Ford victorious in requesting legal reversal of $43M fatal crash judgment
Filed under: Government/Legal, Ford
In 2003, a Lincoln Town Car driven by John and Dora Jablonski burst into flames when it was hit from behind, the fire taking the life of John and severely burned Dora. The accident turned into a court case, which resulted in a $43 million judgment against Ford Motor Company. Now, however, that judgment has just been reversed.
Ford asserted that the design of the 1993 Town Car in question had nothing to do with the accident, and, in fact, met or exceeded all industry standards set at the time. The automaker points out that this was an unfortunate accident in which a distracted driver slammed into the Town Car at 60 miles per hour, and that the company should not be liable. After this new theory was argued, a jury agreed, and the initial judgment was reversed in favor of Ford.
Ford victorious in requesting legal reversal of $43M fatal crash judgment originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsHow California’s laws are holding up the Ford Mustang Boss 302′s TracKey [w/video]
Ford promised its Mustang Boss 302 customers that their car was perfect for both the street and the track, and that the dual nature of the sports coupe could be personified with the TracKey. Pop that lovely little device into your ignition and your Boss 302 takes on a different attitude. Hundreds of parameters are changed to work in concert as the car takes on a more track-focused mindset. The TracKey has Boss 302 owners salivating at the prospect of owning sporty daily driver and track star, which occupies a singular spot in their garage.
There's a bit of a problem, however, and it seem that Mustang owners have California to blame.Ford is butting heads with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the stalemate has left Boss 302 owners without their TracKeys. The folks at CARB know that the TracKey alters the emissions leaving the tailpipes of the Boss 302, and they have a problem with that. Until these issues are sorted out, Ford won't be able to deliver any TracKeys to Boss 302 owners.
As you can imagine, that has the car owners a bit peeved. One owner in particular has decided to vent his frustrations in a manner befitting our Internet-adled brains. Turning to the surprisingly popular Hitler video meme, he has applied his thoughts to the video antics of Adolf.
Click past the jump to watch the clip (note: NSFW language). Also, be sure to click through our gallery of the Ford Mustang Boss 302, while you pretend what it would be like if CARB turned a blind eye to the TracKey issues.
Continue reading How California's laws are holding up the Ford Mustang Boss 302's TracKey [w/video]
How California's laws are holding up the Ford Mustang Boss 302's TracKey [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord making live operators standard with Sync service
Filed under: Technology, Ford
After a successful round of beta testing, Ford is ready to put you in touch with a live operator by way of its Sync Services system. Should you feel the need to speak to an actual person, Ford will put you in touch with an operator who is standing by, as it will henceforth be included as a standard feature in Sync's suite of functions.
Live operators can assist with turn-by-turn direction while also sending any relevant information about your destination to your phone. According to Ford, relaying the live information will help drivers keep their eyes on the road while the person on the other end does the data digging. Customers who are new to Sync will receive 60 complimentary sessions, while current Sync customers will receive a set number of complimentary sessions based on how much time is remaining on their agreement. Full details posted after the jump.
Continue reading Ford making live operators standard with Sync service
Ford making live operators standard with Sync service originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsRoush fires up Stage 3 Hyper-Series Ford Mustang for 2012
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford
A Roush-tuned Ford Mustang is a modern muscle car gone manic. Our own Drew Phillips recently got to spend time with the 540-horsepower 2012 Roush RS3, which straddles the performance line between the Boss 302 and the Shelby GT500. If you like the sound of that but are looking to get a vehicle that's even more exclusive, Roush now has you covered with its RS3 Hyper-Series.
The Hyper-Series cars have everything that the standard Roush RS3 wears as far as performance upgrades go. The Roush team decided to dress these coupes up a step further, however, by offering one of four unique exterior graphic and interior color treatments. Buyers can choose between Mat It Mango, Gas It Green, Punch It Purple and Launch It Lemon. On the outside, a corresponding color stripe accompanies the side graphic while the interior receives matching suede door panels, shift boot stitching and a pair of shift knobs. One knob is black while the other matches the color choice of the vehicle.
Roush is only building 25 of each version, and each vehicle gets a unique serial number as well. The Hyper-Series hits the market beginning in October 2011. Check out the limited-edition 2012 Roush RS3 Hyper-Series Mustang in the gallery.
Continue reading Roush fires up Stage 3 Hyper-Series Ford Mustang for 2012
Roush fires up Stage 3 Hyper-Series Ford Mustang for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsCustomer in controversial Ford bailout slam ad responds to critics on YouTube
Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford
We only know him as Chris, but his words are reverberating around the automotive and business sectors at the moment. He's the star of an unscripted Ford ad that puts real customers in front of not-so-real reporters. Chris was asked why buying American was important to him, and his response centers on the fact that Ford did not take bailout money unlike General Motors and Chrysler.
Chris has decided to post a video of his own to address some of his critics and to try to set the record straight. The Ford fan responds to criticism that this ad was staged, and also explains why he chose to buy his F-150. In addition, Chris also watched and recorded a Fox News segment, and that clip has talking heads Megyn Kelly, Mike Tobin and Steve Moore offering up their take on the Ford spot. Click past the jump to see the original ad, Chris' response and the opinion of Fox News.
Continue reading Customer in controversial Ford bailout slam ad responds to critics on YouTube
Customer in controversial Ford bailout slam ad responds to critics on YouTube originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsDoug the puppet pitches new Ford Focus to Automobile Magazine
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford
Doug the puppet and his handler John trekked to the headquarters of Automobile Magazine in order to show off the 2012 Ford Focus. John and Doug arrive in the office of editor Jean Jennings, and things don't exactly get off on the right foot.
After their initial introductions, Doug and John discuss the 2012 Ford Focus in front of the magazine staff. A boring PowerPoint presentation leads to some track time with the car, and it's all captured in five short videos.
Click past the jump to watch.
Continue reading Doug the puppet pitches new Ford Focus to Automobile Magazine
Doug the puppet pitches new Ford Focus to Automobile Magazine originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsArtist building every part of 1969 Ford Mustang entirely out of paper – full size
Filed under: Etc., Ford, Design/Style
Our friend Christopher from Colossal is an expert-level Internet tracker of all that is cool in the world of art. We shared some cow-car statues he found recently, but his latest find ups the ante more than a few notches. In fact, we think you'll find he's broken the scale, especially if you happen to be a fan of classic muscle cars.
Artist Jonathan Brand likes working with a variety of mediums, but he is wildly skilled when it comes to handling paper. Brand is also a fan of the 1969 Ford Mustang. Combining his passion for both in a way that only a skilled artist can, Brand has set about the task of building the full-scale Ford entirely out of paper. Not just the shell, mind you, but every single item on the original car will have been born from a tree.
So far, the Brooklyn, New York artist has completed the engine, a wheel and tire, and one of the doors. The accuracy he can achieve in this medium is amazing, and we are eagerly awaiting the day when he folds that last piece and the whole thing comes together. We're guessing it's going to be a while, but we'll be waiting. While you're waiting, check out Brand's work in more detail at his website.
Artist building every part of 1969 Ford Mustang entirely out of paper - full size originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord letting customers battle it out with new Mustang Customizer
Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ford
We love car configurators here at Autoblog, and we also enjoy competition. Ford has just found a way to combine the two with a brand new website that lets you pit your online automotive creation against examples built by others. The vehicle that you're tasked with making your own is the Ford Mustang, and the automaker wants you to do battle with other Mustang fans across the Internet.
This special Ford Mustang Customizer will go live on Tuesday, September 20th. Once it does, users can pick between all varieties of the Mustang, from V6 up to the big-boy Shelby GT500. Once a user decides on his machine, it's time to customize it to his or her liking. Ford has a offered-up virtual wheels, body-kits, decals, grilles, decklid spoilers and a few choice parts from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog.
Once your mega Mustang is created, you can upload it to your Facebook page where it can "battle" against examples produced by your friends and other Mustang fans. There will be a leaderboard so you can see how your design stacks up against the rest of the world.
Also, if you end up falling in love with your work, Ford will help you turn it into a reality. A PDF description of how you optioned your car can be printed out, and then brought to your local dealer. All of the Ford performance and styling pieces can be purchased there, while the available aftermarket items will have to be sourced from the applicable vendors. Head over to Ford.com/cars/mustang on Tuesday to get cracking on creating your dream Mustang.
Continue reading Ford letting customers battle it out with new Mustang Customizer
Ford letting customers battle it out with new Mustang Customizer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSlide presentation confirms Ford E-Series being nixed in favor of Transit
Filed under: Minivan/Van, Ford
First the Panther platform and now E-Series vans? That might be the case, according to a presentation shown to investors at a Ford press event held alongside the Frankfurt Motor Show. The discussion centered on how Ford is reducing costs by producing global vehicles on singular platforms. This includes its commercial van lineup, and it sounds like the entire bulk of that business will soon be shouldered by the Ford Transit.
The presentation was led by Ford CFO Lewis Booth. He showed slides to the audience, and the E-Series van was noticeably absent from his discussion. Wards Auto reached out to Ford for an official comment, but the automaker declined to talk about the matter.
The Blue Oval's actions speak louder than words, however, because preparations are already underway for the next generation of Europe's favorite commercial van. In addition to an investment in its Turkey plant, Ford has also sent out a proposal to the United Auto Workers union that discusses a new product to be built at the automaker's Avon Lake, Ohio facility starting in 2014.
That's the facility that just happens to be the current home of E-Series production.
Vaya con dios E-Series, you've served this country proudly since 1961.
Slide presentation confirms Ford E-Series being nixed in favor of Transit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord reveals production 2012 Focus ST, shows off Euro-only Focus ST Wagon [UPDATE]
Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Performance, Wagon, Hatchback, Ford
Hot hatch fans have been waiting patiently for Ford to officially reveal its new Focus ST. Well, stop waiting and start securing your deposit, because the Blue Oval brand has finally pulled back the sheet and peeled off the camouflage. The 2012 Ford Focus ST will makes its global debut at this week's 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and we've got all the details on the hi-po hatchback for you right here.
The Focus ST features a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder under its hood, rated at 247 horsepower and an impressive 265 pound-feet of torque.
A six-speed manual transmission should pair nicely with the torque-loving engine, which Ford says was painstakingly tuned to produce exquisite engine and exhaust notes by its sound engineers.All of that go-fast energy is routed to the front wheels, and Ford says it has worked hard to alleviate torque-steer concerns with its electronic power assisted steering and torque steer compensation system. Both systems work together to minimize or eliminate the wheel-tugging effects often associated with higher horsepower front-wheel drivers.
The great news surrounding the 2012 Ford Focus ST is that it will be a global vehicle, sold in 40 markets. Even better news for European long roof fans is that Ford will produce a Focus ST wagon. American wagon fans... maybe you can rent one overseas someday.
Hop over the jump to read the full press release, and click through each gallery to check out the Focus ST in both five-door and wagon flavors.
UPDATE: Our man Michael Harley is on the ground in Germany and captured the live reveal of the Ford Focus ST. Check out the gallery below.
Continue reading Ford reveals production 2012 Focus ST, shows off Euro-only Focus ST Wagon [UPDATE]
Ford reveals production 2012 Focus ST, shows off Euro-only Focus ST Wagon [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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