Ford
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 11, 2012 Bloomberg is reporting that Ford will announce Mark Fields as its new Chief Operating Officer, putting him right behind CEO Alan Mulally in the chain of command. Until now, Ford has not had a COO under Mulally. This has led many to speculate that this promotion will clearly put Fields in line to be the successor for CEO. Rumors of someone replacing Mulally as CEO have been swirling for months. Although Mulally, 67, says he has no plans to step down anytime soon, it's widely believed that Ford is preparing for new leadership behind the scenes. “We do not comment on speculation about personnel actions.…
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Ford announced yesterday a massive investment for electric and hybrid vehicles. Mark Fields, CEO of Ford says the company plans on spending $4.5 billion by 2020 to bring out 13 electric and hybrid models, increasing the current percentage of electric and hybrid models from 13 to 40 percent. Now this announcement comes at an interesting time as sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are dropping due to low gas prices. According to Autodata Corp, sales of Ford's hybrids through November dropped 25 percent to 59,301 vehicles. The Nissan Leaf saw sales drop 41 percent through November. “Certainly, the gas prices that we’re seeing right now don’t help the electric-vehic…
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Many of us are excited that Ford is finally bringing the Ranger to the U.S. towards the end of the decade. But the long wait for it is driving a number of folks crazy. Well, we're probably not going to help with this as the folks at M-Sport (who heads up Ford's World Rally Championship team) have introduced a special edition of the Ranger that can be described as a Raptor mini. This is the M-Sport Ranger and it looks quite mean. It begins with a Ranger 4x4 double cab that gets a new grill with integrated lights, 18-inch wheels fitted with off-road tires, and certain body parts getting a matte black finish. Underneath is a Pedders suspension sport pack that improves th…
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Ford has issued a recall 1.3 million 2014-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans that can have their steering wheels come off. The problem is a faulty bolt that attaches the wheel to the steering column. The bolt may not provide enough torque, which results in the bolt loosening and causing the wheel to fall off. Ford reports that two accidents and one injury are attributed to this issue. The models affected by this were built between July of 2013 and March of 2018 at Ford's Flat Rock, MI and Hermosillo, Mexico plants. The fix involves a dealer replacing the current bolt with one a larger one featuring more threads along with a larger nylon patch to keep the stee…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 26, 2013 The Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition has ridden into the sunset. “We don’t have plans for one at the moment. We’ve got 10 models including a brand-new Limited Model, which was new for 2013. We feel like we’ve got the market really well covered,” said Doug Scott, Ford Motor Co.’s truck marketing manager. The F-150 Harley-Davidson was introduced back in 1999 and was the flagship model for the F-150 lineup for a time. Scott said the Harley-Davidson only accounted for one to two percent of F-150 sales. Add in the fact that Ford has added such models like the F-150 Platinum, Limited and Raptor, and there isn…
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A hybrid full-size pickup is on the horizon and will be wearing a blue oval badge. In an interview with NPR's All Things Considered, Ford CEO Mark Fields confirmed that a hybrid F-150 is coming. "Well, we do have plans to have a rear-wheel drive hybrid truck but the end of the decade. So yes, we're working on electrified F-series, and it's really around a conventional hybrid," said Fields. This follows comments made by Ford's development chief, Raj Nair last year when he said a rear-drive hybrid truck would come out in 2020. Nair also mentioned that hybrid SUVs are also on the way. Before you think this is the result of Ford and Toyota's partnership to do …
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Ford will be pulling out of the Indonesian and Japanese markets as they cannot make any headway in terms of market share. Reuters got their hands on an email from Ford's Asia Pacific President Dave Schoch who told employees today that the company would exit all areas of the car business, including dealerships and the importing of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. "Unfortunately, this also means that our team members based in Japan and Indonesia will no longer work for Ford Japan or Ford Indonesia following the closures," Schoch said in the email. Ford began selling vehicles in Japan in 1974 and has 52 dealers in the country. Sales last year totaled around 5,000 vehic…
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The One Ford plan brought in by former CEO Alan Mulally helped the automaker weather through some very tough times. A key part of this plan was cutting back on the number of architectures used around the world - from 30 to nine. But Ford is planning to go further with reducing them. Last week, Ford's head of product development and purchasing, Hau Thai-Tang revealed the company will be reducing the number of platforms to just five. "This is not saying One Ford was wrong. This is building on the strategy of One Ford and evolving from it," said Thai-Tang at the 2018 J.P. Morgan Auto Conference in New York. The move to five platforms will help save costs: Acco…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 16, 2011 This morning, the final Ford Ranger rolled off the Twin Cities assembly line, ending the twenty-nine year life of Ford’s compact truck. The Ranger was introduced back in 1982 as 1983 model and came into the growing market of compact trucks, becoming one the best selling trucks. In 1993, Ford revised the Ranger and got a Mazda counterpart, the B-Series a year later. With both four-cylinder and V6 engines, manual or automatic transmissions, and two or four-wheel drive, the Ranger and B-Series became a formidable force in the sales charts throughout the 90’s. But during the 2000s, the demand for small …
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com April 9, 2013 Ford announced today they would be introducing a new variant of the F-150 Raptor for the 2014 model year. The 2014 Raptor Special Edition is all cosmetic changes. Those hoping for a bit more potency from the 6.2L V8 or improved off-road performance will be disappointed. The Special Edition adds two new colors exclusive to this model; Ruby Red Metallic and Tuxedo Black Metallic with box-side graphics. Inside, the Special Edition gets new seats with Brick Red seat bolsters (with black inserts), cloth honeycomb highlights, and a console top finish panel. Ford isn't saying how much the new Raptor Special …
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Ford has a new midsize crossover, but it will only be sold in China. Meet the Territory which will slot in between the EcoSport and Kuga (Escape to us). The model was developed with its joint-venture partner, Jiangling Motors Corp. The exterior looks very similar to the EcoSport subcompact crossover, albeit with a more aggressive bumper and smaller grille. Where the Territory stands out is the interior. The design is quite simple with Mustang-inspired toggle controls and stitching on various trim pieces. Power will come from either a regular gas engine, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid powertrain. Optional features include an infotainment system with Mandarin voice-command…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 18, 2013 A proposed class-action lawsuit was filed against Ford on Monday that alleges MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch infotainment systems are defective. The suit was filed by the Center for Defensive Driving, a nonprofit educator in Torrance, California. The Center for Defensive Driving in their suit say that Ford knew about the defects, but didn't disclose the problems to potential customers. The Center for Defensive Driving leased a 2013 F-150 pickup with MyFord Touch and found that it suffered from numerous issues including a lockup and total system failure, periodic non-responsiveness to devices such as MP3 pl…
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Ford is bringing the performance goods to the Detroit Auto Show. Car and Driver, and Road & Track have published separate reports on what the blue oval has planned. Refreshed Fiesta ST: Car and Driver reports that some aesthetic changes are in store. No word on any changes to the drivetrain or suspension. Focus RS: Sources tell Car and Driver that maddest Focus will make its debut at Detroit. This will come equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and possibly all-wheel drive. Road & Track says the RS is more likely to debut in Geneva. Shelby GT350R: Car and Driver, and Road & Track both report that Ford will debut a track-ready version of the new She…
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Today was a sad day for the Australian automotive industry as the final Ford Falcon rolled down the assembly line at Ford's Broadmeadows plant in Broadmeadows, Victoria. The final vehicle was a Falcon XR6 finished in blue and being number 4,356,628 to roll off the assembly since Broadmeadows opened back in August 1959. The vehicle will join alongside a Falcon Ute (which ended production earlier this year) and Territory SUV in Ford's ownership. Ford held a private ceremony with its 600 workers at the plant to mark the occasion. "Today is an emotional day for all of us at Ford. We are saying goodbye to some of our proud and committed manufacturing employees and m…
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Yesterday, Moody's Investment Services dropped some bad news on Ford as they have downgraded their credit rating to Baa3 - one rung above speculative grade. Analysis by the investment service said the downgrade "reflects the erosion in the company's global business position and the challenges it will face implementing its Fitness Redesign program." The erosion that Moody's is referring to includes, Profit margins in North America beginning to soften due to higher costs Continuing losses in Europe and concerns of it getting worse due to Brexit Strains in the Chinese and South American markets Moody's said that downgrading Ford's credit …
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In recent months, rumors have been flying as to Ford CEO Alan Mulally stepping down to become the new CEO for Microsoft. The rumors and questions to Ford about Mulally's future got so bad that the board called a special meeting late last year to press Mulally about his decision. Well Mulally has broken his silence. According to an interview with the Associated Press, he revealed that he would be staying put at Ford through 2014. Mulally did not confirm whether or not he had conversations with Microsoft though. Source: Associated Press via The Detroit News William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or yo…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 22, 2013 If you want a Ford Raptor, but need a vehicle that can carry eight or has an enclosed space, Hennessey Performance has the vehicle for you: the Hennessey VelociRaptor. The VelociRaptor takes a standard crew-cab Ford Raptor pickup and removes the five-foot, seven-inch bed and extends the cab. Components such as the rear glass, hatch, and tailgate mechanisms are based on the SUV formally known as the Excursion. From there a buyer has the choice to have a enclosed space or a third-row. The conversion adds about 600 pounds to the Raptor. There is one downside to the conversion though. Enclosing the truck and…
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The future of the Ford Taurus is uncertain. The once revolutionary sedan in the 80's, was brought back by Ford CEO Alan Mulally for the 2008 model year to replace the Five Hundred full-size sedan has seen its sales slump. Automotive News reports that full-size sedans like the Taurus have seen their sales tank. Through July, full-size sedan sales are down 28 percent. But the Taurus is one of the worst off. The blue oval has sold 29,867 Taurus sedans through July. That puts it on track to 2009, which was the worst year for Taurus sales with 45,617 models sold. Not helping matters is the Ford Fusion, which not only offers more passenger space than the Taurus, it also…
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Ford is thinking about expanding their track car lineup which includes the Boss 302S and 302R. At the recent Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando, FL., Ford quietly introduced the 302SX concept. Ford says the 302SX is the “ultimate track day car” and slots in between the Boss 302S and the Boss 302R race cars. Outside, the 302SX carries many cues from the refreshed 2013 Boss 302 including a more aggressive front end, vented hood and 1970-style graphics, along with a more aggressive front splitter and adjustable rear wing. Under the hood lies a 5.0L V-8 producing 500 HP and goes through a six speed manual from the Boss 302R. The 302SX also comes equipped wit…
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Ford has announced a new joint venture with Chinese automaker Zotye on affordable electric vehicles for the Chinese market. Named Zotye Ford Automobile, the venture will see the two automakers develop and manufacture electric vehicles for a new brand. Ford and Zotye will be investing a total of 5 billion RMB (about $756 million) on this venture. Part of that investment will go towards a new manufacturing plant in the Zhejiang Province. The two automakers will also work on mobility solutions. “We are delighted to have signed this joint venture agreement with Zotye to form our third joint venture automotive company in China. Subject to regulatory approval, Zotye For…
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Ford has sneakily teased the next-generation Explorer by releasing some photos of the next-generation Police Interceptor Utility. At first glance, you might think that you're looking at current Interceptor Utility. But Car and Driver did some tweaks to the photos which reveal some key changes. Proportions more in line with a rear-wheel drive platform - longer front, shorter rear. Dash-to-axle ratio is different to the current model A belt line that rises Slightly tapered roofline (We've done our own set of tweaks to the photos which can be seen at the bottom of the article.) Ford also announced that the next-generation Police Interceptor Util…
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Automakers except for Tesla are finding it tough to appease to Wall Street. Despite rising sales and various plans for electrics and autonomous vehicles, Wall Street takes a very pessimistic view of the industry. Ford has been trying their best to change Wall Street's view but to no avail, so they are changing up their strategy. “In the past, maybe we said too much. This is a very competitive world we’re in. You want to give Wall Street enough information, but you also don’t want to telegraph exactly where you’re going. And I think that’s a balance that we are going to continue to work on,” said Ford Executive Chairman, Bill Ford at a Detroit Economic Club event. …
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While Ford is getting the Focus RS ready for production, rumors are now beginning to fly about an even hotter version to take on the likes of the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3. Autocar has learned from some sources that a hardcore version of the Focus is currently under consideration. Now this hardcore version will not getting any more power as the 2.3L EboBoost is currently at its limit and there isn't enough space to add any more cooling. So instead Ford will focus on using lightweight components for this version. Such items up for consideration includes carbon fiber-reinforced bodywork, aluminum suspension bits, carbon fiber brakes, and stripping out the interior. …
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The Ford Focus Electric has appeared on the company's website configurator this week with a base price of $39,200 before state and federal incentives, plus an additional $795 for destination charges. Compared the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, the Focus Electric is the same price as the Volt ($39,995) and is $3,945 more than a base Nissan Leaf ($36,050). So what do you get for your $39,995? Well, the Focus Electric comes with a electric motor producing 123 HP and 181 lb-ft of torque and is fed by a 23 kwh lithium-ion battery system. Power goes through a single speed transmission to the front wheels. Ford says the Focus Electric can travel up to 100 miles on a single cha…
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Deliveries of the Ford GT have been going since February, but various issues have caused Ford to notify owners that their GTs will be running somewhat late. Automotive News reports that owners got a letter this week from Ford saying delivery of their GT will be pushed back due to supplier constraints and homologation testing issues. "The craftsmanship required to build these vehicles for global markets has required that we adjust our original timing projections," the letter says. The letter goes on to say customers will be notified with an updated "three-month projected delivery window" within the week. Ford declined to say how long the delays will be, tel…
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It has been almost a year since Ford announced that it would be introducing a diesel engine for the 2018 F-150. Details on the new engine were slim except that it would be a 3.0L turbodiesel V6. Ford has finally spilled more details on the new Power Stroke diesel for the F-150. The 3.0L turbodiesel V6 will pack 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. This will come paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford says the diesel will have a max payload capacity of 2,020 pounds and tow up to 11,400 pounds. Fuel economy figures are not out, but Ford expects the engine to return 30 mpg on the highway. As we suspected, the V6 engine in question is a versio…
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Yesterday, Ford held its annual shareholder meeting and executives were once again defending the decision to cut most of their car lineup and focusing on trucks and utility vehicles. Automotive News reports that shareholders questioned CEO Jim Hackett and Executive Chairman Bill Ford about the move and the two said the changes are necessary due to the changing tastes of customers. Ford expects 90 percent of its North American mix to be made up of trucks and utility models by 2020. "This doesn't mean we intend to lose those customers. We want to give them what they're telling us they really want. We're simply reinventing the American car," said Hackett. "We don'…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 23, 2013 Some sad news to report from Australia today. Ford Australia announced that they will be shutting down operations on October 16, 2016. The shut down will close two factories - Broadmeadows and Geelong in Victoria - and cause the loss of 1,200 jobs. During a press conference, Ford Australia President and CEO Bob Graziano explained the company could not keep building vehicles in a country in the country after reporting a loss of $141 million after tax last year, and losses totaling more than $600 million in the past five years. "Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia. The b…
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The excitement over the return of the Ford Bronco has been somewhat staggering. This has meant a fair amount of rumor, speculation, and renderings of the new models have been popping up before the official introduction. The latest rumors come from an unnamed Ford employee speaking with Gear Patrol. According to the engineer, Ford has been struggling with the design of the new Bronco, reportedly sending it back twice. The last one was scrapped due to it looking "too much like a Wrangler.” The current design being worked on is said to be a four-door variant of the Brazilian Troller T4. What about a two-door? The engineer said, “there’s just no market for it.” It will f…
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It has been caught in spy photos and teased. But finally, Ford has unmasked the 2019 Ranger Raptor at an event in Thailand. Let's get the bad news out of the way first. The U.S. will not be getting the Ranger Raptor for the time being. Ford North America Product Communications manager Mike Levine tweeted out this morning, "We'll have more to share about Ranger Raptor at a later date." What does the rest of the world get with their version of the Ranger Raptor? It starts with an all-new twin-turbo 2.0L diesel engine producing 210 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This will come paired with a new 10-speed automatic (the same one found in the new F-150 and Che…
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So you didn't get a Ford GT, but there is a chance you can experience the GT's EcoBoost engine. Dave Pericak. director of Ford Performance told Autocar since the engine has proven itself on the racetrack and there is the possibility of this engine ending up in some low-volume production sports cars. “The engine won at the [2014] 12 Hours of Sebring in the Ford EcoBoost race car, and it’s shown promise in the GT race car already. It shows how capable the engine is,” said Pericak. When asked if the engine could end up in other race cars, Pericak said this was a possibility. He went on to say there was no reason this engine could end up in some low-volume sports …
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 27, 2013 Ford has revealed the pricing for the 2014 Fiesta ST which will start at $22,195 (includes $795 destination charge). That will come with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four cylinder with 197 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque, and a six-speed manual transmission. The price makes the Fiesta ST $505 cheaper than the Fiat 500 Abarth and $1,805 cheaper than the Mini Cooper S. Options include partial-leather Recaro seats, MyFord Touch infotainment and navigation, seventeen-inch dark alloy wheels, power moonroof, and two unique colors, Molten Orange and Green Envy. Source: Ford William Maley is a staff writ…
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Yesterday, Ford released the first teaser shot of their upcoming electric crossover with a Mustang-inspired design. The picture shows a dark silhouette of the vehicle with the iconic three-bar taillights of the Mustang. It appears that the roofline is sharply raked, something akin to a BMW X4/X6. Ford is promising a 300 mile range when the model is introduced in 2020. As we reported last month, the crossover will not be wearing the Mach 1 nameplate. One interesting tidbit about the upcoming electric crossover. Forbes reports that the original version of the electric crossover was scrapped after CEO Jim Hackett thought it looked to generic. The Mustang-inspired d…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 30, 2013 Ford has gotten a slap on the wrist for their Chicken Tax work-around on the Transit Connect. Back in January, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection asked the company to stop the practice of bringing in Transit Connects as passenger vans, and then removing the windows and shredding the back seats to make into a cargo van. This practice allowed Ford to pay a lower 2.5% tariff for a passenger vehicle and not a 25% tariff for cargo vehicles. "It is clear that the Connect is a commercial vehicle first and foremost," said the ruling. Ford's strategy "serves no manufacturing or commercial purpose" other tha…
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The holidays are proving to be a tough time for those who work in the automotive industry. Last week, General Motors announced that it would be cutting more than 10,000 jobs and removing products from five plants beginning next year. This could pale into comparison with what could happen with Ford. Earlier this week, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas sent out a note to investors saying that Ford's $11 billion restructuring effort could see 25,000 jobs being cut. “We estimate a large portion of Ford’s restructuring actions will be focused on Ford Europe, a business we currently value at negative $7 billion. But we also expect a significant restructuring effort in…
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Ford is making a big push in autonomous vehicles by announcing plans to put a fully autonomous car into production by 2021. But you will not be able to buy one. Instead, Ford will be building these vehicles for ride-sharing services. “The next decade will be defined by automation of the automobile, and we see autonomous vehicles as having as significant an impact on society as Ford’s moving assembly line did 100 years ago. We’re dedicated to putting on the road an autonomous vehicle that can improve safety and solve social and environmental challenges for millions of people – not just those who can afford luxury vehicles," said Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO in a…
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It is unlikely that the Focus RS will be the only Ford model sporting the RS badge, although which models will follow have been up for debate. The chief of Ford Performance has hinted that the brand's crossovers could go under the RS treatment. "I think customers love performance. I think the definition of what that means for an SUV might be different than what it means for a Focus or for a Fiesta. But I think that we’ve seen, even in the US and globally, that people like aggressive-looking cars, they like sporty, they want the power and pick-up and engine improvement, so I think the answer is yes. SUV customers would appreciate performance, for sure," said Dave Peri…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 12, 2013 The next Lincoln Navigator will lose its a V8 and go with EcoBoost V6. This news comes from Lincoln Global Director Matt VanDyke via Motor Trend. The EcoBoost in question will the 3.5L that currently is in the F-150. With 365 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, this is a very respectable increase from the Navigator's current 310 horsepower and 365 pound-feet. There is also talk of the 3.7L V6 with 302 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque appearing as the base engine. Is there any chance of a V8 appearing in the next Navigator? Probably not as VanDyke said that Lincoln is going all EcoBoost. Meanwhile at Fo…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 24, 2013 Ford is planning two weeks of downtime at its Wayne, Michigan plant. The plant builds the Focus and C-Max Hybrid. Bloomberg reports the reason for this shutdown is to help reduce the number of C-Max Hybrids and Focus in stock. The start of October saw a 71-day supply of the Focus and 122-day supply for the C-Max. Compared to the month before, the supplies are up 13 and 14 days respectively. “They don’t want to get ahead of themselves. Ford has been focused on keeping their pricing in check. Their operating margin is in double digits. Nobody else is there and they’re obviously very proud of that,” said A…
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Along with the Ford Ranger, the blue oval is considering resurrecting another nameplate. Bloomberg has learned from sources that the company is considering bringing back the Bronco nameplate for a vehicle to be built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI. “It’s a good move. Gen Y has discovered the original Bronco. Ford has seen what the Mustang can do for them, and they are bringing back their iconic names,” said John Wolkonowicz, a Boston-based independent analyst. The Bronco would give Ford a vehicle to compete with the likes of Toyota and General Motors. It would also allow Ford to capitalize on the growing popularity of the Bronco by Gen Y, especially …
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Many people were hoping that Ford would bring the new Raptor Ranger to the U.S. It would offer the off-road performance and capability of the larger F-150 Raptor, but in a smaller and (hopefully) more affordable package. But that isn't going to be happening. Hermann Salenbauch, the vehicle line director for Ford Performance told journalists yesterday that the company has no plans to bring the Ranger Raptor to the U.S. A key reason mentioned by Salenbauch is due to the high costs to make the Ranger Raptor legal to sell in the U.S. as the model is based on the global Ranger. We have to assume a key part would come from trying to either make the twin-turbo 2.0L diesel l…
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The UAW leadership has given the ok to the Ford-UAW tentative agreement that was announced on Friday. According to the Detroit Free Press, the UAW leaders for Ford were briefed yesterday by UAW officials where they gave it the green light. Unlike FCA and GM's contacts, we know a little bit more about what will be coming to Ford's UAW workers. To start, UAW workers will get a $10,000 signing bonus ($8,500 bonus plus $1,500 of profit sharing), a plan to eliminate the two-tier wage system, and $9 billion in investments for future products. The future investments are interesting as the Free Press has learned from a source that will include the Ranger and the return of…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 2, 2012 Ford has been getting a load of complaints dealing with MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch systems with speed and ease of use. Ford has issued an update earlier this year to to fix these problems and add new features, but owners are still complaining. Starting this month, Ford will be issuing an update being referred as "version 3.5" of the software. Vehicles that are without navigation will get the update first. Vehicles with navigation will get their version of the update next month, while hybrids, plug-ins and electric vehicles will follow thereafter. Ford is also extending the warranties for vehicles …
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Ford has refreshed the Focus Hatchback and Sedan for the 2015 model year, and now it's the ST's turn. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Ford has pulled the cover back on the 2015 Focus ST. Like the standard model, the Focus ST gets a revised front end with blacked-out headlights and a tweaked lower fascia. The back sees slimmed taillights and a revised bumper. A set of eighteen-inch wheels and two new colors round out the exterior changes. Inside, the Focus ST gets a revised center stack that features actual buttons for the MyFordTouch system, along with a flat-bottom steering wheel. The option list sees the addition of a backup camera, eight-way adjustable driver's sea…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 8, 2013 If you have been keeping track on the whole pile of rumors concerning the next-generation Focus RS, you would know that the engine being talked about would possibly be shared with the next-generation Mustang. The engine in question is a turbocharged 2.3L unit that will be based on the Focus ST's 2.0L and produce somewhere in the range of 300+ horsepower. Now for some bad news for those who were hoping for a return of the Mustang SVO in the states. Edmunds is reporting that that the four-cylinder will only be available for European customers when introduced. The reason for this is that the V8 Mustang woul…
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Ford is giving taxi companies two new fuel efficient options for their next vehicle. This week, the automaker unveiled the Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect diesel taxis. “Taxi operators want vehicles that are reliable, efficient and comfortable. Transit Connect Taxi and Fusion Hybrid Taxi offer all three with special attention to potentially help lower fuel costs. Plus, Fusion Hybrid underscores our commitment to introduce even more efficient and capable hybrids in the future,” said Imran Jalal, brand and communications manager for Ford fleet marketing. The Fusion Hybrid taxi isn't based on the model you can pickup from dealers. Instead, Ford is plucking some par…
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To say MyFordTouch has been on a rough road since it's introduction this year would be understatement. The system which uses a combination of capacitive controls and a touchscreen to control certain fuctions has been criticized by owners and reviews for many things.The system has also caused Ford's rating in the industry's leading quality indexes to drop. Now, the blue oval han announced an update for some of the issues with its system for 2013 models and existing models. The big news comes in the form of a reworked interface for the touchscreen. Ford says they have reworked over a 1,000 screens in the MyFord Touch system by using larger, bolder fonts, making the designs…
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For some, the announcement made by Ford's Asia Pacific is a dream come true. In a teaser video, a prototype Ranger is seen being put through its paces while undergoing testing in the Australian Outback. Towards the end of the video, the name Ranger Raptor is revealed and will be arriving in Asia Pacific markets next year. There isn't much to go on in terms of concrete details. It appears the Ranger Raptor will only come in the Double Cab configuration and feature a new grille - possibly the same one as seen on the F-150 Raptor. We're expecting some of the ideas from the F-150 Raptor's suspension will be applied for the smaller Ranger. Of course, some are asking …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 14, 2012 The next-generation Ford F-150 could be aiming for the best-in-class fuel economy. A source tells Reuters that the 2015 F-150, due out in late 2014, is aiming for a 15-20% improvement in fuel economy. The 2015 Ford F-150 "will be a game-changer that will alter the dynamics of the truck segment. They're shooting for best-in-class fuel economy," the source told Reuters. When asked about this, Ford spokesman Mike Levine said, "Ford is committed to offering our customers leading fuel economy (but) it's premature to talk about future products," Ford increasing the fuel economy of the next F-150 is due to t…
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There have been spy shots floating around for past few months showing a hotted-up version of the Focus RS, leading many to believe that Ford is working on a new RS500. But a report from Autocar says Ford hasn't made a final decision on it. According to a source, the RS500 is “not genuinely green-lighted, but the desire exists to have a star in the RS and ST range”. The stumbling blocks are whether or not a financial case can be made and if the factory line in Cologne, Germany. Autocar speculates that the new RS500 will have a similar performance bump to the previous model. The last-generation RS500 featured 345 horsepower, an increase of 15 percent over the stan…
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Ford is going towards a more funky look for the refreshed Flex Crossover making its debut at the LA Auto Show next week. The front end gets a a more rounded fascia, new headlights, grill treatment, and Flex lettering on the hood. Around back, the Flex gets a revised tailgate. Inside, the Flex gets a new dash and instrument cluster that includes the lastest version of MyFordTouch. Other interior changes include pushbutton start, rain sensing wipers and the addition of more safety features including optional rear inflatable seatbelts and a good amount of collision-avoidance technologies. Powertrains for the 2013 Flex include a more powerful 3.5L V6 packing 20 more horsep…
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Ford is expanding their green options to governments with the launch of the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan. The model will be positioned for those who don't need a pursuit-rated vehicle such as Police and Fire Chiefs, detectives, and other government officials. Based on the Fusion Energi, the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan comes with the 2.0L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder and a larger 7.6-kWh lithium-ion battery. Ford says the electric range of 21 miles should be enough for most folks to get through a shift without needing a recharge. If the battery does become depleted, the gas engine will kick on to provide a total range of over 500 miles. “This is th…
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In April of 2013, Ford and General Motors announced they would be working together on developing new nine and ten-speed automatic transmissions. The nine-speed automatic would be for front-wheel drive models, while rear-drive models got the ten-speed. Already, a number of Ford and GM vehicles are using the ten-speed. But GM will be the only one using the nine-speed. Automotive News reports that Ford is electing to use a new series of eight-speed automatic transmission on their vehicles. The company said the new nine-speed didn't provide enough of an improvement in fuel economy to justify the added cost and weight. According to a source, Ford made this decision before…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 20, 2013 At the moment, more than half of U.S. new-car sales are cars equipped with four-cylinder engines. Ford expects that number to climb to 66 percent by 2020. Here's how the market currently breaks down: subcompact, compact, and midsize vehicles are coming equipped with four-cylinder vehicles. Subcompact and compact crossovers are also following the same trend. Many analysts believe Ford's estimate is high, but not of the question. "I think it's maybe a stretch. But I don't find it implausible. If you look at where things have been going segment by segment, except pickups, you could say that's been the tre…
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There are times when a spy photographer gets more than they bargained for. Most of the time, it involves an engineer chasing them away from their test mule. But sometimes, they catch something spectacular. Case in point are new shots of the next-generation F-Series Super Duty catching on fire while undergoing hot-weather testing in Death Valley. Before we go any further, it needs to be stated that no one was injured in this fire. The two engineers who were driving the truck were able to get out and find their way to safety. Judging from the pictures, it appears the fire started in the driver-side front wheel well and then spread. The spy photographer who caught the pict…
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One of the vehicles we were expecting to see at the Detroit Auto Show but didn't show was the Focus RS. Well it appears Ford has something special for that. The company has released a teaser video showing a camouflaged Focus RS doing a bit of sliding around in wet and dry conditions. The video also has a date, February 3rd. This is when Ford will reveal the Focus RS to everyone. Those hoping for Ford to release any technical details will be disappointed to hear that no information was released. Source: Ford View full article
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Last month, we reported that Ford is currently testing a diesel engine for the F-150. Pictures at the time showed a unique exhaust tip (a Venturi exhaust tip that serves a cooler for after treatment systems) and the photographer mentioned hearing the distinctive clatter of a diesel engine. But pictures can only tell so much. Wouldn't it be nice if we had audio or video evidence? Guess what? AutoGuide got a video from a spy photographer who was following an F-150 mule out on the public. The video provides audible evidence that a diesel engine is under the hood. As we reported last month, the engine in question is a turbocharged 3.0L V6 that is under the hood of the Range…
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When Ford introduced the next-generation Fiesta earlier this week, there was one model missing; the hot ST. This caused a number of people to wonder if there would be a new Fiesta ST. Good news, there will be Fiesta ST coming. But it will be awhile before we see it. Dutch publication AutoRAI spoke with Tyrone Johnson, development boss of Ford ST and RS models. Johnson revealed that the Fiesta ST would debut in late 2017, with production beginning a year later. Details about the next Fiesta ST are scarce, but Johnson did hint that the next ST would not see a major increase in power. Instead, the focus will be on improving the fun-factor. We wouldn't be surprised if a …
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Has it really been two years since Ford introduced the GT? *Looks at calendar* Yep, it has been two years. Since that time, we have been wondering about how much power the twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 would produce. Ford has finally revealed the numbers earlier this morning. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 will produce 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. Ford hasn't revealed the 0-60 mph time, but does say the GT has a top speed of 216 mph - making the fastest production vehicle done by the blue oval. Dry weight (meaning no fluids) comes in at 3,054 lbs. Ford also published lap times of the GT against a Ferrari 458 Speciale and McLaren 675LT done at Calabogie Motorsp…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 12, 2012 Some peculiar Ford F-150s have made their way onto the web thanks to a spy photographer. The trucks in question features awkward panel fits, shorten cabs, and modified truck beds. What is the deal with these truck. Most likely, the trucks are the mules for the next F-150, due out in 2015. Automobile Magazine also speculates the trucks are also testing aluminum body panels, something we reported back in July. This would allow engineers to gain knowledge about whether its a good idea or not to implement aluminum in the next truck. Rumor has the 2015 F-150 having a aluminum hood and bed, but this is some…
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The elephant in the room with diesel hot hatches is the Volkswagen GTD, but another automaker wants to give it a run for its money. Auto Express reports that Ford is planning a Focus ST with a diesel heart. Mark Fields, Ford’s chief operating officer made the announcement at a dinner during the Geneva Motor Show. The Focus ST Diesel will utilize a 2.0L four-cylinder diesel with 182 horsepower. The engine can hit 60 MPH in eight seconds or so. The diesel model will feature the same suspension and steering tune as the standard ST. No word on a release date, but the model will be for Europe only. Source: Auto Express William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears…
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Before we go into this rumorpile report, we should note that we're taking a fair amount of salt on this story. You'll see what we mean momentarily. Road & Track reports that the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 will be getting a dual-clutch transmission in the next few years. The six-speed manual would still be offered. This information comes from Mustang6G.com, a forum site which has gotten leaked information that has been proven to be correct. The site showed evidence to Road & Track about the dual-clutch and they believe it to be accurate. The problem is neither Road & Track or Mustang6G say what the evidence is - hence why we're taking a handful of salt on …
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 23, 2012 Ford's 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost is an interesting engine. Using a turbocharger and some other tech, the engine produces an amazing 123 HP. But there could be more power lying in that engine. Autocar spoke with the vehicle line director for the Focus, Gunnar Herrmann. They asked Herrmann if more power could be made with the 1.0L EcoBoost. “It’s a stretch, but possible,” said Herrmann. Rumor has it Ford is testing a 1.0L EcoBoost with an electric supercharger taking the place of the small turbo and a turbo from the 1.6L EcoBoost. Power is said to be 177 HP. This version is expected to sit betwee…
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Earlier this year, we reported that Ford would be investing $700 million into their Flat Rock, MI plant for two new models - an electric crossover in 2020 and an autonomous vehicle following a year later. Those plans have changed as Ford will move production of the electric crossover to Cuautitlan, Mexico. This information comes from an internal Ford memo obtained by Automotive News last night. Flat Rock will become an “AV center of excellence”. AV, in this case, being autonomous vehicles. “This allows us to bring this exciting new vehicle to global customers in a more effective way to support our overreaching business goals,” the memo says. Ford spokesman …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 26, 2013 Ford is wanting to keep their dominance in the heavy duty pickup market and has announced a series of changes for its 2015 F-Series SuperDuty Pickups today at the Texas State Fair. First up is a improved 6.7L PowerStroke Diesel V8. Ford added a larger turbochargers to deliver increased airflow. The larger turbos allowed Ford to simplify the engine layout by removing the wastegate system and redesigning the oil and cooling lines. Another bonus of larger turbos is improved exhaust braking performance. Along with the engine changes, the six-speed automatic gets a stronger torque converter. Ford says thes…
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The era of the full-size, body-on-frame SUV is slowly coming to end, with many automakers transitioning towards crossovers. However, there are still those who still want full-size SUVs and automakers like Ford are ready to fill that need. Case in point is the 2015 Expedition which will debut tomorrow at the 2014 DFW Auto Show in Dallas. Following in the footsteps of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator which debuted back in January, the Expedition trades in the 5.4L V8 for the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. Ford doesn't list any power or fuel economy numbers, saying they'll be released sometime later. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission choice. Other mechanical changes includ…
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Ford isn't doing so well at the moment as profits and stock prices are tumbling downward. To try and reverse this trend, the blue oval is considering cutting 10 percent of its global workforce. Both the Wall Street Journal and Reuters have learned from their respective sources the cuts are part of a previously announced plan to slash costs by $3 billion. The cuts will mostly affect salaried employees, with Reuters reporting Ford will offer generous early retirement incentives. To give you an idea of how jobs are on the chopping block, Ford currently 200,000 employees. A cut of 10 percent means 20,000 people are out of a job. "Reducing costs and becoming as lean …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 26, 2012 Ford's current policy on pickup trucks is to continuously update them with new models and powertrains. For the 2013 model year, Ford introduced a mild-refresh of the F-150 and now has a new model to introduce, the F-150 Limited. The Limited takes the place of the King Ranch, Harley-Davidson, and Platinum of being the top dog in the F-150 lineup. With four trucks taking the luxury stance in the F-150 lineup, you're left wondering what makes the Limited special. Unlike the King Ranch, Harley-Davidson, and Platinum, the Limited doesn't really have a stand-out identity.Think of it as a Lariat with more luxurie…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 14, 2013 The new Ford Fusion has become an instant hit with consumers. It's currently in a four car race for the best selling midsize sedan in American and has helped Ford crack into the east and west coast markets, two places where Ford has lagged in sales. With all of that success, Ford is finding itself with a Fusion supply problem. “Inventory is going to be real tight during the summer months,” said Erich Merkle, Ford’s U.S. sales analyst to The Detroit News. According to Wards Auto, Ford is currently sitting on a 39 day supply of Fusions. To put it another way, if Ford stopped production of the Fusion, they wo…
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This morning in Europe, Ford announced a broad restructuring plan for its European unit that will include job cuts and the possibility of closing down plants. This is part of the automaker's global restructuring plan Ford has been struggling to make a profit in Europe for some time - losing close to a billion dollars in the last five years. “Ford of Europe has never really been sustainably profitable,” said Steve Armstrong, group vice president and president of Ford Europe, Middle East and Africa. “As we look to the future of the business globally, (CEO) Jim Hackett and (CFO) Bob Shanks have been very clear: We can only afford to allocate capital to places whe…
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When Ford announced they would be building only 500 GTs over the course of two years, we thought they would they would likely build more due to high demand. Sure enough, with over 6,000 applications received, Ford is adding two more years of production for the GT. The third year of production will only be for those who are on the waiting list for the GT, and the fourth year will be open to everyone. What isn't known is how many additional GTs will be built. “While we can’t build enough Ford GTs for everyone who has applied, we are going to produce additional vehicles in an effort to satisfy more of our most loyal Ford ambassadors.We want to keep Ford GT exclusive…
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Ford had a special event in Cologne, Germany tonight where it introduced the next-generation Fiesta. It is clear that Ford didn't want to mess with the Fiesta's exterior design much. The basic shape is the same as the current one, but it appears some of the lines have been softened somewhat. It also looks like slightly larger, but Ford hasn't provided any dimensions to confirm this. Ford has unveiled four versions that will appear in Europe: Titanium: Stylish ST-Line: Sporty looks Vignale: Luxury Active: Crossover-esq Interior-wise, the Fiesta follows suit with the recently-anno…
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The redesigned Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator have been moving quite rapidly off dealer lots. In January, sales of the Expedition rose 59 percent while the Navigator saw a jaw-dropping 132 percent increase. But this is proving to be a problem for Ford as their dealers can't get enough of either model to satisfy consumer demand. A source told Automotive News that CEO Jim Hackett has banned Ford employees from ordering Expeditions and Navigators to help get more out into the world. The source said restricting employees from ordering a mainstream vehicle is very rare. "We could have sold a lot more in January if we had them," said Mark LaNeve, Ford's vice preside…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 15, 2012 Ford's Interceptor sedan engine lineup consists of the 3.5L V6 producing 288 HP and 254 lb-ft of torque going to the front wheels, and the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 producing 365 HP and 350 lb-ft of torque going to all four wheels. Now, Ford has introduced a third engine option for the Interceptor sedan. The 3.7L V6 from the Interceptor Utility is now in the sedan. The 3.7L V6 produces 305 HP ans 279 lb-ft of torque. The 3.7L is only available with all-wheel drive. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 8, 2012 The rumors of the next-generation of the Focus RS have been like a roller-coaster ride. There has been rumors dealing with the Focus RS being put on the back burner for a Fiesta RS, the Focus RS sharing its engine with the next generation Mustang, and what could be the possible engine specs.Now, we have some more track to add. Auto Express is reporting that the next-generation Focus RS will utilize a new 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder that could be producing as much as 350 HP. This engine could also be used in the next-gen Mustang. Transmission-wise, the Focus RS will utilize a six-speed manual. There are …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 18, 2013 From the hmm section of the rumorpile, Reuters is reporting that Ford has invited a small number of journalists to get a sneak peek of the 2015 next week. Sources say the group will include a number of European journalists which is perfect since previous rumors have said the next Mustang has been designed to appeal to people outside the U.S. Sources have also said the new Mustang will have a modern design, and more efficient engines and transmissions. From previous reports we expect the new Mustang to take some elements of the Evos concept car, dropping the solid-axle setup for an independent rear suspen…
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Has it really been seven months since Ford unveiled the 2015 F-150 at the Detroit Auto Show? Yes it has. Since that time, the blue oval has been keeping its lips shut on the power and towing numbers for the F-150. Well today, Ford has decided to reveal some of those numbers. We'll begin with the new base engine, the 3.5L V6. Not be confused with the 3.5 EcoBoost, the new 3.5 V6 makes 283 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the outgoing 3.7 V6, the 3.5 is down 19 horsepower and 23 pound-feet. That shouldn't be as noticeable you might think as the new F-150 is about 700 pounds lighter than the current model. Towing and payload numbers for the 3.5 4x2 model…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 1, 2012 Thanks to the folks at FordSTNation.com, we know now what the starting price of the 2013 Ford Focus ST will be. $23,700 (excluding the $795 destination charge) will get you into a 247 HP hot hatch according to a leaked spec sheet. The pricetag undercuts the four-door GTI by a $100 and the Mazdaspeed3 by $300. The spec sheet also reveals two equipment groups adding on an additional $2,505 and $4,840. A fully loaded ST will cost around $29,000. Source: FordSTNation.com via The Truth About Cars View full article
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Ford announced a sizeable recall of 1.5 million Focuses from the 2012-2018 model year equipped with the naturally-aspirated and turbocharged variants of the 2.0L engine. The issue deals with the engine's fuel system, specifically the canister purge valve. This valve allows fuel vapor to circulate but may become stuck open. Plus, the powertrain control module which monitors the valve may malfunction. The end result is a malformed gas tank due to excessive vacuum, which in turn will cause the check engine to come on; the fuel gauge will start acting weird; and may cause the car to stall - the latter being a safety issue. The recall is the result of a n…
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Ford announced today that once the current Ford Focus ends production in mid-2018, the model will shift production of the 2019 Ford Focus to China rather than Mexico. The Focus is currently built at Ford's Michigan Assembly in Wayne, MI along side the C-Max Hybrid. It has been known since mid-2015 that Focus production would be moving out of the U.S. once this model run was finished. During the 2016 Presidential election, then Candidate Trump criticized Ford for the move to Mexico, however Ford pointed out that they were making room for the upcoming Ford Ranger and Ford Bronco and that no jobs at Wayne Assembly will be lost as it retools for truck and SUV produc…
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Ford truck lineup will be growing by one with the introduction of the Ranger early next year. But a new report from Automobile says there's another truck in the cards, one that is smaller than the Ranger. Ford is working on a replacement for the Brazilian market Courier subcompact pickup truck, last sold in the 2013 model year. The model is expected to move from an old Fiesta platform to the platform underpinning the new Focus. This has caught the eye of Ford's product planners in the U.S. and there are plans to possibly bring it here by 2022. Production is expected to take place in Ford's Cuautitlan, Mexico plant. Currently home to the Fiesta, the plant will s…
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The end of an era appears to be coming very soon. A new report from Bloomberg says Ford CEO Alan Mulally will step down and that Mark Fields, the current Chief Operating Officer will take his place sometime this year. Two sources tell Bloomberg that the move could be announced as early as May 1st. The departure of Mulally closes a chapter in Ford's history where he helped bring the company back from the brink of death and made the company very profitable. At the end of 2013, Ford reported a pretax earnings in North America to a record $8.78 billion. The departure also brings some much needed clarity to Ford's leadership structure. “We take succession planning very seri…
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Ram has some competition with offering a pickup truck for law enforcement duties. Ford revealed today the F-150 Special Service Vehicle (SSV). “Many officers need the extra space F-150 Special Service Vehicle offers. They can load the cargo box with equipment and still fit five people inside. Its utility is unmatched,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police marketing manager. The SSV comes in the base XL trim and is available in the SuperCab or SuperCrew cab configurations. Power can either come from a 5.0L V8 with 385 horsepower or a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with 365 horsepower, along with the choice of two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Ford has also fitted 240-amp alternator to p…
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There might not be a Focus RS500 as a final swan song for the current Focus. Autocar has learned from sources at the blue oval that the chances of the RS500 entering production stands at about 30 percent at the moment. This is because the business case for the model is becoming very weak. Part of the issue lies with where the Focus RS500 would sit in Ford's performance lineup. Sources say the model "could be treading on other cars’ toes," such as the Mustang GT and Shelby GT350. This isn't an issue in Europe where Ford's European office sees a market for both models. The U.S. is another story as some see the RS500 stealing sales away from Mustang - especially when th…
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It was an exciting day when Ford announced that the Ranger and Bronco would be coming back. But then disappointment arrived as an alleged Ford employee said on Reddit that the Bronco would be a slightly re-worked Everest SUV (cue sad trombone). A Ford executive has cleared the air somewhat on the Bronco, and it is good news. Ford's Chief Technical Officer Raj Nair told Autoline in an interview that while the Bronco would be based on the Ranger/Everest platform, it would be its own vehicle. “No, it’s a separate vehicle. It will be an incremental vehicle from the Everest. The Everest kind of serves a lot of off-road capability; maybe the space of the Explorer serv…
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A group of Shelby GT350 owners are not happy with Ford. Yesterday, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida claiming that the track-ready GT350 isn't. According to filling, owners complain that the vehicle overheats in as little as 15 minutes due faulty transmissions and rear differentials when driven on a track. When the vehicle does overheat, it goes into a limp mode that reduces power to protect the powertrain. The filing goes on to say that Ford fixed this issue in the 2017 model, but told owners of the 2016 model to make the fixes themselves - a possible breach of the car's warranty. “When Ford marketed and sold th…
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Ford has revealed the updated 2018 Mustang which appears to amp up the competition between it and the Chevrolet Camaro. The exterior comes with a new front fascia with a larger grille, reshaped headlights, and lowered hoodline. Around back are a revised design for the taillights and quad-exhausts for the GT. The interior boasts higher quality materials and the option of a 12.3-inch digital cluster that can be customized to provide performance data. The big changes though lie under the skin. For starters, the base 3.7L V6 has been dropped. The 2.3L EcoBoost will now take its place as the base engine. Ford says the 2.3 will see a bump in torque, though the blue oval…
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Drew Dowdell - March 28th, 2012 - CheersandGears.com Ford unveiled a new Explorer Sport today equipped with a 350+ horsepower Ecoboost V6 and four-wheel drive. Specifically targeting the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango R/T with the 5.7-liter Hemi, Ford is anticipating the the Explorer Sport to have an advantage of 3mpg city and 2mpg highway over the Jeep and Dodge. The Explorer Sport gains additional chassis reinforcement and larger brakes that both improves handling and maintains the Explorer's 5,000 pound tow rating. Styling changes include package specific 20 inch machined wheels, a special grill with low-gloss mesh combined with high-gloss bars and the Explor…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 15, 2012 When Ford launched the Fiesta in the United States in 2010, they had very high hopes for it. However, the Fiesta has been seeing its sales dip. So far this year, Fiesta sales are down 25% to 35,385 vehicles. The reason? Consumers are flocking to the Fiesta's big brother, the Focus. So far in 2012, the Focus has seen its sales go up by 31% to 147,877 vehicles. Ford is standing behind the Fiesta, despite the sales slide. “The small-car segment, given its size, the largest in the industry, is large enough for two vehicles,” said Erich Merkle, Ford’s U.S. sales analyst. Source: Bloomberg William Maley is …
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A new report from Reuters says the Ford is working on a dedicated hybrid model that will take on the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt. Two sources tell the news service that the new model, codenamed C240, will use Ford's new C2 platform. This new platform will also underpin the next-generation Focus and Escape. C240 will also be more efficient than the blue oval's current hybrids thanks to improved battery technology and and the use of lightweight materials such as aluminum. The new model is expected to go into production in 2018, with global sales starting a year after. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at willia…
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Another piece in the Ford GT puzzle has been found. Yesterday at the Toronto Auto Show, Ford announced that Multimatic Motorsports - a longstanding partner in Ford's racing programs based in Ontario - will be building the GT. Why Multimatic? Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of the Americas said Multimatic has a lot of experience with carbon fiber. This is important considering the GT's passenger cell is made out of carbon fiber. Going with Multimatic has also added anticipation that Ford will be returning to Le Mans to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
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The Ford Focus RS is already a potent hot hatch with 350 rampaging horses coming from a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder and can hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. But Ford believes they can go faster. Australian outlet Motor reports that Ford is considering building an even quicker Focus RS. Sources at the blue oval say a hardcore version of the RS is being looked. Now, the 2.3L is operating close to its maximum output. So how does Ford plan on making the RS quicker? By adding lightness with stripping the interior down to the essentials, removing sound deading, and using lighter materials - polycarbonate windows, carbonfiber-reinforced plastic bodywork, and aluminum suspensio…
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Back in January, Ford announced they would be introducing 13 new electric and hybrid vehicles including a hybrid Mustang and plug-in hybrid version of the F-150. Automotive News has learned about four additional vehicles that will launch in 2019. According to sources familiar with Ford's plans, the company will launch plug-in hybrid versions of the Escape and Lincoln MKC, along with hybrid variants of the Expedition and Navigator. Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting for LMC Automotive said it makes sense for Ford to do hybrid variants of SUVs and crossovers as they are hot sellers. "They're at a critical point in their strategy, and that's tryin…
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There is a new twist in the fate of the Ford Fusion. The Detroit News obtained a letter from November that Ford sent out to suppliers saying plans for a redesigned Fusion for North America had been canceled. This follows a report from last month where Ford notified suppliers that it will not produce the next-generation Fusion at their Hermosillo, Mexico plant. This doesn't mean the Fusion nameplate is going away anytime soon. A source tells the paper that the Fusion and Mondeo (sister model sold outside the U.S.) will be in Ford's portfolio for at least three to four years. This possibly hints that Ford executives are having a rethink as to the future of the Fusion. …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 11, 2013 Automakers seem to be having a tough go with electric vehicles. The only way it seems automakers are able to move their stockpile is by drastically cutting the price. We've seen it with the Nissan Leaf which saw it sales jump General Motors hasn't gone down that same route with the Volt, but is offering a number of discounts. Ford looks to be doing the former option with the Focus EV. The Detroit News reports that for the 2014 Focus EV will see a $4,000 price drop. That brings the base down from $39,200 to $35,200. While that should help out the Focus EV, that's still $6,000 more than the base Nissan Leaf. …
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The big thing in pickup trucks at the moment is luxury models. Chevrolet has the Silverado High Country while the Denali has been part of GMC for quite awhile. Ram has quite the variety of luxury pickups with the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. Ford also has a range of luxury trucks from the Lariat to the Platinum. But the blue oval decided that wasn't enough and has introduced the 2016 F-150 Limited. Ford bills the F-150 Limited as the "the most advanced, luxurious F-150 ever." Ford has thrown everything and the kitchen sink in terms of standard equipment. All Limited models get heated and cooled Mojave leather front seats with "multicontour massaging," fiddleback euca…
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Ford and General Motors have differing views on autonomous vehicles. GM is planning on launching a number of Chevrolet Bolt EVs in various urban markets in 2019 for a ride-hailing service. Ford, on the other hand, is taking a different approach in terms of powertrain and use. Ford's top sales executive, Jim Farley said their autonomous vehicle - due in 2021 - will be a hybrid vehicle with a focus on commercial applications. Farley explained that going with a hybrid powertrain would allow their vehicles to stay on the road longer thanks to a longer range when compared to EVs. The company expects their autonomous vehicles to be on the road for roughly 20 hours a day. U…
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There could be a hotter Ford Fiesta in the wings. Autocar spoke with Tyrone Johnson, manager of Ford Performance (group that brings together RS and SVT). Johnson revealed that work was being done on a higher-performance Fiesta that would use the current chassis and will likely go on sale within the next couple of years. “There’s more to come from the current Fiesta,” said Johnson. Now Johnson didn't say if this new model would wear a ST or an RS badge. Autocar also asked Johnson about producing something akin to the Focus RS for the Fiesta. “If there’s a business case and if it’s technically feasible.” When pressed if a case could be made, he said “Theoretically, ye…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 16, 2012 The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the next Ford Mustang, due out in 2014, will ditch the retro styling and go with the styling seen on the new Fusion. Sources tell the Journal, the new Mustang will keep shark-nosed grill and headlights. Why drop the retro styling? Ford wants to attract younger buyers. The group of people who usually purchase a Mustang is beginning to shrink. Also, Ford wants to take back the sales lead from the Chevrolet Camaro. For the first three months of this year, the Camaro outsold the Mustang by by 1,791 vehicles. Last year, the Camaro outsold the Mustang by 17,811 vehic…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 27, 2012 The Wall Street Journal reports that Ford is considering using a aluminum body in the next generation F-150 pickup. The move would drop about 700 lbs, a 15% drop in weight from the current F-150. The reason as to why Ford is exploring the aluminum pickup is due to upcoming CAFE regulations that by 2025, the U.S. vehicle fleet has to average 54.5 miles per gallon. Also, the regulations would ramp up fuel economy goals for vehicles of different sizes each year. Analysts aren't too sure if Ford will go the aluminum body route, saying it wouldn't be too practical. "Full-aluminum structured vehicles are much m…
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