August-22-10

Make Way for the Ford Edge

Posted by admin under New Ford News

Another addition to Fords lineup for class leading vehicles is the 2007 Ford Edge. It is a new midsize crossover vehicle. At its introduction, Ford targets that this vehicle should be able to compete head to head with vehicle imports like the Toyota Highlander and the Nissan Murano. Built on the Ford CD3 platform, the 2007 Ford Edge will certainly be something to look forward to. Just imagine, this platform has also been used for other highly known and respected vehicles like the Ford Fusion, the Mercury Milan, and the upcoming Lincoln Zephyr.

People who have been able to look at the 2007 Ford Edge has come to state that this vehicle certainly could pass for another Ford Fusion. This is because the Ford Edge has the same front end styling that the other vehicle has. Rumors also have it that this new vehicle would be coming equipped with the very same power source behind the Ford Fusion machine. So that would very much mean that the 2007 Ford Edge will have a 3.0 liter V6 engine with four cylinders as its power source. Although some rumors proclaim that the engine could be upgraded to a 3.5 liter engine with six cylinders. This vehicle certainly looks slightly heavier than the Ford Fusion. Come the time that this vehicle will make its way to the streets and the rest of the American market, it would be able to fill the niche between the Ford Escape and the Ford Explorer.

The Ford Edge made its way to public knowledge when it was presented by the Ford Motor Company during the Detroit Motor Show this year. It actually combines both the space and room of traditional sport utility vehicles with the maneuverability, flexibility, and fuel efficiency of most modern vehicles. This is what cars have to have so as to be able to compete in the fast growing crossover utility vehicle segment in the automobile market. This segment actually has been predicted to surpass and upstage the sport utility vehicles come the end of this year. And it is very much likely that with the Ford Edge, the Ford Motor Company is on its way to accomplishing greater heights and wider ranges.

Mark Fields, Ford Motor Companys president in the United States and the rest of North America, states, Edge underscores the bold, American design direction for all Ford vehicles going forward. Edge also is packed with Ford innovation from its panoramic glass roof and laptop friendly center console to fuel saving engine and advanced safety features. We expect Edge to make waves in the hot crossover market this year just like the Fusion did for midsize cars last year.

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April-19-10

Ford to Exit the Minivan Market?

Posted by admin under New Ford News

All the car blogs lately have been speculating on the direction that the Ford Motor Company is going to take in the wake of declining sales and stiff competition. We know that Ford has too much capacity and we know that the company will be closing some key plants and laying off an as yet to be determined number of employees. What hadnt been clear is which models would be cut from the line up. Now, it appears that Ford will exit the lucrative minivan market. Thats right, Ford apparently will stick with building cars, trucks, and SUVs, and leave the minivan market to the other players.

Ever since the Chrysler Corporation invented the minivan market back in the early 1980s with its line of K-car derived minivans the Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, and the Chrysler Town & Country Ford has been playing catch up. Indeed, a series of forgettable star named minivans were served up by Ford and summarily rejected by consumers: the Aerostar, Windstar, and the Freestar. Later, both Honda and Toyota brought out their own entries and Ford, along with Chevrolet found themselves trailing badly in an overcrowded segment. Indeed, several GM divisions sell minivans, as does Kia and Nissan, making the market especially tight.

Should Ford decide to go ahead with plans to ditch the minivan market, it wouldnt be a complete retreat. For one, many consumers prefer the automakers popular Ford Explorer SUV while its all wheel drive Freestyle wagon/crossover competes well too. Finally, another vehicle the Edge will soon make its debut and likely pull many minivan customers over. The Edge will be yet another crossover vehicle somewhat of a SUV/wagon hybrid and fill the need for consumers.

Yes, Ford appears ready to ditch the minivan market. No loss to consumers and probably a smart move for the beleaguered automaker.

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March-20-10

Ford Vs Chevy: The Debate Goes On, Part 2

Posted by admin under New Ford News

Price is always a big concern when purchasing a new or used vehicle. The cost of used vehicles really depends on the quality of the vehicle and the amount of miles on it. New vehicles are pricey, but Ford and Chevy often compete to get business. I can almost guarantee that if you tell the Ford dealer how much Chevy quoted you for a similar vehicle of theirs, they would meet or match the price. If they won’t, you can go to another dealer, or ask for concessions to make the deal more attractive to you.

In many areas such as price, speed, and safety, Chevy appears to have some catching up to do. One problem they have is they always seem to be following in the footsteps of Ford rather than introducing something new to attract new customers. While the age old debate between Ford and Chevy owners will continue on, it is important to base that decision on some solid facts. Just because your grand-daddy said that Ford was the best doesn’t mean that they still are. And it certainly doesn’t mean that Ford is better for the particular type of vehicle you are buying.

You can find excellent information on Ford and Chevy comparisons in Consumer Reports, safety ratings, and various online resources. Make sure you look for unbiased information though or you will end up with nothing more than the opinion of the reader.

As you can well guess, most reviewers are biased in a review like this. Safety ratings, MPG ratings and other figures are good things to look at when comparing. Don’t forget though, that there can be a good deal of variation from model to model and from year to year. So it’s very important to compare apples to apples. Don’t try to compare a 2007 Ford Explorer to a 2003 Chevy Blazer.

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November-6-09

Ford Explorer 2006 review

Posted by admin under New Ford News

Recently I have tested the new Ford Explorer 2006 RSC Advanced Trail. And I was impressed. I leave you to find a complete list of specifications of this the most selling SUV in North America somewhere else on numerous websites, in car magazines, and present below impression and opinion of my own.

Ford Explorer 2006 is the real proof that straggling company is on a right track to gain back trust of Americans significantly corroded in a last 15-20 years, although Explorer, as it mentioned before, remains the bestseller through these years of Japanese auto expansion to the American market.

The new Explorer is one of those vehicles that present well balanced combination of SUV and car abilities. Its highway ride on a 100/120 km per hour is smooth and absolute cars like. In fact I regret while on a front passenger seat that this SUV is missing a handle above the window which is standard on every well equipped car model. Other than that it is provide cars comfort in every dimension with very good noise protection. Powerful engine almost silent, suspension soft enough, dashboard is well designed with all buttons of a right size and in proper place except maybe gear shifter that looks like an on/off switch on a kids electronic toy.

I am a car guy, so to continue SUV/car comparison I have also figured out that the front passenger of new Explorer is slightly discriminated (as at most trucks and cars) compare to the driver in its ability to go in/out of the truck. While driver enjoys seat moving back feature when key is out from ignition, passenger is climbing in its seat with far less comfort ability. Nevertheless both driver and passenger seats are comfortable even for a long ride. Praising designers for the Explorers dashboard I will withdraw a few compliments back while talking about inside door handles. As for me they are located too low to be good to grab to open/close the door for an average size man.

Every vehicle today is a receptacle of cap holders and Explorer is no exception. But not every one has convenient and big enough glove compartment, so our tester is definitely not a winner here.

I like adjustable pedals, it is a great option. But is it safe to allow the driver to adjust pedal while driving?

There is plenty of room on a second raw seats and roomy enough although less comfortable on a third. At least you have an option: carry 6 passengers and no luggage or 4 with descent cubic footage on a back of your Explorer.

For some reason all four doors of new Explorer in their lowest part are sharply curved towards the body of the vehicle and its cool and probably gives some extra rigidity. But if you are tended to notice with regret every new scratch on your beast/beauty body (pick the one!); you will see them (scratches) for sure right after taking Explorer off road for a first time. Scratches easily appear on a lower part of rear doors which sandwiches between the vehicles frames and sidestep with so small clearance in between, that sand and muds sticking to the doors are working as abrasives for all surfaces.
Few years ago I have tested then new Explorer 2001 along with others SUVs in a same class like Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Cherokee etc. That Ford Explorer was not much different or worse than other contestants in terms of off road capabilities. But it was squeaking and crackling on every serious pothole or bump. There is nothing like this on Explorer 2006.

Year after year customer demands more and more from the vehicle and auto manufacturers should accommodate those demands to keep pace. Ford made it with the new Explorer. It is really great truck.

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