Ford Cars: Driving At It's Finest 

Ford: topless in Geneva

In response to the positive customer response to Ford's Vignale Concept - displayed at the 2004 Paris Motor Show - Ford returns to the world of open-topped motoring with the elegant yet practical Focus Coupé-Cabriolet, now making its debut at the ongoing 2006 Geneva Motor Show.

The new Focus Coupé-Cabriolet has been developed jointly by Ford of Europe and Italy's Pininfarina, which enjoys a worldwide reputation for the design of some of the world's most attractive vehicles.

Like it? You’ll have to wait (and hope Ford brings this to the U.S.), -- the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet will not go into production until mid-2006. In the meantime, why not update your Ford Focus’ looks with new grilles, hubcaps or bumpers from Ford Parts Online?

Selling your car? Don’t do this

Are you planning to sell your Ford cars car in the near future?

If yes, you should be taking care to maintain your Ford Escape, Ford Expedition or Ford Mustang’s resale value.

Kelley Blue Book, known as a resource for used car values, offered this list of things drivers often do that damage their cars' value.

Toss maintenance records - the best way to ensure a buyer that your vehicle is properly maintained and cared for is through documentation. Sure, you religiously follow your oil change schedule or have your 50,000 mile check up – but without proof (receipts, your dealership’s initial on your service manual), all that work won't be worth much at trade-in time.

Pick a wild color – that hot pink color may seem to make your Ford Mustang a true stand-out on the road, but many times car owners find it harder to sell those exotic-colored cars later on. Instead, KBB recommends to stick with more popular colors such as black, silver or white.

Get unpopular options - be sure to include equipment that other buyers will want such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), alloy wheels, a CD player or leather-upholstered seats.

Eat and go – sure, you take care not to spill ketchup on the seats when eating your favorite burger. But before making that drive-thru purchase, consider the mess potential it will make to your car.

Personalize permanently - KBB also recommends passing on the vehicle personalizations for your new car or at least keeping them to a minimum. Sure, it’s easy to add spoilers or bumpers these days with auto parts readily available from online stores like Ford Parts Online. Make sure not to overdo it though.

Let the interior go - make sure the upholstery and mats in your car are in good shape. If your floor mats need replacements, you can also find them at Ford Parts Online.

Pump up the volume – Not everyone will find it hip having parts of a car carved away to make way for extra subwoofers or upgraded speakers to replace the factory stereo. Go easy on the upgrading and make sure it won’t jeopardize your vehicle's resale value.

Mix and match tires - Buying mismatched tires and forgetting to have them checked and rotated regularly is another trap many car owners fall into. Buy a complete set of the same brand for both safety and to maintain your car's resale value, KBB suggests.

Ignore those door dings - That scratch or ding may not look like a big deal from the outside, but they could easily have a lasting impact on your car's value if not fixed on time. Often those blemishes are the first step toward rust and could result in expensive damage to your car over time.

Choose poorly from the start - Make sure you pick a vehicle that has a good projected resale value right from the start. KBB says if you do your research ahead of time, it could save you money down the road.

It’s “bling-bling” for the 2007 Lincoln Navigator

Ford has very recently took the wraps off the 2007 Lincoln Navigator at the Chicago Auto Show. The Lincoln luxury brand is showing off a new look -- the "Navigator L" model is 14.7 inches longer than the regular version and gives buyers an additional 25 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third-row seat.



Those who love to stand out in the crowd will love this car – it’s all “bling-bling”, from the in-your-face chrome grille, the "powerdome" hood, the optional 20-inch chrome wheels, the new wing-shaped taillamps, to the new body-side trim integrated into the lower cladding. Inside the cabin, second-row seats feature a one-hand fold-and-tumble operation for access to the third row. The 2007 Lincoln Navigator also boasts of an all-new independent rear suspension, larger brakes, and a stiffer frame and borrows its front structure from the acclaimed Ford F150 pickup.

Ford is excited about the Navigator’s potential. According to Anne Stevens, Ford chief operating officer for the Americas, the 2007 Lincoln Navigator is a clear signal of what the Lincoln brand is: American success, someone who's secure, confident and wants to reward themselves

In addition to the Navigator and Navigator L, Ford will also add the MKX SUV and the MKZ sedan -- a renamed, restyled and more powerful version of the Zephyr midsize car that went on sale last fall. The Navigator and MKX hits the dealerships this fall while the MKZ and Navigator L will follow late in the year.

Meanwhile, for all your Ford auto parts needs such as grilles, A/C condensers, radiators, fenders, wheels, and windshield wiper arms, just visit Ford Parts Online.

Fusion, Milan, Zephyr sales up

Autoblog reports: Ford has promising car sales in January

These are rough times for Ford – but as they say, you can’t keep a good man down, and in this case – you can’t keep a good car down.

After the flurry of activities (and controversy) following Ford’s Way Forward restructuring plan that included cutting down close to 30,000 jobs and closing down up to 14 plants – a bright spot (excerpt from Autoblog):

The Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln Zephyr trio led the way for Ford’s car division by posting sales numbers in January that were a combined 25 percent better than in December. At this rate the three cars are estimated to achieve 220,000 sales in 2006, which is well above Ford’s estimates. In total the trio accounted for 14,714 units of Ford’s total car sales of 82,710, which is up a full 18 percent over last year.

While Ford’s truck division sales were dragged down by its SUVs, the F-150 increased its sales over the same month last year by 7 percent. Overall the Ford brand sold 3.5 percent more vehicles than it did in January of 2005.

Well, there’s always hope isn’t there? The Fusion, after all, is one handsome vehicle that many, even critics, took notice of. I personally would want to own one – but at the moment, I opt to stick to my two-year old Ford Escape which is performing just fine. The tough times call for less spending and more current vehicle caring. That means that I’d have to be happy with new Ford Escape parts and accessories like hubcaps or grilles from Ford Parts Online instead of pining for a new car.

2007 Ford Edge: Edging Through Competition

A new Ford is on the rise. The Ford Edge is a crossover SUV based on the Ford CD3 platform that is also used by the Ford Fusion, and the Lincoln MKX. This has also been based on Mazda’s Mazda6 design. This new Ford has been introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show this year, and serves as the fill for the gap left between the Ford Explorer and the Ford Escape.



The Ford Edge, along with the Ford Aviator, will be the first vehicles to use Ford’s 3.5 liter Duratec 35 V6 engine. This new vehicle exudes style and power. Predictions have it that the Edge is poised to become a serious player in the very much contested crossover market. Something that we would all be looking forward to.

Inside the Ford Edge, comfort would not be an issue for there is actually plenty of legroom. The plastics found inside exude low gloss, and as per the fit and finish, everything looks impeccable. Cargo would also be not a problem for space is something that the Edge could afford. Included features for this vehicle include an all-wheel-drive, and four-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes. Optional though are side curtain airbags.

I cannot wait to see one of these Ford Edges as I cruise down the streets. The Ford Edge is certainly one vehicle worth waiting for. One of the things I also like about Ford is that quality auto parts are easily found at Ford Parts Online. This is a dependable site that features a wide array of auto parts for any Ford model. After I am through writing this, I will be back to looking for cool Taurus parts to add to my ride.

Ford F-150 customers the most loyal

Even as the results of the annual R.L. Polk & Co. Loyalty Excelerator Report had Toyota scoring the highest in brand loyalty to an automotive division - knocking Ford out of the top spot for the first time in nine years - the Ford F-series pick-up owners remain the most loyal owners of any vehicle, with 39 percent of F-series owners who traded in last year buying another F-series.

The average owner loyalty for all brands is about 44 percent, according to Polk's data. Ford had a slightly lower buyer retention rate last year at 53.4 percent.

According to Lonnie Miller, director of industry analysis for Polk, owner loyalty is not just about the car or just with the type of customer but is also affected by a range of factors, including dealership experience, a broad product selection and vehicle quality.

And how could one not remain loyal to a vehicle like the F-150?

Offered in three engine choices: a 205-hp V-6, 220-hp V-8, and 260-hp V-8, and available in 2 and 4 wheel drive and manual and automatic transmissions, the F-150 has been America's best-selling vehicle for 23 consecutive years. Ford sells about a half million Ford F-series trucks a year. And even as sales continue to slide for the U.S. automakers, shareholders can rest assured that pickups will continue to represent the best Detroit has to offer.

Keeping the F-Series on top is foremost in Ford’s car development. Competing with the longer and more powerful F-150 is one almost impossible task. On top of that, it also offers a sexy derivative, the Harley-Davidson F-150 to make every pickup owner as happy as he can be.

And when it comes to keeping your beloved F-150 in excellent running condition, you’ll have to have a truly reliable auto parts store where you can get only top of the line Ford auto parts like Ford F150 parts and other Ford F-series parts - trust the leading online Ford auto parts store, Ford Parts Online.

The Ford F-250 Super Chief

With luck, you just might be looking at a future Ford F-250 truck.

Said to be inspired by the bold, American Super Chief trains of the past, Super Chief is Ford's most advanced, well-appointed pickup ever – designed to build on the standard for interior excellence established by the new F-150.

Now we’ve all heard of bi-fuel, but this monster pickup is a tri-fuel model: its supercharged V10 engine can run on hydrogen, conventional petrol or E85 fuel (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol). Indeed, the Super Chief concept takes the truck leadership to a whole new level – with its Tri-Flex fueling, the truck can improve fuel economy by up to 12% and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 99%, even as its torque is upped to 400lb ft. It has a range of 500 miles between fill-ups.

Super Chief features an interior paneled in American walnut, brushed aluminum and bold brown leather. Convenience features include bold light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, a full glass roof and automated ottoman. Its six-foot load bay has doors to the passenger compartment, which is also accessed via two pairs of clamshell-opening "suicide" doors, the rear pair rear-hinged.

While the F-250 Super Chief has plenty of innovative tricks under its hood, it embraces several of Ford Motor Company's advanced safety technologies to help ensure that occupants' travels are not only comfortable, but also safe.

Safety technology such as BeltMinder™ and BlockerBeam™ are among the innovative features on the F-250 Super Chief. BlockerBeam™ provides enhanced frontal crash compatibility with cars on the road, and Ford's patented BeltMinder™ technology will alert the driver when occupants are not buckled up.

Sounds good?

Well we just have to wait if this concept will turn into reality.

In the meantime, should you need Ford F250 parts such as wheels or weatherstripping, just click over to your trusted Ford auto parts store, Ford Parts Online.

Soon on your Ford vehicle: new Seatbelt Technology

Soon, you may not have to worry about the kids not having enough safety at the backseat of your Ford Escape or your [link=hhttp://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/focus/]Ford Focus[/link].

Ford Motor Company has announced that it will introduce second-row inflatable seatbelts, a technology that may eventually find its way into production vehicles, on its concept vehicles at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.



According to a statement released by Ford, the patent-pending technology is based on recent advances in airbag inflation and construction that allows the deployment of a small tubular-shaped bag inside a shoulder belt during a crash. The automaker says that the new belts may help reduce head motion and whiplash injuries as well as spread impact forces across the chest, thus reducing injuries to the torso.

That’s more peace of mind for us parents each time we have our children in the car with us.

Ford's BeltMinder technology will also be incorporated into the second row seats of the automaker’s new concept vehicles. The system, which beeps nonstop until occupants buckle up, has been standard for front-row passengers. Ford says the system results in 5-percent greater seatbelt use.

As we cross our fingers that this new innovation do go into production, we all can keep our Ford vehicles in excellent running shape with top of the line Ford auto parts such as radiators, mirrors, lights and wheels from Ford Parts Online.

Assuming you haven’t prepared your Ford car for winter yet

It’s winter time again, when driving becomes even more challenging and dangerous, what with the snow and ice that come with the season. According to FEMA the leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents. So if you haven’t prepped your Ford car, SUV or truck for the winter season yet (highly unlikely) or if you haven’t ordered new auto parts from Ford Parts Online for those dimmed out headlights or worn wiper blades – better get moving now, you don’t want to end up in the emergency room when all you wanted was to get to your family’s Christmas dinner.

Just in case you haven’t done so yet, here are the things you should have your mechanic check:

* Battery
* Antifreeze
* Wipers and windshield washer fluid
* Ignition system
* Thermostat
* Lights
* Flashing hazard lights
* Exhaust system
* Heater
* Brakes
* Defroster
* Oil level (if necessary, replace existing oil with a winter grade oil or the SAE 10w/30 weight variety)

Remember too, to:

Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.

Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal.

Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.

Plan long trips carefully. Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road conditions. Always travel during daylight and, if possible, take at least one other person.

Carry a winter emergency kit inside your vehicle.

More green things to come

After successfully launching the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner, Ford now is taking its environmentally-friendly plans a step higher by its “Paint Shop of the Future” - a clean, efficient and quality-driven automotive paint operation system which will reduce VOCs emissions by 10 percent and CO2 by 20 percent.

Ford’s Paint Shop of the Future consists of three major technological solutions: an advanced chemical paint formulation, an innovative three-wet application process and patented waste management technology that converts paint fumes into electricity and recycles paint sludge into car parts.

And since the company also plans to have five hybrids (joining the Escape and Mariner will be hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Mazda Tribute) on the road by 2008 – we can expect to drive our Ford vehicles a little more guilt-free in the coming years. By 2010, Ford plans to increase hybrid production to approximately 250,000 vehicles annually.

In the meantime, we can keep our Ford vehicles running smoothly by giving it enough TLC. For the best Ford auto parts such as Ford hubcaps, starters, window regulators, catalytic converters, head and grille, spoilers and radiators, just visit Ford Parts Online – your trusted source of quality Ford auto parts.