Cincinnati Ford Dealer » Jonathon Ramsey

Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:55:00 +0000

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, Ford

Chevrolet is having some pointed fun with its apocalyptic Super Bowl ad featuring the Silverado called "2012," only the fun is pointed directly at Ford, which finds it a little too sharp to be all that much fun. So on the eve of the big game, Ford sent Chevy a cease-and-desist letter to pull the ad and "pressured" NBC not to run the commercial, according to a report on Yahoo!'s Motoramic blog. Chevy has released a statement in response, which you can read after the jump, indicating that the ad will run despite Ford's protest.

Ford found no reason to chuckle at some of the commercial's claims, "particularly around durability." One in particular comes from a character that says of their now-deceased, F-150-driving pal, "Dave didn't drive the longest-lasting most dependable truck on the road. Dave drove a Ford."

Ford spokesman Mike Levine says his company has more trucks with 250,000-plus miles on the road than any other brand, which would appear to contradict the small print that appears in the "2012" ad that reads, "Dependability based on longevity: 1981-2011 full-size pickup registrations." Ford says its lawyers will decide what to do (if anything) after the ad airs during tonight's game, but Chevy's legal minions must have vetted the spot closely well before time.

Or Ford could take Chevy marketing honcho Joel Ewanick up on his offer and bide its time. Said Ewanick, "We can wait until the world ends, and if we need to, we will apologize."

Continue reading Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad

Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Escape configurator powers up, prices subject to change

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:29:00 +0000

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford

The configurator for the 2013 Ford Escape is live - or rather, a survey masquerading as a configurator. On the introductory page of small print, there are three crucial bits Ford wants you to know: that "the information on this site is for survey purposes only," that "features and prices for the final 2013 Ford Escape will only become available when the vehicle goes on sale in 2012 and are subject to change," and that "information on this site may change frequently, so don't be surprised if things look different next time you visit."

Once you get past all that you can do a little bit of configurating, from the $22,470* base Escape to the $32,120* Titanium Escape with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost and all-wheel drive. Checking all five options boxes, the biggest price tag we could come up with was $36,595*, which got us treats like a full-leather interior, navigation and Class II trailer tow. Many have made comments on the styling of the new Escape, but we won't be surprised if we see quite a few of these on the road.

* Remember, prices aren't final.

2013 Ford Escape configurator powers up, prices subject to change originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Focus Titanium to get manual transmission

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

The Ford Focus sedan comes in four trim flavors, S, SE, SEL and Titanium, while the five-door hatch omits the base S version. Keeping form with past economy car tradition, only the S and SE trims have been offered with a five-speed manual transmission, but that changes with the 2012 Focus: the top-drawer Titanium trim will shortly receive a manual option.

According to a report in Car and Driver, enough Ford customers have been specifically asking for a Focus Titanium with the handling pack and the five-speed tranny that the company is going to put it out there. No one is sure what percentage of buyers will check the box, but it will be interesting to see if it beats the seven percent of S and SE buyers who choose the manual.

On the lower trims, the manual is standard and the dual-clutch automatic adds a $1,095 premium. While a base Focus S is priced at $16,500, Titanium models start at $22,200 for the sedan or $22,700 for the five-door (both are subject to a $795 delivery fee). The Titanium manual option isn't available yet on the Focus configurator, but we'll be on the lookout to see if Ford lowers the price for top-tier Focus drivers who want to do their own rowing.

Ford Focus Titanium to get manual transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford says SYNC base is now 4M, will reach 13M by 2015

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Filed under: Technology, Ford

Ford SYNC is a success. The connectivity software has found its way into four million cars since its introduction in 2007. With European and Asian buyers getting SYNC for the first time this year, and North American offerings like the Fusion and Flex getting it as standard equipment, Ford expects to add nine million more users by 2015.

The prediction isn't solely based car buyers' increased access to SYNC; even in the U.S. the uptake continues to grow, from 80 percent of buyers in 2010 to 82 percent in 2011. The percentage of those recommending SYNC has remained stable at 80 percent, but that might also rise with more features and apps on the way. You can read all about it in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ford says SYNC base is now 4M, will reach 13M by 2015

Ford says SYNC base is now 4M, will reach 13M by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Mustang V6 spied nearly camo-free

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ford, Design/Style

Our spy photographers captured the 2013 Ford Mustang GT recently, and not far behind it is this, the V6-flavored pony car. The V6, as with the GT, gets a significant brawny cue from the top-dog Shelby GT500, that protruding grille. Although it receives the same headlight treatment as the GT, the V6 leaves off the front splitter and the running-horse logo remains front and center in the grille, not offset as on the GT prototype.

Things are tamer out back, naturally, but a revised treatment of taillights and bumper will set this one apart from others in the family. It appears to be a mild suite of changes that we'll have to wait another year for, but perhaps this is all Ford thinks it needs to put the Mustang back on the number-one peg.

2013 Ford Mustang V6 spied nearly camo-free originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PickupTrucks.com names Ram 1500 best truck for $30K

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 17:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Comparisons

PickupTrucks.com asked five half-ton truck manufacturers to provide their best trucks for $30,000. The entries consisted of the 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 Extended Cab, 2011 Ford F-150 Regular Cab, 2011 Nissan Titan King Cab, 2011 Ram 1500 Quad Cab and 2011 Toyota Tundra Double Cab, all of which were put through a variety of tests over four days in and around Detroit. Unlike a comparison that seeks model-feature parity, this one allowed for manufacturers to provide whatever they thought was best, which is how you get Ford supplying the only regular cab among the field.

After being run through load tests, brake tests, the drag strip, 0-to-60 and even an autocross run, the crown was given to the Ram 1500 Quad Cab. It didn't scorch its competition, but it was always near the top of the field, which gave it enough to take the glory. There's a video of the test after the jump, or head over to PickupTrucks.com to read the full piece.

Continue reading PickupTrucks.com names Ram 1500 best truck for $30K

PickupTrucks.com names Ram 1500 best truck for $30K originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Germany’s Design-World Marko Mennekes takes on the Ford Mustang

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:56:00 +0000

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Design-World Company in Sundern, Germany is offering to turn your Ford Mustang into what you see above for just €12,150 ($17,091 U.S.). That will get you a 23-horsepower bump (to 435 hp) as well as the wheels, a "thread undercarriage" from H&R, and "the main accomplishment" which appears to be the grinding and varnishing of plastic parts and the lively paint scheme.

There's more information in the press release after the jump, but good luck making sense of it, or there's always the gallery of high-res photos... and then a call to your Swiss banker to get this metallic orange and black and white party started, right?

Continue reading Germany's Design-World Marko Mennekes takes on the Ford Mustang

Germany's Design-World Marko Mennekes takes on the Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UAW "leans toward" striking Ford if deal isn’t reached

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, UAW/Unions

The United Auto Workers are currently negotiating new labor contracts with The Detroit Three. Due to bankruptcy restrictions, UAW members working at General Motors and Chrysler and can't go on strike. Ford, on the other hand, didn't get a no-strike clause since it didn't go through the bankruptcy process. That means the UAW can walk off Blue Oval production lines if it chooses to do so, and it is already threatening to do just that if it doesn't get the agreement it wants when the current contract expires on September 14.

The Detroit News report on the matter is reminiscent of sports press reportage on the former NFL and current NBA lockouts: haves and have-nots, short memories, separate legal actions, and phrases like "they don't believe Ford's claims of poverty."

A couple of days ago, it was reported that preliminary voting was heavily in favor of a strike, and that wasn't a fluke: strike authorization is running at 97 percent - well above usual. But some UAW workers feel that the plants that are doing well, like the Dearborn Truck plant making the F-150 pickup, is a case of "The fat-cat plants want more," while plants that want more work are content for now to let Ford get healthier before asking for more.

A strike authorization from Bob King and company does not necessarily mean that there will be a strike if an amicable conclusion can't be reached, but it does give the UAW more ammunition than it has with GM and Chrysler.

UAW "leans toward" striking Ford if deal isn't reached originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ford Focus sales being hurt by low supply

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:57:00 +0000

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Ford

Even though Ford's light vehicle sales were up seven percent in August of this year versus last, the company is running low on a very popular product: there simply aren't enough of the 2012 Focus to go around. The company's sales analyst, George Pipas, said it's because there isn't enough inventory, with 5,500 Focuses in stock at the end of July.

It's a good problem to have if that's the real cause, but it's still a problem. Focus sales declined more than 12 percent last month, year-on-year, and it was outsold by the Cruze by more than 7,000 units. Pipas cited the process and supplier issues at the truck factory that was refitted to build the Focus, but said that inventory levels were expected to return to normal in Q4. Then we'll find out if the the summer slump after May's high of 22,303 sales is due to supply.

The Focus is doing Ford well in other ways, though, with Ford's VP of marketing, sales and service saying that the average age of Focus buyers has dropped by eight years, California customers are leading the pack and they are trading in imports to go domestic.

2012 Ford Focus sales being hurt by low supply originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno checks out some strange and beautiful American things at Pebble

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:40:00 +0000

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Videos, Ford, Celebrities, Specialty

Jay Leno always gets to take his turn behind the wheels of lots of big, fast, beautiful things that make the enthusiast get all choked up with high-horsepower emotion and exhaust gasses. But he can also check out things that are just weird and beautiful without actually driving - and in these two cases, those things are American.

There are two videos after the jump from last week's Pebble Beach festivities in Monterey, California - one of the 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept designed by Karim Eddie but named for powerhouse designer Virgil Exner. Long, red and asymmetrical and powered by a Valiant engine, there's only one, which is only right.

The other vid is of Edsel Ford's 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster. Certainly one of the most compelling cars of the entire weekend, Jay takes his time with Edsel Ford's grandson and Pebble concours judge Ken Gross to dive into the speedster's creation and restoration. Hit the jump to check them out.

Continue reading Jay Leno checks out some strange and beautiful American things at Pebble

Jay Leno checks out some strange and beautiful American things at Pebble originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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