Griffin Technology, maker of all things iPod, announced WindowSeat, Griffin's windshield mount for iPhone. With Apple's recent announcement of mapping service to iPhone, WindowSeat puts your device at eye level on your car's windshield with street maps, directions and more, safely in view and within reach. WindowSeat's mounting bracket holds your iPhone securely, while its corner-release tab lets you easily remove your device when you arrive at your destination, leaving WindowSeat locked in position for the next time you use it.
Ford Motor Company today said it is making adjustments to its production plan and revising downward its near-term North American Automotive profit outlook, while planning further manufacturing capacity realignments, additional cost reductions and changes to its product mix to respond to the rapidly changing business environment in the U.S. The company said it is increasing 2008 North American production of the hot-selling Ford Focus, Fusion, Edge and Escape, Mercury Milan and Mariner, as well as the Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln MKX.
A new powertrain lineup, with a more powerful and fuel-efficient 2.5-liter I-4 engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission, leads the list of enhancements for the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models. Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, the popular compact SUVs, boast better fuel economy, thanks to a combination of the new engine and fuel-saving six-speed transmission. Other fuel-efficiency measures, such as refined aerodynamics and new low-rolling-resistance tires, also enhance fuel economy while contributing to a quieter, more refined cabin environment.
A hitch with the towing electrical connection built INSIDE the receiver? It's an innovation that would have others asking, "Why didn't I think of that?!" Valley, a towing industry leader for more than 60 years, did. New Integrated Trailer Wiring(tm) hitches from Valley are inventive and stylish. Advancements in manufacturing technology have allowed the towing electrical connection to be moved INSIDE the cross tube of the receiver, eliminating the need for unsightly brackets or to drape the harness outside the vehicle where it can be damaged by weather and road debris.
Today at the Washington Auto Show and Automotive News World Congress in Detroit, Ford Motor Company announced its hot-selling compact SUVs, the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, will become more fuel efficient, more powerful and more connected for the 2009 model year.
Ford decided to become to the first automaker to offer High Definition Digital Radio. The dealer-installed option is now available nationwide on nearly all 2008 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles and the radio can also be installed on earlier models from 2005, 2006 and 2007. "As a result, consumers hear a wide range of new HD2 multicast stations as well as their favorite radio stations in crystal clear digital sound with no monthly subscription fee". Read on for more details.
Ford Motor Company have celebrated the launch of the all-new 2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner at its Kansas City Assembly Plant. The vehicles go on sale first quarter 2007. The small SUVs received a 10- to 11-point improvement in resale value, while offering reduced pricing, additional content and better fuel economy than previous models. Both vehicles are available in gas-powered engine and full-hybrid models.
The new 2008 Mariner and Mariner Hybrid raise Mercury sophistication to the next level with their unveiling today at the 36th annual South Florida International Auto Show in Miami. Significantly updated for the first time since introduction in late 2004, the new Mariner and Mariner Hybrid will go on sale in early 2007.
Ford Motor Company is responding to consumers' desire for increased vehicle safety by adding more standard safety features to its 2007 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineups. The company has made side air curtains or its advanced Safety Canopy system with rollover sensor standard equipment on 14 vehicles for the 2007 model year, including the all-new Ford Edge, Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.
Ford Motor Company will significantly increase the powertrain limited warranties and roadside assistance programs for 2007-model Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles as part of an accelerated product plan that includes more standard safety equipment, new technologically advanced engines and transmissions, wider availability of technologies like all-wheel drive and straightforward pricing that helps improve resale values.
"With SUV sales falling faster than expected, Lincoln Mercury will spend $24 million to promote the Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Navigator in May and June. Heavy TV advertising will support the push. Lincoln Mercury executives told dealers the Mountaineer campaign will cost $10 million and the Navigator campaign $14 million," AutoWeek reports.
"Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that it would recall nearly 150,000 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner sport utility vehicles after the government and the automaker reached different conclusions in safety tests measuring the driver's head protection in a crash," The Detroit News said today.
The cost of owning a hybrid vehicle has become even more attractive. Buyers of the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid – the world’s cleanest, most fuel-efficient SUVs – now will realize significant tax savings. Ford put the first SUV hybrid on the road today – the Escape Hybrid – and plans to sell 250,000 hybrids a year by 2010.
"Ford Motor Co. is engineering a new push for gasoline-electric vehicles, showing off its second hybrid SUV and announcing that hybrids would for the first time be part of incentives that effectively cut prices by hundreds of dollars. Ford said that Wednesday marked the start of "full-scale production" for the Mercury Mariner Hybrid at its suburban Kansas City assembly plant. The company plans to build 4,000 Mariner Hybrids a year.
" reports MSNBC.
This is the year of recalls for the Ford Motor Company, and we hope it ends on December 31st. MSNBC reports on the latest round: "Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 235,000 pickups, vans and sport utility vehicles from the 2006 model year because of potential problems with the windshield wiper motor. The models include the E-150, E-250, E-350 and E-450 vans, the Escape, Expedition and Explorer SUVs, F-150 and Ranger pickups and Taurus sedan. It also includes the Lincoln Navigator SUV and Lincoln Mark LT pickup and Mercury Mountaineer and Mariner SUV."
The Detroit News reports, "...at the Sierra Summit, Ford offered consumers their first peek at their latest hybrid sports utility vehicle -- the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The compact, four-wheel-drive SUV can get 33 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on highways.
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Ford's first hybrid SUV -- the Ford Escape Hybrid -- are just the latest examples of the Dearborn, Mich.-based company's efforts to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles, said Niel Golightly, Ford's director of sustainable business strategies."
The year of recalls and problems with Ford trucks and SUVs doesn't appear to be getting any better, unfortunately. According to the NHTSA, a stuck throttle problem on the 2002 Ford Explorer and the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer SUVs is causing an investigation of over 690,000 vehicles. There's no cause for alarm yet, as the investigation is in its preliminary stages, prompted by 15 complaints and one crash.
MSNBC reported today, "Ford Motor Company on Monday launched sales for its second gas-electric SUV, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, but unlike traditional strategies this one begins online for buyers."
The Detroit News reported today, "Ford Motor Co. began selling its second hybrid vehicle on Monday. The 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid sport utility vehicle, which starts at $29,840, will be sold almost exclusively online, the company said. Customers can order the vehicles through Mercury's Web site and pick them up from a local dealer when they're delivered."
The new 2008 Mariner and Mariner Hybrid raise Mercury sophistication to the next level with their unveiling today at the 36th annual South Florida International Auto Show in Miami. Significantly updated for the first time since introduction in late 2004, the new Mariner and Mariner Hybrid will go on sale in early 2007.
"With SUV sales falling faster than expected, Lincoln Mercury will spend $24 million to promote the Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Navigator in May and June. Heavy TV advertising will support the push. Lincoln Mercury executives told dealers the Mountaineer campaign will cost $10 million and the Navigator campaign $14 million," AutoWeek reports.
"Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that it would recall nearly 150,000 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner sport utility vehicles after the government and the automaker reached different conclusions in safety tests measuring the driver's head protection in a crash," The Detroit News said today.
"Ford Motor Co. is engineering a new push for gasoline-electric vehicles, showing off its second hybrid SUV and announcing that hybrids would for the first time be part of incentives that effectively cut prices by hundreds of dollars. Ford said that Wednesday marked the start of "full-scale production" for the Mercury Mariner Hybrid at its suburban Kansas City assembly plant. The company plans to build 4,000 Mariner Hybrids a year.
This is the year of recalls for the Ford Motor Company, and we hope it ends on December 31st. MSNBC reports on the latest round: "Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 235,000 pickups, vans and sport utility vehicles from the 2006 model year because of potential problems with the windshield wiper motor. The models include the E-150, E-250, E-350 and E-450 vans, the Escape, Expedition and Explorer SUVs, F-150 and Ranger pickups and Taurus sedan. It also includes the Lincoln Navigator SUV and Lincoln Mark LT pickup and Mercury Mountaineer and Mariner SUV."
The Detroit News reports, "...at the Sierra Summit, Ford offered consumers their first peek at their latest hybrid sports utility vehicle -- the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The compact, four-wheel-drive SUV can get 33 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on highways.
MSNBC reported today, "Ford Motor Company on Monday launched sales for its second gas-electric SUV, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, but unlike traditional strategies this one begins online for buyers."
The Detroit News reported today, "Ford Motor Co. began selling its second hybrid vehicle on Monday. The 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid sport utility vehicle, which starts at $29,840, will be sold almost exclusively online, the company said. Customers can order the vehicles through Mercury's Web site and pick them up from a local dealer when they're delivered."
