Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Ford, GM, Suzuki

It’s nice to be back in the swing of things. We’re once again cranking out weekly podcasts, and #63 is a compact one. We start off salivating over the news that the next generation Suzuki Swift will be headed for US shores. We devolve from discussing an unsubstantiated rumor into wistful praise for the current can’t have it Swift, and even make mention of Swifts from nigh on twenty years ago. The dustup over Alan Mulally’s work of fiction at the New York Auto Show keynote draws our ire next. This one has it all, lies, grandstanding media with agendas, attacks, grandstanding media with agendas, misinformation, grandstanding media with agendas, disinformation, and finally, grandstanding media with agendas. Speaking of grandstanding, we nearly go as far as calling Lutz’s bluff on the announcement that the hotly anticipated RWD cars from GM are on hold ’till regulators get their shizzle together. Whatevs. The entire GM turnaround is on hold? Not bloody likely. The consensus we come to is: Bad Lutz. So, turn on, tune in and peel out for our latest slice of podcast goodness.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hydrogen, Ford, Mercedes Benz

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Ford HySeries Edge.

One of the two Ford HySeries Edges which will ever be built was put through its paces by USA Today in late January en route to the DC Auto Show (AutoblogGreen has driven it as well) . A cutting edge, alternative fuel vehicle, the fuel-cell plug-in hybrid Edge is described as “smooth, tight, quiet and well-finished.” Steering was reviewed as being good but the customisable regenerative braking was a little harder to deal with when set too high, resulting in sudden nose-dives.

The big issue though was that it had “sluggish” performance which was considered to be due to unnecessarily heavy extras such as a second electric motor for all-wheel drive. The vehicle was also utilising less than two-thirds of the battery pack due to requirements of the current testing phase.

Analysis: Weight is the killer for plug-in electric vehicles because the more a vehicle weighs, the more batteries you need which just weigh it down further. DaimlerChrysler is testing fuel-cell vehicles too, but they’re working on a modified Mercedes A Series which seems far more appropriate. Still, Ford has the experience and the tradition in trucks and SUVs so maybe sticking with their strengths for the time being isn’t a bad thing.

Related:

• AutoblogGreen Drives the HySeries Ford Edge and fuel cell Explorer
• DaimlerChrysler builds first F-Cell fire response vehicle
• Ford loves ethanol

[Source: James R. Healey / USA Today]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford

For those Ford Edge owners who have been wondering what to wear with their new CUVs, Ford has teamed with Detroit Red Wings goalie Dominik “The Dominator” Hasek on a range of Edge-branded apparel. Aimed at active women and available through Dominator Clothing’s online store and it’s Birmingham, Michigan outlet, the promise of “High performance edge from zip to zen” awaits all takers. The discretely-branded line features three tops, a pair of pants, and a kit bag, all in the Edge color palette, with prices ranging from $30 for the domitech v-tee to $80 for the panel jacket. Each piece also sports a Ford Bold Moves label, just to let everyone know you mean business.

Ford describes the Edge as “A dynamic, modern shape with the right proportions and short overhangs.” If you want your clothing to say the same about you, follow the link.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Car Buying, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford

To many, the 2007 Ford Edge represents the best Ford has to offer in its current lineup, and sales of the stylish crossover are starting to fulfill the vehicle’s promise. The Edge has only been on the market for four months, and it’s already within 1,000 monthly units of the segment leaders Toyota Highlander and Nissan Murano.

Even better, according to JD Powers’ Power Information Network, the Edge is only staying on the dealer lot for about 20 days, which is far less than the 48 days it takes to move a mid size CUV industry-wide. Dealers are also finding it easier to sell higher-content models, as Edmunds.com reports an average March transaction price of $29,699. Ford is also using the Edge to help stop Explorer, Expedition, and Escape owners from leaving the Ford brand, with 25% of its sales coming from its own SUVs.

The Detroit Free Press quotes Ford spokesman Jim Cain as saying that a second wave of marketing is coming soon for the Edge, and production at the company’s Oakville, Ontario plant is scheduled to increase.

We had a feeling the Edge’s good looks would make for a hit for Ford, and early numbers are showing that the company’s newest CUV is more than holding its own in the industry’s hottest segment. Now if they could just work on that cheap-o interior.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Ford, GM, Suzuki

It’s nice to be back in the swing of things. We’re once again cranking out weekly podcasts, and #63 is a compact one. We start off salivating over the news that the next generation Suzuki Swift will be headed for US shores. We devolve from discussing an unsubstantiated rumor into wistful praise for the current can’t have it Swift, and even make mention of Swifts from nigh on twenty years ago. The dustup over Alan Mulally’s work of fiction at the New York Auto Show keynote draws our ire next. This one has it all, lies, grandstanding media with agendas, attacks, grandstanding media with agendas, misinformation, grandstanding media with agendas, disinformation, and finally, grandstanding media with agendas. Speaking of grandstanding, we nearly go as far as calling Lutz’s bluff on the announcement that the hotly anticipated RWD cars from GM are on hold ’till regulators get their shizzle together. Whatevs. The entire GM turnaround is on hold? Not bloody likely. The consensus we come to is: Bad Lutz. So, turn on, tune in and peel out for our latest slice of podcast goodness.

SUBSCRIBE to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
LISTEN to the show now
ADD the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Read the rest of this entry »