Ford is Hiring! 3.7-liter V6 for Mustang means 60 new jobs in Cleveland

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

There was a time in the illustrious history of the Ford Mustang when having an engine from the Cleveland Engine Plant meant that you were sporting a 351 cubic-inch V8 underhood. Times have changed quite a bit over the past 35 years, as Ohio's newest Mustang engine contains but six cylinders yet produces an impressive 305 horsepower and an even more brow-raising 30 miles per gallon highway.

Ford expects the 3.7-liter-powered Stang to account for two thirds of Mustang sales, and The Blue Oval is so confident in customer demand for its six-cylinder offering that it's hiring 60 new workers to assist production. To prep the Cleveland plant for its newest engine, Ford is also investing an additional $155 million to bring the plant up to speed.

Ford Powertrain Manufacturing Director Bill Russo appears to be pretty high on the Cleveland facility, adding that it is "not only building fuel-efficient engines for some of our most popular Ford products, it's becoming a hub for the future of Ford powertrains." A hub with a Help Wanted poster on the front door, no less.

While the news at Cleveland appears to be very good, the state of powertrains at Ford is even better. The Oval reportedly pumped a staggering $1.8 billion into powertrains for the 2011 model year, and has nine total new engines on the way. Three of those new powertrains will find their way under the hood of the Mustang, as the 3.7-liter, 5.0-liter and supercharged aluminum 5.4-liter powerplants are all new for 2011. Pony car powertrain fans can revel in the fun by pouring over the horsepower-centric press release after the jump.




[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford is Hiring! 3.7-liter V6 for Mustang means 60 new jobs in Cleveland

Ford is Hiring! 3.7-liter V6 for Mustang means 60 new jobs in Cleveland originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford to benefit most from Toyota’s woes in February sales totals

Filed under: Ford, Toyota

Toyota is bracing for lower February sales as its massive recall and the ensuing media storm have cast a shadow over the automaker. Just how low can Toyota go? The Detroit Free Press says it could see its lowest US market share in over five years this month, with about 12 percent of U.S. sales.

Most analysts anticipate that Toyota will have a very rough month, but the big question on their minds is which automakers stand to gain the most from Toyota's pain. Edmunds and TruCar reportedly think that winner will be Ford, as they estimate that the Oval will see a 35-percent sales increase. If correct, that'll vastly outpace the nine to 14 percent increase for the month that was previously forecasted.

Despite Ford's anticipated performance and projected double-digit gains for the industry as a whole, the market is still struggling. After all, these February 2010 sales projections are increases in relation to the dismal February 2009 numbers, which came as the recession helped deliver the industry its lowest sales levels in 30 years. February 2010 sales are also expected to be generally lower because of the multiple east coast snowstorms that kept customers out of dealerships for much of the month.



[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Report: Ford to benefit most from Toyota's woes in February sales totals originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford SVT Raptor outselling estimates, black most popular color

Filed under: Truck, Ford

While we wholeheartedly love the F-150 SVT Raptor, part of us wondered whether there'd be many takers for a $40,000 truck that was purpose-built for the sand dunes. Looks like we needn't have worried, as it appears demand is very strong for the Raptor. In fact, Ford had its flacks issue a press release bragging about just how successful the Raptor's been so far. The factory super-truck has reportedly found 5,300 takers to date, and F-150 marketing manager Mark Grueber says Raptor "is so popular that we actually wound up building more 5.4-liter V-8 models than we had originally anticipated."

The reason Ford thought customers might be interested in waiting to pull the trigger on a Raptor is the spring availability of the Dearborn, MI-based automaker's new 6.2-liter V8 engine. The new 6.2 promises 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, or 91 more ponies than the soon-to-be-mothballed 5.4. Ford's already taking orders for the 6.2-liter model, and we're thinking they'll only increase in number over the coming weeks and months.

After filling out 5,300 orders, Ford also has a better idea of which amenities customers want in their Raptors, and the content story is a good one for the automaker. Ford reports that customers are checking option boxes for the luxury package, reverse-sensing camera and moonroof at a rate of at least 79 percent. Ford's expensive but fantastic touchscreen navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link[TM] is being chosen in 62 percent of Raptors sold. And while we loved the Raptor in Molten Orange, 52 percent of customers are opting for Tuxedo Black. Hit the jump pore over Ford's bragfest press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford SVT Raptor outselling estimates, black most popular color

Ford SVT Raptor outselling estimates, black most popular color originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dealers report new Mercury compact will exhume Tracer name

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Mercury

If you're a big fan of Mercury... okay, there probably aren't many Mercury fans, but it looks like Ford is hoping to change that by 2011 - or at least stop certain franchisees from crumbling. On Sunday, we told you that Ford President Mark Fields told dealers at the company's annual meeting that an all-new Focus-sized offering was heading over to the product-starved Mercury marque, and now we have fresh rumors of said vehicle's name.

Now, Automotive News quotes two dealer sources as saying that the next Mercury will carry the Tracer name - a marque that's been lost to the ether for some time. But that apparently isn't stopping Ford. At any rate, we're sure the nation's Lincoln-Mercury dealers will be happy to have a new Jill Wagner-pitched offering on their showroom floors, no matter what the name may be. Let's just hope that the powers that be don't dig up the Trio trim level while they're at it.

In other Ford news, the Blue Oval began accepting orders for its subcompact Fiesta yesterday. A reported 60 percent of dealers said that they would order high trim vehicles when they become available. Ford has started a training program to help dealer salespeople sell the newest and most eagerly awaited Ford model to grace dealer forecourts in some time.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req.]

Dealers report new Mercury compact will exhume Tracer name originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Motor Trend gets first ride in 2011 Ford Mustang V6, Camaro and Challenger compared

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Ford

The 2010 Ford Mustang was by all accounts a pretty significant refresh compared to the 2009 model, with a vastly superior interior, better ride and handling and, some would say, improved outward aesthetics. But there was still something missing. The Blue Oval used carry-over powertrains, and in the case of the 210-horsepower V6 model, nothing changed.

For the 2011 model year, Ford is rectifying that mistake two-fold. The 5.0-liter V8 gets a great deal of press for its impressive 412 hp and 390 pound-feet of twist, but many members of the Autoblog team are just as excited to get their hands on the new 305 hp, 280 lb-ft 3.7-liter V6 offering. We'll likely have to wait a bit longer to curb that urge, but the folks over at Motor Trend have already been given a taste.

MT's Arthur St. Antoine was invited to Ford's Arizona proving grounds to spend some seat time behind the wheel in the passenger seat of the updated ponycar, and though he didn't get to drive he liked what he experienced. St. Antoine calls the new V6 mill "plenty strong," adding that the engine is smoother, stronger and sounds better than the outgoing 4.0-liter six ever could. After some gentle strolling around Arizona, St. Antoine meandered back over to the proving grounds for some laps in a Performance Package V6 model with vehicle dynamics engineer (and Top Gun-level driver) Jamie Cullen. From the perspective of the right seat, the 3.7-liter Stang reportedly was able to handle anything thrown its way with flat cornering, strong braking and near constant contact between the tires and the track. Head over to Motor Trend to read the report from the passenger seat and make the jump for the video.



[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Video: Motor Trend gets first ride in 2011 Ford Mustang V6, Camaro and Challenger compared

Video: Motor Trend gets first ride in 2011 Ford Mustang V6, Camaro and Challenger compared originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford employees take Motor Trend calipers to Disney World, hit TSA snag in Detroit

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Ford

When we look at Motor Trend magazine's golden calipers, we think of a prestigious trophy awarded each year to the publication's top car and truck of the year. Apparently, the Transportation Security Administration officials at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport see a weapon of mass destruction. Or something.

The proud engineers at Ford have been taking their well-deserved 2010 Ford Fusion Car of the Year award all over town, taking pictures and having a little fun, mimicking what athletes do when they win Lord Stanley's Cup in hockey or the Lombardi Trophy in football. Ford Research & Advanced Engineering employee Tony Phillips went as far as Disney World with the award, but apparently not before coming to the attention of the TSA at Detroit Metro airport. Phillips had rightly brought the sizable trophy onto the plane as a carry-on - after all, who would want to tell Allan Mulally that they lost the trophy at baggage claim?

MT's shiny hardware was eventually let on the plane after "some interesting discussion, and it made its way to Orlando to ride some rides and hang with Mickey. Surprisingly, the Orlando TSA agents were more familiar with Ford's award than were the security agents in the Motor City, and congratulations were given to them on the accomplishment. Just as an FYI for Ford, you can bring by your trophy to Autoblog headquarters any time you wish. We won't even frisk you at the door.

[Source: @Ford Online]

Ford employees take Motor Trend calipers to Disney World, hit TSA snag in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fed reportedly expanding investigation into Ford F-150 airbags

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Ford

Back in October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration announced a Ford F-150 airbag investigation. There were 530,000 2005 model year F-150s involved in the investigation before Halloween, but now the number has swelled to 1.56 million trucks spanning the 2004-2006 model years. The government agency has also upgraded the investigation to an engineering analysis - one step closer to a recall.

The F-150 airbags are being investigated because the administration has reportedly received some 300 complaints of airbags that deployed without an accident. An earlier report revealed that the majority of the premature airbag deployments happened at ignition or directly after ignition - a really lousy wake up call first thing in the morning. Of the 300 complaints, there were 60 injuries, including cuts and bruises and two people reported being knocked unconscious as a result of the airbag deployment.

Ford, which is reportedly cooperating with the federal government in the investigation, predictably doesn't want to speculate as to whether the investigation will lead to a full-blown recall.

[Source: Reuters]

Fed reportedly expanding investigation into Ford F-150 airbags originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Poll: 45% believe GM will need more bailouts

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, Ford, GM

General Motors is probably more glad than most companies that 2009 is in the past. After all, the Detroit, MI-based automaker saw sales drop by over 30 percent while suffering through the pain and humiliation of bailouts and bankruptcy. With billions in debt erased, retiree health care costs on their way out, fewer plants and dealers and thousands fewer employees, 2010 is looking a hell of a lot better than 2009. Those facts are hard to argue, but it hasn't dissuaded thousands of Americans polled by Rasmussen.

According to a report by Rasmussen, Americans still think The General has a ways to go before it's back on four wheels, as 45 percent of those queried feel the automaker will need more bailouts in the months or years ahead. Not everybody is bearish on GM, though, as evidenced by the 29 percent who felt the automaker is more likely to become profitable than need more bailouts. The rest of those polled don't know what to make of GM's situation.

As bad as those numbers look they are still better than Rasmussen's findings back in September. Four months ago, 57 percent of those polled felt GM would need more bailouts. Interestingly, investors were reportedly a bit less skeptical than the average American, as 34 percent felt GM is more likely to turn a profit than again turn to Uncle Sam for additional capital.

Of the Detroit automakers, customers are predictably most comfortable with Ford's situation, while only 22 percent of those polled felt Chrysler could profit without additional loans. Head over to the Rasmussen report for more info on its survey findings.

[Source: Rasmussen Reports | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

New Poll: 45% believe GM will need more bailouts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Mustang pricing to start from *$22,995?

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Ford has really pushed the envelope with its 2011 Mustang. Both V6 and V8 models receive nearly 100 horsepower bumps and new transmissions along with a host of standard features that will help the Blue Oval go toe-to-toe with the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. The 2011 Mustang looks pretty good on paper, but we're very curious to know how much Ford will increase the price of its upgraded ponycar. The Mustang Source appears to have the answer to that question, and from what we can see, the Mustang will cost more than the coupe it replaces, yet it will still beat the Camaro on price.

Judging by TMS' information, a base Mustang coupe will cost $22,995 (*including $850 for destination) - that's $750 pricier than the 2010 model, but over $500 cheaper than the base Camaro. The base GT coupe will reportedly crack the $30,000 barrier for the first time with an MSRP of $30,495 including destination. That's $1,250 more than a 2010 GT and $1,300 cheaper than a 1SS Camaro.

The pony lovers also got their hands on option pricing, ranging from $995 to opt for a six-speed automatic transmission to $2,340 for an electronics package that includes navigation. The California Special package can be had for $2,475 and stopping power can be increased by adding Brembo brakes for $1,695. Head over to The Mustang Source to download the PDF (which we've also gallerized below), or hit the jump to check out base pricing for all eight Mustang models. Once you've done that, come back to let us know if you think Ford has added enough value to justify the price hikes by leaving your thoughts in Comments.





[Source: The Mustang Source]

Continue reading 2011 Ford Mustang pricing to start from *$22,995?

2011 Ford Mustang pricing to start from *$22,995? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford could take Lincoln global (one day)

Filed under: Ford, Lincoln, Luxury

Just a few years ago, Ford had so many luxury brands in its then considerable suite of marques that there were upscale offerings for just about any taste in every region of the world. Aston Martin, Land Rover and Jaguar are now in the hands of other owners and Volvo is on the outs, so how will Ford deliver luxury goods to other regions of the world? How about Lincoln?

The idea has been kicked around to no avail in the past, but with a growing luxury market in emerging markets like China, the Blue Oval may need a new global plan for its lone luxury marquee. Automotive News reports that Ford will only discuss expanding Lincoln globally when its North American operation gets turned around. Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields told AN, "We don't have any plans at this point to take it global. That doesn't mean in the future we wouldn't look at that, but it's very important for us to focus on North America."

If Ford waits for Lincoln to turn around in North America before looking at other markets, the process could take a while. Lincoln sales were down 23 percent in 2009, with sales dipping to a 28-year low of 82,847 units. Many of Lincolns newer models have arrived with a luke-warm reception from both journalists and the car-buying public, though there are high hopes for the recently introduced 2011 Lincoln MKX and its trick MyLincoln Touch interface. Another Lincoln that could help spur sales overseas is a smaller model based off of the Concept C from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.



[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Ford could take Lincoln global (one day) originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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