Continuing the results of the GQRS study on Ford Motor Company, it showed that the company's newest vehicles, like the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX and Lincoln Navigator L, are garnering high customer satisfaction. Also, the study revealed that Ford's mod-size sedans were the top choice in the market. Other highlights of the study include Ford Shelby GT500 setting quality standard for sports cars. According to results from the recent GQRS study, Shelby GT500 owners report the fewest troubles among Sports Car owners after three months of ownership. The Shelby GT500’s steering, drivetrain, idle quality and automatic transmission shifting were noted as having the fewest troubles compared to the competition.
The study also showed that truck owners reported the Lincoln Mark LT lead the light duty full-size pickup segment in having the fewest troubles, according to the GQRS survey for the second quarter. “Things Gone Wrong” have been fully eliminated in speed control, exhaust system function and interior trim. Lincoln Mark LT owners taking part in the survey noted significant TGW reductions in squeaks and rattles, seating, and automatic transmission shifting. The Lincoln Mark LT also led its segment in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2007 Initial Quality Study.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Ford vehicles stride for quality as shown in recent study (Part 1)
According to the latest U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study conducted for Ford, Ford Motor Company vehicles are making dramatic strides in quality and outpacing the industry’s rate of improvement for the third straight year
In the 2007 second quarter GQRS study numerous customers of different brand and models were asked to raise their concerns regarding their three-month-old vehicles. It was reported that Ford Motor Company improved by 10 percent over last year.
Some of the highlights of the said study were Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands impressive performance, improving by 144 “Things Gone Wrong” (TGWs) per 1,000 vehicles to 1,419 – or 1.419 defects per vehicle. This score positions Ford and Lincoln Mercury within a fraction of one problem per vehicle (.057) to Toyota. The survey average for TGW performance was 1.447 problems per vehicle. In addition, Ford and Lincoln Mercury’s customer satisfaction rating climbed 2 percentage points to 75 percent.
Ford's Edge crossover end up being the highest in customer satisfaction. Customers rated the vehicles according to exterior styling, handling on the highway and seat comfort. Ford Edge was also named as the top performing all-new vehicle in J.D. Power and Associates 2007 APEAL study, along with receiving honors in its Initial Quality Study. Meanwhile, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Edge the “Top Safety Pick”.
Other highlights of the GQRS study will be revealed on the next posts.
In the 2007 second quarter GQRS study numerous customers of different brand and models were asked to raise their concerns regarding their three-month-old vehicles. It was reported that Ford Motor Company improved by 10 percent over last year.
Some of the highlights of the said study were Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands impressive performance, improving by 144 “Things Gone Wrong” (TGWs) per 1,000 vehicles to 1,419 – or 1.419 defects per vehicle. This score positions Ford and Lincoln Mercury within a fraction of one problem per vehicle (.057) to Toyota. The survey average for TGW performance was 1.447 problems per vehicle. In addition, Ford and Lincoln Mercury’s customer satisfaction rating climbed 2 percentage points to 75 percent.
Ford's Edge crossover end up being the highest in customer satisfaction. Customers rated the vehicles according to exterior styling, handling on the highway and seat comfort. Ford Edge was also named as the top performing all-new vehicle in J.D. Power and Associates 2007 APEAL study, along with receiving honors in its Initial Quality Study. Meanwhile, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Edge the “Top Safety Pick”.
Other highlights of the GQRS study will be revealed on the next posts.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Ford with surprising earnings
Ford Motor Co. posted a surprisingly their second-quarter earnings of $750 million, making its first profitable quarter in two years.
The car company confirmed that it is exploring the sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries and said its U.S. market share rose during the quarter.
Despite that, Ford's president and chief executive Alan Mulally said investors should not think the automaker has turned the corner to consistent profitability.
"These accomplishments are something to be proud of, but we are not ready to declare victory," Mulally said, predicting substantial losses in the third and fourth quarters.
The company attributed this year's gains to significant year-over-year improvement in all of its automotive operations, and to cost cuts due to restructuring and positive special items that totaled $443 million.
Ford said it is exploring the potential sale of Jaguar and Land Rover based on discussions with parties that have expressed interest in the British units. The company also said it is conducting a strategic review of Volvo "that likely will conclude prior to year end."
"Despite the improved results in the second quarter, we have a long way to go," Mulally said during a conference call with reporters and analysts, adding that he expects the second half of the year to be difficult.
Mulally also said the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover is probable, although no decisions have been made, and that the company is undergoing a strategic review of its Volvo unit.
The car company confirmed that it is exploring the sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries and said its U.S. market share rose during the quarter.
Despite that, Ford's president and chief executive Alan Mulally said investors should not think the automaker has turned the corner to consistent profitability.
"These accomplishments are something to be proud of, but we are not ready to declare victory," Mulally said, predicting substantial losses in the third and fourth quarters.
The company attributed this year's gains to significant year-over-year improvement in all of its automotive operations, and to cost cuts due to restructuring and positive special items that totaled $443 million.
Ford said it is exploring the potential sale of Jaguar and Land Rover based on discussions with parties that have expressed interest in the British units. The company also said it is conducting a strategic review of Volvo "that likely will conclude prior to year end."
"Despite the improved results in the second quarter, we have a long way to go," Mulally said during a conference call with reporters and analysts, adding that he expects the second half of the year to be difficult.
Mulally also said the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover is probable, although no decisions have been made, and that the company is undergoing a strategic review of its Volvo unit.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Ford continue to produce quality vehicles
Good news from Ford Motor Company as it announce the results of a new report showing the automaker continues to narrow the quality gap with its Japanese rivals.
The latest quarterly study commissioned by Ford and conducted by the RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills showed Ford vehicles improved in quality for the third straight year, outpacing the industry
A total of 19 Ford vehicles ranked in the top three spot for customer satisfaction, quality or both.
The new Ford Edge crossover, Mustang Shelby GT500, Explorer and E-series vans, the Lincoln Mark LT pickup and the Mazda MX-5 Miata all led their segments in the study.
"We're launching new products with quality, and our team is working hard to consistently build quality into the vehicles we're delivering for customers," said Mark Fields, president of Ford's Americas group, in a statement. "We've redoubled our commitment to deliver more products customers really want -- with quality that rivals the best in the industry."
Ford cars and trucks averaged 1,427 things gone wrong per thousand, and the company's average satisfaction rating was 75 percent. The industry average is 1,447 things gone wrong per thousand, while the average customer satisfaction rating is 78 percent.
The latest quarterly study commissioned by Ford and conducted by the RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills showed Ford vehicles improved in quality for the third straight year, outpacing the industry
A total of 19 Ford vehicles ranked in the top three spot for customer satisfaction, quality or both.
The new Ford Edge crossover, Mustang Shelby GT500, Explorer and E-series vans, the Lincoln Mark LT pickup and the Mazda MX-5 Miata all led their segments in the study.
"We're launching new products with quality, and our team is working hard to consistently build quality into the vehicles we're delivering for customers," said Mark Fields, president of Ford's Americas group, in a statement. "We've redoubled our commitment to deliver more products customers really want -- with quality that rivals the best in the industry."
Ford cars and trucks averaged 1,427 things gone wrong per thousand, and the company's average satisfaction rating was 75 percent. The industry average is 1,447 things gone wrong per thousand, while the average customer satisfaction rating is 78 percent.
Friday, July 20, 2007
New Harley-Davidson Ford truck
The Harley-Davidson F-150 is packed with 450 horsepower and a very black color scheme.
On the exterior, the new pickup is adorned with the six-bar grille and enormous 22-inch wheels. Some changes also include body-colored accents in the headlight capsules, large "Harley-Davidson" letters rendered in chrome along the bed rail, and valance trim along the rocker panels
The interior of the truck receive some notable changes. Glossy "piano black" surrounds the dash vents and covers the top surface of the center console, and a similar finish gets a faint H-D logo "watermark" for use on the center stack and door panels. High-quality black leather is used for the seating surfaces, and yet another pair of logos appear on the front buckets. Aluminum pedal covers round out the treatment. By using top of the line materials, the H-D truck looks good inside and out.
To get more information about the new Ford truck just visit autoblog.com.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
2009 F-150 gets a new look
Reports have come out that Ford Motor Company will spend an estimated $1.7 billion to overhaul its F-series pickups for model-year 2009.
Don’t expect a full ground-up redesign, just be ready with some exterior changes like a bold new face with the Blue Oval's signature three-bar grille as well as revised side panels and rear end. Some of the biggest change that the 2009 F-150 will have is a 6-inch stretch and a fold-flat rear seat.
Ford is developing its own 330-horsepower 4.4-liter turbodiesel V8 for the F-series, but insiders say the engine may not be ready until model-year 2011. A gasoline V6 isn't expected until model-year 2010.
When the new F-series is introduced in fall 2008, only three gasoline V8s are expected to be offered: two- and three-valve versions of the 4.6-liter V8 and a three-valve 5.4-liter V8.
The new F-series will be available in three body styles: regular cab, extended cab and crew cab. The F-series cabin will also get an extensive makeover, with new instrument panels, consoles, seats and door trim.
Industry watchers expect to see the 2009 F-series officially break cover in January at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
Don’t expect a full ground-up redesign, just be ready with some exterior changes like a bold new face with the Blue Oval's signature three-bar grille as well as revised side panels and rear end. Some of the biggest change that the 2009 F-150 will have is a 6-inch stretch and a fold-flat rear seat.
Ford is developing its own 330-horsepower 4.4-liter turbodiesel V8 for the F-series, but insiders say the engine may not be ready until model-year 2011. A gasoline V6 isn't expected until model-year 2010.
When the new F-series is introduced in fall 2008, only three gasoline V8s are expected to be offered: two- and three-valve versions of the 4.6-liter V8 and a three-valve 5.4-liter V8.
The new F-series will be available in three body styles: regular cab, extended cab and crew cab. The F-series cabin will also get an extensive makeover, with new instrument panels, consoles, seats and door trim.
Industry watchers expect to see the 2009 F-series officially break cover in January at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
New engine, new concept
Lincoln MKS sedan will be getting a twin-turbo V-6 engine in January. It is said that this concept will create a totally different car. Now the company is saying not only is this new engine — called TwinForce — on the way, but it will come in the form of four-, six- and even eight-cylinder gasoline engines in the future.
Ford is saying the twin-turbo will deliver diesel-like fuel economy, upward of 25% better than non-turbo engines of the same size.
All we have to do now is to watch out for the new concept. Hopefully this will turn out good for Ford.
Ford is saying the twin-turbo will deliver diesel-like fuel economy, upward of 25% better than non-turbo engines of the same size.
All we have to do now is to watch out for the new concept. Hopefully this will turn out good for Ford.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Ford to test plug-in hybrid technology
Starting this year, Ford will be testing its new plug-in hybrid technology , with as many as 20 vehicles on the roads by 2009. Ford teamed up with electric utility California Edison for this specific project. The company not only wants to test the cars themselves, but also the impact they have on the power grid.
A plug-in hybrid uses an electric motor to power the car with batteries that can be recharged by plugging in to an electrical outlet. A gasoline generator or small engine is used to charge the batteries when they run out of energy and the driver can’t stop to recharge.
Ford debuted a plug-in hydrogen hybrid earlier this year in an Edge SUV, but the company has been quiet about a gasoline version. Reports say that Ford Escapes are supposed to be the test vehicle.
A plug-in hybrid uses an electric motor to power the car with batteries that can be recharged by plugging in to an electrical outlet. A gasoline generator or small engine is used to charge the batteries when they run out of energy and the driver can’t stop to recharge.
Ford debuted a plug-in hydrogen hybrid earlier this year in an Edge SUV, but the company has been quiet about a gasoline version. Reports say that Ford Escapes are supposed to be the test vehicle.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Fourth of July incentives extended
Ford will be extending their Fourth of July incentives until summer. The offer includes that for every 2007 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury car will continue to have 0% financing for 36 months. Another appealing incentive is that trucks and SUVs will get an additional $2,007 cash rebate on top of the financing except for the Ford Edge, Freestyle and E-Series van and the Lincoln MKX. Both offers now run through Aug. 31.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
New features on the 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
For the 2008 model of Ford Explorer Sport Trac, new features will be installed.
It now sports a 16.8-inch increase in wheelbase from its prior rendition, a revised suspension based on the current Explorer SUV and an available V-8 option.
The Sport Trac rides on an independent suspension for better ride and handling qualities that would also lessen vibrations and harshness. Ford's sophisticated Roll Stability Control is also included. This system helps prevent the vehicle from rolling over in extreme maneuvers by briefly applying the vehicle's anti-lock brakes one wheel at a time if the system detects a potential rollover or loss of control is about to occur.
The Sport Trac has a four-door cabin and handy composite cargo box with two-tier storage ability, available hard tonneau cover, and three integrated tool and gear bins with drain plugs. It is nearly five inches longer, two inches wider, and two inches lower than the previous Sport Trac model, with added interior room and a larger bed that provides a 30-percent increase in cargo capacity.
Ford will offer a 4.0-liter, 210-horsepower V-6 is the standard powerplant that comes with a five-speed automatic. The Explorer will also be offered with a 292-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8 to add muscle and enhance towing capabilities. This will come with a six-speed automatic. Both rear- and four-wheel-drive models are available.
Other new features to be expected on the 2008 model are the standard curtain airbags, fog lamps, a power rear window and a drop-in storage bin, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Options include available voice activation for the optional navigation system, and later in the year, Ford's Sync system, which uses Bluetooth and a touch screen to control in-truck communications and entertainment features.
It now sports a 16.8-inch increase in wheelbase from its prior rendition, a revised suspension based on the current Explorer SUV and an available V-8 option.
The Sport Trac rides on an independent suspension for better ride and handling qualities that would also lessen vibrations and harshness. Ford's sophisticated Roll Stability Control is also included. This system helps prevent the vehicle from rolling over in extreme maneuvers by briefly applying the vehicle's anti-lock brakes one wheel at a time if the system detects a potential rollover or loss of control is about to occur.
The Sport Trac has a four-door cabin and handy composite cargo box with two-tier storage ability, available hard tonneau cover, and three integrated tool and gear bins with drain plugs. It is nearly five inches longer, two inches wider, and two inches lower than the previous Sport Trac model, with added interior room and a larger bed that provides a 30-percent increase in cargo capacity.
Ford will offer a 4.0-liter, 210-horsepower V-6 is the standard powerplant that comes with a five-speed automatic. The Explorer will also be offered with a 292-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8 to add muscle and enhance towing capabilities. This will come with a six-speed automatic. Both rear- and four-wheel-drive models are available.
Other new features to be expected on the 2008 model are the standard curtain airbags, fog lamps, a power rear window and a drop-in storage bin, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Options include available voice activation for the optional navigation system, and later in the year, Ford's Sync system, which uses Bluetooth and a touch screen to control in-truck communications and entertainment features.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Ford vehicles will soon get Twin-Force technology
At Ford's 2008 model year introduction event, group vice president for global product development Derek Kuzak mentioned that the same Twin-Force technology the Blue Oval unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show in the MKR concept will soon be available on production models. Kuzak also said that the twin boost will result in fuel efficiency on par with comparably sized diesels. Ford also has more powertrain plans, as the company ushers in the best of 2003 with a manual-mode "Power Shift" automatic transmission, and multiple displacement V8s.
Ford wouldn't want to be left behind in the powertrain development, which can be seen in the various innovations the company have been coming up. The Twin-Force technology is something to really watch out for. The said technology insure higher horsepower and above average fuel economy.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Ford reverse camera in action
Ford designed a backup camera technology to help drivers see what's going on beyond the bumper. The new camera technology will be available for 2008 model year vehicles, with the image being shown in the rear view mirror.
The video screen only shows up when you're in reverse, and it gives you both video of what's behind you and the approximate distance you can travel before hitting something. Then the folks from Dearborn, MI threw in the beep sensor as a redundant measure. The technology works remarkably well, and the video screen is even visible in extremely bright sunlight.
Backup camera is not new to the market, they were actually introduced a few years back. They are designed to give drivers of large SUVs, pickups, and minivans a clearer view of the back of the vehicle.
I found a video showing how the new camera worked in the new 2008 King Ranch Expedition. Check it out.
The video screen only shows up when you're in reverse, and it gives you both video of what's behind you and the approximate distance you can travel before hitting something. Then the folks from Dearborn, MI threw in the beep sensor as a redundant measure. The technology works remarkably well, and the video screen is even visible in extremely bright sunlight.
Backup camera is not new to the market, they were actually introduced a few years back. They are designed to give drivers of large SUVs, pickups, and minivans a clearer view of the back of the vehicle.
I found a video showing how the new camera worked in the new 2008 King Ranch Expedition. Check it out.
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