Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Ford Motor Company CEO, Alan Mulally, on CBS - March 2009

Ford Motor Company CEO, Alan Mulally, discusses the future of Ford on the Early Across America segment of the CBS Early Show on March 23, 2009.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

2010 Ford F-150 Raptor information and Videos

Designed from the ground up by the Truck Special Vehicles Team(SVT)- the all net 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor. It's a Built Ford Tough and ready to tackle the untamed terain of off-road running.

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race truck survives the grueling 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, finishing the 631-mile race in 25:28:10 on November 25, 2008

New Tax Deductions for New Vehicles

President Obama signed “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” into law on February 17, 2009. The law includes a new consumer tax deduction for State and local sales and excise taxes paid to purchase a motor vehicle during 2009.

  • Provides consumers a new tax deduction on their 2009 Federal income
    taxes for “qualified motor vehicle taxes.”

  • Qualified motor vehicle taxes include any State or local sales
    or excise tax
    imposed on the purchase of a qualified motor vehicle.

  • Qualified motor vehicles include passenger automobiles or light trucks
    with a weight rating of not more than 8,500 pounds.

  • Applies to NEW vehicles only.

  • Deduction allowed for non-itemizers.

  • Limitation on Vehicle Price: limited to the tax on up to $49,500 of the
    purchase price of a qualified motor vehicle.

  • Income Limitation: Phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross
    income between $125,000 and $135,000 ($250,000 and $260,000 in the case of a
    joint return).

  • Effective Date: Purchases on or after February 17, 2009, and
    before January 1, 2010
    .

Customers with questions related to their particular tax situation should be advised to consult with a financial adviser.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

SHOtime! Taurus moniker returns with 365 hp


After a 10-year absence, the Super High Output nameplate is back - this time, on a much larger car with far more power. Taurus fans - who knew? - have hung a "mission accomplished" banner on the website bringbackthesho.com as the car was unveiled this morning in Chicago. Clearly, there's more than a few people willing to fork over $38,000 for this fully-loaded four-door.

Ford's 3.5 liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 makes a healthy 365 horsepower, 130 more than the last SHO's Yamaha V-8. Besides dual exhaust tips, a subtle rear decklid spoiler and wheels up to 20 inches, there's not much to differentiate the SHO from the standard Taurus, but according to Ford, that's the point of its "authentic sleeper sedan formula."

Unlike the first 1989 SHO, there won't be a manual transmission, but the six-speed paddle-shifter automatic will blip the throttle on downshifts.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Test Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion is best gas-electric hybrid yet

OK, let's just get it out there: The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is the best gasoline-electric hybrid yet.

What makes it best is a top-drawer blend of an already very good midsize sedan with the industry's smoothest, best-integrated gas-electric power system. It's so well-done that you have to look to the $107,000 Lexus LS 600h hybrid to come close.

Fusion's $28,000 starting price is more or less in reach, the driving feel is good, and the interior has a premium look and feel.

There are three facets to consider in evaluating a gasoline-electric hybrid: the underlying vehicle itself, the hybrid system and the mileage.

WANT TAX CREDIT? BUY IT NOW

Ford says the 2010 Fusion hybrid qualifies for a $3,400 tax credit but only if you buy one by March 31, the end of the first quarter.

Few will be at dealers by then, but buyers can order one now and qualify for the credit, even if the car is delivered after the deadline.

The federal credit to encourage hybrids phases out as an automaker sells more of them. Ford has sold enough hybrids that the buyer's credit on a hybrid Fusion or Milan sedan halves to $1,700 on April 1. The credit also drops on that date for the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid SUVs.

Click here to read more:

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Ford Taurus Tempts With Tech


Ford knows people aren't going to buy the new Taurus because it offers thrilling performance. So in an attempt to draw buyers back to the large sedan many industry watchers call vital to the company's success, Ford has packed its flagship with a slew of gadgets.

Oh sure, the Taurus is good looking, drawing on the European styling of the Mondeo. And it's a deal at $25,995 or so. But it's the gadgets, from the obligatory Sync voice-activated communication and entertainment system to butt-massaging seats (really!) and capless gas tank, that have our inner geek grinning. Ford says all the tech is designed to make the car a connected, customized place to be when you're on the road.

"Taurus is more of a 'me' sedan now, and we've delivered with this buyer in mind," says Moray Callum, director of car and crossover utility vehicle design for Ford.

The Taurus was introduced in 1986 and was for many years one of the best selling cars in America. But then came the Dark Ages of the SUV and the Taurus hasn't been the same since. Sales sank 23 percent last year to 52,667 probably because people more often think "Camry" when you mention family sedan. So Ford reworked the Taurus in almost every regard, and the result is the best Taurus in, well, maybe ever. The gadgetry is just icing on the cupcake, and for the most part we don't see a lot of technology just for technology's sake. Here, then, is a quick rundown.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The Ford Story

Click here for more information on "The Ford Story"


Bill Ford

A DIFFERENT ROUTE

At Ford, we are headed in a new direction. After turning a profit this year in the first quarter and making significant progress on cost reductions, we were hit by a spike in gas prices, followed by the current credit crisis. But instead of focusing on our challenges, we’d like you to know how very far Ford has come and how we’re doing business differently.



Alan Mulally talking about Ford's buisness plan:

Mark Fields talking about Ford's progress:

Did you know...

The Ford F-Series and Ford Flex are rated as two of the 10 Best New Cars of 2009 by BusinessWeek.

16 2008 Ford vehicles are rated Best Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS, more than any other automaker.

Ford Division has 15 car, truck and SUV choices that get 25 mpg or better

Ford Motor Company is a 2008 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence winner.

Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet.2