Category: Ford (Page 9 of 18)

Top 7 New Car Models for 2012

August 12, 2011 / Staff

Fiat 500.

Buying a new car is still one of life’s most exciting moments, and with 2012 just around the corner, the new models are starting to hit the show floors right now. Everyone has an idea about what makes the perfect car, but no matter which model you choose, 2012 cars are the first to have to comply with the stricter gas usage requirements (an average of 33.3 mpg) set by the National Highway Safety Administration.

Here are seven 2012 models from traditional car manufacturers that are anything but traditional.

Volkswagen Golf R:
Good gas mileage and Volkswagen have always gone hand in hand. The Golf R model promises to continue that tradition, plus include all-wheel drive and a six-speed transmission.

Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, New Cars, Volkswagen

Can Lincoln make a serious comeback?

August 12, 2011 / Staff

And a big sigh of relief from all of those Lincoln dealers is heard across America. This has to be a bold plan with alot of top designers dedicated to a long term plan. The luxury market is very fluid with brands getting smarter and better everyday so gaining share will be a real challenge. It’s really difficult to have an opinion until we start seeing and driving the products that will actually make it to the showrooms and for that we are looking forward to the excitement of a new beginning for Lincoln!

From Auto Blog:

The Ford Motor Company is finally marshaling the resources and money to transform Lincoln into a true luxury brand again. While the company is guarded in discussing the full details of its plan, it’s divulging enough for now to let the world know that this is going to be a serious effort. And the early signs are encouraging.

The linchpin to this turnaround will be daring new products and significantly upgraded dealerships. And the key to accomplishing that is a new organizational structure for Lincoln. Up through the 1950s, Lincoln was a stand-alone “house” with its own headquarters, designers, engineers and assembly. The new organization will not recreate that original “house” concept, but it’s a big step in the right direction.

Lincoln says it will not abandon its traditional customers, but it must attract a new generation of buyers, people with a different psychographic mindset than those who have been buying Town Cars for the last quarter century. Yet, while it may not abandon those buyers, saying they’ll suffer from benign neglect may not be too far off the mark.

Read the full article.

Ford, Lincoln

NHSTA Launches Investigation Over Mustang Transmissions

August 9, 2011 / Joe Gustafson

The new 5.0 Mustang was unveiled to widespread praise and accolades. Now, the Mustang’s halo may be drooping as transmission issues come to light.

A few months ago, there were mumblings on the internet about transmission problems that included grinding gears and expensive sounding noises. Ford said everything was “ok” and recommended a fluid change. However, the problem has become large enough to attract the attention of the NHSTA.

They describe the problem as:

ODI has received 32 complaints alleging an unexpected inability to shift into gear on model year (MY)2011-2012 Ford
Mustangs equipped with manual transmissions. Some reports allege incidents occurred while merging into high
speed traffic and others allege that incidents occurred while turning left across oncoming traffic. Some complainants
allege that the erratic shifting behavior almost caused a collision with adjacent vehicles.

One rumored reason for these problems is Ford’s decision to switch production to China for the Getrag transmission.

After the NHSTA investigation is complete, they will conclude on whether this is a true problem, or just a bad batch of transmissions.

A reputation blow like this, to Ford’s flagship model, cannot happen while they are trying to show buyers that they are just as reliable as the Japanese.

Source: Detroit News, NHSTA

Ford

Ford Mustang Getrag problems NHSTA

Ford Ditches CD Players

August 5, 2011 / Joe Gustafson

Usually, auto manufactures are slow to adopt new technology. For instance, up until the mid-2010 you could still have a tape player if you bought a Lexus SC430. Ford, however, is looking to change that. Sound and Vision Magazine is reporting that Ford will stop installing CD players in all Ford Foci going forward. The move is likely to spread to more models soon.

They report:

Ford has been pushing their Sync system, and this is just one more step towards a “cloudy” world. “In-car entertainment technology is moving digital more rapidly than almost any other element of the vehicle experience,” says Sheryl Connelly, global trends and “futuring” manager for Ford Motor Company. “The in-car CD player — much like pay telephones — is destined to fade away in the face of exciting new technology.” Ford will continue to offer players as long as there is demand for them, but they are clearly moving away from physical media. Launching first in Europe, the new systems will have multiple USB ports, SD card slots, and Bluetooth.

Kudos to Ford adapting to technology much faster than any automaker.

Car Technology, Ford

Ford Focus Microsoft Sync SYNC

Ford Teases Frankfurt Concepts

August 4, 2011 / Joe Gustafson

The Frankfurt Auto Show is rapidly approaching so automakers are already trying to build buzz for their debuts. Ford is no exception. Not only are they touting their largest display to date, but also four new vehicles. Not many details are known, but one is a concept and the other three are production models. One production model is forecasted to be the Focus ST. The performance Focus is slated to debut with a 240hp eco-boosted 4 cyl, and the looks to match the performance. However, details of the Focus ST have been widely known for some time, so Ford must have something really exciting up their sleeve on the concept side.

I’m placing my bets on either a Focus coupe/Capri remake. A coupe version of the Focus is the missing link in the lineup so it is logical addition to have debut. It would probably compete with the wildly successful VW Scirocco that we don’t get here in the states.

On the other hand, the Capri is a much-loved icon in Europe, and has been long heralded to make a return. Additionally, in July, Ford debuted a Falcon concept in Australia , so a performance concept for Europe is not completely unfounded. It’s a long shot, but if they could make a RWD compact like the old Capri, for the price of a Focus, it would be heaven. All these debuts are slated to go global, so hope for the best because we will get them too. Stay tuned for September’s Frankfurt Auto Show