truth about domestics

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)

Automobile magazine named it’s list of 2009′s All-Stars and the list has some big names on it.  Cars from Audi, BMW, Porsche, and Jaguar all made the list.  The surprises are the 4 domestic cars that made the list!  The Dodge Ram 1500, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Flex and Fusion all made the list!  This just shows you how good these cars really are!  What I can’t seem to put my finger on is which automakers are not in the 10 All-Star list…lets see…oh wow, NONE of the Japanese automakers made the list!  That’s SOO weird!  I thought their cars were the best of the best???  This surely must be a mistake.  Or the magazine just knows what true car fans know, that the Japanese cars are too boring to be All-Stars.  For more on the list, head on over to Automobile magazine.

(Image source: Automobile magazine)

Ford rolled out some interesting vinyl graphics on the 2011 Fiesta at the LA Auto Show this December and announced that these graphics would be available from the factory.  Now word has come out that Ford will be offering graphics packages on every single Ford family vehicle.  Head on over to Autoblog to see a gallery of just some of the graphics available.

(Image source: Autoblog)

That’s right folks!  Of all the navigation systems on the market, Ford Motor Company has taken 5 of the top 10 spots on J.D. Power’s 2009 navigation system survey!  The number one system on the market was the one found in the Lincoln MKS, followed in the number two spot by the Ford Flex navigation system.  The F-150 came in fourth place, with the Escape taking seventh and the Edge taking eighth!

What makes this story even better is that the Domestic automakers took 6 of the top 10 spots and Ford was the only non-luxury maker to make the list!  On top of that, SEVEN of the BOTTOM TEN were made by TOYOTA, including their top of the line Avalon, which finished dead LAST.  Guess the Japanese car makers aren’t the best at everything anymore…  For more details, including the full list, head on over to J.D. Power.

(Image source: Ford)

The 2010 Ford Flex features two interior storage bins that were produced using a new wheat straw reinforced plastic.  What is the significance of that you might ask?  Well, Ford estimates that using the wheat straw bio-filler will help reduce petroleum usage by 20,000 pounds per year, and reduces C02 emissions by 30,000 pounds per year in the manufacturing of these two parts.

This is not the first time Ford has used an environmentally friendly produce on one of its vehicles.  Ford has been using a soy based foam in some of their seat cushions for years now.  For more on this story, head on over to the Automotive Business Review or Autoblog Green.

(Image source: Ford)

So there aren’t many details on this story, but the guys over at Autoblog have found in a Ford press release another confirmation from the automaker that the F-150 will indeed get Ecoboost.  The best guess is that the 3.5L V6 Ecoboost unit similar to the unit found in the Taurus, MKS, MKT and Flex will be the engine of choice, but power output remains speculation.  The engine will supposedly offer a 20% increase in fuel efficiency over a naturally aspirated engine of similar output.  For (slightly) more information, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford Motor Company)