Prince Frederick Ford Mercury

Buying a Ford Fiesta? Yeah, there's an app for that.

2010-09-17T05:59:00.001-07:00

Interested in buying a 2011 Ford Fiesta? There's an app for that.

Ford has just launched its very first interactive sales brochure by way of an Apple iPad app for the new Fiesta (sorry, iPhone users – you're out of luck on this one). Here, users can learn far more about Ford's pride-and-joy B-segment offering than they ever could in your standard showroom pamphlets. The Fiesta app includes information about the car's quality, safety, connectivity, available accessories, colors, as well as a list of standard and optional features.

The interactive Fiesta iPad app is available as you read this and can be downloaded from the iTunes app store.

247-hp 2012 Ford Focus ST

2010-09-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well look what we found.

Finally a performace small car is coming to the US. We at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer , Prince Frederick Ford, are super excited to get our mitts on this baby. We can't wait.

Earlier this year, Ford promised us a hotter version of the all-new Focus, and at this month's Paris Motor Show, the Blue Oval is sticking to its word.

The 2012 Ford Focus ST will be the brand's first high-performance model developed under the watchful eye of its global performance vehicle team, and while the hatch you see here is being billed as a "design study," make no mistake – this will form the basis of the ST coming to market in early 2012.

Power is provided by an EcoBoost 2.0-liter inline four churning out 247 turbocharged horsepower, and Ford promises that the ST's handling and aural delights will live up to the marque's performance heritage. FoMoCo also makes it clear that the ST is bound for "all global markets from early 2012" so those of us in the States should finally get a crack at what's traditionally been a Euro-only affair.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

2011 Ford Fiesta snags IIHS Top Safety Pick

2010-08-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

2011 Ford Fiesta gets IIHS Top Safety Pick

Well let's be honest here, this really comes as no great surprise to us. We have always said the new 2011 Ford Fiesta was great in every aspect. Looks like the fine folks at IIHS agree. We at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer hope you never have the chance to verify these test results but it's nice knowing the facts. Check out this article from the fine folks at Auto Blog

We have mountains of respect for the men and women who work at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. After being invited to the institute's Charlottesville, Virginia facility for a front-row seat to the 2011 Ford Fiesta's frontal-offset test, we can honestly say that if we had their job, we'd have a hard time getting into just any old car ever again. While the Blue Oval's new sub-compact passed its battery of evaluations with flying colors (being the first and only minicar to earn a Top Safety Pick nod since the institute added a rollover test), we were also treated to a tour of some of the more poorly engineered models from the recent past.

Manufacturers have made an impressive amount progress on the safety front in the last decade, thanks largely to a close partnership with the IIHS. The institute has worked to revise crash tests to more accurately reflect the composition of vehicles on the road. One of its primary functions is to identify crashes where people die in otherwise well-rated vehicles and to adjust crash tests accordingly. While the public identifies the institute with bouncing perfectly good cars off of chunks of aluminum and concrete, the truth is that crash testing is only a small part of the IIHS mission. Of course, it's also the most fun part. Jump to the bottom to take a look at a video of the Fiesta's frontal-offset test.

Walking around the test hall, it's impossible to argue against the benefit of the institute's work. In the late '90s, most vehicles were still being tested for side-impact collisions using barriers designed to replicate the front-end of the majority of the vehicles on the road in 1982. You know, back when an SUV was something you used to get to the fishing cabin, not to ferry the kids to and from the mall. After looking around and realizing that status-quo on the road no longer looked like the nose of a '79 LTD, the IIHS introduced a new barrier based on the average ride height and hood height of SUVs.

The change was enormous. Cars like the Ford Focus, which had fared well in both IIHS and NHTSA tests, suddenly showed weaknesses that hadn't been apparent beforehand, and manufacturers scrambled to meet the new standard. Two Mitsubishi Lancers hang on the wall as a demonstration of the kind of change that the new barrier wrought. On the bottom, a 2005 model sits with its B pillar cut in two from a 31 mph impact in which the driver would have most certainly had to have been vacuumed from the car. Up above, a 2008 model fared much better thanks to additional bracing and plenty of air bags.

What a difference a few years makes.

Since then, the biggest change to the IIHS testing has come in the form of the new rollover test. The institute has been giving vehicles rollover ratings since 2001, but a 2008 study found that vehicles with strong roofs significantly reduce the risk of death or injury in the event of a rollover. In order to receive a Good rollover rating, a vehicle must withstand four-times its weight applied on one corner of the roof.

In the case of the 2011 Fiesta, the tiny compact managed to take over five times its weight before the roof exceeded the intrusion parameters set aside by the IIHS – not too shabby.

Since the institute only tests one car per day, we were only able to be on hand for the decidedly more dramatic frontal offset test, in which one shiny Fiesta sedan was rammed into a concrete and aluminum block at 40 mph. We'll let you watch the video to see that one for yourself. While the mechanical carnage was impressive, the Fiesta's passenger compartment was uncompromised, netting the car the final Good rating it needed to sweep the board.

2010-08-20T05:55:00.000-07:00

Ford announced that the redesigned 2011 Ford Edge began shipping from the Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario to dealerships across the United States last weekend. The 2011 Ford Edge SE -- available only in front-wheel-drive (FWD) -- will start at $27,220, plus a $775 destination fee. This is $200 less than the 2010 model. The SEL FWD ($30,420) and Limited FWD ($33,220) models account for 80 percent of all Edge sales, Ford said. The top trim is the Sport model, which starts at $36,220. Four-wheel-drive will cost an additional $1,850 on the SEL, Limited and Sport trim levels.

All Edge models will get not only a more powerful V6 engine rated at 285 horsepower, but also a one MPG increase in city fuel economy and two MPG increase on the highway. One of the more notable features of the new Edge is MyFord Touch, which will come standard on the Limited, Sport models and is available as an option on the SEL. More here

We are expecting ours to arrive within the next week or two, so keep checking in with us online or on facebook. Prince Frederick Ford is located at the corner of RT 4 and Rt 231 in Prince Frederick MD.

Consumer Reports: First drive 2011 Fiesta

2010-08-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

First Drive: 2011 Ford Fiesta

The 2011 Ford Fiesta subcompact is the first fruit born of the automaker’s new One Ford strategy. The idea is to conserve resources and development costs by making every model uniform throughout the world. Ford has tried this sporadically over the last 40 years with only mixed success. The trick is finding a recipe that appeals equally in Beijing, Barcelona, and Boston.
The Fiesta was designed and developed by Ford of Europe as a home-grown Anglo-German product. The U.S. version, made in Mexico, retains its European-style sophistication in materials, workmanship, and driving dynamics, but can that perception of quality overcome the American market’s historic aversion to tiny cars?
We’re testing two Fiestas, a mid-trim sedan with an automatic transmission ($16,595) and a top-trim hatchback with a manual shift, which rang up at $17,795. The engine is a 120-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder....click here for full report.

Want to drive one for yourself? Come down to Prince Frederick Ford Mercury, a the corner of Rt 4 and Rt 231, Prince Frederick MD. We have Fiestas in stock for you to choose from.

First Ride: Autoblog gets hot in Dubai with 2011 Ford Explorer

2010-08-17T07:28:00.001-07:00

We are as anxious as you to have the first 2011 Explorers hit the lot at Prince Frederick Ford. Until they do, we thought we would share this article from Autoblog about their Dubai testing experience.

With California's Death Valley conveniently located on the same continent as Dearborn, Michigan, why on earth would Ford ship engineers and the all-new 2011 Explorer all the way to the United Arab Emirates to conduct hot-weather and off-road testing? Especially on a crossover, a vehicle few people will ever drive off-road?

The value of this 14,000-mile round trip became abundantly clear as I stepped out of the civilized, air-conditioned comfort of my shuttle vehicle, an F-150 SVT Raptor.

The air in Dubai hits you like an atomic hair dryer. Unlike the heat in Death Valley, there's some serious humidity hanging in the atmosphere due to the UAE's proximity to the Gulf of Oman. Our day in the desert saw temperatures of 48° Celsius (118° Fahrenheit) with humidity in the range of 40-60 percent. That's not a dry heat. Using a standard heat index calculator with a 50-percent humidity factor, the equivalent temperature showed 191° Fahrenheit.

Continued...click here

Ford Fiesta to pace the field at NASCAR race

2010-07-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

Can't say we are surprised by this one. Ford has been a marketing machine when it comes to promoting the all new 2011 Ford Fiesta. Now don't get us wrong we love, love, love all the attention this outstanding little car that could is getting. Why we even have been doing some ourselves right here at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer, Prince Frederick Ford.

Sure enough, the upcoming Sprint Cup Carfax 400 will be paced by none other than the Blue Oval's tiny 2011 FiestaSedan. With less than a third of the displacement of the tube-frame beasts lapping Michigan International Speedway, we wouldn't quite expect lightning-quick pace laps, but hey – safety first. While pace cars are typically some sort of performance product, manufacturers aren't past parading less than muscular new hardware in front of the captive audiences of the raceway.

If Ford was looking for a way to bring its marketing for the Fiesta out of the social media realm and into a more mainstream American venue, they could have hardly done better than the Sprint Cup. On average, the series races net 7.9 million viewers. On Sunday, August 15, each and every one of those souls will get to watch a maroon four door fiesta lead the pack, complete with a massive Blue Oval decal down the side. Talk about cheap advertising.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Ford unveils new body kits, graphics and accessories for Fiesta

2010-07-08T13:28:00.001-07:00

2011 Ford Fiesta with graphics

Ford has given Fiesta buyers a chance to turn their purchase into something a little unique. The company is offering a number of customization options for the new pint-sizer, including a rash of interior options and exterior graphics. For starters, the car can be equipped with a number of interior lighting accents, including an illuminated shift knob and door sill plates, or LED mood lighting for the cup holders and foot wells. Outside, Ford will be happy to set you up with an aggressive body kit and rear spoiler, for a price.

That's fancy, sure, but the neat part is wide variety of vinyl graphics available straight from the factory. Ford calls one of the decals a "body tattoo," but it's really nothing more than a big sticker that spells out Fiesta along the side of the vehicle. Those looking for something a little bolder can choose between over 18 other designs.

Make sure to stop by your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer (that's us Prince Frederick Ford!) and check out the really exciting and fun Ford Fiesta.

Yeah, there's an app for that

2010-07-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

Yet again proving that there is an app for everything.

We at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer (well we think we are your favorite and if not then we should be!) have always thought the phrase "There's an app for that" didn't apply to EVERYTHING. Well apparently we were wrong. We stumbled upon this little article about a new app to help save fuel. How sweet is that! Imagine the fuel savings you could get if you use this with the all new Ford Fiesta.

When the discussion turns to apps for the iPhone, it's far easier to think of things that the iPhone can do than it is to come up with a list of stuff that itcan't. DriveGain has introduced a new iPhone app that promises to save drivers up to $205 a year in fuel costs by following some simple visual and spoken cues.

The DriveGain app uses the iPhone's built-in GPS system to calculate the vehicle's speed and rate of acceleration and deceleration. The visual displays include a recommended gear indicator and some sliders that drivers try to keep in the green. In addition, the app calculates fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, fuel cost per mile and much more. By following the on-screen cues, DriveGain claims that it can help users save hundreds in fuel while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 660 kilograms per year.

The DriveGain app is currently only available for manual transmission vehicles, but automatics will be supported soon. The apps database has over 16,900 different cars to choose from and can be used on the iPhone 3G and 3GS, as well as on the iPod Touch and iPad. iPhone 4 support is coming soon. To download the app click here.

SOURCE [DriveGain]

Supercrew F150 SVT Raptor spy photos

2010-06-16T06:53:00.001-07:00

Looks like the rumors we have been hearing at Prince Frederick Ford Mercury are maybe not rumors after all! Autoblog reader Geo happened to be cruising on I-275 in Detroit last week when he was passed by a convoy of Ford F-150 pickups. Snugged smack dab in the middle was none other than the upcoming F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew without a stitch of camouflage to cover those two extra doors. Geo did what any good enterprising AB reader would do and clicked a couple of photos as the desert-crushing truck blew by. The prototype in the photos has ditched the outlandish graphics of its shorter brother, but it still looks just as mean, and it's even slathered in silver paint, a color that isn't currently available. If the badge on the fender is any indication, this particular example packs the same 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 mill we were fortunate enough to sample not too long ago, which means it should have no problem jumping over hill and dale. If ever there was a backyard party on four wheels, this is it.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew

Reader Spy: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew spotted naked and unashamed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer?

2010-06-08T13:32:00.001-07:00

2011 Ford Explorer, is that you?

Sometimes, we have to wonder if automakers just like toying with the emotions of those of us who follow their comings and goings on a daily basis. How else can we explain how Ford would show up to the Shoreline Community College Automotive Center in Seattle with what appears to be the back half of a 2011 Ford Explorer in tow?

It's not really possible to know exactly what it is that we're gazing at in the video pasted after the break, but it sure does appear to match what we're expecting to see from the first unit-construction Explorer from the Blue Oval Boys. Nowhere else is that more evident than with the sloping C-pillar, which looks like a dead ringer for the one we saw blowing in the wind on a car hauler back in March.

No matter what it is that we're seeing in this video, the rear seatbelt airbag technology on display is definitely coming to a dealership near you, first on the – you guessed it – 2011 Ford Explorer. Enough talking already... check out the video for yourself after the break.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Residual Value Report: Ford cars make big jump

2010-06-08T13:06:00.001-07:00

Here is a little tidbit we thought was worth sharing. It seems that Ford has seen it's residual valve take a nice jump in the past five years. Now this isn't something new to this DC area Ford Dealer. We have known all along how well this brand retains it's value. Just ask our Used Car manager he has seen trade in value skyrocket in the past few years.

The Automotive Lease Guide has just released its annual report of residual values. Thanks to slimmed production and lower incentives, both Ford and Chevrolet saw jumps of 11 and 7.5 percentage points, respectively, compared to five years ago, and a number of other manufacturers saw the worth of their products climb as well. Ford's passenger cars managed to rank second in the highest improvement since 2005 with a residual value of 48.8 percent. Both Ford and Chevrolet trucks are counted separately in the survey because of their disproportionately high residual value.

Both Suzuki and Hyundai found themselves on the top five list of improved residual value with 12.6 and 9.1 respective percentage point jumps over 2005 – healthy numbers. But for as much as those brands have improved over the last half decade, others, like Porsche, Volvo and BMW have seen their numbers fall.

Porsche has taken the biggest hit, with the company's residual value falling to 44.4 percent – an 8.2 percentage point drop since 2005.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

2010-05-25T10:00:00.001-07:00

Some pretty cool video of the 2011 Mustang GT with Jay Leno

Want one in your garage? Come see us at Prince Frederick Ford Mercury!

Update on the F150 SVT Raptor

2010-05-24T13:22:00.001-07:00

Well, you asked and Ford has delivered and will keep on delivering. You can now get a F150 SVT Raptor with the new 6.2L V8 engine...talk about horsepower! And in 2011 you will be able to get a crewcab!

My only wish is that someone from Prince Frederick Ford could have been with these guys in Michigan when they were mudding. Now that would have been fun.

Check it out...http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/05/second-drive-2010-ford-f150-svt-raptor-62.html

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty Motor Trend review

2010-05-10T08:37:00.001-07:00

We didn't want you to think that we had forgotten about the much anticipated 2011 Super Duty. We have several in stock - both the 6.2L gas engine as well as the 6.7L turbo diesel. Come to Prince Frederick Ford and take a test drive and judge for yourself!

FORD CUSTOMERS BENEFIT FROM HIGHER RESALE VALUES, FEWER WARRANTY REPAIRS

2010-04-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

The good news from Ford just keeps coming and your local Ford dealer, Prince Frederick Ford Mercury, couldn't be happier.

The resale value of newer Ford Motor Company vehicles rose 23 percent in the past year alone, the result of stronger demand for Ford's new vehicle lineup and improved quality and durability ratings.

At the same time, warranty repair rates on Ford vehicles have declined by an average of more than 40 percent globally in the past three years.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles with one to five years on the road are fetching significantly higher resale values at auction in the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter a year ago. Overall, the resale value of Ford's three brands at auction rose 23 percent from a year ago to outpace the industry, which saw resale values increase by 19 percent, according to the latest National Automobile Dealers Association auction data.

Rising resale values means more money in customers' pockets when it is time to sell or trade in for a new vehicle. Combine these savings with lower repair and maintenance costs and better fuel economy, and the cost to own a Ford product drops dramatically over the life of the vehicle.

Ford performance in third-party consumer quality rankings has been steadily improving for the past several years. Years of a consistent and disciplined focus on quality is paying off, including a marked decline in warranty repair rates.

Ford has reduced its warranty repair rates on vehicles in their first three months of service by an average of more than 40 percent in every major business region around the world in the past three years.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles' initial quality in the U.S. has improved for five straight years. Ford vehicles now have the fewest number of defects of any full-line manufacturer, according to the GQRS study conducted by RDA Group.

For Ford customers, this means fewer trips to the dealership for repairs. This also means savings for Ford as the company has reduced its warranty repair costs by $1 billion in the past three years.

Source: Ford Motor Company

Speeding Tickets: 65 issued per minute and other fun facts

2010-04-13T05:08:00.001-07:00

It’s every driver’s nightmare: flashing blue and red lights in your rear-view mirror. Speeding tickets can strike a blow to anyone’s day. While you pull away from the office with the ticket in your hand, you wonder “Is going ten or fifteen miles an hour over the speed limit that big a deal?” Or “How much is my insurance going to go up now?” Here is some information that answer such questions that will surely cross your mind.

[Via: Auto Insurance]

Make sure to turn off those computers!

2010-03-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

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.

We at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer, Prince Frederick Ford think that any effort expended to save some dinosaurs is a good thing. Way to go Ford!

Source [Autoblog]

2011 Fiesta video - Car and Driver

2010-03-19T08:11:00.001-07:00

We thought that we would share a video of the 2011 Fiesta, since we are taking orders and expect them in the showroom starting in June. Want more information, come to Prince Frederick Ford Mercury and we will be glad to help.

Fact vs Fiction - car maintenance revealed

2010-03-16T05:49:00.001-07:00

With spring right around the corner and many folks getting ready for summer road trips, Prince Frederick Ford Mercury thought the timing was great to share this information just released by Ford.

Ford decided to debunk a few of the most popular maintenance myths, including the following:

MYTH: Cars need oil changes every three months or 3,000 miles.
False: That used to be true, but not with newer cars. Because of synthetic oils that don’t break down as quickly, consumers actually don’t need oil changes as often – more like every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. (There may be two recommendations for oil-change intervals: one for normal driving and one for hard use. Check your maintenance guide to be sure.)
SAVE: Either way, there’s a considerable savings here: Let’s say you’re an average consumer who drives 12,000 miles a year, which means you would need about four oil changes a year under the old formula. With the new extended mileage, consumers need only about two oil changes a year, cutting their bill for oil changes in half – you could pocket upward of $50 a year or $650 in the lifetime of your car and do something to help the environment by saving oil.

MYTH: You need to let your vehicle engine warm up in cold weather.
False: Your vehicle’s engine only needs a warm-up period of about 10 seconds – you’re actually the only one who may feel chilly. The engine warms up while you drive. Running your car any longer beforehand is just a waste of gas.
SAVE: Depending on engine size, temperature and other variables, modern cars can use about a third of a gallon of gas per hour while idling. By giving up that 10-minute idle every weekday morning, you could save more than a gallon a month – $32 a year or $416 over the life of the vehicle.

MYTH: Premium gas is a treat for your car.
False: Unless your vehicle is specifically tailored to take advantage of the higher octane level in the fuel, you’re wasting your money. Go by what is recommended in your owner’s manual and leave it at that.
SAVE: At current gas prices, drivers may save up to $150 a year by opting for unleaded gas instead of premium.

MYTH: The number listed on the sidewall of your tire is the recommended tire pressure. False: In most cases, this is actually the maximum pressure allowed for that tire. The recommended amount of pressure is usually listed on the inside door panel – check your owner’s manual to be sure.
SAVE: The government estimates that the average driver’s tires are underinflated by 26 percent. Generally, underinflated treads lower gas mileage about a half percent for each pound lacking when the pressure of all four tires is added up. An average driver with underinflated tires could add $79 a year to his or her fuel bill – or more than $1,027 in the lifetime of the vehicle. You could also save nearly half a barrel of crude oil per year by keeping your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended level. Per the EPA, one barrel of crude oil equals 42 gallons of gasoline.

MYTH: Buy gas in the morning and you’ll save money.
False: The old adage was to fill up in the morning when gas was coolest and most dense because gas is sold by volume and you would get more gas for your buck.

But gas is sold in underground, nonmetallic tanks that typically hold about 10,000 gallons, and it will take a lot of sunlight to raise the temperature even a degree. (However, pumping your gas when it’s cooler does mean less release of vapors, which is better for the environment.)

SAVE: Do your research before buying. Ford’s SIRIUS Travel Link™ sorts gas stations by price on the navigation screen, but Web sites like MSNAutos.com can also help drivers navigate to bargains. In our quick research, we found two gas stations in New York City – less than a mile apart – with 30 cents per gallon price difference. If you know before you go and fill up for less every time, it could result in $227 in your pocket annually, or $2,951 saved over the lifetime of your car.

All totaled, by implementing small changes, drivers could save up to $538 a year or $6,610 in the lifetime of their vehicle. In today’s economy, every penny counts. That’s why it’s important to get the facts.

Source: Ford

Entertainment for today

2010-03-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

Well, we thought today would be a good day for some entertainment. Here is the latest video from Blake Sheldon and Trace Adkins. What does this have to do with Ford....well, they do mention F150! Enjoy!

And when you are ready to get a Ford, just stop by and see us at Prince Frederick Ford Mercury, located at the corner of Rt 231 and Rt 4 in Prince Frederick

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty Introduction

2010-03-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

You don't have to skip to the end of this review to find out our opinion of Ford's 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickups. At this moment, there's no doubt that Ford has once again raised the bar to new levels of performance and productivity for heavy-duty pickups. The Super Duty continues to be the standard against which its competition will be measured. Read on and find out why.

HD pickups are the workhorses of the truck world, and like pack animals that farmers used to depend on to deliver their crops to market, when a work truck is out of service it causes more than aggravation — it can cost hard dollars and time. And these trucks are worked hard. Ford says 97 percent of Super Dutys are used for towing, according to Super Duty Marketing Manager Brian Rathsburg.

A $50,000-plus price tag isn’t uncommon today, so two of the most important considerations a buyer might think about before committing their hard-earned cash are: Will this truck be able to perform the jobs that I need it to do, and do I feel confident that it will complete them successfully?

Ford is answering those questions by making many improvements to the Super Duty just three years after its last major update, but its most significant changes include two new gasoline and diesel engines and a new six-speed automatic transmission that's used for both versions. The ZF six-speed manual transmission has been dropped from the lineup. Both engines have been engineered from scratch. The standard 2-valve 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine develops 385 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 405 pounds-feet of torque (at 4,500 rpm), up from the old 5.4-liter gas V-8's 300 hp and 365 pounds-feet. But it's the 4-valve 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel engine that's the darling of the powertrain lineup. It pumps 390 hp (at 2,800 rpm) and a staggering 735 pounds-feet (at 1,600 rpm). Roughly 60 percent of Super Duty pickups are ordered with diesel engines.

Want to read more? Click here for the full article

You can order yours now. Just stop in to Prince Frederick Ford Mercury and we will walk you through the process.

Source: Pickuptrucks.com

Need a wash?

2010-03-08T09:59:00.001-08:00

Luckily, no one on the overpass appears to be driving a convertible

Since winter was a little rough and we are sure your car is way dirty we thought you might want to get it washed. Here is a fun way to get it acomplished, although you have to go to Argentina.

What happens when you combine a flooded underpass, a traffic-jammed overpass, and a passenger train in Buenos Aires, Argentina? You get a real-life Six Flags water attraction. Those people standing near the train tracks? They need towels. Hope everyone up on the road above had their windows closed.

[Source: YouTube]

Ford Posts 43% Sales Gain for February.

2010-03-03T13:23:00.001-08:00

I am sure you know how proud we are of Ford here at your favorite Washington DC area Ford Dealer, Prince Frederick Ford since we couldn't help but to brag a little back in January about how Ford had a 33% sales gain in 2009. Well we couldn't keep our little fingers away from the keyboard about this latest bit-o-news.

February's automotive sales numbers are slowly rolling in, and we're already seeing that Toyota's recall crisis has severely hurt the company's overall sales. On the other hand, its loss has proved to be a real gain for other automakers, especially Ford Motor Company, sales of which topped not only Toyota's in February, but General Motors' as well.

Both Ford and GM posted healthy increases last month – the Blue Oval folks up by 43 percent and GM up by 12. Toyota, by contrast, was down 9 percent versus February 2009. Keep in mind, not only were new car buyers eager to stay away from Toyota lots, but the automaker was required to stop selling many of its most popular models for a short period of time last month. Camry sales, for example, dropped 20 percent versus last year's numbers.

Ford may be wearing the crown of America's best selling automaker for February 2010, but it's important to note that it only sold 334 more vehicles than GM. We'll see if Ford can hold on to this trend, especially since new products like the 2011 Fiesta will be hitting showrooms in the not-too-distant future and GM has still yet to permanently shed its four non-core brands.

[SOURCE AutoBlog]

2011 Ford Mustang gets here soon!

2010-02-26T11:51:00.001-08:00

2011 Ford Mustang GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

This comes as no surprise to those of us at your favorite Ford Dealer Prince Frederick Ford because we know how sweet the new 2011 Ford Mustang is. We have read all the specs and drooled over the pictures like a bunch of 2 year olds waiting for some candy. We are super stoked that the 2011 Mustangs will be hitting this Maryland Ford Dealers lot in May and can't wait to take a spin.

2009 was not a banner sales year for the Ford Mustang. Despite a complete makeover for the 2010 model year, sales of the usually successful pony car topped off at 66,623, an all time low. The Mustang still managed to beat out the Camaro in total sales for the year, but Ford sold fewer Mustangs for each month that the Camaro was actually on showroom floors.

Enter the 2011 Mustang. Apparently, a 305-horsepower V6 that gets 30 mpg and a 5.0-liter V8 putting out 412 horsepower does wonders for sales. Ford is reporting that three times more 2011 Mustangs have been ordered than 2010 models at this same time last year. In total, 11,000 Mustangs have been ordered since January.

Customers have been particularly taken with the V6 model, which makes up half of all the orders, and the California Special has also fared better than expected, tripling Ford's initial sales projections. Ford says that 41-percent of 2011 Mustang orders have been for the GT model, who will surely enjoy rollin'... in their five-point-ohs, and the remaining nine percent have been for GT500s. Hit the jump for the full press release from Ford.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Ford Focus: Next-generation Ford Focus RS

2010-02-23T06:06:00.001-08:00

So there are rumors out there that indicate that the hot Ford Focus RS may come to the United States. Available for years in Europe, this little hot rod is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Focus RS goes from 0-62 mph in just 5.9 seconds accomplished by the 305hp powerplant under the hood.

Now we know for now this is just a tease as the rumors may never become reality, but it is nice to dream.

Click here for in depth review of the 2010 Ford Focus RS

Hold onto your hat!

2010-02-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

This is one of the "hold on to you hat" ride!
Where we can now order the 2011 Mustang, we thought you might enjoy a look at the First Ride. Motor Trend compares the new 3.7L V6 to the V6 in the Camaro and Challenger.

And now onto the real story! The 5.0L IS BACK!! And boy are we excited. Check this out.

Want more information, Prince Frederick Ford at the corner of Rt 4 and Rt 231 in Prince Frederick, or call us at 410-535-0900.
Hurry - if you order it today you will have your own 2011 Mustang just in time for summer!

Its new and it rocks, 2011 Ford Fiesta

2010-02-17T08:29:00.000-08:00

Well, we thought that we would dig up some video for you of the much talked about 2011 Ford Fiesta. We, at Prince Frederick Ford Mercury, have just started ordering them and expect to see the first ones arrive Late May/Early June.

Contact us at 410.535.0900 for more information.

2011 Ford Edge gets three engine choices, more ambitious Sport model

2010-02-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

As dutiful American consumers, we've been taught to believe that choice is good. To that end, the splintering of the automotive market into different niches (four-door coupes, small panel vans, high-riding hatchbacks, etc.) is a positive development for buyers. But while the range of total models from automakers has been increasing, individual variation within a given model range has seemingly been reigned in, from a drastic reduction in build combinations of light-duty pickups to the availability of engines and ala carte options in everyday vehicles. Standing in direct contrast to this trend, however, is the 2011 Ford Edge crossover.

Whereas the first-generation Edge has lived since 2006 with a 3.5-liter V6 as its sole drivetrain, the 2011 model will offer no fewer than three powertrain choices. For 2011, the 3.5-liter engine will live on as the Edge line's bread-and-butter, but it is being joined by Ford's first production application of a new EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, as well as the larger 3.7-liter V6 for the popular Edge Sport. In the case of the 3.5-liter, it produces 285 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, while the Sport's larger 3.7 Ti-VCT V6 delivers 305 ponies and 280 torques on 87 octane. Ford is not yet releasing power and economy numbers on the EcoBoost engine, but it promises "class-leading" fuel efficiency, noting that the new powertrain should eclipse the original 2006 Edge by some 30 percent.

Follow the jump to find out what else has changed for the Edge, as well as Ford's official press release.

Source: Autoblog.com

2011 Ford Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds

2010-02-09T04:58:00.000-08:00

You know that the Prince Frederick Ford Mercury blog team trys hard to keep you up to date on the latest Ford news. For you Mustang loyalists, here is a great bit of news...

Ever since Ford introduced the modern Shelby GT500 four years ago, almost no one has complained about the prodigious power levels produced by its supercharged 5.4-liter V8. With as much as 540 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque in the 2010 model, there was no shortage of grunt. No, the issue was an excess of mass.

Before the contemporary GT500 was born, Ford had a blown aluminum block 5.4-liter V8 in the short lived GT supercar. However, when the engineers at Ford's Special Vehicle Team developed the GT500, they opted to mount the GT's cylinder heads on the cast iron block used in the big F-Series pickup trucks. After debuting a visual refresh for the Mustang a year ago, Ford has spent the last two months announcing fresh new powertrains for the base and GT models. That process has now come full circle with SVT rolling out a heart transplant for the Shelby GT500. The 2011 model finally has the aluminum powerplant we all wanted when it debuted, and the effect is absolutely en-lightening.

Read on to find out more.

2011 Ford Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds — Autoblog

Fun Ford Facts

2010-02-05T04:31:00.000-08:00

I thought today with the impending snow storm it would be fun to share some fun Ford facts.

Which revered auto racing champion was tasked with test-driving the model year 1996 Taurus?

Jackie Stewart. As a three-time Formula One champion, Stewart's feedback to Ford on the 1996 Taurus, the controversial oval-themed redesign of the type, provided valuable information to the designers. Taurus would underfo one more major redesign for model year 2000, in which many of those oval elements were softened. The model year 2005 Taurus was the last sold to the general public in the United States. Ford replaced the sedan variant with the Five Hundered and the Fusion, and the station wagon variant with the Freestyle.

Check back tomorrow for another fact!
Source: Funtrivia

WRC comes to Discovery HD Theater! Check out the Ford Fiesta

2010-02-04T10:32:00.001-08:00

2010 Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta – Click above for high-res image gallery

Finally! First Ken Block switches to a Ford and now this!

We at Prince Frederick Ford think it is super sweet that we will be able to catch all the great World Rally Championship racing action from our comfy recliner. All in HD! Check out the article we found on Autoblog this morning and when your done with that check out Ken's performance in the Ford Fiesta during some testing in the snow.

Assuming for a moment that you won't be watching any stages live, what could possibly be better than strapping into the living room recliner and watching World Rally Championship coverage here in the United States? How about watching that very same coverage in glorious high definition? You're in luck, as Discovery's HD Theater plans to air the entire 2010 season, the start of which is coming up fast.

The action will begin on Thursday, February 25th at 10 PM Eastern with the Rally Sweden event. Racing will continue on Friday and a follow-up episode will be aired the following Sunday night from 10-11 PM ET. The second race, the Corona Rally Mexico, will follow the same schedule from Thursday, March 18th through Sunday, March 21st.

In case you're wondering, Ken Block will indeed be taking part in the 2010 Rally Sweden behind the wheel of his brand new Ford Focus RS, giving American viewers a hometown hero to pull for. Air dates for the remainder of the 2010 WRC season will be announced later.

SOURCE [Autoblog]

2011 Mustang 3.7L V-6 What a Ride

2010-02-02T05:43:00.000-08:00

2011 Ford Mustang V6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We gound a pretty cool article and video about the the new 3.7L V-6 in the upcoming 2011 Ford Mustang. We at Prince Frederick Ford are plenty excited to start getting these refined hot rods in our hands. Stop by and see us at Prince Frederick Ford and ask us about it.

The 2010 Ford Mustang was by all accounts a pretty significant refresh compared to the 2009 model, with a vastly superior interior, better ride and handling and, some would say, improved outward aesthetics. But there was still something missing. The Blue Oval used carry-over powertrains, and in the case of the 210-horsepower V6 model, nothing changed.

For the 2011 model year, Ford is rectifying that mistake two-fold. The 5.0-liter V8 gets a great deal of press for its impressive 412 hp and 390 pound-feet of twist, but many members of the Autoblog team are just as excited to get their hands on the new 305 hp, 280 lb-ft 3.7-liter V6 offering. We'll likely have to wait a bit longer to curb that urge, but the folks over at Motor Trend have already been given a taste.

MT's Arthur St. Antoine was invited to Ford's Arizona proving grounds to spend some seat time behind the wheel in the passenger seat of the updated ponycar, and though he didn't get to drive he liked what he experienced. St. Antoine calls the new V6 mill "plenty strong," adding that the engine is smoother, stronger and sounds better than the outgoing 4.0-liter six ever could. After some gentle strolling around Arizona, St. Antoine meandered back over to the proving grounds for some laps in a Performance Package V6 model with vehicle dynamics engineer (and Top Gun-level driver) Jamie Cullen. From the perspective of the right seat, the 3.7-liter Stang reportedly was able to handle anything thrown its way with flat cornering, strong braking and near constant contact between the tires and the track. Head over to Motor Trend to read the report from the passenger seat.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Another Great Ford offer!

2010-01-29T06:47:00.000-08:00

Prince Frederick Ford Mercuryand Ford Motor Company are excited to announce an additional $1,000 factory rebate if you are trading in a 1995 or newer Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Scion or Acura car, truck or SUV. Even better is the news that Mustang Shelby GT500 and Escape and Fusion Hybrids are NOT Excluded!

I'm Going to Disney World!

2010-01-28T06:13:00.001-08:00

As per our usual routine we like to start our day reading the various blogs as well as perusing several automotive websites to check out what's happening in the automotive world. We have been loving the postive press about Ford lately and we love to tell everyone we see in Southern Maryland how great Ford's product's are. It was nice to see that the Ford engineers are sharing in our excitement. Take a look at this article we came across, nice to see our tax dollars hard at work.

When we look at Motor Trend magazine's golden calipers, we think of a prestigious trophy awarded each year to the publication's top car and truck of the year. Apparently, the Transportation Security Administration officials at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport see a weapon of mass destruction. Or something.

The proud engineers at Ford have been taking their well-deserved 2010 Ford Fusion Car of the Year award all over town, taking pictures and having a little fun, mimicking what athletes do when they win Lord Stanley's Cup in hockey or the Lombardi Trophy in football. Ford Research & Advanced Engineering employee Tony Phillips went as far as Disney World with the award, but apparently not before coming to the attention of the TSA at Detroit Metro airport. Phillips had rightly brought the sizable trophy onto the plane as a carry-on – after all, who would want to tell Allan Mulally that they lost the trophy at baggage claim?

MT's shiny hardware was eventually let on the plane after "some interesting discussion, and it made its way to Orlando to ride some rides and hang with Mickey. Surprisingly, the Orlando TSA agents were more familiar with Ford's award than were the security agents in the Motor City, and congratulations were given to them on the accomplishment. Just as an FYI for Ford, you can bring by your trophy to Autoblog headquarters any time you wish. We won't even frisk you at the door.

SOURCE [Autoblog]

The New American Road: A Ford Documentary

2010-01-27T04:57:00.001-08:00

This is a must watch for everyone, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury loyalists or loyal to another manufacturer. Its a very well done documentary on the automotive industry.

It is 50 minutes long, just a heads up.

You can see many of the new models here at Prince Frederick Ford Mercury.

SEMA: ROUSH Reactor Mustang

2010-01-26T06:09:00.000-08:00

You know, all of us at Prince Frederick Ford Mercury LOVE a great Mustang. When we found this one, we just had to share pictures with you. This is one that we wish Ford would put into production.

From concept sketch to reality, we bring you the ROUSH Reactor Mustang. We knew this would be a killer car, but honestly it's even better than we thought in person. The olive drab paint color that covers the car's carbon fiber body panels is a nice detour away from the Highlighter Yellow and Orange colors that so many cars are wearing at SEMA this year. The Ringbrothers who built the car removed the drip rails and door handles so that those expanses of colored carbon fiber could be better viewed. The matte six-spoke wheels continue the muted color scheme and the lip on those rear rims is too wide to believe. The engine is Roush's new show-n-go 427 R crate motor that produces 552 horsepower and 535 ft-lbs. of torque, but still looks good enough to win awards under that vented hood. While there are Mustangs in attendance at the SEMA show that have more powerful engines and more sensational modifications (the Obsidian comes to mind), we'd be hard pressed to find one as well done as the Reactor. Good luck to its owner in winning the Good Guys Street Machine of the Year Award.

Follow the jump for more pics of the ROUSH Reactor Mustang.

Source: Autoblog

FORD, UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE SHARE VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERTISE TO BUILD BETTER CARS

2010-01-22T06:51:00.001-08:00

Ford appears to be using any advantage it can, from any industry, to make better cars and make them more quickly. Last month we got word of the motion-capping tech The Blue Oval borrowed from video games and movies. This month the news is that it's putting all of that mo-cap work into its immersive Virtual Evaluation lab (iVE) with the help of United Space Alliance. Alliance is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin that aids in virtual modeling for space missions.

The benefit for you is that Ford can design safer, more comfortable and more ergonomic car interiors. The benefit for Ford – in addition to happier customers – is that these technologies reduce development time by up to 14 months, which equates to all kinds of savings. Stay tuned next month when Ford announces that all of its engineers have been replaced by Wall E.

We at your favorite Ford Dealer think anything that will save you money in the end is pretty darn cool. Too bad they didn't get with George Lucas's ILM studios as well, we could imagine our own R2D2 riding shotgun in the new 2011 Ford Fiesta. May the Force be with you!

[Source: Ford]

For Sale 1930 Model A, all Bullet holes repaired!

2010-01-19T05:34:00.000-08:00

Here's a bit of fun info we found while scouring the web. It's your chance to own a piece of history, while we admit that a coupe complete with bullet holes would have been a cool piece of history to own the repaired and restored version might go over easier at the local drive in. Still, we would rather have the holes!

If you saw Michael Mann's Public Enemies, the car above may look familiar. It isn't just the same model that the notorious John Dillinger used to escape The Law in one of the most daring shootouts in American history – it's the actual car. And the same one used in the movie.

After robbing banks across the country, Dillinger and his gang took refuge in the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, on April 22, 1934. When the proprietors alerted law enforcement to their presence, the FBI – led by the legendary Melvin Purvis – arrived on the scene and shot the place up. Dillinger, along with two of his cronies, escaped out the windows into the woods nearby before stumbling upon Robert Johnson driving the Ford Model A coupe you see here. They commandeered the car and the driver along with it, and escaped to Minnesota as Dillinger smashed the rear window and opened fire with his tommy-gun at pursuing law enforcement.

The bullet-ridden car remained in the possession of the Dillinger family for decades until it was carefully and faithfully restored by the producers of Public Enemies for use in the scene depicting the historic chase. Now the coupe will be up for auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, by Barrett-Jackson.

If you can't snag this sweet piece of history when it goes up for auction on Saturday at Barrett-Jackson come by and see us and we can hook you up with your own piece of Ford history. Maybe a new 2010 Ford Mustang, just promise us you won't be robbing any banks with it.

Source [AutoBlog]

Report: 2011 Mustang GT to pace Daytona 500

2010-01-18T06:05:00.000-08:00

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Jan 18th 2010 at 7:01AM

According to the pony car lovers over at Mustang Heaven, a Ford will pace the Daytona 500 for the first time since the Torino GT convertible did the deed way back in 1970. As you may have surmised, the actual pace car will be a 2011 Ford Mustang GT, equipped with the long-awaited 5.0-liter V8 engine with 412 horsepower. Last year, the honor went to the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS.

As befitting such a car, the Mustang will get a special Daytona Red paint scheme with blue and white LeMans stripes – classic American racing colors. Ford Racing suspension upgrades including a strut tower brace, upgraded mufflers, unique painted wheels and an interior featuring lighted sill plates round out the pace car-specific details.

Want one? Well, that might be a bit tough. Ford plans to build just one example, which will be offered up for auction at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona on Saturday, January 23rd. We don't imagine it will be cheap, and all proceeds above MSRP will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The new owner will see his or her actual car pacing the Daytona 500 on February 14th.

Source: Autoblog, Mustang Heaven

Ford Work Solutions customers saving gas, driving more safely

2010-01-15T09:11:00.000-08:00

If you knew that Big Brother someone who controls your paycheck was watching how you were treating his or her company-owned vehicle, would that knowledge alter the way you drive it? That exact functionality is available with the Crew Chief application of the Ford Work Solutions package, and initial reports are showing that employees driving Ford F-Series trucks equipped with the technology are using less fuel and driving more safely.

According to Bill Frykman, Ford Work Solutions product and business development manager, "We've seen fuel economy gains of upwards of 20 percent through the modification of driver behavior. There's decreased top speed, less engine idle time and more efficient operation of the vehicle." As any fleet manager will tell you, a 20 percent savings in fuel costs is huge – and all through simple behavioral modification, not costly changes in a vehicle's running gear.

Interestingly, Frykman also suggests that Ford Work Solutions could someday merge with the Blue Oval's well-regarded Sync system, creating a package that's suitable for both commercial and private use depending on the suite of applications the owner chooses to download and install.

For more info, including which models have this feature available, stop by your Maryland Ford Dealer, Waldorf Ford and take a look at our extensive Ford F-Series lineup. Call (301) 855-1739 or stop by our store on Route 4 in Prince Frederick Maryland.


[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Funny Ford video

2010-01-14T07:46:00.001-08:00

I thought that today I would share something funny with you. The vehicle featured is a Ford Ranger that is built for markets outside of the US. Enjoy.

2011 Ford Focus Reveal

2010-01-13T06:34:00.000-08:00

Next-gen Ford Focus live unveiling – Click above for high-res image gallery

It's taken far too long, but an all-new Ford Focus has arrived and we've just seen it in the metal here at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Complete with a new platform, new engine, some shapely sheetmetal and a host of tech, this new Focus that we'll finally be sharing with Europe and the rest of the world promises to set a new bar for the small car C-segment.

The Focus will initially be available in the U.S. in both four- and five-door hatchback body styles, with a three-door hatch and coupe likely in the works as well. A new 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque will be the only engine at launch, but buyers will have a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and Ford's new six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Ford also confirmed during its press conference this morning that a Focus Electric is due to arrive in 2012, with a hybrid version arriving the next year – both of which will be built in Michigan.

For all the details, take a look at Autoblog.com deep dive of the next generation Ford Focus after checking out the shots from the Detroit Auto Show in the gallery above. Take a look at the video of the 2011 Ford Focus live reveal.

2010 F-150 to get a V-6 option

2010-01-13T05:14:00.001-08:00

Ford hasn't offered a V6 option in the F-150 since its best-selling truck was redesigned for the 2009 model year, but a report from our friend Mike Levine over at Pickuptrucks.com says that's about to change. Levine cites sources at the Blue Oval who say the same Ti-VCT 3.7-liter V6 (shown above) that will power the 2011 Mustang and Lincoln MKX will also be found under the hood of the F-150 by the end of the year. Levine tells us that the 3.7 will likely only be added to the XL and STX models, though there is a chance that the XLT could also get some fuel-sipping love. A V6 pickup will likely be a big hit with fleet customers as well as buyers who love trucks but don't use them for towing or hauling.

The sources didn't quote power numbers, but since the Lincoln MKX version will reportedly produce the same 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque as the one used in the Mustang, there is a good chance that Ford will simply copy and paste the same mill under the hood of the smallest F-Series. If the 3.7 does find its way into the F-150, we'll be very interested to see the official EPA fuel economy numbers. We can't see a 23 or 24 miles per gallon full size pickup with up to 305 hp being a bad thing. Make sure to check with your Southern Maryland Ford Dealer for exact specs and availability.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

2011 California Special Mustang at Detriot Auto Show

2010-01-13T04:52:00.001-08:00

We at Prince Frederick Ford spent a lot of our time reading some of the coverage from the 2010 Detriot Auto Show. Lets be honest, we all want to see whats going to be hot in the coming year. We were not surprised to see alot of coverage of the 2011 Ford Mustang. As one of the top Ford Dealers in Maryland we know how popular the Ford Mustang is in this area and we were not surprised to see such great reviews all over the web. Click on the picture below for some great pictures from our friends at Autoblog.com and make sure to check with us for your very own 2011 Ford Mustang.

Ford is wasting no time in releasing a variation of its 5.0-powered Mustang, starting with the California Special for 2011. The GT/CS was last introduced as a 2007 model and featured a unique appearance and wheel package available only on the premium GT coupe and convertible. Ford hasn't officially released any details on the new GT/CS, but after inspecting the car in person on the show floor of the Detroit Auto Show, it looks like the 2011 model will have similar features.

Up front the GT/CS gets a larger and more aggressive spoiler painted in matte black as well as a horizontal bar grille featuring the pony logo on one side. The rear is enhanced by a new lower fascia with a GT500-style diffuser and a taller decklid spoiler. Finally, GT/CS graphics, a set of side scoops and a set of 10-spoke wheels round out the exterior enhancements. We'll let you know as soon as we hear more details about the car from Ford, including pricing.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Shelby GT 350 Anniversary

2010-01-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

I just love these videos showing the Mustang in the 60's while the name was developing. Check out this video...

Want to see what the Shelby Mustang looks like in 2010? Stop by Prince Frederick Ford Mercury and have a look!

2010 Detroit Auto Show: 2011 Ford Focus

2010-01-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

We at Prince Frederick Ford Mercury, are so excited about this redesign and direction of the 2012 Ford Focus. Seems others share our enthusiasm.

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), more popularly known as the Detroit Auto Show, is underway at least for the press. Thus, our first major post focuses on (pardon the word play) the all-new, all-different 2011 Ford Focus.

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 – The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.

Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.

The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.

“The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations,” he added.

Simultaneous launch in Europe and North America
Production of the next-generation Ford Focus will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011. Launches in Asia, Africa and South America will follow. Initial production will be concentrated at the Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (United States) and Chongqing (China) Assembly Plants.

The new Focus will be one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford’s new C-car platform, which is expected to generate total sales in all regions of 2 million units annually by 2012. The first of these will be the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX – unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show – for launch in Europe in the second half of 2010.

“Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles,” explained Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.

“Our next generation of C-cars – led by the exciting new Focus – will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge,” said Kuzak.

Engineered without compromise
The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford’s European small and medium vehicle center of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford’s technical center in Dunton, England. The vehicle has been engineered without compromise to meet all customer and legislative requirements of the major worldwide markets.

In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the much-acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford’s engineering center in Dearborn, Mich.

Ford’s global development and sourcing strategy made it possible to provide a level of performance and feature content that is unrivaled for this vehicle segment and surprising even to drivers of larger, more premium vehicles.

Taking kinetic design to the next level
The no-compromise approach to the new Ford Focus is immediately evident from the striking exterior design of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models that take center stage at the 2010 NAIAS.

“The all-new Focus is at the center of convergence for automotive trends,” said J Mays, Ford group vice president of Design and chief creative officer. “We’ve designed it with an acute understanding of global customers, yet it’s tailored for each individual region. Focus combines the best from Europe, North America and Asia to deliver a level of emotional driving enjoyment never before experienced in a car this size.”

The two models share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford’s acclaimed kinetic design form language, which has contributed to the growing popularity of the company’s latest small and medium cars.

The kinetic design approach uses bold vehicle designs to capture the feeling of energy in motion, so that cars look like they are moving – even when they are standing still.

With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus clearly telegraphs the rewarding driving experience that awaits customers when they take to the road.

This dynamic quality is reinforced by the distinctive design of the interior. The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish center console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle’s major controls and display panels.

A key element of the interior is the quality of craftsmanship. The cabin’s bold and contemporary graphics, the sculptured shape of the soft-touch instrument panel and the choice of superior trim materials all help to give occupants the feeling that they are traveling in a premium-class car.

Unmatched driving quality
When it was introduced in 1998, the original Ford Focus brought new levels of agility and responsiveness to the C-segment. The all-new Focus plans to raise the benchmark once more, targeting class-leading driving quality that blends outstanding steering precision and road feedback with significantly improved refinement and ride control.

To deliver this performance, engineers have updated the innovative suspension concepts from prior models, developing optimized new designs for the “control blade” multilink rear suspension and the semi-isolated front and rear subframes.

The chassis design is complemented by a completely new Electric Power Assist Steering system, which has been carefully tuned to deliver pure and precise responses at high speed while remaining light and maneuverable for parking.

Ford’s European driving dynamics specialists have also enhanced cornering stability and agility with the introduction of an advanced Dynamic Cornering Control system, which uses “torque vectoring” techniques to transfer power between the drive wheels to deliver reduced understeer, improved traction and better turn-in.

All global customers will benefit from the same quality of dynamic performance in the new Focus. Identical chassis and suspension architecture is being used for all markets, except for minor regional tuning differences, such as local tire specifications.

Efficient powertrains deliver performance with outstanding economy
The engaging driver appeal of the new Ford Focus is magnified by a powertrain range that delivers spirited performance and targets outstanding levels of fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

The global powertrain lineup for the new Focus will include a range of state-of-the-art Ford EcoBoost™ four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection (DI) engines – including the 1.6-liter unit in Europe and a choice of advanced and improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines, all of which offer reductions in fuel consumption of between 10 and 20 percent compared to the outgoing models.

For the NAIAS preview, Ford is showing a completely new 2.0-liter gasoline engine for the North American market that features DI and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. The new 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is up to 20 horsepower more powerful than the current 2.0 Duratec I-4 unit while contributing to projected fuel economy gains of more than 10 percent.

To maximize the performance and economy advantage enjoyed by the new Focus, the 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is mated with the latest dry-clutch six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission. This transmission uses an advanced dual-clutch design, which alone can help to reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent compared to a traditional four-speed automatic.

The dry-clutch PowerShift transmission is based on more efficient manual gearbox technology, and does not require the additional weight and complexity of torque converters, planetary gears and oil pumps used in conventional automatics. Electronically controlled twin clutches shift gears quickly and smoothly, providing the seamless flow of torque plus the refinement and ease of operation customers expect from a premium automatic transmission.

Ford also has confirmed plans to begin building a full, battery electric vehicle in 2011 at its Michigan Assembly Complex, for sales in North America. It will be the company’s first battery electric passenger vehicle.

Intuitive technology enhances convenience and safety
The next-generation Focus will bring C-segment customers around the world an exciting array of advanced technologies generally found in larger, more premium vehicles. The global scale of Ford’s C-car program makes more technologies and features economically viable than ever before for cars in this segment.

The technology package of the new Focus promises not only clear leadership in the C-segment, but also includes features customers in larger, more premium segments would find surprising.

The new technologies have been designed to be simple and highly intuitive to use, while enhancing both convenience and safety for the vehicle occupants.

Within the cockpit, the most significant innovation is the company’s next-generation driver connect technology, MyFord, which provides the driver with a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate the key vehicle features. On high series vehicles, the MyFord system includes an 8-inch touch screen, allowing the driver to control a wide range of functions via a clear and intuitive color display.

MyFord is complemented by a new generation of Ford’s powerful SYNC® connectivity package, which includes a sophisticated voice control system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a wide variety of external devices and media players.

Other available safety and convenience technologies include keyless entry and “Ford Power” start button, a rearview camera and a semi-automatic parallel parking system that automatically steers the vehicle into a parking spot.

Strength and safety
The Focus platform provides an incredibly strong and stiff structure, which not only benefits vehicle dynamics and refinement but also provides the basis for enhanced crash performance.

High-strength steels are used extensively in the next-generation Focus body shell. High-strength steels comprise 55 percent of the body shell, and more than 26 percent of the vehicle’s structure is formed from ultra-high-strength and Boron steels – significantly more than any other Ford product. These advanced materials help the structure meet the most stringent crash legislation across world markets, while minimizing the vehicle’s weight.

The structural integrity of the body shell is also reflected in its torsional rigidity, which is 25 percent greater than the current North American Focus.

Quality and craftsmanship in every detail
With global customers now demanding a more premium experience from small- and medium-sized vehicles, achieving outstanding levels of quality and craftsmanship was a primary objective for the new Focus.

The new Focus will make significant strides in reducing cabin noise, promising a quiet cabin environment. This refinement complements the fresh new interior design and higher craftsmanship levels to create a premium feel akin to larger vehicles.

Each component in the vehicle that the customer will touch, see, hear or even smell has been subjected to rigorous analysis to ensure that it will exceed an owner’s expectations. Particular attention has been given to the quality of interior trim materials, and the color matching, gaps, flushness and tolerances where one part meets another.

Across the majority of vehicle attributes, Ford has developed a global DNA standard that defines the exact attributes a part should have to meet the quality requirements of the brand. Examples include the sound the door makes when it is closed, requiring special attention to the door structure and latch mechanism, and the design of a steering wheel, right down to the thickness of padding and size of stitching on the rim.

This meticulous attention to detail is also reflected in Ford’s global manufacturing strategy for the Focus, with consistent standards and processes being applied in every one of the assembly plants, wherever they are located in the world.

“We believe the new Ford Focus will provide consumers with an unmatched driving experience, together with an unrivaled ownership experience,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Global Marketing. “The Focus brand always has been very special to Ford, and this new global model shows our commitment to developing another generation of exciting and appealing cars.”

Press release via Ford
Source: Automotive.com

2010 Ford Taurus is the winner of the first-ever Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award

2010-01-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Ford Taurus is the winner of the first-ever Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award; the award was presented today at the 2010 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show®) in Las Vegas

The Taurus offers more user-friendly technology than other cars twice its price, including 10 class-exclusive technologies not available from any other manufacturer

In addition to receiving the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award, the Taurus is serving as the official vehicle of CES, and the 2010 Taurus SHO was dubbed Esquire magazine’s first-ever “Car of the Year”

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 7, 2010 – America’s most innovative sedan, the hot-selling 2010 Ford Taurus, is the winner of the first-ever Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award. The announcement was made today at the 2010 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.

“We chose the 2010 Ford Taurus to receive the first annual Edmunds.com Breakthrough Technology Award because the vehicle offers an extensive and impressive array of electronic amenities that also represent an excellent value for consumers,” said Doug Newcomb, senior technology editor, Edmunds.com.

The Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award is presented to vehicles that set the standard for intuitive, practical and affordable technology that enhances safety and convenience for drivers and passengers. Any new vehicle available for sale within the U.S. within the last year is eligible to receive the award.

With its expressive styling, the Taurus offers more user-friendly technology than other cars twice its price, including 10 class-exclusive technologies not available from any other manufacturer.

“In addition to the innovative Ford SYNC® system that provides voice-activated Bluetooth and iPod connectivity and free features such as 911 Assist™ and turn-by-turn navigation, the Taurus also has heated and cooled Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion™, Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert, SIRIUS Travel Link™ and SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry Keypad,” said Newcomb.

Other class-exclusive features include:

Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler – a self-seal system without a traditional fuel cap. No lost, dangling or spinning caps. It seals automatically every time.

Sony Audio® System – a surround-sound system that delivers Dolby® Digital

5.1 sound through 12 high-quality Sony speakers.

Available EcoBoost™ V-6 – a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that delivers the output of a V-8, 365 horsepower, without compromising its V-6 fuel economy.
MyKey™ – a programmable feature that allows parents to limit top speed and audio volume and set speed alert chimes to encourage safer driving.

In addition to receiving the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award, the Taurus is serving as the official vehicle of CES, and the 2010 Taurus SHO was dubbed Esquire magazine’s first-ever “Car of the Year.” Since going on sale in August 2009, Ford's all-new Taurus has received more than a dozen awards from an array of leading consumer and automotive publications.
Want to drive a 2010 Ford Taurus? Stop in to Prince Frederick Ford Mercury today, we have several in stock including 2010 Taurus SHO!
For additional coverage of the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award, visit http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/.
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Ken Block Leaves Subaru – Heads For WRC With Ford

2010-01-08T05:45:00.000-08:00

Ok, not many of here at Prince Frederick Ford Mercury are into WRC or X-Games, but thought this was a great testament to the Ford brand and especially for Ford Focus and the upcoming 2011 Ford Fiesta. Now the video isn't of Ken Block driving either of these, but it is a glimpse of what we should expect to see once he is behind the wheel of a Focus and Fiesta. Below the video is the complete article about him leaving Subaru to drive a Ford.

Youtube gymkhana phenom and X-Games Rally Racing star Ken Block has left Subaru Rally Team USA and will compete in both WRC and Rally America on behalf of Ford Motor Company in 2010. The official announcement came from Ford this morning, although USA Today broke embargo and posted the story 12 hours early, creating an instant buzz in the Rally community.

“The easiest thing for me to say is that I am really stoked to have this partnership with Ford. This is going to be one of the biggest challenges of my life and my career. With the World Rally Championship, I am stepping into the biggest rally championship in the world and I will be competing against some of the best drivers in the world. That level of racing isn’t something that you just step into and expect to instantly be on the podium. I would be in fantasyland if I thought that I was going to be anywhere near that. So, for me, 2010 is a developmental year and I am really looking to develop my skills as far as I can and then I can began pushing harder in 2011 and 2012. It is going to be an amazing experience, but I am also very realistic about where I stand in this world and what my goals are going to be for the next year to three years,” Block says.

Block was the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and is a three-time medalist at X Games. Additionally, Block has cultivated a tremendous cult following with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube. The plan is for Block to drive the current Ford Focus developed for FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) competition, and drive the new Ford Fiesta in the Rally America series and the X Games. Beginning in 2011, the Fiesta will become Ford's WRC car. At a minimum, this effort means that an All Wheel Drive forced induction version of the Fiesta will be developed for Rally competition, and perhaps some of that will trickle down to a street car version?

“I am very excited to be in the Fiesta. That is the damn car that beat me last summer at X Games. Ford has a great platform with the Fiesta to develop and push a very good rally car worldwide and also in the showrooms. I am very excited to get in the Fiesta and see what I can do in the Rally America championship and at the X Games and also in 2011 to be in the new Fiesta World Rally car," Block says.

Heading for Ford in the WRC and in Rally America means that Subaru Rally Team USA has lost one of their leading drivers. Clearly, the competition between Block and 4-time national champion Travis Pastrana, who remains with Subaru and has done some introductory P-WRC racing with that brand, is about to heat up.

"I have been doing [Rally America] for five years now and I am going after the championship. I have been very close several times, but this year I feel like it is my year. The biggest challenge is going to be getting me seat time. I have been racing with a different manufacturer for many years now and while I have a lot of confidence in my abilities, jumping into a new car is always difficult. It is a big program we have going on this year, its global and there are a lot of different aspects to it from World Rally Championship to X Games to a new Gymkhana car," Block says.

For their part, Subaru issued Driving Sports TV a fairly bland statement, "It's a positive development for Rally in the U.S. should another manufacturer enter with a factory program." While losing Block is a blow to Subaru's dominance in North American Rally Racing, they still have Pastrana, and have been bringing X-Games BMX champion Dave Mirra up the ladder for the past two years. And the truth of the matter is, having a second manufacturer in Rally America and X Games competition brings tremendous credibility to the Rally America program as the U.S. national rally series.

Away from the world of Rally Racing, there's just one question on the minds of Block's fans - will there be a new Gymkhana video with Ford? Block answers that one easily and readily:

Of course! We are in the developmental stages of a new Fiesta Gymkhana car and we are looking to have some new video content out by the summer.”

Source: Driving Sports, Posted by Jeff Zurschmeide - Editor• January 6, 2010

MyFord Touch proves that the shape of things to come is awesome

2010-01-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

MyFord Touch – Click above for high-res image gallery

We were scanning the web today and came across a great article from our friends at autoblog.com. It shows you some of the new technology Ford unveiled at CES this year. We think it's pretty darn sweet and can't wait to get our hands on one. Come on 2011 model year cars! We need our gadget fix. Make sure to check back with your Maryland Ford Mercury Dealer to see what models will have this available.

Ford began its MyFord Touch presentation with a simple question: "People line up for iPhones – why not cars?" What is it about certain pieces of technology that makes them a "must have"? And since the iPhone is really just a merger of two things we already have (a cell phone and PC), is it possible to blend something into a car that will get 'em lining up around the block? Quite obviously, Ford's hoping the answer is yes.

MyFord Touch – and if you buy a Lincoln, MyLincoln Touch – is a piece of driver connect technology like SYNC, only much more advanced. In fact, you can think of MyFord as SYNC 2.0. Or, you could, if not for the fact that there already is a SYNC 2.0. Regardless, in-car technology can do myriad of things these days, and Ford thinks it's found a way to group and display all of a vehicle's functionality in a logical, intuitive and useful way. Sadly, Ford is internally calling this "simplexity," as in making the complex simple. Or, as we wrote in our notes, "barf." Thankfully, the public will know it as MyFord Touch.

Ford wants you to think of MyFord Touch as an electronic Swiss Army knife. Physically speaking, here's what you get: A large, eight-inch touchscreen display in the center stack, two 4.2-inch LCD screens to the right and left of an analog speedometer (the exact same screens you'll find in the Fusion Hybrid) and two steering wheel-mounted five-way button controls. Using Ford's award-winning HMI (human-machine interface) setup, MyFord Touch seeks to allow a driver to control in-car technology through either voice, touch or the wheel-mounted controllers. As Ford termed it, VUI (voice user interface), TUI (touch user interface) and GUI (graphic user interface).

While that might sounds a touch (no pun) complex, it isn't. How's that possible? Grouping. Ford has gone ahead and broken down all of the possible non-driving-related tasks into four groups: Phone, Climate, Navigation and Entertainment. Is Ford 100 percent accurate with their groupings? Like in submarine warfare, close enough. Not only are there the four groups, but Ford also chose a color for each group. That last part is more important than it might first seem and here's why...

As far as the large, eight-inch touchscreen goes, its four corners each contain a button for one of the four groupings. Phone is brown, Navigation is green, Entertainment is purple and Climate is blue. We haven't had a chance to play with MyFord Touch yet, but we understand that the system is quite customizable. Don't like that shade green? Think Climate should be red and not blue? Not a problem.

Returning to the two 4.2-inch LCD screens, the one to the left contains all your usual mileage and fuel information: trip computer, radar cruise control distance indicator, vehicle information and even a tachometer, if you like. In other words, information directly related to operating the car. The screen on the right however, displays information from the four MyFord Touch groupings. The idea is that after a little practice, you will be able to know which group you're looking at simply based on color – you won't have to read anything – and your eyes will spend more time on the road. A noble goal, for certain.

Going with that mantra and/or old Doors song, the five-way thumb controls (up, down, left, right, click) keep your hands on the wheel. The left controller is for the left screen, and (shockingly) the right is for the right one. Of course, even better than using a touchscreen or working wheel buttons is using your own voice. Ford assured us that the voice recognition system shipping with MyFord Touch is much more conversational than the VR system currently shipping with SYNC. Instead of talking your way through a series of menus (SYNC asks you what source you want, for example iPod, then asks you what track or artist), MyFord Touch should just require you say, "Play 'John the Fisherman' by Primus" and be done with it. Emphasis on should.

Here's a couple of nifty details, and please keep in mind that we didn't get to play with MyFord Touch – yet (expect a video coming soon out of CES). Users will be able to take all of their MyFord Touch settings with them from vehicle to vehicle – just plug in an SD card or flash drive and you're good to go drive another MyFord Touch-equipped car. Your color scheme, your radio presets, your music tags, your seat position – whatever – all go with you. It will even welcome you by name, no matter the car. With the music tags, MyFord and MyLincoln Touch are the first systems that allow you to tag songs on the fly. Ford didn't go into great details on this, but we imagine you could would be able to hear something on the radio, tag it, and then let MyFord Touch search for it. This could be especially cool with the SYNC app that lets you listen to internet radio.

The first vehicle this new system will be available on is the 2011 Lincoln MKX, which will debut at next week's Detroit Auto Show. As such, we'll be looking at MyLincoln Touch as opposed to MyFord. Differences? Not really, but the two come standard with different colors (MyLincoln's are yellow for Communication/Phone, green for Navigation, red for Entertainment and blue for Climate). Shouldn't the colors be identical? Probably, but they are customizable and portable, so it doesn't really matter. After the MKX, look for this technology in the refreshed 2011 Ford Edge and then the all-new 2011 Ford Focus. Eventually, 80 percent of all Fords will be available with MyFord or MyLincoln Touch. Just speculating here, but we wonder if the 20 percent not getting the good stuff is Mercury...

Besides all the little details, the big picture we took away from the MyFord Touch is Ford is serious. These people knew going halfway wouldn't be good enough. The screens are beautiful. Before seeing MyFord Touch, we already thought that Ford had the best navigation/entertainment stuff in the industry (SYNC is really, really good – especially with Sirius Travel Link). MyFord Touch brings Ford a generation (or two) beyond the competition. In other words, no one could even compete with Ford's old stuff. How on earth will they manage against MyFord Touch?

Source[AutoBlog]

By the Numbers - 2009: Up and Down Year Ends Down For Most Edition

2010-01-06T05:29:00.000-08:00

Subaru, Kia and Hyundai increase alone, FoMoCo loses least

We at Prince Frederick Ford regonize what a terrible year 2009 was for the auto industry as a whole. The slumping economy did nothing to bolster consumer confidence to say the least. We at your Ford Dealer in Southern Maryland noticed that all year long. With all that being said we were happy to see some good news in what could easily be considered a bad news report. Call us the eternal optimists be we see it as a glass half full senerio for us.

Most automakers giving themselves a pat on the back for a strong sales performance in December should take a second look at the books. A good month of sales to finish off a crappy year still equals a crappy year of sales. The chart below makes this perfectly evident, as only three individual brands and no multi-brand automakers managed to make it through 2009 selling more vehicles than they did in 2008. Not surprisingly,Subaru, Kia and Hyundai (in that order) were the three brands to post an overall sales increase in 2009, with Subaru posting a double-digit rise of 15 percent. With 216,652 sales overall, Subaru now sells more vehicles in the U.S. thanVolkswagen and Mazda, two direct competitors with larger lineups.

Though no multi-brand automaker can claim a sales victory in 2009, you might be surprised to learn that Ford Motor Company with its Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo brands performed the best. FoMoCo sales in 2009 fell 15 percent, a smaller drop than any of its competitors. Toyota Motor Company sales (Toyota and Lexus combined) fell over 20 percent, but the Japanese juggernaut still managed to beat Ford in number of vehicles sold (1.77 million to 1.68 million).

The rest of the industry's performance can be viewed in the chart below. Note that there were 308 selling days in both 2008 and 2009, so the percent change in volume sold will equal the percent change in the daily average sales rate.

Brand/Company	Volume %	Dec. '09	Dec. '08	*DSR %**	DSR Dec. '09	DSR Dec. '08
Subaru	15.43	216,652	187,699	15.43	703	609
Kia	9.75	300,063	273,397	9.75	974	888
Hyundai	8.29	435,064	401,742	8.29	1,413	1,304
Volkswagen	-4.34	213,454	223,128	-4.34	693	724
Audi	-5.75	82,716	87,760	-5.75	269	285
Ford	-14.34	1,445,742	1,687,731	-14.34	4,694	5,480
Mercedes-Benz	-15.34	190,604	225,128	-15.34	619	731
Volvo	-15.96	61,435	73,102	-15.96	199	237
Mini	-16.37	45,225	54,077	-16.37	147	176
Lexus	-16.96	215,975	260,087	-16.96	701	844
Nissan	-17.81	689,014	838,361	-17.81	2,237	2,722
Honda	-18.63	1,045,061	1,284,261	-18.63	3,393	4,170
Toyota	-20.61	1,554,174	1,957,575	-20.61	5,046	6,356
BMW	-21.12	196,502	249,113	-21.12	638	809
Mazda	-21.29	207,767	263,949	-21.29	675	857
Lincoln	-22.79	82,847	107,295	-22.79	269	348
Mercury	-23.24	92,299	120,248	-23.24	300	390
Porsche	-24.35	19,696	26,035	-24.35	64	85
Chevrolet	-25.35	1,344,629	1,801,131	-25.35	4,366	5,848
Buick	-25.43	102,306	137,197	-25.43	332	445
Acura	-26.84	105,723	144,504	-26.84	343	469
Infiniti	-28.23	81,089	112,989	-28.23	263	367
Jeep	-30.61	231,701	333,901	-30.61	752	1,084
GMC	-31.09	259,779	376,996	-31.09	843	1,224
Cadillac	-32.31	109,092	161,159	-32.31	354	523
Pontiac	-33.31	178,300	267,348	-33.31	579	868
Dodge	-33.34	522,686	784,113	-33.34	1,697	2,546
Smart	-40.72	14,595	24,622	-40.72	47	80
Mitsubishi	-44.85	53,636	97,257	-44.85	174	316
Chrysler	-47.18	177,015	335,108	-47.18	575	1,088
Saab	-59.38	8,680	21,368	-59.38	28	69
Saturn	-61.35	72,660	188,004	-61.35	236	610
Hummer	-67.09	9,046	27,485	-67.09	29	89
COMPANIES
Ford Mo Co	-15.39	1,682,323	1,988,376	-15.39	5,462	6,456
Nissan NA	-19.05	770,103	951,350	-19.05	2,500	3,089
American Honda	-19.46	1,150,784	1,428,765	-19.46	3,736	4,639
Toyota Mo Co	-20.18	1,770,149	2,217,662	-20.18	5,747	7,200
BMW Group	-20.27	241,727	303,190	-20.27	785	984
General Motors	-30.07	2,084,492	2,980,688	-30.07	6,768	9,678
Chrysler Group	-35.90	931,402	1,453,122	-35.90	3,024	4,718

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Ford Mustang takes the 2009 Pony Car sales crown from the Chevrolet Camaro

2010-01-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

It's official: The Ford Mustang outsold the Chevrolet Camaro in 2009, despite a string of month-on-month sales leads over the Blue Oval's pony car. But it was a close race.

According to sales data released by both Ford and General Motors, the Mustang sold 66,623 units in 2009, with GM coming in close behind with 61,618 Camaros sold for the year.

Early on, there was speculation that the Camaro could overtake the Mustang if its sales streak continued, but despite pent up demand for the bowtie brand's retromobile, Ford sold 6,327 Mustangs last month -- over 60 percent more than it did in November. Not a huge surprise, but a good showing nonetheless, and with all the updates to the 2011 Mustang, we suspect that next year's race won't be nearly as entertaining.
Filed under: Coupe, Chevrolet, Ford, By the Numbers

Ford Mustang takes the 2009 Pony Car sales crown from the Chevrolet Camaro

1960's Ford Concept Cars - 1965 Ford Mustang

2010-01-05T05:07:00.001-08:00

I was looking for some things to blog about this morning and came across this video that was kind of interesting. Note that some of the items they talk about - adjustable brake pedals, memory steering wheels are things that we have available today...pretty cool how far in advance these things were first part of concept vehicles. If you want to compare these to the 2010 vehicles Ford has in the lineup, go to Prince Frederick Ford Mercury.

Ford on Track to Be #1 U.S. Carmaker

2010-01-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

Ford’s recent navigation of financial shoals is paying off big-time. The Detroit automaker took a different tack than its rivals, which sought aid from the federal government and shelter in bankruptcy court.

It’s on course to grab the brass ring in 2010, becoming No. 1 in U.S. auto sales. An $18-billion low interest loan in 2006 -- when the company mortgaged itself, including its iconic blue oval insignia -- is allowing Ford to remake operations. It’s slashing costs and developing common bodies, braking and wiring systems for its vehicles worldwide and putting in place new flexible assembly lines that let plants shift rapidly from making one model to another. Plus, Ford is committed to new model development -- pledging to revamp its entire fleet by early 2011, and then repeating the feat in a few years.

As a result, by year-end 2010, Ford’s U.S. sales will likely edge out both General Motors’ and Toyota’s, but it’ll be a photo finish. The best bet: Toyota will come in second and GM will slip to third. Already, Ford’s share of U.S. auto sales is climbing. It’s likely to top 16% this year and be a hair over 17% next, mainly at the expense of GM and Chrysler. A market share gain of one percentage point reverses a slide that had plagued the firm for more than a decade.

SOURCE [VEHIX.COM]

The BOSS 302 is Back Baby!

2009-12-30T10:29:00.000-08:00

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 28, 2009 – Forty years after its namesake became a road racing legend, the BOSS is back on track for 2010 with a new 5.0-liter V-8 engine.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Parnelli Jones’ 1970 Trans-Am championship in a Mustang BOSS 302 prepared by Bud Moore Engineering, Ford Racing is introducing the BOSS 302R, a factory-built race car ready for track days and road racing in a number of Grand-Am, SCCA and NASA classes.

“To keep pace with consumer demand, the Ford team has built modern versions of the most iconic performance Mustangs over the years,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports. “From Shelbys to Bullitt, Mach and Cobra Jet, it is now time for BOSS to join the list of America’s most coveted Mustangs. The original BOSS 302 was a championship-winning legend and the new Mustang BOSS 302R will carry on the tradition. The Mustang was born to race from the start, and this new Mustang is bred to win.”

The Mustang BOSS 302R is a serialized off-road-only vehicle ready to race. Each base model will come with a 5.0-liter four-valve engine and a six-speed manual transmission with a roll cage, race seats, safety harness, data acquisition and race dampers/springs, and a Brembo brake and tire package, starting at an MSRP of $79,000.

And, with a special Grand-Am Homologation Package (M-FR500-BOSS R1), it will also be ready to compete in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series (formerly known as KONI Challenge), starting with the season-opening race in Daytona on Jan. 29, 2010. As of today, five BOSS 302R race cars will be delivered to customers ready to race in Daytona. MSRP of the BOSS 302R1 is $129,000.

The Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge-ready Mustang BOSS 302R will feature a sealed high-output race engine with an upgraded cooling system, a close-ratio six-speed transmission with integral shifter, a seam-welded body, race suspension/KONI dampers and ABS brake tuning, race performance exhaust and a high-speed balance one-piece driveshaft.

The BOSS 302R follows in the very successful footsteps of its most recent road racing predecessor – the Mustang FR500C from Ford Racing. In 2005, when the Mustang FR500C debuted at Daytona, the first car was delivered on Wednesday of that week and won the KONI Challenge race on Friday.

In five years of competition since then, the Mustang FR500C has won three Triple Crown championships of driver, team and manufacturer’s titles in KONI competition including back-to-back (2008 and 2009). The FR500C has also seen success in FIA GT4 competition winning the 2007 and 2008 driver’s championships.

“We expect the BOSS 302R to continue the successful tradition of winning with factory-built production-based race cars from Ford Racing,” said Allison. “The FR500C and FR500S road racing Mustangs, and the Mustang FR500CJ (Cobra Jet) for drag racing have proven to be great cars for our customers, helping teams win races and championships. We believe that the BOSS 302R will provide that same sort of competitive product for our customers with the tradition you can only get from Ford Racing.”

Each Ford Racing factory-built production-based turnkey race car has won its competition debut.

“Racing has long served as a technical proving grounds for production engines,” said Allison. “What’s good enough for the streets is now good enough for the racetrack. The 5.0-liter block and architecture in the Mustang BOSS 302R is the same as the 2011 Mustang GT.”

“We have a great team on the BOSS 302R project,” said Andy Slankard, Ford Racing engineering supervisor and the lead engineer on the BOSS 302R project. “Between our partners at AutoAlliance International, where the Mustang is built, Team Mustang, Multimatic and the entire Ford Racing team, we have once again proven to be a leader in turnkey production-based race cars.”

Available through Ford dealers like Prince Frederick Ford, a total of 50 BOSS 302R Mustangs will be built by Ford Racing. Delivery is anticipated in the third quarter of 2010.

For more information on Ford Racing Performance Parts, please visit www.fordracingparts.com.

[Source: Automotive.com ]

Ford adding three-blink function to turn signals

2009-12-30T07:47:00.001-08:00

Whoo Hoo! We at Prince Frederick Ford are super stoked about this new application. We can't tell you the number of times we have been behind drivers who can't seem to master the art of turn signal etiquette..

It's fitting that Ford's first European offering to swim over this way will bring with it another feature that The Continent can take credit for: tap-for-three-blinks turn signal operation. It will appear on the Fiesta this summer, and then migrate to other vehicles in the 2011 line-up, starting with the Super Duty series.

The three-blink feature is not as polarizing as the placement of paddle shifters, but people are known to have their opinions. We like it, preferring a mistaken tap to someone flashing their turn signal eternally. You can read Ford's release below.

SYNC to offer iTunes tagging through HD radio

2009-12-29T07:31:00.001-08:00

Here's another first for Ford after the revelation of its motion-capturing software: The Blue Oval will be the first to offer iTunes tagging through iPods on SYNC-equipped vehicles. Right behind the announcement of mobile Internet connectivity being added to SYNC, this will go along with the package of mobile apps the carmaker will reveal at CES next month.

The way it works: if you you have SYNC with HD radio, when you hear a song you like on an HD station you can press the 'Tag' button, and the system will note the track. When you plug your iPod in, it will suck up all of those tracks in a 'Tagged' playlist. You can have another listen through them and then buy the ones you want from iTunes.

There are other makes of vehicles that will let you record songs directly onto the car's hard drive for a fixed amount of time, but you can't really do anything with the recording after that. Ford's setup won't get you that immediate satisfaction, but it will save you a few steps. You can read the press release on the new – and free – feature (provided you've paid for SYNC and the HD-equipped head unit) after the jump.

FORD PRESS RELEASE

FORD FIRST TO ENABLE iTUNES SONG TAGGING WITH LAUNCH OF NEW HD RADIO CAPABILITY IN ITS LINEUP

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 29, 2009 – iTunes Tagging and crystal-clear radio sound through HD Radio technology are the latest features on Ford's growing list of factory-installed customer conveniences and technologies that will be newly available in 2010.

HD Radio receivers pull in digital radio signals and play them with dramatically improved sound. FM stations, for example, have near-CD quality, making it convenient for customers to select songs they want to download and purchase.

"iTunes Tagging and HD Radio technology are strong new additions to the growing collection of Ford convenience features and technology we're offering customers to make driving even more enjoyable," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. "This is another example of Ford's commitment to bring the widest variety of factory-installed customer-focused technology, features and conveniences to millions of people."

• Ford is the first auto manufacturer to offer HD Radio™ technology with iTunes® Tagging capability; this new functionality will be available next year

• HD Radio technology captures free digital radio broadcasts, which eliminate static, fadeout and other problems associated with conventional analog radio signals; the result is FM audio that's comparable to near-CD quality and AM audio that sounds like today's FM broadcasts

• HD Radio digital technology provides a number of advanced services not available with an analog radio. Extra FM channels, called HD2/HD3 channels, are delivered, as well as useful on-screen Program Service Data such as artist name and song title

In 2010, Ford vehicles will offer familiar terrestrial radio, HD Radio technology, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio as well as Internet radio through Ford SYNC® from a Bluetooth®-streaming audio-capable smartphone.

"Ford continues to lead the market in bringing advanced capabilities to popular vehicles. We are very pleased that HD Radio technology is an integral part of Ford's broad offering of new features," said Jeff Jury, COO of iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of HD Radio technology.

Like the song? You can tag it

The world's first implementation of iTunes Tagging in a factory-installed HD Radio receiver will launch in 2010 on select Ford vehicles. Through the SYNC system, iTunes Tagging will provide Ford customers with the ability to capture a song they hear on the HD Radio receiver for later purchase. With a simple push of the "TAG" button on the radio display, the song information will be stored in the radio's memory.

Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of "tagged" songs will appear. Customers then can preview and, if desired, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store. All HD Radio-enabled receivers in Ford vehicles also will provide Program Service Data – information that appears on the radio screen and includes song title, artist name and more.

Familiar controls with better quality

HD Radio technology enables more listening options and increased sound quality by using the same radio interface customers are used to as well as the same antennas and analog tuners with an added digital decoder inside the radio. Additionally, HD Radio-enabled receivers provide listeners with unique advanced services.

To operate, there's no difference from today's radio operations – customers just tune in your favorite station. If the station is broadcasting with HD Radio technology, the system automatically picks up the signal and will transition to digital audio once decoded.

Exclusive to HD Radio receivers are HD2/HD3 channels, which resemble mini-stations that could be spun off the "mother" station or completely new content for the local market. HD2/HD3 channels are found directly adjacent to the main (HD1) channel on the dial if available.

If additional HD2/HD3 channels are available, the radio will indicate how many on a multicast information bar. Users may tune up to the new available channels like they would tune to any other analog station. Users also may store HD2/HD3 presets, just as they do with today's radio.

HD Radio technology enables better audio and exclusive unique content choices One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is that the sound quality of the broadcast is dramatically better because of the digital transmission – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like today's FM broadcasts. Also, the sound itself is much clearer and more consistent, without

issues such as pops or hisses. Unlike analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts aren't susceptible to interference, fadeout and other issues.

Most stations use the additional HD2/HD3 channels to provide more unique coverage of sports, music or other niche programs often tailored for their individual markets – all for free. For example, in Dallas there is now a dedicated 24/7 Cowboys channel on 105.3-HD3. In Pittsburgh, there is a dedicated 24/7 Penguins channel on 105.9-HD2. Broadcasters may choose any genre they wish for their additional channels.

Nearly 2,000 radio stations in the U.S. currently broadcast in digital HD Radio sound, with nearly 1,000 stations also airing HD2/HD3 channels. Approximately 85 percent of the U.S. population is served by a station broadcasting with HD Radio technology. and http://www.ibiquity.com.

2011 Ford Mustang GT officially rolls with a 5.0 V8

2009-12-28T07:38:00.001-08:00

Meet the world's worst kept secret, the 2011 Mustang GT. The comical embargo breaking is now at its end and we're ready to present you with everything you've been aching to know about the new five-point-oh. Actually, it's probably more than you want to know. But we're sure you'll deal. So here we go...

As you've undoubtedly noticed, those are honest to goodness "5.0" badges affixed to the 2011 Mustang's fenders. Not only are residents of Maryland area Dealers stoked, but Mustang fans everywhere are finally getting their 302 back. That's right, the new 5.0 is just like the old 5.0 -- 302 cubic inches or 4.9-liters or 4,951cc. But we think the gumption this baddie stonks up will allow even the most pedantic amongst you to forgive the missing 49 cubic centimeters.

Employing 32-valves and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing(Ti-VCT), the new 5.0 produces a mighty 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. No word on performance figures, but expect a mid-four second 0-60 sprint and a quarter-mile in the high 12s. At least. Especially as the current Mustang GT (315-hp, 320 lb-ft of torque) hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and runs the quarter in 13.5. Oh, according to Ford, the new 5.0 weighs just ten pounds more than the outgoing GT. We like that last bit very much.

Also new for 2011 is a choice of either a new six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. Normally we have absolutely no reason to ever recommend a slushbox over a proper row-your-own, however, together with that variable cam technology (Ti-VCT) and EPAS (Ford's electronic power steering), an automatic Mustang GT will be able to achieve 25 mpg on the highway. That's up from 23 mpg for the current Mustang GT with an auto 'box. Both the 2010 and 2011 get 17 mpg in the city, while the six-speed manual Mustang gets 24 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg in the big city, same as the current car.

The 5.0 badging get repeated on the engine's cover (thankfully the pretty, composite intake manifold is exposed -- sadly the gorgeous exhaust headers are buried) and the speedometer's top end rises to 160 mph. More importantly, the redline climbs from 6,500 to 7,000 rpm. There's no final word on price (we'll definitely keep you updated on that regard), but as Ford's PR folks explained to us at the 5.0 reveal in Detroit, they can't raise the price too much or they'll push the Mustang out of its segment.

Speaking of its segment, the current 2010 Mustang GT is already top of its class, independent rear suspension detractors notwithstanding. Aside from better brakes, the only legit knock on the 'Stang was the lack of power when compared to the Hemi'fied Challenger or burly Camaro SS. That knock, so to speak, is now out the door. Also, if you want Brembo brakes on your 2011 Mustang GT, Ford will sell them to you. If you haven't guessed, we're very much looking forward to this particular launch/car. And here's one more thing to chew on until we see the 5.0 in Detroit -- Ford assured us that with the new Mustang making 412 horsepower, it very well can't leave the GT500 as is. Hmmm...

FORD SYNC GOES WIFI TURNING CAR INTO MOBILE INTERNET HOT SPOT FOR PASSENGERS WHILE ON THE GO

2009-12-22T09:32:00.001-08:00

Next-generation SYNC® system to incorporate in-car WiFi system powered by customer's USB mobile broadband modem, turning entire car into hot spot
New capability will be standard on select SYNC-equipped vehicles with no additional hardware or subscriptions required beyond the user-supplied mobile broadband modem
Standard WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) security protocols will be in force, and only owner-permitted devices will be able to access the network, helping ensure secure, robust connectivity for in-car users

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 21, 2009 – Ford Motor Company will turn vehicles into rolling WiFi hot spots when it introduces the second generation of its popular SYNC® in-car connectivity system next year.

Inserting an owner's compatible USB mobile broadband modem – sometimes called an "air card" – into SYNC's USB port will produce a secure wireless connection that will be broadcast throughout the vehicle, allowing passengers with WiFi-enabled mobile devices to access the Internet anywhere the broadband modem receives connectivity.

"While you're driving to grandma's house, your spouse can be finishing the holiday shopping and the kids can be chatting with friends and updating their Facebook profiles," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "And you're not paying for yet another mobile subscription or piece of hardware because Ford will let you use technology you already have."

Studies by the Consumer Electronics Association show that as many as 77 million adults make up the so-called technology enthusiast drivers population, more than half of whom express the desire for a connected communications and information system in their vehicles. Even among the general population, more than one third of Americans would be interested in the ability to check email and access Web sites in their vehicles.

Upgradeable and secure

The USB port provided by SYNC lets owners leverage a variety of devices, including the mobile broadband modem. And through simple software updates, SYNC can be adapted to connect with the latest devices.

"The speeds with which technology is evolving, particularly on the wireless front, makes obsolescence a real problem," said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford's Connected Services Solutions Organization. "We've solved that problem by making SYNC work with just about any technology you plug into it. By leveraging a user's existing hardware, which can be upgraded independent of SYNC, we've helped ensure 'forward compatibility' with whatever connectivity technology comes next."

The SYNC WiFi capability is a simple solution for bringing internet into the vehicle, versus competitive systems on the market. Being factory-installed, the hardware is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle, whereas competitor's systems are dealer-installed and require a bulky bolt-in receiver and transmitter that take up cabin space. Also, competitive systems cost approximately $500 for equipment and installation, not to mention the monthly subscription fee.

"Using SYNC with existing mobile devices helps Ford provide the most value, the most flexibility and the most convenience for owners," said Fields. "Constant connectivity is becoming a routine part of our customers' lives, and we're making existing technology more accessible without adding costs: That's the kind of value Ford drivers have learned to expect."

Using the SYNC WiFi system, a signal will be broadcast throughout the vehicle. Default security is set to WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), requiring users to enter a randomly chosen password to connect to the Internet. When SYNC sees a new WiFi device for the first time, the driver must specifically allow that device to connect, preventing unauthorized users from "piggybacking" on the SYNC-provided signal

Ford Flex will become the most desired by future car collectors

2009-12-22T08:33:00.000-08:00

DETROIT, Dec., 2009 – From America’s new cars and trucks launched in 2009, the Ford Flex will become the most desired by future car collectors.
That is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC).

Members of the organization, which supports the world-famous automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library, vote annually to predict the “Collectible Vehicle of the Future” from the year’s new American-built cars and trucks. The Ford Flex was selected from eight all-new vehicles launched in 2009.

The award was presented to Ford executives by the Friends of the NAHC at their annual holiday reception on Thursday, Dec. 10 at NAHC quarters in the Skillman Branch Library in downtown Detroit.

The NAHC is the world’s largest public archive of automotive lore and a treasure for automotive historians, journalists and collectors. Its collection of books, manuals, photos, company histories and historic documents is open to the public.

“We are delighted that the Ford Flex has been recognized by the NAHC as having a design that will become a collectible of the future,” said Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager at Ford.

“We knew from the start that we had a vehicle with stand-out design that looks like nothing else on the road, but that also meets the needs of our customers looking for passenger space with innovative technology and great fuel economy,” she said. “Reaction from our customers has been fantastic and we hope they will enjoy their cars long into the future.”

Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said, “This selection is unique among all the ‘Vehicle of the Year’ awards, because it is selected by car buffs who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year’s new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2034.”

Previous winners are:

2008
Dodge Challenger

2007
Dodge Viper SRT10

2006
Pontiac Solstice

2005
Ford Mustang

2004
Chrysler 300

2003
Dodge Viper

2002
Ford Thunderbird

1996
Chrysler Sebring Convertible

1995
Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Aurora
(None selected from 1997 to 2001)

Ford Fusion worth $687 more than the Camry after three years!

2009-12-22T07:05:00.001-08:00

Residual values tell you a lot about a vehicle. If a car or truck has good quality and has plenty of customer demand it will have high residuals. If it's a lemon on wheels, clogging the rental lots, it will carry poor residuals. Detroit automakers have fared poorly in residual values for quite a few years, but it appears Ford may have taken a big step towards correcting that problem.

Ford is gleefully touting the results of the ALG January/February 2010 Residual Value Forecast for a good reason; the residuals of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles went up by $1,310 versus the January/February 2009 numbers. The residual values are based off of a formula that shows how much 2010 vehicles will be worth 36 months after purchase and Ford maintains the increase in residuals has a lot to do with the success of its latest redesigns and improved quality.

Proof of Ford's improved 36-month value scores comes in a comparison of the Fusion versus the Toyota Camry. The Fusion is now reportedly worth $687 more than the Camry after three years. The Ford Flexenjoys an even more decisive win versus the Toyota Highlander, as the boxy Blue Oval-branded wagon will reportedly be worth $1,800 more in three years. The 2010 Taurus scored the biggest increase, but not against the foreign competition. The smartly restyled sedan is worth $4,862 more after three years than the invisible 2009 Taurus. Both the Taurus and the Super Duty won the Kelly Blue Book Best Residual Value award in their respective segments.

A big reason Ford's residual values have skyrocketed in only one year is due to the automaker's improved status amongst customers. Fresh data from research firm Compete, Inc reportedly shows that the Blue Oval has surpassed Toyota in overall customer consideration for the past three months. Ford hasn't passed Toyota in Compete's customer satisfaction index since the firm began collecting data in 2002. Hit the jump to read over the Ford press release.

The glass is half-full: Why the U.S. economy will strengthen in 2010 -- DailyFinance

2009-11-30T06:15:00.000-08:00

Some up beat news for a change.

The glass is half-full: Why the U.S. economy will strengthen in 2010 -- DailyFinance

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2009-11-25T05:55:00.000-08:00

Ford Fusion Hybrid among the winners...

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Black Friday

2009-11-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

Did you know that traditionally the savings on new vehicles is the highest on Black Friday? This year will not be an exception. Come in and check us out while you are out and about...you won't be disappointed.