What’s making so many eyes take notice?

It’s the novel approach The Ford Fiesta Movement takes in marketing a compact vehicle. Each piece of the puzzle is dedicated to selling the Fiesta as an experience. From YouTube videos featuring auto-tuned robots describing engine specs to a zombie survival guide crafted to highlight keyless entry and push-button engine start, the Fiesta speaks to a generation immune to the usual gimmicks crafted to sell a product.

The process doesn’t end with the advertising. With 4.3 million YouTube views, and over three million Twitter impressions the campaign has generated, Ford announced that over 50,000 “hand-raisers” have retained interest in the vehicle, and plans to continue the campaign with an “unpackaging” process that follows the consumer. A picture of the new Fiesta owner and vehicle is snapped at the dealership at the moment of purchase and a USB drive packed with information about the model comes standard. When plugged into a home computer, the drive includes a download for a community application that keeps the owner connected to Ford, the dealership and fellow Fiesta owners.

What makes the Fiesta Movement is more than a mere branding and advertising campaign. It’s the integrated approach taken from the Fiesta’s launch that follows the customer perspective all the way through the showroom and continues with the buyer out the door. Not only is the Fiesta branded as fun, exciting and affordable, but it’s also the car with a connected community of users and lifestyle statement that may inspire buyer loyalty for years to come.

Many of the most fuel efficient vehicles are not desirable to the luxury buying segment because of their size and focus on being more economic than comfortable, and are usually not what one would consider luxury.

The Lincoln brand has been widely known as a high end luxury vehicle that has always been about comfort and style.  Even back in the days of the Mark VII’s they were in a class of their own with the roomy leather interior and functionality that most cars wouldn’t dream of having.

The Lincoln MKZ is a culmination of years in the making and it seems appropriate that this vehicle should earn such a title due to the extreme reliability and focus on providing not only a comforting driving experience, but one that is technological in almost every regard.

Lincoln has always been ahead of the rest it seems from their interactive dash board and more interior controls and features than one could ever learn about.  The engineers were truly passionate about this brand and the merging of great technology, innovation, and luxury.

In addition, the automakers are becoming more competitive in trying to win over lifetime customers who are loyal to the brand so expect that if you become a Lincoln owner, you’ll have a hard time finding something as luxurious and affordable at a suggested MSRP of $34225.

V6 or V8

It’s obvious that a V6 is going to be more wallet friendly when it comes time to fill the tank, but will it do? If you’ve been in a situation where you’re driving to the job and carrying a lot of materials you may have felt disappointed when you hit the gas to merge onto the freeway driving a V6. If that causes you grief then just go with a V8 and don’t think twice. Any savings in gas will not be worth the aggravation one can have with a lack of power.

Stop and Go Traffic

Let’s consider the previously mentioned situation wasn’t an experience you’ve encountered. In that case, consider how often you spend your time traveling – percent of time driving on city streets versus highway. If you’re on the highway often then a V8 would be the better choice to solve the merging problem, but if you do more inner city street driving, a V6 would likely be the winner. Stop and go traffic can be a killer of gas consumption and efficiency, so think about where you are driving the most and decide accordingly.

A V6 doesn’t have the power that one needs in a work truck usually, work trucks are often loaded down with tools and other materials making them quite difficult to get up to speed when needed. Even if you’re not on the highway, areas that have a lot of hills may also vindicate buying a V8.

Conclusion

Ask yourself how you need to travel for work, what types of roads do you spend the majority of your time on? City streets and stop and go traffic – get a V6, anything else get the V8.

The new technology combined with a luxury leather interior makes the Ford Fusion really glow. But besides the lighting, the leather seats, entertainment system, it’s the ability to mold all of these components together into a very satisfying experience that has my attention.  It really does have a solid integration with SYNC, and pairing a Bluetooth mobile phone takes only minutes to do.

The lighting and the seats quickly comfort you and give a sense of excitement and personality. For instance, my daughter loves the purple color, her second choice to pink. This subtle customization component albeit a simple one quickly gives the driver a close bond with the vehicle.

It’s wonderful to drive a vehicle made by a company that is embracing change, promoting technology, a truly satisfying the needs of its owners. If Ford were a computer company, Apple might see some interesting competition.

Ford answers this call to action and is developing an open source platform that will seek true innovation in a direction that will benefit the world as electric vehicles begin to emerge.

The support of Ford with the SYNC platform makes it a complete system designed for the tech geeks to the average joe who wants it all integrated and accessible.  Staying connected with the applications one needs can be the difference between making an important business meeting or coordinating a group of people through the various networking tools that people use these days.

Its possible that the reaction could be taken a bit on the offensive side, so I’d probably refrain from saying that and simply try to find out for myself what leads to these vehicles being so popular. I often thought it was the size of the inner city streets, with Paris in particular being no place for an SUV to navigate.

Beginning in early 2010, Ford has gone to a global design concept making their vehicles more and more familiar looking no matter where you are. This helps from a cost perspective but even more significant it helps from the brand perspective as you can always expect the same quality in a Ford Focus wherever it’s sold. The European version seemed to have been getting regular enhancements while the US version didn’t evolve much.

The 2012 Focus certainly looks remarkable, particularly in 5-door form. The designers and engineers felt they were capable of making the Focus sportier by lowering the seats and the overall height of the vehicle to give it a more slick appeal. In contrast to today’s version of the Ford Focus in the US, the new version is 0.5 inch lower and a 1.3-inch extended wheelbase. The 2012 Ford Focus’s proportions are close to the present Euro car apart from a wider stance and lower height.

A high steel strength has been used for 55% of the body. Rigidity has shot up to 25% more that the present Focus. The Ford Focus will get 2.0L, direct injection 4 cylinder with variable intake and exhaust valve timing. It has been said from Ford that the engine will have 155hp and 145 ft-lbs of torque. They will also have an Ecoboost engine in the new Focus along with 2 transmission options. Electric power steering with torque vectoring will be a new feature. The interior appearance is that of a champion with options like rear view camera, a keyless ignition, a GPS system, blind spot warning system and an upgraded SYNC Infotainment System.

Ford Motor Company brands are linked to new technology and fun gadgets from the all new-Eco Friendly Nav to this new upgrade that keeps driver safety at the forefront of all technological features incorporated into their models. AppLink will offer hands free access to drivers which allow driver focus to remain on the road.

At this time the extension works with Backberry and Android phones; however, next year AppLink will be available for all Ford brand vehicles and will also add iPhone. The three Sync apps are: Pandora Internet Radio, Stitcher “smart radio” and OpenBeak. Look for more apps in the near future as Ford is already in the development mode and will offer “Mobile Application Developer Network” which will allow more apps for Ford vehicle drivers.

Smartphone apps enable owners to stay in touch with a variety of information. In the coming years Smartphone apps will enable the consumer almost instant access to their personal contacts, work files, and even the onboard computer of your car. While many of these apps already exist broadband connections will become faster and faster which will enable Smartphone customers to connect no matter the location and will allow consumers the ability to download and upload information very quickly.

Ford Motor Company sees the future and will initially put the AppLink in a car that also captures a futuristic vision of an energetic insanely intelligent demographic that can not have too many apps or enough time on the Smartphone. However, having information a voice command away is not only for the young but the young at heart; granting consumers information while allowing them to keep both eyes focused on the road. Ford Motor Company, a visionary when it comes to the needs of its customers, continues to engineer safety and convenience into their brands.

Many remember the day and many more will remember the day. The 1965 Mustang, the best thing since the “Tin Lizzy” reached out to a market that was chronologically young and also to those who remain forever young. Ford’s marketing department acknowledged there are reasons people buy cars that have little to do with responsibility and everything to do with identity and the car/driver experience.

Features like a sleek physique, a big and proven powerplant, and smooth handling speak a kind of language that makes the marketing department’s job easy. Through the years Mustang evolved with the country’s mindset which was not always exciting for muscle car enthusiasts, but the missing link to that raw excitement is back: the 5.0 fender badge.

The 2011 Ford Mustang is dressed out to compete with Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger. The 2011 Stang drives in with an all-new 32 valve 5.0-L (Not 4.9) V-8 that races 412 horses and offers muscle madness at 390 lb.-ft of torque. Ford’s use of new technology (TiVCT), Cam Torque-actuated twin independent variable grants the GT owner power with fuel economy. The 2011 Mustang GT offers consumers 25 miles per gallon and is kinder to the environment; Ford Motor Company’s pledge to keep consumers happy and with the GT 5.0-L not only happy but ecstatic and the earth healthy–continues.

The GT comes with either a six-speed manual or a six speed automatic, Electronic power-assisted steering, and an upgrade on strut and shock tuning. Optional on the 2011 GT is Brembo braking (14-inch front rotors and 19-inch wheels). Also Ford has made improvements in steering response with a fine tune of spring and damper rates.

As the pony race heats up once again, muscle car fans can once again talk in present tense.

Ford engineers’ mindset for this project is to gather user feedback, performance data, and video footage. Customers can go to the 2011 Super Duty Web site to watch the trucks in action. There is also a counter on the site that gives running and up to date totals of pounds towed and hauled, hours on the job, and miles driven. Other totals like power figures and work capacities are not available yet.

Testing in-house is a given but Ford carried the all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 and 6R140 TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission to the ultimate level where workers give their all and need a truck that is an asset day in and day out while keeping fueling costs and costs to the environment as low as possible.

According to Ford, the all-new diesel engine is quieter, lighter, more powerful, and more fuel efficient. Ford’s goal to give the customer a Ford Tough truck may have another merit in setting a standard industry-wide with the first engineered, first designed, and the first built diesel engine with a blueprint that says Ford.

The 2011 Super Duty offers customers more horsepower, more torque, and at better fuel economy–then even after hours of in-house testing wanted more for the customer base. Engineers wanted to make sure the truck would obtain and exceed expectations and invite customers and future customers to follow the progress on the 2011 Super Duty Web site. Ford, founded on quality, continues that great tradition.

Ford Edge customers will have three engine options but is confident EcoBoost will be the hands down favorite soon after its introduction. Ford projects that by 2013, 90% of Ford’s vehicles in North America will be available with EcoBoost, with I-4 engines making up 66% of the EcoBoost lineup.

Ford’s EcoBoost engine is already an option in the Ford Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKT and MKS, and Ford Flex. However, the EcoBoost in a four-cylinder package is new technology and one that has had led to a lot of excitement amongst enthusiasts.

Marketing the Ford Edge with EcoBoost to an affluent young demographic is one reason the EcoBoost will prove to keep the Ford Edge winning awards and traditional and non-traditional customer loyalty.

While the jury is still out on what the actual fuel economy numbers will be on the 2011 Ford Edge, the U.S. Department of Energy gives the 2009 Ford Edge fuel economy as 17 city, 24 highway, and a combined fuel economy of 19. Consumers could expect to drive 325 miles on a 19 gallon tank of gas.²

With Ford’s focus on performance without foregoing fuel economy, the future looks pretty good behind the wheel of the traditionally top selling Ford Edge.

[1] http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/02/ford-edge-ecoboost-20-liter-i-4-engine-to-make-us-debut/1

[2] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/noframes/26127.shtml

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).

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.”

The fact that the MKT EcoBoost™ has an MSRP of $49,200 – thousands less than the Q7 – is a sizeable added bonus. Just as eye opening as the MKT EcoBoost model’s 355 hp and 350 lb/ft of torque is its rated highway fuel economy of 22 mpg. For comparison, the Audi Q7 V8 rates at 18. And the MKT can run on Regular grade fuel just fine while the Audi (and most other luxury-brand crossovers) require more expensive Premium.

The MKT is also available with a naturally aspirated 268-hp 3.7-liter V6 and is available in front-wheel drive or with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The MSRP of $44,200 makes it an exceptional value in the segment. But you’re not going to find anything among full-size, three-row luxury crossovers with such dramatic styling as the MKT.

Nor are you likely to find another three-row crossover that offers today’s most in-demand technology and makes it so easy to use. Isn’t the whole point of new technology to add convenience, not distraction and frustration? When it comes to delivering onboard information and entertainment, the Lincoln MKT takes a backseat to no luxury crossover.

Speaking of seats, MKT treats the driver and front passenger to standard heated and cooled seats. On competitors’ vehicles, that feature tends to be on the extra-cost option list. Second-row passengers in the MKT meanwhile, enjoy nearly 42 inches of stretch-out legroom. Plus, they have access to their own climate controls, as well as available premium sound and video features.

Power “fold and tumble” second-row seats with heating, cooling and power-assisted lumbar adjustment are also available. There is even a rear console-mounted refrigerator available in the six-passenger seating configuration (middle-row bucket seats).

In the MKT, you can simply speak requests for music and phone use because it comes standard with the SYNC® voice-activated, hands-free in-car communications and entertainment system. Order the Elite Package, and your favorite sounds play through an incredible THX II® Certified 5.1 Surround Audio System. The package also includes a voice-activated navigation system with integrated SIRIUS Travel Link™. A prepaid subscription gives you coast-to-coast weather data, forecasts, fuel prices, sports scores, movie listings and more. It’s like having a personal in-car concierge.

The Elite Package also enhances driving safety with the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert, and enhances luxury with the power panoramic Vista Roof™. And you’ll still be $20,000 or so under competitive vehicles. But are they truly competitive? Can they, like the MKT, park themselves?

In Car & Driver’s words, the MKT’s available Active Parking Assist is “unlike the system offered on the Lexus LS, since this actually works.” Activated at the touch of a button, Active Park Assist uses sonar sensors to tell you if a parking space is suitable as you drive alongside it. Just stop the MKT, shift into reverse and work the gas and brake pedals while the MKT steers itself in. Unlike other systems on the market, Active Park Assist also works in uphill parking situations.

Out on the open road, the Lincoln MKT offers serenely quiet cruising, the result of a super-strong structure, laminated windows and careful attention to aerodynamic design. Inside this tranquil environment, every surface reflects extraordinary craftsmanship. The list of standard features is quite long, making an MKT better equipped than other luxury vehicles, even before adding options. Keyless Intelligent Access with push-button starting, Lincoln’s exclusive MyKey™ technology, adaptive HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a power liftgate, a rearview camera and SYNC are all standard.

The 2010 Lincoln MKT achieves a milestone in luxury vehicle design, comfort, performance and technology – with value that embarrasses competitors.

Source: IMN

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.

About 10 percent of an automobile is made up of plastics – from doors, interior cabin parts and instrument panels to those out-of-sight sections such as impact shields, engine covers and insulating materials. Tests have shown that natural-fiber reinforced plastics reduce weight by up to 30 percent, depending on the part. Ford is now working with a biodegradable plastic called polylactic plastic (PLA) made from the sugars in sugarcane, corn, switch grass and other plants. Parts made of this can biodegrade after their lifecycle in from 90 to 120 days compared to up to 1,000 years in a landfill for traditional petroleum-based plastic.

There is a downside. Natural fiber replacements are more likely to absorb moisture, retain odors and are designed to biodegrade quickly. Researchers want to make sure that they last the lifetime of the vehicle before that happens. That’s why Ford started the BioCar Initiative, an Ontario government-funded project designed to advance the use of more plant-based materials in both the automotive and agricultural industries.

Working with several universities and organizations such as the University of Ontario and the University of Toronto, scientists are looking toward nano fillers that have the potential to reduce weight, yet maintain or even surpass the strength of materials made with glass fibers. Debbie Mielewski, Technical Leader, Ford Plastics Research, says, “We have to entertain the thought of bio-replacement in baby steps, looking at every aspect of a car that could be green.”

Ford is already the industry leader in soy-based polyurethane foam seat cushions and seatbacks, which are in more than 1.5 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. That represents a petroleum usage reduction of approximately 1.5 million pounds. The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan feature 85 percent post-industrial yarns in seat fabrics.

Ford has also worked with other industries to capitalize on its greener materials technology and leads the way in innovative research to develop leaner and greener vehicles and reduce petroleum-based product consumption to ensure a cleaner environment for all.

Source: IMN

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.

The seemingly simple oil change can have very expensive consequences if done incorrectly. If that sounds like exaggeration, ask yourself, Do you change the filter before or after the oil? What kind of oil does your vehicle require? What viscosity index? What performance rating?

Your owner’s manual will provide this information, and, of course, your dealer service tech knows, too. Most newer vehicles require less frequent oil changes than their older counterparts, the result of improved engines and improved lubricants. The actual change interval can depend on your driving conditions and driving style, and many vehicles even have engine oil life monitors that alert you when to change the oil.

Maybe you remember your father or an uncle changing oil and using “10W-40.” Did you know that putting that grade into some newer models could lead to damage down the road? How would you know? There’s a lot of information right on the top of a can or carton of oil in the API (American Petroleum Institute) symbol – or what’s called “the donut.” It’s a circle with various letters and numbers that tell you if the oil is right for your vehicle.

Look first for the “SAE” mark (Society of Automotive Engineers). Then look to the middle of the donut for the viscosity (thickness) information, which relates to oil flow at different temperatures. Let’s use, for example, the common 5W-30 grade, which, like all passenger car motor oils, is a “multi-grade.” The “5W” is the winter viscosity rating – the lower the number here, the thinner the oil at low temperature and the happier your engine will be in cold weather when it’s time to turn over. The number to the right relates to higher temperatures, which indicates thicker viscosity for better performance in summer heat.

Now, see the two letters at the top of the donut? The first signifies engine type. If you have a gasoline engine, you need oil with an “S.” A “C” means it’s for diesel engines. The second letter represents the performance rating. For the most protection from power-robbing deposits, pay close attention to that second letter. “SM” is the best rating for gasoline engines right now; “CJ-4” is the best for diesel. These ratings change as oils are improved.

That performance rating is very important! Your new car might require SM-rated oil, so using some older “SJ” that your brother-in-law found for a bargain price might not give your engine the best protection possible. Using newer, higher-performance rated oil in older cars, however, is fine.

Finally, at the bottom of the donut, look for the “Energy Conserving” label. That means the oil has been formulated to help save gas through reduced engine friction.

Now, you can impress friends with your newfound knowledge about motor oil. Here’s another number that may impress them: The used oil from one oil change, if disposed of improperly, can contaminate one million gallons of drinking water. That’s a year’s supply for 50 people. So tell them that if they do choose to change their own oil, take the used motor oil to a recycling center. Used motor oil is routinely recycled into new lubricating oil.

Unfortunately, some DIY-ers still dump their motor oil on the ground or down storm drains or put it in bottles and dump it in the garbage. Used motor oil is insoluble, lasting and can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. It’s slow to degrade, and it sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers.

It turns out oil changes aren’t so simple.

Source: IMN

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

The 2010 Mercury Mariner is available with an ocean of options. SYNC®, the integrated hands-free communications and entertainment system that cuts down on driver distractions, is standard on the Premier trim. To avoid traffic hassles, set your course with the available voice-activated navigation system with integrated SIRIUS Travel Link™ providing you with voice-guided directions. Optional Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive can further enhance driving safety on all Mariner trims.

For added peace of mind, MyKey™ is a programmable system that, among other things, enables you to limit speed and audio controls for your teenage drivers. It also mutes the audio system until everyone is buckled up.

New for the 2010 Mariner are the integrated spotter mirrors that eliminate the driver’s blind spot and allow a larger peripheral view. For visibility directly behind the vehicle, add the available rearview camera. To make parking a breeze, the Active Park Assist system uses sensors on the front and rear of the vehicle and works with the electric power-assist steering (EPAS) to guide you safely and smoothly into a parking space.

An impressive list of safety features includes an antilock braking system as standard. Also standard is AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control with Roll Stability Control (RSC®), which applies brakes to one or more wheels or adjusts engine power to counter any potential rollover. The 2010 Mercury Mariner is also equipped with a personal safety system including a dual-stage front airbag for the driver and front passenger and a front passenger sensor system. Safety Canopy® side air curtain technology protects first- and second-row passengers as well. Tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2010 Mariner a top rating of five stars for all seating positions in frontal and side-impact crashes.

Standard amenities include upgraded cloth/velour seat upholstery, front reading lights, a leather-covered multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment and remote audio controls, complex surface lens halogen bulb headlamps, front foglights, roof rails and a rear platform step.

With 175.1 inches in overall length and a wheelbase of 103.1 inches, the 2010 Mercury Mariner has a curb-to-curb turning circle of 36.7 feet. Cargo capacity in this five-seater is 29.3 cubic feet, and, with the rear seat folded, moves up to 67.2 cubic feet of storage space. Properly equipped, the Mariner can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Whether you’re sailing down the highway, navigating narrow urban streets or just out for a pleasure cruise, the 2010 Mercury Mariner (MSRP $23,035) is ready to ferry you there safely and comfortably.

The competition in the luxury crossover category is intense, and the 2010 MKX is up to the challenge. This five-passenger vehicle comes equipped with 18-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seating, a tilt-and-telescope steering column and heated and cooled power front seats. Interior cabin design is luxurious, but not overstated, with real wood and satin-nickel accents and easy-to-read gauges.

Driving pleasure is enhanced by the SYNC electronics system, Bluetooth and iPod interfaces and a premium sound system with six speakers, an in-dash six-CD changer, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio input jack. Passengers enjoy plenty of space, even in back where three can sit in relaxed comfort. Fold down the 60/40 split-bench leather-trimmed second-row seats, and the cargo area revealed is a maximum of 69 cubic feet – more than what’s available in other manufacturers’ offerings.

Standard safety features include four-wheel antilock disc brakes, AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®), front side airbags and side-curtain airbags. Front and rear outboard three-point seatbelts with a rear center three-point seatbelt, side-guard door beams and vehicle-speed-sensitive variable intermittent windshield wipers also come standard.

Available add-ons include several packages. The Ultimate Package adds 18-inch, eight-spoke aluminum wheels, EasyFold™ second-row seatback release, adaptive headlights and interior mood lighting. The Elite Package adds a panoramic Vista Roof™, hard-drive-based navigation system with single-CD player, a THX-certified surround-sound audio system, 10GB of digital music storage and SIRIUS Travel Link, which includes real-time information on traffic, weather, sport scores and movie times. Three other available packages, the Limited Edition, Monochrome and Midnight Limited Edition choices, offer a number of unique colors and trim features.

The standard powertrain for the 2010 Lincoln MKX consists of a 3.5-liter DOHC Duratec® V6 that develops 265 hp with 250 lb/ft of torque. That mill is coupled with a six-speed, electronically controlled, adaptive automatic transmission with overdrive and floor-mounted shifter and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. In addition to power rack-and-pinion steering, the MKX features an independent suspension with MacPherson struts and coil springs in front and a luxury-ride multi-link setup with coil springs in the rear for easy handling and road stability. EPA fuel economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for the front-wheel drive edition. Properly equipped, the MKX can tow as much as 3,500 pounds.

With an MSRP starting from $38,345, the well-equipped 2010 Lincoln MKX couples a supremely comfortable ride with a quiet cabin, a fine array of packaged options and a roomy cargo area that will make the daily commute, weekend shopping or vacation getaways a pleasurable experience.

Source: IMN

The new Ford Police Interceptor is being developed in conjunction with Ford’s Police Advisory Board, which provided input during the past 14 months on key vehicle attributes, such as safety, performance, durability, driver convenience and comfort.  The new Police Interceptor will be offered without interruption when production of the Ford Crown Victoria ends in late 2011. 

“We have heard the repeated requests from the law enforcement community to continue uninterrupted support of the law enforcement community,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas.  “Ford is answering the call with the new Police Interceptor – engineered and built in America.”

Ford – which currently controls approximately 75 percent of the police pursuit vehicle business in the U.S. – has invested significantly in designing the purpose-built new police and municipal vehicles to meet the needs of these crucial customers.

The new Police Interceptor is designed to provide municipalities with reduced ownership costs through improved fuel efficiency, quality and the kind of durability police departments nationwide have come to expect from Ford.

“Ford’s commitment to the law enforcement community produced the Crown Victoria, the benchmark police vehicle,” said Lt. Brian Moran, fleet manager, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and a member of Ford’s Police Advisory Board.  “This commitment has continued, and Ford has been working closely with the Police Advisory Board on developing the new Police Interceptor.   I am confident that the next-generation Ford police vehicle will meet the future needs of the law enforcement community and will set the new standard.”

Ford plans to reveal the new model and provide full vehicle specifications in the first quarter of 2010 – in time for law enforcement agencies, police equipment manufacturers and upfitters to develop a transition plan from the Crown Victoria to the new product.  

Each year, Ford sells approximately 45,000 police vehicles, making the Blue Oval the nation’s largest provider of police and municipal vehicles. 

“Ford long has supported our public servants with vehicles that work as hard as they do,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service.  “We intend to build on this legacy with a new generation of municipal and police vehicles that set even higher standards.” 

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Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com

“We are honored to be recognized by Popular Science with a Best of What’s New award,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “Active Park Assist is just one example of the smart technology features Ford is bringing to market not just for the sake of technology, but to meet the needs and wants of customers.”

Active Park Assist uses sensors on the front and rear of the vehicle to guide the vehicle into a parking space. The technology is a major leap forward in speed and ease of use compared with camera-reliant systems. The Ford system requires less driver interface and reduces the risk of selecting a parking spot that is too tight. Unlike competing systems, Active Park Assist also works in downhill parking situations, and is available as an optional feature on several 2010 models including Ford Escape, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT and Mercury Mariner.

“For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future,” said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. “The Best of What’s New award is the magazine’s top honor, and the 100 winners represent the highest level of achievement in their fields.”

How Active Park Assist works:

• The driver activates the system by pressing an instrument panel button, which activates the ultrasonic sensors to measure and identify a feasible parallel parking space.
• The system then prompts the driver to accept its assistance to park.
• The steering system then takes over and steers the car into the parking space hands-free. The driver still shifts the transmission and operates the gas and brake pedals.
• A visual and/or audible driver interface advises the driver about the proximity of other cars, objects and people and provides instructions.
• While the steering is all done automatically, the driver remains responsible for safe parking and can interrupt the system by grasping the steering wheel.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

About Popular Science
Founded in 1872, Popular Science (www.popsci.com) is the world’s largest science and technology magazine, with a circulation of 1.3 million and 7.1 million readers. Each month, Popular Science delivers “The Future Now,” reporting on the intersection of science and everyday life with an eye toward what’s new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by the Bonnier Corporation (www.bonniercorp.com), one of the largest consumer publishing groups in America and the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences through more than 40 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events

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™ 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. The survey was conducted for Ford Motor Company by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com

Ford Work Solutions’ in-dash computer won 2010 Best of Innovations in the category of In-Vehicle Accessories. SYNC’s latest application, Traffic, Directions & Information, was honored in the category of In-Vehicle Navigation/Telematics/ITS (Intelligent Transportation System).

“Our customers want the latest in connectivity and technology – making their drive experience more enjoyable and convenient,” said Mark Fields, president, The Americas, Ford Motor Company. “We’re honored that CES has recognized our efforts in providing these customer-driven features.”

Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting-edge consumer electronics products across 36 categories.

The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:

•Engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used
•Aesthetic and design qualities, using photos provided
•The product’s intended use/function and user value
•Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive
•How the design and innovation of the product compares to other products in the marketplace

Ford Work Solutions enables greater productivity for fleets, commercial customers
Ford Work Solutions is a collection of technologies created to provide Ford commercial truck and van customers with connectivity, flexibility and security to better manage their businesses. Available on Ford F-150, F-Series Super Duty, E-Series vans and the new Transit Connect, Ford Work Solutions delivers four innovative features:

•An in-dash computer developed with Magneti Marelli and powered by Microsoft Auto that provides full high-speed Internet access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calling and navigation by Garmin. The first broadband-capable in-dash computer in production, the system allows customers to print invoices, check inventories and access documents stored on their home or office computer networks – right on the job site. The office is now mobile.

•Tool Link™, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system developed in association with DeWALT™, the industry leader in professional power tools, and ThingMagic, the industry expert on embedded RFID technology. This technology enables customers to maintain a detailed real-time inventory of the tools or equipment stored in the pickup box.

•Crew Chief™, a fleet tracking, telematics and diagnostics system, offered with market-leading telematics specialist Microlise, provides dynamic location and performance data fleet owners need to more efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites, monitor driver performance for safety and economy, and keep detailed vehicle maintenance records.

•Cable Lock security system developed in association with Master Lock®, the industry-leading lock manufacturer, discourages theft of expensive tools too large to fit in the cab.

“Ford Work Solutions is just another example of how we listen to our truck customers and deliver features and technology to help them do their jobs easier and more efficiently,” said Bill Frykman, business development manager for Ford Work Solutions. “We’ve been the leader in the segment for 32 years by delivering real-world solutions to our customers. For example, fleets using Crew Chief have experienced increases in fuel economy in excess of 20 percent.”

Ford SYNC’s latest application – Traffic, Directions & Information – leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a customer’s Bluetooth-capable mobile phone. It provides simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather.

These new capabilities are in addition to SYNC’s established hallmark suite of services, from hands-free, voice-activated cell phone and digital media player integration to the more recent security and convenience additions of 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report.

Introduced in 2007, more than 80 percent of the vehicles Ford sells in North America are equipped with SYNC, and more than 1 million SYNC-equipped vehicles are on the road today.

2010 International CES
Ford Work Solutions and SYNC with Traffic, Directions & Information will be on display at the 2010 International CES, which runs Jan. 7-10, 2010 in Las Vegas. The Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase will feature honorees by product category in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center and they will also be featured at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES on Jan. 5.

Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering honoree products are featured on www.CESweb.org/Innovations, which lists product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, designer, description, photo and URL.

The prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976. It is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®), the producer of the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology trade show, and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the voice of industrial design, committed to advancing the profession through education, information, community and advocacy.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com

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.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

About the Ontario BioCar Initiative
The Ontario BioCar Initiative represents a partnership between the automotive industry and the public sector, aimed at accelerating the use of biomass in automotive materials. For additional information, please visit www.bioproductsatguelph.ca/biocar/.

2.Tire pressure – Be sure to check your tire pressure because it can fluctuate in cold weather. There are usually gauges built into the air machines at gas stations but they’ll get you for $.75 at most of them. You may find one that will activate the air for free if you pump some gas. Maintain the right tire pressure and you’ll get better gas mileage too.

3. Gas tank – Try to avoid letting your gas tank go below 1/8 tank because depending on how cold it gets you could have some issues with freezing. I’m a chronic “on E” driver, and sometimes I seriously think I’m going to run out of gas in the most inappropriate time / place.

4. First aid / Emergency road side kit – Keep one of these in your trunk and have some essentials such as road flares, matches, emergency blanket, jumper cables, first aid, lock deicer, map, disposable camera, etc.

5. Ice scraper and brush

6. Refill your windshield wiper fluid

7. Replace windshield wipers

The prize includes 2 tickets to the OK/TX game Oct 17th at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, 4 nights at the Radisson Dallas Love Field Hotel, 2 tickets to Six Flags Over Texas, 2 tickets to Hurrcane Harbor water park, and 2 tickets to the 6th floor museum.

There are 4 ways to enter:

 - Come by Seth Wadley Ford @ 2103 W Grant Ave in Pauls Valley
 - Submit an entry at SethWadleyFord.com
 - Become a fan and message us with “I want tickets!” on our Facebook Page
 - Message “I want tickets! #swfoktx” to @sethwadleyford on Twitter

Heisman Trophy winning Quaterback Jason White will draw the winning name on October 3rd @ 4PM here at the store. Must be present to win. Good luck!

What is the Cash for Clunkers program?

Cash for Clunkers is a government-sponsored program to help customers trade in a program-qualifying vehicle for a new, fuel-efficient vehicle. Customers receive a $3,500 or $4,500 rebate from the government, on top of all other incentives, in exchange for their vehicle.

What vehicles qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program?

The trade-in vehicle must meet the following criteria:
– Have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date you trade it in
– Have a “new” combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less
– Be in drivable condition
– Be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in

Check out the links below for additional information, including a thurough Q&A about the program rules.

Let us value your trade »

More Ford Recycle Information »