truth about domestics

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)

For the first few months, it appears that EcoBoost is a hit with consumers.  The take rate on vehicles with available EcoBoost has been higher than originally predicted.  This is great news, but there is more!  The transaction prices on the EcoBoost equipped cars is some $5,000 to $10,000 higher than their non-EcoBoost counterparts!  Not only that but the EcoBoost models are seeing a higher conquest rate than their similar non-EcoBoost models.  This sounds to me like nothing but good news for Ford, and the U.S., seeing as the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost is built in Ohio, along with the Ford Taurus SHO and Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost.  For more details (and quite a detailed write-up) head on over to The Detroit News.

(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)

The Flex has been turning heads since it jumped onto the scene a few years back, but until now, it lacked the power to whip heads back in the seat.  For 2010 the Flex receives the optional 3.5L Ecoboost V6, a 355 horsepower, twin-turbo, gas direct injected beast of a motor.  What does the new powertrain bring to the table?  Head on over to Autoblog to find out!

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)

So, August sales numbers are in, and as many expected, Cash For Clunkers seemed to help out.  If you follow this site regularly, you know how upset I was about the fact that foreign cars could be purchased with the government rebates as well as domestic cars.  Sadly, the foreign companies saw a greater portion of the sales last month, but I’m glad our hard earned American money went to help the struggling economy (in Japan and Korea.)  Some big winners were cars like the Ford Flex, with sales rising 106.5 %, the Ford Fusion, up 131.6 %, and the Ford Focus was up 55.9 %.  For more, head on over to Autoblog.

Ford EcoBoost 3.5L V6

Some good news from the auto industry.  Just the thing I need at 7:45 AM on a Friday!  Anyway, Ford has spent $55 million to upgrade the tools at the plant, which has been idle since 2007, to produce the new 3.5L EcoBoost V6.  This engine is probably one of the most advanced in Ford’s history, and will feature gas direct injection (GDI) and turbocharging to produce the power of a V8 with the fuel efficiency of a V6.  The engine is slated to appear in the Ford Flex, Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS and MKT.  There is also a possibility that the plant might produce other engines from the EcoBoost family sometime in the future (rumors of I4 EcoBoosts come to mind…)  For the full article, and Ford’s official press release, head on over to Autoblog.

2009 Ford Flex

Another win for Ford Motor Company as their new 7 passenger crossover, the Flex, has won yet another award, being named the 2009 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year.  The Flex beat out 3 other “best new” category winners from the Sport Utility / Crossover and Pick-up categories to take top honors as the overall best “Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year.”  The Flex is assembled at Ford’s Oakville, Ontario Assembly plant.  For more check out the full story in the Windsor Star.