Category Archives: Ford

Paris’ next used cars

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

The Paris Auto Show is officially over, and automotive journalists are debating over which automakers had the strongest showings and most interesting designs. While these cars aren't slated to hit the market for a few years, their introduction will likely affect the price of the cars they're set to replace in the near future.

As a new model comes in, the old one is shipped out, and a gap in a generation can affect a used car price substantially. For example, the Ford Mustang, which was popular for much of this decade, will now fetch a lower price on the used car market since Ford has introduced a brand-new redesign for the vehicle. While the new models that the major automakers unveiled are sure to delight car fans, it's important to keep in mind that the best value can usually be found by shopping one generation earlier.

The unofficial theme of this year's show was small, eco-friendly vehicles as demonstrated by the debut of high-profile compact models from several major brands. Ford's redesigned 2012 Focus turned some heads, as the company announced its marketing strategy would take a page out of the book of the highly-successful Fiesta, which launched earlier this year. That means buyers can expect plenty of trim levels and customization options, in addition to a hatchback style and great fuel economy. The new debut could also mean some low prices on existing Focuses, so used car buyers should keep their eyes peeled for any deals.

Chevy responded with a similar small car in the upcoming 2012 Aveo. This compact will be available in both sedan or hatchback forms, and the press speculates that the high-performance RS version, previously seen as a concept, will make its debut shortly after the regular model. Drivers can expect plenty of creature comforts like a high-end audio system with Bluetooth and MP3 integration, but buyers should keep in mind that Chevy currently sells an Aveo, meaning they might be able to get many of those features for a cheaper price now.

Finally, what would an auto show be without concept cars? Although not officially slated for production, Nissan unveiled a high-tech concept in its Townpod concept. This vehicle continues the small car trend by being based off of Nissan's Leaf platform, but takes it to the next level with a sleek design and futuristic interior featuring a dual display touchscreen. 

Ford announces Focus rally contest

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

As part of the launch of its redesigned Focus, Ford has announced that it will team up with the "Amazing Race" producers for an online reality show.

The show, named "Focus Rally: America," will follow six teams of two as they make their way across the continental U.S. Along the way, they'll compete in challenges that will also have an interactive component, encouraging fans and followers to get onboard as well. The winner receives $10,000 and 10 Focuses, which will be split among the competitors and randomly chosen fans of the show.

At the Paris Auto Show, Ford executives announced that the Focus marketing campaign would be similar to the successful "Fiesta Movement," which utilized social media to generate buzz for the company's Fiesta hatchback. The new show continues that trend by being streamed online at popular video site Hulu.

According to Matt VanDyke, Ford's U.S. vice president of marketing, the challenges will incorporate the technology available in the car.

"The technology available with the Focus will be demonstrated throughout the course of the rally," said VanDyke. "And fans will see Focus' technology used by the competitors in a very authentic way. Essentially, they will be riding along on a very entertaining virtual test drive of the vehicle. At the end of the day, we are hopeful they will put the new Focus on their shopping list."

Drivers interested in a Ford or any other vehicle can save money by shopping on the used car market rather than buying new.
 

Ford posts big gains in September

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Monthly sales totals are rolling in, and the big news is at Ford, where the company posted a whopping 46.3 percent sales increase over September 2009.

Nearly all models posted upticks in sales, but the Focus and Fusion both performed above average. Ford also posted an unexpected 61 percent spike in the SUV department and said its new Transit Connect van, mainly bought by businesses, has been a hot seller.

"The key to our success in the U.S. market is the relentless cadence of new vehicle, powertrain and technology introductions," said Ken Czubay, VP of marketing, sales and service for the company.

Automakers are expected to post big numbers in September because of the aftereffects of the "Cash for Clunkers" program in 2009. While the government-sponsored initiative boosted numbers for August of 2009, it hurt sales in September because many automakers didn't have the supply left to meet demand.

Despite this, Ford has still posted the biggest increase so far out of the major auto brands.

Drivers on the market for a vehicle may want to search for a late-model used Ford, as the company has produced a major turnaround in recent months 

Sorting out heavy-duty pickups

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Posted in Ford, How To

Some drivers choose pickup trucks year after year for their style – enjoying the feeling of riding high and the utility afforded by the bed in the back. Others have specific tasks in mind when they consider the vehicle, whether that be off-roading for leisure or heavy-duty hauling for business.

These drivers tend to gravitate to the larger versions of pickup trucks for their increased power, towing capacity and size. For years, Ford has been at the top of the segment with the F-150, a perennial best-seller. Yet when drivers upgrade to the next class of truck, Ford has had ever-increasing competition in recent years.

According to the Detroit News, there are only a few brands that drivers should consider when choosing a full-size pickup – Ford, GMC, Ram and Chevy. The news source recently pitted four of the top trucks available against each other in two different categories – three-quarter ton gas-powered and one-ton diesel-powered, to see which one took the cake. These vehicles all have long histories, and while there are changes year to year, drivers will have plenty of options when searching for them on the used car market. The news source ultimately liked all of the vehicles and would recommend any of them for drivers serious about their truck.

Ford's F-150 was cited as having the best engine of the bunch in the gas-engine category, with an updated powertrain that gets 385 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Ford also has the technically biggest diesel engine at 400 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque, but the news source said that the GMC/Chevy shared Duramax engine delivered a smoother ride, though drivers will sacrifice some power at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque.

Although the Ram fell behind a bit in terms of power, the news source praised it as the best-looking truck, which is an important feature for some drivers. Despite that, Ford had the best interior with plenty of room for people and the optional Sync connectivity system.

Overall, the Ford easily took the cake in the three-quarter ton segment and posted a strong showing in the one-ton contest as well. Yet the news source ultimately preferred the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado in terms of performance. Between the two, the Sierra got the nod for its slightly more refined interior, though both trucks share powertrains.

Drivers looking for a truck will have plenty of options on the used car market, and their decision will ultimately come down to exactly what they want to use it for. 

Ford: New Focus will take cues from Fiesta

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Posted in Ford

By all accounts, Ford's redesigned Fiesta subcompact has been a huge hit for the company, as the small car is already approaching 1 million units sold worldwide after just a few months on the market. Ford is also making a tidy profit on the vehicle as buyers are loading it up with extra features and packages, according to the company's data.

Now, Ford says that its next big launch, the Focus, will take many of its cues from the Fiesta.

Ford's launch of the Fiesta used social media to get the ball rolling long before the vehicle debuted. Using consumers that the company identified as "agents," Ford unveiled test designs to people who would begin to spread the message about the people and received key feedback before the car launched.

"One of the things we learned with the Fiesta Movement was that it allowed us to forecast initial demand," Jim Farley, Ford's VP of Global Marketing told the New York Times. "Our engineers started talking to agents, our marketing people talked to agents, and we made changes based on those conversations. The agents said the 5-door hatchback was going to be more popular than the sedan, so we were prepared."

The new Focus has already been unveiled at the Paris Auto Show and follows in the Fiesta's footsteps by offering hatchback and sedan styles in addition to a wagon option. It also comes with a slew of upgradeable features, similar exterior styling and a performance trim level dubbed the ST.

Drivers interested in Fiestas and Focuses might want to shop the used car market, as the popularity of the new vehicles have driven down the cost of previous iterations of the model. 

Ford Fiesta approaches 1 million sales

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Ford has announced that its Fiesta model, which debuted this year, is already approaching the 1 million vehicle sales mark worldwide, far exceeding the company's expectations.

The company revealed that response to the new car has been strong in every market where it is sold, including China, Europe, Thailand, Australia, South Africa and the U.S. The company also said that many drivers were choosing to purchase higher trim levels and packages rather than simply sticking with the base model.

"We worked together to design and build a great small car for the world – with leading quality, safety, fuel economy, smart design and value – and nearly a million customers have responded," said Ford CEO Alan Mulally.

The success is a ringing endorsement for Ford's new global B-platform, which it says will hopefully be on 1.6 million vehicles sold in 2014. The company says it will take what it learned from the Fiesta's launch and apply it to the upcoming Ford Focus, which will run on its new C-platform.

Drivers may want to wait for the Fiesta to hit the used car market, where they'll be able to find it for much less than its current new price.
 

Ford to end Ranger pickup

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Ford has announced the end of its compact Ranger pickup line as it looks to streamline its fleet and jettison struggling products.

A redesigned Ranger is set to debut at the Sydney Auto Show on October 15th, but that version will not be sold in North America, the company says. The new Ranger is a larger vehicle, much closer to Ford's F-150 in size. Not wanting to cannibalize sales of its more popular pickup, Ford is moving ahead with the decision to solely offer the F-150 and its variants in the North American market, while the new Ranger will be sold worldwide.

Drivers generally choose a Ranger if they want a smaller and more fuel-efficient engine, but 2011 will see the F-150 get several new options for smaller engines that don't consume as much gas. Thus, the Ranger won't be offered past that year. Last year, Ford sold just 55,000 of the compact truck.

After 2011, it appears that drivers will have to search the used car market to find Ford Rangers. They may also want to consider used Ford F-150s, which have won several top awards and are generally considered to be one of the best pickup trucks available.

Automakers betting on smaller cars

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

With the compact car segment growing and more models on the way, car buyers may notice a shift toward compact and microcars over the next few years.

As drivers worry both about the initial price of the vehicle and the fuel economy, both new and used car buyers are turning to subcompacts as an alternative to bulkier sedans, according to the Detroit News. Automakers have been happy to oblige, with a wave of small cars hitting the scene in recent years and even more to follow.

According to the news source, the "C-Segment" or compact sedan (including the Ford Fusion or Hyundai Elantra) were the dominant small cars for many years, as Americans tended to favor larger vehicles. Meanwhile, small cars that were easy to drive in the city enjoyed success in Europe and other regions around the world. Yet the "B-Segment," which now consists of hatchbacks like the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Mini Cooper, was introduced to America with some success. Now, more "B" cars are on the way with "A" cars – like the Smart Fourtwo, Fiat 500 and Scion iQ – close behind.

Automakers are not yet sure how Americans will react to the shrinking interior space, but Rebecca Lindland of IHS Automotive predicted strong growth in these segments, with at least 850,000 cars per year in the B-Segment by 2015, up from the current level of 300,000.

For drivers in the market for a vehicle now, there are more than a few options in the small car category that they may find appealing, and quite a few on the way. These cars are already marked down when compared to their bigger counterparts and save drivers more at the pump, but patient consumers who wait for them to hit the used car market may be able to save even further.

The recently debuted redesign of the Ford Fiesta has been a big hit for the company, with the automaker currently struggling to keep up with demand. Reviewer's have praised the wealth of customization options in addition to its 32 miles per gallon EPA combined rating.

The Honda Fit is another example of a compact car that has enjoyed robust sales, jumping out to a clear lead in the segment sales-wise before the Fiesta came along. The car is a solid alternative and affordable option with basic features like air conditioning, power locks and a radio all available for under $15,000.

Whether it's one of the current subcompacts or one of the upcoming microcars like the Scion iQ, Fiat 500 or Chevy Spark, drivers can't go wrong with these small cars' mix of power and efficiency at a low price. 

Searching for a fun vehicle

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Posted in Ford, How To

When drivers are searching for a used car, they now have access to all sorts of stats and figures on the Internet. But its hard to quantify exactly how "fun" a car is without driving it.

Although this quality is highly subjective, Edmunds' Inside Line recently listed their personal picks for the most fun vehicles. The one restriction was that the vehicle must be commonly available as a new or used car in America.

While the list had some high-priced vehicles like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, there were also more than a few choices that will fit into many drivers' price ranges, especially if bought used rather than new.

One choice that didn't surprise anyone was the BMW M3. For whatever reason, this car has become one of the darlings of the automotive press over the years, frequently earning top reviews from a wide variety of sources. Available as either a coupe, convertible or sedan, BMW's performance-enhanced version of its popular 3 Series is definitely a car to have fun in. The news source writes that "like few cars new or old, the beautifully balanced M3 has always made its operator feel like a better driver than he is."

The Cadillac CTS-V took a lot of cues from the M3 in its design, but adds a bit of a muscle car soul under the hood. Powered by a V8 engine that produces 556 horsepower, the CTS is nowhere near as subtle as the M3 – which is exactly what makes it a fun vehicle.

But for pure muscle, there's no beating the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang. This is the highest trim level of Mustang available and it shows. In recent years, Ford has updated the vehicle's suspension and given it an aluminum-block engine to make for better handling – so now its not just a drag racing straightway vehicle, but a track car as well.

Also from Ford is something that pickup truck fans might appreciate: the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The Ford F-150 is a popular model, but not exactly what people would think of as a "fun" vehicle. It's great for towing or helping a friend move, but not exactly tearing up the road. That changes when a driver upgrades to the SVT Raptor performance package. This off-road monster packs a 6.2-liter V8 engine, and its large size only adds to the fun.

One of the choices wasn't actually a specific model at all, but a nondescript used car that the news source dubbed "The Beater." This car's value is that it has no value, making it perfect for taking it off-roading or pulling tricks like donuts. Even if something happens to the car, it's okay because it will never be used as a main ride.

There's no shame in wanting a fun vehicle. Drivers who aren't happy with their current non-descript vehicle may want to think about selling or trading their car for one of these models and introducing a little fun into their lives. 

Power and efficiency in one package

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Posted in Ford, How To

Drivers with a need for speed often assume that they’ll be sacrificing fuel economy in order to get the performance they desire. Yet while Ferraris and Lamborghinis may still have EPA ratings in the low teens, many performance cars from major automakers are able to boast impressive horsepower numbers without causing their owners to empty their wallet every time they go to the pump.

While miles per gallon (mpg) ratings in the low twenties may not be as impressive with models regularly eclipsing 40, bundling hundreds of horsepower with decent fuel economy was unheard of a few years ago. Now, there’s a whole range of vehicles that’ll impress on the racetrack while also not draining a bank account.

MSN Autos recently looked at 10 performance-oriented models that still look and run great while offering some great mpg ratings. Although prices on these vehicles may be high when bought new, drivers can save by shopping on the used car market and taking advantage of the increased fuel economy.

Sometimes the aerodynamics and sheer power of an engine means that a vehicle can do more with less – in this case put out more performance while guzzling less gas. That’s the case with the Dodge Viper, the first car mentioned by the news source. The Viper boasts 600 horsepower with it’s V10 engine, yet still manages to post a 22 miles per gallon EPA rating on the highway. That’s because when driving at highway speeds, the V10 is powerful enough to maintain a comfortable clip while not draining the tank all at once.

Another option from GM is the iconic Corvette line. The base model gets 435 horsepower – which might seem like a downgrade compared to some of the higher numbers boasted by the other cars on the list. But for most drivers, 435 will be more than enough to get them from A to B, and they’ll get 26 miles per gallon as compensation. Of course, true speed demons might upgrade to the supercharged ZR-1 which skyrockets the horsepower to 638 while losing just 6 miles per gallon.

Finally, the latest line to make waves in both performance and fuel economy is the new 2011 Ford Mustang. The V6 model offers a very impressive 305 horsepower while still clocking 31 miles per gallon on the highway – and its lighter V6 engine means that power goes further. Drivers can still upgrade to a Mustang GT at 412 horsepower and 26 mpg or the Shelby GT with 540 hp and 22 mpg.

Car buyers have options when they want to get some bang for their buck. Those interested in fuel economy and breakneck speeds may want to look at a used Ford, Chevy or Dodge today.