Autoblog

24 Hours of LeMons announces 2009 Season Champions

Jonny Lieberman — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:15:00 EST

Another day in LeMons paradise - click above to view hi-res image gallery

In case you missed it, the 2009 LeMons season ground to a halt a few weeks back at Thunderhill after the third running of the Arse-Freeze-A-Palooza (full disclosure -- I work as a Judge for the 24 Hours of LeMons). Filthy 2009 proved to be a pretty hectic season for LeMons, what with ten $500 car races at various ~~mud pits~~ locales around this great country of ours. However, '09 will pale in comparison to the frenzied, property-devaluing idiocy that the 21-race 2010 season is sure to bring. We'd like to apologize to our understanding women-folk and potential home buyers in general in advance.

Still, the 2009 season was filled with all the wonderful elements that make LeMons the fastest growing motorsport in the world: namely, fires, terrible driving, whiny drivers, cheating mechanics and totally excellent BBQ. Oh, and lots of cars blowing the hell apart. You'll learn all about this year's champs after the jump, but we'd just like to point out that the 2009 Deconstructor Championship belongs to Ford. If you don't know, the Deconstructor goes to the manufacturer that builds the cars that blow up the most often.

Why Ford? Mostly for the numerous SHOs that lunched their engines and transmissions all over various LeMons paddocks, coast to coast. To quote LeMons' second banana, Nick Pon, after he strolled through a typical three SHO/three dead cars pit in Louisiana, "Looks like someone tossed a Taurus grenade in here." Just seems to be the Taurus's week for winning awards. OK -- now make the jump.

Gallery: 2009 24 Hours of LeMons Champs plus Thunderhill

Continue reading 24 Hours of LeMons announces 2009 Season Champions

24 Hours of LeMons announces 2009 Season Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Ford and Mazda may develop vehicles separately going forward

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Mazda, Rumormill

For the last umpteen years (since about 1979, to be exact), Ford has owned a significant share of Japanese automaker Mazda, growing in 1997 to a 33.4-percent controlling stake. As such, the two automakers have historically shared a significant amount of resources and product architectures - a system that has helped both companies remain competitive in the increasingly tough automotive market.

At present, the Ford Fiesta, European Focus and Fusion sedan all borrow unseen bits and pieces from Mazda platforms, and the Japanese automaker offers its own versions of the Ford's compact and midsize crossovers.

Lately, though, it seems Ford and Mazda have been seeing less and less of each other. About a year ago, Ford sold off 20 percent of its stake in the Japanese company, and while it's likely the two automakers will continue to enjoy cooperation in some capacity, Bloomberg is reporting that product sharing may very well be diminished moving forward. Drat. And to think, for all these years, we've apparently been wasting our time holding out hope for a Ford-badged fixed-head coupe based on Mazda's ever-delightful MX-5 Miata.

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Ford and Mazda may develop vehicles separately going forward originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2009: Ford Super Duty Fire Truck developed for charity, doing good in LA

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Truck, Work, Ford

2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty Fire Truck - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're always up for a good cause, and that's exactly what this Ford Super Duty Fire Truck represents. According to Ford, it will make an initial $10,000 contribution to the Los Angeles County Firefighters Widows and Orphans Fund, plus $10 for each person that visits its stand at the LA Auto Show and another $20 for every person that takes a test drive in a new Ford vehicle throughout the duration of the show - up to a maximum of another $6,000 per day.

Naturally, Ford is looking for a little exposure along the way, and we don't really have any problem with that. After all, it's certainly not uncommon to see Super Duty chassis cabs upfitted as fire department vehicles, and that's exactly what Ford has on display right now in LA. Included in the makeover are a 300-gallon water tank, eight-gallon foam cell, two pumps, an electric rewind reel with 150 feet of hose, three-stage winch with 8,000-pound capacity and 100 feet of wire rope.

Naturally, the top-spec 6.7-liter turbocharged diesel Power Stroke V8 engine is present and accounted for, along with a heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission that features available Live Drive Power Take Off (PTO), which allows the truck's engine to power axillary equipment whether the truck is stationary or in motion. See more in the press release after the break and check out our photo gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty Fire Truck

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA 2009: Ford Super Duty Fire Truck developed for charity, doing good in LA

LA 2009: Ford Super Duty Fire Truck developed for charity, doing good in LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford finally unveiled the U.S. version of its B-Segment Fiesta yesterday at the LA Auto Show, and thanks to some clever marketing, the Blue Oval's newest small car is already well-known to prospective buyers. Ford's ingenious "Fiesta Movement" marketing initiative, which put 100 Euro-spec subcompacts in the hands of socially advanced "agents," resulted in over six million YouTube views, 740,000 Flickr views and 3.7 million Twitter impressions. All that traffic has apparently resulted in a 60-percent vehicle recognition score in Ford's survey findings - a number that would be good for a vehicle that has already been on the market a few years.

The first Fiesta Movement was created to get the Fiesta in front of the car-buying public while engaging in customer-driven dialog. Connie Fontaine, Ford brand content and alliances manager, says that wave two will focus on "driving unparalleled consideration." In other words, Ford wants customers to be excited to buy a new Fiesta. Given the fact that Ford generated 80,000 "hand-raisers" with Fiesta Movement number one, another group of Fiesta agents probably isn't a bad idea.

Ford is looking now for 20 teams of agents to participate in getting the word out about its new small car. Interested parties can apply via video on fiestamovement.com between now and January 31. Round two begins in mid-February. Winning contestants will need to be "socially vibrant" and "in-tune with the latest happenings in their neighborhood." Winners will be chosen based on public reaction to their video presentations... though it probably wouldn't hurt to look young and Millenialish. Hit the jump to check out Ford's official press release.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2

Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Ford, Mazda, Porsche

Inside Line Most Wanted 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We love award season, even if it is a bit tough to keep up with them all. Motor Trend has a set of golden calipers for its Car, Truck and SUV of the Year winners. Car and Driver has its 10Best. Automobile has the, well, the Automobile of the Year. Then there's Edmunds Inside Line and its six Most Wanted winners. Sure, Most Wanted doesn't enjoy the same sort of name recognition as the aforementioned awards, but at the very least, we tend to like the vehicles IL picks as their favorites. We also appreciate the fact that their selection process isn't exactly chock-full of rules. If they tested the vehicle before November 1, 2009, then it's eligible for Inside Line's six shooter. The only award category that truly stands out is the "Instant Classic," an award won over the last two years by the Audi R8 and the Nissan GT-R, respectively.

This year's list didn't have quite the raw power of last year's winners, but we can definitely see where the final six could be considered big fun on four wheels. The big winner is the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The 540-horsepower pony car picked up IL's Instant Classic award for being such a willing dance partner - even at 3,900 pounds. In fact, Blue Oval badges dominate this year's Most Wanted list, as the EcoBoost'd Flex and the wicked cool F-150 SVT Raptor made the final cut. Porsche scored with its new Panamera, while Audi found its way back on the list with the R8 V10. The cheap thrills Mazda3 rounds out this year's list. Click on the gallery below to check out Inside Line's Most Wanted winners in our high-res gallery, then let us know if you agree with their findings by leaving a note in 'Comments.'

Gallery: Inside Line Most Wanted 2009

[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Crossover, Ford, Volvo

Ford Taurus and Volvo VX60 named International Car of the Year - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hold onto your hats folks, because while magazine award ceremonies appear to be just about finished, the auto show trophies are just starting to be handed out. This time, it's the International Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, and we've got two winners from within the Ford empire. The Ford Taurus took top car honors while the Volvo XC60 won as the best truck. Both vehicles have been well received by the press and early returns from customers appear to be positive, too. While the Taurus is outselling its bland and unexciting predecessor, the XC60 has helped Volvo achieve six consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases.

ICOTY creator and executive producer Courtney Caldwell claims that the winners aren't chosen based on performance, but instead on how the vehicles "reflect our personalities, lifestyles and self-image and how well the automaker achieves that goal through the design and marketing of the vehicle." Uh-huh. And while the ICoTY award isn't exactly one of the big-name trophies for the mantle, a win is a win, and both Ford and Volvo are proud recipients of the accolades. Hit the jump to read over the press releases from Ford and Volvo.

Gallery: LA 2009 COTY: 2010 Ford Taurus and 2010 Volvo XC60

[Sources: Ford, Volvo]

Continue reading LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year

LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: U.S consortium now in lead for Volvo purchase

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: China, Ford, Volvo, Earnings/Financials, Rumormill

Just about a month ago, news hit the interwebs that Chinese automaker Geely officially became Ford's preferred bidder for Volvo once concerns over intellectual property were sorted out. Today, though, we're hearing that Crown, a consortium led by former Ford director Michael Dingman, former Ford and Chrysler LLC executive Shamel Rushwin and ex-Volvo CEO Roger Holtback, is gaining momentum in its bid for the Swedish automaker after submitting a revised proposal.

If reports from The Wall Street Journal and Reuters are accurate, Crown's new bid is "on par" with Geely's $1.8 billion offer and is backed by both Swedish and Chinese investors and banks. Not surprisingly, Ford has yet to comment on the speculation, though it has said that talks with Geely are already at an advanced stage. Stay tuned.

[Sources: The Wall Street Journal; Reuters]

REPORT: U.S consortium now in lead for Volvo purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: 2011 Ford Mustang with 305-HP V6 gets seen and heard in motion

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang - Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 2011 Mustang is only one year removed from a major refresh, but that didn't stop Ford from adding a host of upgrades, especially to the V6 model, to better-compete against its new pony car competition. While we certainly don't discount the V6 Stang's new suspension and packaging updates, the big story resides under its bonnet. The new 3.7-liter V6 packs 305 horsepower mated to a six-speed auto tranny (a six-speed manual is also available, but you lose 1 mpg) giving the new Mustang a big advantage over its predecessor while reportedly delivering the 30 mpg efficiency the masses are looking for.

We got our hands on some b-roll video of the new Mustang V6, with both static and moving shots. If that's not a good enough reason to watch there is also some aural pleasure courtesy of the new 3.7-liter V6. Unfortunately, the engine sounds are only audible when the Stang is in park but it still sounds pretty meaty when inside the cockpit. Hit the jump to see and hear the 2011 Mustang V6 in action.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang 3.7-liter V6

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VIDEO: 2011 Ford Mustang with 305-HP V6 gets seen and heard in motion

VIDEO: 2011 Ford Mustang with 305-HP V6 gets seen and heard in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Ford Fiesta priced from $13,320, special deal for reserving early

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

Surprisingly, Ford decided to slip out U.S. pricing for its hotly anticipated 2011 Fiesta with no fanfare at all. No major announcements at the LA Auto Show, no wordy press releases... nothing. But, if you head on over to Ford's official page for the new Fiesta, you'll see that it starts at $13,320 (plus a $675 destination charge).

Even better, the full Build and Price section is available, meaning you can see each and every individual option and its price. We went ahead and spent some time perusing the options list, and we see that the low base price is for the base S model, which comes exclusively in sedan form. The least expensive hatchback model is $15,120 (about $800 more than a comparably-equipped sedan).

Step up to a hatchback with Ford's new six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and you're looking at $16,190, and the uprated SES hatchback starts at $17,120 ($18,190 with the auto). Click past the jump for more interesting little tidbits that we noticed when pricing out our own Fiestas, including what Ford is offering for reserving one early.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Continue reading 2011 Ford Fiesta priced from $13,320, special deal for reserving early

2011 Ford Fiesta priced from $13,320, special deal for reserving early originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2009: Ford shows off some Fiesta possibilities

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta by Ford Custom Accessories - Click above for high-res image gallery

While introducing the folks at the LA Auto Show to the American-market 2011 Ford Fiesta, Ford decided to go a step further. They didn't just show the production sedan and hatchback, they also showed off the possibilities the platform presents as well. They had four customized Fiestas on display, done up by companies like H&R, 3dCarbon, FSWerks, and Steeda, as well as Ford's in-house Racing and Custom Accessories team. And just for good measure, they also brought along that wicked Kenny Brack X-Games Rally Fiesta as well.

There's a full press release after the jump, but here is a brief summary of the four featured vehicles:

Black Fiesta:

This car was put together by Ford Racing and Steeda Autosports. It features Steeda's cold air intake, a Borla/Ford Racing Performance cat-back exhaust system, Steeda/Ford Racing suspension upgrades, Ford Racing multi-spoke Euro wheels and Brembo anchors.

Blue Fiesta:

The blue car was built by H&R Special Springs. Naturally, it received some suspension tuning with an H&R Street Performance monotube coil-over kit and a set of spiffy 18-inch OZ SuperTurismo GT wheels. It's also the beneficiary of some Euro reverse-engineering via "Sticky Jewell custom graphics, custom Euro hood vents, stealthy blacked-out headlamps and a Ford Custom Accessories upper rear hatch spoiler."

White Fiesta:

The white Fiesta (above) features Ford Custom Accessories, so it ought to be the easiest model the Average Joe to copy. Nearly every styling element can be purchased from the Ford Custom Accessories, Ford Licensed Accessories or Ford Racing Performance Parts catalogs. And get used to those graphics, because Ford has taken this opportunity to add a whole new line of them for the Fiesta. You can see the whole collection at fordfiestagraphics.com.

Red Fiesta:

Last, but certainly not least, is the red Fiesta by 3dCarbon and FSWerks. It's the only one of the four that has some serious rejiggering underhood. It features an FSWerks Stage 2 intercooled turbo kit and 2.25-inch exhaust system. It also sports a 3dCarbon body kit with an "aggressive front air dam, aerodynamic side skirts and rear lower accent trim."

We'd probably mix and match among these mods, perhaps the H&R suspension, the Brembos from the Steeda car, the OZ wheels and that FSWerks turbo setup. Or maybe we'd just take Brack's car. Check out the gallery by clicking below and more details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta Customs

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA 2009: Ford shows off some Fiesta possibilities

LA 2009: Ford shows off some Fiesta possibilities originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2009: 2011 Ford Mustang V6 on show floor with little fanfare

Drew Phillips — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang V6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

You would think that with all of the new powertrain improvements to the 2011 Mustang V6 that Ford would be making a big deal about the car here at the LA Auto Show. Not so. While the Fiesta display took up nearly a third of the West hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, a sole V6-powered Mustang sat alone on the show floor. We can understand why Ford would want to turn the spotlight on its new B-segment small car, but thought that its legendary pony car deserved a little more love.

What's the big deal, you ask? For starters, the new 3.7-liter V6 is putting out 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft torque, a significant improvement over the aging 4.0-liter engine that it replaces. As a bonus, the new engine will net an expected 30 mpg on the highway thanks in part to new 6-speed transmissions, available in both manual or automatic. The updates were a long time coming, and we fully expect them to put the Mustang back in the lead of the pony car sales war.

Hit the jump for full details about the 2011 Ford Mustang V6, or check out both official and live photos in the high-res galleries below.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Ford Mustang V6

Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang 3.7-liter V6

Continue reading LA 2009: 2011 Ford Mustang V6 on show floor with little fanfare

LA 2009: 2011 Ford Mustang V6 on show floor with little fanfare originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta unveiled by agents of the Movement

Drew Phillips — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've been hearing about the 2011 Ford Fiesta for so long that it's hard to imagine that the U.S. version of the car was just officially unveiled today. We gave you all of the official details and photos late last night, but we can now give you our first live impressions of the North American-spec version. Ford's own Mark Fields officially introduced the car along with numerous Fiesta agents on hand who helped pull the sheets off the various Fiestas on the show floor.

Although just 60 percent of the parts on the U.S.-spec Fiesta are common with the European version, it seems that most of the charm of the car remains. Up front the grille has been revised to include the three-bar design (at least on the sedan), and the fog lights have been replaced by LED light strips surrounded by chrome. The interior design is relatively the same as well, although it's been tweaked to conform with U.S. crash standards and features soft touch materials, a four-inch LCD display, and available SYNC, auto climate control, leather seats, moon roof and more. Power comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder putting out a respectable 119 horsepower and 109 lb-ft torque. A 5-speed manual or new 6-speed PowerShift electronic dual clutch automatic will be the transmissions of choice, though the automatic goes without any manual controls.

There's plenty of more details in the multitude of press releases after the jump, and we've included all of our live shots of the 2011 Fiesta in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Continue reading LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta unveiled by agents of the Movement

LA 2009: 2011 Ford Fiesta unveiled by agents of the Movement originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg

Chris Shunk — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Ford Fiesta has proven to be a very successful small car wherever it's sold in the world. Ford has sold 12 million Fiestas over the vehicle's lifetime and the new-for-2009 model has moved half a million units already this year in Europe and Asia. It's a smash hit in spite of the fact that the Fiesta is not for sale in the U.S., a.k.a. the world's biggest car market. That all changes in the spring of 2010 as the Fiesta finally makes its way stateside.

Ford appears to be focusing its efforts in the U.S. small car market at exactly the right time, as consideration for B-Segment vehicles is at an all-time high and the trend appears to be upwardly mobile. And while Ford would love for us to believe that it was clairvoyant when deciding to bring the Fiesta to the U.S., it just isn't true. In fact, the Fiesta wasn't originally designed for the U.S. market, but the shock of $4 per gallon gas and a new-found interest in eco-friendly transportation led the Blue Oval to rethink its strategy. Ford didn't start readying the Fiesta for the U.S. market until many bits and bolts of hardware were already settled, so Team Blue had to go back to the drawing board to make its small car ready for Americans. The result is a U.S.-spec Fiesta that has only 60% of its parts in common with the Euro Fiesta. Will Americans be missing out? Follow the jump for everything you need to know about the Fiesta.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta

Continue reading LA Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg

LA Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoblog Podcast #155 - 'Twas the night before the LA Auto Show...

Dan Roth — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Audi, Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Mazda, Nissan

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

With the LA Auto Show near at hand, Chris, Dan, and Editor Extraordinaire Paukert sat down and talked over some of the latest for Episode #155 of the Autoblog Podcast. First up is the surprisingly thorough re-rework of the Mustang, before we move on to talk about the early release of U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta pictures. Gazing at photos brings us to the Chevrolet Cruze, which has also been lensed in North American garb. The Chinese-market Buick Excelle is rumored as a possibility for our market, and we scratch our heads about that for a while. Toyota's handling of its gas pedal recall and Nissan's low-priced and well-integrated navigation unit wraps it up before we move on to some of your questions. Right before signing off, we jump back to talk briefly about the newly unveiled Audi A8 and Saab's sad fortunes. At one hour, 50 minutes, it's an epic. We blame Paukert.

If you get bored once the new Autoblog Podcast bliss has worn off, check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #155 - 'Twas the night before the LA Auto Show...

Autoblog Podcast #155 - 'Twas the night before the LA Auto Show... originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Ford loses appeal in rollover case, must pay $55M

Chris Shunk — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford

According to The Detroit News, the Supreme Court has let stand a ruling that Ford Motor Company is at fault for a 2002 rollover crash involving a 1997 Ford Explorer and the Dearborn, MI-based automaker must pay $55 million in punitive damages. Benetta Buell-Wilson's Explorer rolled over four-and-a-half times after she swerved to avoid debris. When the roof collapsed on her neck, it severed her spinal cord and left her paralyzed.

Ford unsuccessfully argued that it shouldn't be punished due to the fact that the Explorer complied with federal safety standards when it was built. Buell-Wilson was originally awarded $369 million in damages, but a pair of California courts cut down the total value of damages to $82.6 million.

[Source: The Detroit News]

REPORT: Ford loses appeal in rollover case, must pay $55M originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: The Mustang skates in latest episode of Unleashed

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford

2010 Mustang Unleashed Session - Click above to watch the video after the break

Though we all owned skateboards in our younger years, we can admit that we were never really any good at riding them. That doesn't mean we didn't fantasize about all the great stunts we wished we could perform. And were there any among us who don't remember sitting in the back seat of a car watching the scenery go by at speed and thinking of all the sweet jumps and flips cars should be able to do?

Filmmaker Jeff Richter undoubtedly has such memories, and Ford was kind enough to let him unleash those inner fantasies with a brand-spanking-new 2010 Mustang. Also along for the ride are street skater Pat Duffy and X-Games gold medalist Jake Brown. A quick blip pops up at the start of the film letting the watcher know that some of the scenes are real and others are computer generated... we don't think you'll have too much trouble distinguishing one from the other. Hit the jump to watch the video.

Gallery: Mustang Unleashed Session

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VIDEO: The Mustang skates in latest episode of Unleashed

VIDEO: The Mustang skates in latest episode of Unleashed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Fiesta Movement, Ford's campaign to introduce the little global Fiesta car to the U.S. market, kicked off at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year and will end this week during the LA Auto Show with, what else, a party. Oh, and the official unveiling of the 2011 North American version. We got a sneak peek of the Fiesta earlier today that it now seems was incorrect, based on these new pictures found buried on Ford's website.

The U.S.-style three-bar grille is thankfully not present in these official pics, though the hatch and sedan do wear different grilles (we like the hatch's version better, for what it's worth). The rest of the car remains as good-looking as the Euro-spec version ever did, and the interior will be a big draw for this car - along with solid MPG numbers, of course. For those of you who hoped Ford would bring the Fiesta over from Europe pretty much intact, it appears your wishes have been granted. We'll have all the details from LA right soon.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan

[Source: Ford]

2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

U.S. Fiesta unveiled early by Ford Canada?

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Canada

2011 Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec - Click above for image gallery

Did our friends in the great, frostbitten north just jump the gun by half a week and reveal the 2011 North American Ford Fiesta ahead of its upcoming LA Auto Show debut? Boy we kinda hope not. Well, specifically, we hope the the little five-door fire cracker we've come to know and love (largely thanks to the well-executed Fiesta Movement) doesn't get this new grille. It's by no means a deal breaker, but it's just not as uncluttered and sharp looking as the Euro-Fiesta's simple face. Meanwhile, the Fiesta sedan gets FoMoCo's three-bar grille up front, and resembles a Yaris sedan everywhere else.

There are also some enormous chrome scoops/intakes fore of the front wheels where the fog lamps on the Euro cars used to reside. Purpose? No idea, but we have to imagine that fog lamps would have served a more purposeful purpose. We have to say that we hope the loss of the fog lamps isn't an indication that the Fiesta is getting decontented for our market.

One of the reasons (admittedly of many) that we fell so head over heals for the Fiesta is that it provided big car sophistication in a little car package. American car companies have for decades been of the mind set that if you opt to buy a small car, you should suffer (quite literally) the consequences. The Fiesta looked to be a break from that mentality. Hopefully it still is.

There is a weird sliver of history that provides a silver lining. There is a longstanding tradition of releasing slightly different models in Canada than we get here in the U.S. This always struck us as weird since half of Quebec runs across the border to buy cigarettes in Vermont every week. Anyhow, remember the Pontiac Parisienne - a Chevy badged as a Pontiac with fancy seats that helped make Pontiac the number three selling brand in Canada for decades. Here's hoping we get the full Euro-Fiesta south of the 49th Parallel.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec

[Source: Autoblog Espanol via Google Translate]

U.S. Fiesta unveiled early by Ford Canada? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Classic Recreations reveals specs of Shelby GT500CR Mustang

Drew Phillips — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Classic Recreations Shelby GT500CR - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this month during SEMA, Oklahoma-based Classic Recreations announced that it had scored a licensing deal with Carroll Shelby to build a continuation version of the legendary Shelby Mustang GT500. At the time of the announcement, we didn't know much about the car, aptly named the GT500CR, except that each would come with an official Shelby serial number and be included in the Shelby Worldwide Registry.

However, thanks to new information recently released by Classic Recreations, we now have the preliminary details for the GT500CR. Three separate models will be available, starting with an Intro model that comes standard with a 427ci V8, 150-hp nitrous system, upgraded suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering, Tremec five-speed manual transmission, Baer brakes, and more. One step up from that is the Performance package that also gets items like upgraded seats, larger rear wheels, and a coilover suspension system. At the top of the range is the Venom model, featuring an intercooled supercharger system that boosts the V8 to 780 horsepower, along with other performance upgrades. More details about the GT500CR can be found in Classic Recreation's press release posted after the jump, and we've included the original renderings of the car in the gallery below in case you missed them the first time around.

Gallery: Classic Recreations Shelby GT500CR

[Source: Classic Recreations]

Continue reading Classic Recreations reveals specs of Shelby GT500CR Mustang

Classic Recreations reveals specs of Shelby GT500CR Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Fitch Ratings says U.S. auto industry headed for airline-style cyclical bankruptcies

Chris Shunk — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Ford, GM

Remember this past spring and summer's super speedy General Motors and Chrysler bankruptcies? If the billions in government loans and White House strong-arming is starting to slip into the recesses of your memory, your mind will likely be refreshed sometime in the future, at least according to Fitch Ratings. Fitch says that high fixed costs, perpetual over capacity and weak sales will lead to more bankruptcies that will mirror the misery of the airline industry.

Fitch gives plenty of reasons that the auto industry is far from out of the woods, chief among them is the continuation of weak sales. The ratings agency predicts 2010 car sales will rise by 7.8% to 11.1 million units, an improvement that is still far shy of the industry's peak sales of 17 million units. Another chief concern is GM and Chrysler's inability to access the credit markets for the foreseeable future. Credit markets are tight enough already, and Fitch doesn't see any bank lining up to loan money to any company fresh out of bankruptcy and still in restructuring mode. And if suppliers don't become more healthy or if gas prices spike again, Fitch sees the potential for more stress and ultimately more bankruptcies. And the Detroit 3 still have to contend with a high dollar union workforce and retiree obligations. Of the Detroit automakers, Fitch unsurprisingly sees the most stability at Ford. The Blue Oval still has access to bank loans and Fitch feels it has the strongest product lineup as well.

While we certainly agree that the auto industry is anything but out of the woods, we're also a bit skeptical of Fitch Ratings' foggy crystal ball. After all, Fitch didn't foresee much of the banking collapse that brought this country to its largest recession in decades until the collapse was painfully obvious, giving AA ratings to banks like Lehman Bros. only one year before that financial institution's dive into Chapter 11 protection.

[Source: Reuters | Photo by David Goldman/Getty]

REPORT: Fitch Ratings says U.S. auto industry headed for airline-style cyclical bankruptcies originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments