
Green Car Advisor: Ford Focus EV Prototype Driven Senior Editor John O'Dell just drove an electric Ford Focus Prototype and his first impressions are favorable - for the car. He notes that an EV charging infrastructure is needed to ensure widespread success, though. With any luck, utility companies have until 2011 to get these stations up and running - when the production Focus EV is slated to go on sale. This Focus will also be based on the European Focus platform.
Auto Observer: Dodge Has High Hopes for the Heavy Duty Rams In the 1980's, the minivan saved Chrysler. Now, the company is looking to the 2010 Heavy Duty Ram pickups to pull them out from bankruptcy. The big Rams are the first new models to come out of Chrysler since narrowly avoiding its latest financial demise. Inside Line has a freshly posted First Drive of the Heavy Duty Rams, and the future looks bright thanks to a slew of improvements.
In a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, Ford has partnered with electronics retail giant Best Buy to help car owners connect their mobile phones with the automaker's Sync system.
Best Buy will be offering the service through its Best Buy Mobile division, which sells mobile phones and wireless plans, as well as through the retailer's Geek Squad, which also offers car electronics installation -- and sells competing aftermarket products.
Ford is issuing a voluntary recall of an additional 4.5 million vehicles for a faulty cruise control deactivation switch, the latest of eight recalls for the same problem. The switch can leak hydraulic fluid, overheat and then burn, even if the cruise control isn't activated or the vehicle is turned off or unattended.
Although Ford is unaware of any accidents, injuries or fatalities related to the problem, it is urging all owners of recalled vehicles to immediately make a service appointment with a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer and not to park vehicles in garages or near homes until repairs are made.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer: 2010 Ford Taurus Hits Targets in Cross Shopping Ford's decision to take the 2010 Taurus in an upscale direction has proven to be a success for them. Edmunds research shows that buyers are now cross shopping the Taurus with some luxury vehicles, and ordering them fully loaded with technology packages.
Green Car Advisor: Getting Realistic Fuel Economy Rating for Plug-In Hybrids No Easy Chore Once you start having vehicles than can operate on electric power for extended periods, the conventional method of calculating miles per gallon goes out the window. Exploitation of the current method has allowed automakers to make outrageous mpg claims in excess of 200 mpg. But what is the best way to get real world mpg numbers on plug-in hybrid vehicles? Follow the link for a discussion of the alternatives.
Straightline: Ford collision warning testing Ford's Collision Warning system uses radar to scan for vehicles ahead and warns the driver if it senses that an impact is imminent. The system also engages an electronic brake assist to help divers stop sooner. Testing of this collision warning system was conducted in a unique way- though the use of special balloons, shaped like vehicles.
It's football season and that means the timeless American tradition of tailgating is in full swing. Here are five vehicles that would be good choices for tailgating. I sampled a wide selection of price ranges and decided that each should either have a tailgate or liftgate. Enjoy.
The all-new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is top-speed governed to 100 mph. I know this because Ford Vehicle Dynamics Engineer Gene Martindale points to the speedometer which is hovering at an indicated 102 mph as he pilots the Raptor flat-out on a closed course. We are chatting in a nearly normal tone of voice, but there's no pavement in sight. We're heading up a wide, rock-strewn sand wash in the Anza Borrego desert, and I spot a nearly knee-high gully cutting diagonally across the wash ahead and brace for the impact, which I'm sure will be ugly.
It isn't. As I mention in the Raptor's test drive, Ford's new off-road F-150 soaks up the gully with a muted whump and just a slight dip to the left, and we're still on the 100-mph governor. I'd come up the same wash only an hour before with the speedo hovering above 80 mph, and was still trying to recalibrate my brain to a production vehicle that can not only attain such speeds off-road, but thrive in them.
Ford introduced its next generation of its Super Duty pickups at, appropriately enough, the Texas state fair. With a massive, blocky grille and equally brawny body styling, the new Super Duty features a number of key improvements that should interest its core demographic, that being folks who use these trucks as serious work horses. Highlights among the key features include:
Some cars get more credit than they deserve, while others languish in obscurity because of any number of factors -- lack of brand prestige, poor advertising, odd styling. Yet here are five from popular segments that are certainly worth a test drive.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Nissan Announces Pricing on 2010 Titan The Nissan Titan gets a slight bump in price for 2010. The Titan XE King Cab 4x2 starts at $27,100 and the top of the line Titan SE Long Wheelbase with crew cab starts at $34,630 for the 4X4 model. There are two new exterior colors for 2010 and an available SE Value Truck Package.
Green Car Advisor: Ford to Introduce 2-Cylinder Engine, and Smallest Turbocharged, Next Year Ford's EcoBoost and direct injection technologies has allowed them to create smaller engines without much of a sacrifice in power. They are planning to incorporate these EcoBoost engines into numerous models. In some cases the EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine will replace their 3.0 liter V6.
Karl on Cars: Talk Back Tuesday: Will a 60-Day Guarantee Get You to Buy a GM Product? Edmunds' Editor in Chief, Karl Brauer, examines General Motors recent ad campaign, and raises two key points: 1) Are GM's cars really as good or better than the competition? 2) Can GM convince a substantial amount of potential customers its cars are as good or better than the competition?
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: 2010 Audi R8 Spyder: Exposed! Images of the 2010 Audi R8 Spyder have leaked out, less than a week before its official unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Our keen eyes spotted a few unique differences from the coupe. Can you spot them too?
Green Car Advisor: 2010 Honda CR-V on Sale Now The 2010 Honda CR-V has been slightly revised, and is now available at dealerships nationwide. Aside from a few cosmetic changes, the CR-V's 2.4 liter engine has gained 14 more horsepower and a 1 mpg boost in fuel economy in both the city and highway. Pricing starts at $21,545.
Auto Observer: Ford Poised To Grab Medium-Truck Share with New Power Stroke Diesel When Ford debuts its 2011 Super Duty F-Series trucks next spring, the 6.7-liter V8 turbodiesel will most likely steal the spotlight. Ford's new Power Stroke diesel engine has been redesigned from the ground up, and will offer a substantial boost in horsepower and torque.
I'm not a fan of the way the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies went down. The case of GM is particularly vexing: billions of taxpayer dollars later, we've still got members of the old guard calling the shots. Maybe we should have saved our money and let 'em go bankrupt the hard way, eh?
Nonetheless, there are some signs that Detroit is finally getting it. Well, GM and Ford, at any rate; the most notable news out of Chrysler lately has been the removal of the hood strakes from the 2010 Sebring, a godsend for car-renting aesthetes across the country. Seriously, though, GM and Ford have been making moves. Here's three encouraging signs of life.
Auto Observer: Less is More? Smaller Pickups Benefit from C4C Auto Observer reports sales of more fuel-efficient midsize pickups have fared much better than their larger, thirstier stablemates - thank in no small part to the Cash for Clunkers program. In August, the Toyota Tacoma outsold the massive Tundra, the Ford Ranger saw a dramatic increase compared to the F-Series and the Chevy Colorado made modest gains while sales of the full-size Silverado plummeted. With the end of the Cash for Clunkers program, sales are expected to return to previous levels, but it remains to be seen if the shift to smaller trucks will continue.
Green Car Advisor: Dodge Caliber Heads to Frankfurt with Much-Needed Improvements Chrysler will be unveiling an improved Dodge Caliber at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month, according to Green Car Advisor. The big news is the addition of a 2.2-liter turbo diesel, but there are no plans to bring that engine stateside. What we will get, however, are an all-new interior plus improvements to the gasoline-powered engines, in the way of increased power, better fuel economy along with smoother and quieter operation.
IL News: Lexus Rolls-Out Refreshed LS and GS Models in Frankfurt Inside Line reports that Lexus will be unveiling the 2010 LS and GS models at the Frankfurt Motor Show. These are not complete redesigns, however, just a few styling tweaks and improvements like new seats, updated hardware and better driving dynamics.
Ford will introduce the industry's most advanced turbodiesel engine when it unveils its redesigned 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks. Using the same basic engine architecture as BMW's turbocharged V8, the new 6.7-liter V8 flips the location of the exhaust and intake manifolds. There is also a new compacted graphite iron block, B20 bio-diesel capability, reduced NVH, enhanced emissions controls and a single-sequential turbocharger with an industry-first double-sided turbo compressor wheel, which theoretically acts like a twin-turbocharger.
The big news in this big truck, though, is the lay-out. By placing the exhaust in the valley between cylinder banks, Ford engineers reduced the amount of exhaust system volume, which allows air to be fed into the single-sequential turbocharger quicker for faster spool up and reduced lag. It also keeps the hot exhaust system away from other engine components that need to remain cool.
Ford claims that the net result will be more torque and horsepower, though it didn't publish exact numbers. For comparison, though, the current 6.4-liter turbodiesel that wowed us back in 2008 produces 350 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque. Chevy's HD truck line is the current king of the hill with a 6.6-liter diesel V8 good for 365 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is also said to improve, though we may never know for sure since heavy-duty trucks aren't required to report fuel economy figures.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere. Auto Observer: Toyota Closing NUMMI In March; Tacoma to Texas Toyota announced yesterday that it will be closing its NUMMI assembly plant in Fremont, CA. This facility was a joint-venture operation with General Motors, which was responsible for producing the Toyota Tacoma, Corolla, and the Pontiac Vibe. Tacoma production will be moved to San Antonio, where it is expected to create 4,700 new jobs. Green Car Advisor: Think Exits Bankruptcy; First City EVs To Be Delivered by Year-End Norwegian electric vehicle maker Think has emerged from its bankruptcy proceedings with new investors and a $47 million capital infusion. A spokesperson for its North American division says that the company is on track to begin U.S. sales next year.
IL News: Ford Beefs Up Shifts at Two U.S. Truck Plants A surge in sales due to cash for clunkers has prompted Ford to add a third manufacturing shift and increase production of the Ford F-150, Escape, and Mercury Mariner. Although Cash for Clunkers ended on Monday, Ford expects demand to remain strong.
Toyota's Corolla was the most purchased car under the Cash for Clunkers program.
The Department of Transportation is tooting its own horn. Claiming overwhelming success for the Cash for Clunkers program, the federal government is crowing about the 690,114 sales the program spurred, the fuel economy gains made, and the American jobs restored.
But there's the nagging fact that vehicle transaction prices actually rose during the program, as some manufacturers and dealers cut back on their own incentive offerings. Customers taking advantage of the program still got great deals -- just not as great as if they'd been able to simply tack the C4C rebate onto the market prices that existed before the program.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Chrysler Kills Lifetime Powertrain Warranty Starting with the 2010 model year, fans of Chrysler's lifetime warranty will have to settle for a five-year/100,000-mile warranty coverage that can be transferred at no charge during the sale of a vehicle. The new program will include the Dodge Viper and Chrysler's SRT performance-car lineup.
Green Car Advisor: Ford Announces Electric Vehicle-to-Grid Communications System Ford's new intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will allow vehicle owner's to choose when the vehicle should recharge, for how long and at what utility rate. Ford and its power company partners will be the first to use these vehicles.
Decent power, lots of passenger and cargo space, feature-packed, an imposing silhouette, an upright driving position, a heavy curb weight and a lack of rearward visibility. If you think we're talking about the latest SUV, you'd be mistaken - we're referring to the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus. Yes, the new big bull from Detroit shares some traits with SUVs, but is that a good or bad thing? Our just published full test drive investigates the answer.
Telematics has been dominated by OnStar since the service first launched over a decade ago. And while other automakers, including BMW and Mercedes, offer their own telematics systems, OnStar has become the Kleenex or Xerox of the field and synonymous with telematics service.
Even if most car buyers have no idea what the term "telematics" means, when they think of features such as automatic crash notification, remote door unlocking and other off-board safety and convenience services, they think of OnStar, thanks to the GM-owned company's massive marketing efforts.
But OnStar is facing increasing competition. Ford launched its 911 Assist service in December 2008 by including it on all new Sync-equipped vehicles, and owners of most '08 and '09 Sync-equipped vehicles can get the service by having a dealer upgrade the system's software for a nominal fee.
Meanwhile, Lexus -- a former customer of OnStar with its Lexus Link telematics service, which will continue in "legacy" mode on models still in service -- recently launched its Enform with Safety Connect system on the new 2010 HS 250h hybrid and, like Ford, plans to eventually include it in all of its cars.
While it isn't feasible for us to test the crash-notification aspects of telematics systems -- at least not with the press cars we drive -- we checked out the latest convenience services offered for Ford's Sync system and Lexus Enform that best compete with OnStar. And we found that while Ford takes a radically different approach, Lexus plays it safe but throws in a few unique features.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: 2010 Ford Taurus named a Top Safety Pick by IIHS The all-new 2010 Ford Taurus was selected as one of the IIHS' Top Safety Picks. In addition to its ability to keep occupants safe in a variety of collisions, the Taurus gets high marks for its numerous high-tech safety features like cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning and Ford's programmable MyKey system.
Green Car Advisor: Obama Administration Grants $100 Million for EV Charging Infrastructure Program The Obama administration awarded a nearly $100 million grant to little-known Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (eTec) in Phoenix, AZ. eTec has been charged with the creation of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the new Nissan Leaf electric vehicle (EV). This pilot program aims to install about 2,500 charging stations each in Tennessee and Oregon, the cities of San Diego and Seattle, and the Phoenix/Tucson area -- the same markets which will receive their share of 5,000 Leaf EVs.
IL News: Ford Mustang and Porsche Panamera Customization Sites Go Live Curious to see what the Mustang of your dreams would look like, or what the worst color combinations are for a Porsche Panamera? Now you can. The new customization sites allow users to see what affect their options and trim levels have on the exterior and interior appearance -- from the sublime to the ridiculous.
The 3 and 6 mph tests were designed to see how the cars' bumpers protect fenders, headlights, trunks, grilles and other parts from costly damage. The lowest estimated repair cost from the test was $742 on the front of the Mazda 6; the highest was $3,494 on the rear of the Chevy Malibu. Repair costs are influenced by both the price of replacement parts and the complexity of repairs.
"Consumers buy midsize cars for practical reasons. There's nothing practical about a $1,000-plus repair bill after a minor bump in commuter traffic," says Joe Nolan, Institute senior vice president.
There is a figure floating out there that states that there are roughly 1.8 cars per person in Los Angeles, garnering the city the honor of being the most car-populated city (per capita) in the world. This distinction may be due to a lack of a viable public transportation system, the nearly perfect year-round weather or expansive urban sprawl. Whichever the case, Southern California could arguably claim to be the car capital of the world. In fact, BMW once stated that if SoCal were a nation separate from the rest of the U.S., it would account for about 25% of their global sales.
It's fitting, then, that car designers and students of the craft flock to the area. We were recently allowed inside the Ford Design Studio -- camera in hand -- to give you an idea of what it's like inside the high-pressure, wildly creative and ultra cool world of car design. Coincidentally, we attended the Art Center Classic the day before -- a car show that also provides a glimpse inside the student side of automotive design.
Roush Performance Products has recalled 81of its 2010 Ford Mustangs because of a problem with the sport brake kit option that could lead to brake failure.
According to NHTSA, "the caliper anchor plate mounting bolts may become loose or dislodged during operation," and this could lead to "loss of stopping performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash." Affected models include the Roush 427R Mustang, Roush Stage 1 Mustang and Roush Stage 2 Mustang.
Roush will repair the vehicles free of charge. Owners may contact the company for more information at 866-307-6788. You may also visit Safercar.gov for more details, referencing recall number 09V290000.
So I was in Detroit earlier this week for Ford's 2010 model rollout. And if you're experiencing a vague sense of deja vu, then you are officially a diehard fan of the Weekly Top 3. I did this last year, too, and in that post I mentioned three of Ford's projections for 2010. Now that I've got the inside info, let's see how those projections turned out.
Smeared greasepaint reveals how curtain airbags can protect a driver's head from hitting hard surfaces.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) usually tests 4-door family cars, but recently responded to public demand by conducting front, side, and rear tests of 2009 coupes, including the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Scion tC, all small models, plus the midsize Volvo C30. The 2009 Ford Focus and 2009 Volvo C30 took top honors.
In the side-impact test, which simulates being struck by a pickup or SUV, all five cars were judged "Good" or "Acceptable. Notably, while the other four coupes were rated "Good" in the frontal offset sets, the Scion tC was rated only acceptable.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost First Drive We've been quite taken with our long-term Ford Flex crossover SUV, and it's only got the base 263-horsepower V6. Imagine what it could do with a twin-turbocharged 355-hp V6. Or let our man Dan Pund fill in the blanks for you with his Road Test of the new 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost.
GreenCar: Just How Environmentally Friendly Are Hybrid Drivers? According to a recent study, hybrid drivers might not be as environmentally friendly as they tend to think they are. Not only do they put more miles on their cars, but they also get more speeding tickets, and we all know Mother Earth doesn't dig fast or frequent driving. Senior Editor John O'Dell gets to the bottom of it here.
AutoObserver: More GM Plant Closings? New GM CEO Fritz Henderson has claimed in recent press briefings that the wave of GM plant closings has subsided, but it seems GM may have overestimated its market share for the coming year by up to four percent. If that's correct, then the newly reconstituted carmaker will sell roughly 500,000 fewer cars than expected -- and that could bring additional plant closures in the manufacturing network. Bill Visnic has the full story here.
Recently, we were invited to attend the premier of "Born in Baja," a documentary that tells the story of a group of Ford Engineers, designers, and race program directors who took the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor truck from concept to reality. They decided to test the vehicle at the Baja 1000, one of the toughest off-road races in the world.
At first glance, the film may come across as a long commercial for the SVT Raptor, but once underway, the trials and tribulations of this truck and its crew compel you to keep watching. At its core, the "Born in Baja" documentary displays many of the classic conflicts: man versus man (competition between the other racers), man versus machine (the struggles with mechanical repairs), and man versus nature (dealing with the elements of the desert terrain).
Ford Motor Company announced a recall of the 2009 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs for an improperly adjusted brake lamp switch. An estimated 1,357 vehicles are thought to have been affected. According to NHTSA's recall summary, "this may result in a delay in brake stoplamp illumination when the brake pedal is depressed. In situations of very mild brake application, the brake stoplamps may not illuminate."
All Ford and Lincoln dealers will adjust the stoplamps switch free of charge. Owners with the affected vehicles can get more details from a few sources: the Ford Customer Relationship Center can be reached at (866) 436-7332 or at ownerconnection.com, the National Highway Traffic Administration's vehicle safety hotline (888) 327-4326, and safercar.gov. For reference, this is Ford recall NO.09C09.
Inside Line: Launched -- 2010 Kia Denim Soul In honor of the late, lovely Farrah Fawcett -- who wore denim better than anyone on the planet -- we're noting the launch of a new, special-edition Kia: the Denim Soul.
For 2010, Ford updated its retro-styled Mustang with some less-retro style, a more powerful V8, updated interior appointments and materials and improved footwork. However, it will also cost you more, especially when you consider that there are no significant incentives available.
The '09 Mustang GT, on the other hand, still offers enthusiasts the classic style and performance that has helped to sell over nine million examples of this iconic muscle car over the course of the last 45 years. However, it does this in conjunction with significant discounts and some enticing incentives. Those incentives make the '09 Mustang GT our deal of the week. Details after the jump.
The new 2010 Ford Taurus seems to be the flavor of the week, with consumers and enthusiasts alike clamoring for tidbits of information. We were fortunate enough to take part in a drive from Knoxville, TN to Asheville, NC to sample the 2010 Taurus and the spicier Taurus SHO version. (By the way, Ford's people no longer spell out S-H-O when they refer to it and instead pronounce it as "show.").
A downpour that had us contemplating building a big wooden ark kept us from getting a good grasp on the base Taurus models, but we'll have a full test coming shortly. Fortunately, the clouds parted just in time for us to put the Taurus SHO through its paces on one of the best roads in the nation -- the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our previous post on the Taurus covered our initial impressions of the exterior and interior. Now we'll concentrate on what it's like behind the wheel.
Ford has created quite a buzz lately with its all-new full-size sedans -- the 2010 Taurus and Taurus SHO. We'll have a more in-depth review of how they drive and ride on Monday and Tuesday, but right now we can only provide our static impressions.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line News: Glassroof 'Stang is Back for 2010 C'mon, we can't just talk about all doom and gloom in the auto industry these days. Brighten up your summer a bit and go check out the glass roof option on the new 2010 Mustang. As close as you can get to the joy of open-air motoring without a convertible top, the UV resistant glass roof is available across the Mustang lineup.
Auto Observer: GM on the Fritz General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson dishes about all things GM in this wide ranging web-chat that covers everything from the latest bankruptcy news to executive pay, clunkers, and Saab's next chapter.
Inside Line: Subaru's Electric Stella Whether we'll be ready or not, electric cars are coming. IL's man in Japan Peter Lyon takes a drive in Subaru's upcoming domestic-market Stella, and chats about the issues that will dominate electric car adoption: cost, cruising range, and top speed.
Today's Idle Chat Topic: Summer officially starts next week, which means it's also prime road-trip season. If you're needing advice about a car for a road-trip, Edmunds.com has this article. But we just saw a new road-trip movie of sorts (Hangover) and had a more esoteric thought: What famous movie or TV car would we want to drive on a road trip?
Mr. Romans: This is a tough one. Part of the problem is that so many dream cars of my youth (KITT, the General Lee) have been tarnished by lame TV or movie redos. I would consider the Ford Falcon V8 Interceptor from Mad Max and The Road Warrior, but in this case I think we would have more fun with the dog grooming van from Dumb and Dumber. It doesn't exactly meet editor Sadlier's requirements for a good road trip car. But in return, I could sing "Mockingbird" with Bryn. It can't get any better than that.
Ms. MacKinnon: Brent, no way are you dragging me on a road trip with you in a van that looks like a dog. I'll be driving cross-country in the bright yellow Volkswagen T2 "Microbus" from Fox Searchlight's 2006 film "Little Miss Sunshine", thank you very much. And I'm taking Michael Cera, Jon Stewart and Steve Carell with me. We will play Slug-a-Bug, eat Giant Cheetos and listen to a continuous loop of ABBA Oro.
Idle Chat is hosted by Bryn MacKinnon and Brent Romans, two editors at Edmunds.com. Each Sunday in the Idle Chat Lounge (read: the ArcLight movie theater in Hollywood), they pontificate on a topic that's kinda about cars.
Form and function are often mutually exclusive when it comes to the task of moving people and stuff. Minivans excel at the latter, but fall short on the former. CUV's and wagons often look stylish, but at the expense of cargo capacity (Audi A4, I'm lookin' at you!). The Ford Flex looks to crack the form vs function formula with a space-maximizing boxy shape, while at the same time not looking like the box it came in.
Edmunds' editors said that the Flex should appeal to any family looking for a winning combination of panache and practicality and suggest that consumers looking at either a minivan or a large crossover SUV give it strong consideration. However, sales have not been as strong as Ford would have liked (yeah, the recession certainly hasn't helped). In an effort to stimulate sales, Ford is offering some "flex"ible incentives for its stylish people-mover. Read about them after the jump.
It's easy to be skeptical about cars from a rental fleet because you don't know how much abuse they've suffered under their multiple drivers. And they often come without of a lot of desirable options. When money's tight, though (and when isn't it?), these vehicles can be real bargains.
It's heartening to hear that Ford will bring its excellent Euro-spec Fiesta and Focus compacts to the US market by early next year. Too often, though, Europeans get the good stuff while we're stuck with the dregs (e.g., the current Focus). Here are the three Euro-only models I miss the most.
In the midst of June gloom, Volvo, Ford and Chrysler are trying to brighten their sales with special incentives.
Volvo: The Swedish automaker will offer extended warranty coverage with its Safe + Sound Coverage Plan on all its vehicles except the new XC60 SUV. It runs from June 2 to 30 and includes: 5 year, 60,000-mile warranty (versus 4 years, 50,000) 5 years complimentary factory scheduled maintenance (versus 3 years miles) 5 years of roadside assistance (versus 4 years) 5 years Wear & Tear Coverage (includes free replacement of wiper blades and brake pads and rotors).
Ford: The Blue Oval's Drive the Ford Difference is offering 0-percent financing and three months worth of payments on all its 2009 Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles (other than hybrids and the Shelby GT500). There are smaller incentives available on 2010 models, excluding the redesigned Mustang. Also, Ford will donate $20 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure every time a customer test drives a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury.
Chrysler: From June 2 to July 1, Chrysler will offer 0-percent financing for 60 months through GMAC on select 2009 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles or up to $4,000 cash. Current Chrysler Group vehicle owners are eligible for $1,000 on most 2008 and 2009 vehicles. There's a further $1,000 available to qualified members of participating credit unions.
Ford announced a recall of 8,735 F-150 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards. The official release states, "the brake stop lamp switch may be improperly adjusted. This may result in a delay in brake stop lamp illumination when the brake pedal is depressed. In situations of very mild brake application, the brake stop lamps may not illuminate."
The switch in question will be replaced free of charge at Ford dealers starting on may 13, 2009. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 or online at www.ownerconnection.com -- reference Ford recall no. 09c07. Owners may also contact the National Highway & Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
Automakers have been aggressively muscling in on the aftermarket's dominance in car electronics for about 10 years now. A watershed moment for me was when Lexus linked up with the high-end home-audio brand Mark Levinson in 2000: It was the first time I thought that the sound quality of an OEM system could be seriously compared to what was available from the aftermarket. But you could still get something better from the aftermarket for the same amount of money.
What a difference a decade makes. Not only have auto-audio brand hookups proliferated, but car companies have taken the lead on several tech fronts, such as with the seamless iPod and Bluetooth integration offered by Ford's Sync system -- for which the aftermarket still hasn't come up with a better or less expensive alternative. Talk about a reversal of roles.
And although the aftermarket will always be the place to go if you want the utmost quality, maximum flexibility and the latest features, we wondered whether automakers or the aftermarket now offer the best value for the average consumer. So we considered four categories in which the two camps compete -- audio, rear-seat entertainment, navigation and Bluetooth -- to determine whether you get more for your money from automakers or the aftermarket.
While not an apples-to-apples comparison, our analysis gives a good indication of what it will cost on average to go each route. And the results we found in a recent feature story are surprising.
Back in early March, months of planning and logistics that could put NASA to shame came together in an incredibly in-depth comparison test of four popular full-sized trucks. The smackdown consisted of four tow-equipped, crew cab models: the Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 4WD Crew Cab, Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 4WD Crew, Ford F-150 Lariat 4WD SuperCrew and Toyota Tundra SR5 4WD CrewMax.
The full story on Inside Line gave the overall win to the Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie, but as the story notes, the margin of victory to last place was incredibly slim. Some of the competitors excelled in certain areas but lagged in others, and we'd like to take the time to point out these traits for consumers that have a narrower focus on what they need from a truck. Keep in mind too, that some trucks offer options that may even-things up or possibly change the final rankings. For this exercise, we're comparing the models as they were delivered to us.
Today's Idle Chat Topic: What would you put in the optional refrigerated bin in the center console of the rear seat of the 2009 Ford Flex?
Ms. MacKinnon: Why not use the Flex's fridge to support a (very, very) small ice cream vendor business? Hey, in this economy, it doesn't hurt to get creative about income sources. And even though the usable space is pretty paltry, I bet I could jam six or seven Choco Tacos in there. Or a handful of yogurt push-ups. Now I just have to get a PA system and choose a creepy theme song. I'm taking suggestions.
Mr. Romans: Well, I took a peek in my refrigerator for ideas. I had a jar with three olives in it, mustard, some carrots and a small container that, near as I can tell, used to have guacamole in it. I really need to go shopping. So I guess I'd just end up with bottled water or something. Still, with the top of the refrigerated bin being hinged on the front, it's difficult (but not impossible) to get in there while driving. It seems Ford doesn't want us Americans to be snacking on our chilled items while in motion.
Idle Chat is hosted by Brent Romans and Bryn MacKinnon, two editors at Edmunds.com. Each Sunday in the Idle Chat Lounge (read: the freezer section of the Costco in Inglewood), they pontificate on a topic that's kinda about cars.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
AutoObserver Is the Excitement Over? For anyone even moderately interested in automobiles or the global financial meltdown, it should come as no surprise that GM is likely going to kill-off the Pontiac brand. In an era when most of the models from Pontiac are rebadged vehicles from GM's stable -- save for a few exciting foreign adaptations like the G8 and GTO -- it appears that this satellite brand is simply unsustainable. This "first domino" is rumored to fall on Monday -- as if Monday's weren't hard enough.
Green Car Advisor 2010 Lexus RX 450h Pricing Revealed: A Greener Car Without Spending More Green Though we don't expect the revamped hybrid crossover in showrooms until this summer, Lexus has revealed pricing for the 2010 RX 450h. Buyers will save about $400 compared to the 2008 base model and about $200 for the AWD model. On top of a couple extra Benjies in their wallets, owners will get more power, better fuel economy, lower emissions and additional features. Who says it isn't easy being green?
Green Car Advisor Bill Ford Steers the Blue Oval Toward Greener Pastures Speaking at a Fortune Magazine conference in California, Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. made it clear that the company is embracing emerging technology to power the next generation of Ford vehicles. Rather than declaring one particular technology the victor, Junior hinted that Ford may pursue several different propulsion options. Also notable is the possibility that FoMoCo may purchase advanced batteries from Asia for use in the domestic market, though Mr. Ford cautioned that the U.S. should not allow foreign countries to dominate this field.
Straightline Audi Changes Its Engine Lineup in a Confusing, Alphabet Soup Mash-Up Audi has made some significant changes to its U.S. engine and model lineup for 2010. If notated via its alphanumeric script, the changes would look something like: [(2009 TT + A3) - VW VR6, 2.0T] + (A4 - 265hp 3.2 V6 = 2.0T); [(S4 + A6 + (A5 + 2.0T)] = 3.0 SC V6; [S8 = (2010 - V10)] + [5.2 V10 = (S6 + R8)]; 2008 A8 (W12) = 0. For translation, head over to the Straightline blog.
The latest Highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Karl on Cars Could the Ford Mustang Ever Happen Again? The Ford Mustang turns 45 this year. Edmunds.com Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer examines the circumstances that led to the success of one of the longest-running vehicles in production and questions whether that success can be ever duplicated. Also be sure to check out the Mustang retrospective on Straightline, where they tried to find the best Mustang of each generation. Follow the links to see of you agree with their choices.
Green Car Advisor The 'SmartWay' To Purchase a Green Vehicle Can Save You Some Green Many people buy fuel-efficient vehicles to save money on gas and help reduce emissions. A new program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can also get you a better interest rate on your car loan if it has been certified as a "SmartWay" vehicle. A number of banks and credit unions are participating in this program designed to reward consumers who choose to purchase a green vehicle.
Straightline New Tire Tech: Continental Extreme Contact DW & DWS Continental has released two new high-performance tires for varied weather conditions. The Extreme Contact DW and DWS feature some of the latest advances in tire technology. One of the more notable features is a series of letters molded into the tire treads. If any letter is worn out, the tire is no longer considered optimal for the corresponding weather condition. Straightline editors were given the opportunity to try these tires and offer their impressions.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
Straightline Ford Fiesta Outsells Volkswagen Golf in Europe Europe's having a Fiesta and it doesn't involve a mariachi band. Ford's completely redesigned Fiesta compact hatchback was the No. 1-selling car in Europe for March, with 52,805 units sold. It bumped off perennial favorite Volkswagen Golf. This means that the new Fiesta is not only a runaway critical success, but also a runaway sales success. You'd think this would be incentive for Ford to bring it over here as quickly as possible, but you'd be wrong. Don't expect our Fiesta until next year at the earliest. You'd better put away that sombrero.
Green Car Advisor Pack Up the Kids, Low Summer Gas Prices Predicted Domestic gasoline prices are forecast to stay relatively low during the summer months that typically are a high-demand season. The Energy Information Administration calls for regular-grade gasoline to peak $2.30 per gallon, with the summer average falling to $2.23. Last summer's per-gallon average of $3.81. Therefore, expect an increase in family road trips to the Grand Canyon and Mt. Rushmore this summer in newly purchased Suburbans.
Edmunds Auto Observer Take My Pickup, Please Maybe those lower gas prices will help pickup sales, because as of today, they are plunging faster than a grand piano dumped off the Sears Tower. Full-size pickup sales for the Detroit Three in the first quarter plunged 45.2 percent for GM's Silverado/Sierra, 44.9 percent for Ford's F-Series and 32 percent for Chrysler's Dodge Ram. If this trend were to continue, Ford would sell only 326,000 units this year, compared to 888,818 in 2004 (its best year). Chevy would go to 269,132 from 705,951. The only commentary needed is "wow."
Ford Motor Company has learned that people who search using its company name may be targeted for a scam selling bogus anti-software.
According to Ford's press release, if a computer user searches using the word Ford, they may be falsely lead to pages that instruct the user to download and install a malicious program. Once installed, the software imitates anti-virus and software.
The bogus anti-virus programs are designed to make people believe their computers are infected with a virus and sell them software to clean it. The program even makes their computers run poorly to convince them to buy their software.
More information is available on a video and a blog post. Ford is working with Google and other search engines to rectify the situation.
Thanks to lower gas prices, fuel economy isn't the be-all and end-all that it once was with car shoppers. Still, those with any kind of foresight know that change is the only constant. Fuel prices might be agreeable enough today, but historically, they've shown themselves to be as unpredictable as hormonal teens.
Shoppers taking a longer-term view when it comes to gas prices will want to check out our list of the 10 most fuel-efficient sedans.
We live in an age in which car gadgets allow us to do more than ever behind the wheel: make hands-free phone calls, receive and send text messages, search for the best gas prices and restaurants, listen to our entire music library and more. But of all the cool car technology available, the most significant advances are the ones that could save your life. Or at least a trip to the hospital or the body shop.
In a recent Edmunds feature, we highlight the latest safety technology from BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo that you'll see in showrooms soon. From cameras and sensors that help a driver see what's around a vehicle to Volvo's City Safety (shown above) that provides automatic braking in stop-and-go traffic, these innovative features represent the cutting-edge of available auto safety technology.
And could someday become as common as seatbelts and airbags.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Straightline
2010 Chevrolet Equinox Priced at $23,185 General Motors has announced pricing for the four-cylinder version of its 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. A base front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder LS model will go for $23,185. That is a $1,825 drop from the outgoing model which featured a small V6, which basically put out the same amount of power as the new direct-injection inline-4.
Steve Saleen's New Company To Honor Warranties of Steve Saleen's Old Company Auto tuning master Steve Saleen has a new company called SMS Supercars. He started it after he was more or less booted out of his old company. Soon after his departure, the new owners issued a statement saying they were not responsible for honoring the warranty on Saleen vehicles. Thankfully, and quite shockingly, Steve Saleen has stepped into the fray to resolve the situation.
2010 Ford Transit Connect Full Pricing and Options Urban-bound plumbers rejoiced this week when Ford announced pricing for its 2010 Transit Connect work van. Imagine a miniature version of the Dodge Sprinter. It starts at $20,780.
For photos and more information, see this Straightline entry from the Chicago Auto Show
Ford is in the midst of a real product renaissance, with each new model achieving higher class marks in refinement, fuel economy and performance. This has helped to make Ford the strongest of the three domestic manufacturers, with a more competitive product mix than either GM or Chrysler. One vehicle that helped to kick off Ford's recent product overhaul is the Fusion mid-sized sedan. With a refreshed 2010 model going on sale now, there are great deals to be had on the still desirable 2009 model. Read about them after the jump.
In Face Off, we will pit cars against each other, but instead of the full-blown, highly scrutinized, professional comparison test, this is something different. One editor will defend the honor of one car, and make the case for why they would buy it -- and why the other guy is wrong. In the end, you can decide who wins.
While last week's undercard bout pitted the Range Rover Supercharged against the Mercedes-Benz G550, this week's main event is entirely different weight class: the 2010 Ford Mustang GT versus the 2009 Nissan 370Z. Both have trained hard in the off-season and undertaken some corrective cosmetic surgery. Think of this as a companion to the Inside Line brawl that gave the decision to the Z. Will the fans award a knockout this time? The fighters are entering the ring for this real-deal, rear-wheel automobile smackdown. Let's get ready to grumble!
This new feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. Tom has been in the auto industry for over 35 years and receives numerous questions each week about car maintenance from his listeners. This makes him the perfect expert to show you how to save money while keeping your car in top running condition. His column will appear weekly on Edmunds Daily, but following this entry will move to Wednesday afternoon.
Dear Tom, I've owned four vehicles and rented three. The common denominator was the presence of a skunk odor, accompanied by facial numbing within 10-20 minutes of driving the vehicles. I have been told the problem is caused by antifreeze leaks. That is the million-dollar question. Give me your knowledge. I am about as far away from being a mechanic as you can get! -- Lisa from LA
Lisa, Although the information you provided is vague at best, I will try to "give you my knowledge." I will assume you are talking about a pungent odor inside the car when the HVAC system is activated. Odor from the HVAC system comes from a couple of different sources. Either the heater core is leaking engine coolant into the vehicle cabin when the HVAC system is operating, or there is a clogged condensation drain in the HVAC. A leaking heater core tends to leak a small amount in a fine mist. It gets caught up in the air stream created by the blower motor and blows into the car's cabin. This vapor usually smells sweet and condenses on the inside of the windshield, fogging it up.
On the other hand, a plugged condensation drain results when organic matter gets sucked into the air intake of the HVAC system at the base of the windshield. Leaves, pine needles and other debris get into the HVAC box, mix with condensation from the A/C system, and form an unholy, stenching paste that plugs the water drain. The water from condensation then pools inside the dark, warm box and mold and mildew grows. This results in a pungent smell every time the HVAC system is activated. Sometimes the evaporator core springs a leak and refrigerant oil soaks the outside of the core. When air is drawn across the core, dirt is filtered out and it sticks to the oil on the face of the core. This also results in mold and mildew causing the smell.
Check the condensation drain at the bottom of the HVAC box. If it's plugged then remove the debris and empty a full can of Lysol disinfectant into the air intake at the base of the windshield with the heater set on defrost and high blow. Once the can is emptied, let it sit for a half hour so that the disinfectant has time to kill the mold and mildew. However, if a refrigerant leak is found in the evaporator core, then the HVAC box will have to come apart and the core replaced. Finally, to check for a leaking heater core, have the cooling system pressure-tested. If coolant is leaking into the car from the passenger's side HVAC, then the core is leaking and must be replaced. Good luck. -- Tom
Ford claims it's "learning to think like an electronics company" by keeping up with the fast pace of consumer electronics -- and meeting or exceeding car buyers' tech expectations. The announcement today that the 2010 Ford Escape and Escape Hybrid will feature five new safety and convenience technologies shows that this is more than just lip service.
Nobody likes those red circular down arrows. They're depressing, and although the three brands on the left have grown used to them, the numbers beneath those arrows should come with a Costco tub of Prozac.
Automakers sold 691,073 vehicles in February, down 40.9 percent from the 1,168,729 they sold one year ago. That marked the lowest level of car sales for any February since 1967, a year in which there were only 103 million registered drivers -- half as many today. There were also significantly fewer Toyotas, Hondas and Nissans on the road (that's the understatement of the day), so imagine the market share difference between 42 years ago and today.
As they say, in life, timing is everything. The Kia Borrego is suffering from bad timing. Kia launched the truck-based Borrego SUV at the same time last summer when gas was hitting an all-time high. An all-new SUV that is rated as low as 15 mpg and gas prices over $4/gallon are like oil and water, they don't mix. Gas prices are down now, but so are overall vehicle sales. We all know that the recession has continued to decimate the sale of all cars and trucks. As a result, last month, Kia sold 272 Borregos. Do I smell a deal of the week?
