by Ford in the News on September 1, 2010
Leveraging a longstanding partnership between two of the biggest names on the open road, Ford has again teamed up with one of the world’s iconic motorcycle brands to deliver the most powerful, most capable Harley-Davidson F-150 ever.
Introduced at this year’s Sturgis Rally—that all-American celebration of life on two wheels—the 2011 version features an authentically Harley-esque design scheme both inside and out. Drivers can choose between two different exterior colors, either Tuxedo Black or Ingot Silver, while the truck’s sheet metal also wears striking graphics done with an engine-turned finish, as well as dimensional “Harley-Davidson” lettering. [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 31, 2010
Thanks to a tremendous effort from the entire Ford team, the completely redesigned Explorer SUV is going to set new standards for fuel efficiency in its segment, boasting fuel-economy improvements of more than 30 percent. But that’s just one way—albeit an important one—that the Blue Oval is taking an environmentally friendly approach to this important new vehicle.
For example, instead of wasting the leftover steel from the door stampings of the F-150 pickup, Ford is using it to make the Explorer’s noise-dampening fender baffles, which go between the vehicle’s outer shell and its inner structure. That saves some 238,000 lbs. of virgin steel each year, which, in turn, reduces the CO2 emissions that come from smelting new steel by about 119 tons annually. [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 27, 2010
It’s another record for the Blue Oval: Beginning in August, the company began packing its 2011 F-Series Super Duty with the most powerful diesel engine every used in a heavy-duty pickup. But not only has the big truck’s turbocharged 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 been upgraded to produce 400 hp and a ground-shaking 800 lb-ft of torque—best-in-class numbers in both measures—but it will also deliver 20 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing engine.
Even better? For those who have already purchased a 2011 Super Duty, which went on sale in April, Ford will offer an industry-first loyalty campaign to upgrade their engines to reach these numbers as well. The loyalty program kicks off August 31 and will implement the same software adjustments to the trucks’ powertrain control modules as received by the pickups now coming off the assembly line. This is pretty exciting stuff claims Brian Chapman, General Manager, at Homer Skelton Ford in Olive Branch, MS, a Memphis Area Ford Dealer. [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 25, 2010
For the past three years, Ford has helped support the “Gathering of Eagles” charity event, sponsored by the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), by providing unique aviation-themed Mustangs for auction. These have been some pretty high-flying rides, and they’ve netted similarly high-flying bids: Last year’s “AV-X10 Dearborn Doll” Mustang, built to honor the iconic Mustang P-51 fighter plane from World War II, earned $250,000 for the charity. But while that’s no doubt impressive, it pales in comparison to both this year’s car and this year’s winning bid: Paying homage to the supersonic Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, the SR-71 Mustang went home with one lucky buyer for the stratospheric sum of $375,000.
Of course, in this case, the “SR” designation holds a further special meaning for Mustang fans, as it also refers to Shebly and Roush—as in noted Mustang masters Carroll Shelby and Jack Roush. The former is renowned as the driving force behind classics like the Shelby Cobra and today’s Shelby GT500, while the latter helped found NASCAR’s Roush Racing team and one of the premier Ford aftermarket houses, Roush Performance. [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 24, 2010
In many instances, opting for a larger engine will typically provide more power and thus better performance. However, that’s not always the case, as seen with the 2011 Ford Edge crossover.
This updated model comes with two V6 options, a 3.5-liter and a 3.7-liter. The power difference is substantial, with the smaller engine producing 280 horses and 253 pound-feet of torque and the larger engine producing 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. According to the folks at Motor Trend, the Edge with the smaller engine can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 7.1 seconds compared to the 7.6 seconds required by the more powerful Edge Sport. [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 23, 2010
Ford has answered the prayers of Ford Mustang owners by adding more power (and greater efficiency) to the 2011 model. However, if that improvement just wasn’t enough, Ford Racing will also being offering a new supercharger package for the 5.0-liter V8 engine found in the Mustang GT.
In total, three supercharger packages will be available, but all will be based on the same setup, with a 2.3-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger, air-to-liquid intercooler and 47 lb/hr fuel injectors. The base package will feature an attractive warranty as well as long as it’s installed by a Ford or Lincoln dealer. [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 19, 2010
With all apologies to the folks at General Motors, it turns out that what’s good for Ford is pretty darn good for the country, too! That’s because not only is the all-new 2011 Ford Explorer expected to help boost sales for the automaker, but it’s also helping boost the economy in at least 23 states across the country.
In fact, according to Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas, “The economic impact of the new Explorer will benefit hundreds of American communities by fueling jobs and new investments.” [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 18, 2010
It’s a whole new world out there for the auto industry, and Ford is setting the pace with a whole new approach to SUVs—thanks to the completely redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer.
“The all-new Explorer will deliver today’s SUV buyers the attributes they really want and value, and a few they might not even have dreamed of,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 17, 2010
The latest Ford Taurus has been a tremendous success for the Blue Oval. As a replacement for the lackluster Five Hundred sedan, the current Taurus has rekindled the popularity of this once beloved nameplate. In fact, sales of the Taurus have jumped 116 percent through the first seven months of this year.
Aside from new sales, Ford also says that the Taurus has found success is second hand sales. Resale value for the 2010 model has jumped an impressive 39 percent compared to 2009 model. Ford also said that the 2010 Taurus’ resale value commands a $2,500 premium over the resale value of the competing Toyota Avalon. [click to continue…]
by Ford in the News on August 13, 2010
Now that the Ford Fiesta has officially launched in the U.S., the automaker’s breakthrough “Fiesta Movement” social media campaign has moved on to new challenges—and so have the vehicles involved. In fact, Ford recently donated 43 of them to the Team O’Neill Rally School in Dalton, N.H., to kick off the only manufacturer-supported learning opportunity of its kind in North America: The Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience.
One- and two-day sessions will be available, for beginner and advanced students, with the focus on actual in-car, on-course learning experiences in rally-prepped Fiestas. It’s a perfect fit according to Jamie Allison, Ford’s director of North American Motorsports, because of the “Fiesta’s nimble driving dynamics and precise handling attributes.” And Allison isn’t just reading from an ad agency’s press release. The Fiesta is so agile and responsive that Ford Racing is campaigning it in the elite World Rally Championship series, where the company won manufacturers’ titles in 2006 and 2007, as well as in this year’s Rally America. [click to continue…]
