Government credits 180,000 sales to Cash-for-Clunkers incentive
Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Ford, Toyota
Even without a Cash for Clunkers $2 billion extension locked in place by the Senate, the U.S. government bean counters are crediting the auto incentive for moving more than 180,000 vehicles off dealer lots. The big winner so far is Toyota, knocking Ford's Focus off the top-selling vehicle spot with its economy-oriented Corolla sedan.
According to the numbers, more than 80 percent of the traded-in vehicles were light trucks (including SUVs, pickups, and vans), and 59 percent of the purchases are passenger cars... meaning the program is successfully replacing those thirsty vehicles with a class that is a bit more efficient.
The list of top-10 most traded-in vehicles is chock-full of domestic trucks. The soon-to-be-euthanized victims include five light trucks by Ford, three Jeep and Dodge brands, and two Chevys. And lastly, for those keeping track of the decimal points, the new vehicles being sold under the program earn an average 25.3 mpg, while the condemned only brought an 18.5 mpg average to the party.
[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]
Government credits 180,000 sales to Cash-for-Clunkers incentive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsREPORT: Ford Explorer suit draws to close; lawyers big winners, plaintiffs less so
Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford, Earnings/Financials
As another costly Ford Explorer rollover lawsuit finally bogs to a close, the attorneys have again emerged standing on top of the flotsam. This suit, filed in California on behalf of consumers in four states who leased or bought 1991 to 2001 Ford Explorers, alleged the rollover problems associated with their vehicles diminished resale values (the lawsuit excluded personal injuries or wrongful death claims). The final settlement, authorized by a Sacramento County Superior Court Judge, awarded each of the class members $500 discount coupons towards the purchase of a new Ford SUV, or $300 towards another Ford vehicle.
While the attorneys argued the lawsuit was valued at $500 million (assuming that nearly one million consumers would flock to dealerships and cash-in those nifty coupons for new Fords), the settlement is really only costing the automaker about $27 million. All told, the attorneys will pocket an impressive $25 million of the bounty, while another $950,000 is donated to the Automotive Safety Research Institute for "research into protecting passengers in rollover accidents." The balance (at most $846,500) will go to the 1,693 class members who applied for the $500 certificates before the April 2008 cutoff. In case you were wondering... as of this June, only 75 of the vouchers ($37,500 worth) had been redeemed.
[Source: The Associated Press (via Yahoo) | Image: Alex Wong/Getty]
REPORT: Ford Explorer suit draws to close; lawyers big winners, plaintiffs less so originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsHyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study
Filed under: Trends, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, Luxury
Porsche grabs the top spot for the fifth year in a row in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. For this year's study, the team at JDPA gathered information from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars and questioned them on more than 90 vehicle attributes. Their studies examined "how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive," based on those evaluations.
While the APEAL nameplate ranking is significant (Porsche, Jaguar, and Cadillac round out the top-three), the segment winners offer more insight into what today's buyers are seeking. This year, it appears to be the newly launched models including the Volkswagen CC, Nissan Maxima, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Flex... each took top honors in their respective category. This year's biggest upset comes in the "Midsize Premium Car" segment as the all-new Hyundai Genesis (sedan) knocks the BMW 5 Series from the podium. Check out the gallery for the graphics, and read the full press release after the break.
[Source: JDPower.com]
Continue reading Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study
Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsGentlemen, Start Your Lasers: Ford dumping spark plugs in favor of focused light?
Filed under: Gadgets, Technology, Ford
In a breakthrough that may make vehicle starting issues due to fouled plugs or inclement weather a thing of the past, engineers at Ford have reportedly teamed with scientists at Liverpool University to develop a laser beam ignition system to replace ye olde spark plug. The researchers claim their technology is more efficient, more reliable, and it will enable vehicles to start easier in extreme temperatures and damp climates.
Unlike traditional spark plugs (invented way back in 1839 by Edmond Berger), laser light may be split into multiple beams distributing ignition points within the cylinders - not just at the tip of the plug. This not only aids combustion, it also lowers emissions during cold starts. Researchers also point out that the lasers use less energy than their spark plug counterparts, eliminate wear items and wires (fiber optics will carry the laser beam to the cylinders), and improve fuel burn by "watching" ignition from within the combustion chamber and sending messages back to the ECU to adjust fuel mixtures, timing, and ignition.
Ford is expected to introduce the technology in its top models within the next few years, and then make it more widely available. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
[Source: Telegraph UK | Image: New Line Cinema]
Gentlemen, Start Your Lasers: Ford dumping spark plugs in favor of focused light? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord recalling nearly 9,000 F-150 pickups over faulty brake lamps
Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Ford
A total of 8,735 2009 Ford F-150 pickups are being recalled for stop lamps that may not illuminate during very mild brake pedal applications. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the culprit is a "brake stop lamp switch" that is improperly adjusted. Although the recall campaign does not mention any injuries as a result of the vehicle defect, the delayed brake lamps may increase the risk of an accident so owners are asked to bring their trucks in for repair.
As expected, Ford dealers will inspect and reinstall the brake stop lamp switch on affected F-150 models free of charge to consumers in a national campaign beginning on or before May 13, 2009. Owners with questions are encouraged to contact the Ford Motor Company Company Consumer Relationship Department at 1-866-436-7332 or online at www.ownerconnection.com. Recall campaign press release after the jump.
[Source: NHTSA]
Continue reading Ford recalling nearly 9,000 F-150 pickups over faulty brake lamps
Ford recalling nearly 9,000 F-150 pickups over faulty brake lamps originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2009 World Car of the Year finalists announced
Filed under: Contests, Green, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen
Less than one month from now, the 2009 World Car of the Year Award winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show. The international jury panel (chosen by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of experience, expertise, credibility and influence) has whittled down the original list of eligible entries to just three in each category (in alphabetical order):2009 World Car Finalists
2009 World Performance Car Finalists
2009 World Green Car Finalists
This year, the committee has appointed three "green experts" to assist in the selection of the World Green Car finalists. Our own Sam Abuelsamid (from Autoblog and AutoblogGreen) was the sole representative from North America! Check out the full press release after the jump.
[Source: World Car of the Year]
Continue reading 2009 World Car of the Year finalists announced
2009 World Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsBill Ford and Alan Mullaly vow to take 30% pay cuts
Filed under: Ford, Earnings/Financials, UAW/Unions
The day after Ford and the UAW reached a tentative retiree health care deal (General Motors and Chrysler are still negotiating), the leaders of the Dearborn, Michigan, automaker have announced that they will be taking a 30 percent reduction in salaries over the next two years. A memo, signed by Ford Executive Chairman William Ford Jr. and Chief Executive Alan Mulally, addresses the pay cuts and adds that Ford's board of directors will also drop their compensation for the same period of time. In addition, performance bonuses for salaried workers and senior executives will also disappear.
As reiterated in the memo, Ford and Mulally are not wavering from their plan to go without government assistance and these recent announcements support that strategy. "We know these are challenging times and we all are affected by the tough actions we are taking... However, these are necessary actions to help us emerge as an even stronger, profitably growing Ford Motor Company for the benefit of us all." Thanks for the tip Adam!
[Source: WSJ.com | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]
Bill Ford and Alan Mullaly vow to take 30% pay cuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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