The newest Ford F-150 was adjudged as the 2009 Truck of Texas, the latest off-road vehicle that is capable of taking on the toughest terrains there is. The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a purpose-built high speed off-road truck that aims to be flexible as well for daily transportation needs. Among the features of the newest F-150 include a 5.4 liter SOHC V-8 engine that can go up to 320 HP and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. To date there have already been 3,000 orders received which should account for the strong demand for high-speed off-road trucks.

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will have a starting price of $38.995 and is already available at local Ford dealers.

(Source) Press

Tags: f 150 svt, Ford, ford dealers, ford f 150, ft lb, High-Speed, hp, liter sohc, raptor, road trucks, terrains, torque

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Vehicle color seems to be playing an important role for consumer buying preference and it looks like Ford will be giving in to the trend. While they have offered the usual array of colors for other Ford vehicle models such as the 2010 Mustang and the Ford F-150. These cars for example came out with unusual colors like Grabber Blue (2010 Mustang) and Molten Orange (Ford F-150). And the response was positive enough to push Ford towards offering their 2010 Ford Fiesta in two color variants, Bright Magenta and Lime Squeeze which will come out next Summer.

As to why these two colors were chosen, sales agents have proven their impact to the public. They have been going around in Fiestas with these two colors and the attention is quite astounding. Likewise, placing into consideration that vehicle color has become among the top 10 reason for purchasing a car, these two new color variants may yet spell the difference between sales and flops for their 2010 Ford Fiesta vehicles once they start coming out.

(Source) Press

Tags: array, Cars, color variants, fiestas, Ford, ford f 150, ford fiesta, ford vehicle, lime squeeze, Mustang, orange, preference, purchasing a car, two colors, vehicle models

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For the 8th year in a row, Ford Motors has kept in step with the consistent Japanese car manufacturers as far as brand quality is concerned. While many would think that Ford would have dropped due to the impending crisis and of course the celebrated “Bailout” issue, Ford is still up there with its Ford and Mercury brands.

Ford is in a statistical tie with Japanese car brands based on a study by J.D. Power and Associates. Overall the Ford brand improved by 10 points since last year’s study.

“It is gratifying to see our commitment to quality paying off,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. “Ford has demonstrated consistent and continuous quality improvement. We’re now tied with the best of the Japanese automakers and we won’t be satisfied until Ford is the industry’s global quality leader.”

Among the cars that have contributed to Ford’s success included the Ford F-150, Mustang, Edge and Mercury Sable. But as far as Ford is concerned, that achievement is nothing. The goal, like any other car company to date, is to be the global leader in the car industry.

(Source) Press

Tags: bailout, brand quality, car brands, car industry, ford f 150, ford group, ford motors, impending crisis, industry source, j d power and associates, japanese automakers, japanese car, mercury sable, quality ford

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As far as car preference is concerned, one has to wonder which among the many vehicles launched in the market would make the grade. While there are different categories to which these will be determined, Edmunds.com reveals the most recognized cars as voted for in 15 categories.

“Car enthusiasts have very strong opinions and we’re glad to provide them with opportunities to express themselves by voting for Most Wanted, commenting on blogs and otherwise engaging in our community,” said Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief of Inside Line.

• Speed Under $30,000 – 2009 Nissan 370Z
• Speed Over $30,000 – 2009 Nissan GT-R
• Convertible Under $30,000 – 2009 Ford Mustang
• Convertible Over $30,000 – 2009 Aston Martin DB9 Volante
• Luxury Under $30,000 – 2009 BMW 128i
• Luxury Over $30,000 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
• Hauling Under $30,000 – 2009 Ford F-150
• Hauling Over $30,000 – 2009 Toyota Tundra
• Commuting Under $30,000 – 2009 BMW 128i
• Commuting Over $30,000 – 2009 BMW 335d
• Family Under $30,000 – 2009 Honda Accord
• Family Over $30,000 – 2009 BMW X5
• Instant Classic Under $30,000 – 2009 Nissan 370Z
• Instant Classic Over $30,000 – 2009 Nissan GT-R
• Best Concept Car – Lamborghini Estoque

(Source) Press

Tags: 2009 ford f 150, 2009 Nissan 370Z, Aston Martin, aston martin db9, bmw 128i, bmw 335d, bmw x5, car enthusiasts, car preference, ford f 150, ford mustang, honda accord, instant classic, mercedes benz s65, mercedes benz s65 amg, Mercedes-Benz, scott oldham, toyota tundra, wanted cars

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The key towards balancing the overall weight of cars depend on what the car is composed of. But take away all the peripherals inside of it, it all boils down to the bare boned car. And with that in mind, the type of steel used can perhaps be improved to create a lighter vehicle.

In a study released today by the Automotive Applications Council of AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), researchers with Ducker Worldwide estimated that the use of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) in 2009 model year light vehicles increased by more than four percent of total body weight from 2007, while the average weight per vehicle decreased by 163 pounds.

While more than half of the vehicles produced worldwide contain some amount of AHSS, the new BMW X6 leads the way with 32 percent of its body structure and closures manufactured from AHSS. Other new models with above-average AHSS body content include the new Chevrolet Traverse, Ford F-150 and Chrysler Town and Country.

According to the study, weight reduction will account for at least 25 percent of the necessary improvement in fuel economy, with advances in powertrain and other technologies – such as drag reduction, low-roll resistance tires and a 42-volt electrical system – making up the difference.

(Source) Press

Tags: aisi, bmw x6, body content, body structure, chevrolet traverse, chrysler town and country, drag reduction, ducker worldwide, ford f 150, fuel economy, high strength steels, light vehicles, new bmw, resistance tires, smdi, steel market, volt electrical system, weight reduction

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A crucial element in Ford’s recovery is the once-healthy market for big trucks. Ford still offers three 2009 F-150 premium models: The Lariat,  the King Ranch, and the top of the line Platinum; but ‘fashion buyers’—guys who buy big Ford trucks for show, not because they ever haul anything with them—fell away in record numbers when gas prices skyrocketed this past summer.  Commercial buyers, constrained by the economic downturn and the credit crunch, have also been holding back.

How bad will it get for Ford? “With so many economic headwinds, we believe the pickup segment will bottom out at 1.7-million units in the next two years,” says Joe Barker, senior manager, global sales analysis for CSM. “That’s down nearly 40 percent from 2007.” If gasoline prices stay low, hybrid and compact high-mileage vehicles may not sell well either, prompting many industry analysts to forecast a much smaller U.S. auto manufacturing sector in the years to come, no matter what vehicles end up on the assembly lines.  Meanwhile, anyone in the market for a new Ford truck right now is likely to get a pretty good deal.

Tags: ford f 150, prestige, Sales

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Who ever thought that the Ford F-150 would reign supreme? Thanks to a bunch of improvements made on this reliable pickup, the F-series is bagging awards that include:

1. 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year(TM)
2. Texas Auto Writers Association Truck of Texas

The Ford F-150 is also a finalist for 2009 North American Truck of the year. With these current and future citations in tow, you can just imagine the enhancements made to the Ford F-150 to solicit these credits.

2009 F-150 improvements include a new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis that delivers even more horsepower, unsurpassed fuel economy and class-leading towing and payload capacity.

Via The Earth Times

Tags: 2009 f 150, Ford, ford f 150, fuel economy, motor trend truck of the year

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