Ford Parts Information

Ford Improves Year After Year According to J.D Power

2008-06-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information firm which was started in 1968 by the founder James David Power III. It accomplishes assessment of customer satisfaction, product quality, and buyer behavior for industries ranging from cars to restaurants.

It conducts annual surveys in the automotive industry including the world's third largest automaker the Ford Motor Corporation. The survey shows that vehicle brands from Ford have improved its quality at a rate faster than any average car model. According also to this customer based quality study; Ford is the sole brand with continuous improvement since 2004.

On its 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS) it shows that Ford has improved by eight points as compared to last years study.

Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Last year we tied with Toyota, and this year our quality performance is as good as industry-leading Honda's too. Our world-class quality is one of the most important aspects of our turnaround in North America. This consistently strong quality improvement should offer today's customer renewed confidence, setting the stage for important new products like Ford Flex, which is launching this summer.”

The Fords complete result shows that it received 10 credits for their products including three Ford models that ranked the highest in their respective category. This proves that Ford continues to make significant quality gain year after year.

The study shows other reports such us, Mercury brand which has improved by four points over last year, and the Lincoln brand exceeded the industry average. Mazda is the study's most improved brand jumping 36 points from the 2007 study.

Ford Focus Coupe Unveiled at 'American Idol'

2008-05-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

The Ford Focus is a small family car made by Ford. The Ford Focus came on the roads for the first time in 2000.

A new version of the Focus was launched in Europe in January 2005 and a face lifted version in January 2008. While the 2009 Focus Coupe was lately unveiled (Wednesday broadcast which airs at 9 p.m. EST.) on American’s hottest television show – “American Idol.” It is the first time the automaker will take advantage of the show's 20 million viewers by unveiling a new model on live television.

The 2009 Focus is a 2- or 4-door, 5-passenger family coupe, or family sedan, available in 6 trims, ranging from the S Coupe to the SES Sedan.

“Both trims are equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 140-horsepower engine that achieves 24-mpg in the city and 35-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.” It gets good reviews for its engine power and better reviews for its handling and driving dynamics.

"The new coupe looks really sporty," said Thomas Tang, co-founder of focusfanatics.com. The new front fascia, 17-inch sport wheels and fog lamps provide a sportier appearance for the new car.

Ford is also making its Sync voice-activated communications and entertainment system available with this new Ford model. SYNC is a voice-activated communications and entertainment system for use with their Bluetooth cell phones and digital media players.

It is said that 2009 Focus coupe will carry a starting price of $15,920 later this summer.

2008 Audi A4

2008-05-16T01:40:00.000-07:00

Audi revealed a redesigned A4 sedan for the 2008. It was unveiled to the public at the Frankfurt Auto Show last September 2007. But the first official pictures were released in August 2007. The 2008 A4 is a 2- or 4-door, up to 5-passenger luxury vehicle.

“It is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The 2.0T SE Avant Quattro Tiptronic is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.”

The A4’s body is 10 percent lighter than that of the old model but it is surprisingly larger. It is caused by the use of new grades of steel that combine exceptional strength with low weight. With its larger size there is plenty of space for luggage and passengers. The interior is now 0.8 in. longer than the previous. The Headroom and width at shoulder height have also been increased.

Sitting on this new vehicle will give you the comfort and content that everyone is looking for. One of the features of this car is the Audi drive select, a system which can vary the engine, auto transmission, steering and suspension damping characteristics to suit the driver’s need.

The Lexus LF-A concept

2008-05-13T02:28:00.000-07:00

The LF-A is a 2-door exotic concept car. It debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). A revised version with more completely furnished interior was unveiled at the 2007 NAIAS. The goal of the new LF-A is to build a supercar with world-class performance that is uniquely Lexus.

The design of the LF-A is based from the design direction called L-finesse. Lexus has improved the styling of the new LF-A to enhance its glamour. The LF-A measured five inches shorter in than the Porsche 911, but had a wheelbase that was nine inches longer. The roof is slightly lowered one and a half inches compared to the Mercedes-Benz SLR The exaggerated proportions emphasizes the new styling design of the L-finesse.

In this concept we can expect a V10 engine, a spec that puts the LF-A comparable to other notable exotics like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche Carrera GT. The revised styling of this concept makes a top speed of 200 mph possible. Its front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, allows for excellent weight distribution.

Such a sweet machine! Another great car concept design. It looks very much like Japan product take on a Lamborghini Diablo. Although already in its last stage as a concept car, the final production of the LF-A cant is expected within this month. But I’m glad their in their process for production. In a recent interview, Lexus' Australian chief executive confirmed that "the LF-A is still being readied for production, although it may not reach showrooms until 2011.”

Volvo Reaches Milestone

2008-02-24T17:32:00.000-08:00

Ford's Swedish marque Volvo recently reached a milestone. Eighty years ago, the Swedish company produced its first car, the OV4. It is called the OV4 because the letters OV in Swedish stands for "Open Car". Thus, it is interesting to note that the 15 millionth vehicle to be produced by the Swedish marque is also an open car in the form of the Volvo C70 convertible.

Volvo reached the 15 million production milestone last February 20. Production for the Swedish automaker has increased exponentially through the years. During its first year of operation, the automaker produced 297 cars. Twenty-three years later, the Swedish automaker has finally produced 100,000 vehicles.

According to Ford's newsletter, that hundred thousand production figure is now easily attainable in just three months. It is not really surprising as the demand for vehicles has increased exponentially with the rise in population.

What is remarkable is Volvo's power to stay in the very competitive auto market where they are positioned against such heavyweights as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus.

Although Volvo is not exactly known for the "luxury appeal" of its cars, the safety of their vehicles have made the automaker's vehicles very popular among consumers.

Apart from that, Volvo has also made a mark in the industry for its durable vehicles. In fact, a survey conducted years ago put the S80 at the top of its class because of its dependability even if it was pitted against vehicles which are priced higher.

The production of the 15 millionth vehicle for the Swedish automaker is not just as simple as manufacturing the umpteenth radiator hose because it entails a lot of processes. Thus, we can expect Volvo to continue production of high quality vehicles.

Three Ford Fusions In Top 10

2008-02-22T06:24:00.000-08:00

The NASCAR Nationwide Series Race last Saturday was apparently ‘Fusioned’. Four of Ford Racing’s drivers and their respective Ford Fusion race cars with performance engine mounts finished leading the pack! According to Ford.com, Matt Kenseth of No. 17 Kraft/Ritz Ford Fusion, finished in 5^th place and qualified in 14^th, Greg Biffle of No. 16 CitiFinancial Ford Fusion notched 7th, and last but not the least,

David Ragan of No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion ended at the 9^th spot.

“It was a good race, we made it through without wrecking anybody. It was pretty cool and I’m excited about it. No, not really anymore, but it never hurts to be on track. It’s a whole different car, different aero package and tires, so there’s not much that you can transfer,” says Matt Kenseth.

“Well, my car was kind of tight in one and two all day, so I found my line and stuck to it and a lot of guys bailed out and went to the bottom. We got a good push from that 41 [Bryan Clauson] car and got back up there.”

ARE YOU PLEASED WITH THE RESULT? “I’m really pleased. Our car wasn’t that great most of the day, we made some adjustment and got a decent finish,” explained Kenseth when asked about the change of shuffle.

“We knew our CitiFinancial Ford Fusion was not the best race car out there, but my crew guys did an awesome job making adjustments to keep us near the top. They worked real hard and the car was starting to come around near the end and we just ran out of time. I brushed the wall on the one caution that caused some damage to the right rear, but it wasn’t enough damage to take us out of the race. The guys fixed it and we didn’t have any problems after that. We had a good top 10 run and that’s a good way to start the year,” explained Greg Biffle.

"It was a fun day. I got to run on the top, the middle and on the bottom some. Hopefully, it will help me a little bit for tomorrow. Our Discount Tire pit crew did an excellent job. I think we picked up a spot or two every time we came down pit road. That makes it tough when the cars are so equal out there on the race track. A good pit crew really helps a lot. It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of slippin’ and slidin’ out there and I can only imagine what July is going to be like when we come back here. It should be a good race tomorrow,” says David Ragan.

Kudos guys!

A Glimpse Of The 2010 Ford Focus

2008-02-13T15:27:00.000-08:00

About 10 years after its first launch, Ford is now gearing towards the production of the fourth generation Ford Focus which would be made available in the market by 2010.

The Ford Focus, a compact car sold not only in North America but also in Ford markets worldwide, has gained lots of commendations. According to wikipedia, in 2001 and 2002, the Ford Focus was the world’s best-selling car while in 2007, it ranked third among the best-selling domestic nameplate cars in North America, and was 16^th among the Top 20 United States Vehicle Scorecard as published in Reuters.

This small family car, which is also known as Mazda Focus, originally comes in four body styles: the 3 and 5-door hatchback, the 4-door sedan, the 5-door station wagon and the 2-door coupe. However, in North America, the second generation Focus dropped the sedan and coupe versions. In Europe, it replaced the Ford Escort while it preceded the Ford Laser in Asia and Oceania.

Sleeker looks, bigger space and better driving experience are only some of the much-anticipated designs of the 2010 Ford Focus. The fourth generation Ford Focus will be “chunkier and sportier,” as described in drive.com. The Verve concept that is divided into 3 and 4-door body styles has inspired the Focus’ new “face.” It is also equipped with light-emitting diode headlamps and L-shaped lights at the tailgate. Furthermore, the 2010 Ford Focus is expected to come with a small upper grille, neat roof spoiler, and a windscreen that will allow more light to enter the car cabin.

Aside from that, the new Focus will deliver keyless entry and starting. Inside, it boasts of more spaces and classy appeal beginning with satellite navigation along with Internet access and Bluetooth connectivity.

A wheel hub may help decrease a car’s weight but in this 2010 Ford Focus, composite materials used in its interior system reduced its weight and its emissions.

The 2010 Ford Focus is said to be a symbol of Ford Motors’ “One Focus, One World” idea.

Aussie To Push The Tempo

2008-02-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

Last year, Ford did not achieve much success in the Nextel Cup Series now named the Sprint Cup. This season might bring in a different result as JTG Racing's Marcos Ambrose affirmed that he will become more aggressive this year.

Ambrose, nicknamed Kangaroo in NASCAR owing to the fact that he hails from Australia will be driving the No. 59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion in the Nationwide Series. The Aussie said that he will become more aggressive this year in passing other cars as it would be the only way that he will be able to get in front and probably win races for Ford and his team.

Ambrose jumped to NASCAR even before other open-wheel racers such as Juan Pablo Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve did. He started in 2006 and he said that it is time for him to finally showcase his skill. "I'm going to go to the front this year," said Ambrose.

"It's time to bust off some aggressive passes. To contend, you have to turn up the aggression level," said Ambrose further. This dedication on the part of the driver is sure to help Ford Racing gain more points in the championship. Of course, it also helps that he will be driving a new car which is equipped with high-quality racing parts more reliable than Acura oxygen sensors.

Throughout his stay in NASCAR, Ambrose is known for not pushing the action and is content in just grabbing the opportunities that present themselves instead of creating one. His announcement though that he will be more aggressive this year should mean that the fans will finally see the true skills of the Kangaroo.

Jaguar And Land Rover, More Than Just A Deal

2008-02-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

“If Tata (or Mahindra, for that matter) purchases Jaguar and Land Rover, the irony would be thick enough to cut with a knife. India, a former British colony for over two hundred years, would own Jaguar and Land Rover, two of England’s historic and iconic brands.”

That was an opinion posted in AutoSavant.net regarding the issue on Ford and Tata’s negotiation process in line with the former’s move to sell Jaguar and Land Rover - two of its luxury brands.

But it seems that there’s no more turning back for Ford.

At Reuters.com yesterday, it was confirmed that Ford’s negotiations with Tata Motors Company, one of India’s leading car manufacturers, is set to have its final deal soon - that would be about a few weeks from now.

According to Autosavant.net, the deal would cost Tata about $3 billion and $7 billion USD, a bid won over rival Mahindra and Mahindra and Ripplewood and TPG.

A few months ago, Ford announced its move to sell the two car models as part of its efforts to “cure” its sickly finances and to support its North American restructuring operations.

Last week, a spokesman for Ford said in Reuters, “We are still in detailed and focused discussions with Tata Motors, and these discussions are confidential.”

In 1989, Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion while it acquired Land Rover in 2000 with $2.7 billion. The two luxury car brands, which most likely feature high-tech systems comparable to an Acura Legend antenna, plus the Aston Martin and Volvo, formed Ford’s Premier Automotive Group.

Lewis Booth, chairman of the Premier Auto Group, admitted that selling the two brands was really a tough decision for Ford. But he added, “The Land Rover and Jaguar decision is more about Ford than about jaguar and land Rover. I found it very important that having found a plan for them, that they could realize that plan in the future. We can’t guarantee it at Ford because of our other financial pressures.”

Ford To Bolster Incentive Scheme

2008-02-01T06:17:00.000-08:00

Amid escalating competition, Ford intends to create a new twist by zeroing in at older vehicles, promoting new cars, give dealers more say and incentives.

Ford will be raising incentive spending this year to counter aggressive pricing by other automakers. This is an effort to ensure that demand for older vehicles like the Ford F-150 and Mercury Milan remains strong as the automaker prepares to launch newer versions later this year.

The maker of Ford Escort parts did say the exact cost of the new incentives. The dealers, meanwhile, said that it would amount to several hundred million dollars.

Sources familiar with Ford’s plan told the Detroit News that the automaker will use the money selectively to support specific models in specific markets, and local dealer organizations will have more say in where and how the money is spent. Moreover, as an alternative of across-the-board bonuses designed to draw auto shoppers into showrooms, the Dearborn automaker will target specific areas of the market where it has a chance of stealing share from competitors, the report continued.

"Conversations between Ford and our dealers are private," company spokesman Jim Cain said last Wednesday. "We're not going to give anyone insight into our marketing strategies."

Mulally's strategy to right-size Ford was bound to frustrate dealers, said Tom Libby, a senior director of industry analysis at Power Information Network, a unit of J.D. Power and Associates. "You have a distribution network out there that is adjusted to selling a certain number of units," he said. "But, long-term, it's a sensible policy. It's the only way to get competitive with the Asians."

Dealers are particularly anxious about sustaining sales of the company’s bread-and-butter F-150 pickup as well as the new versions of Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. "Any money they can give us now can really help," noted Dave Knittel, the general manager of Charlotte County Lincoln Mercury in Florida.

"Short-term incentives to give a specific market or model a boost are not necessarily bad," Libby warned. "When it becomes an ongoing trend, then it becomes negative. That's when it starts to erode residual values and net pricing."

Ford-Tata Deal Could Come Next Week

2008-01-30T17:49:00.000-08:00

As promised, sale of FoMoCo’s British brands - Jaguar and Land Rover - will be made early this year and it could come next week, reports say. The sale will be in favor of Indian automaker Tata Motors. Ford’s British brands are expected to sell for about $3 billion.

In November, Ford said that it wanted to sell Jaguar and Rover to cut debt and to rid itself of the poor-performing brands. However, it is not clear what the sale would mean for the automaker’s Irvine operation. The British brands are part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG) which has about 500 workers in Irvine and about $160 billion annual sales.

The Dearborn automaker has decided not to retain a minority stake in the British brands after the sell-off. The automaker doesn’t plan to keep a stake in the brands, a change from initial talks about keeping a minority ownership, said Ford Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair.

But the trade unions are demanding that the automaker retain a residual stake to make certain the continuity of production at the 3 Jaguar and Rover plants in the United Kingdom, The Economic Times reported quoting sources close to the developments. The said plants have 16,500 workers.

Ford officials and trade union members are expected to visit Tata Motors' plant at Pune in the western Indian state of Maharashtra in a fortnight to gather first hand knowledge of Tata Motors' expertise, Forbes reported.

As reported by Orange County Business Journal, Ford could keep selling engines and technology to Tata once the sale is complete.

It seems like the deal is now totally illuminated by fog light. I just hope it won’t blur the workers' future.

2009 Escape And Mariner In DC

2008-01-29T16:56:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Company’s range of fuel efficient, extra powerful and strongly related for the 2009 theme is now on display at the Washington Auto Show and Automotive News World Congress in Detroit. The company also confirmed that their best-selling Escape and Mariner will be as great as ever. Who needs an air filter recharge kit with these kinds of vehicles… None!

According to Ford’s announcements, the automotive group will also expand its obligation to biofuels by providing three other vehicles to its lineup with E-85-power-driven vehicles for next year.

“This year, we make good on our commitment to freshen our showrooms. We just introduced the new 2009 Ford F-150 last week, and it was a hit. We also have Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex coming, as well as a new Mustang early next year,” says Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company President and CEO.

“Ford Motor Company is increasing fuel economy and cutting greenhouse gas emissions with affordable technologies for millions of customers. In the near term, we will leverage existing technologies to achieve those goals, including advanced engines and multi-speed transmissions. The 2009 Escape and Mariner are great examples of how we're delivering today," says Sue Cischke, Ford senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

Fresh from Ford

2008-01-25T22:33:00.001-08:00

Think ahead. By 2009, car enthusiasts can expect a more fuel efficient, more powerful and more connected Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models - two of Ford Motor Company's best-selling sports utility vehicles (SUVs). This was announced by Ford during the Washington Auto Show and Automotive News World Congress held last January 22 at Detroit.

The new 2009 Ford Escape and Mariner are expected to bear Ford's expanding commitment to fuel economy and greenhouse gases reduction.

Their features include a new 2.5-liter engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, an improved powertrain with an estimated 1 mile per gallon fuel economy and a refined engine that has dual-mode crankshaft damping, electronic throttle control and PowerPC engine electronic control. In addition, it adopts a 170HP 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine combined with a 6-speed automatic gearbox replacing the previous 153HP 2.3-liter unit.

According to Ford Motor Company Senior Vice President Sue Cischke, sustainability, environment and safety engineering comprise Ford's vision of a customer-focused greenhouse gas emissions reduction and fuel economy strategies.

"In the near term, we will leverage existing technologies to achieve those goals, including advanced engines and multi-speed transmissions. The 2009 Escape and Mariner are great examples of how we're delivering today," Cischke said.

Included in Ford's 2009 E85-capable flexible fuel line-up are three more vehicles - the E-Series van and the Expedition and Lincoln navigator SUVs.

"This year, we make good on our commitment to freshen our showrooms," Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president and CEO, said.

Produced at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant, the 2009 Ford Escape and Mariner will soon be available in the market.

Ford Reported Loss

2008-01-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not really surprising that the Dearborn automaker posted a loss for 2007. We all know that the automaker has posted sales declining month after month.

Recently, The Auto Channel reported that Ford's 2007 revenue amounted to $173.9 billion. This shows that the company is showing signs of returning to profitability. As Ford CEO Alan Mulally puts it:

"Each of our Automotive operations is improving, and we are encouraged by the progress, which validates our strategy and plan. In 2007, we introduced great new products around the globe that received strong third-party endorsements for styling, quality and safety. This year, we have some outstanding new product introductions including the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Ford F-150 in North America, and Ford Kuga and the production version of the Ford Verve concept in Europe."

It is just a matter of time before the automaker returns to profitability and produces more vehicles with auto parts more valuable that an Integra mirror. Here are other highlights for the automaker in 2007:

Reached agreement with the United Auto Workers (UAW) on a new four-year national labor contract, which significantly improves the company's competitiveness going forward.
Continued to align capacity to match demand and improve productivity in North America, and reduced personnel by 32,800 in 2007.
Achieved $1.8 billion in cost savings in 2007 (at constant volume, mix and exchange; excluding special items).
Introduced Ford SYNC - the company's award-winning, fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system developed in association with Microsoft - which will be available in nearly every Ford, Lincoln and Mercury product by the end of 2008.
In the U.S., Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossover utility vehicles led the fastest-growing segment with a sales gain of 62 percent in 2007.
The Ford Mustang convertible made history as the first sports car and first convertible to earn the highest possible safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Mustang convertible earned five-star ratings in all crash test and rollover categories.
Ford Taurus, Taurus X and Mercury Sable earned Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for achieving the highest possible ratings in frontal, side and rear crash test performance. They also earned five-star crash-test ratings from NHTSA.

LR Unveils Hybrid Concept AT NAIAS

2008-01-15T18:05:00.000-08:00

Ford is on a roll right at the start of the year. Land Rover, still owned by the automaker, recently unveiled what could be a show stealer at the NAIAS. The British luxury car brand unveiled the LRX Hybrid Concept at the North American International Auto Show according to the company's newsletter.

Phil Popham, the managing director of Land Rover, had this to say about the hybrid concept: "The LRX concept delivers the powerful message that we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles. LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it’s a very different Land Rover."

"LRX has unmistakable Land Rover design and the breadth of capability that you’d expect from our vehicles. But it carries those essentials into a segment where the brand has never been before, and with a proposed level of efficiency that would make it one of the cleanest vehicles in its class. It is Land Rover’s way of affirming the brand’s responsible approach to future product development. At this stage, LRX is purely a concept, designed to help us develop our thinking as well as gauge customer reaction - but this feels like a hugely exciting direction to take," he continued.

Gerry McGovern, the company's design director, added: "LRX is a design born out of passion for the brand, but it is different, relevant, engaging and exciting - because Land Rover has never built ordinary vehicles. LRX has a highly desirable identity and the design alludes strongly to its capability, while clearly underlining our forward-looking philosophy - it’s a Land Rover that would be comfortable on Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, but wouldn’t flinch at getting its wheels dirty." This hybrid vehicle is sure to have auto parts as reliable as Acura header pipes.

Mazda to Unveil Three Tuned Mazdas at the Tokyo Auto Salon

2008-01-09T21:07:00.000-08:00

Mazda the archrival of Honda the producer of high quality Acura CL window regulator has launched the Mazda6 or the 2008 Mazda Atenza last November at the Tokyo Motor Show and now it is preparing a tuned version of the model and will debut at the nation’s Tokyo Auto Salon on January 11.

The previous Atenza was very similar to the Mazda3 in the sense that it is a global car sold all around the world however that will not be the case for the second generation Atenza. Also to the disappointment of many enthusiasts the Atenza will not be introduced as the future Mazda6 but the automaker has made sure to release a concept tuned version of the Atenza courtesy by the in-house brand Mazdaspeed.

The notable changes made on the Atenza include a more aggressive front and rear fascias with bigger, contrast-color intakes and skirts, a set of highly-polished 10-spoke aluminum wheels with anodized blue brake calipers. The vehicle is also lowered attributed to the Mazdaspeed springs and dampers. The whole package is round up by the sport-tuned muffler.

In terms of engine the second generation Atenza will be equipped with Mazda’s MZR 4-cylinder family displacing 2.5 liters as compared to 2.3 in the current car. It is also expected that this same engine will end up in the Mazda3 in the future.

In addition, the design on the tuned Mazdaspeed Atenza is also close to the two other cars that the automaker will show at the Tokyo Auto Salon—tuned versions of the Mazdaspeed3 or Axela in its home market and Mazda2 or known as the Demio domestically. Both will show the same visual upgrades, same wheel and brake package as the Atenza. The Mazdaspeed3 and Mazda2 will also showcase interior upgrades that would include a pair of highly bolstered Mazdaspeed racing style bucket seats.

Ford F Series Continues Its Dominance in Canadian Market

2008-01-09T00:11:00.000-08:00

The Ford F Series truck model has already earned the title as the best selling vehicle in the U.S. through December 2007. Luckily, this Ford truck is also the best selling model in Canada, and now on its fifth consecutive year. In addition, total Ford truck sales in Canada were up by about 7%.

"We achieved two major goals in 2007 -- we promised to be a major contender in the crossover revolution in this country and continue to solidify our truck leadership. On both we certainly delivered," said Bill Osborne, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. "Looking ahead, watch for the crossover momentum to grow as we launch our full size crossover, the Ford Flex, later this year – and for Lincoln's appeal to intensify with the hot new 2009 MKS."

Check out below for the sales highlights of 2007 from Ford Motor Company Canada

* Total truck sales up 7%
* Ford F-Series is the best selling vehicle in Canada for the fifth consecutive year
* F-Series up 2%, best selling pick-up in Canada for 42 consecutive years
* Ford Ranger sales were up 36%
* Ford Escape achieved a 24% rise in sales, and is once again Canada's best selling small SUV
* Total Ford SUV sales were up 36%
* Ford Mustang is once again Canada's best selling sports car
* Total Lincoln sales were up 39%

For quality Acura CL Ignition Coil, just check out the link provided.

UK: Mazda2 diesel revealed

2008-01-08T00:49:00.000-08:00

Next March, another major introduction will be made by Mazda Motors with the new Mazda2 diesel. Available in two trims, the TS and the TS2 and a base price of £9.499 each Mazda2 is a reflection of distinctive styling and performance plus environmental touch. Its striking features is matched with the new Mazda signature MZ-CD 1.4-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine.
“The new Mazda2 diesel has all the attractive and dramatic styling of the petrol models, and offers customers increased fuel economy, reduced CO2 impact and ultra-low road tax of just £35 per year,” comments Mazda UK’s marketing director Mark Cameron.
“It is going to deliver an entertaining driving experience coupled with Mazda’s renowned Japanese build-quality and reliability. While styling is one of the most important factors in the buying process, consumers are increasingly aware of environmental issues and demand for small capacity diesels is growing. We expect the new diesel models to account for 12 percent of Mazda2 sales,” added Cameron.
For complete specs of the Mazda2 diesel, see below (source: duemotori.com).
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Mazda2 1.4D TS
Petrol 1.4-litre, 68ps, 160Nm torque, 114g/km CO2, 5-speed manual
Safety & Security
All-disc braking system with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Driver & passenger front airbags
Driver and front passenger seatbelt reminder
Front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load-limiters
Three 3-point rear seatbelts
Twin ISOFIX child Seat anchorages
Thatcham Category 1 alarm & immobiliser
Exterior
15-inch steel wheels with 185/55 R15 tyres
Body-coloured bumpers
Electric door mirrors
Black mirror housings and door handles
Comfort & Convenience
Remote central locking and dead locks
Folding jack-knife key
Electric front windows, with one-touch auto down
Remote release fuel filler flap
Electric speed-sensing power steering
Interior
Driver’s Seat height adjustment
Driver and passenger Seat height-adjustable head restraints
Front centre console with storage and cup holders
CD Radio with auxiliary jack and two speakers
Multi-function glovebox with magazine rack
Rear Seat three height-adjustable head restraints
Charcoal Black trim
Mazda2 1.4D TS2
Petrol 1.4-litre, 68ps, 160Nm torque, 114g/km , 5-speed manual
Additional equipment over TS model.
15-inch alloy wheels with 185/55 R15 tyres
Body-coloured door mirrors (electric, heated and folding)
Body-coloured door handles
Side and curtain airbags
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Two additional audio speakers (total 4)
60/40 split folding rear seats
Leather steering wheel and gear knob
Manual air-conditioning
Black trim

Sexiest Cars for...

2008-01-07T00:46:00.000-08:00

ForbesAutos.com pick the sexiest car models for several individuals. Check them out!

For Hip-Hop Moguls:

Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan
Base Price: $333,000 (estimated)
For Hollywood Agents: Lexus LS Hybrid sedan
Base Price: Not Yet Available

For Miami Beach Plastic Surgeons: Lamborghini Murciélago convertible
Base Price: $319,000 (estimated)

For Mobsters: Cadillac Escalade pickup and SUV
Base Price: $55,045

For Newly Divorced Dads: Chevrolet Corvette convertible
Base Price: $53,335

For Newly Divorced Moms: Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG convertible
Base Price: $186,775

Sexiest Car For Lobbyists: Cadillac CTS sedan
Base Price: $30,670

For Forbes Readers: Maserati Quattroporte sedan
Base Price: $110,000 (estimated)

For NBA Players: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
Base Price: $260,000 (estimated)

For Driving Purists: Aston Martin DB9 and Ferrari F430 (tie)
Base Prices: $165,000 (DB9, estimated); $168,000 (F430, estimated)

Unfortunately, no Acura models (like the CL with Acura CL brake booster) were included in the list.

Mazda2 to Go on Sale in China

2008-01-07T00:18:00.000-08:00

Mazda archrival of co-Japanese automaker Honda the producer of high quality Acura CL repair manual has recently announced that it will launch its Mazda2 in China next month and hopes to increase sales to 180,000 cars for 2008 from its previous estimate of 100,000 that is according to an official.

Mazda2 hatchbacks will be sold in China starting this January and the company is hoping to sell around 55,000 of them said the company’s spokesman, Ken Haruki. He also said that the Mazda2 will be produced at a joint venture factory in Nanjing of the US Ford Motor Co. and China’s Changan Automotive Group. Mazda is a Japanese subsidiary of Ford with 33.4 percent owned stakes.

Mr. Haruki further stated that the company plans of bringing the sedan type of Mazda2 popularly known as Demio in Japan early this year to China.

Ford Otosan Rolled Off its 1 Millionth Vehicle

2008-01-01T21:05:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor’s subsidiary in Turkey, Ford Otosan has recently announced that it has have successfully rolled off the millionth vehicle at the company’s Kocaeli plant.

In a press conference called for by Ford Otosan General Manager Michael Flewitt, he said that the main reasons for the success of Ford Otosan in producing a million vehicles in six years were due to the intellectual accumulation combined and the high standards in engineering and production.

Mr. Flewitt said that in six years time they have been able to increase production capacity six times. Additional investments have also helped in making the company grow. He also mentioned that the latest capacity increase happened in October 2007 which brings production to 300,000 vehicles per year.

Mr. Flewitt has also stressed that the production of a million vehicles is also directly link to the increasing demand which clearly demonstrates the quality of their vehicles.

Ford Otosan Vice General Manager Ufuk Güçlü has also announced that the İnönü plant that manufactures Ford heavy duty trucks has already produced its 500,000th engine.

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Mazda MX-5 Niseko Special Edition Soon in UK

2008-01-01T20:47:00.001-08:00

The MX-5 is currently one of the top selling sports cars in the UK and to celebrate its success, the Japanese subsidiary of Ford and archrival of Honda the producer of high quality Acura Legend axle, would present two special edition Mazda MX-5 Niseko models named after the ski resort in Japan. The MX-5 is designed to highlight the roadster’s all-weather abilities.

Unfortunately for US, the MX-5 Niseko will only be available in the UK and will bear a tag price of £17,995 and is expected to climb to £20,000 with options. The soft-top 1.8i Niseko is equipped with a 126 horsepower engine and a five-speed manual transmission while the 2.0i with 160 horsepower cost £19,995. A six-speed manula is mated to the hard-top 2.0i. Two new colors are offered the Icy Blue and Sunlight Silver metallic paints.

For the coming year customers will be pleased with the new offerings that include 17-inch alloys, body-color finish on the style bar trim, fog lights, a chrome package, and Niseko badging. Inside are dark brown heated leather seats with matching door trim, steering wheel, gearknob, and handbrake.

The Mazda MX-5 Niseko 1.8i soft-top will be offered in a limited number of 240 units while 560 units of the 2.0i roadster coupe will be made available to the British buyers.

Sime Darby Will Not Takeover Malaysia JV, Ford Said

2008-01-01T17:50:00.000-08:00

Ford Malaysia Sdn Bhd has recently denied reports stating that Ford Motor is planning to transfer its entire 49% stakes in Ford Malaysia to Sime Darby Bhd which holds the remaining percentage of the joint venture through its Tractors Malaysia Bhd unit.

The automaker said, "Ford Malaysia wishes to clarify that there will not be any transfer of Ford Motor's 49% equity stake in Ford Malaysia to Sime Darby upon the potential dissolution of the joint venture company, Ford Malaysia."

Sime Darby and Ford Motor are currently in talks for a new 100% owned subsidiary which will give Ford the distributor rights in Malaysia.

This statement was issued by the automaker in response to the reports in The Star newspaper that cited Ford Malaysia Managing Director Timothy Tucker as saying that Sime Darby is planning to takeover the 49 percent stake of Ford Motor in the joint venture.

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Ford High Performance Focus RS Coming in 2009

2007-12-27T00:30:00.000-08:00

Ford has recently announced its plan of creating a new version of its high performance Focus RS which is to be launched in 2009. A teaser image was already shown to provide a hint of what the new RS would look like but according to Ford it will be based in the 2008 Focus ST.

For the new Focus RS, Ford has created a Ford Team RS headed by Jost Capito who previously supervised the development of the Focus World Rally Car. The RS project was given the go signal and the team is given a number of months to work on the car. Jost Capito said, "We have reviewed our technical options and worked closely with the Design team on how the car might look, and I'm very excited by the results. Now with the programme going ahead, the hard work really starts as the small team working on the project takes the car from prototype to production."

In terms of technical specifications, Ford has not released any information on this regard but guaranteed that they will release the needed details closer on the launching on the RS. John Fleming, Ford of Europe CEO also said, "We're not ready to confirm any of the technical details of the new Focus RS yet - Jost and his team have a lot to do to finalise the exact specification and styling. But make no mistake, I can assure you that ultimately, the car we plan to launch will be worthy of wearing the coveted Ford RS badge."

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Ford at the 2008 International CES

2007-12-26T23:17:00.000-08:00

After the successful launching of Ford SYNC at the 2007 International CES where it earned the highly coveted “People’s Voice” award, Ford will once again participate in the annual gathering in Las Vegas on January 6 to present key partnerships as well showcase further advancements in consumer-oriented, in-vehicle electronics.

According to Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Group Vice President of Global Product Development, "Our goal is to deliver the smart, connected in-car experience that customers today demand. Ford is answering the call with the best technology solutions from companies like Microsoft and SIRIUS, connecting customers with mobile devices, important information they need on the road and bringing the experience to life with the latest in navigation technology and branded audio."

CES visitors will get the chance to see Ford vehicles and technologies developed in partnership with key suppliers such as Dolby, Gracenote, Microsoft, SIRIUS, Sony Electronics and THX.

The technologies as well as the various advancements that are showcased on Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury products at the International CES will be made available to customers but many are already part of Ford’s next-generation navigation system which will be offered on selected model year 2009 vehicles.

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