Teen Driving and Car Accident Tips

Teen Driving

Teen drivers have the highest fatal crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal. The problem is worst among 16 year-olds, who have the most limited driving experience that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel.
Crash Risk Factors

* Driver error
Compared with crashes of older drivers, those of teenagers more often involve driver error.
* Speeding
Excessive speed is a factor in higher crash rates among 16-year-old drivers.
* Single-vehicle crashes
More fatal crashes of teenage drivers involve only the teen’s vehicle. Typically, these involve high speed and/or driver error.
* Passengers
Fatal crashes among teens are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger. In 2003, 59 percent of teenage passenger deaths happened in vehicles driven by another teenager.
* Alcohol
Although this is a problem among drivers of all ages, it’s actually less of a problem for drivers ages 16 and 17. In 2003, the estimated percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers of this age who had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08 percent was 16 percent — down 60 percent since 1982.
* Night driving
This is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driven, the crash rate for teenagers driving at night with passengers is 4 to 5 times more likely than teenagers who drive alone during the day. (Source: National Safety Council Launching New Window , 2005)
* Low seat belt use
Teenagers generally are less likely to use safety belts than adults. In 2003, 57 percent of 16- to 20-year-old passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing safety belts. (Source:National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Launching New Window , 2005)

Quality Mitsubishi Denver
Toll Free (888) 501-4860

[Via http://qualitymitsubishidenver.wordpress.com]

Ford gives Navistar the boot, will the new engine be dubbed ‘POWERSTROKE’?

Ford Motor Co. is using the Los Angeles Auto Show this month to showcase a 2011 model of the F-550 Super Duty chassis cab, upfitted as a fire department first-responder vehicle, with the company’s new Power Stroke V-8 diesel engine.

Ford introduced the company-built diesel earlier this year. The engine will replace the current model, built by Navistar International Corp., beginning next year in 2011 model-year trucks.

Ford decided to develop and build the engine after disputes with Navistar over warranty costs and payments led to a mutual agreement to end the 27-year relationship after Dec. 31.

Adam Gryglak had what seemed like an impossible task: deliver an all-new Ford (F) diesel engine in 36 months. Ford was way behind schedule, so the time frame was a year faster than usual. Gryglak, the chief diesel engineer, knew he’d never meet his deadline without short-circuiting the usual development process. So he put together a team, moved off campus, and kept his second-guessing bosses at bay. Gryglak called the project Scorpion (after the heavy metal band the Scorpions) and came up with a logo featuring a menacing mechanical insect.
In mid-September, on schedule and to strong reviews, Ford unveiled the new Super Duty pickup—powered by Project Scorpion’s engine—at the Texas State Fair. Gryglak had shown that the classic skunkworks model pioneered by Lockheed Martin (LMT) in the 1930s could help Ford protect its flank, in this case the highly lucrative market for contractor-grade pickup trucks. “We have a good product-development system,” Gryglak says. “The key was to respect what we have and the people who run it, deconstruct it a bit, and make it better to suit our target.”

Gryglak’s task was doubly difficult. For one thing, Ford had previously outsourced the design and manufacture of the engine, known as the Powerstroke, to truck and engine maker Navistar (NAV). What’s more, the Powerstroke brand had eroded in recent years because of quality problems. Gryglak didn’t just need to design and build an engine in-house from scratch—he needed to vastly improve it if Ford were to keep dominating the market for large pickups, which in good years have generated much of its overall profit.
Beyond the Bounds

Like all big companies, Ford has a strict product-development hierarchy. It works well enough nowadays that the carmaker can get new models from blueprint to showroom as fast or faster than its rivals. Going offsite inevitably made executives anxious. But Gryglak’s pitch got a better reception than it might have, say, five years ago, when turf-obsessed managers tended to look unkindly on heterodoxy.

In October 2006, Gryglak began recruiting his team of engineers. He discovered that not everyone was eager to work beyond the bounds of Ford’s familiar environment. Some engineers craved structure. “We had people self-select out because they weren’t comfortable working outside their comfort zone,” says Gryglak. But others couldn’t wait to be asked. Ken Pumford, an engineer from Ford’s Kentucky truck plant, moved from Louisville to Dearborn, Mich., to join the project.

It wasn’t long before the benefits began to emerge. Specialists used to working only with their own kind became more familiar with what other engineers were up to. “We saved months by knowing hourly what the other guys were thinking and what their problems were,” says Pat Morgan, a veteran Ford engineer. “The result was that the engine fit into the truck perfectly the first time, and that almost never happens.”

The team also let go of certain Fordisms. The company has long forced suppliers to adapt their technology in hundreds of time-consuming ways to Ford specifications. Engineers, after all, justify their paychecks by coming up with engineering tweaks. With time short, the team learned to trust suppliers more. For example, Ford let the German company Bosch work on the engine’s antipollution device with minimal reengineering for its own sake.
Fun and Games

Freed from the rigid atmosphere of Ford’s tech center, the engineers let themselves have fun. They played jokes on each other, building full-size snowmen, decorated with machine parts, on one another’s desks. Gryglak also encouraged friendly competition. In August 2007, after months of R&D but before starting to build the engine, the team organized a Pinewood Derby competition. Design and mechanical engineers, of course, weren’t about to whittle cars from wood the way Cub Scouts do. They milled cars out of aluminum. Some had remote controls and electric motors.

As the team worked in isolation, Gryglak’s bosses had a hard time staying in the background. Bob Fascetti, Ford’s chief engineer of big engines, forced himself to check in with the team only every four to six weeks instead of the usual weekly or biweekly intervals. “It was tough for me to do,” he says. “But to keep [the project] on track, I convinced my bosses it would be better to leave them alone.” Fascetti says things got tense when Team Scorpion decided to build the engine out of a lighter material that would make the truck more fuel-efficient. Doing so was more expensive, with a greater risk of failure. By the time Fascetti and his own bosses found out, the decision had been made. Gryglak faced some tough questioning, but he got the green light.

The new Super Duty truck goes on sale in the spring. Ford says the engine will be the first of its kind to use state-of-the art antipollution technology that meets new federal regulations. The truck also will have the best fuel economy in its category and won’t need significant maintenance for 300,000 miles. The best part, says Tony Hudson, a Project Scorpion engineer, is that the team pulled off what initially had seemed impossible. “That,” he says, “will give us license to do it again.”

[Via http://fiestaford.wordpress.com]

Volvo to be sold to Geely in early 2010

Ford has confirmed in a press conference today that all substantive commercial terms regarding the sale of Volvo have been settled between the American firm and the Chinese buyer, Geely. In other words, the last arrangements to sell Volvo have been made.

The final agreement remains to be signed in the first quarter of 2010 with the closing of the sale likely to end in the second quarter of next year. However, Ford and Geely haven’t worked out the transaction completely as small points still remain to be settled between the two car manufacturers. Final documentation, financing and government approvals still have to be sorted out. Even after the sale will be made, Ford will still continue to cooperate with Volvo in the developing of their cars but they do not want to retain a stake in the Swedish manufacturer.

Further information will be made available once the deal is signed in the first quarter of 2010.

Source: Ford

[Via http://theblogofcars.wordpress.com]

Review: 2010 Ford Flex SE

Now in its second year of production, the aptly named Ford Flex fits two voids in Ford’s lineup – it’s both a minivan and crossover.  The former term is a dirty word in the automotive marketplace these days, unlike the latter, which usually includes all-wheel drive vehicles, sized like SUVs but closer to the ground.  While it may not be as tall as full-size SUVs, it surely provides the same amount of room, if not more.  So how does the Flex drive and execute its duties?  Read on to find out.

The Flex is a long vehicle.  Its shorter height makes it look even longer.  Its overall shape can be compared to the Mini Cooper, albeit much larger.  It’s also reminiscent of the “woodies” from the 1940s and ’50s, with boxy lines and the sculpting on the doors.  The front end features the Ford corporate grille, which consists of 3 horizontal chrome bars, and with the wide and flat hood, gives the Flex a snub-nose look, which I find attractive.  The lines on the Flex are mostly straight, which works with this body style, and any curves other than the wheel wells would break up the paradigm Ford’s designers were going for.  While driving the Flex, I found that its looks were polarizing.  Passers-by either loved it, or hated it.

Continuing the retro but modern design on the interior, Ford fitted the Flex with modern gauges, controls, materials, but used a retro pattern on the seats.  A comfortable place to sit, the driver’s seat featured 6 ways of power adjustments, including forward/backward, up/down, and seat cushion angle.  Lumbar support adjustments are accomplished by turning a knob on the side of the seat, and the seat back’s angle is controlled by a lever which provides plenty of available angles.  The driver’s seat can be raised or lowered a good amount, which leaves plenty of head and leg room for taller drivers or people who want to sit higher.  The steering wheel was disappointing though, with only tilt and no telescope.  Another missing feature on the tester, but an option on SEL and Limited trim levels, is adjustable pedals.

The rest of the interior is nicely done, with a lot of soft touch plastics, mixed in with harder plastics for controls and surfaces which might take more abuse.  The gauges and controls all feature “Ice Blue” lighting, which is nice to look at but can be distracting at night.  There are more buttons on the dashboard than expected, but thankfully the audio and HVAC knobs are big and easy to reach.  The knobs also feature good detents for positive feedback when driving, so you know exactly how far you turned up the radio without having to look over at the display.  The gauges are easy to read as well, although the speedometer only has markings every 20 MPH.  If the lighting is too bright, you can use a dimmer switch to tone down all the interior lighting.  Moving to the back seat, there is a huge amount of leg room and deep cushions for passengers, but the standard 3rd row is strictly for children.

The third row seat limits the cargo area, a disappointment that is somewhat mitigated by the fold-flat seats, and points to the Flex as more of a people hauler than a cargo hauler.  Albeit small, the cargo area is easily accessed, only requiring a slight pull on the liftgate before the struts take over and lift it the rest of the way.  If you fill up the cargo area, there’s plenty of room to put bags or other detritus between the first and second row of seats.

For your listening pleasure, the Ford Flex features a 6-speaker audio system tied into the optional SYNC system, although it’s only so-so.  Clarity from the speakers is ok while not great, and the lower bass notes are a bit boomy, which was a let-down.  For anyone who is unhappy with the audio, an optional Sony system is available, which sounds good in other Fords that I’ve driven.  While the tester did not feature automatic climate control, it at least had temperature control for the rear seats, both on the dashboard and on the back of the center console.

Driving around town, the Flex has decent power, but passing maneuvers and quick acceleration are hampered by the overworked engine.  Those who need more power will want to opt for the available EcoBoost engine, which comes packaged with all wheel drive.  The EcoBoost engine will satisfy anyone’s need for more power in the Flex.  The handling is also good, if not excellent, allowing more body movement than one would like to see, especially given how firm the suspension feels.  While not overly stiff, you feel more of the road and its imperfections than most buyers of a crossover really want.  Given the tester’s tire and wheel package, this was surprising.  A good mark for the suspension is that going through curves with the Flex never caused it to become unsettled.  The tires never made any noise, and traction was very good when going around corners at faster than normal speeds.  The Flex’s cornering ability is a good match for the brakes, which worked well and hauled the crossover down from speed fairly quickly.  They definitely don’t work like sports-car brakes, but were impressive for such a massive vehicle.  Because of the steering and brakes, the Flex drives like a smaller vehicle than it is, with good manners on the highway and around town.  Speaking of highway speeds, the loudest thing you’ll notice is the wind coming around the windshield and hitting the side-view mirrors, and only if you have the volume turned all the way down on the radio.

Conclusion:

The Ford Flex is an interesting vehicle.  A throwback to cars from the past, but with features like SYNC and rear seat temperature control, a link to more modern cars.  A comfortable drive which won’t do anything too surprising, it makes a good people-hauler, if not the best cargo vehicle.

Competitors: Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander

As-Tested:

Year: 2010
Make: Ford
Model: Flex SE FWD

EPA Fuel Mileage: 17/24 City/Highway

Base Price: $28,550.00

Options:

$570: Class III Trailer Tow Package
$395: SYNC Voice Activated System
$395: White Two-Tone Roof

Total: $29,910

Destination: $775

As-Tested Price: $30,685

Ford has an online Window Sticker viewer.  Click here to view the Window Sticker for the actual test vehicle.

Special thanks to Steve Fransisco and Century Ford of Mt. Airy, MD for loaning the tester to Road Reality.  Click here to view their web site.

By John Suit

[Via http://roadreality.wordpress.com]

Boost Bunny 2010 Calendar Sneak Peak!!

Here is a little SNEAK PEAK of the 2010 Boost Bunny Calendars!! Above is Nicole, the winner of the Orange County Diesel’s Boost Bunny Amateur Glamor Contest, Miss Boost Bunny 2009!

Calendar Features:

Format: Standard Wall Calendar
Time Span: 12 Month & Centerfold
Publisher: Orange County Diesel
Status: Pre-Order
ISBN: 978-0-615-33226-0

Check out Miss Boost Bunny 2009, Nicole featured on the Cover & Centerfold, as well as the TOP Boost Bunny Finalists in Orange County Diesel’s 2010 Boost Bunny Calendar, the Girls of Diesel on Edge!

Click Here to PRE-ORDER.

[Via http://ocdiesel.wordpress.com]

Original 1965 "playmate pink" color

Notice the original paint vs. the mis-colored respray

Here’s an image of what the original “playmate pink” on a ford mustang looked like.  This photo was taken during the current dismantling and restoration of my 1965 convertible.

When I compare this original paint to 1957 Ford Thunderbird color charts from Ditzler, the color matches up perfectly to Ford’s Dusk Rose.

It’s my belief that the color on the early 1965/1966 “playmate pink” mustangs was in fact Ford Dusk Rose, but because it was not on any paint charts in the mid ’60’s, combined with the hype that came with the playboy giveaway, the “playmate pink” term has gained popularity in popular terminology and led to confusion as to what the original “pink” actually was on the early Mustangs.

[Via http://pinkmustangs.com]

John Titor Isn't Patriotic Enough!

Submitted by AmericanPatriot1776

I read Carl Sagan’s Dance Party pretty regularly, but I have to complain that John Titor sets a bad example. He recently stopped using his old GE brand time-machine in favor of a Honda Paradox. This is an outrage! I had always looked up to Titor as an inspiration for my blind, burning patriotism.

However, the fact is that we’re falling too far behind the rest of the world as far as time travel technology is concerned. Just the other day I was watching CNN and they did a story on the progress the Japanese have made in the field. They already have perfected the ionic generators for producing the space-time warp tunnels. They have even harnessed zero point energy to power the hydraulic pressure chambers. Why is it then that we, the United States of Freakin’ A, still rely upon coal powered time machines? Sure, we all know someone who can afford one of the GM Flux models. They harness zero-point energy, but they are far too expensive. I think the government should be spending it’s time and energy helping out the AMERICAN time travel industry rather than wasting it on healthcare.

Of course, we still lead the world in some aspects of time travel. For example, we are the leading exporter of dylipsion crystal stabilizers for the Ford 2009 time machines. But what we have in quantity, we lack in quality. Why is it that consumer reports rated American dylipsion crystal stabilizers made by Hourglass Incorporated as fourth throughout the world in quality. Oftentimes the stabilizers will even shatter in mid-time conversion resulting in painful injuries. I don’t want to worry about that as I go back to kill my great, great, great grandfather and create a paradox as I do every Tuesday.

Let us try to reclaim the golden age of time travel. I remember in the 50’s, there were some great radian light converters, not like the Japanese models we use now that experience flux velocity impact often during the first time-warp generation. This is not an impossible dream. An American professor at Harvard, Dr. Harvey Donagan has recently unveiled his new radian light converter model. He then went 50 years into the future right as the newest soylent was being released to the public and yelled, “Soylent green is people!” That guy sure knows how to have fun. Anyway, this newer model is more compact and efficient than even the Hourglass Incorporated’s 450 Model. If we could have this kind of innovation in all of the industry, then perhaps we could reclaim our spot as the #1 Time Machine manufacturer.

Maybe I’m over-reacting about all of this. It’s probably because Toyota released the new S-6 Model with a newer more efficient perpetual motion machine. That thing generates an infinite amount of energy with no pollution. I just wish I could feel that kind of pride about my nation.

Some people might say that discussing the time travel industry is “a waste of time,” “completely pointless,” or “unbelievably insane.” But I say to these people: “Isn’t this what America was founded for? If this nation isn’t about discussing the shortcomings of an industry that doesn’t even exist, then what is it about?” Besides, anything I could say about anything else wouldn’t make any difference because the entire world is under the control of the Freemasons and the Illuminati anyway.

[Via http://carlsagansdanceparty.wordpress.com]

2010 Dodge Ram HD: Motor Trend Truck of the Year

"My Name is Ram, and I win."

Congrats to Dodge on this one.  Yes, it’s merely the opinion of some journalist that the all new Ram Heavy Duty is the best new truck, but it’s not like the praise isn’t warranted.  Dodge know who they are up against and what they have to do to beat the likes of the Ford Super Duty, Chevy Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD, and ToyotaTundra 4.6.  Kudos to them for meeting the challenge head-on.

In contrast to the post I made about the Dodge Caliber, the new Ram is something that Dodge got right on all fronts.  Inside and out, under the hood, under the bodywork, the chassis, the price…everything just works.  Kudos to you, Dodge.

[Via http://thesteeringcolumn.wordpress.com]

The Journey of Pearl: Pearl's Love Story: Part 1

It has since held
on to the spot on the album charts.

Boyle
is said to have already made £5million in two weeks from 3.3m global sales
of her debut album of the same name.

It was the best US opening for a female artist's debut album, and the second
best overall, since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991,
according to Billboard.com.

The original rendition of the song on the talent show has had millions of
views on YouTube and attracted celebrity followers including Demi Moore.

Now 50 Cent, the 34-year-old rapper who was shot nine times in 2000 before
finding fame, is the latest celebrity to praise Boyle.

“Susan Boyle is hot right now. I got to get her on a track, for real. We’d
make a hit,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“Everyone is talking about her, the lady from Britain’s Got Talent.

“She’s got an amazing voice, and together we’d get everyone dancing. I’m
always looking to do something new and she’s cool, so I’ll ask somebody to
let her know.”

He added: “I’d love to take her clubbing, show her around my world. She’d have
a great time.”

Boyle has also claimed topped the charts in Australia and Ireland.

Although she ultimately failed to win Britain's Got Talent, her April audition
for the show became an international YouTube phenomenon.

It has now been viewed more than 300 million times on the Internet.

It has since held
on to the spot on the album charts.

Boyle
is said to have already made £5million in two weeks from 3.3m global sales
of her debut album of the same name.

It was the best US opening for a female artist's debut album, and the second
best overall, since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991,
according to Billboard.com.

The original rendition of the song on the talent show has had millions of
views on YouTube and attracted celebrity followers including Demi Moore.

Now 50 Cent, the 34-year-old rapper who was shot nine times in 2000 before
finding fame, is the latest celebrity to praise Boyle.

“Susan Boyle is hot right now. I got to get her on a track, for real. We’d
make a hit,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“Everyone is talking about her, the lady from Britain’s Got Talent.

“She’s got an amazing voice, and together we’d get everyone dancing. I’m
always looking to do something new and she’s cool, so I’ll ask somebody to
let her know.”

He added: “I’d love to take her clubbing, show her around my world. She’d have
a great time.”

Boyle has also claimed topped the charts in Australia and Ireland.

Although she ultimately failed to win Britain's Got Talent, her April audition
for the show became an international YouTube phenomenon.

It has now been viewed more than 300 million times on the Internet.

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It was a sunny afternoon. The wind was warm and fresh as it flew and touches my bare skin. Students were all at the ball ground busy chatting, playing, jumping, and running as they gathered like busy ants on the field. The wind whispers their little tiny voices into my ears, echoing as they shout and laugh in my ear canal and hitting my three tiny bones as the message was sent into my brain. 'The busy students on the field.'

Students started to experience different kinds of things in their life as they start studying and as they mingled with their fellow ages. Growing up gives them adventures and new wonderful stories to tell. And here is a story about a girl on her going up stage.

While everybody was busy, I, Chloe Quenes was alone sitting on the grass. I was pulling the weeds while reading a book which describe my social boldness;

''Your Social Boldness: Introverted VS Extroverted. You are quite introverted. Socially, you prefer a more relaxed, low-key environment, rather than the hustle and bustle of a wild night in the city. You tend not to talk a lot, but when you do people listen, because when you say something it has meaning. You are not seeking the limelight, usually you prefer to let the attention-mongers do their thing while you observe. In an unfamiliar setting, you tend to be cautious and shy while you evaluate the circumstances. You prefer to avoid conflict, so you do not put yourself into a threatening situation. Your shyness may be perceived as unfriendly, but that could not be further from the truth. People need to be patient with you and take the time to get to know the complex, private you.''

While reading this first part of my personal evaluation, my friend came to tell me a “not- nice-word-to-hear”.

“Chloe, I have to tell you something!” my friend said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Somebody has a crush on you!” she said again.

“Who is he?!!” I asked angrily.

“Look, there he is! He's a friend of your friend Daniel Dacer!”

I frowned and walked away. I didn't like anybody except my crushes on the 6th grade. They're Harry and Shaggy, the intelligent boys in their class.

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[Via http://happywomenjerseys121.wordpress.com]

The new Ford Fiesta..

..looks surprisingly good in white (tacky vinyl appliqué notwithstanding).

While we haven’t studied this too closely, if we were in the market for this class of car, we think we might prefer it to the Honda Fit.

- Gyro

[Via http://bulgogibrothers.wordpress.com]

Hot Wheels – Track T

Track T adalah mobil lawas keluaran Ford sekitar tahun 1926. Saat ini sudah sangat jarang ditemukan Track T versi originalnya. Berikut beberapa gambar Track T yang sudah mengalami modifikasi.

Shop4Everyone menyediakan die cast toy car Track T dengan spesifikasi:

merk Hot Wheels tahun keluaran 2008 warna cat/dasar/kaca/interior Metalflake Copper with White tonneau cover/Chrome/None/White corak Flame warna Hitam dan putih di bagian samping. Kursi berwarna Chrome. tipe roda 5DOT
country Malaysia gambar harga Rp 30.000,00 –> Rp 25.000,00
Harga special hanya sampai 31 Desember 2009 stock 1 unit

 

Technorati Tags: hot wheels,track t,ford

[Via http://shop4everyone.wordpress.com]

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder returns to the Mitsubishi lineup after a one-year hiatus as a 2009 model, with a full-power, convertible top that folds completely into a fully covered, self-closing bin. All with the driver doing nothing more than releasing a couple of latches and pushing a button.

The Spyder comes with a choice of four-cylinder or V6 engines, each available with manual or automatic.

The Spyder offers all the pleasures of open-air motoring with few of the displeasures. The top, especially, is a quality structure. It’s finished inside, with all the struts, pivots and bows hidden behind sound-deadening fabric. With it up, the interior feels and sounds much like the coupe, although perhaps a little claustrophobic. With it down, the steeply raked windshield pushes most of the air up and over the open cockpit, allowing almost-normal conversation; hats are just as essential for avoiding sunburn as for controlling wind-blown tresses.

Despite weighing about 200 pounds more than the coupe, due to bracing added in the conversion to a convertible, the Spyder gives up only one mile per gallon to the coupe in fuel economy in all but the top-level V6 with automatic, and that drops only two mpg and only in the highway estimate.

In pricing, the ‘07 Spyder actually costs less than its predecessor. The base GS model lists at $355 below the ‘05, the GT more than $2000 below the top ‘05 model, and both with more content.

Measured fun per dollar, the Eclipse Spyder is well worth a look for anyone shopping for a sporty convertible.

Model Lineup

The 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is a two-door, four-seat roadster based on the latest Eclipse coupe.

The GS ($25,389) comes with a 162-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission ($900). Standard features include cloth upholstery; air conditioning; cruise control; the usual power accessories and fitments; tilt steering column; a premium, Rockford Fosgate, 650-watt stereo with AM/FM/MP3 capability connected to nine speakers and subwoofer; and 17-inch, flat-flanged, five-spoke, alloy wheels wearing all-season tires. The Leather Package ($980) adds leather-surfaced, heated front seats; heated outside mirrors; and a center-top dash display with ambient temperature and compass.

The GT ($28,269) comes with a 260-hp V6 with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic ($900). Standard upgrades on the GT are confined to the center-top dash display, an oversized exhaust tip and a red rocker cover on the engine. A Premium Package ($1730) adds leather-trimmed, heated front seats, automatic climate control, heated mirrors, six-way power driver’s seat, rubber-nibbed, aluminum pedals, and flat-flanged, 18-inch, seven-spoke, alloy wheels with all-season tires. A wind deflector is also available.

Also offered on both GS and GT are two premium paint colors, Satin Mesei (visualize metallic green) and Sunset Pearlescent ($130), over and above the more traditional red, white, silver and black (blue is slated for late availability). Mitsubishi has signed off on three dealer-installed equipment packages (i.e., installation not included), as well. These are an aero kit, with front corner airdams, sport side sills and rear wake modifier ($1820); an accessory package, with alloy fuel door, wheel locks and floor mats ($179); and an appearance package comprising the aero kit and appearance package ($1999).

Safety features standard on both models include dual-stage front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, child safety seat anchors (LATCH) and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution.

Originally Reported By: Tom Lankard

(888) 498-0660 – 1133 Motor City Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80905 Contact Us Click Here for Videos

[Via http://qualitymitsubishi.wordpress.com]

2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get Twin-Turbo

2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get Twin-Turbo ‘Road Runner’ V-8 …
2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get Twin-Turbo ‘Road Runner’ V-8 Automotive News

Ford Mustang rumors for 2009 and 2012
Ford Mustang rumors for 2009 and 2012. by John Neff (RSS feed) on Sep 20th … 2010 Honda Crosstour interior images released, V6 power to be standard
Report: 2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get Twin-Turbo ‘Road Runner’ V …
We’ve all heard about the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 engine in the works at Ford by now, but today new talk has emerged of a twin-turbocharged version of that …

Ford Shelby GT500 to get twin-turbo 5.0L V8 Road Runner in 2012 …
Ford Shelby GT500 to get twin-turbo 5.0L V8 Road Runner in 2012 … It was previously reported that the 2011 Mustang GT is expected to carry …

2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get TwinTurbo Road Runner V-8 – Ford News
4 Oct 2009 … 2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get TwinTurbo Road Runner V-8 is discussed Ford News.

[Via http://ford-carz.com]

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Originally introduced as a 2006 model, the Ford Fusion is a mid-sized car slotted between the compact Focus and the full-sized Taurus.  Redesigned for 2010, the Fusion has been an instrumental part in Ford’s reinvention of itself as a quality American car maker.  I put emphasis on “car” because Ford’s F-150 truck has been the top-selling truck for a long time, but their cars, as of late, have not garnered much positive praise.  To better compete with their rivals, Ford has begun offering a hybrid version of the Fusion, the subject of this review.

The 2010 Fusion has a redesigned exterior, adding Ford’s new corporate “3-bar” grille to a newly-styled front end, and redesigned rear.  While the new car isn’t completely changed from the previous Fusion, it’s a more attractive look, which spills over into the interior.

Getting into the car, you notice the well-appointed interior, with a fair amount of soft touch materials.  If you squint, you’d almost think you’re in a 3-series BMW from earlier this decade.  The hood over the instrument cluster, the shape of the air-conditioning vents and the feel of the dashboard pay homage to the Bimmer.  Most of the hard plastics in the car are painted an aluminum color or faux carbon fiber pattern, which look good.  At night, you’ll notice the illuminated cup holders, part of Ford’s Ambient Lighting feature, along with illuminated foot wells.  Sitting in the driver’s seat, you notice how deep and supportive it is, an obvious nod to the Fusion Sport model that Ford offers, and a boon for anyone who likes going around corners, even in a hybrid.

The air-conditioning vents are at the top-center of the dash, moving the navigation screen and associated controls lower on the dash.  While not my favorite design, the designers of the Fusion at least tried to keep the most often-used buttons and knobs as high on the dash as they could, and the navigation screen is in a decent location height-wise, allowing you to view it without taking your eyes completely off the road.  With navigation being such a popular option these days, it’s a wonder more cars aren’t laying out their dashboards like the Lincoln MKS, with the vents off to either side of the navigation screen, which is at the height of the dash.  The Cadillac CTS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class also have this design, albeit their designers took slightly different routes, giving their navigation screens pop-up motors, hiding them when not in use.

The review vehicle I drove was equipped with optional SYNC, and the optional navigation package as well, which as I’ve experienced before, is well-designed and easy to use.  Alongside the SYNC system, the tester had the optional Sony 12-speaker audio system, which while not as great as some of the other systems I’ve heard, is still far better than the base stereo in most cars.  The SYNC system on the Fusion Hybrid also includes an Hybrid Electic Vehicle (HEV) screen, which gives you a visual readout of how the power is being routed through the hybrid system.  It’s a neat display, and being in the main navigation touch screen, it is in a good place for your passengers to see.  The driver gets a customizable display, split into two LCD screens flanking the speedometer.  The information displayed on them can be changed using buttons on the steering wheel, and contain all of the information shown in gauges on regular cars, as well as hybrid-specific information such as whether or not the gasoline engine is running and the state of the hybrid batteries.  The display modes can help you stay in EV, or “Electronic Vehicle” mode longer, thereby increasing fuel mileage.  Thoughtfully, Ford built a “demo” mode into the display, to get a new hybrid driver up to speed on the functions of the instrument cluster, but anyone who buys a Fusion Hybrid is going to want to spend some quality time with the manual, reading up on all the acronyms used by the car.

Which leads me to the question a lot of people have asked me: How does the Fusion Hybrid drive?  The answer is a bit more complicated than if it were pertaining to a regular car.  The short answer is that the Fusion Hybrid drove well.  The real answer, however, is that it is an interesting drive.  With the hybrid system, there are a lot of features and functionality to get used to.  Accelerating from a dead stop to keep up with normal traffic, the car stays in Electronic Vehicle (EV) mode up until about 5 mph.  Then, the gas engine starts up, providing power almost at idle, which gives it a slightly rough start, which smoothes out quickly once you’re getting up to speed.  It’s at this point that you can hardly tell you’re in a hybrid car, as the transition from gas to electric and back at any speed over 5 mph is downright seamless.  Surprisingly, once you get away from a stop, there is plenty of acceleration to be had, owing to the hybrid motor’s power.  At highway speeds, that power seems to drop off quickly, as the electric motor is no longer helping out.  The flip side of this is driving in a city, where you have to stop every block or so for stop lights and signs.  By accelerating slowly and keeping an eye on the instrument cluster, I was able to keep the Fusion in EV mode for several blocks, boosting my fuel economy by almost 2 mpg.  The disconcerting bit here is the car’s transmission.  Most people are used to regular automatic transmissions, but some cars have been offered with Continuously Variable Transmissions, or CVTs.  The difference in operation between them is slight, the most noticeable being that there are no gear changes on a CVT, so you have a constant engine noise while accelerating.

Overall, the driving experience of the Fusion Hybrid is pretty close to a 4-cylinder Fusion.  While the Hybrid may not have as much acceleration from a stop as its gasoline-only sibling, the Hybrid accelerates just as well once speeds climb, with much less fuss and noise.

The Hybrid handles almost as well as the gas-only Fusions, but the extra weight of the hybrid motor and batteries is evident, and the Fusion Hybrid pays the penalty in curves.  It still handles well, but doesn’t feel as light on its feet as the 4-cylinder Fusion.  It appears as though Ford aimed again at the BMW 3-series when it tuned the suspension and steering of the Fusion, although it’s not quite there.  With front-wheel drive and more of its weight in the front of the car, the Fusion just simply isn’t going to handle like a BMW.  When driving over speed bumps or potholes you can feel the suspension work, but it won’t spill your morning coffee, and the steering is set up to tell you exactly where the front tires are pointed, which helps when going around turns.

When ferrying passengers around, you’ll be glad to be in the driver’s seat.  Comparatively, the rear seat is just not as comfortable.  It’s not overly firm, and there is a good amount of leg room, especially on a car in this class, but the head room was lacking.  At only 5′8″, my head was too close to the roof of the Fusion, something which may cause taller passengers to complain if they have to sit there.

Opening the trunk, you can see that the engineers at Ford had to modify its shape on all sides in order to fit the hybrid battery and other components.  There are air flow vents on the sides, and the front and bottom of the trunk are covered in access panels, hiding the batteries and their cooling fans.  While the hybrid parts are intrusive, you’re still left with a sizable trunk which can easily swallow a good amount of luggage or groceries, the latter being more likely.

Conclusion:

The redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a great car.  Based on a well-rounded platform which supports a range of options and models to meet almost any commuter’s needs, the Fusion shows Ford’s drive to be competitive in the crowded mid-sized sedan market.  Featuring a comfortable and roomy cabin, as well as all the safety and technology options todays commuters want, the Fusion Hybrid has garnered the media’s attention, and should be a strong seller for Ford in the foreseeable future.  Recently, it won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award for 2010, one which should boost its sales even further.

Competitors: Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda Mazda6, Mercury Milan, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry

As-Tested:

Year: 2010
Make: Ford
Model: Fusion Hybrid

EPA Fuel Mileage: 41/36 City/Highway

Base Price: $27,625.00

Options:

$5,215: Rapid Spec 502A (includes Navigation System – Voice Activated, Driver’s Vision Group, BLIS w/Cross Traffic Alert, Rear View Video Camera, Moon & Tune Value Package, Power Moonroof, Sony Sound System – 12 speakers, Leather-trimmed Heated Front Seats)
$345: Powercode Remote Start System

Total: $33,185

Rapid Spec Savings: $1,270

Destination: $725

As-Tested Price: $32,640

Ford has an online Window Sticker viewer.  Click here to view the Window Sticker for the actual test vehicle.

Special thanks to Steve Fransisco and Century Ford of Mt. Airy, MD for loaning the tester to Road Reality.  Click here to view their web site.

By John Suit

[Via http://roadreality.wordpress.com]

What Goes Up -- Must Come Down

The 2010 Ford Raptor was build for the true off-road enthusiast.  Check out this video that shows the dynamic capabilities of the truck.  Jamal Hameedi, cheif engineer of the Ford SVT comments on the truck’s ability to jump (the truck was actually built to jump) and he also touches on the trucks Hill Descent Mode.

Runde Auto Group’s customer, Brian Hauber, took this footage of his new Raptor going down a hill in the Hill Descent Mode. I think it’s safe to say that he loves his new Raptor so far.

We still have a white 2010 Raptor for sale at our Ford store in Manchester, IA. Here is a short video walkaround of it.
If you’d like to check out this truck in person, please give our sales staff at our Ford store a call at 888-927-2630. If you’d like to check out our entire inventory, go to www.RundeAutoGroup.com — Or call us at 866-735-5200.

The Presidency: Prime for Preaching

We all know how the federal system works. Although the president is not a tyrannical ruler with an overwhelming amount of power, he (thus far) has a whole lot of power, and a large degree of influence on the citizens of the United States, as well as some others around the world.

Last year, during the presidential campaign, I remember reading about how the Obama family bought a new Ford Escape Hybrid. He did this under pressure, a presidential candidate with an slight emphasis on environmental issues couldn’t drive something dirty. He had to lead to pack in fuel-efficient, low polluting technology. I have not seen the numbers, but I assume that sales went up for this car after Obama bought one. If he is buying it, it must be a good choice, and a smart one for the future.

The thing to note, is that this is a symbolic gesture. In a modern presidential campaign, a candidate travels effortlessly around the country with a huge staff. It a very mobile operation. That means jets, cars, trains to the max. If Obama drove his new Ford Escape Hybrid for the rest of his life instead of something less clean; it would not adverse effect on the pollution from his trips on a 747 in the span of two weeks. Nevertheless, by changing perspective and remembering that Obama is a leader and therefore trendsetter, everyone who follows him in buying a hybrid SUV may offset that. If not, they are on the right path.

In office, Obama has been making smart choices too. The first one hundred days of a presidency–the presidential honeymoon–are a time for a president to get a lot done without a lot of hassle. Obama got a lot done for the environment. For example: tax credits for clean vehicles and home energy usage, the symbolic (but trendsetting) planting of a vegatable garden; the declaration of greenhouse gases as dangerous and the reducation of pollution.

Good work. Obama is placing himself among the green ranks of Jefferson, T. Roosevelt and Carter; while distinguishing himself from such dirty presidents as McKinley, Jackson and Hoover.
It is important to have a president that cares about the environment. Whether we like it or not, the president gets work done, legislation signed and put into effect. In addition, a president can broadcast a green message to the people. The president is someone to follow and learn from; if he goes green, we go green.

While environmental concerns may not be as in-our-faces as the economy of health care, it is in dire need of our attention. If Obama is lucky with those two problems, his next step would be a comprehensive energy program. Carter tried in ‘77 and failed miserably. But I say, ‘Yes We Can.’

2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Ford Fusion

The Comeback Kid: Do-it-All Sedan is Reborn for 2010 and is Better, Smarter, Nicer, Prettier, Comfier, Leaner, Meaner, and Greener in Every Way

In 1964, Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award went to the entire Ford lineup, recognizing its combination of design, engineering excellence, and performance. In 1970, we gave the nod to the Ford Torino, which could be ordered in a wide variety of configurations. Forty years ago, buyers could choose from economical, six-cylinder-powered sedans to the dragstrip-ready 429 Super Cobra Jet fastback. These legendary winners had one thing in common: bandwidth. In the 1960s and ’70s, this term wasn’t yet part of popular lexicon. Today, the 2010 Ford Fusion’s impressive bandwidth as a model range was one of the many factors that helped it earn the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year award.

Want an economical midsize sedan that doesn’t cost much, yet won’t bore you to tears? Need to please your greener side with a high-tech hybrid? Fancy a near-sport sedan with AWD, 18-inch rolling stock, and the latest infotainment and electronics? Depending on which model you choose and how many option boxes you tick, the Fusion can be any of the above. Arthur St. Antoine calls the Fusion “a compelling sweep across one of the market’s most hotly contested segments.”

The original Ford Fusion came to market for the 2006 model year. The basics were there, but the car wasn’t fully baked. For 2010, Ford’s product teams gave the lineup a soup-to-nuts redevelopment so thorough, it’s as if the first-generation car never existed. Only the passenger-shell sheetmetal and other basic architectural elements escaped being redesigned, upgraded, or replaced. Although a four-door sedan is the only body style offered, powertrain choices expand from two to four, and each is new or substantially revised. There are several trim levels offered as well: base S, upmarket SE, luxurious SEL, a separate Sport model, and a Hybrid. Early in this year’s COTY program, there were quiet whispers, while heads nodded, about how the Fusion looked, felt, and drove like an entirely new machine.

Read more

 

Local Miami Dealerships See a Rise in Sub-compact Car Sales

It seems like people are falling away from the big muscle car trend that we saw not too long ago. Those gas-guzzling vehicles are no longer on the radar for many due to fuel-efficient vehicles. Top sales analyst, George Pipas, predicts sales of small cars to keep increasing. Pipas named a couple of factors that could be contributing to this such as government policies and gas prices. The government has recently come up with many policies encouraging the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles, like the Cash for Clunkers Bill that was passed earlier on this year. The high price for gas these days has also led people to purchase a car that has better mileage. Small cars currently account for 21 percent of all US vehicle sales and these numbers are predicted to increase to 36 percent in 2013.

Carmakers, such as Ford, Honda, and Nissan, are coming up with new model lineups for the coming year that are small in size. Ford has found much success with its compact car the Ford Focus. Honda has also seen much success from the Honda Civic and Insight, which are both small sub-compact cars. Honda has also recently come out with the Accord Crosstour, which is expected to do significantly well in the market. Make sure to visit your local Miami Dealership and take a look at compact cars in their showroom. Now is the time to purchase a new or used small compact car before prices go up.

The ‘10 Unleashed”

A campanha de lançamento do novo Ford Mustang 2010 denominada “The 10 Unleashed” possibilitou interatividade total entre a marca e seus consumidores. Foi lançado
o hotsite 2010 Experience: Customizer, onde os consumidores podem fazer o que quiser com a aparência do seu carro. Há ainda a eleição da melhor customização, e o melhor design do dia vai para a Home do site. A parte mais que a interatividade não pára por aí, é possível ainda fazer um design colaborativo, ou seja, os internautas podem ir montando um mesmo carro juntos.
Outra ação dessa campanha foi uma competição criada pela Ford para a escolha dos quatro melhores jogadores do “ Need For Speed Shift”, e o prêmio final, nada mais nada menos que uma corrida de verdade com novo Ford Mustang 2010. Dá só uma olhadinha:

Mustang commercials (The 60's)

This blog post goes for 60’s! Earlier I showed you some trailers from Mustang movies. I have also posted a lot of Mustang music videos. But now you can see the first steps of a Mustang in advertisement industry. There are more commercials of course and my blog is unlimited, but I really appreciate your time and trying to select the best ones:

First Mustang Commercial (1964) Ford Motor Company introduced the Mustang on April 16, 1964 with a commercial, shot at the New York World’s Fair.
This is my favorite from the 60’s, 1965 Ford Mustang Commercial
Stereo-sonic tape system in Mustang 1966
This commercial shows Ford Mustang full-line for 1967, featuring the new cabriolet and hardtop models.
Mustang makes it happen in 1968 commercial
According to this 1969 commercial Ford is the way you swing!

And I couldn’t hold this to the next entry, I love it, so funny! It’s from 2005, sorry

Ford Shelby Cobra Concept

O carro conceito apresentado pela Ford em 2004, foi baseado no original Shelby Cobra desenvolvido em 1964.

O chassi foi fundamentado no Ford GT, com poucas modificações.

Seu motor é V10 capaz de produzir 605 cavalos e torque de 5.500 rpm, sendo um dos mais poderosos motores já construídos pela Ford.

E segundo a Ford ele é capaz de chegar aos 298 km/h, porém é limitado eletronicamente em 160 km/h.

Tem quem não goste de ter carros conceito em sua coleção, mas podemos dizer que Shelby Cobra é uma exceção.

Hoje vou mostrar duas marcas de miniaturas que tem o Ford Shelby Cobra Concept em sua linha.

A AutoArt, sempre com sua perfeição, lança o modelo em 2 variações de cores na escala 1:64.

A outra marca é a Matchbox, que lançou em sua linha básica duas variações de cores também.

A Matchbox ainda conta com outras variações do Shelby Cobra Concept, como na série Superfast.

 

E temos novidades no carroseminis

Agora você pode enviar sua sugestão por e-mail, basta clicar na imagem “CONTATO” no canto direito do seu monitor.

E você pode receber as atualizações do blog em seu e-mail, basta se inscrever no link que está ai do lado direito da tela.

Go Everywhere

どこでもドア (Door to Everywhere) is a famous concept in a Japanese animation, どらえもん (Doraemon). A door in pink takes you wherever you want, even the Moon.

Then I accidentally found an interesting TV ad by Ford, and it has this door concept. Well, basically, Ford’s idea is not Door but Door Knob. Hope the company collaborate with どらえもん as a driver next time!!

Random Raptors Moment #3

This is one most Raptors fans will remember quite vividly, but with a date against the Clippers Friday night, there’s never been a more appropriate time to pull it from the archives. From what I recall, this was one of a few game-winners Vince hit over the span of a few weeks back in early 2001. Ah, a great time to be a Raps fan. Little did we know how he’d do us in.

Also, on the subject of buzzer beaters to break the poor Clippers’ hearts at Staples Center, here’s a look back at T.J. Ford’s of a couple seasons ago. Personally, I’ll be happier if we wrap tomorrow’s game up by halftime and not let it get that point.

Check out my other two Random Raptors Moments here and here.

S2000 e as novidades no IRC

O IRC nem acabou e as equipes já estão se preparando para o ano que vem. É bem verdade que a última etapa do campeonato acontece ainda neste mês, entre os dias 19 e 21 de Novembro, mas pelo menos oito fabricantes estarão presente no evento.

O belo Opel Corsa S2000: em nada lembra o nosso fabricado por aqui

E quem volta nesta última etapa é o Opel Corsa OPC S2000 pilotado por alemão Tim Stebani, da equipe MSD. Vale a pena destacar que o carro faz parte do programa de desenvolvimento dos pneus da Hankook. Na prova de Lausitz, em outubro passado, foi a primeira do carro em pisos de terra e Stebani terminou em sexto da geral, demonstrando que o carro tem um grande potencial. A intenção é participar de todo o campeonato do ano que vem.

Além da Opel, quem vai estar presente também é a Ford com seu mais novo Fiesta S2000, da equipe M-Sport. A etapa também faz parte da preparação do carro para o ano que vem e eles ainda não definiram como vai ser a participação da equipe na etapa. O modelo totalmente pronto deverá estrear oficialmente no Rali de Monte Carlo, prova de abertura do calendário do IRC de 2010.

Novo Ford Fiesta S2000: ainda em fase de testes

Os outros fabricantes presentes são a Mitsubishi, com o Lancer Evo IX, a Peugeot com o 207  S2000, Fiat Abarth Grande Punto, Subaru com o Impreza WRX  e a Proton, com o Satria Neo S2000, além da Skoda com o Fabia.

Peugeot 207 (lider do campeonato) estará presente na última etapa

A Skoda anda escondendo o jogo e vai andar com o carro deste ano mesmo. Porém, a nova evolução do Skoda Fabia S2000 foi vista e fotografada em testes em Návarov, perto de Mladá Boleslav, na Rep. Checa, ‘casa’ da Skoda Motorsport. Pelas fotos dá para notar novas entradas de ar no ’spoiler’ frontal.

Skoda se preparando para o ano que vem

O carro deverá estrear-se somente na segunda prova do IRC 2010, que será realizada aqui no Brasil.

Abraços

Book Impressions: And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer

So this frood named Eoin Colfer, well known for his Artemis Fowl children’s books, was asked by the widow of the late great Douglas Adams to “finish” the Hitchhiker’s Guide series.  Finish H2G2?!  Well doesn’t that just take the biscuit!  What do you call Mostly Harmless, for Zark’s sake!?

Actually, I don’t care about all that.  Hitchhiker’s Guide isn’t sacred, and has appeared in so many forms that it’s almost too difficult to count.  That Colfer was approached by Adams’ widow Jane Belson, not the other way around, is the right start for me, meaning it wasn’t a vanity project.  That Colfer has always been a fan that appreciates the uniqueness of the series is a critical next step.  And that Colfer was quoted as saying that “this is a wonderful opportunity to work with characters I have loved since childhood and give them something of my own voice while holding onto the spirit of Douglas Adams and not laying a single finger on his five books” says to me that this is a serious effort that deserves open-minded consideration.

So now that I’m finished with And Another Thing: Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Part Six of Three, I can truly and unequivocally say whether this Colfer chap really knows where his towel is, or whether I now have this terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side.

LIKED

Nostalgia.  I listened to the audio, read by Simon Jones (who portrayed Arthur Dent numerous HHGTTG iterations), and I have to say that for the first 10-15 minutes of listening to him speaking new Hitchhiker’s, I was grinning from ear to ear.  Nostalgia is not always good, as frequently the reality is not as good as you remembered it to be.  But I’d say that overall the book was upbeat and fun, didn’t take away anything from what came before it, and gave us just a little bit more.

Unmistakably Hitchhiker’s.  The Part Six detractors will hate me for even thinking of saying this, but the book felt like a Hitchhiker’s book.  Possibly more so than Adams’ last two entries into the series.  There really isn’t a series that feels like Hitchhiker’s, and someone with less appreciation or imagination might not pull it off.  Colfer definitely pulled it off.  Taking a new trip with Arthur and Ford and Trillian and Zaphod felt good because the tone and essence that makes Hitchhiker’s so special was there.  It was a good romp in the Hitchhiker’s universe with all the trappings we know and love.

NOT SO MUCH

Guide Notes.  I think it’ll probably be a universal criticism of this book that the Guide Notes were over-played.  If I remember correctly, Adams phased them out and they did not appear in later novels.  I appreciate Colfer bringing them back, as it’s one of those distinctly Hitchhiker’s type of things, and the early Adams’ novels that used them were more popular with fans than the later ones that did not.  But they interrupted the flow of things way too much, and I really don’t remember any of them like I do about what happened to all the biros (ballpoint pens).  So I appreciate their use, but wished they had been used more sparingly.

Missing the Mark.  In addition to the Guide Notes, a few other things didn’t work for me.  It’s hard to say that Colfer should not have done this or that, as he shouldn’t try to imitate Adams.  But I found a few things distracting.  Names that are puns was one of them.  They didn’t really make me laugh, or groan.  More like just roll my eyes.  There were also a few too many references to previous things from Hitchhiker’s radio, TV, novels and so forth.  When you’re on Part Six, it’s hard not to mine that previous gold for more nuggets, and even Adams may have done the same if he were the author.  Not that I’d advocate getting rid of them all, but each reference used was an opportunity wasted to come up with something new and just as unique and fun.

RECOMMEND?

To people unfamiliar with Hitchhiker’s, I’d say start at the beginning.  There’s too much history here to start at Part Six.  But for Hitchhiker’s fans, I would definitely recommend it.  There’s not much of a point in the story/plot, but is there ever in Hitchhiker’s?  If you go into it expecting Douglas Adams, you’ll find ways to be disappointed.  If you go into it expecting the essence of Douglas Adams, I think you will be entertained.  Colfer does know where his towel is.  And for Zark’s sake, listen to it read by Simon Jones!

Setting Goals To Set Goals!

Setting Goals To Set Goals

The topic of goal setting comes up commonly in our society and in many circles in today’s day and age.  People recognize that goal setting is an important part of life yet we lack vision and the motivation to accomplish goals that we have set.  We set goals for the New Year to lose weight, pay of debt or buy a particular car.  With so many people setting goals in our society why are there so few goals being met?  In today’s column I am going share with you secrets to setting goals and achieving them. 

A recent survey by the Ford Motor Company has some very interesting insight  into goal setting.

- 23% of people don’t have any goals.   

- 67% of the population how the general idea of what they want but they don’t have any plans as to how to get it. 

- 10% of the population have specific will define goals but even then seven out of those 10 people reach their goals only half the time.  Additionally the top 3% of those studied back slates either goals 89% of the time. 

 So what we drive from this study personal we can see that many people do cycles.  Approximately 67% of population do set goals but they don’t have any action stance steps as to how to get to where they want to go.  We also find out that a significant number of people do not cycles to what is the most interesting about the study is that those people that do cycles and have action steps for those goals accomplish there goals nearly every time.  My goal is to help you go from wanting to set goals, to setting personal goals, the setting action steps for those personal goals, and achieving those goals.  Michael if you’re in the 67th percentile of the population is to get you into the 10% of the population and even into the top 3% of the population.  Enter

The following five points will help the said effective goals that will make a difference in your life and help you achieve your goals.

• 1: Setting small goals build momentum.

Sometimes we set goals that are to grand to accomplish in one big swoop.  It’s important to have large goals but once we’ve established our larger goals it’s important to step back and write down smaller goals.  We need to learn to break things down into milestones that are achievable.  The little successes create momentum to build on for greater successes.  Sometimes we set a goal to do 5 things but only accomplish 4.  That’s great because 4 things is better than 0.  We feel good about achieving something and we’re going somewhere.  Here’s an example of how small goals can build momentum.

 Joey is an account manager for a large computer firm and he has a goal at the beginning of the month to hit a certain sales target.  This new gold that Joey has set is a larger goal that he’s ever accomplished before and he feels that if he accomplishes this goal it will be a milestone.  Joey continues the first week of his month with his goal in mind and on paper in front of him.  He also has a positive attitude going forward  and he’s up  to face any obstacle.  By the end of the first week he gets distracted and discouraged with little set backs.  In the second week he rarely thinks about his goal.  Now Joey is behind his target to achieve this goal and he puts it on the back burner instead of in front where he used to see it at the beginning of the month.  Then to the month comes to an end and Joey feels disappointed that he did not accomplished his goal in full.  Joey could have sent small goals that would help them build momentum to the bigger goal at the end of the month.  The small goals could be calling “x” amount of clients in a day.  Another small goal could be creating a better environment for him to succeed in his workplace.  Joey could set a small goal of finding three new clients in that take for months.  Accomplishing the small goals will hold Joey to his long term goal because he’s seeing progress with the small goals that have build momentum and progress toward the bigger goal.

• 2: You must have clarity in “why” you set your goal.

When you set a goal you must understand why you’re setting that goal and you must understand the rewards and consequences of reaching or failing to reach that goal.  When you’re have clarity behind why you’re setting a goal you will have a stronger motivation towards achieving this goal.  Sometimes in life we set goals but we’re not in tune with what the goals are.  These goals might seem like they are the right thing to do, they may have positive implications for our family, for our jobs, for our children, for our church, for our friends or many other positive things.  We back off from the goal because we do not have a clear mission path towards accomplishing this goal and we do not have a clearly defined reason “why” the goal is important to us.  When we have passion and vision around why we’re setting a goal we will have now much more motivation towards accomplishing our goal.  Take a brief moment and think of one of the goals the you’ve recently set and reflected one Y few setback cool.  Now think about some of the additional motivations behind the goal that you set.  Now that you think of these questions can you tell yourself that this goal has a deep resonating passion around it?  If there is no passion behind your goal you will be very unlikely to accomplish it.

• 3: You need to have clearly defined expectations with your goals.

When goal setting you need to be realistic with the goals that you choose to set yet the same time you need to set goals that hit a high enough mark that the challenge you.  Sometimes we place to live in expectation our cells from what the goal is that we desire to achieve that we actually scares sells out of even taking steps to word accomplishing that goal.  For an example write a current goal that you are working towards right now.  Now write down some expectations that you have with this goal.  Ask yourself if you feel this goal is realistic.  Now ask yourself what to you expect of your self to sacrifice or give up in order to accomplish your goal?  Now ask yourself what expectations you have about your life when you do complete this goal?  It is always important to evaluate your expectations and to define your goals.

• 4: Keep your goals in front of you.

Run with an assumption that if you do not put your goals up in a place that you will constantly see them that you will not accomplish them.  Right Brain thinkers like myself especially need to put visual reminders of our goals in front of us.  Some people use vision boards for vacation spots or insightful goals that they have, others use notepads or desktop backgrounds.  Find a place to put your goals that you will see them on a daily basis, then they will not be forgotten.

• 5: What Legacy are you leaving behind with your goals?

I had the privilege of being on a conference call yesterday and a woman shared a story about her dad who had cancer.  He was on his last days laying when he looked his daughter in the eyes and asked “Did I leave the right legacy behind?  Did I remind you that you were loved and cared for?” The father wanted for his life to matter for the daughter.  It did not matter what he thought of himself, all that mattered was knowing that his daughter feel like there was a legacy that was left behind. 

 It is vital to remember what is really important when you are setting goals.  Sometimes we set goals for the wrong reasons and the pursuit of those goals will never have a lasting legacy.  Achievement doesn’t always bring the rewards we think it will and that is why we need to evaluate what is really important in our lives.  When we set goals that matter in the grand scope of our life then our goals and our legacy will be in alignment with each other.

So there you have my five Goals in Setting Goals.

• 1: Small goals build momentum
• 2: You must set clarity in “why” you set your goal
• 3: You need to have clearly defined expectations with your goals.
• 4: Keep your goals in front of you:
• 5: What Legacy are you leaving behind with your goals

 This weeks Reflect and Apply

Using the five Goals in Setting Goals write down one or two goals and filter them with what you have learnt by reading this column.  Make sure that you ask yourself “Why” You are setting your goal.  Keep your goal in front of you on paper where you can see it.  Then reflect about how you can set smaller goals to build momentum with your goal.  Now that we have action steps to achieving our goal, let’s go for it.

Looking for MORE Power using LESS Fuel?

Then look no further then SCT!!

SCT specializes in automotive performance and fuel economy solutions for most Ford, GM and Dodge diesel trucks.

SCT Company Overview:

SCT’s strong background in software and OE automotive power train calibrations gives their company the ability to put the most powerful and functional tuning tools into their customers hands. When a customer sees the SCT name, they should know that they are in good hands.

SCT’s History in the Automotive Industry:

Long before SCT was incorporated, the key players in the SCT organization were already working inside the industry that they now serve. The core SCT team came from different areas of the automotive industry including performance shops, drag racing, vehicle calibrations, performance parts manufacturing, and aftermarket tuning. The software that SCT supports has been in development since 1996. The SCT Advantage Tuning Software has gone thru several redesigns to become the powerful tuning tool that it is today. Because of their extensive development, they are able to offer the ONLY comprehensive tuning tool the market has ever seen. The SCT tuning tool has been tested all over the world by over 600 tuners, performance shops, and performance manufacturers and OE’s.

The SCT Commitment to be the Best:

SCT’s mission is to be the very best at what they do. Customer Support is the reason why they have the largest network of Custom Tuning Dealers in the World. Besides world class customer support, their software/hardware actually does what is advertised. Their expert calibration team leaves no vehicle un-tuned, and no problem unresolved. SCT spends considerable time testing every product they sell on both the dyno and on the street. They often turn down opportunities to develop or sell other profitable products because they do not believe in them or because they know from experience that they will not work as advertised. SCT would rather not sell something to their customers that is a waste of money or has not been proven to be worthwhile.

SCT on the leading edge:

Now and in the future, SCT will continue to push the industry forward with new technology and better tuning tools. They are normally the first to release calibrations and tuning products for the newest vehicles. They start working on performance calibrations for the newest vehicles the second a vehicle is released.

For the BEST prices and product information on SCT Products, check out www.OCDiesel.com. Or call and speak with a sales representative at 1.888.OC.DIESEL

Ford At SEMA

The Blue Oval was a major sponsor of SEMA this year, and while their booth was in the same primo spot that it always has been, it seemed that they pulled out all the stops for their display this time around. There was just so much going on here: there was a double Mustang giveaway, including both a 1967 and 2010 GT500; there was an off-road driving simulator that gave you a chance to take the Raptor for a virtual test drive; there was a temporary tattoo parlor where you could get your Ford branding of choice stamped into your flesh; there were interactive demos of Ford engine internals, and display motors ranging from the venerable flathead V8 to the Roush-Yates NASCAR 358; there was the Galpin Auto Sports live build of a ‘69 Mustang, which took place over the course of the show and included installation of a fuel-injected Ford Racing 392 putting out 550 hp. Mustangs were of course huge this year, with the 2010 redesign and all–but there was also a ton of Fusions, Foci, Fiestas, trucks, Lincolns and concept utility vans–and like a lot of the automakers this year, Ford gave a nod to its performance history, including in its lineup such heavies as the GT-40 and the 427 Fairlane Thunderbolt. The booth was overall very splendidly done, and it was always absolutely swarming to the extent that getting decent footage of the booth in its entirety could only be done after hours. Click below the jump for a ton of pics, along footage of both the booth as a whole and the Galpin Mustang build.

Ford booth walkaround:

[streetfire id=a6dd897c-207a-4a2c-aa02-9cbb0149dab8 w=428 h=352]

Galpin Mustang build:

[streetfire id=6ad050a1-a5a0-4e94-ba15-9cbb014b22d3 w=428 h=352]

Daftar Harga Ford Focus

Focus Comfort 1.8L – 5 Door Hatchback

Duratec HE 1.8L DOHC 16V

Sequential Sport Shift Automatic – 4 Speed

Rp. 243.000.000 (On The Road Bandung)

Focus Sporty 2.0L – 5 Door Hatchback

Duratec HE 2.0L DOHC 16V

Sequential Sport Shift Automatic – 4 Speed

Rp. 302.000.000 (On The Road Bandung)

Focus Sporty 2.0L TDCi – 5 Door Hatchback

Duratorq 2.0L DOHC Turbo Diesel Commonrail Direct Injection

Dual Clutch Powershift Automatic – 6 Speed

Rp. 332.000.000 (On The Road Bandung)

Focus Sedan Comfort 2.0L – 4 Door Sedan

Duratec HE 2.0L DOHC 16V

Sequential Sport Shift Automatic – 4 Speed

Rp. 304.000.000 (On The Road Bandung)

Focus Sedan Ghia 2.0L – 4 Door Sedan

Duratec HE 2.0L DOHC 16V

Sequential Sport Shift Automatic – 4 Speed

Rp. 340.000.000 (On The Road Bandung)

 

Harga di atas sudah termasuk BBN 2009 untuk Kodya dan Kab. Bandung. Harga di atas tidak terikat, sewaktu-waktu dapat berubah tanpa pemberitahuan terlebih dahulu.

Trucks... and more trucks.

Today I had set up a photo shoot with my friend Ray. By the time I had arrived at his house our friend Colin was there cleaning his truck. Ray and Colin both own trucks. I am not a HUGE fan of trucks but, I prefer import cars. That is just me though. Calm down, I like all vehicles. Don’t flame me. Lol. Well, we took Ray’s truck rolling shots which I suck at by the way. Lol. And I took a few bay pics. Here ya go. I took over a hundred photos but I will keep these to a minimum.

Ford Mustang on Team Dynamics Pro-Race 1.2s

A long standing customer of our approached us looking for a set of lightweight wheels for his newest toy. A Roush 2006 Ford Mustang GT.

Wishing to keep the standard tyres on the new rims we went for 18×9″ Pro Race 1.2s all round with the offsets dialled in perfectly buy the technical team at Team Dynamics HQ then finished in the off their shelf gunmetal colour (which we personally favour ourselves!).

Team Dynamics are currently expanding their range of motorsport wheel sizes with the recent introduction of 18×8.5″ and 18×10″ sizes meaning staggered Porsche fitment sets are now available.

For information on these or any wheels in the Team Dynamics Range please call our sales staff on 02380 558636

Blown Model A

Check out Bruce Harvey and Pro Comp Custom’s totally over-the-top 1930 Ford, the “Ratical.” It’s built to the gills, packing a Keith Black 528 Hemi topped with a 1472 blower and two 1050 Holley Dominators. This is one of those rides that’d probably get you some dirty looks at Billetproof, but you can’t ignore the artistry: literally every part, every surface on this car, inside and out, is sculpted, smoothed, polished–a rolling showpiece. But does it go? See more pics below the jump.

Aktuell leva a Ford para a SAE Brasil 2009

Em apenas 48m², a Aktuell criou para a Ford um dos espaços mais chamativos da 18ª Edição do Congresso e Exposição SAE Brasil 2009, que aconteceu nos dias 6, 7 e 8 de outubro no Expo Center Norte em São Paulo.

O evento reuniu mais de 70 expositores, empresas, profissionais e acadêmicos do setor da mobilidade em suas variadas formas (terrestre, marítima e aeroespacial), e teve um fluxo de 8.400 pessoas em 3 dias de encontro.

Confira abaixo como ficou o stand da Ford criado pela Aktuell:

Mais fotos aqui.

Da redação

USA: Ford meldet "überraschend" Milliardengewinn...

Ob das wirklich so überraschend kam – wenn man bedenkt, mit welchen Geldsummen die Wirtschaft weltweit unterstützt wird (auch in Amerika gab es ja eine Art “Abwrackprämie”) und wieviel Jobs in den vergangenen 12 Monaten gestrichen wurden…

Gefunden bei faz.net:

Automobile Ford meldet überraschend einen Milliardengewinn

02. November 2009 Der zweitgrößte amerikanische Autobauer Ford hängt mit einem abermaligen überraschenden Milliardengewinn die Rivalen GM und Chrysler immer weiter ab.

Nach einem Überschuss von knapp einer Milliarde Dollar im dritten Quartal peilt der Hersteller von 2011 an wieder „solide“ schwarze Zahlen auch im Gesamtjahr an – und damit schneller als bisher geplant.

„Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen klar, dass Ford trotz der anhaltenden Wirtschaftskrise gewaltigen Fortschritt macht“, sagte Konzernchef Alan Mulally am Montag am Unternehmenssitz in Dearborn (Michigan). Die Zahlen fielen weit besser aus als Branchenexperten im Schnitt erwartet hatten.

Ford erzielte in den vergangenen drei Monaten das zweite Mal in Folge einen Überschuss. Diesmal waren es 997 Millionen Dollar (675 Millionen Euro). Ein Jahr zuvor hatte der Autobauer einen Verlust von 161 Millionen Dollar verzeichnet. Der Umsatz fiel aber noch einmal um 800 Millionen Dollar auf 30,9 Milliarden Dollar.

Ford schlägt sich besser als GM und Chrysler

Ford schlägt sich damit klar besser als die mit Milliardensummen von der amerikanischen Regierung gestützte bisherige Opel-Mutter General Motors (GM) und auch besser als der drittgrößte amerikanische Autohersteller Chrysler. Deren Verkaufszahlen sind weit steiler abgestürzt, beide mussten zum Neustart durch ein Insolvenzverfahren.

Ford hatte bei der Verschuldung und der Modellpalette frühzeitiger eine Kehrtwende eingeleitet und profitierte bei den Kunden auch von den Pleiten der Rivalen. Alle amerikanischen Autobauer hatten aber zu lange auf spritfressende Pickups und Geländewagen gesetzt und wurden zusätzlich von der Rezession schwer getroffen

In Europa erreichte Ford zuletzt einen Betriebsgewinn vor Steuern von 193 Millionen Dollar. Das ist fast dreimal so viel wie ein Jahr zuvor. Der Umsatz fiel allerdings auch hier um mehr als ein Fünftel auf 7,6 Milliarden Dollar.

Die zum Verkauf stehende Tochter Volvo konnte den Betriebsverlust vor Steuern um gut 70 Prozent auf 135 Millionen Dollar verringern. Der Umsatz stieg sogar leicht auf drei Milliarden Dollar.

Nordamerika-Geschäft schaffte es in die schwarzen Zahlen

Das für Fords Schieflage verantwortliche Nordamerika-Geschäft schaffte es erstmals seit Anfang 2005 vor Steuern in die schwarzen Zahlen. Ford erzielte konzernweit zusätzliche Einsparungen von einer Milliarde Dollar. Insgesamt sind es im laufenden Jahr damit bereits 4,6 Milliarden Dollar, etwas mehr als geplant.

Allerdings erlitt Ford bei den Kostensenkungen gerade einen herben Rückschlag: Die amerikanische Belegschaft verweigerte weitere mit der Gewerkschaftsspitze ausgehandelte Einschnitte, wie sie GM und Chrysler in in ihren Insolvenzen erreicht hatten. Ford hatte sich mehrfach über „unfaire Vorteile“ für die Konkurrenten beklagt. Auch die Hilfen für Opel schmecken dem Hersteller nicht.

Für die ersten neun Monate 2009 steht unter dem Strich bei Ford im fortgeführten Geschäft ein Plus von 1,8 Milliarden Dollar. Ein Jahr zuvor lag das vergleichbare Minus bei 8,8 Milliarden Dollar.

Text: dpa

Bildmaterial: AP

Ford suffers UAW setback, Canadian workers OK cuts - Reuters

Sun Nov 1, 2009 7:25pm EST  Ford suffers UAW setback, Canadian workers OK cuts

Ford’s deal with the Canadian union is the second cost-cutting agreement between the two sides in 18 months and includes cuts in benefits, a reduction in vacation and breaktimes and higher healthcare costs for workers.

“No one should mistake workers’ approval as satisfaction with the new agreement,” CAW President Ken Lewenza said in a statement. “The problems faced by the industry cannot be resolved at the bargaining table.”

Ford, the only large U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy in 2009, posted losses totaling $30 billion from 2006 through 2008 and remains saddled with a much heavier debt load than GM or Chrysler following their bankruptcy reorganizations.

Still, Ford has been seen as in much better shape than its U.S. rivals in its finances and product lineup. Ford has cut thousands of salaried and hourly workers in restructuring over the past four years, but maintained its product cycle.

Analysts on average expect Ford to report a narrower loss in the third quarter from its continuing operations that exclude one-time items.

via Ford suffers UAW setback, Canadian workers OK cuts | Reuters .

Recent Reviews of Our Vehicles 10/21/2009

Lancer Ralliart Review

streetfire.com (10/21/2009)
“Eighty percent of the fun of an Evo, for about $10,000 less.”
“I really like the grippy Recaro seats. They have nice bolstering on the sides”

Lancer Sportback Ralliart Reviews

National Post [CANADA] (10/15/2009), Vancouver Sun (10/15/2009), The Province (10/16/2009), Montreal Gazette (10/16/2009), Driving (10/18/2009)
“It is a seriously fast car that seems to relish being pushed toward redline.”
“The all-wheel-drive system is very proficient in all it does…Layering the system’s proactive nature with front and rear limited-slip differentials means that getting the Ralliart unglued is darned near impossible. It is a dynamically balanced system that inspires confidence.”
“The suspension does a good job of balancing the handling characteristics with the ride quality. There is very little body roll, yet the suspenders soak up all but the roughest patches of pavement without missing a beat.”
“Of course, if things do come unravelled, there is a good electronic stability/traction control system waiting to rein things in. Even when flirting with the limits of adhesion, the system rarely has to step in such is the Ralliart’s cornering tenacity.”
“The Lancer Sportback Ralliart is a quick ride that handles like the dickens, has a very good all-wheel-drive system and some of the best bucket seats in the industry. In short, the Lancer Sportback Ralliart is best described as an eight-tenths Evolution.”

cars.com, Chicago Tribune (10/15/2009)
“Mitsubishi’s new Lancer Sportback is a combination that’s safe to call a success. Blending the sporty shape of a coupe with the functionality of a four-door hatchback, the Lancer Sportback has plenty of style to go along with its versatility. It’s also a lot of fun to drive.”
“I give Mitsubishi credit for taking a risk with the Sportback’s styling rather than creating just another traditional hatchback.”
“Lancer Sportback reminds me a lot of the Mazda3 because its chassis and steering tuning encourage you to have a little fun when the road bends.”
“The suspension does a nice job managing body motions while still allowing the car to have a playful, lively feel to it. The nimble chassis is complemented by its quick-reacting steering.”
“The manual shifter moves precisely through the gears, and its throws are short. The light clutch pedal is easy on your leg, and it engages easily, which makes for smooth takeoffs.”
“What’s likely going to draw shoppers to the Sportback is its styling, which notably departs from the hatchback norm. There’s a lot more to the car than looks, though, which is why it compares favorably with the Mazda3 and Impreza hatchbacks. On the whole, it’s a well-executed addition to Mitsubishi’s Lancer lineup.”

Eclipse Review

Toronto Globe and Mail (10/15/2009)
“The ride and handling is more fun and spirited than the base model. The deep engine tone is also exhilarating, especially when you put the pedal to the metal.”
“The interior of the Eclipse is well laid out and user-friendly. Large, round HVAC dials are easy to use and find. The black-face meters with ice-blue illumination add a pleasant and youthful feel to the cabin while remaining easy to read even in the dark.”
“The exterior is attractive with long, clean-flowing lines from front to fear. My tester’s solar yellow paint is a knockout.”

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Why Ford & Smith Electric Have Called It Quits on Electric Van Partnership

Well, that didn’t last long. Less than a year after Ford Motor (s F) and Smith Electric Vehicles announced plans to collaborate on an electric version of the Detroit automaker’s Transit Connect commercial van for the U.S. market, the two companies have called it quits on the deal.

Ford and Smith, which have both received multimillion-dollar awards from the Department of Energy to work on electric vehicle projects in recent months, say they “mutually agreed” to part ways on the Connect after realizing that they want to pursue different markets.

Ford reiterated to us today that it aims to release the electric Transit Connect in North America late next year, followed by the electric Focus passenger car in 2011 and three other plug-in vehicles over the next three years. Smith, on the other hand, wants to focus on medium-duty commercial trucks, which it started assembling in a new Kansas City, Mo. facility this month.

According to a release from Smith today, the company decided that that it would be better off putting its resources into the production-ready Smith Newton truck, allowing the company to keep pace with what it calls “swift growth in demand” and gain market traction more quickly. That’s in comparison to working with Ford to enter the market for electric car-derived vans like the Connect — a space that Smith says it’s “concerned” will become increasingly competitive.

“Smith is choosing to put its research, development, manufacturing and marketing resources where we can get the most bang for our buck,” Smith CEO Bryan Hansel said in an announcement yesterday about plans to develop two additional models (Class 3 and 4 trucks) based on the Newton truck platform by year’s end. “The medium-duty truck market is the real sweet spot for electric commercial vehicles.”

Smith’s uptick in demand is partly thanks to the DOE, which the company says has allocated $4.5 million in funding to municipal customers through the Clean Cities program, helping them pay for 65 Smith Newton electric trucks for city fleets. In August, the DOE also awarded $10 million directly to Smith as part of the competitive battery grant program to help the company develop and deploy up to 100 electric vehicles in Kansas City, Mo., and Michigan. (Smith’s UK-based parent company, the Tanfield Group, set up a majority U.S.-owned business for Smith earlier this year, allowing it to qualify for federal and regional funding that the Smith Electric Vehicles UK could not — it’s complicated, so we’ve explained the company’s intercontinental origins more fully here.)

According to Smith, the Transit Connect project with Ford would have limited the amount of capital available for the Newton ramp-up, and at relatively low production volumes, the Connect will not “justify the investment” in the short to medium term.

An 11-year-old company called Azure Dynamics thinks otherwise. Ford — which is still working with the Tanfield Group in Europe — announced this morning that Azure will be stepping into Smith’s old role for the Connect project, integrating its Force Drive battery electric drive train into the Connect platform. While Ford and Smith are parting ways, Ford tells us this morning that it already has some common ground with Azure: The two Michigan-based companies both use lithium-ion cell technology from Johnson Controls-Saft — Azure in its E-450 Balance Hybrid trucks, which are built on a Ford chassis and slated for a 2010 launch, and Ford in its plug-in hybrid Escape demo vehicles.

Ab heute sendet DMAX "Die Ludolfs" wieder ab Folge 1

Heute um 12 Uhr kommt auf DMAX wieder die erste Folge der Ludolfs “Der Scheunenfund”:

Uwe und Manni finden in der Scheune ein echtes Juwel: einen Ford Capri, Baujahr 1972 – die Begeisterung ist groß! Das Schmuckstück ist das ideale Geschenk für Peter, der in den 70er Jahren leidenschaftlich gern Capri fuhr. Mit viel Liebe zum Detail wird der Youngtimer von den Ludolfs wieder fahrtauglich gemacht. Auf einem Sportflughafen soll der Capri anschließend beweisen, was er noch drauf hat. Peter, der seit 13 Jahren nicht mehr Auto gefahren ist, traut sich nicht ans Steuer, aber seine Brüder Uwe und Manni unterziehen den Wagen dem ultimativen Härtetest.

Ab Montag kommen dann jeden Werktag gegen 12 Uhr die weiteren Folgen.

Why Do Rally Drivers Need Co-Pilots?

Friends have asked me this question before. They seem to think its as easy as knowing the race course, kinda like F1.  But rally is totally different; the courses are longer, road conditions vary and there are obstacles around every turn, not to mention fans hanging out on the track.

Watch as Irish rally driver Jimmy Deane pushes a Ford Escort MkII to the limits.  Driving instructions come from Barry Meade, the co-driver, whose driving instruction is so overwhelmingly positive, you’d think his day job was being a motivational speaker.

 

Via AutoBlog and their sources…

Om dagens stora nyhet: Geely lägger bud på Volvo

Det har varit en förmiddag med hög nyhetspuls. Nyheten att Ford nu går in i ett mer intensivt förhandlingsläge för att eventuellt sälja Volvo Cars till kinesiska Geely nådde mig på morgonen. Kanske sammanfattar Michael Robinet i en artikel på Bloombergs det hela bäst:

“Volvo is completely integrated into Ford’s product development strategy,” Michael Robinet, a CSM Worldwide analyst in Northville, Michigan, said Oct. 20. “This is akin to selling a room on your house. You can’t separate it easily.”

Mina reflektioner är tre:
1. Det är bra för Volvo att processen går framåt. Ingen verksamhet mår bra av ett vänte-läge.

2. Det är synd att de svenska initiativ som tagits för att köpa Volvo Cars inte uppfattas som tillräckligt attraktiva av Ford.

3. Nu inväntar vi med spänning de vidare förhandlingarna. Geely är, trots att de förekommit i spekulationerna runt Volvo en längre tid, relativt okända för oss. Vi inväntar med stort intresse information om deras affärs- och utvecklingsplaner för Volvo.

Modellauto der polnischen Feuerwehr (Ford Transit)

Bei diesem Modellauto im Massstab 1:87 handelt es sich um ein Einsatzfahrzeug der polnischen Feuerwehr und ist ein Ford Transit. Es ist ein Begleitfahrzeug der Feuerwehr in Polen und wird “Straz Pozarna” genannt. Wie man auf den folgenden Fotos gut erkennen kann, ist das Modellauto auch am Dach originalgetreu bedruckt.

Polnisches Feuerwehr Einsatzauto (Ford Transit)

Das Feuerwehr Automodell von hinten

Zwei Fotos vom Originalmodell, dass nachempfunden wurde

Dieses Modellauto der polnischen Feuerwehr kann man bei Modellshop.cc für 16,90 online bestellen und ist nur in einer stark begrenzten Stückzahl vorhanden. Mehr Informationen zum Feuerwehr Auto sowie andere Modelle finden Sie hier !!

32-Second Escort Engine Swap

The Royal Marines don’t mess around, and this high-speed motor-and-trans swap makes me wish such things were permitted in the pits in NASCAR. But I call a bit of bs: if the car’s front end is anything like the US Escort’s, you have to disconnect the lower ball joints and swing the wheels way out to plug in the half shafts. But despite the shortcuts, it’s worth a view. Via Jalopnik.

FORD & VOLKSWAGEN USE NEW MARKETING TACTICS ... BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS?

The auto industry is now using non-traditional and traditional marketing tactics to introduce and sell brands.  Today, I read two articles on what the brands are up too.  Ford – going social with the Fusion and Volkswagen -launching an iPhone app for the GTI launch.

On a local level, Central Florida dealerships are starting to wonder if they should use social media too.

Do it.  NOW.  I feel like a Nike commercial … DO IT!  And DO IT NOW.

The big auto companies need your help on a local level because as we now the BIG AUTO COMPANIES have a lot to repair with customer confidence.

Local dealerships can shine by being open in your community.  If you don’t know what step to take using social media and traditional marketing … I’ll help you … pick up your phone and call me at            407 921 0892 today!

Here are the articles on Ford and Volkswagon:

Ford Goes Social Again With Fusion 41

Following its Fiesta Movemant, Ford is seeking 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid owners to participate in Fusion 41, an automotive relay race which aims to build awareness and excitement around the new Fusion. The Fusion owner of the winning team will have their vehicle paid off, and team members will win free gas for one year.

Eight participants will be chosen based on “their passion for Fusion and their ability to share compelling information about the vehicle on the internet.” Think hot chicks with tens of thousands of followers.

Four friends will join the chosen ones. Each team will be given a Fusion or a Fusion Hybrid and assigned a task to be completed in 41 hours. Why the number 41? It’s the number of miles per gallon the car gets.
.
The winning team will be chosen based on their ability to complete the activities and provide proof by uploading photos and videos to various social media sites, including Facebook.

Can Chris Brogan and Justine Ezarik please be on the same team? They’re not family members but Chris’s deadpan humor and Justine’s over the top videoliciousness would certainly make for an interesting combination. Then toss in Loren Feldman for a dose of reality and Sarah Austin for, well….just to see how Loren gets along with her. Please, Mr. Monty?

Volkswagen to Rely Solely on IPhone App for GTI Launch

Automaker Says Move is Cost-Efficient Way to Reach Target Demo

By Kunur Patel and Jean Halliday
Published: October 22, 2009

VW's Real Racing GTI game for the iPhone and iPod Touch in the App Store includes a virtual showroom.

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — Volkswagen of America is launching the newest-generation GTI exclusively on an iPhone app, a cost-efficient approach the automaker said is a first for the industry.

How cost efficient? When the marketer introduced the GTI in 2006, it spent $60 million on a big-budget blitz with lots of network TV. By comparison, an executive familiar with the matter estimates the annual budget for mobile AOR services is $500,000. And while an iPhone-only strategy may seem limiting, consider this: In September, Apple reported there are more than 50 million iPhone and iPod touch customers worldwide. By comparison, CBS’ “NCIS,” the most-watched show for week ending Oct. 18, reached 21 million viewers and commands an average price of $130,000 for a single 30-second spot.

The automaker’s Real Racing GTI game for the iPhone and iPod Touch in the App Store, unveiled at a press event last night in Manhattan, includes a motion-controlled car-racing game play like arcade or console counterparts, as well as a virtual showroom. The brand conceived the mobile strategy, which also includes a six-car giveaway for game players, with independent digital agency AKQA.

Volkswagen licensed the game from Australian developer Firemint, which built a pared-down version with fewer race tracks using only GTI’s, the high-performance variation of VW’s Golf brand.

Not only does choosing a mobile platform over a customary 30-second spot reduce marketing cost, but licensing an existing game also means savings. “It’s a clever idea,” said mobile-marketing consultant Raven Zachary, president of Small Society and founder of iPhoneDevCamp. “Licensing game technology saves VW considerable development cost and time to delivery. And the cost of six cars is not bad considering the cost of doing a print campaign or TV campaign.”

Cost a focus of VW review
Cost appears to be a major factor in Volkswagen’s review for creative agency of record, according to executives familiar with the matter. Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco and Deutsch, Los Angeles are still in the running, after DDB and Wieden & Kennedy were eliminated yesterday.

Of course, there is a real danger the automaker will miss many prospects using only one narrowly targeted marketing tool. But Tim Ellis, Volkwagen of America’s VP-marketing, maintains it is a highly targeted strategy to directly reach the GTI customer, a tech-savvy, social-media activist who spends time on mobile devices, most often iPhones. “It’s a homerun in terms of the demo overlap,” said Nihal Mehta, CEO of local-search and networking app Buzzd.

As for driving that demographic to discover and download the app, Volkswagen is banking on PR, viral pass-along and some paid search for consumers looking for iPhone apps and information on the GTI.

Coming at a time when advertisers and agencies are trying to figure out how to get their apps to get noticed — and downloaded — amid the more than 65,000 in the App Store, the question arises: Will viral be enough for the GTI app? The game includes built-in functionality for players to send messages via Twitter and upload game play-videos to YouTube. Digital experts such as Mr. Nihal, who founded text-messaging company Ipsh and sold it to Omnicom Group in 2005, thinks these vehicles will prove more effective than paid media.

“Viral tactics work because media buys aren’t that compelling anymore,” he said. “You can get clicks, but even if an app is free, people don’t want to download it. They really have to be invested or told by a friend.” He especially thinks the competition and incentive to play and beat other players will work to make the app popular.

Small Society’s Mr. Zachary agreed, especially since the game has incentive beyond entertainment: a chance to win a new car. For consumers, more game play means more chances to win one of the six limited-edition 2010 GTI’s that the Herndon, Virginia-based automaker is giving away as part of the launch. Beyond the competition, the fact that the mobile-only car launch is a first is a big draw for press, too.

‘PR value’
“It’s not a gamble in this case,” he said. “VW is the first to do this and that’s PR value. If this had been the third car giveaway through an app, maybe not. Because this is novel, [VW is] going to generate considerably more press and that will drive downloads.”

Press hits aside, pitting app user against app user in competition will also translate to downloads, said Mr. Mehta, citing the popular mobile social networking service FourSquare, where users compete to be the mayor of local bars and restaurants, as a prime example. “I don’t know if a press event is going to do anything, but building in those viral elements of inviting friends having multiplayer games is a good long-term strategy. People like to compete,” Mr. Mehta said.

VW’s launch push for the GTI in 2006 from Crispin, Porter & Bogusky, Miami, featured a dark, gremlin-like character called “Fast” who in TV spots and online urged male GTI drivers to drive faster. The other work, themed “Unpimp Mien Auto,” played on VW’s heritage with “Helga,” a sexy, labcoat-wearing engineer with a German accent aimed at conveying to tuners of Asian cars that the GTI has built-in Deutschland engineering. Online versions with Helga and her sidekick, Wolfgang, were wildly popular and won Crispin Porter the top cyber award at Cannes that year.

But there were insiders at VW who were concerned that the company was spending too heavily on the niche GTI model while ignoring the best-selling Jetta. Auto pundits criticized VW for having too many different messages for different models instead of an umbrella approach.

VW sold 5,558 GTI’s in the first nine months of the year, 57% fewer than the same period a year ago, while its Jetta sales jumped by 7% to 81,161 cars, according to Automotive News.