Ford Sweeps Car & Truck Of the Year Awards

January 12th, 2010

If the North American Auto Show were televised, like the Oscars, Ford would be giving many acceptance speeches.

It’s a landslide for Ford:

DETROIT, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –

Ford swept the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), winning both prestigious awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively

It is the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both awards

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway

The Transit Connect is an industry-exclusive vehicle developed to be a smart new choice for small business owners; it offers double the fuel economy of full-size vans, generous and accessible cargo space, and the agility and maneuverability to operate in crowded urban areas

Alan Mulally is an unstoppable force, he’s brilliant with his strategy and has turned the company around while taking backlash for driving the competition’s cars and stating a competitor’s car was the best in the world. He did so because it was the truth at the time, and was determined to beat it.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid has more that catapulted itself above any other vehicle it competes with. This has everything to do with understanding what people want and delivering a product that leaves them speechless.

Take the Ford SYNC for example. Estimates as high as 70+% of those surveyed said this technology was *THE* deciding factor in why they went with Ford. So what does Ford do? They take it up a notch and start offering an open SDK (software development kit) in the likes of Apple’s infamous iPhone App marketplace which has over 100,000 applications.

The company has taken off because it intends to. The company wanted to make the best cars in the world, it’s doing so.

If there was one thing that you could pinpoint on the successes of Ford it would be Mulally, clearly. Studying his philosophy reveals a leader that understands the needs of not only his customers but of the workforce. The workers aren’t dancing in the streets of Detroit but there is no questioning the company wouldn’t be where it’s at without the commitment of every individual worker to produce the best in the world.

That’s right, best in the world – Another title Ford claimed with the Ford Taurus at the 2010 CES (Consumer Electronics Show).

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The 2010 Lincoln MKT Defies Expectations

December 30th, 2009

Lincoln seems to have created a paradox with the 2010 MKT. How can a luxury crossover with three-row seating blend such high performance with efficiency, such immense interior room with handling agility and such supreme luxury with compelling value?

When Car & Driver magazine road testers got the chance to compare the all-new Lincoln MKT with 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive to the Audi Q7 V8, they came away mightily impressed – with the MKT. Said Car & Driver in its July test drive, “…on Ford’s undulating ride-and-handling course and five-mile banked oval, the MKT exhibited reassuring composure and had more than enough grunt to outrun the V8-powered Audi Q7 on hand for comparison.”

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Ford Goes Greener

December 13th, 2009

The Ford Motor Company has strived for many years to make its vehicles more eco-friendly, fuel-efficient and generally more in tune with the environment. From its hybrid offerings that reduce fuel consumption, to its EcoBoost engines that reduce carbon dioxide emissions by some 20 percent, to electric vehicles that would eliminate gas consumption altogether, Ford has sought to make a minimal impact on the planet.

Researchers at Ford are developing alternatives for car components that would reduce or replace many of the parts made from plastics, rubber, foam, film, fabric and fiberglass with those derived from biomaterials to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. Ford’s team is developing all-new composites made from natural ingredients such as soy, hemp, cellulose and the sugars in corn, sugarcane and sugar beets.

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The Truth About Do-It-Yourself Oil Changes

December 12th, 2009

The oil change used to be the classic do-it-yourself Saturday activity to save a few bucks on auto maintenance. There are many reasons, however, why this seemingly “easy” procedure is best left to pros.

If you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer with a convenient garage setup and time on your hands, you might save a few dollars changing your vehicle’s oil. For most car owners, changing their own oil can be a very messy lesson in false economy – not to mention possible environmental consequences. Many a would-be DIY-er has been left splashed in the face with hot, dirty motor oil, experienced burned or bruised fingers and even a damaged engine.

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The 2010 Mercury Mariner Adds a Higher Level of Safety

December 11th, 2009

Upgrades in safety technology in the 2010 Mercury Mariner and an impressive list of standard features make sailing along the highways and around town a pleasure cruise, whether commuting, shopping or taking the family and gear to that favorite backwoods getaway.

The standard powertrain for base Mariner and Premier trims starts with a 171-hp 2.5-liter Duratec® DOHC I4 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. For more power, opt for the 3.0-liter Duratec® V6 that delivers 240 hp and 230 lb/ft of torque. This V6 is FlexFuel capable, meaning it runs on either gasoline or E85 alternative fuel. This fuel helps reduce harmful emissions. Refined aerodynamics and low-rolling-resistance tires enhance fuel efficiency further. EPA estimates for the FWD I4 are pegged at 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

2010 Mercury Mariner

2010 Mercury Mariner


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