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.

Going into 09 the US is attempting to pull itself through a recession, but every gray cloud has a silver lining, hence The Grayline.  The grayline amongst auto enthusiasts is the drastic drop in prices for new and used cars, especially those that are a little harder on the gas mileage.  Specifically Ford Mustangs are dropping in price and the upcoming models like the 09 adn 2010 models are dirt cheap compared to previous years.

Demand for 09 Mustangs is significantly down, but it's hard to point the finger at one specific factor.  Gas prices may be a leading cause, but lately those prices have plummeted as well.  Mustangs are considered a luxury item, after all Mustangs are the best thing to go get groceries in, nor can they hall a load of kids to soccer practice.  So the price of an 09 Mustang plummets and the enthusiasts, with a little extra dough, get to reap the benefits.

09 Mustang

I'm always on the look out for a deal, specifically online where the market place for Mustangs is much larger than my podunk local lot.  The really good deals I've found are coming off of eBay, where they regularly offer low priced entry fee auctions.  This means that somebody looking to unload a cheap car can do so, well cheaply.  The initial listing fee was completely dropped a few months ago in eBay motors, flooding the marketplace.

What may not mean good news for sellers is great news for buyers.  Currently looking at eBay there are over 25 listings of 09 Mustangs for under $1500.  Now, this doesn't mean there is not a reserve, but obviously the demand is low and it's still possible to snag a deal.  I've had experience where even though the reserve has not been met, the auction ends and then the seller contacts the buyer with a second offer.  Generally this second offer is below the initial reserve, allowing the seller to cut their losses and get out from under the access inventory.

Moral of the story, keep your eyes peeled because 09 is going to be the year of  Mustang Deals.

Last week, once again, the big three automakers went to Washington to beg for money.  Actually, that's not exactly true.  GM and Chrysler both went to Washington to beg for money, while Ford went to secure loan guarantees, which is a bit different.  You see Ford is a company that has realized in the last few years that they're in trouble.  That is a stark difference from GM and Chrysler, which once the economy tanked, they realized that they were completely hosed.  Up until then, they thought everything was fine.

Ford has been in a restructuring cycle for the past two years.  They hired a new CEO from Boeing, who has a very simple goal.  Instead of overproducing to make the numbers look good, but being stuck with the financial mess later, he's going to take Ford and make them a leaner, meaner, and more intelligent company.  He is going to do this by reducing their output to meet actual market demand.  It sounds almost too simple, but for various reasons, the old strategy in the automotive world is to overproduce to make your quarterly numbers look good.  Even if people aren't actually buying your cars.  Then, tie up all the money in your financing operations and make it look like you're making money.  When in fact, you're really not.

It's too bad that Ford is getting lumped in with the other two car companies as "one of the big three". while they are one of the big three, they are two years into their restructuring.  And if it wasn't for this recession, they would've hit profitability next year.  As it stands now, they are likely to make money in 2010.  That's a big difference from General Motors and Chrysler threatening bankruptcy if they don't get money yesterday.

The real sad thing is that even though Ford is the best, even if General Motors or Chrysler were to go out of business it would hurt Ford tremendously.  Ford relies on the same parts manufacturers that everyone else does.  If Chrysler or GM were to go under, that would take down the whole auto parts industry potentially as well.  The unintended consequences would be that Ford and other companies would have to find a way to rescue the auto parts companies.

It's a pretty ugly time for American automakers, but one thing is clear: Ford has a plan.  You can't say that about General Motors and Chrysler.  Sure, GM has their Chevy Volt that they're preparing, but that won't save Chevy.  At this point, I'm not sure if anything will.  They have too much junk on their books and need to be willing to cut.  Companies like Pontiac, Saturn, and maybe even Buick.  These are tough times, and if these automakers don't act, they'll go under and take all the jobs with them.

Tired of seeing all the foreign rice rockets on the road, want to have something a little different but just as potent, then check out the Ford SVT Focus.  The SVT Focus provides some of the best handling of any small size car and since they have been out for awhile you can get them for a deal, often times in the $5,000 range and well preserved models for less than $10,000.

These little cars are a blast to drive thanks to their peppy 4 cylinder and 6 speed manual transmission.  In addition, their suspension show's off that American's can create good handling cars as well.  All things considered an SVT Focus is a great car to have in this economy and high gas price times, where a little bit of pep, great handling, and a fun ride don't have to cost a lot up front or at the pump.

SVT Focus on eBay

Ford Focus SVT 2002 Ford Focus SVT Drug Seizure NO RESERVE Extras    US $2,332.00

Ford Focus ZX5 SVT 2004 FORD FOCUS ZX5 SVT 6 SPEED HTD LTHR XENON SRF 6CD    US $10,995.00

Ford Focus WE FINANCE 2003 FORD FOCUS SVT HATCHBACK 6 SPEED SPOILR XENON RIMS    US $8,888.00

Ford has decided to make the best even better by overhauling the fuel consumption standards of all F Series pickup trucks.  The 2009 F-150 will arrive and be the best in fuel economy and capability through extensive engineering enhancements.  New buyers of an 09 F-150 will expect an increase of 8% fuel economy over previous years in the same model type and up to 12% on V8 versions.

"Ford has committed to have the best or equal to the best fuel economy with every new product we introduce, and we are delivering with the new F-150," said Matt O'Leary, Ford F-150 chief engineer. "Fuel economy has moved from 10th to third place among pickup buyers' top purchase considerations -- right behind durability and value. The new F-150 delivers on all three as the industry leader."

The increased fuel economy of the 09 F-150 comes at a time none too soon, considering hurricane Ike has crippled the cost of gasoline.  Ford is modifying their upcoming vehicles to match consumer demand in safer, more reliable, more capable, and more fuel efficient categories.  Although not limited to these improvements, the 09 F series trucks will also be receiving aero dynamic changes as well, which will serve function and looks.

One of the more interesting engineering changes to the 09 F-150 is it's aggressive fuel shut-off during deccleration.  It's an automatic function within the fuel system that shuts off fuel when a drivers foot is removed from the gas pedal.  Fuel will then resume once a slow enough speed is reached at idle or the pedal is depressed again.  Exciting new technology that I'm assuming will find it's way across a broad line of vehicles and not just within Ford.

In anticipation of the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show the Ford Mustang has been making a few appearances and the latest shows it all wrapped up.  But, if you are like me then you appreciate any little sneak peak you may get, just to wet your appetite.

2010 Mustang

2010 Mustang

Many of the Ford faithful have been eagerly anticipating what changes may be coming to the 2010 Mustang model year.  Afterall there is going to be plenty of competition on the market, the Challenger which has already been released and the upcoming redesigned Chevy Camaro.  Certain bulges mean a lot to some fanatics and what may be hiding under that camo dress may be something a bit more radical than anticipated.

Thanks to jhamilton03 for the great spy pics of the upcoming Mustang.  Be sure to check out his full album of the 2010 Mustang at photobucket.

Blindspot Mirror

Can you tell it's a slow automotive news day when I have to write a blog post on the 09 Ford Edge getting a special blindspot mirror upgrade?  Jesus, what happened to prototypes making the news, huge engine upgrades, massive recalls?  I suppose outrageous losses and low consumer confidence has those departments in the automotive industry looking for funds.

At any rate, the 09 Ford Edge will offer a blindspot mirror upgrade as an option.  Reportedly this option will actually retail less than the convex little stick on dealies you can grab at Autozone and be BETTER.  These special mirrors are designed specifically for the vehicle they will be on, so you can better see the grandma hanging out 1/4 way back off your drivers side lane.

It's a big number and it's shaking things up in regards to what Ford is planning on pushing off the assembly line.  Ford just announced that it took a quarterly loss of $8.7 billion, citing a big ass drop in truck sales and leases.

Therefore Ford is planning on ramping up production of it's more fuel efficient lines of autos, like the Focus and Fiesta.  Furthermore they have plans of doubling their hybrid vehicles and bring more European cars to the US market, where we are finally catching up to the high price of fuel.  I'm just curious how trailers are going to be pulled by a 1.5 litre 4 banger and no matter what, there is no replacement for a truck bed when helping a friend move.

Good luck to Ford in turning over some profits next quarter.  As of now Ford is the 3rd largest auto manufacturer in the world, on the heels and/or coat tails of GM and Toyota.

Almost any 1970 Mustang can find a loving home nowadays.  These muscle cars were absolutely beautiful in their large lines and nasty power.  Furthermore 1970 Mustang's were the year of the Boss 302 and Grabber Orange was the color of choice.  It is easy to see why the 1970 Mustang was so popular, even though ti was a much larger and distant version from the original body style.

A quick search of online auctions reveals that you can't hardly touch any running 1970 Mustang for under $10,000, regardless of shape.  Furthermore a buyer could expect to pay up to $40,000 for a good condition 1970 Boss 302.  I need to take a break with the pictures below because my pants are starting to get tight just talking about it.

1970 Mustang on eBay

Ford Mustang One Mach 1 mustang and one convertible mustang PARTS    US $700.00

Ford Mustang 351 Mach 1 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Project    US $7,000.00

Ford Mustang GRANDE 1970 FORD MUSTANG GRANDE    US $1,025.00

My pants got tight just looking at the spy pic of the 2010 Shelby GT500 Mustang.  Underneath all that camouflage you know there is one mean beast looking to eat the pavement and crap rocks.  Of course if you are a loyal reader of The-Grayline then you know Mustangs is where my loyalty lies and mainly because Ford has been doing so much right with them lately.

Power, luxury, and just all around meatiness.  Thank you KGP for bringing another great spy pic that I can share with my readers in this 2010 Shelby GT 500.