http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums Discussion on FoMoCo Products. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:47:26 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/v2/misc/rss.jpg http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/question-european-ford-fans-86318/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:17:36 GMT Could you please provide your opinion (or some sources/links) to better understand the reliability and durability of Ford's DuraTorq diesel engines and associated turbo chargers?

Thanks in advance for any help, an interested US consumer. ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion 44 mpg by 2010 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/question-european-ford-fans-86318/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-early-front-runner-stock-year-86263/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:49:27 GMT Seeking Alpha

Ford: Early Front Runner for Stock of the Year



I’m being a bit premature, but I’m going to go ahead and call Ford Motor (F) my 2009 Stock of the Year.

Think of what this stock has been through. Shares of F closed out 2008 at just $2.29 a share. As of Wednesday, the stock broke above $9 to reach a high of $9.14. The shares haven’t been this high in over two years.

The big reason Ford gets props from me is that it hasn't had any help from Uncle Sam. At the White House Correspondents Dinner, President Obama joked that he had been named Car & Driver’s “Auto Executive of the Year.” Funny, sad and true—but it doesn’t apply to Ford.

Last quarter, Ford snapped a five-quarter losing streak by actually posting a profit of 26 cents a share. The consensus on Wall Street was expecting a loss of 12 cents a share. Think of it this way: Ford has gone from burning through $7.7 billion in cash to positive cash flow of $2.8 billion. You know, like, making money!

One major reason for Ford’s success is the Ford Fusion. While U.S. auto sales are down 25% this year, sales for the Fusion are up 15%. Plus, the Fusion was just named Motor Trend's “Car of the Year.”

Now everyone on Wall Street expects profits and more profits. The fourth-quarter consensus is up to a 22-cent profit from a 12-cent loss. For 2010, the Street average is a gain of 42 cents a share.

There’s even word that George Soros has picked shares of Ford. Paul Ingrassia at the WSJ wrote: “In fact, there's almost too much good news coming out of Ford's Dearborn, Mich., headquarters these days.” He’s referring to the ability of union folks to find out where the money is being made.

for more CLICK HERE ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion Simon says http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-early-front-runner-stock-year-86263/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-fusion-gets-top-marks-company-stock-soars-86247/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:47:29 GMT Seeking Alpha

Ford Fusion Gets Top Marks, Company Stock Soars



A year ago, many people were predicting the end of Detroit. In light of the financial sector's collapse and the subsequent Big Three implosion (not to mention a few highly publicized chats between Detroit CEOs and members of Congress), naysayers around the world insisted that America's moment to shine was over -- at least as far as cars were concerned. Today, however, we need look no further the Ford Motor Company to see that rumors of Detroit's death have been greatly exaggerated.

Tuesday, the popular Ford Fusion sedan was awarded Motor Trend magazine's car of the year award. Fuel-efficient and affordable (starting under $20,000), the 2010 Ford Fusion scored a whopping 8.8 review here at TheCarConnection.com, and it's had similar appeal among the buying public. Over the past year, the Fusion has boosted sales and helped expand Ford's U.S. market share by almost a full percentage point: the company now holds 15.8% of the American market.

Coinciding with the Motor Trend award was another announcement -- one from multi-billionaire investor George Soros. Soros revealed his purchase of $52.9 million in Ford stock, which, combined with Fusion news, sent Ford shares surging. After flirting with the nine dollar mark, the stock finally settled at $8.98. That's the highest Ford's stock has been in over two years, and a far cry from the low point of $1.26 per share Ford hit a year ago this month.

Whether General Motors and Chrysler will rebound as impressively as Ford is a matter for serious debate

for more CLICK HERE ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion Simon says http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-fusion-gets-top-marks-company-stock-soars-86247/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/detroit-free-press-ford-fusion-motor-trend-s-car-year-86217/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:59:55 GMT Freep.com

Ford Fusion is Motor Trend’s Car of the Year
BY BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER



The Ford Fusion midsized car has been selected as Motor Trend magazine’s 2010 Car of the Year, beating a field of nearly two dozen contenders.

The award is among the most prestigious in the automotive industry and it will provide Ford Motor Co. with an additional marketing tool to promote the sedan, which is the tenth best-selling vehicle in America and continues to pick up steam.

To be eligible for Motor Trend’s award, the vehicle under consideration must be totally new or substantially redesigned, and released within the 12 months before Nov. 1.

The Ford Fusion, first introduced in 2005, was refreshed this year with an upgraded engine, new transmission, better fuel efficiency as well as a redesigned front end and interior.

The new model was well received by auto critics. Free Press automotive critic Mark Phelan, for example, called the Fusion “the first Ford midsize sedan since the original 1986 Taurus that you must test before you buy any of its competitors.”

Ford has successfully used the improved fuel efficiency and new look of the Fusion to win new customers.

The automatic 2010 Ford Fusion S gets a combined 27 miles per gallon, which is better than a similar model of the Toyota Camry, which gets a combined 25 m.p.g., and the Honda Accord, which gets 25 mpg.

Since the redesigned Fusion was introduced in March, it has become the top-selling car built by an American automaker. Ford builds the Fusion at its assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Through October, U.S. consumers have purchased 148,045 Fusions, a gain of 15.3%, according to Autodata Corp.

While midsize car rivals such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima outsell the Fusion, all of those models have posted posted year-to-date declines.

Through October, Toyota has sold 294,493 Camrys, a 23.7% decline. Honda has sold 244,579 Accords, a 26.6% decline. Nissan has sold 169,435 Altimas, a 29.8% decline.

While Motor Trend's award is one of many such awards by a variety of magazines and organizations in the automotive industry, Michael Bernacchi, professor of marketing at the University of Detroit Mercy, said Motor Trend's award will help Ford.

for more CLICK HERE ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion Simon says http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/detroit-free-press-ford-fusion-motor-trend-s-car-year-86217/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/2011-mustang-job-1-a-86213/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:16:24 GMT I was just looking throught the Fleet distribution news bulletin and it lists Mustangs as last day to order (for fleet) as 12/8/09. It lists order bank open on 2011's on 1/18/10 and job 1 for 2011 as 3/15/10. I didn't realize the 11's would be this early.

Still not much showing in the order computer. Only thing listed so far is Shelby Convertible. Still shows 5.4L SC 4V V8 so same engine (but could get the rumored alluminum block). They do show a SVT Performance package (option 67F). Inlcudes 19" wheels,RR Spoiler with GF (Gurney Flap I'm assuming), OTT Stripe delete and last but most importantly 3.73 Limited slip axle!

GT's aren't working, but I've been trying to trick it into giving me some info. Only things I've found were:
Option 55D Brembo Brake pkg
443 6 Speed auto trans
3 different 19" tires listed (1 245/45R19, 2 255/40R19, I assume one will be a summer only compound).
402A Package looks to be return of California Special


Thats about all I can find right now. Looks like we'll all get the info soon if order bank opens Jan 18th, order guides should be available then! ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion XCR440SP http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/2011-mustang-job-1-a-86213/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/mkt-hot-86203/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:34:15 GMT http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lincoln-MKT-MKT-AWD-2010-LINCOLN-MKT-AWD-ECOBOOST-ENGINE-363-HORSE-POWER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c51c10ed8QQitemZ190350167768QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks Hot http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Linco...fCarsQ5fTrucks

Hot ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion bigbuck16 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/mkt-hot-86203/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ecoboost-engine-attracts-younger-buyers-ford-drives-higher-conquests-86194/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:54:45 GMT *ECOBOOST ENGINE ATTRACTS YOUNGER BUYERS TO FORD; DRIVES HIGHER CONQUEST SALES * Image: http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/912/picture1dxob.png * EcoBoost™ engine technology is attracting younger customers to Ford dealer showrooms; Ford Taurus SHO buyers are 10-plus years younger than base Taurus buyers * EcoBoost is luring customers of competitive products, with Taurus SHO holding the second-highest conquest rate in its segment and the Flex EcoBoost having a 75 percent conquest rate * Sales of EcoBoost-equipped models continue to exceed company projections, with October sales twice as high as September * EcoBoost is standard on the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and available on the 2010 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT * Next year Ford will launch the F-150 featuring the EcoBoost V-6, plus introduce the first EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, in 2.0-liter and 1.6-liter variants, in global products DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 13, 2009 – EcoBoost™ engine technology is driving younger, more affluent customers to Ford showrooms. And many of these buyers are hot to trade in their competitive-make vehicles to get their hands on one equipped with the fuel-efficient direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engine. “EcoBoost technology is helping bring in a new customer to Ford dealer showrooms,” said Amy Marentic, Ford group marketing manager. “This customer is younger, more affluent, and more often trades in competitive products.” Living proof is the all-new Ford Taurus SHO, with EcoBoost as standard. The average SHO buyer is 54 years old – 10-plus years younger than the base-model Taurus customer – and second youngest in its segment. The median household income of the SHO buyer is $20,000 more than the base Taurus customer. And as for conquests, nearly 55 percent of buyers are trading in Toyota Avalons, Nissan Altimas and Chevy Monte Carlos, among other competitive products, to drive away in a Taurus SHO. That’s the second-highest conquest rate in the segment. Moreover, added Marentic, Taurus SHO customers want more and are willing to spend more to get it. “We’re seeing transaction rate improvements as EcoBoost buyers tend to package more options in their purchase, and the vehicles are selling with less incentives,” she said. Taurus SHO has the highest average transaction price in the segment, with customers paying $10,000 or more above base-model price to enjoy not only the fuel efficiency and performance of the EcoBoost engine, but other premium package amenities such as all-wheel drive, Ford SYNC®, 19-inch wheels and a reverse sensing system. EcoBoost spread Other vehicles that offer EcoBoost, such as the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS, are exhibiting other demographic phenomena. Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost – along with Taurus SHO – is helping attract more 35- to 55-year-old males, a demographic the company has been working hard to bring back to the Ford fold. “Our sedans with EcoBoost are improving traffic with this demographic that has eluded Ford in recent years,” confirmed Marentic. This group of shoppers, in fact, represents nearly 35 percent of Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost buyers, which is more than 5 percentage points higher than the MKS equipped with the 3.7-liter engine. For Taurus SHO, it’s above 40 percent, more than double the 35- to 55-year-old males that purchase a base-model Taurus. Other customers making the jump to Ford vehicles are hitting the Flex with EcoBoost equally hard; three out of four buyers are trading in a competitive product, including the Toyota Highlander, GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse. “No one else offers the level of performance and versatility of Flex with EcoBoost,” said Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager. “It’s a compelling buy in the crossover segment for customers who are looking for the power and performance of a traditional V-8 but do not want to sacrifice this for fuel economy.” More with EcoBoost EcoBoost technology incorporates direct injection and turbocharging, allowing for the downsizing of engines, to provide customers with up to a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy and 15 percent reduction in emissions versus larger-displacement engines. With the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, customers can expect V-8 performance but V-6 fuel efficiency. Sales of Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost-equipped vehicles have already exceeded company projections, with October sales twice as high as September. Ford will complement the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine with the launch of new 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder variants next year, which will be offered on several global Ford products, including midsize and large vehicles. LINK (http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=31419)

ECOBOOST ENGINE ATTRACTS YOUNGER BUYERS TO FORD; DRIVES HIGHER CONQUEST SALES

• EcoBoost™ engine technology is attracting younger customers to Ford dealer showrooms; Ford Taurus SHO buyers are 10-plus years younger than base Taurus buyers
• EcoBoost is luring customers of competitive products, with Taurus SHO holding the second-highest conquest rate in its segment and the Flex EcoBoost having a 75 percent conquest rate
• Sales of EcoBoost-equipped models continue to exceed company projections, with October sales twice as high as September
• EcoBoost is standard on the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and available on the 2010 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT
• Next year Ford will launch the F-150 featuring the EcoBoost V-6, plus introduce the first EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, in 2.0-liter and 1.6-liter variants, in global products

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 13, 2009 – EcoBoost™ engine technology is driving younger, more affluent customers to Ford showrooms. And many of these buyers are hot to trade in their competitive-make vehicles to get their hands on one equipped with the fuel-efficient direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engine.

“EcoBoost technology is helping bring in a new customer to Ford dealer showrooms,” said Amy Marentic, Ford group marketing manager. “This customer is younger, more affluent, and more often trades in competitive products.”

Living proof is the all-new Ford Taurus SHO, with EcoBoost as standard. The average SHO buyer is 54 years old – 10-plus years younger than the base-model Taurus customer – and second youngest in its segment. The median household income of the SHO buyer is $20,000 more than the base Taurus customer. And as for conquests, nearly 55 percent of buyers are trading in Toyota Avalons, Nissan Altimas and Chevy Monte Carlos, among other competitive products, to drive away in a Taurus SHO. That’s the second-highest conquest rate in the segment.

Moreover, added Marentic, Taurus SHO customers want more and are willing to spend more to get it. “We’re seeing transaction rate improvements as EcoBoost buyers tend to package more options in their purchase, and the vehicles are selling with less incentives,” she said.

Taurus SHO has the highest average transaction price in the segment, with customers paying $10,000 or more above base-model price to enjoy not only the fuel efficiency and performance of the EcoBoost engine, but other premium package amenities such as all-wheel drive, Ford SYNC®, 19-inch wheels and a reverse sensing system.

EcoBoost spread
Other vehicles that offer EcoBoost, such as the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS, are exhibiting other demographic phenomena.

Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost – along with Taurus SHO – is helping attract more 35- to 55-year-old males, a demographic the company has been working hard to bring back to the Ford fold. “Our sedans with EcoBoost are improving traffic with this demographic that has eluded Ford in recent years,” confirmed Marentic. This group of shoppers, in fact, represents nearly 35 percent of Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost buyers, which is more than 5 percentage points higher than the MKS equipped with the 3.7-liter engine. For Taurus SHO, it’s above 40 percent, more than double the 35- to 55-year-old males that purchase a base-model Taurus.

Other customers making the jump to Ford vehicles are hitting the Flex with EcoBoost equally hard; three out of four buyers are trading in a competitive product, including the Toyota Highlander, GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse.

“No one else offers the level of performance and versatility of Flex with EcoBoost,” said Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager. “It’s a compelling buy in the crossover segment for customers who are looking for the power and performance of a traditional V-8 but do not want to sacrifice this for fuel economy.”

More with EcoBoost
EcoBoost technology incorporates direct injection and turbocharging, allowing for the downsizing of engines, to provide customers with up to a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy and 15 percent reduction in emissions versus larger-displacement engines. With the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, customers can expect V-8 performance but V-6 fuel efficiency.

Sales of Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost-equipped vehicles have already exceeded company projections, with October sales twice as high as September.

Ford will complement the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine with the launch of new 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder variants next year, which will be offered on several global Ford products, including midsize and large vehicles.

LINK ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion Simon says http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ecoboost-engine-attracts-younger-buyers-ford-drives-higher-conquests-86194/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/little-gm-vs-ford-fight-going-86148/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:34:12 GMT some of you will like this

http://www.fomoconews.com/forums/sho...ed=1#post26424 ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion mbukukanyau http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/little-gm-vs-ford-fight-going-86148/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/breaking-ford-announces-will-build-all-new-police-interceptor-2011-a-86110/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:16:16 GMT BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011

by Chris Paukert - Autoblog (RSS feed) on Nov 13th 2009 at 11:40AM




In a surprise move, Ford has announced that it will pursue the development of an all-new Police Interceptor model. The move comes on the heels of General Motors' announcement that it plans to challenge the Crown Victoria's law enforcement dominance with its own heavy-duty Chevrolet Caprice sedan.

More at link: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/b...ce-intercepto/ ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion V8GMT360 Guy http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/breaking-ford-announces-will-build-all-new-police-interceptor-2011-a-86110/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/detnews-com-ecoboost-buyers-get-high-mpg-carmaker-gets-higher-revenue-86105/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:28:36 GMT Detroit News



EcoBoost guns the engine at Ford
EcoBoost buyers get high mpg; carmaker gets higher revenue
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News

Ford Motor Co.'s big bet on its new line of EcoBoost engines appears to be paying off.

Demand for the engines, which promise better mileage while delivering more power, has taken off since they debuted last summer -- boosting vehicle sales, luring new customers and raising average transaction prices by thousands of dollars.

Ford's first analysis of EcoBoost sales data, completed last week, found that the number of customers opting for EcoBoost engines far exceeded the Dearborn automaker's expectations for all four models that offer it as an option.

Now, Ford is rushing to put the V-6 version of the motor in new vehicles, such as the F-150 pickup in the United States and the Ford Falcon sedan in Australia. Next year, the company plans to introduce new four-cylinder models here and in Europe. And The Detroit News has learned Ford has developed a 1.0-liter three-cylinder version that could power future versions of the Ford Focus and Fiesta.

"It clearly was part of our plan to distinguish us in a very crowded marketplace," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's global head of product development. "It's doing that very well."

EcoBoost is also part of Ford's plan to boost revenue by increasing net pricing -- the amount of money customers pay for its cars and trucks after incentives. Here, too, Kuzak said EcoBoost is hitting on all cylinders.

Customers who opt for EcoBoost are paying $5,000 to $10,000 more for their vehicles than those who buy the same products without it. That is one of the drivers behind Ford's $3.8 billion net pricing gain since the start of the year, said analyst Erich Merkle of Autoconomy.com in Grand Rapids.

"It's EcoBoost, plus everything Ford is doing on the quality side, the design side and safety side as well," Merkle said. "They're hitting on multiple fronts. EcoBoost is an important piece of their competitive strategy. It will become a bigger competitive advantage for them as they start to expand it down into their higher-volume vehicles."

EcoBoost engines combine turbo-charging and direct fuel-injection to generate more horsepower and torque from a smaller motor. German automakers were the first to combine these technologies for performance, though Ford was the first to optimize them for better mileage, as well as more horsepower and torque. It has filed some 125 patents to protect the EcoBoost approach.

Ford's first EcoBoost engine was a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces as much power as a V-8 with the fuel economy of a V-6. It debuted on the Lincoln MKS sedan in July. Since then, the same engine has been offered in the Ford Flex crossover and the high-performance Taurus SHO. Its latest application is in the new Lincoln MKT crossover.

The take-rate for EcoBoost is exceeding Ford's projections on all four vehicles, said Amy Marentic, marketing manager of Ford's car and crossover group.

She said the sales data revealed that more than 30 percent of MKS retail customers are opting for EcoBoost. Ford had been hoping for 25 percent. More than 40 percent of MKT buyers are springing for EcoBoost, 15 points higher than Ford had projected. The Taurus SHO, only available with EcoBoost, is accounting for about 20 percent of all retail Taurus sales -- double Ford's target of 10 percent. And about 13 percent of Flex customers are choosing the premium powertrain. The company had projected an 8-percent take rate.

Engines boost bottom line
These sales are giving a big boost to Ford's bottom line.
Lincolns equipped with EcoBoost engines are selling for between $5,000 and $7,000 more than the same models without it. EcoBoost-equipped Ford models are commanding an even higher premium -- as much as $10,000 more, Marentic said.

That is partly because the engines are packaged with other options like all-wheel-drive and premium wheels. But higher sticker prices are only part of the equation; vehicles equipped with EcoBoost engines also are selling at closer to sticker price, with less haggling over discounts, Marentic said.
Ford needs higher transactions prices to fund its turnaround, but that is not the only way EcoBoost is helping the company. The new engine also is winning converts to Lincoln and the Blue Oval.

Customers who buy EcoBoost-equipped vehicles are younger, more educated and wealthier than those who buy the same products without EcoBoost, according to Ford's analysis.

About 55 percent of MKT buyers who opt for EcoBoost are conquests from rival brands, compared to 45 percent for the MKT without EcoBoost. The conquest rate for the Taurus SHO is almost as high -- 54 percent, compared to about 44 percent for the regular Taurus.

"They're customers who used to drive a BMW," Marentic said. "We're playing in a place we've never played before in the sedan market."

Can sales be sustained?
Some analysts wonder whether Ford can sustain this level of success with EcoBoost.

"It's being heavily advertised, so you're going to get a lot of early adopters jumping on-board," said Stephanie Brinley of consulting firm AutoPacific Inc. in Troy. "Clearly, Ford has found the pricing sweet spot for it. It's not scaring people away."

Marentic acknowledged that sales of EcoBoost may slacken a bit after these vehicles have been on the market for a while, but she said Ford has plenty of new EcoBoost offerings in the pipeline. It has promised to offer EcoBoost engines on 90 percent of its North American nameplates and 80 percent of its global nameplates by 2013.

for more CLICK HERE ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion Simon says http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/detnews-com-ecoboost-buyers-get-high-mpg-carmaker-gets-higher-revenue-86105/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-hides-easter-egg-new-boss-engine-86100/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:26:43 GMT Anyone see the easter egg in the new 6.2-liter engine we found this week?

http://jalopnik.com/5403455/exclusiv...gines-the-boss

I guess it's Ford's version of the "Jake" on the ZR1. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Ray ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion DetroitWonk http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-hides-easter-egg-new-boss-engine-86100/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/twin-turbos-direct-injection-365-hp-25-mpg-will-fords-better-idea-doom-v-8-a-86082/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:15:06 GMT Just like that, General Motors has morphed into Government Motors, and Chrysler is counting on Tony to fix it again. If the thought of buying a car from a government-owned automaker, with a loan from a government-owned bank, and driving it back to your government-refinanced house doesn't get you excited, what will? In the midst of all this madness, a leaner and meaner Ford is asserting itself once again, recently selling off ballast such as Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Mazda to reduce overhead and dedicate its focus on the Blue Oval brand. As the only U.S. car manufacturer that hasn't been bailed out or gone bankrupt, it's not surprising that Ford seems the best adapted to meet the daunting market challenges ahead. Chief among them are new 35.5-mpg CAFE standards that will be phased in by 2016, and the public's growing demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles. All this doesn't bode well for the V-8, and new car manufacturers are already rolling out a new wave of high-output six-cylinder engines in response. Ford is in on the action, too, having just introduced its 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 in the 2010 Lincoln MKS.

Utilizing twin turbochargers and gasoline direct injection, the EcoBoost V-6 produces 355 hp at 5,700 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque from 1,500-5,250 rpm. Not only is that 40 hp and 25 lb-ft more than the Mustang GT's 4.6L V-8, the EcoBoost weighs roughly 150 pounds less than its mod motor counterpart. Furthermore, the EcoBoost-powered MKS beats out rivals like the Lexus GS460 and Infiniti M45 in gas mileage, with an EPA city/highway rating of 17/25 mpg. That's slightly better than the Mustang's 16/24 figure, despite lugging around an extra 800 pounds of heft. Although it's premature to declare that the new crop of small-displacement, high-output engines represent the future of performance cars, their implications on the survival of the American auto industry and their potential impact on hot rodding is profound.

Read More: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tec...der/index.html

There are 6 pages i think. Very interesting! ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion 05ChevySilveradoSS http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/twin-turbos-direct-injection-365-hp-25-mpg-will-fords-better-idea-doom-v-8-a-86082/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/boss-back-86078/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:24:34 GMT Will this stamping be in all the production engines? Totally. Rad. Image: http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3296/500xthebossisback201.jpg http://jalopnik.com/5403455/exclusive-we-told-you-this-engines-the-boss Will this stamping be in all the production engines?

Totally. Rad.









http://jalopnik.com/5403455/exclusiv...gines-the-boss ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion Buick61 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/boss-back-86078/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-fusion-moves-into-top-10-list-86067/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:06:46 GMT http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ford-F....html?x=0&.v=1


Sales of the Ford Fusion - America's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan - have set a new record with sales figures for 2009 already eclipsing the previous full-year record set in 2007


Fusion is now among America's Top 10 selling vehicles and the No. 1 selling domestic car


Fusion consideration from import shoppers is at an all-time high


Consumers want new features and smart technology, with half opting to buy high series models - Fusion Hybrid, Sport and SEL

Soaring sales of the Ford Fusion have made 2009 already a record-breaking year for America's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan.

Sales for 2009 already have reached 151,137 units, eclipsing the previous Fusion full-year sales high of 149,552 in 2007. Importantly, Fusion sales are skyrocketing at a time when industry sales are the lowest they have been since the early '80s.

"It's extraordinary that a car could set a sales record in an environment where overall industry sales are down 26 percent from a year ago," Ford sales analyst George Pipas said.

In the first ten months of 2009, Fusion sales were 15 percent higher than a year ago. Also, Fusion has moved among America's Top 10 selling vehicles and the No. 1 selling domestic car.

The 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient sedans in America. The new models offer more power, class-exclusive technologies, such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) and Ford SYNC®, and more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry.

According to Fusion Marketing Manager Jonathan Richards, the diversity of the 2010 Fusion lineup is drawing a growing number of customers to the brand.

"There is no reason for customers shopping for a midsize sedan to look beyond the Fusion, because the lineup offers something for everyone - a Hybrid model, a Sport version and a new selection of gas-powered engines paired with six-speed transmission," he said.

Sales data show that consumers are taking notice.

"Fusion Hybrid, Sport and SEL models account for 50 percent of sales," said Richards. "Data also show that customers are embracing technology offerings such as voice-activated navigation, SYNC and Sony® Audio."

Sales of the new Fusion Hybrid account for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales. Perhaps even more significant, more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been to customers coming from import brands - mostly Toyota and Honda.

The Fusion Hybrid delivers 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. It also offers innovative new technology - SmartGauge(TM) with EcoGuide - that coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.

According to early 2010 survey data obtained in the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS), the 2010 Fusion Hybrid has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any Ford vehicle ever. ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion doh http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-fusion-moves-into-top-10-list-86067/ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-teams-up-develop-wheat-straw-reinforced-plastic-new-biomaterial-2010-flex-86052/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:38:37 GMT

FORD TEAMS UP TO DEVELOP WHEAT STRAW-REINFORCED PLASTIC; NEW BIOMATERIAL DEBUTS IN 2010 FORD FLEX

Wheat straw demonstrates better dimensional integrity than non-reinforced plastic and weighs up to 10 percent
less than plastic reinforced with talc or glass.

• Ford Motor Company, working with academic researchers and supplier A. Schulman, has become the first automaker to develop and use wheat straw-reinforced plastic in its vehicles. This world-first application, which is on the third-row storage bins of the 2010 Ford Flex, reduces petroleum usage by some 20,000 pounds per year and reduces CO2 emissions by 30,000 pounds per year
• Ford is advancing a strategy to migrate this bio-based material to numerous other interior, exterior and under-hood applications for multiple product lines
• Ford's sustainable materials portfolio also includes soy-based polyurethane seat cushions, seatbacks and headliners; post-industrial recycled yarns for seat fabrics; and post-consumer recycled resins for underbody systems, such as the new engine cam cover on the 2010 Ford Escape's 3.0-liter V-6 engine

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 11, 2009 – Ford Motor Company, working with academic researchers and one of its suppliers, is the first automaker to develop and use environmentally friendly wheat straw-reinforced plastic in a vehicle.

The first application of the natural fiber-based plastic that contains 20 percent wheat straw bio-filler is on the 2010 Ford Flex's third-row interior storage bins. This application alone reduces petroleum usage by some 20,000 pounds per year, reduces CO2 emissions by 30,000 pounds per year, and represents a smart, sustainable usage for wheat straw, the waste byproduct of wheat.

"Ford continues to explore and open doors for greener materials that positively impact the environment and work well for customers," said Patrick Berryman, a Ford engineering manager who develops interior trim. "We seized the opportunity to add wheat straw-reinforced plastic as our next sustainable material on the production line, and the storage bin for the Flex was the ideal first application."

Collaborative effort
Ford researchers were approached with the wheat straw-based plastics formulation by the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, as part of the Ontario BioCar Initiative – a multi-university effort between Waterloo, the University of Guelph, University of Toronto and University of Windsor. Ford works closely with the Ontario government-funded project, which is seeking to advance the use of more plant-based materials in the auto and agricultural industries.

The University of Waterloo already had been working with plastics supplier A. Schulman of Akron, Ohio, to perfect the lab formula for use in auto parts, ensuring the material is not only odorless, but also meets industry standards for thermal expansion and degradation, rigidity, moisture absorption and fogging. Less than 18 months after the initial presentation was made to Ford's Biomaterials Group, the wheat straw-reinforced plastic was refined and approved for Flex, which is produced at Ford's Oakville (Ontario) Assembly Complex.

The wheat straw-reinforced resin is the BioCar Initiative's first production-ready application. It demonstrates better dimensional integrity than a non-reinforced plastic and weighs up to 10 percent less than a plastic reinforced with talc or glass. "Without Ford's driving force and contribution, we would have never been able to move from academia to industry in such lightning speed," said Leonardo Simon, associate professor of chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo. "Seeing this go into production on the Ford Flex is a major accomplishment for the University of Waterloo and the BioCar Initiative."

An interior storage bin may seem like a small start, but it opens the door for more applications, said Dr. Ellen Lee, technical expert, Ford's Plastics Research. "We see a great deal of potential for other applications since wheat straw has good mechanical properties, can meet our performance and durability specifications, and can further reduce our carbon footprint – all without compromise to the customer."

Already under consideration by the Ford team: center console bins and trays, interior air register and door trim panel components, and armrest liners.

Abundant waste material put to good use
The case for using wheat straw to reinforce plastics in higher-volume, higher-content applications is strong across many industries. In Ontario alone, where Flex is built, more than 28,000 farmers grow wheat, along with corn and soybeans. Typically, wheat straw, the byproduct of growing and processing wheat, is discarded. Ontario, for example, has some 30 million metric tons of available wheat straw waste at any given time.

"Wheat is everywhere and the straw is in excess," said Lee. "We have found a practical automotive usage for a renewable resource that helps reduce our dependence on petroleum, uses less energy to manufacture, and reduces our carbon footprint. More importantly, it doesn't jeopardize an essential food source."

To date, Ford and its suppliers are working with four southern Ontario farmers for the wheat straw needed to mold the Flex's two interior storage bins.

History in the making
Ford's interest in wheat dates back to the 1920s, when company founder Henry Ford developed a product called Fordite – a mixture of wheat straw, rubber, sulphur, silica and other ingredients – that was used to make steering wheels for Ford cars and trucks. Much of the straw used to produce Fordite came from Henry Ford's Dearborn-area farm.

The company's new-age application for wheat straw joins other bio-based, reclaimed and recycled materials that are in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles today, including:

• Soy-based polyurethane foams on the seat cushions and seatbacks, now in production on the Ford Mustang, Expedition, F-150, Focus, Escape, Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner and Lincoln Navigator and Lincoln MKS. More than 1.5 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles on the road today have soy-foam seats, which equates to a reduction in petroleum oil usage of approximately 1.5 million pounds. This year, Ford has expanded its soy-foam portfolio to include the industry's first application of a soy-foam headliner on the 2010 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner for a 25 percent weight savings over a traditional glass-mat headliner.
• Underbody systems, such as aerodynamic shields, splash shields and radiator air deflector shields, made from post-consumer recycled resins such as detergent bottles, tires and battery casings, diverting between 25 and 30 million pounds of plastic from landfills. The newest addition is the engine cam cover on the 3.0-liter V-6 2010 Ford Escape.
• 100 percent post-industrial recycled yarns in seat fabrics on vehicles such as the Ford Escape. The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids feature 85 percent post-industrial yarns and 15 percent solution-dyed yarns. The 100 percent usage represents a 64 percent reduction in energy consumption and a 60 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.
• Repurposed nylon carpeting made into nylon resin and molded into cylinder head covers for Ford's 3.0L Duratec engine. The industry's first eco-friendly cylinder head cover is currently found in the 2010 Ford Fusion and Escape vehicles.

LINK ]]> Ford Motor Company Discussion Simon says http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f57/ford-teams-up-develop-wheat-straw-reinforced-plastic-new-biomaterial-2010-flex-86052/