truth about domestics

The 2010 Mustang featured a complete refresh of the interior and exterior but kept the same powertrains as the 2009 model.  That apparently didn’t sit well with buyers as only 66,623 2010 Mustangs sold, the worst year on record.  For 2011, the Mustang is packing two new powertrains and two new transmissions which are apparently helping sales.  The 5.0L V8 coming back probably didn’t hurt any either, as Ford is reporting over 11,000 orders on the 2011 model already, three times more than the 2010 model had at this time.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

Wish you could drive a fully electric vehicle but don’t want to stick out among the regular gas vehicles around you?  Well Advanced Mechanical Products (AMP) has a solution for you!  Their first products were the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice.  Aren’t those vehicles GM products you might ask?  Of course they are, but AMP converts them into completely electric vehicles.  Now AMP has announced their newest product, a Chevrolet Equinox electric conversion.  The Equinox will have a top speed of 90 miles per hour and a range of around 150 miles.  The cost of the conversion?  Around $50,000 before tax credits.  For more details, head on over to AutoblogGreen.

(Image source: GM)

I recently came across a site that offers an interesting view point on automobiles.  That is the viewpoint of a mom.  A mother.  Mommy.  That site is Motherproof.com.  The reviewer, Lori Hindman, has 2 kids and was recently given a Ford Flex with Ecoboost to try out and she loved it.  She mentioned the extra power you get with Ecoboost and the fact that it doesn’t cost you more when you fill up at the pump.  Active Park Assist was also mentioned.  It’s the system that parallel parks your so equipped Flex for you, all you do is control the brake and throttle.  Well Lori here said the system worked like magic, and it’s true, I have seen Active Park Assist in action and it is really impressive.  For the full review, head on over to Motherproof.com!

(Image source: Ford)

Ford has been talking about its new 2011 Super Duty for over 6 months now, ever since it debuted at the State Fair of Texas.  Well the specifications have finally come out and they are nothing but amazing.  The new 6.7L Scorpion diesel produces 390 hp and a whopping 735 lb-ft of torque!  That’s 85 more lb-ft of torque than the 2010 Super Duty.  Towing is up to 24,400 pounds on the F-450 with a fifth wheel trailer.  Payload is a Toyota-embarrassing 6,520 pounds on the F-350.  Fuel economy is also up, 18% on pickup models and 25% on chassis cab models.  For more details, head on over to PickupTrucks.com or Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

The video above shows a bit of what goes into preparing yourself for a rally car race.  Block will be driving in his new Ford Fiesta, prepped for racing of course.  Here’s to hoping Ken Block does better than a DNF at last months Sno*Drift.

That’s right folks, General Motors has announced that it will be adding a third shift to the Lordstown, Ohio plant that will be building the Chevrolet Cruze.  The interesting thing is that the Cruze hasn’t really gone into production yet…no matter.  The announcement from GM came today and they have stated that they will be adding 1,200 jobs which I’m sure will be welcome news to people in the area.  For more news, head on over to The Detroit News.

(Image source: GM)

The folks over at Kicking Tires have managed to grab some photos of the 2012 Chevrolet Aveo from a presentation given by Bob Lutz.  It has a much improved exterior, and it needs to, what with the new Ford Fiesta coming out this summer.  The biggest news is the heavily improved interior, which features a really impressive two-tone design.  For more shots of the car you see above, head on over to Kicking Tires.

(Image source: Kicking Tires)

I don’t really know why automakers have embargoes restricting the flow of information on new vehicles until certain days and times.  It never fails that the information ends up on the internet ahead of the scheduled event and it has sort of happened again.  It appears that the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe ordering guide has wound up online.  There are some interesting tidbits, such as the fact that the sunroof does not slide, it merely tilts open.  For all of the details, head on over to GM Inside News.

That’s right folks!  Ford Motor Company, and its SYNC system have done it again.  Not only does a new Ford pack more connectivity software and hardware than most of Mercedes lineup, but there are 1.5 million Ford vehicles on the road that agree with Fast Company magazine.  What did Fast Company have to say about Ford?  Well, they named Ford as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Mobile Technology Companies for 2010.  All this before their next generation, MyFord Touch debuts this summer on the 2011 Ford Edge.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

According to a Ford press release, the SVT Raptor is selling even better than originally estimated, with over 5,300 orders being taken since the truck was revealed about a year ago.  This is good news for the automaker, as sales should only increase with the availability of the new 6.2L V8 and the rumor of a possible Crew Cab model.  As if this news wasn’t good enough, Ford announced that a whopping 79% of Raptor owners checked the options boxes for the luxury package, reverse-sensing camera and moonroof.  62% of buyers opted for navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link and 52% of owners decided Tuxedo Black was the color for their new off road monster.  My money was on Molten Orange to be the winning color but the fact that every media vehicle was seen wearing that color, maybe people got bored?  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)