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New Nationwide cars don’t look like Mustang, Challenger; NASCAR still irrelevant
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Dodge, Ford
Last fall, NASCAR, Ford and Dodge all made a lot of noise about the introduction of the Mustang and Challenger bodies into the Nationwide race series. This all came after the latest Sprint Cup “Car of Tomorrow” drew criticism because all four participating brands had identical body shells, none of which looked like the stock road cars that lend them their names. The initial renderings focused on the front ends of the new racers, which featured more upright noses like the real pony cars you’ll find in dealer showrooms.
Unfortunately, with this weekend’s race debut of the Mustang and Challenger at Daytona, NASCAR proves yet again that nothing has really changed. Despite the the upright front ends, these cars don’t look markedly different from each other, or even the Sprint Cup cars, for that matter. With the headlight and grille stickers blurred out, neither of the new Nationwide stockers looks like a pony car. Can you tell which is which? Check out the originals after the jump.
Continue reading New Nationwide cars don’t look like Mustang, Challenger; NASCAR still irrelevant
New Nationwide cars don’t look like Mustang, Challenger; NASCAR still irrelevant originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video]
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: SUV, Safety, Technology, Crossover, Ford
When the new 2011 Explorer goes on sale later this year, Ford plans to highlight the new unibody ‘ute’s safety and fuel efficiency. The Explorer will be exclusively powered by four- and six-cylinder EcoBoost engines, which are expected to increase efficiency by 20-25 percent, while delivering the power consumers crave. Expect more drivetrain details to be forthcoming, but before then, Ford invited us out to its Dearborn proving grounds to see what it has in store on the safety front.
Ford confirmed last fall that the Explorer would be the first vehicle to get its new inflatable rear seat-belts, but the latest – and arguably more interesting – feature on the Explorer is dubbed “Curve Control.” The system is a software enhancement built on top of the existing roll stability control (RSC) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems, and we had a chance to experience it first hand. Make the jump to find out more.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video]
Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:01:00 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.