truth about domestics

Spy photographers recently nabbed shots of the next generation Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado undergoing testing in various locations around Michigan.  These trucks both look bigger than the ones they replace but are still smaller than their big brothers, the F-150 and Silverado respectively.  The question that still remains is whether or not these trucks will be sold in the U.S.  Smaller trucks are very successful in basically every other part of the world, but as fuel prices creep back up, smaller, more manageable and also more fuel efficient, small trucks could come back in style.  Only time will tell, but for now, head on over to Autoblog for the pics.

More good news for the Dearborn, Michigan based Ford Motor Company.  According to a Bloomberg survey 36% of Americans have a negative view of Toyota, and only 49% have a favorable view of them.  While this news wouldn’t normally be that big of a deal, companies go through good times and bad no matter who they are, the big story here is Ford.  A staggering 77% of Americans have a favorable opinion of FoMoCo, which is 7% better than Honda!

As Autoblog points out, there are several reasons why the survey results most likely came out in this way.  First, Ford did not take government assistance, nor did they file for bankruptcy like General Motors or Chrysler.  Second, Ford is making some amazing products; probably the best products they have ever made in their 100+ year history.  Cars like the 2011 Mustang and 2010 Fusion that are not only more powerful than the previous model year, but are also more fuel efficient.  The F-150 has been a best seller for over 30 years and new products like the Transit Connect and Fiesta are already huge hits with consumers.

For the full report, head on over to Bloomberg.

(Image source: Ford)

According to a Wall Street Journal article, GM Chairman and CEO, Ed Whitacre Jr., has approved around $1 billion for the revamping of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra light duty pickups.  The reason for the substantial update is the fierce competition GM is facing in the truck market, from newer trucks like the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram.  Another reason is the impending fuel economy requirements that will force light duty trucks to improve their mileage in the near future.  The redesigns are expected to see the light of day around 2012-2013.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

According to a report from PickupTrucks.com, Ford Motor Company plans to offer an F-150 with a V6 engine again.  That engine will be the 3.7L V6 that will be found in the 2011 Mustang and Lincoln MKX and should be good for around 300 horsepower and 23-24 miles per gallon!  Also stated in the article is the notion that Ford plans to offer the F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 as well.  2010 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for Ford indeed!

(Image source: Ford)

It’s always good to see an American automobile on the top of the best selling cars list for 2009…we are after all, in America.  The Ford F-150 managed to take the #1 spot again for the umpteenth year in a row, and the Chevrolet Silverado wasn’t far behind in the #3 spot.  The Ford Fusion and Escape managed to make the list as well.  For the full list, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

Ford has had mild success with the newest vehicle to wear the Taurus nameplate.  The new model offers much nicer features than even cars above its price range, but it also has a higher price tag to go along with it.  Now word has come out that dealers are low on the SEL and SHO models, meaning Ford has had to change its production mix.  A similar issue has popped up on the F-150 Double Cab.  This however means that cars are still selling at a fairly rapid clip.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

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 video above shows some truly amazing footage of the new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor doin’ its thing on some country back roads.  It also shows the BMW X6 M that it is being pitted against.  What these two have in common is hard to say, so stay tuned for more details when their winter issue hits newsstands.

The Mustang seems to get all of the attention at most car shows, but there are other Ford vehicles that receive customizing too!  Cars like the new 2010 Taurus SHO, Fusion and F-150 are also popular this year as you can see in the galleries at Autoblog or Jalopnik.

(Image source: Jalopnik)

Inside Line had the chance to take a 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor into the desert on their own and they liked the truck so much, they said, “Honestly, the Raptor’s chassis so far exceeds the abilities of any other vehicle sold today that it should be given an award.”  How interesting, seeing as the Raptor was just named Texas Truck of the Year!