Ford takes top honors in Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards
Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln
Polk has handed out its annual Automotive Loyalty Award for 2011, and Ford walked away with a total of six honors, including two of the highest. The Dearborn-based automaker took home the top nod in both the Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer award as well as the Overall Loyalty to Make award categories. The manufacturer received both awards in 2010 as well. Ford also received the African American Market Loyalty to Make, and the Ford F-Series and Ford Escape brought down wins in the Mid/Full-Size Pickup and Compact SUV categories, respectively. Additionally, the Lincoln MKZ drove away with the Luxury Car category.
Polk prides itself on organizing and distributing the industry's only fact-based owner loyalty award, and the organization analyzes over 4.5 million household records and consumer transactions each year to determine the winners. Polk also examines state registration and lease information.
Ford wasn't the only automaker to receive a node from the Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards. Chrysler took home its fair share of hardware. Polk awarded Jeep its Most Improved Loyalty to Make award, and the Dodge Challenger and Chrysler Town and Country took home trophies in the Sports Car and Minivan segments. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Continue reading Ford takes top honors in Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards
Ford takes top honors in Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsLincoln offers peek into new styling direction with design boss Max Wolff
Filed under: Videos, Ford, Lincoln, Design/Style
For a while there, it looked like Ford forgot about Lincoln, and dismal sales numbers reflected the marque's lack of attention. But just when it was beginning to look like Lincoln was on its last leg, Ford's luxury arm unveiled the refreshed MKS and MKT at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Those models may not go far enough to usher Lincoln back to relevance, but chief Lincoln designer Max Wolff mentioned at the show that the real changes begin with the 2013 MKZ, which was teased during a video prior to the reveal of the revamped MKS.
We'll see what the new MKZ looks like at the Detroit Auto Show, but at the least we can say that Ford is again paying attention to Lincoln. Wolff seems excited about the future of the brand, and he focused some of his excitement in a new video that takes a look at the Lincoln design studio. Designing a vehicle certainly isn't as easy as grabbing a pencil and paper any more, but today's tools look much cooler if you ask us. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself.
Continue reading Lincoln offers peek into new styling direction with design boss Max Wolff
Lincoln offers peek into new styling direction with design boss Max Wolff originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord 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 | CommentsFed closes investigation of Ford F-150 fuel tank straps
Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Ford, Lincoln
According to The Detroit News, The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has closed its investigation into 2.7 million Ford pickups for fuel tank straps that may have rusted and failed. Affected models included 1997-2001 F-150, 1997 to 1999 F-250 and 2002 to 2003 Lincoln Blackwood trucks.
A total of 339 complaints were received from Ford and NHTSA, of which there have been nine confirmed cases of straps so deteriorated that the fuel tank completely dislodged and fell to the ground, with many more cases involving at least one failed strap. It seems that road salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice were blamed for the corrosion.
In response, Ford issued a recall that covered 1.1 million trucks that were operated in cold-weather states. That action was good enough for government work, says NHTSA, so the case has hereby been closed.
Fed closes investigation of Ford F-150 fuel tank straps originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsLincoln planning seven new/improved models, includes Navigator EcoBoost
Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln
The Lincoln lineup is in desperate need of a design intervention, and Automotive News reports that help is on the way. Ford product development boss Derrick Kuzak reportedly told dealers that Lincoln will receive seven new or refreshed models by 2014, including a little love for the long-ignored Lincoln Navigator.
The Navigator will reportedly receive the twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine option for the 2012 model year, giving large luxury SUV buyers a more fuel efficient option. The Navigator could also receive some design tweaks, but we're not expecting anything close to a full redesign.
The Lincoln sedan lineup will also get some attention, with the MKS and MKZ receiving substantial updates for the 2013 model year. The MKZ will reportedly be completely remade, with all-new sheetmetal that should look very little like its Ford Fusion counterpart. The MKS will also distance itself from its more pedestrian platform-sharing Ford Taurus, with a sleeker design and more premium materials.
Lincoln may also diversify their crossover offerings, including a new compact 'ute based off the Ford Focus platform that should arrive during the 2013 model year. The MKX, which was just re-penned for 2011, is also scheduled to receive an all-new platform based off Ford's global mid-size architecture for 2014. The MKT could receive a minor refresh for 2013, but then again Ford could wind up ditching the big crossover altogether or relegate sales of the model to livery and fleet customers.
A key component to future Lincoln redesigns will be minimizing any connection between the luxury make and any Ford siblings. Changes could include far more differentiated sheetmetal, different wheelbases and unique powertrains.
Lincoln planning seven new/improved models, includes Navigator EcoBoost originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsLincoln gets its own design team and studio within Ford
Filed under: Ford, Lincoln, Design/Style
Ford has big plans for Lincoln. The luxury brand from Dearborn has been producing solid machinery as of late, but its vehicles often seem to get lost in the shuffle. The cars look too much like their Ford-branded siblings, and that means a major injection of new style is in order, and quick. That's just what Ford has in mind, and Lincoln will now have its own in-house design studio working right alongside the product development team.
Our friends at Autoline Daily got a sneak peak of the future styling and, while they can't reveal anything yet, say that Lincoln is moving into a design space of its own. The automaker will utilize fresh styling alongside Lincoln-specific interiors and powertrains. Autoline says that the new engine and transmission options will also result in huge jumps in fuel economy. New styling, upgraded interiors and more efficient vehicles? Sounds like a smart plan, and it shows that Ford understands that Lincoln needs help.
It's also worth noting that Ford recently announced a $1 billion investment into the improvement of the Lincoln brand. It seems we'll have Lincolns to get excited about in as little as three to four years.
Lincoln gets its own design team and studio within Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord recalling 1.1 million F-Series pickups over gas tank straps
Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Ford, Lincoln
Back in May of 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it was expanding its investigation of 2.7 million Ford F-150 models for corroding gas tank straps. Less than three months later, the recall is on like Donkey Kong, though Bloomberg reports that Ford has announced that the actual number is closer to 1.1 million. Further, the 1997 through 2004 F-150 models will be joined by 1997 to 1999 F-250 trucks and 2002 and 2003 Lincoln Blackwood models.
Ford says the gas tank straps are being recalled due to possible corrosion from road salt and other ice-melting chemicals. And since elements like salt are the reason for the corrosion, Ford is only recalling the trucks in the 21 cold weather states and the District of Columbia.
Ford spokesperson Wesley Sherwood adds that the trucks involved in the recall are of the "older, higher-mileage" variety, adding that the straps can corrode after the trucks spend a lot of time in high-corrosion environments.
While the recall is official as of August 1, Ford reportedly won't begin sending out recall notices until mid-September. When the notices arrive, owners of the affected vehicles can bring their truck to the nearest Ford or Lincoln dealer for a free-of-charge repair. if the straps aren't available when the customer enters the dealership, Ford will install a cable support under the fuel tank strap as a short-term fix.
Any time an automaker announces a recall of over 1 million units, it's a big deal. And this is the second seven-digit recall of Ford truck in the last few months. Since these are older trucks, most truck buyers will likely turn the other cheek, but we're guessing Ford is hoping this is the last big truck recall for a long while.
Ford recalling 1.1 million F-Series pickups over gas tank straps originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsOnNotice? Ford beta-testing live operators through Sync
Filed under: Technology, Ford, Lincoln, Infotainment
Sync Services - Ford's lesser-known on-demand, voice-activated news and information service - has begun running a very OnStar-like beta. The new system allows registered Sync customers to connect with a live operator to fulfill business searches and address entry, but don't think of it as a replacement for the standard cadre of voice-activated features.
Ford has found that 70 percent of all Sync Services calls are for business searches and address input, and in the latter's case, the system is best used if Sync's voice-translation function doesn't input the proper address. All owners have to do to use the service is ask for "Operator" and the Live Operator Assistance feature connects them with a living, breathing human being. Addresses can be sent to the car for turn-by-turn navigation, along with POI searches, and for the time being, it's free for all Sync Services customers. Make the jump for the full details.
Continue reading OnNotice? Ford beta-testing live operators through Sync
OnNotice? Ford beta-testing live operators through Sync originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsPandora comes to Scion, more Ford models
Filed under: Technology, Ford, Lincoln, Scion, Infotainment
Pandora's footprint just got a little larger with the announcement that Scion will be integrating the Internet radio service into its vehicles later this year.
Toyota's youth division hasn't said what models will benefit from the new Pandora setup, but most higher-spec tC, xB and forthcoming iQ models should come with a Pandora-enabled head unit.
Pandora also took the time during its Analyst Day in San Francisco to announce that the streaming service will be available in 10 Ford vehicles and two Lincoln products, expanding Pandora's reach further into the FoMoCo line up and joining BMW and Mini in the process. And this is just the start. Expect to see General Motors, Hyundai and Toyota models equipped with Pandora integration later this year.
Continue reading Pandora comes to Scion, more Ford models
Pandora comes to Scion, more Ford models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord named in patent infringement case over SYNC, safety systems
Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology, Ford, Lincoln
Eagle Harbor Holdings has named Ford in a lawsuit, contending that the automaker infringed on seven of its patents after talks between the two companies stalled out in 2008 - and the claimed infringements strike right at the heart of Ford's recent tech expansion.
In addition to claiming that Ford cribbed its technology for Active Park Assist, Stability Control, Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Alert and MyKey, the small Bainbridge Island, WA tech firm claims that the technology behind Ford's incredibly popular SYNC infotainment system. Specifically, the voice control and remote MP3 player connection technology.
According to Eagle:
"Our representatives began meeting with Ford in 2002 to discuss and disclose our patented automotive systems technology and its applicability for use in Ford vehicles," said Jeffrey Harmes, general counsel for Eagle Harbor Holdings, LLC. "These meetings continued until 2008, when Ford stopped communications with us. In early 2009 we informed Ford that its automotive audio systems infringed on our patents. In March 2010, we again informed Ford that its automotive electronics systems, including Ford SYNC, infringed on our patents. Unfortunately, despite our many efforts to communicate with Ford and resolve these issues, Ford continues to refuse to license its use of our patented technology. Ford is ignoring our patent rights and continues to use, without permission or license, Eagle Harbor's technology."
Those talks also included Volvo - at the time, owned by Ford Motor Company - but it's unclear if Eagle will pursue the recently sold Swedish automaker for similar tech infringement.
A Ford spokesperson tells Autoblog, "We were just served with this lawsuit late last week and we have not yet had an opportunity to review the details. We believe it would be premature for us to comment until we have had a chance to do so."
It's unlikely that Ford will have to stop production of its SYNC and advanced safety-equipped vehicles, but if Eagle wins the suit or settles out of court, we wouldn't be surprised to learn of the Blue Oval cutting a hefty check.
Ford named in patent infringement case over SYNC, safety systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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