truth about domestics

Ford Racing has never been about waiting for someone to pass them up when it comes to new engine offerings.  To prove this point, they have announced two new engines, one for those with a more modest budget, and another for those who want more get-up-and-go.  The first engine is based off the 302 cubic inch V8 iron block with aluminum heads.  It pumps out a decent 340 horsepower for only $3,495.  The second engine steps it up a notch and produces 535 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque using a 10.5:1 compression ratio.  This kind of power will set you back a fairly steep $8,800 though.  For more details and the official press releases, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford via Autoblog)

General Motors has had a rough go at it these past few years.  What with the need for government bailouts and then filing for bankruptcy, things haven’t been harder really.  On top of that, GM’s distributor for Cadillacs and Corvettes in Europe went bust, meaning those cars haven’t been available in Europe for almost a year.  Well it now appears that GM has corrected that issue, reportedly in talks with about 30 dealerships around Europe to bring over the entire Corvette lineup, as well as the Cadillac CTS (coupe, sedan and wagon,) Escalade, CTS-V and SRX.  No word on pricing or availability yet, so stay tuned for more.  Until then, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Caradvice.com)

The Mercury brand is in some serious need of fresh product.  Every Mercury product can be currently found in a Ford dealer under a different badge name.  That could change though if reports from Automobile Magazine are to be believed.  They state that Ford is planning a variant off the new global C-car platform that will be for Mercury dealers.  The two possibilities Autoblog throws on the table are a variant off the new 2011 Ford Focus, or a car based on the Lincoln Concept C.  For more news, stay tuned!

(Image source: Mercury)

So currently, I am in Mexico City for work – the food is good, but the traffic is horrible! Today, I was sitting in traffic on the service drive of a freeway, trying to get on. There is an on-ramp a little ways away and an exit-ramp right in front of me. Traffic was at a near standstill; so what do Mexican drivers do? They use the exit-ramp to get on, of course!

I’m not really against art, I guess I just don’t always get it.  The video above shows modern artist Jeremy Dean turning a Hummer H2 into a horse drawn carriage.  His explanation for this project can be found at Autoblog but I still don’t get it.  He says that the Cadillac Escalade and Hummer H2 have become monuments to America’s consumption, greed and arrogance.  Sadly, I don’t understand why he chooses to focus on SUV’s, in particular, two that were built by a Detroit automaker.  Why didn’t he focus on the huge houses that people live in?  Houses that are way bigger than we actually need?  The market allowed cheap gas to be readily available and financing was easy to come by, so everyone bought the biggest and best automobile they could afford.  I wish I could do a piece of art making fun of art, but then people might actually like it, and I would helping out a field in which I don’t really believe in.  Oh brother…

This video was shot during sno-drift testing in Michigan and boy is it insane!  I couldn’t imagine flying through the woods at speeds like that, on studless tires no less!

Ford has done the unthinkable.  Three years ago Ford decided to mortgage everything they had in order to drum up enough cash to revamp their entire lineup.  These loans prevented Ford from needing a government bailout or filing for bankruptcy as GM and Chrysler did.  They also allowed Ford to produce some amazing products that are winning awards and apparently winning customers too.  Ford has posted a $2.7 billion profit for 2009 and expects to be fully profitable in 2010, a year earlier than previously expected.  This is great news for everyone at Ford but also for the United States, we should all be proud to own an American car, this could be the first step towards that.  For more on the story, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

Ed Whitacre hasn’t been on the job long at GM as the former interim now permanent CEO, but already his wrath can be seen.  Thousands of jobs have been cut, executives have been shown the door, and the old corporate structure has been flipped upside-down.  Does this mean GM is out of the woods yet?  Hardly, but it has shown some signs of life in recent months, putting out some of the nicest products ever in its 100 year history.  For more on the story, head on over to MSNBC.

(Image source: NYDailyNews.com)

Alan Mulally, Ford’s CEO, announces 1,200 new jobs at Chicago Assembly Plant to build the next generation Ford Explorer.

General Motors has decided to go ahead with production of the Camaro convertible.  They predict that around 20,000 units will be sold every year.  The only problem is where to build the new drop top when production time comes around in early 2011.  The answer to GM’s problem is Magna.  Yes, the very same Magna that tried to buy Opel in Europe.  Magna will build the Camaro convertibles at GM’s Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)