truth about domestics

There isn’t much I need to say about this review, except maybe this.  The author states that, and I quote, “the Ford Fusion hybrid is the best hybrid model in the U.S. market.”  Not only is the gas-only version of the Fusion the most fuel efficient mid-size sedan on the market, but the Fusion hybrid is also the most fuel efficient mid-size sedan hybrid on the market!  Can you believe the Ford Fusion hybrid gets 41 mpg in the city???  That’s 8, count em, 8 more miles per gallon than the Toyota Camry hybrid!  This article just reaffirms the Motor Trend Car of the Year award the 2010 Fusion won.  For the full scoop, head on over to MSN Autos.

(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)

Even though Ford is doing better than the other two domestic automakers, they are still looking to cut costs.  So, in an effort to help stem losses, Ford is offering buyouts and early retirement packages to all 41,000 of its UAW employees.  For more details, head on over to MSNBC.

(Image source: Motor Trend)

The video above is a pretty funny piece of work.  I have always loved the old Godzilla movies and this video does them well, including the terrible voice-dubbing.  It’s an instant classic, even if the GT500 does lose to the GT-R.  I mean, how can you compete with a computer controlled car?

(Video source: Motor Trend)

Automobile and Motor Trend car magazines have decided to put together a little advertising comparison between the 2010 Lincoln MKS with Ecoboost and several luxury models from Europe, all powered by V8′s.  The videos are pretty impressive, as is the performance of the Ecoboost V6 versus the competition.  You can check out all the vids at 6versus8.com.

(Thanks for the tip jbond!)

According to an article in Motor Trend, Cadillac has plans to build an STS/DTS replacement on a stretched version of the CTS platform.  That would spell the end of the Buick Lucerne but as that program is fairly old on its own, this would be a wise move in my eyes.

Chevrolet Camaro convertible concept (GM)

Depending on what hour you read the rumors floating around on the Internet, you might get some mixed signals on the convertible production version of the 2010 Camaro coupe.  Well, according to Moter Trend, the rag top is back on, and is set to debut as a 2012 model (on sale first quarter of 2011.)  This is the complete opposite from rumors a few weeks back that stated the car was on hold indefinitely due to GM’s German convertible top maker going belly up.  Apparently the true story is that GM and the supplier reached an agreement, and will begin working on tops again.

I really hope these reports are true, as I think the convertible Camaro is a very attractive alternative, and will give cars like the Nissan 370Z a run for their money.