Archive for September, 2009
“Ford Super Duty Tough” – The 2011 Ford Super Duty presented by Dirty Jobs’ Mike Rowe
Posted by: | CommentsIf you want a tough truck, you buy a Ford. If you want a really tough truck, you buy a Ford Super Duty. The highly anticipated 2011 Ford Super Duty was revealed this week at the Texas State Fair. To help illustrate all the features, technological advancements, and Ford “toughness” – a series of webisodes were created and hosted by tough guy Mike Rowe (see press release).
2011 Ford Super Duty Features - Hosted by Mike Rowe
To access all the specs, press releases, technology fact sheets, and photos of the new Ford Super Duty check out Ford’s media site… Media.Ford.com
Here is a snippet…
* The 2011 F-Series Super Duty boasts all-new powertrains, led by the Ford-designed, Ford-engineered and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 turbocharged diesel engine, which delivers significantly improved torque and horsepower as well as class-leading fuel economy while maintaining best-in-class towing and payload capability; new engine also has biodiesel compatibility up to B20
* A new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine also is added to the lineup; it also delivers significantly improved torque and horsepower as well as class-leading fuel economy; new gas engine can run on regular-grade gasoline, E85 or any blend in between
* An all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift® six-speed automatic transmission gets the new diesel engine’s low-end torque to the ground faster; the six-speed transmission has full SelectShift™ capability, giving customers the convenience of a manual gearbox
* Available Ford Work Solutions™ plus a new flow-through console with 110-volt inverter, new seats and locking underseat storage add even more productivity in the Super Duty’s role as office on wheels; new 4.2-inch LCD Productivity Screen delivers array of information
* The new 6R140 transmission is available with segment-exclusive Live Drive Power Take Off (PTO) with the new diesel
Automobile Assembly Line – How things have changed! Ford Model T to the Ford Figo
Posted by: | CommentsOctober 1st will mark the 101st anniversary of the Model T Ford. It is still amazing how the Model T changed the world – from carriages to cars. But even more amazing is how far production lines have changed. Take a look at this video from The Henry Ford Museum…illustrating how the Model T was assembled.
Here are some fun facts about the Ford Model T from this Ford Press Release.
* The Ford Model T debuted on Oct. 1, 1908, and thanks to Henry Ford’s vision, put the world on wheels. More than 15 million units of this car were built and sold in the 19 years Ford produced Model T. Production ended on May 26, 1927. Henry Ford called it the “universal car.” It became the symbol of low-cost, reliable transportation that could get through when other vehicles and horse-drawn wagons were stuck in muddy roads. The Model T won the approval of millions of Americans, who affectionately dubbed it “Tin Lizzie.”
* The Model T was the first low-priced, mass-produced automobile with standard, interchangeable parts.
* The Model T was equipped with a 20-horsepower, four-cylinder engine with a top speed of approximately 45 miles per hour, weighed 1,200 pounds, and achieved 13-21 miles per gallon.
* The first Model Ts sold for $825 (for a two-door roadster) – an unexpected bargain compared to other cars. But even more remarkable is that during its 19 years of production, Ford continued to steadily lower its price, thanks to manufacturing efficiencies including the moving assembly line introduced in 1913.
* In addition to its affordability, Model T stands out as the industry’s truly first global car. By 1921, it accounted for almost 57 percent of the world’s automobile production.
Now take a look at how the new Ford Figo is assembled in India.
Ford Figo may be the next Model T. India’s demand for cars is growing fast…and with a population of 1.1 billion people (that’s about 1/6th of the world’s population) you can see why car companies are flocking to that region of the world. Will Ford Motor Company be able to transform India with the Figo like they did with the Model T in America in the early 1900s? The Ford Figo was revealed yesterday. To learn more about the Figo, go to FordFigo.com
Fisker Automotive, a company started just two years ago in 2007, has received a low cost loan to create “affordable, fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid electric cars”. Where will most of the 500 million+ dollars go? Most of the money is slated for “Project NINA” – Fisker Automotive’s next-generation plug-in hybrids. Fisker, currently taking pre-orders for the Karma – a high end, high dollar plug-in hybrid with a MSRP of $87,900.00 – plans to create a more affordable plug-in starting at about $40,000 after tax credits. Why call the project “Nina”? This project was named after Christopher Columbus’s ship – symbolizing the automobile industry’s transition from “old world to new”.
Fisker Karma - The World's First Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
See the full press release at FiskerAutomotive.com.
Owner’s Manuals to Go Digital – 2010 Chrysler Vehicles will have a DVD Owner’s Manual
Posted by: | CommentsHow do you save 20,000 trees each year? Go digital with owner’s manuals. Chrysler will provide DVD user guides with all of its 2010 line. The DVD will not only be an owner’s manual, but also a user’s guide for vehicle features. Think about it…the DVD will visually show a vehicle owner how to use the features on the car.
To help users with the basics (and emergency situations), a small printed manual will still be provided. But instead of sifting through 500 pages, this condensed printed guide will be about 60 to 80 pages.
Below is a sample video from the Jeep Liberty DVD.
Chrysler DVD Sample
How is Ford doing? According to Doug Scott, Ford’s Truck Marketing Manager even though they are being considerably outspent by GM and Chrysler, the new F150 has gained 5-6 points of market share since its debut last fall.
Mike Gray, AutoUpkeep.com
As the marketing manager, do you find it is becoming more difficult to market against the aggressive campaigns that GM is promoting (60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, 100000 mile/5-year Powertrain warranty)?Doug Scott, Ford’s Truck Marketing Manager
No. When you are focused on continously improving great products like F-150 and Super Duty that becomes all encompassing. The new F-150 has gained 5-6 points of market share since it’s debut last fall despite being considerably outspent by the incentives from both GM and Dodge.
See the full chat transcript TheFordStory.com.
I also tried to get some insight on future plans, but Ford and Mr. Scott were not giving any insight to the future. See my question and his answer below.
Mike Gray, AutoUpkeep.com
I know this is a “future plans” question…are there any official press releases (that I may have missed) that addresses this question – Does Ford Motor Company have any future plans for a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or an all electric truck (to directly compete with the Tahoe or Silverado Hybrids)? Any plans for a diesel-electric hybrid that would work in Super Duty Trucks? (Navistar has the International WorkStar Hybrid for commercial trucks.)Doug Scott, Ford’s Truck Marketing Manager
Mike – again a future product question, but I will say this the GM hybrid pickups only account for 0.2% of their Aug CYTD full size pickup sales. Obviously, the truck customer is saying that the compromise in the capability and the price tag is too high to make this a viable product.
In response to this, I would like to comment that in an effort to bring the hybrid truck technology down to a reasonable price, the major car makers need to experiment with it. If Ford isn’t experimenting with truck hybrids now, will they be behind the curve when (and it is probably when, not if) they take off? Diesel electric hybrids make sense for light trucks.
What do you think? Is a hybrid truck a “viable product”?
Frankfurt Motor Show 2009 – Video Highlights
Posted by: | CommentsIf you couldn’t afford to make the trip to Frankfurt, Germany, it is still easy to see what is happening at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Take a quick tour on YouTube and you can get highlights without leaving the seat of your office computer.
Here are a few short clips:
Car-News.TV – Green Cars at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
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AUTOCAR.CO.UK – Highlights from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
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Edmunds.com Inside Line – Highlights from Day 1
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Associated Press – New Hybrids and Electric Vehicles
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Car-News.TV – Highlights from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
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To find more video clips of the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, go to YouTube. No jet lag, no airport security lines, no hotel fees…this is the way to travel during a recession.
Sometimes relationships just have to end. Navistar International Corporation, who has been providing diesel engines for Ford Motor Company for decades, will no longer provide engines for Ford’s F-Series Super Duty truck. After several years in conflict (read Ford’s press release back in January), the two will maintain their focus in the medium duty (F-650 and F-750) market…but for the F-Series Super Duty trucks, it’s Ford’s engine now!
According to the August 31st, 2009 press release, the Ford-engineered, Ford-manufactured, and Ford-tested engine has the following benefits:
* First use of a compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine block in a Super Duty-class vehicle in North America; stronger than cast iron, Ford has successfully used CGI in engine blocks in products around the world. The block structure was optimized for reduced weight and maximum strength to meet the demands of higher torque and horsepower
* Unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture, an automotive-industry first for a modern production diesel engine, reduces overall exhaust system volume, which leads to better throttle response for the customer; additionally, reduced exhaust system surface area minimizes heat transfer to the engine compartment and improves NVH (noise, vibration, harshness)
* The new engine architecture enables easier service work for all major engine components, potentially reducing down time. On turbocharger service, for example, the body/cab no longer has to be removed from the frame to access the turbo; also, the high-pressure fuel pump, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) components and thermostats are directly accessible from the front of the vehicle
* Honeywell’s single-sequential turbocharger features an industry-first double-sided compressor wheel mounted on a single shaft. The unit is uniquely center-mounted on a pedestal low in the back of the valley for improved NVH. This turbocharger design allows the single unit to deliver the benefits of a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more efficient package, combining the benefits of a small turbocharger (faster response) and a large turbocharger (ability to compress and force more air into the engine for more power) in one unit
* The high-pressure Bosch fuel system injects fuel at more than 29,000 psi. The system delivers up to five injection events per cylinder per cycle using eight-hole piezo injectors to spray fuel into the piston bowl. The direct-injection system is calibrated and phased for optimum power, fuel efficiency and NVH
* Aluminum cylinder heads for reduced weight; the mid-deck construction with dual water jackets provides increased strength and optimal cooling; also, six head bolts, instead of four as found on other engines, help improve sealing and maintain cylinder integrity even with the higher firing pressures; overall the engine is about 160 pounds lighter
* Compatible up to B20 fuel, allowing greener fueling options of up to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel
So how does this engine work and what technology does it involve? Check out this slide show for all the features.
Ford Power Stroke
What do you think? Will the Ford engine be better than the Navistar? I owned a 1996 Ford Super Duty F-450 Tow Truck…and the Navistar engine in that truck was solid. I hope Ford engineers have developed a powerful, fuel efficient, and reliable engine for Super Duty customers…I guess time will tell.
F-22 Fighter Jet Technology in Your Car – Radar Technology
Posted by: | CommentsYour car is full of technological advancements. Vehicles are now produced with radar-based collision warning systems to keep you safe. Take a minute to view this video that highlights Ford Motor Company’s advancements.
Ford Safety Features - from ABC7NEWS.com
Here is the explanation from Ford on how the radar system works and where it is used.
Adaptive Cruise Control allows the driver to set the vehicle cruising speed while using radar technology to monitor traffic traveling up to 600 feet ahead, automatically adjusting Taurus speed to help maintain a safe distance between vehicles. Collision Warning with Brake Support is a new active feature, enabled by Adaptive Cruise Control. This system uses a radar sensor to detect moving vehicles ahead and provides a visual “heads-up” warning signal transmitted across the base of the windshield and an audible warning when slower-moving traffic is detected ahead. The system also pre-charges the brakes and engages electronic brake assist to help the driver stop more quickly. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) consists of two multiple beam radar modules, one each per rear quarter panel. When the sensors detect an approaching vehicle entering the defined blind spot zone, an indicator alert provides warning to the driver in the corresponding side-view mirror. Cross Traffic Alert uses the existing BLIS radar modules to sense oncoming traffic when slowly backing out of a parking spot. This industry-exclusive system functions only while the vehicle is in reverse and warns when cross-traffic is detected within three car widths.
To learn more about the 2010 Ford Taurus and its safety features, go to Ford.com.
Jay Leno’s “Green Car Challenge”
Posted by: | CommentsJay Leno’s new show, The Jay Leno Show, will feature a segment called the “Green Car Challenge”. It is not surprising that the prime time show, which premieres on Monday September 14th at 9 pm central time, will have a regular segment about cars.
The Jay Leno Show
Jay Leno is an avid car guy that collects everything from Stanley Steamers to new alternative fueled vehicles (check out Jay Leno’s Garage). According to Edmunds.com, the “Green Car Challenge” will take place on a track next to where the show is filmed. Ford Motor Company, the only big three automaker that didn’t take government bailout money and managed to stay out of bankruptcy, is working with Jay. Ford put together an all-new battery electric Ford Focus for celebrities to drive.
Here is a quote from Ford:
“Having our Focus battery electric vehicle on the show is a great way to demonstrate how fun to drive these cars really can be,” said Lisa Drake, chief engineer, Ford Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicle Programs. “Beyond the immediate excitement of driving, it demonstrates that Ford is investing in this technology and that we’re committed to electric vehicles.”
To learn more about the Focus, go to TheFordStory.com.
The World’s First Production Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle is…
Posted by: | CommentsThe Chevrolet Volt…no. The Toyota Prius PHEV…no. The Honda Civic…no. The Ford Escape…no. According to Fisker Automotive, a green American premium sports car company, they will be the first to have a production PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – the Karma.
Fisker Karma
Here are some specifications:
* Plug-in hybrid technology Q DRIVE
* 0-60 in less than 6 seconds (0-100 km/h 6 seconds)
* Top speed 125 mph (200 km/h)
* Two Driving Modes: The driver will be able to select between two modes of driving. The first mode is Stealth Drive, which is the quiet economy mode for optimal relaxed and efficient driving. By flipping the second paddle behind the steering wheel, the car will switch to Sport Drive, which will access the full power of the vehicle.
* Regenerative brakes featured to recapture braking energy
* Low center of gravity provides optimal sport vehicle driving dynamics
According to Fisker, fueling the Karma could cost just $0.03 per mile. They concede that a real-world annual average would be closer to $0.07 per mile based on a mix of Sport (gasoline) and Stealth mode use…still pretty good. One downfall, the price – $87,900.
To learn more about the Karma, go to FiskerAutomotive.com.
Auto Upkeep Homeschool Curriculum Kit Reviewed by Curriculum Choice
Posted by: | CommentsI am pleased to announce that our Auto Upkeep Homeschool Curriculum Kit was recently reviewed by the website “Curriculum Choice“.
TheCurriculumChoice.com
It is always exciting to read what homeschool moms, dads, and kids think about our curriculum. Here is a quote from the reviewer:
This program is going to prepare my son to not only complete light maintenance for an auto but it also includes chapters on buying cars, safety, and emergency information. He will be learning how to change a tire, change the oil, check the spark plugs, and many more things that every person should know who owns a car. I highly recommend this program which includes a workbook, lab sheets, and tests in the homeschool kit. By Barb-Harmony Art Mom – Please go to TheCurriculumChoice.com to read the full review.
To read Barb’s blog, go to HarmonyArtMom.Blogspot.com.
The Auto Upkeep curriculum is used by thousands of students in the United States and Canada. We have even shipped Auto Upkeep to students in Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, and Japan. Wouldn’t it be nice to teach your teen about basic car care, maintenance, repair, and ownership?
No More Negotiating – Upfront Car Pricing
Posted by: | CommentsYou don’t negotiate a price for a book. You don’t negotiate a price for a digital camera. You don’t negotiate a price for a big screen TV. Many of us go online and search for the best price or expect the local retailer to “be in the ballpark” with the listed price. We may search online and then go to a local store to make sure we are getting a fair deal. Why is it expected that you negotiate a price for a car?
With the internet, price seclusion is no longer accepted by most buyers. Why should we have to physically go to the dealership to get a price on a specific make and model of vehicle, especially if we know what options we want on it? Zag.com is committed to upfront pricing – and require it for all the dealers in their network. This article is a great read for the justification of upfront car pricing.
Zag.com - Upfront Car Pricing
Here are a couple of quotes from the article:
*…serving the local community is no longer a sufficient differentiator or sole competitive advantage because consumers go online first.
* An upfront, transparent price is an informed, fair price given in real time. The consumer doesn’t have to provide personal information or wait for an email response from a dealer prior to expressing interest. While online, the buyer can remain anonymous until he or she is ready, and that places the buyer in control.
* This is the crux of the informational advantage consumers seek online: not only do they want pricing, but they want to get that price in the same way they’d get the price of a book on Amazon.com: immediately and anonymously. What’s more, they need to know the price they get is a good one. That explains why online shoppers typically cross reference pricing data with three other sources: to confirm the fairness of the price, and to move forward in the process knowing they are informed enough. See the full article HERE.
Zag.com works with affinity groups (groups with similar interests for their members). For example, AAA (51 million members strong) has partnered up with Zag to help car buyers price out their next car through their AAA Automaker site. Overstock.com, Capital One, American Express, and USAA (United Services Automobile Association) also use Zag.
While I truly believe most people like to buy local when possible (small bookstores, local car dealerships, the independently owned electronics store), we also don’t want to pay significantly more for the convenience of walking in. The internet has set the stage for pricing…and we expect competitive retailers’ prices to be fairly similar. They are selling the same product, why not a similar price.
What I like about Zag.com, specifically their “Drive Your Dream” search, is that you can look for a specific make and model (style) and it lists the invoice price, MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price), Target Price (what you should expect to pay), and current incentives. You can also read reviews, research the car’s specifications, compare your selected vehicle to other vehicles, and get a TrueCar Price Report (see below)…all while sitting at your computer or lounging around with your smartphone.
Zag.com - TrueCar Price Report
