And the answer to the big question above?  Chrysler.

Ouch.

See, this is doubly unnerving after discovering that, yesterday, they were still trying to get a cohesive corporate strategy together and won’t actually have one until sometime later today.  Or at least not one they want to tell their franchisees about, who are probably all looking at this news with a kind of confused rage and just longing to scream various epithets at anyone who’s in charge over there.

Chrysler needs a comeback, plain and simple.  So what they’ve got to do is offer stuff you can’t get anywhere else.  Frankly, I have a hard time imagining just what it is they CAN do.  I drive a Chevy, myself, a wonderful if aging Monte Carlo, and my folks drive Ford Explorers.  There’s not a whole lot of taste issues as I’m considering switching to a pickup fairly soon anyway, and chances are I will go either Ford or Chevy.

Chrysler needs to get some new and interesting product, or it doesn’t matter how many bailouts it gets–it’s still done for.

Tags: Business, Chrysler, Ford, GM, improvement, lagging, Toyota

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That’s right, twenty million dollars in tax credits went from the beleaguered former auto giant state into the hands of a US-French partnership set up to build lithium-ion batteries for Ford.

The twenty million in tax credits will be handed out over the course of three years to Johnson Controls, a subsidiary of Parisian firm Saft Advanced Power Solutions.

But this cash isn’t just going to be lost–Saft et al intend to invest about eleven times that figure in the state and add just under eleven hundred jobs to the sagging state of Michigan by hiring at a plant in Holland.

Electric batteries, folks…seems more and more we’re getting away from the gas car and getting closer to a day without gas.  Hopefully, also, we won’t be surrendering a speed anywhere near fifty five miles per hour, either.

Tags: Ford, johnson controls, Paris, saft, us-french partnership

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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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Yesterday we told you that Ford’s hybrid sales were up 73% over last year but we had no idea the Detroit automaker was going to see this kind of success. Recent reports have surfaced that suggest Ford is dangerously close to surpassing Honda as the second best hybrid seller in the United States.

Let’s take a look at some numbers: Honda has sold 29,958 hybrid vehicles so far this year which is a 8% increase over last year while Ford sold 26,016 vehicles, a 73% increase over last year like we already told you.

If these trends continue, by this time next year we may very well be seeing the U.S. hybrid seller top 3 looking like Toyota, Ford, Honda. But don’t pop the champagne yet, Ford, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

via autobloggreen

Tags: auto sales, Ford, Honda, hybrid, Toyota

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Chrysler got a new lease on life some months back with regards to its current financial standing. Now it seems that they have totally forgotten how to redeem itself from their poor showing as the company is still mum on what it plans to do with their current product line. There has been no word on new vehicles that would be coming out and yet we are nearing the close of 2009. Has Chrysler totally lost it?

Unlike Ford which has put much of its weight on their electric car, the Volt, Chrysler has not leaked or shown any new car models to look forward to. Rather they are providing customers with perks like car leasing and specialized features. How long can they do that? Unless they start getting their act together they are better off closing the company or perhaps selling it to someone else. They do have plans of a brand makeover but time is essential. Apparently Chrysler forgot all about that.

Tags: auto chrysler, available resources, car industry, car leasing, car models, Cars, Dodge, doors, economic turmoil, electric car, Ford, makeover, market position, models, new blood, new car, new direction, new lease on life, new vehicles, quick time, rebates, signs of life, special offers, trucks, Volt, waste of time

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You’ve got to love the Chinese negotiation style. First they’re interested in Volvo, then they release a statement saying they’re not.  Then they follow THAT up by announcing they’re trying to raise two hundred and fifty million dollars, which they IMMEDIATELY follow up by saying that it’s not at ALL for buying Volvo because that’s not near enough money for the beleaguered loss-leading car line.

“The size of the bond and warrant issue is not enough compared with what would be needed for the Volvo takeover,” the executive was quoted as saying.

See, that’s exactly what they said.  It kills me, really it does, but it sounds for all the world like they’re interested.  They’re hiding it really well but they keep dropping hints.  Lots, and lots, and lots of hints.

I suppose only time will tell, but I expect to be hearing the phrase “will tender an offer” soon.

Tags: Business, Ford, Geely, Geely Automotive, stock buy, Volvo

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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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Despite the fact that Ford is still the last of the big three automakers to not have accepted any government bailout money, they’re still operating in a tough environment.  Let’s face it–everybody’s been operating in a tough environment ever since about 2007.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone to hear this:

“We plan to sell,” Booth said. “It’s not about Volvo, but because we want to focus on Ford. The situation for Ford around the world is still tough. Ford is still losing money.”

Ford is still losing money and they want to focus on Ford.  Well, frankly, you can hardly fault them for planning to deal with their own problems and, meanwhile, spin off some divisions.  Especially given that Volvo is a loss-maker for Ford.

Who’s going to buy?  Well, some have said that the Chinese are interested.  But some Chinese firms have said that they never actually made an offer.  If something doesn’t happen soon, Volvo will be Ford’s albatross.

Tags: china, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Sweden, Volvo

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The 2010 Ford Taurus, currently in production, will be equipped with selected Goodyear tires as part of its original equipment fitments. Among the Goodyear tires selected for use with the new and improved 2010 Ford Taurus include the Goodyear Eagle RS-A, Assurance ComforTred and Eagle F1 SuperCar.

The Ford Taurus Limited, standard tires will be the Goodyear Eagle RS-A in size P255/45R19 while another Goodyear tire, the P235/55R18 Assurance ComforTred will don the new Taurus in its SEL version. The Ford Taurus SHO will come with the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar tire in a P245/45R20 size.

(Source) Press

Tags: eagle f1, equipment fitments, Ford, Ford Taurus, goodyear, goodyear eagle, goodyear tire, goodyear tires, new taurus, original equipment, p245

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Remember back in March when we were talking about all those vague rumors about who wanted to buy Volvo out from under Ford?

Turns out the name of the business is Geely Automotive, along with a state-owned partner.  Both of these outfits are flush with cash while riding one of the largest domestic car market expansions in history.

Now, this move actually helps Geely out pretty substantially, as its cars are big, BIG names at home but they’re not so hot abroad.  I don’t know about you but I hadn’t even heard of “Geely Automotive” before today.  But if they can get some of their cars and manufacture them under the Volvo banner, they’ll get a serious halo effect advantage from the Volvo name.  Everyone’s heard of Volvo, after all, and a Geely car made by Volvo would have a better public perception.

We’ll keep an eye out and see if this deal goes anywhere, or if it’s just more corporate smoke and mirrors.

Tags: Business, deal, Ford, Geely Automotive, state owned enterprise, Volvo

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Remember that 6.7 liter turbocharged diesel burning V8 mammoth of an engine codenamed ‘Scorpian’ that we told you about last week? Well, it seems that a few more details regarding the hardware have surfaced and from the looks of them, I like what I hear.

Those details state that the engine will be capable of a full 400 horsepower and an impress 725 pounds-per-feet of torque. What’s even better, the car will include “out of the box” compatiblitywith B20 biodiesel.

Fast and environtmentally friendly? Sign me up.

Read (Straightline)

Tags: 6.7 liter, biodiesel, details, engine, Ford, scorpian, turbocharged

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With the shift towards electric cars still apparent, the buck doesn’t stop there. Apparently the need to properly monitor that charging of vehicles will somehow become a need in the near future and Ford is getting its act ready for such a scenario. And to spearhead their efforts, Ford launches the Intelligent Charging System for hybrid cars which will allow cars to communicate with the electrical grids.

Under this scenario, the driver or the car owner can easily control the charging station and choose when the car charges, how long it takes and at the rate it charges. Similar to how most motorists are trying to control their fuel consumption, this device aims to control the electric consumption of cars for a longer and smoother ride.

This Ford Intelligent Charging System will first show up in the all-electric Transit Connect commercial van and then the Focus Hybrid in 2011.

(Source) Slashgear

Tags: car owner, charging station, charging system, electric cars, electric consumption, electric transit, electrical grids, Ford, fuel consumption, hybrid cars, motorists

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Cash for Clunkers continues to prove itself to be nothing short of a massive success as Ford has recently announced that the will be increasing their vehicle production of 10,000 for Q3 of this year.

This is due to the fact that Ford has seen an enormous increase in sales after the Cash for Clunkers program began, particularly their Escape and Focus models which will make up for most of the increase. Furthermore, Ford has also let us know that due to the  increased success they will be increasing Q4 vehicle production 33%  every year from this year forward.

Let’s just hope automakers don’t get too optomistic over Cash for Clunkers because that’s what put us in this horrible mess after all, right?

via Jalopnik

Tags: Cash for Clunkers, economy, Ford, Production, recession, success

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Ford Motors continues to invest in vehicle safety highlights with the continued improvements to its line of vehicles. Ford has announced that it will continue to use HyperWorks simulation suite and RADIOSS to maintain its niche as a class leader in producing and distributing occupant and pedestrian safe vehicles.

The highlight of their concentration on safety was seen first on the Ford Fiesta. The highly scalable and repeatable nature of the solver, combined with Ford UK’s state of the art engineering methods and development processes, successfully achieved an outstanding five star crash performance when rated by EuroNCAP.

(Source) Press

Tags: art engineering, class leader, concentration, crash performance, development processes, Ford, ford fiesta, ford motors, ford uk, highlight, improvements, niche, occupant, radioss, simulation suite, state of the art, vehicle safety

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Ford Motors found the perfect place to unveil their latest vehicle, the Ford Transit Connect. The new Transit Connect, designed for small business owners, was officially unveiled at the Loft On Lake. The Loft on Lake is a photo studio and event venue located in the up and coming West Loop of downtown Chicago which opened on January 1, 2009.

The media got to experience the versatility, maneuverability and the volume capacity of the vehicle, which sets it apart from its competitors. When they weren’t out driving the Transit Connect, they were back at Loft on Lake asking questions and watching video demonstrations while enjoying lunch.

The Ford Transit Connect targets businesses and commercial sectors for their varied transport needs. Expected to arrive in dealers this summer, these lightweight vehicles will surely be something for consideration, especially for businesses who want something economical and efficient to drive towards the administrative and operations needs of their business.

(Source) Press

Tags: business source, commercial sectors, downtown chicago, Ford, ford motors, ford transit, january 1, lightweight vehicles, loft, maneuverability, photo studio, small business owners, versatility, volume capacity, west loop

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