Active Park Assist

Ford and Lincoln have announced that starting next year they will offer an advanced parallel parking system in 4 different models.  This new technology is comparable to radar that senses when you are close to an object and assists with the problem of parallel parking on busy streets.  It shall be called SkyNet...lol, joking, it's actually called Active Park Assist System.

Active Park Assist is more than just radar, it will also automatically adjust the steering to guide your vehicle into it's parking spot.  According to Ford, the system will ask the driver to place the vehicle into the proper gear (Drive, Reverse) and gently press the gas.  Basically the computer technology will handle the rest, making the fear of parallel parking disappear.

"You do everything but turn the wheel," Miglio said. "Leave the hard part to the car."

My concern is the liability of such a system and how it will create lazy drivers.  Some owners may become so accustomed with the Acive Park Assist that they may never bother to even look behind them.  So tell your kids and little fluffy you love them, because there is a new driver on the street and it's name is APA.

04 Ford F150

Pressure has been placed on the Big 3 Auto Manufacturers to start cutting costs and Ford is taking the next step by reducing it's over head on interest.  With it's latest action plan, Ford managed to reduce their debt by as much as $9.9 billion.  This one swift move alone will reduce Ford's operating expenses by $500 million in annualized interest.

"Ford is upstaging GM with what its doing, said Pete Hastings, senior analyst at Morgan Keegan. "It's handling things more smoothly than GM and accomplishing what it needs to do without the government getting involved.

It's important to note that Ford is leading the way and showing it is a contender in the world market, with no intentions of failing.  Ford is also the only one that didn't have it's hand out during this last round of bailouts and intends to help itself.  How will this affect the company in todays market?

The government, now having a vested interest in GM, will be most likely offering incentives to buyers.  Is this fair to Ford, who is struggling to fix things themselves?

Would you buy from Ford just because they are operating without a bailout?

I'm a ways from buying new cars, but I do buy a used car about once a year.  The majority of my fleet, though dwindled now, is primarily Fords.  I just picked up an 04 F150 two weeks ago and I'm glad that Ford is getting my dollar, no matter how far down the line.

Ford BOGO

Crazy economic times calls for crazy measures to insure a propserous and profitable future.  Laughing in the face of naysayers, Ford has announced the best new car buying insentive ever.  Buy one new car, get one new car of equal or lesser value, for FREE!

It's a radical step, but one that Ford hopes will shock the domestic car market back to it's previous self.  The insentive has been labeled as bold, inspirational, and a bit dense by other manufacturers like GM and Chrysler...but what do they know?  A little green monster is rearing it's ugly head and Ford is the one with the last laugh.

As of this post all major Ford dealerships are taking part in this once in a lifetime opportunity.  As of 9:00 AM this morning, the most popular cars being purchased are the Ford Fusion and of course the F150 pickup is also flying off of dealer show room floors.  Husbands and wives rejoice, need a new car, well get two!

"Efter I'siz buy my Ford F1scfifty truck, tha dealer handed me tew sets o keyses.  Boy howdy, you shudda seen meh face.  I'siz always buy Ford inda future." - April Pfhols

So help jump start the economy, go buy a Ford and enjoy your second car for FREE!

So are we getting into the wrong time of year for a buyer looking for mustangs for sale?  Personally I'm already kicking myself for not buying a new project Mustang to play with and break over the winter time.  Unfortunately with warmer weather comes higher prices for mustangs for sale.

I sold my 92 LX last summer, mainly because I was over my head.  Now, I've been getting the itch, like everyone else, which is driving the cost of Mustangs through the roof on eBay and local classifieds.  While during the winter a nice running mid 90's Ford Mustang GT could be had for under $5,000 with plenty of goodies.

The outlook doesn't look good and I fully expect the price of Mustangs for sale to continue to rise until sometime in December.  Maybe I'll luck out and find an actual local listing for a decent Mustang on Craigslist.

The 2010 Ford Fusion is simply a beautiful car, more sophiticated than the Focus, but not elderly like the Taurus.  I'll admit, and my wife looks at me funny when I say it, I like Ford Fusion.  The Fusion's lines and black on black package just looks sexy as hell with a dash of chrome lining.

Perhaps the appeal of the Ford Fusion is caused by me aging, surely a 27 year old shouldn't be longing for such a sedan.  But alas, I'll give into my temptation, loving the way it handles, comfort, and the way it sleazely drives down the lane.  Of course, receiving a hefty government Tax credit for buying one doesn't hurt either.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is now elegible for a Government Tax Credit of up to $3,400.  This credit only applies to the hybrid version of the Fusion and only the 2010 model.  So no luck trying to get the credit buying up the used 08 or 09 Fusion models, that is if you could find one.

A few months ago my wife and I went out looking specifically for a Ford Fusion and we couldn't find one.  There were plenty of new ones on the lot, but for a used one, with any kind of mileage, we were SOL.  Perhaps this is a testament to how happy owners are with their Fusions and an angle Ford should be focusing on with all the upcoming advertising expected to accompany this years Idol.

2010 Ford Fusion Video

Generally attractive and hybrid don't go in the same sentence, but Ford has done a wonderful job with their Escape Hybrid.  The Ford Escape Hybrid is a plug-in style hybrid, adorning an SUV body.  Imagine that a hybrid that seats more than 4 small kids and looks great driving down the road.

The bad news is that you won't find the Escape Hybrid actually on the road until possibly 2012.  Not to say Ford doesn't have a running model as we speak, some lucky journalists were able to test drive the Escape Hybrid up to 10 mph at the Detroit Auto Show.  But, it's real hard to road test a 120 mpg SUV without going over 10 mph, and drivin garound in a basement.

Yuma Police are getting a sneak peak at the Escape Hybrid and have purchased 2 new SUV's to put into patrol duty.  This cost Yuma Police an estimated $50,000 each, which includes all the police goodies like lights, safety equipment, etc.  Shouldn't take too long to earn back that money with gas savings from the 120 mpg Escape Hybrid.

"We have taken them out and put them through the paces," said Sgt. George Mitchell, lead driving instructor for YPD. "They are comparable to the Crown Victorias we are driving now, which is a pleasant surprise. The speed, handling and maneuverability is all there."

Escape Hybrid

According to Ford the plug-in Escape Hybrid becomes fully charged after about 6-8 hours and can be plugged into a 120v outlet.  This full-charge will deliver amazing gas mileage for about 30 miles, but then will revert back to typical hybrid fuel efficiency performance.

Video Of Ford Escape Hybrid In Action

This would possibly be the first hybrid vehicle that I would buy, for personal use.  I love the Escape Hybrid lines, utility, and promise of being able to pass more gas stations.

Ford has seriously revamped the all new 2010 Mustang GT, making an already appealing car drip with sex appeal.  At least for a car nut like myself, the only thing needed to complete the package would be a Racing Fuel smelling air freshner, dangling from the rear view mirror.  But I digress, the new 2010 Mustang GT is really starting to win over even the most jaded reviewers of Fords staple stallion.

Sound Piping

The most noticable change in the 2010 Mustang Gt is the sound you hear in the cabin.  Ford has literally piped in sound from the engine bay, to the cabin, so you can enjoy the sweet tones of the 4.6 liter V8.   This all new for 2010 sound pipe is equipped with a Tuned Membrane to allow the perfect transfer of sound, no fumes, to the driver and those lucky enough to be riding along.

2010 Mustang Mods

Those lucky enough to swing by the Mustang Stable at the Los Angeles International Auto Show was able to fully customize an all new 2010 Mustang.  Thanks to computer technology customers could build and modify to their hearts content and then see the Mustang built right in front of them, on the computer screen.  Optional accessories and modifications include everything from different wheels and tires to hood and sidescoops.

“Nobody has done this before with a new vehicle as popular as Mustang,” said Mark Conforzi, chief designer, Vehicle Personalization.

These mods will be available to anyone ordering a 2010 Mustang from their local dealership.  As of this posting Ford is making available over 40 unique mods that can be ordered.  No doubt this will be a great selling point for those that want to make their 2010 Mustang their own, without hitting up after market companies.

When Can You Buy 2010 Mustang GT?

Ford is suspected to open up orders for the 2010 Mustang this Spring, but your wait may depend on your order.  Knowing the condition of the Big 3 right now they may be hungry to push these out the door.  Retail is expected to be around $28,000 for the 315 horsepower V8 2010 Mustang GT.

Video Of 2010 Mustang GT

Ford.com Press Release Notes

Customizing 2010 Mustang

Official Ford Press Box

2010 Mustang GT

A part of the reason that Mustangs have endured so long as the top muscle car in America is that they are so customizable. Each Mustang owner can modify their car exactly the way they want, because there is such an endless supply of parts for them to choose from. It's this wide variety of ways to personalize your Pony that makes them such an alluring vehicle. And it's AmericanMuscle's wide variety of the best aftermarket Mustang parts that keeps people coming back time and time again.

When you want to talk selection, rims are a great place to start. And here at AmericanMuscle, we stock plenty of them. Even the famed Shelby wheels, inspired by the designs of possibly the most famous Mustang enthusiast and modder to ever live, Carol Shelby. These rims, styled after Shelby's high performance Mustang variants of the 60s and 70s, give you car a powerful, retro look.

Being able to sufficiently enjoy time in your Mustang is often dependent on how comfortable the ride is. You could have all the horsepower and torque in the world, but without a set of high-quality Mustang shocks, you're going to get bumped around like crazy. A smooth ride makes everyone in the Mustang happy. Especially the owner, when they think about how wear and tear they're preventing on the rest of their Pony.

And as any real Mustang fanatic will tell you, love of your Pony doesn't stop just because you're not driving it or working on it. With a couple Mustang t-shirts from AmericanMuscle, you can now satisfy your Mustang obsession anywhere you go. We stock a huge selection of both men's and women's Mustang shirts, including ones that help you express you love for Foxbodies, Cobras and 5.0s.

Hard to believe, but the crazy gas prices we saw over the summer of 08 did not effect the F Series pickup sales like analysts thought it would.  Again, the Ford F Series pickup truck tops the list for the #1 selling vehicle, not truck, in the United States.  This feat was accomplished by beating out the Chevy Silverado #2, Toyota Camry #3, and Dodge Ram at #9.  Keep in mind Ford achieved sales of 515,513 amidst a drop in consumer confidence and gas prices you needed a loan for to fill up most full size pickup trucks.

An article by Motor Trend highlights the sales of the Top 10 Best Selling vehicles of 2008.  What's most interesting is that all the vehicles in the top 10 list are showing sales drops ranging from 5% to 31%, except for one vehicle.  The Honda Civic is the only vehicle showing an increase in sales at a marginal +2.1%.  This tells me not enough people were scared enough to buy perceived better fuel efficient vehicles.  Furthermore, the quality and value of buying a Ford pickup truck holds true even in tough economic times.

I've said this before, but when Armageddon hits and the US goes back to the stone age, people won't be traveling via hybrids.  It's gonna take a 4x4, at least a full size pick up truck, to get the jobs done.  I mean, when was the last time you tried moving a mattress with a hybrid?

Ford F Series

I've yet to see one flying car, but that doesn't mean advancements in the automotive industry can still have the flavor of science fiction.  For example, today Ford announced that they will be releasing 2 different models of Lincoln's that are capable of parking themselves.  The target audience for the Lincoln model cars will no doubt appreciate the ability of a self parking vehicle, saving scratches and the lives of small animals everywhere.

The self parking mechanism and technology being developed by Ford will focus on parrallel parking.  This leap in auto technology will be featured of the Lincoln model MKS Sedan and MKT crossover.  This new advancement will be demod at the North American International Auto Show, for a sneak peak of what 2009 will bring, check out the Ford booth.

In other auto show news, Ford plans on debuting their hybrid Ford Fusion, which is capable of producing 41 miles per gallon.  Yes, 41, which is exactly 8 more mpg than the nearest competitor Toyota Camry hybrid.  Domestic vehicles will be stepping up their focus on technology and economy for 09, showing the foreign group that they still have some tricks up their sleeves, at least Ford does.