Archive for June, 2010
Report: Ford Explorer to get ‘curve control’ system
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Budget, SUV, Safety, Technology, Ford
Brace yourselves. There’s another level of electronic nannyism coming to the Ford range of crossovers and SUVs soon. The company has developed a new system that should help counteract understeer in the same way stability control nixes pesky oversteer in almost every new car on the road. The safety gurus at the Blue Oval have come up with a new system called Curve Control that works in coordination with a number of vehicles sensors to determine if the vehicle is turning as sharply as the driver needs it to. If necessary, the system can sample data from the steering wheel angle, wheel speed and vehicle pitch to cut engine power and engage the brakes to slow the vehicle by up to 10 mph per second.
Curve Control will come standard on the all-new 2011 Ford Explorer, and the company says it plans to spread the tech to 90 percent of its high-riding 2012 models.
Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Teasers
[Source: The Detroit News]
Report: Ford Explorer to get ‘curve control’ system originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Report: Mulally’s compensation more than that of top three Japanese execs combined
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Ford, Earnings/Financials
It’s certainly tough to argue with the results of Alan Mulally’s tenure as chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company. The product and financial resurgence that Mulally has led allowed Ford to be the only Detroit-based automaker to avoid going through bankruptcy. That success is reflected in the Ford CEO’s paycheck as well.
Mulally earned more in 2009 than the CEOs of Toyota, Nissan and Honda combined with a total take of $17.9 million in cash and bonuses. Toyota’s Akio Toyoda earned $1.1 million and Honda’s Takanobu Ito took home $1.3 million. Nissan’s Carlos Ghosn was the highest paid of the Japanese company executives at almost $10 million.
It’s not at all unusual for American executives to earn more than their counterparts overseas, although currently only Mulally is earning these large sums in Detroit. General Motors CEO Ed Whitacre and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne are both limited as a result of the government bailouts. In spite of Mulally’s success, his pay still pales next to the $100+ millions regularly paid to financial executives.
[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]
Report: Mulally’s compensation more than that of top three Japanese execs combined originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Ford plans unique delivery strategy for new Fiesta owners
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Marketing/Advertising, Ford
Social media has been a critical element of Ford’s marketing strategy during the run-up to the 2011 Ford Fiesta launch, so it comes as no surprise that it’ll play a part in the customer delivery experience as well. In-showroom kiosks will play Fiesta Movement videos and act as photo booths for new owners. Before driving off the lot, Fiesta owners receive a USB thumb drive pre-loaded with an audio tutorial explaining the Fiesta’s features and and how to use them. Naturally, this can be played back through the Sync system right in the car.
Once in front of a computer, drivers can then use the thumb drive to install a program that lets them access and modify their delivery photos, then share them with other Fiesta owners. The desktop application also provides a wiki with tips on how to use the Fiesta, get podcasts and other related information. It’ll be interesting to see how Ford follows up the Fiesta launch when the new Focus arrives at the end of this year.
Gallery: Ford Fiesta delivery experience
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Ford plans unique delivery strategy for new Fiesta owners
Ford plans unique delivery strategy for new Fiesta owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Poll: Mazda2 versus Ford Fiesta
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford, Mazda
In case you missed it, we just published our First Drive of the brand-new Mazda2 today. If your attention spans is anything like ours, allow us to remind you that we’ve also driven the Ford Fiesta once or twice. Since both cars are built atop the same platform and will be competing for your hard-earned bucks in short order, the natural question is: Which one would you choose?
If you don’t have time to read both of our drives, here’s a quick glance at some of the more salient details:
| 2011 Ford Fiesta | 2011 Mazda2 | |
| Base Price | $13,995 (four-door sedan), $15,795 (hatchback) | $13,980 (hatchback) |
| Engine | 120 horsepower, 112 pound-feet of torque | 100 horsepower, 98 pound-feet of torque |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual, Six-speed dual-clutch auto | Five-speed manual, Four-speed auto |
| Base Weight | 2,537 pounds | 2,309 pounds |
| Efficiency | 29/40 (auto), 28/37 (manual) | 27/33 (auto), 29/35 (manual) |
Naturally, there’s more to the equation than the tale of the tape. For instance, if you’re in the market for an automatic transmission, the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox in the Fiesta seems to be a much more attractive option than the old-school four-speed automatic in the Mazda. Also, the Fiesta can store more cargo and has more comfortable seats.
It would seem that the scales are tipping in the Blue Oval’s favor. Consider too that the Fiesta is available as both a sedan and a hatchback while the Mazda2 is a hatchback only. Add in an available navigation system, leather interior, SYNC infotainment system and heated seats – none of which are available on the Mazda – and we’ve got a slam-dunk win for the Ford. Right?
Perhaps not. Our man Steven Ewing, the only member of the team to have driven both U.S.-spec models, tells us that the Mazda2 is notably more fun to drive than the Fiesta. Plus, he claims the 2 looks better in its specific shade of green, if that kind of thing is important to you. So, is the promise of an added dose of driving enjoyment worth the significant loss in comfort, convenience and economy? That’s up to you to decide.
Poll: Mazda2 versus Ford Fiesta originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.