Vehicle technology is becoming increasing sophisticated, and most cars can already detect when there is some type of problem with the engine or powertrain. So, what about detecting an issue with the driver?

Ford has been doing extensive research in that area, and recently unveiled a new driver's seat that will be able to detect a passenger's heart function. Through the use of six small sensors, the seat is able to detect electrical pulses from the heart without touching the skin.

The seat can then pass that information on to the car's computer system, which can take appropriate action. For example, if signs of a heart attack are present, the car may automatically disable and notify a local medical center before any damage is done.

"As always in medicine, the earlier a condition is detected, the easier it is to treat, and this technology even has the potential to be instrumental in diagnosing conditions drivers were previously unaware they had," said Dr. Achim Lindner, a medical officer at the Ford research center.

It is widely believed that former professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage recently died as a result of a heart attack which led to an accident, exactly the kind of situation that Ford is looking to prevent through this new technology.
 

Ford has announced that it is considering using Google's Prediction API to develop smarter vehicles that can attune to a driver's on-road habits.

At the recent Google I/O conference, Ford revealed that it was looking at implementation strategies for the Prediction API, which is a piece of software with broad applications. Google uses the algorithms to "predict" things like which pieces of e-mail are spam and what a user's online shopping tendencies may be. However, Ford is looking to take things in a different direction.

By gathering data about how a user drives and the routes they normally take, the automaker is looking at ways to improve efficiency in vehicles, especially upcoming hybrids and electric cars. The theory is that the prediction software will be able to recognize things like a driver starting up the car on weekday mornings for their morning commute. The vehicle would then be able to use the data from previous commutes to map out the best route, tune the engine for best performance and utilize less energy from electric systems if applicable.

The driver would be able to confirm with the system before the changes were made, and most won't even be noticed. Ford stressed that it's not about changing a driver's habits, but adapting to them.

While new technology is always a cool reason to buy a car, changes like this aren't planned for years at least. In the meantime, drivers may want to consider buying a used Ford from New Jersey State Auto Auction to save money.

It hasn't been a good month for owners of Ford F-150s or those considering purchasing the classic truck, as millions of vehicles have been recalled for two separate safety issues.

In April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration forced the automaker to recall F-150s made between 2003 and 2006 due to a problem with airbag wiring that could cause the safety devices to unexpectedly deploy. Now, F-150s made between 1997 and 2001 are being investigated by the NHTSA after the bureau received complaints of corrosion possibly causing the fuel tank to fall off.

The 2.7 million vehicles that are potentially affected by the issue aren't yet subjected to a recall, but one seems likely considering the NHTSA's recent modus operandi. Ever since the Toyota scandal, the government body has been opening its own investigations and forcing automakers to recall more vehicles.

The airbag wiring incident is a prime example – Ford said that only 144,000 vehicles had the problem, but the NHTSA insisted on the automaker bringing back 1.4 million. Combine that with the 2.7 million trucks currently being investigated, and Ford may soon be looking at a combined total of 4 million F-150s recalled in a one-month span.

Drivers in the market for a used Ford F-150 shouldn't necessarily disqualify the vehicle, but they should check to ensure its either unaffected or has had the proper repairs.
 

Ford has been studying buying trends lately in order to improve its offerings, and one of the areas that the company has looked closely at is how the color of a vehicle factors into a driver's decision.

The company found that the vast majority of consumers in America and Europe played it quite safe with their choices – white, black, silver and gray are the most popular color selections. Yet it's not completely true across the board – tastes vary a bit depending on the region.

For example, silver and gray are the top choice for big cities such as Los Angeles and New York. Black is king in Boston, while white is the top color for San Francisco. Tastes vary in Europe as well: Ireland prefers silver, Denmark likes black, and both French and Italian drivers are fans of tan.

Some places buck the trend of grayscale-inspired car colors and branch out into the rainbow. The Czech Republic, for example, is the only country studied to break out of the gray/black/white/silver mold, as drivers in this country generally buy blue. Red is very popular in the American midwest, while Philadelphia and Pittsburgh drivers "go green."

Drivers interested in a vehicle of any color may want to consider New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of cars for sale in any shade you desire. 

Stock analysts are predicting big gains for Ford when the automaker officially announces its first-quarter earnings tomorrow, as the company is expected to do well on the back of its fuel-efficient vehicles.

According to an average of three analysts compiled by Bloomberg, the automaker is expected to report earnings of $2.1 billion for the first quarter, which would be the largest gain to open a year since 1998. Through the first three months, the company's sales are up a reported 15.9 percent compared to 2010, due largely to rising gas costs.

"With the fuel prices moving up, we now have the vehicles that people want," Ford CEO Alan Mullaly told the news source. "The largest vehicles are slowing down a little bit, but all these smaller ones from Ford are now available."

Examples of models that have sold well during the first few months include the Explorer, one of the top SUVs in term of fuel economy, and the Fiesta hatchback, which is rated at 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

Drivers in the market for a fuel-efficient car may want to shop New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide range of used Fords and other brands. Many of the newer models can be found lightly-used and at significant discounts off their retail price.

Ford will be expanding its previous recall of approximately 150,000 Ford F-150 pickup trucks to more than 1 million, after considerable pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The issue relates to a possible short in the electrical wiring that could cause the airbag to deploy unexpectedly, even while the vehicle is in motion. In February, Ford said that the problem could be attributed to an error during a specific shift at a specific factory, meaning just a fraction of the 2004 to 2006 versions of the pickup truck were affected. However, the NHTSA was not satisfied, and urged the automaker to recall all trucks made during the time period, approximately 1.2 million vehicles.

The original recall went through as planned in February, but after discussions with the NHTSA, Ford has decided to expand it to include the extra million vehicles. Drivers will be notified in May, and repairs are expected to take about half a day's work at the dealership.

Drivers interested in purchasing a used Ford F-150 should be sure that the truck is either not included in the recall or has had the necessary maintenance work performed. Those interested in this model may want to consider New Jersey State Auto Auction, where they can get a great deal on these and other vehicles.