Filed under: Aftermarket, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, Ford, Humor, Design/Style

“There are thousands of products available to customize a car’s performance or handling. There are even more products for unique interiors, exteriors, lights, and sounds. But, in the midst of all the products and kits out there, no one has been able to alter their car’s emblem… until now.” So says Emblem Alive, a newly created company that seeks to change the face fascia of motoring forevermore.

Actually, we have seen custom emblems before, but we’ll let them get away with their statement anyway. ‘Cause it’s just that cool. Or something. Seriously, who wouldn’t want a galloping, neighing Ford Mustang emblem on their brand-new ponycar from the Blue Oval? Or, ya know, a golden Bowtie that beats like The Heartbeat of America?

Let’s play with the idea of a dancing and singing emblem a little bit, shall we? How about a growling Jaguar Leaper? Or a Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy that pops up from the grille (oh, wait) and speaks in the most pretentious voice you can come up with: “My other car is a Veyron” as it dances like a dashboard-mounted novelty hula girl. A Ram 1500 that proudly declares ‘Yeah, it’s got a Hemi.’ Our personal pick: a Z-car emblem that whispers “Black Gold.”

“The choices are amazing. The possibilities are endless.” Why yes, they are. And don’t you worry. A spitting Cobra is reportedly in the works.

By the way, we’re well aware that Thursday is April 1st, and this could very well be an extremely elaborate joke intended to make us all look foolish. That said, somebody sure went to a whole heck of a lot of trouble if that’s the case. We want to believe, we really do. You will too – just click past the break to watch the video and read the press release. All your dreams will come true. Trust us.

[Source: Emblem Alive]

Continue reading All-singing, all-dancing car emblems warp our fragile little minds [w/video]

All-singing, all-dancing car emblems warp our fragile little minds [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ford

Two years ago, Shelby produced a special edition Mustang for Barrett-Jackson in the auction house’s trademark black and red colors. This year, the auctioneers are back in the special edition Mustang game, this time with Roush Performance. That means a 540-horsepower, 510 pound-feet Roushcharged Mustang riding on a Roush-tuned suspension and 20-inch chrome wheels.

The car pictured is doused in two hues from the Planet Color Barrett-Jackson Collector Color Series paints: Back in Black with a Red Hot Chili Pepper stripe. There will be 25 examples made from the 2010 ‘Stang, and another 25 available as a 2011 model, and customers can order them in any of the 25 special colors in the collection.

The coupe will be auctioned with no reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s Collector Car Auction in Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday, April 3. For those of you keen to know more, check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: Roush]

Continue reading Roush and Barrett-Jackson pair up for special edition Ford Mustang

Roush and Barrett-Jackson pair up for special edition Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Sedan, China, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Ford, Earnings/Financials

Ford has just churned out the 500,000th Focus at its Chongqing plant in China. The company’s compact was first introduced to the Chinese market in 2005, where it has done well ever since. Ford says that January saw Focus sales explode, with 17,151 units rolling off of dealer lots that month alone. That figure marks a 78 percent sales increase over the same time last year.

The Chongqing plant currently builds both four- and five-door Focus models, and will also start kicking out the next-generation car in 2012 after the new global platform gets introduced to the European and American markets. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford of China builds 500,000th Focus in Chongqing

Ford of China builds 500,000th Focus in Chongqing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

When a corporation as large as Ford decides to do something as simple as shutting down its computers at night, the savings can be astronomical. In the case of Ford, powering down computers can save the company $1.2 million each year.

The new program, called PC Power Management, utilizes energy saving settings provided by Microsoft Windows. The energy settings will be used on company laptops and desktops to reduce energy waste. A managed shutdown will occur each night and during the weekend period. Additionally, computers will be awake to receive updates during pre-selected non-business hours, freeing up time previously used for updates throughout the working day.

According to Ford, an estimated 60 percent of the company’s computer remained on after business hours resulting in wasted energy. The new managed shutdown will eliminate waste to the tune of over a million dollars in savings for the company and reduce its carbon footprint by an estimated 16,000-25,000 metric tons per year. Hit the jump for the full details on the program.

Continue reading Ford to save $1.2M/year just by turning off its computers at night

Ford to save $1.2M/year just by turning off its computers at night originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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