truth about domestics

According to Automotive News, the base price for the new 2011 Ford Super Duty will start at $28,995, a fairly large $2,145 more than a 2010 model.  The main differences between the ’10 and ’11 rigs is new styling, an upgraded interior and upgraded powertrains.  PickupTrucks.com states that the new Scorpion 6.7L diesel will set you back a staggering $7,835.  Power ratings have not been announced yet but Ford is claiming best-in-class horsepower, torque, and fuel economy.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

In what is possibly the best automotive challenge I have ever heard of, Tom Stephens, GM’s vice chairman of global product operations, has challenged Ford to a heavy duty truck tug-o-war.  While it’s purely speculation at this point, Stephens made the statement three times to Mike Levine, so he has contacted Ford for their response.  There has been no word yet on Ford’s end, so stay tuned!  For more, head on over to PickupTrucks.com!

(Image source: GM)

According to PickupTrucks.com, we will be seeing the new 2011 Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty, and possibly the GMC Sierra Heavy Duty too!  These trucks should feature some revised sheetmetal, an upgraded chassis and a new 6.6L Duramax diesel that meets new 2010 emissions regulations, most likely with a urea injection system like the 2011 Ford Super Duty and its new 6.7L Scorpion diesel uses.

(Image source: GM)

According to Bill Frykman, Ford Work Solutions product and business development manager, the data on Ford’s Crew Chief system show that driver behaviors are actually being modified!  For those of you who don’t know, Ford Work Solutions and the Crew Chief application allow you to track the vehicles in your fleet to determine cost saves, and also montior the routes a driver took, the time the engine is idling and the top speed of the vehicle.

Frykman even goes to say that they have seen a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency simply because the driver knows they are being tracked.  Ford Work Solutions would be a great addition to any fleet and it’s yet another technology that the foreign automakers don’t even come close to offering.  The Work Solutions package could also be merged in with Ford’s Sync technology to offer voice control for the system.  For more details, head on over to PickupTrucks.com.

(Image source: Ford)

Ford Motor Company has a lot to be proud of this year.  The automaker was the only one of the Domestic three to avoid bankruptcy and they passed on the government bailout.  The 2010 Ford Fusion won Motor Trend’s car of the year, and now it appears they have something else to celebrate.  According to the results of the ALG January/February 2010 Residual Value Forecast, the average residual value of a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle is up an average of $1,310 versus the same period in 2009!  That’s the biggest jump amongst any automaker in the industry!

Ford has passed Toyota for best in initial quality, and the Fusion hybrid surpassed the Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city.  Now they have another award to add to their portfolio; the Fusion is worth $687 MORE than the Camry after 36 months!  The Flex also knocked the Toyota Highlander hard, being worth $1,800 more than the Toyota in three years!

The Ford Taurus and Super Duty trucks won the Kelly Blue Book Best Residual Value awards for their segments.  Ford also posted the highest customer consideration, even besting Toyota for the first time since the survey started in 2002.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

Ford has offered a dealer-installed remote starter system for several years now but it has decided to start offering a factory-installed option on the 2011 Super Duty.  The reason?  Well, the switch is mostly due to the fact that JD Power states that 90% of customers would prefer a remote starter system was installed at the factory.  Ford also states that the system could have a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 75% compared to starting your car and driving it off cold. 

On the 2011 Lincoln MKX, Ford will offer a heated steering wheel, which is said to improve dexterity and movement in the hands.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

How many factories does Ford have in California?  Take a guess.  Go ahead, it’s pretty simple really.  Want the answer?  Zero!  Ford doesn’t have a single assembly plant in California, but that doesn’t stop them from helping people out in California too.  Ford designed and built a 2011 Ford F-550 chassis cab into a firefighting machine.  The truck features a 300 gallon water tank, 8 gallon foam cell and a bunch of other cool accessories.  The truck also comes with Ford’s all new 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel.

The purpose of this truck is to raise money for the Los Angeles County Firefighters Widows and Orphans Fund.  Ford will donate money for every person who visits the Ford display during the LA Auto Show and will also donate money for every person who takes a Ford car for a test drive during the week and a half of the show!  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

Ford has released a ton of videos on the new F-250 through F-550 lineup, which prove why this truck is the biggest and most capable of all trucks on the market!

Not only does the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup feature new exterior styling and a whole host of new technologies inside, but it also features two new engine choices; an all new 6.7L diesel designed by Ford, and a 6.2L gas V8.  This truck will further extend Ford’s supremacy in the truck market by offering best in class towing, payload and fuel economy.  For more details, along with tons of great photos, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford Motor Company)

As if the current Super Duty trucks from Ford aren’t beefy enough, they have gone and upped the ante.  A redesign, as well as a new in-house developed 6.7L diesel V8 are in store for the good folks down in Texas.  No real big details have been leaked yet, but the show isn’t too far away, so stay tuned for all the updates!  For now, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Detroit News)