Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Posts Tagged ‘ford’

Top 10 Best-Selling Cars: August 2010

Cash for Clunkers continues to cast a long shadow: Big automakers had what looks to be a bad month, but last year the popular government program dramatically boosted the sales of many models, including the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V and Honda Accord. So the dramatic declines experienced by those models is not all too surprising. Year-to-date, five of the models in the top 10 are selling less than they sold year-to-date in 2009. Before August, only one model on this list – the Dodge... Detailt »»

Recall Alert: 1998-2003 Ford Windstar

Ford is recalling 462,750 Windstar minivans from the 1998 to 2003 model years due to a rear axle that can fracture over time when exposed to corrosive materials used on roads in cold-weather areas.   The corrosion and stress can lead to cracks that can result in a “complete fracture” of the rear axle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If this happens while the van is driving, it could lead to a crash.   We found 10 complaints of completely cracked rear axles... Detailt »»

Ford’s Wi-Fi-Enabled Assembly Line

Ford announced today that it is installing Wi-Fi access points at assembly lines for vehicles using the latest Sync systems. This allows the company to install the latest software to Sync-equipped vehicles on the line, without using hardware that would need physical maintenance. Whenever the company updates Sync — which technically can be done throughout a model year’s life — the newest version will be zapped into the cars on the line. The first plant to use it is in Ontario, Canada,... Detailt »»

Ford Fiesta Delayed Again

The steady launch of the Ford Fiesta hit another snag last week as shipments that were en route to American dealerships were halted to inspect the quality of a part that did not meet the manufacturer's standards.  Nearly 6,800 Fiestas are being inspected for a third-party-produced part that Ford has declined to name. According to Reuters , two unnamed sources with knowledge of the stop-shipment order have said the affected part is a seat lever.  Nearly 2,300 of the Fiestas have been... Detailt »»

2011 Ford Fiesta Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick Award

The 2011 Ford Fiesta won the honor of Top Safety Pick in the minicar category by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The award applies to the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles.... Detailt »»

Ambient Lighting Makes Drivers Feel Safer

Over the past few years, more and more vehicles are starting to offer ambient lighting as a standard or optional feature. Ambient lighting is the soft illumination around the center console, door handles and pulls, cupholders and sometimes completely across the dash and in the footwells.  Typically, ambient lighting is seen as a purely cosmetic feature, but it may also increase a driver’s perceived safety and quality of the car, according to a new study conducted by BMW and the Lighting... Detailt »»

Ford to Give Fiesta Buyers $50 Gift Card for Delays

Because of shipping delays accompanying the 2011 Ford Fiesta, Ford says it has issued gift cards as a thank you/apology.  Buyers who’ve waited longer than a month for their Fiestas have been or will be issued a MasterCard gift card worth $50. Only buyers who already reserved and paid deposits on their Fiesta will get the card, so don't run out and expect one if you test-drive a Fiesta today.  The delay centers around a hurricane that hit Mexico, where the Fiesta is built, and it's... Detailt »»

Ford Offers $7,500 Cash Back on 2010 F-150

It’s one of those model year closeout deals that sound too good to be true when Mike Rowe is yapping about it for the 10th time during prime-time commercials. But this time, it’s an advertised $6,500 in cash back and $1,000 in bonus cash if you finance through Ford Credit.   Of course, there are hoops. Not every F-150 gets the full discount. For the full rebate price, you need to buy an XLT trim level, which starts at $25,505, and add the Sync/Chrome/Tow Package. That brings the total lowest... Detailt »»

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: First Look

Is the new Mustang GT with its 412-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 not enough for you, but the idea of a 540-hp Shelby GT500 is too daunting? Then you are the right person for Ford’s new 440-hp 2012 Boss 302.   The concept of special one-off performance Mustangs is an old one; the first Boss 302 debuted more than 40 years ago. The new Boss seems like a throwback in more ways than a unique paint job, though. Ford removed 11 pounds of sound-deadening material to bring more of the engine and exhaust... Detailt »»

Short Supply Causes Some Dealers to Beg for Cars

During the recession, as demand fell for new cars, dealerships across America fought hard battles to sell down their bloated inventories, which ultimately was great for car buyers. Now dealerships are no longer fighting for every sale but for more inventory from the automakers, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. The recession took its toll on many dealerships. Since early 2009, GM’s dealership body has shrunk by 25%, eliminating or consolidation of 2,064 former dealerships. Chrysler is... Detailt »»
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