Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, UAW/Unions, Canada

Ford Motor Company and the leadership of the Canadian Auto Workers union have reached a tentative agreement after a marathon four-day wrap-up to negotiations. Union membership needs to approve the deal, which will guarantee a Great White North presence for Ford until at least 2012. Voting is underway this weekend, and if approved, the CAW will be responsible for building 10 percent of Ford’s North American production, down from the current 13 percent, which the union had been trying to hold on to.

Workers did agree to time off reductions, and pledged that new employees will have to pay into their pensions. Ford’s given its word that the company will build as many vehicles in Canada as it sells there, and the union deemed the pledge good enough to grant GM- and Chrysler-style concessions to Ford.

The Panther platform has been given its last rites; the St. Thomas Assembly plant is the only Ford location currently building the body-on-frame biggies, and that plant will close in September 2011. The 1,600 people in Ontario who build Town Cars and Grand Marquis are understandably unhappy about word that Ford intends to shutter the plant, but the Panther has cheated death more than once. This time, it may stick.

Better news for CAW members is that Ford’s Oakville assembly complex, also in Ontario, has the go-ahead to add a third shift when needed. Ford also says it will manufacture a new vehicle at Oakville, which currently builds the Edge, Flex, MKX, and MKT crossovers, but that will likely come after the current labor agreement expires.

[Source: CBC News, Photo: Ford/CC]

Ford and Canadian Auto Workers reportedly reach a deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Crossover, BMW, Ford

The Ford SVT Raptor and the BMW X6 M are alike in that both vehicles represent the most extreme versions of their base forms. The Raptor, with its the triple-bypass Fox shocks and 35-inch tires, is a Baja-ready version of the F-150 right off the showroom floor. Meanwhile, the BMW X6 M is the 550-horsepower speed-demon version of the mild-mannered X6 luxury crossover. The two rides have little in common other than their extreme, top-tier positioning, yet 0-60 Magazine has found a way to put the two together for its Winter 2010 issue.

We don’t know what the gang at 0-60 actually did with the Raptor and the X6 M, but the magazine has managed to slap together a teaser video to whet the palette. Hit the jump to watch 0-60 have a bit of fun with the X6 M and the SVT Raptor. And if you’re not a big fan of the vid, you can simply sit back and enjoy the 1:21-minute excerpt of Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” that sets the aural backdrop to the onscreen mayhem.

[Source: 0-60 Mag]

Continue reading VIDEO: 0-60 pits Ford Raptor against BMW X6 M in winter issue

VIDEO: 0-60 pits Ford Raptor against BMW X6 M in winter issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Humor

Ever see those poor men and women out on a hot and sunny summer day dressed up in some ridiculous costume as some sort of promotion their employers are running? We truly feel for these people, but it seems not everyone is as kind and caring… probably those same jerks in middle school that used to knock the books out of our hands in the hallways.

Next time you happen to spot such a costumed worker, remember that you never know who – or, indeed, what – might be lurking under that unfortunate outfit. As you’ll see in the video pasted after the break (which is only kinda sorta about the South African Ford Icon), it’s not always what you might expect. Head on over to veryfunnyads.com for more hilarious commercials from around the world.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Never judge a book mascot by its cover

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Never judge a book mascot by its cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Ford

Ringbrothers 1964 “Afterburner” Ford Fairlane – Click above for a high-res image gallery

If you’ve followed our SEMA coverage the last few years then you’ve heard of the Ringbrothers. We’ve had a close eye on the talented siblings ever since the debut of their 1967 Reactor Mustang at the Roush booth a few years ago. It was and still is one of the most impressive custom cars we’ve ever seen. Last year they wowed us with their 1969 Razor Camaro, which earned them the Street Machine of the Year award for the second straight year.

How do the Ringbrothers plan to top these two terrific muscle cars? With a 1964 Ford Fairlane nicknamed “Afterburner” due to debut on the first day of the show next week. We don’t know much about the Fairlane right now, but we fully believe our high expectations will be met. Car buff and comedian Adam Carolla will be on hand to introduce the car, and naturally, we’ll be there with cameras in hand, so check back next week for all the details.

[Source: Motorator.com]

SEMA Preview: Adam Carolla unveiling latest Ringbrothers project – “Afterburner” originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments