You only have to go back a few years when the Ford Taurus was a fleet favorite and a cheap used car for people looking for a midsize sedan. 2009 and earlier model year Tauruses seemed to be a dime a dozen; their resale value sunk accordingly.

Limited Production

But, Ford wasn’t about to let past practices dictate what it wanted to gain from the 2010 Ford Taurus, an all-new full-size sedan. Instead of mass producing a car and offering it for fleet duty and thereby killing its resale value, Ford is satisfied with keeping production in line with demand.

The result? A much higher resale value. In fact, Ford sales the 2010 resale value is up by 39 percent over the previous generation 2009 model or $7100. Importantly, the 2010 Taurus has a $2500 premium over the Toyota Avalon, one of its chief competitors.

Resale Values

Resale value isn’t something a lot of consumers think about when buying a new car, but they should. If you plan to keep your car for five years and trade it in for a new model when your time with it is up, you want to get the most for your used car possible. Consumers are often stunned when they learn that their beloved ride isn’t worth all that much, often driven down in price because that model is a fleet favorite.

In addition to limiting production of the 2010 Ford Taurus, the automaker says that the new model also benefits from much higher quality levels.

Initial Quality

Commenting about the Taurus, Steve Ling, manager, Ford North American Car Marketing said, “When you talk about quality, it’s not just ‘Things Gone Wrong’ but ‘Things Gone Right. That’s very important because Things Gone Right are what attract customers to the showroom.” Ling noted that the Taurus ranks highest in the full car segment for initial quality according o the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study. Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) has given the Taurus similar recognition.

Ford also credits the vehicle’s dashing design and leading-edge technology with helping to keep the value of the Taurus up.  SYNC, blind spot information system, and voice activated navigation are among the technologies available with the Ford Taurus.

Source: Ford Motor Company

See Also — First Drive: Ford Taurus SHO ‘n Tell

If you have already purchased a 2011 Ford truck with diesel engine, you can get a software upgrade yielding more power and better fuel economy.

The Ford Motor Company has taken an unusual step by offering to give current and future owners of its 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty equipped with its new 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine a free upgrade. A software upgrade, that is.

More Power

That updated will give the truck a torque increase from 390 pound-feet to 400 pound-feet and a horsepower increase from 735 to 800. Ford says that the upgrade will take place at the dealer level, a 30-minute process which can be done beginning on August 31 and be available for the following 12 months. In addition to the power boost, improved fuel economy will be realized.

Commenting about the company’s move Barb Samardzich, vice president of powertrain engineering said, “These numbers are impressive, yes, but that is not why they matter. These numbers matter because our customers say they do. The higher torque means that fleet operators, such as Florida Power & Light, can plow through deep swamps and get to downed power lines faster and more confidently. It means that oil and gas crews in the Northwest can tow up an 8,000-foot grade maintaining a steady speed and using less fuel.”

Shrewd Move

From a publicity standpoint, the Ford move is a shrewd one. Mostly any sort of model upgrade automakers do are saved for the next model year vehicle.  Instead, Ford has found a way to improve its all-new Power Stroke V8 now through a software update and isn’t waiting the full year for the 2012 model to show up to share those improvements.

Ford claims that the power boost came about from a comprehensive testing move that “…included computer, laboratory and on-road validation ensured 250,000-mile durability in the new Power Stroke’s components and systems.” As a result, Ford was able to implement power gains while also improving fuel economy. Fuel economy numbers, by the way, are not published by the EPA for this class of vehicle, but Baldwin-Wallace College says the engine before an upgrade gets 29.2 miles to the gallon.

Best Seller

The Ford F-Series is the best selling vehicle in America and has been the leading truck model for more than three decades. In July 2010, Ford reported that sales for the F-Series topped 50,000 units with Super Duty sales up by 63 percent over July 2009.

Though July 2010, Ford’s U.S. sales have totaled 1.12 million units, an increase of 24 percent over 2009.

Source: Ford Motor Company

Ford “crossed over” when it introduced its all-new 2011 Explorer on Facebook earlier this week. The once SUV, now Crossover model was rolled out online in a first-of-its-kind introduction, part of Ford’s campaign to use social media sources to tout its latest model.

Crossover Platform

Based on a modified platform powering another Ford crossover, the Flex, the Explorer name is familiar to SUV enthusiasts. But the difference with the next generation Explorer is that it loses its truck chassis in favor of a car chassis. That move reduces the weight of the Explorer while helping to deliver a more car-like ride.

Besides its unusual debut, the Explorer will feature an optional four-cylinder engine, an EcoBoost 2.0-liter engine for drivers who want to reap maximum fuel economy. Indeed, Ford says that fuel economy will increase by 30 percent when buyers choose the four banger. EcoBoost combines Twin-Independent Variable Cam Timing with turbocharging to squeeze more power and better fuel economy out of an engine while emitting fewer emissions.

Fuel Savings

Ford will be utilizing six-speed automatic transmissions across the Explorer line, a move Ford has been using elsewhere in order to achieve more robust fuel economy numbers. Power assisted electric steering, four-wheel drive, roll resistant tires and improved aerodynamics are some of the features found in the 2011 Ford Explorer.

Weighing 100 pounds less than the model it replaces, Ford achieved weight savings by using an aluminum hood. Ford says that the new Explorer gains more content, but manages to lose weight even as its chief competitors–Honda Pilot and Toyota 4Runner-both gain weight.

Standard Engine

The Explorer’s standard powertrain arrangement combines front-wheel drive with a 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine. Estimated 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque is expected, EPA fuel economy numbers are not available yet.

Optionally,  the inline four-cylinder engine is expected to deliver 237 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,700 through 4,000 rpm. If received well by consumers expect Ford to offer similar engine offerings in other large vehicles in coming years.

Trimmed Explorers

The 2011 Ford Explorer will be available in three trim levels when it goes on sale early 2011: base, XLT and Limited. Standard equipment across the entire Explorer line include: MyForddriver connect technology including 4.2-inch LCD screen; media hub; cruise control; power windows and door locks; tilt/telescoping steering column; four 12-volt power points; and cargo hooks.

The Explorer will be built at the Chicago Assembly Plant which was opened in 1924. That plant will continue to produce the Lincoln MKS and Ford Taurus along with the Explorer.

Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company

Lest we forget, a battery powered version of the Ford Transit Connect will appear this summer, an electric commercial van for business consumption.

Battery Supplier

Yesterday, Ford announced that it has selected Compact Power, Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem to supply lithium-ion battery packs for the electric Ford Focus. LG Chem is one of the largest producers of lithium-ion batteries in the world; CPI is its North American division formed in 2000 and based in Troy, Michigan.

“CPI is an emerging leader in the lithium-ion battery field and we are pleased to have them as a strategic supplier as we prepare to bring the Ford Focus Electric to market,” said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Products and Hybrid programs. “We are moving aggressively with our electrification strategy and our work to help make Michigan a center of excellence for a range of electrified vehicles.”

Electric Range

Ford claims that the electric Focus Focus will have a targeted range of up to 100 miles per full charge with zero tailpipe emissions. That range will match what the Nissan Leaf offers, a pure electric car set to hit the market this fall about the same time as the Chevrolet Volt, an electric car with a backup 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

Focus Electric will be built in Wayne, Michigan at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. Previously, Ford announced plans to pour $550 million into Michigan Assembly Plant to transform it from a large SUV factory to a contemporary automotive plant designed to build the new Focus and Focus Electric.

The Wayne plant will also build a next-generation hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in 2012. Yes, each model will be built off the company’s new global C-car platform — can you say electric Lincoln?

Source: Ford Motor Company

OnStar has been around since the 1990s while airbag technology continues to evolve to where it can now protect the knees and even help ease seatbelt burns incurred in an accident. Side impact avoidance is catching on and most cars now offer an optional rear back up camera unit.

SYNC Technology

Though Ford had trailed GM badly in the 911 assist/navigation help arena thanks to OnStar technology, the Blue Oval has been closing that gap since introducing its Microsoft SYNC program in 2008. SYNC has given Ford a viable horse in the race, but Ford isn’t stopping there.

Ford is introducing a “Send to SYNC” feature that will allow people to access Google Maps from home, work or wherever else they have connectivity and send that information to SYNC.

Paperless Directions

Said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization, “Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age. With Send to SYNC, you can map a destination at home, at work – wherever you have connectivity – and when you get to your car, it already knows where you want to go. It’s convenient and it eliminates the waste and distraction of paper maps, conserving resources while helping drivers keep their eyes on the road.”

Yes, toss away your road atlas because now you’ll be able to view those directions on screen and avoid arguing with your spouse on the best way to fold maps. Take a road trip without the paper because everything you need is in the cloud.

Cloud Computing

According to Ford, the proprietary SYNC TDI application taps a customer’s mobile phone voice plan and the vehicle’s integrated GPS receiver to deliver location-based services, including driving directions or business searches, and on-demand information such as sport scores, headline news, local movie listings and stock prices.

Ford says that these new services, including the new Send to SYNC functionality, are cloud-based, which means that no vehicle updates are required. That means the service is available to all owners who have registered for TDI services through www.syncmyride.com.

The Google Maps ‘Send to SYNC’ capability will roll out later this month. As of this writing, Ford is the only automaker offering this capability without requiring a paid subscription to a telematics service. The automaker had announced previously the same feature for AOL’s MapQuest, which will launch later this year.

Source: Ford Motor Company

Coinciding with Mercury’s demise will be Lincoln’s rise. That ascendancy will include seven all new or significantly updated models released over the next four years including the brand’s very first C-segment (compact) model. Of particular note is that Ford has promised to develop Lincoln exclusive powertrains in a bid to further distance Lincoln from the Ford brand.

Ford named Cadillac and Lexus as two competing brands it has in its gunsights, the former its long time rival, the latter the dominant rival.

“Lincoln vehicles will reward drivers with smooth, effortless power complemented by agile handling and responsive steering,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president, Global Product Development. “The cabin is a sanctuary with segment-leading quietness, genuine materials and intuitive, useful technology.”

Lincoln once challenged Cadillac for luxury brand supremacy but along with its GM’s nemesis, withered in the face of relentless challenges offered first by the German brands and later by the Japanese. Cadillac began to recover ahead of Lincoln with the introduction of the CTS in 2003. Lincoln’s recovery began more recently under the guidance of Alan Mulally, the former Boeing CEO who has helped to transform Ford.

Ford noted that the Ford brand’s ascendancy has come at Mercury’s expense. For years, talk of Mercury’s demise had surfaced only to be shelved or cast to the side. Ford noted that of the 16 percent share of the US market it now enjoys, Mercury only makes up 0.8 percent of that amount. The Ford brand has picked up 2.2 points in recent years.

Unlike GM who has had to deal with stand alone Pontiac and Saturn dealers as it sought to remake itself, there are no stand alone Mercury dealerships in North America, the only place where the Mercury brand is sold. Mercury products are sold at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships or at combined Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealers.

Ford expects that the bolstered Lincoln brand will enable stand alone Lincoln dealers to thrive while others might seek to join with Ford in order to maximize product scale.

Ford offered no word as to whether its Mercury Girl, Jill Wagner, will have a job with FoMoCo once Mercury’s last car is sold. Wagner long implored “you got to put Mercury on your list” in ads touting the brand. Scratch that!

Source: Ford Motor Company

Two Fiestas

I actually test drove two Fiestas, one in red candy metallic and another one dressed in blue flame metallic, a pair of sedans. One was outfitted with a six-speed automatic, the other with a five-speed manual. I was told that both cars were the final pre-production models available as the all new Mexican-built Fiesta is now in production and the first cars are now heading to Ford showrooms across the United States.

Personally, I’m the wrong person to get excited about any B segment (subcompact) model. I just don’t fit into Ford’s demographics: I’m married, with two children and I’m a baby boomer. Ford says that they are targeting millennials, people making $35-45K per year and individuals who might be working as a journalist. Okay, the latter category describes me and, yes, I do drive an aged compact. Go figure.

Local Import

What has piqued my interest is that the Ford Fiesta is the first subcompact built by one of the Detroit 3 in North America. Sure, they had to go to Mexico to build the car, but there was no way that Ford could wring out costs low enough to make the car competitive by building it in the US or Canada. With a base MSRP of $13,995, the Fiesta is priced competitively with the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, its chief rivals. That in itself will sharpen the Fiesta’s appeal as the price disadvantage no longer applies.

Plus, the Fiesta is easy on the eyes—attractively styled though I personally prefered the sedan.

I’m nearly 6 feet tall and can say that the Fiesta offers plenty of leg, shoulder and hip room with a driver seat that is quite comfortable for a car in this class. I’ve driven plenty of small cars over the years and have typically found the experience to be painful at times. The driver’s seat offers firm back support with a thickly cushioned seat to take the edge off of the backside. It is at this point where many people decide whether to consider a small car or say “no thanks,” it just isn’t comfortable. Driver seating is simply not an issue with the Fiesta.

Track Time

A few laps around the test track cannot possible tell you everything about the Fiesta, but certain things were evident immediately: the car is quiet, handles well and has enough power to get you going and keep you ahead of some big rig bearing down on you on the interstate. There is enough torque available to call upon to stay out of harm’s way.

The manual stick shifted without effort and the brakes brought the Fiesta to a smooth, straight stop. In between, I took note of the fit and finish of the interior, appreciating the layout of the dash and marveled that the standard equipment for the Fiesta includes seven airbags with optional leather seating and available six-speed automatic transmission something not found elsewhere in this class.

Yes, Ford says that the Fiesta has 15 class-inclusive technologies and features and, with a highway fuel mileage of 40 mpg now confirmed by the EPA, it leads in that category too.

Fab Ford

Ford representatives are cautious regarding the Fiesta’s acceptance—I heard more than once that if gas goes up to $4 a gallon, it should sell well. Personally, we can’t afford high gas prices in this fragile economy, but I don’t think that the Fiesta will have to rely upon “pain at the pump” as a deciding factor for small car buyers.

That’s because in the Fiesta, Ford has shown that a small car can be comfortable, nicely designed, well appointed and offer boatloads of options not found in other small cars to convince buyers that the narrative has changed—American drivers will consider a home grown subcompact if it exceeds their expectations just as the Fiesta clearly demonstrates without equivocation.

Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company

Fiesta Buzz

Then again with a base sticker price of $13,995 and a surprising number of amenities offered as standard equipment, the Ford Fiesta is likely to see that ongoing buzz translated into sales. And, with recent confirmation from the EPA that the car will get 40 miles to the gallon on the highway (29 MPG city), B segment car shoppers will find in the Fiesta the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class.

With the Fiesta, Ford has turned the tables on small car marketing convention. Instead of the smallest, cheapest and most fuel efficient cars coming from Japan or Korea, this one is built at a factory in Mexico, a move that helps Ford hold down costs. And it is built by a traditional American car manufacturer at that.

No Apologies

But what the Fiesta really represents is this: it will be the first small car from Ford, General Motors or Chrysler that won’t need an apology. We’ll finally be getting what the rest of the world enjoys instead of a lame Americanized version of the same. Of course, the Detroit 3 aren’t the only ones to be blamed for decades of lackluster small car product: fickle American consumers now realize they can still enjoy their F-150s, but their second car has to be much more fuel efficient.

You want European drive and feel? You got it. You want top MPG? The Fiesta has it. You want to buy a fully optioned package with, gasp, heated leather seating surfaces? You’re looking at it.

All is forgotten; all is forgiven.

Gas Sipper

The base model is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and is paired with a 1.6L DURACTEC I4 engine featuring twin independent variable camshaft timing technology. That combo is rated at 28 city, 37 highway which compares with the Honda Fit (28 city, 35 hwy; 1.5L I4 paired with a 5-speed manual transmission) and the Toyota Yaris (29 city; 36 hwy; 1.5L I4 paired with a 5-speed manual transmission).

But it is the optional six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission that separates the Fiesta from its competitors, allowing the Fiesta to achieve its top EPA rating of 29 city, 40 highway. Those numbers help distance the Fiesta from the Fit and Yaris which achieve 28/35 and 29/35 respectively when equipped with automatic transmissions.

Two Products

The US specification Ford Fiesta will be sold in four-door sedan or five-door hatchback configurations which means that the three-door hatchback available in Europe won’t be part of the product mix, at least initially. My thinking is that consumers will be happy with the two body styles available, but if Ford deems otherwise it can adjust accordingly.

I’ll have a full review of the Ford Fiesta for you in coming weeks following my upcoming test drive.

Source: Ford Motor Company

See Also: Fuel Mileage Numbers By Segment Class (EPA)

Big Gains

The increase marks the fourth consecutive quarterly profit, marking the company’s largest pre-tax profit in six years. Ford now expects to make a profit for the remainder of the year and has expanded second quarter production once again, this time by 30,000 units.

Ford’s gain is in stark contrast to its crosstown rivals who are just now beginning to see their own small improvements. Both General Motors and Chrysler were shepherded through federal bankruptcy court last year with the US federal government now holding significant stakes in these two automakers. Despite its earlier financial problems, Ford did not receive a taxpayer funded bail out and has recovered much faster than its rivals.

Mulally Speaks

In a related news release Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally said, “The Ford team around the world achieved another very solid quarter, and we are delivering profitable growth. Our plan is working, and the basic engine that drives our business results – products, market share, revenue and cost structure – is performing stronger each quarter, even as the economy and vehicle demand remain relatively soft.”

Like so many other companies, Ford has found a way to make a profit by selling fewer vehicles. The cars that Ford is selling carry smaller discounts, are better contented and are new. Ford’s fleet is one of the youngest on the market and will continue to stay young thanks to new models debuting this year including the Ford Fiesta and Ford Transit Connect EV.

Global Strength

Ford continues to see market share increases around the world including in Canada where it recently toppled Chrysler as the best selling make there. In Europe, Ford edged out Volkswagen for sales leadership in March while in South America the automaker posted strong gains due to a sharp increase in sales in Brazil.

Earlier this month Ford announced that it was investing hundreds of millions of dollars in modernizing facilities located in Argentina and Brazil. Ford is also investing in plants located in Chicago, the UK and South Africa and is finalizing its deal to sell Volvo to Geely International this year.

Ford Vision

“We are seeing the benefits of our One Ford plan around the world,” said Lewis Booth, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer. “All of our business operations – North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific Africa and Ford Credit – were not only profitable, but also showed substantially improved results over a year ago.”

The next model to be released stateside will be the extremely popular subcompact Ford Fiesta (sales are booming wherever the car is sold), followed by an electric Transit Connect van, an all new Ford Explorer crossover and compact Ford Focus. Those vehicles are far along the product development pipeline, but a number of later models may include some features recommended by customers if Ford makes good on its quest to solicit customer ideas.

That quest is being played out on the company’s The Ford Story website, where the automaker is soliciting “Your Ideas” from customers on what they would like to see in its vehicles. Ford requires people to register and sign in to post their ideas and votes, limiting the number of stupid or sarcastic suggestions made.

Yes, this is the Internet where online anonymity and consequential snarky comments weigh heavily against constructive online interaction. I’m supposing that Ford is monitoring the site carefully, because the suggestions left so far seem to show a certain amount of common sense and perspicacity.

Take this example from William M: “Using the same principals as eyeglasses, your vehicles windows tint during times of bright sunlight and revert back during lowlight conditions for easy of driveablity.”

Good idea—the same technology found in Transitions lenses could be applied to Ford vehicles too. Get the right amount of shading for full, partial or no sunlight. Perhaps a licensing agreement with Transitions Optical, Inc. would ensue.

I liked William’s idea myself so I registered and gave him a thumb’s up, joining with six other people who also liked his idea. As of this writing, there was no one who thumbed it down. Nor were there comments left with the thread.

The Ford Story site appears to be a big hit since it launched in 2008. Ford claims more than 2.6 million visits to the site since it started which presents Ford news to customers in an easy to foll0w and understand format. In addition, the website makes for a good launching pad for the automaker’s social networking thrust, showing where the company is active on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and elsewhere.

Ford says that those ideas receiving the most “thumbs ups” from participants will be noted and included on a most-popular idea list and reviewed by Ford’s Advanced Product Marketing and Planning teams. Yes, your idea could get some serious scrutiny, but be careful: if you have something patentable, you should have your idea registered with the federal government before posting same online.

Ford’s initiative to aggressively seek customer feedback seems like a good idea, but I must say that from my perspective it can be huge time waster. I find myself drawn to reading each of the suggestions and neglecting my other responsibilities. That’s bad for me, but good for Ford especially if they listen to their customers and demonstrate how some of those suggestions are being incorporated.

Yes, like so many other participants, I also thumbed up the “bring diesels to the US” suggestion offered by Adam M., noting that only Ford’s F-Series trucks offer diesel power.

Ford, are you listening?