truth about domestics

Ford Motor Company has been making huge strides the last few years to improve everything from quality and safety, to technology and fuel economy.  On the last front, Ford has been pushing its EcoBoost technology.  EcoBoost is the combination of direct gas injection and turbocharging.  I know what you’re thinking, doesn’t turbocharging increase power and performance, thus decreasing fuel economy?  Well the direct injection allows a cooler charge, allowing for higher compression ratios, which helps enable more power and reduced emissions.  On top of that, the extra power generated will allow downsizing of the engine.  Once you take weight out of the engine, you can take weight out of the car, and the cycle repeats itself.

The first applications of EcoBoost are on the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO, and Lincoln MKS and MKT.  They feature a 3.5L V6 that produces the power of a V8 but the fuel economy of a V6.  Soon Ford will be installing the 3.5L into the F-150 and a new 2.0L inline-four cylinder EcoBoost into the 2011 Edge and upcoming Explorer.

Why am I telling you all this mostly well-known information?  Simple.  To give you background into an independent survey of EcoBoost owners.  You see, the RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has conducted a survey of the 10,000 or so EcoBoost owners and the results are nothing short of amazing.  Ford scored nearly 100% customer satisfaction on EcoBoost equipped vehicles.  Those vehicles are also exceeding market projections.  Having driven all of the EcoBoost vehicles myself I can tell you that this is no fluke.  These powertrains are the real deal; they deliver improved performance and fuel economy.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

The ads you see above are Ford’s latest round of Drive One ads.  The segments are only 15 seconds long but they feature real Ford owners talking about their cars in a natural setting – their car.  The ads were filmed with the owners not knowing the video would be used for a Ford commercial, making the messages they’re sending even more authentic.  For more, head on over to The Ford Story.

Ford can celebrate another two awards for the 2010 Urban Autos of the Year.  The winners are the 2010 Taurus SHO and Fusion hybrid.  Both cars have been turning heads since their introductions this year and these awards just add to the already impressive list this due has racked up so far.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

The video above contains a clip from Conan O’Brien’s The Tonight Show where he compares his 1992 Ford Taurus SHO with the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.  It’s pretty funny, however I don’t see it generating a ton of sales for Ford since Conan, being a comedian, wasn’t serious about the car for a minute and didn’t speak at all about its technology, price point, ride, handling, performance, etc.  See for yourself and let us know what you think in the comments!

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)

I have been lucky enough to drive the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and I can tell you first hand that it is quite the impressive ride.  The car handles well, really flies off the line, and yet is loaded with the latest in technology.  So how does it stand up to, say, a 1991 example of the original Taurus SHO?  Well, to find out, Autoblog pitted the two against each other in an epic battle of…uhm…Super High Output proportions.  Read on for more details.

(Image source: Ford Motor Company)

Ford seemed to have a hit on their hands with the 2010 Fusion ads that claimed, “We speak car.”  Well the Fusion is selling at record levels compared to last years numbers, so now the push begins to sell the brand new 2010 Taurus and its sporty, Ecoboost equipped sibling, the Taurus SHO.  The ads focus mostly on the technological goodies that are packed into the Taurus, as well as items not found anywhere else like SYNC.  For all of the details, as well as the comparison graphics, head on over to Jalopnik.

Finally!  The wait is over!  You can now visit Ford’s website and build a 2010 Taurus SHO (and base Taurus too!)  Pick your options, color, packages, etc and watch the price grow.  It is quite an impressive looking vehicle and it offers technologies that you cannot get anywhere else in the industry.  For more details, or to build your own, head on over to the 2010 Taurus configurator.