How can Ford help to "Set America Free" as Joe Lieberman wants?

Bill Ford may have backed away from his pledge for 250,000 Hybrids a year too soon. Over at Alternative Fuel Universe I posted about Senator Joe Lieberman's Op Ed piece on "How To Escape Oil." And a new bill he's co-sponsored the "Set America Free Act." Now as part of this proposed legislation there are requirements for half of all cars sold in the United States to be Hybrid, Hybrid Electric/Plug-In or Alternative Fuel capable. Mr Ford who's been pushing for these technologies and stated that FoMoCo would "Drive American Innovation" would be right behind this and luckily FoMoCo has been working on these technologies already.
Ford's first Hybrid the Escape should have taken the market by storm as a practically sized family friendly ( well compared to a Prius) vehicle. And Ford hasn't been sitting idle with this technology either, Hybrid versions of the Fusion are suposed to be getting close to the market.
Well as for Plug-In Hybrids, to me they sort of defeat the purpose of being a Hybrid, but Ford has experience with Plug-In Electric, both with this Think and a test fleet of Electric Rangers that was sold in California.
And "Alternative Fuel Technology" really means E-85 capable vehicles which Ford has been cranking out for years and you can certainly expect to see an across the board conversion for all Ford models if this legislation is passed. But I've said before, that this is little more than a loop hole if the infrastructure isn't there to supply the E-85.
But Ford has a few other items in their bag of tricks, such as the Hydraulic Launch Assist seen in the SuperChief concept, which is rumored to be coming in 08 or 09.
And lets not forget the work FoMoCo has been doing with Hydrogen power.
And new models featuring a combination of Alternative Fuel and Hybrid technology were featured by Ford over the last few years. Such as the Diesel/Hybrid Bronco concept.
And of course my personal favorite the Reflex, which is also Diesel/Hybrid powered.

What do you think?

A reminder to myself to link to Auto Future

I've been busy away from my blog recently, but hopefully that will change soon. In the mean time, if you're looking for news about Ford from overseas I will remind you to check Auto-Future a blog by David M of the UK. David has been busy posting info on future Fords from abroad and although he's not exclusive to Ford, there is a great deal of interesting news on his blog.

When time allows I'll add a new link in sidebar to Auto-Future and post about some of his more interesting Ford related info.

The Detroit News asks why not Ford/Renault/Nissan?

Carlos Ghosn the top dog at both Nissan and Renault is considered by many to be the saviour of both those companies and the cand do guy that can fix any auto company. We've all see the news about GM and a possible alliance between Renault/Nissan being pushed by Kirk Kirkorian a major stock holder and major critic of GM. There has been talk both in favor and against such a partnership and the benefits to each side. Many pundits are blinded by the prospect of this new triumvirate emerging as the largest auto maker in the world and of course by the iconic Ghosn. And now the Detroit News asks if Ford may be a better fit for this prospective alliance.
There was much talk several months ago, about Bill Ford jr putting feelers out to Ghosn and being rejected. This after Mark Fields being made head of Ford in the Americas. Bill Ford has been quoted many times saying he would relenquish control to a man better suited to controlling America's second largest automaker.
But would Renault and Ford mix well? I know Ford has a long history of cross border partnerships and aquisitions (Premier Auto Group brands.) Ford has worked with Nissan over the years on projects around the globe including the Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager here in the US. But wouldn't an alliance with Renault compromise their relationship with PSA Peugeot/Citreon? And aren't Ford and Renault fierce competitors in the European market?
And what about Ford's platform development work with Fiat?

I'm not getting a warm fuzzy fealing about Ford/Renault/Nissan, but there was one sentence in the article that summed it up for me. Ford needs two or three sucessful new model rollouts to recover. Ford's energies should be concentrated on that and leave the speculation of mergers to journalists. Besides, Carlos Ghosn is already splitting time between Europe and Asia, so unless they clone him or develop Star Trek like transportation devices, how much effort could he devote to FoMoCo ?

Hillary should stay with what she knows, I don't know what that is, but it's not driving...

I know I'm playing catch up here, but Mark Tapscott posted on this last week. Hillary Clinton ( not a fan here) and others are suggesting a return to the dreaded double nickle speed limit! For years special interest groups told us speed kills, but were proven wrong. It's not speed that kills it's stupid people and drunks. So now they're saying it will save precious fuel. That by decreasing the speed limit will help the effects of $3+ gallon gasoline.
Now I'm told by friends and associates that Hillary is doing good for New York, and I'm not a political pundit, lack the depth for that. So I'm not here to criticize anything but the return to the 55 mph speed limit. Anyone who has to drive any moderate to long trip knows that 55 mpg doesn't save a drop of gas, it's another myth. Do you want to improve fuel economy on the highway? Make sure your tires are inflated to the propper pressure, clean and wax your car once in a while, and don't mash the pedal smoothly accelerate and if possible use your cruise control. Common sense will save you money at the pump and lives on the highway.
Now I know that some will think that I'm picking on poor Hillary by posting these unflattering pictures, but I'm not it's called a sense of humor, get one.

Woman Motorist reviews MazdaSpeed 6

I'm actually less interested in their review than in the fact that it's a site that reveiws vehicles for women. The Internet allows for every market to be served, so why not women? After all there is already a web site devoted to the LGBT Community called Gay Wheels, www.gaywheels.com

I also like the comments on the review from the Speed 6 owner, who just couldn't resist correcting every incorrect point. If they're going to review cars on the site, they should do their best to get it right.

So if you are a woman or know one ( and everyone does ) go on over and check Woman Motorist (link in title) then spread the word.

I've become so jaded by professional auto reviews that I consider them valueless, but luckily for the main stream automotive press and the bumper crop of specialty web sites, there is still an audience.

SVT Truck talk

I've been reading on AutoBlog, Jalopnik and other sites, that SVT's head honcho is saying they're not dead and that a new truck is in the works. Well they killed the Sport Trac Adrenaline, so what could he mean? Well the short easy answer is another Lightning based on the F150. But a more interesting speculation would be the Lightning Bolt Ranger. Stuffed full of Supercharge Modular V8 and lowered to the ground, it would be a real giant killer.
The concept was built a few years ago, and while not as sophisticated as the Adrenaline it definitely has it's apeal as a brutal force of nature. And how hard could it be for Ford to do? Many factory parts already exist. It could be a real buzz machine, and God knows Ford needs some buzz.
All the Lightning's power in 3/4 scale and weight, would be too much fun.

So what do you think? Adrenaline, Lightning or Lightning Bolt? Which should be Ford's new SVT Truck?

I know the Sport Trac Adrenaline sounds cool with all wheel drive and independant rear suspension, 4 doors and very comfortable interior, but I think I'd put the Bolt in my driveway first and never mind the all wheel drive, I want the tire shredding rear wheel drive.

UK review of Mazda 3, interesting read...

Auto Express from the UK, reviews the freshened Mazda 3 and I was interested to read how they compare it to the Euro Focus which sells 10:1 against the 3. "It’s never been very popular with UK buyers – Ford’s Focus outsold it 10 to one last year – but will this round of updates improve sales for the Japanese maker? Auto Express tested a 1.6-litre diesel to find out. "
" So do the changes transform the Mazda 3? Not really. Our diesel was just as punchy – but also as noisy – as the previous car. Around corners it also feels similar to its predecessor, with a comfortable ride and good agility, but lacking the sharpness of the Focus."

Now when was the last time you read something like that in a US car review about the Focus or any Ford? I drive a 3 on a daily basis, and if the Euro Focus is "sharper" I want it now!

Mark Tapscott gets "Behind the Wheel" of a Volvo S40 T5

For your own sake, I hope you're familiar with Mark Tapscott and his blog TapscottBehindtheWheel (see link in sidebar) where weekly he does the Carnival of Cars, a roundup of the best Automotive blog entries from around the web. Well, his latest post is a review of the Volvo S40 T5 and it's worth a read.
Mark likes the S40 T5 a lot, he praises the Turbo I-5's power, the interior and the styling. But he seemed surprised that the chassis was so good considering it's lineage, sharing DNA with the Ford Focus and Mazda 3/Axela.
While I personally think that he's driven the closest thing to a Euro Focus ST that you can see on these shores. As any Ford fanatic should know the European Ford Focus ST, is powered by Volvo's turbo 5 and both cars are built on the accomplished C1 platform. Now each car has it's own character and chassis/powertrain refinement, but the Ford designed chassis underpins all of the siblings.
I'd like to see how Mark would compare the S40 T5 to the more powerful Speed 3. The T5 is all wheel drive, and falls short of the Speed 3's 250 hp, but a direct comparision would be interesting in light of the shared platform. Just an example of how each brand puts their stamp on it.

But even the "lowly" Focus is a much better car than we get here in the US. But hopefully Ford will realize the error of their ways and correct that situation. One can hope.

Dave Thomas formerly of MPH Online has a new gig

Click the link in the title, to see Cars.Com's new blog section. It's being headed up by the former online editor for MPH Magazine Dave Thomas. Dave created one of the best magazine companion web sites there was, with frequent updates and unique web content. I often found MPH Online to be superior to the newstand version.

Dave's a great guy, and I'm looking forward to checking out his progress with KickingTires.

Diesel F-150 news from New Zealand?

The F-150 has been one of the best selling vehicles in the world for almost 20 years running. And now with gas prices rising above $3 per gallon, sales are starting to slow down. What can Ford do to reinvigorate the line? Why a Diesel of course! Ford has been reported to be working on a new 4.4L V8 Diesel for use in the F-150 ( and hopefully their large SUVs?) derived from their Eurpean Diesel.
Built for the Range Rover, the new powerplant will be built in England and shipped to the US for installation. This could be a needed boost for Ford truck sales, since the Diesels will be much more fuel efficient. Don't look for Prius numbers here, but a Prius can't tow a trailer like an F-150 either.

GM has Gas/Electric Hybrid full size pickups, that nobody seems interested in buying, and Ford should avoid the prospect of following suit. But Ford should bring out the Diesels and what ever happened to the Hydraulic Launch Assist that they were working on?

Mazdaspeed 3 (Axela MPS) down under

250 hp, 6 speed manual, just enough visual apeal without going for the huge rear wing/boy racer look, these are some of the highpoints of the new Mazdaspeed 3 or MPS 3 as it is known around the world. Click the link in title to read a review from down under way.
Powered by a Direct Injected/Turbo 2.3L I-4 that serves the Speed 6 and CX-7, it's going to be 250 hp through the front wheels. That's something that would have been unheard of a few years ago, but is expected for streed credentials today. I remember my Taurus SHO's 240 hp through the front wheels, and how quick that car felt, with considerably less weight this should really cook. And today's young enthusiasts may find this hard to believe, but that 250 hp from a 4 banger is nothing short of a miracle to older guys like me. The SHO had a 3.2L V6 and my 91 Mustang 5.0 only made 225 tire burning ponies, hell during the dark days of the 70's many V8's couldn't make anywhere near that much power.
Mazda means to be taken seriously with their MazdaSpeed 3 and 6, and without the Evo or STI's boy racer wings and cladding, they will be. I've heard that the 3 will be in the mid to high 20's, and with a 50 hp advantage it should be gunning for the new GTI.

Can anyone help Chris? A reader with a Kenny Brown Crown Victoria

A reader has a question somebody out there may be able to help with.
Chris is the lucky owner of a Kenny Brown Panther Crown Victoria.
I'll add the e-mail here;
Hello Joe I'm Chris from Weymouth MA , I own the 2001 Crown Vic Kenny Brown Panther you added to your website. Do you know where I can find info about my car that would be helpful to me ? I need rear wheel bearings and seals and the stock ones don't work , Kenny Brown was the last owner of my car so I know no one else changed anything , and his website is closed due to his illness . Any thing would help thanks a lot, Chris

So, can anyone help Chris? I wish I remembered when I posted on this car, but I just posted a generic Panther photo I found online. "Generic" if anything could not be called generic, this is it.

Good luck Chris.

My friend is selling his Expedition on Craig's List

A very good friend of mine is selling his Epedition on Craigs List, to escape the high price of gas. Now that his oldest is off to college they no longer need the Family Truckster. So as a good friend is apt to do, I've prostituting myself by posting a link to his ad above.
Mike hopes to unload the Expedition and get into something a little more economical. He keeps talking about the Mazda CX-7, but he still has enough chicks in the nest to make the new Ford Edge a better choice.

I know you're all ashamed of me for the shameless post, but things have been slow for me. I've known Mike for 20 years and nobody takes better care of their vehicles than him. And being the gearhead he is, of course there's a K&N intake and Tokico shocks ( in an Expedition?)

If you're in Metro NY area and looking for such a vehicle, check it out.

Volvo C30 and ramblings on 3 vs 5 doors

In the title there is a link to a UK article on the upcoming Volvo C30. The 3 door sibling to the S40/V50 compacts built on the Ford corporate C1 platform, that underpins the Mazda3 and Euro Ford Focus. The C30 will come with Volvo's 2.5 liter I-5 Turbo putting out 250 hp. Each company differentiates it's version of the base chassis and they aren't just badge engineering, as Joel had pointed out a few weeks ago. But this will be as close as you can get to the Euro Ford Focus ST here in the US. You see, the Ford ST uses the same I5 turbo in Europe. I wonder why Ford isn't using the Mazdaspeed 3's Turbo I4? It also puts out 250 hp, and in the Mazdaspeed 6 it makes 284 hp.
And this raised another question in my mind. Why is Ford the only one to offer both a 3 and 5 door? Volvo's C30 will be 3 door and the Mazda 3 only has a 5 door hatch. And of all of the siblings, the Euro Focus comes in the most variations, from basic economy car to tarmac burning hot hatch, with a range of Diesel and Petrol engines as well as Flex Fuel versions in Europe.
Now I had always preferred 3 doors over 5 doors from an asthetic point of view. But after buying my Mazda 3 (Axela) and taking a couple of rides in my friend's new GTI, I can see the light. My old ass doesn't want to crawl into a 3 door, and I guess I don't want to force friends to do the same.

And I don't care what anyone says, of the siblings, the Focus is the best looking version. I like my 3, but the Focus has smoother lines. And while I don't love the tail lights up the roof pilar, they're better on this new version than in past. I'd love a C1 5 door with the 2.0 TDI Diesel, 6 speed manual and the suspension and brakes from the ST in the light blue of the 3 door pictured above.

When will Ford learn and bring the C1 platform to the US? That would be a "Bold Move."

Mike the MercuryGuy has pics of the Wankel powered Mustang and his nice Montego MX

Mike the MercuryGuy has posted the pics of the Curtis Wankel powered Mustang on his blog.
And he's posted photos of his prized 69 Montego MX coupe.

I love these cars, my Dad had a red one for a few years. Out of all the cars anyone has owned in my family, it's always been my favorite. These rare Mercury Coupes, Convertibles and Sedans were made only for two years and share no body panels with a Lincoln or Ford.

Click on the link in the title to see the Mustang and then click home to see his Montego.

MyFordDreams slowing down, sorry...

Some of you may be wondering why things have gotten so slow around here. Well, I'm nothing if not full of excuses. First my business gets very busy during the summer months, so it's not unusual for blogging to slow down. This week, I'm on the night shift, working 12 hour shifts as well.
Combine that with my feeble attempt to quit smoking and I've got no energy or enthusiasm for much.
Now this is not me, but it refelcts how I feel when near a computer.
So I'll leave you with this hit and run post, with the link in title to AutoBlog's recent article on Ford greenlighting the Fairlane Concept MPV. Ford can't cut it in the Mini-Van market, so their trying to shore up there position with this Crossover MPV based on 500/FreeStyle chassis.
Now when Mark Fields talked a few months ago about Ford's "Bold Moves" he stood between clay models of the Fairlane and Reflex concepts, so the eternal optimist in me hopes that eventually we'll hear the Reflex has received a green light as well.

See? Even as cranky and lazy as I am, I was able to get my Reflex fix!

I know the Reflex won't be "The Car" that saves Ford, but it could be one of the steps in the right direction.

Pimp My Ride at a Ford dealership?

Yet again, I'm playing catch up, but that's what I get for going away on vacation. Apparently Pimp My Ride is moving out of West Coast Customs and taking up residence at Galpin Ford, Southern California's largest volume Ford dealer.
And some of this will not be new to Galpin, who the USA Today article give partial credit for starting the 70's Custom Van craze.
And since vans aren't cool anymore, they've been customizing pickups too. I have to admit Pimp My Ride is one of my guilty pleasures, a show that I watch on a lazy weekend. So I'm looking forward to the season and will be interested in how Galpin performs.