Posts Tagged ‘Ford’
California Taxi Fleet Looks to Transit Connect
Monday, June 14th, 2010
We’ve talked a lot about the Ford Transit Connect’s success with fleets across the nation, and now another sector of the fleet industry is looking to the stocky new vehicle: taxis.
California Yellow Cab has ordered 25 Transit Connects to join its fleet this year, which will be converted to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This move will leave the company poised to be the first in Southern California to operate half of its fleet on CNG.
“California Yellow Cab started to use natural gas in 2002 before there were many refueling stations,” said Tim Conlon, president of CYC. “Now that the infrastructure has built up, we’ll be able to help protect Orange County’s air quality even more with the Transit Connect.”
Do you think the Transit Connect has the potential to be the next iconic taxi model in the U.S.? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
Photo courtesy of JLaw45 under the Creative Commons License
Tags: California, Ford, Taxi Fleet, Tim Conlon, Transit Connect, Yellow Cab
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Dodge, Jeeps Recalls Address Sticking Pedals
Monday, June 14th, 2010
First Toyota, then Ford… now certain Dodge and Jeep vehicles are being recalled for having accelerator pedals that could become stuck in the down position and cause vehicles to accelerate out of control.
Chrysler LLC is recalling more than 25,000 Dodge and Jeep vehicles in the U.S. to fix sticking gas pedals manufactured by CTS — the same supplier involved in the recall of 2.3 million Toyota vehicles for the same problem, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Because the 25,263 MY 2007 Dodge Calibers and 71 Jeep Compass models came equipped with brake-override software, Chrysler said it does not consider the problem a safety risk. Nonetheless, the automaker has decided to conduct a voluntary recall to remedy the issue.
Chrysler said the problem is a result of a manufacturing defect at CTS that caused the bearing housing to be made too large. This was a problem CTS corrected in March 2006. According to Chrysler, an estimated 30 percent of the vehicles covered by the recall would actually have the defect.
In addition to the U.S. vehicles, Chrysler’s recall also covers 5,572 cars in Canada, 2,260 in Mexico and 1,536 elsewhere.
[via Automotive Fleet]
Photo courtesy of LaurenV. under the Creative Commons License
Tags: Detroit Free Press, Dodge, Dodge Calibers, Ford, Jeep, Sticking Pedals, Toyota
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Ford Warns of Floor Mat Issues
Monday, June 7th, 2010
In news strangely reminiscent of Toyota’s early woes with uncontrolled acceleration, Ford is having issues with its floor mats causing accelerator pedals to stick.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the issue in response to three independent consumer claims that their gas pedals became stuck in the depressed position by the floor mats in their 2010 Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans. No crashes or injuries were reported.
The incidents in question involved aftermarket all-weather rubber floor mats installed in the vehicles. Ford spokesman Said Deep told the Associated Press that the problem arose because drivers had stacked the rubber all-weather mats on top of the carpeted floor mats that came with the vehicles. Ford’s all-weather mats have warnings advising vehicle owners never to pile floor mats and to be sure to secure floor mats properly to the floor. If the mats move, they could trap the throttle open.
This does not imply that Ford’s vehicles themselves are having acceleration issues, but make sure that your vehicles do not have unsecured or stacked floor mats to prevent similar issues.
Photo courtesy of ogilvyprworldwide under the Creative Commons License
Tags: 2010 Ford Fusions, accelerator pedals, all-weather mats, Floor Mat, Ford, Mercury Milans, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota’s
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Ford Readies Police Interceptor and SUV for Law Enforcement
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Ford Motor Co. has been working diligently to keep its place as the primary provider for the nation’s law enforcement fleets after the iconic Crown Victoria ceases production next year. Now the automaker is developing a second vehicle for police departments: a pursuit-ready SUV.
The new SUV model is based on the same platform as Ford’s new Explorer model.
“When you own 70 percent of the market and you understand your customers, they tell you what their needs are,” said Lisa Teed, brand marketing manager for Ford’s police vehicle program. “They need flexibility, and that’s what this second vehicle brings.”
Ford is relying heavily on input from its advisory board of law enforcement officials to develop the new vehicle. The most important lesson learned from this process is that the needs of agencies vary by region, which Ford is working hard to accommodate.
The new SUV will be pursuit-ready and comes with four-wheel drive, and will also feature a modified version of the Ford SYNC system, specially modified for law enforcement needs. Many parts will be interchangeable with the new Police Interceptor, making maintenance much more convenient and cheaper for budget-stretched departments.
Each year, law enforcement agencies in the United States purchase about 75,000 police vehicles.
“Their job is to protect and serve us,” Teed said. “Our job is to serve them.”
[via The Detroit News]
Photo courtesy of conner395 under the Creative Commons License
Tags: Explorer, Ford, law enforcement, police interceptor, SUV, SYNC system
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Money Savers: The Cheapest Cars to Repair
Friday, May 21st, 2010
A new report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration examines the costs of post-collision repair among several major automakers. The result: if you’re concerned about repair costs, your best bet is a Ford.
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles all “cost less to repair after a collision compared to other automakers’ vehicles in the same segments” according to Motor Trend. “Nearly 80 percent of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles matched or beat the industry average in vehicle repair.” Second place Toyota (including Lexus and Scion) placed about 40 percent of its vehicles below the average cost.
The savings don’t end at the repair shop, either; insurance companies often take repair costs into account when calculating rates, so owning one of these low-risk autos will actually reduce your payments.
Ford has made an effort to develop new repair procedures and techniques to lower repair costs for its customers. It’s obviously working for them, as Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles lead ten of 26 segments in the study.
For a list of all the segment leaders, click here.
[via U.S. News and Motor Trend]
Photo courtesy of JD Hancock under the Creative Commons License
Tags: car repairs, cheapest, Ford, Lincoln, low-risk autos, Mercury, Money Savers, Motor Trend, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Ford and Microsoft Team up on EV Charging
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
Ford and Microsoft are teaming up to help future owners of Ford’s electric vehicles optimize the way they recharge their vehicle and better manage their home’s energy use.
The two companies are implementing the Microsoft Hohm energy management application for Ford’s electric vehicles. Ford will first use Hohm with the Focus Electric next year, the automaker said. Hohm will help owners determine when and how to most efficiently and affordably recharge battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. It also should help utility companies manage the added demands of electric vehicles on the electric grid.
“Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability,” said Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Co. president and CEO. “For Ford, this is a needed step in the development of the infrastructure that will make electric vehicles viable.”
Ford today has four hybrids on the road and another coming this year. They include the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Also coming this fall is the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Photo courtesy of Robert Scoble under the Creative Commons License
Tags: electric vehicles, energy, EV charging, Ford, Hohm, management, Microsoft, team up
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Fleet Sales Boost Auto Industry
Monday, April 5th, 2010
An $800 per unit increase in fleet-commercial prices and an 18 percent jump in volume helped the auto industry reach nearly $7.35 billion in fleet-commercial sales in February, up from $6 billion a year ago, according to CNW Market Research.
“This is occurring in all channels of the fleet-commercial business. It’s estimated that 11 percent of all new fleet and commercial vehicles are hybrids or biodiesel models,” Spinella wrote.
General Motors and Ford reduced their fleet-commercial sales in February, while Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan and Honda all experienced increases compared to the year-ago period.
Toyota had the largest increase in market share – from 13.92 percent in February 2009 to 16.27 percent in February 2010. The jump reflects a high fleet and commercial demand for the Prius and other Toyota hybrids, which eased in February due to buyers’ concerns about the manufacturer’s sudden-acceleration issues, Spinella wrote.
Honda also saw a notable jump in market share, but it was due to higher demand among small and micro businesses. The manufacturer’s market share was 6.92 percent in February 2010, up from 4.51 percent in February 2009.
Nissan’s market share was 7.51 percent in February 2010, up from 6.29 percent in the year-ago period.
Photo courtesy of emilio labrador under the Creative Commons License
Tags: auto industry, fleet sales, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan
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Ford Unveils Taurus-Based Interceptor
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
It’s official: Ford’s replacement vehicle for the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor will be an all-new vehicle built on the bones of the automaker’s successful Taurus model. Automotive News has the story:
Ford Motor Co. said today the Ford Police Interceptor is a purpose-built police vehicle engineered to exceed the Crown Victoria’s durability, safety and performance record. Production begins in late 2011 when Crown Victoria production ends. An all-wheel-drive model also will be offered.
“Police nationwide asked for a new kind of weapon in the battle for public safety, and Ford is answering the call with a purpose-built vehicle — engineered and built in America — that’s as dynamic as it is durable,” Mark Fields, Ford president of the Americas, said in a statement.
Ford also announced today that a second pursuit model, an unnamed utility vehicle, vehicle will be offered to police agencies. Details will be released in the third quarter.
The Ford Police Interceptor will be available with two powertrains: the 3.5-liter V-6 with an estimated 263 hp and the EcoBoost 365-hp twin-turbocharged, direct injection 3.5-liter V-6. The 365-hp engine model is equipped with all-wheel drive.
Photo courtesy of Jason Rojas under the Creative Commons License
Tags: 3.5-liter V-6, Crown Victoria Police, EcoBoost 365-hp, Ford, police safety, Taurus-Based Interceptor, vehicle, weapon
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Auto Computers Pose New Risks
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
As automobiles have become more mechanically advanced and consumers’ tastes have grown more refined, the use of on-board computer systems is a modern necessity. Originally installed to control emissions and fuel-injection systems, computers now control hundreds of operations in current auto models.
The problem with this digital revolution is that the average person no longer has the necessary tools to learn to repair their own vehicles in a pinch, and some computer issues simply cannot be fixed or diagnosed even by experts. The unpredictable nature of computer problems is what has spurred investigations into incidents such as recent uncontrolled acceleration in some Toyota vehicles. Congressional hearings in the coming weeks will investigate whether the problems are really with the electronic and software systems that control the flow of gasoline into a Toyota Camry or Lexus ES’s engine.
New Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion, require large electrical systems that command the engine to regenerate battery power during braking, or even to apply the brakes in the first place. That amount of software increases the risk of bugs that can damage a car’s performance or even make the car dangerous to drive.
Ford Motor Co. is telling customers it plans to reprogram certain Fusion hybrids to fix a glitch that can cause consumers to feel they have lost stopping power. Toyota says it is moving toward a similar software fix for braking complaints lodged against the 2010 Toyota Prius.
“We are in the learning curve on these systems,” says David Champion, the head of vehicle testing at Consumer Reports, which first reported on the problems with the Fusion Hybrid last week.
It is important for fleet managers and drivers to pay attention to their vehicles’ performance and immediately address any issues before they worsen. Your fleet’s safety is your number one priority.
Photo courtesy of philcampbell under the Creative Commons License
Tags: auto computers, automobiles, digital revolution, electronic, engine, Ford, hybrid vehicles, problems, Toyota, vehicles
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Ford Introduces All-Electric Transit Connect
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Ford Motor Company unveiled the all-electric version of the Ford Transit Connect at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 8 – the first product in the automaker’s accelerated electrified plan. Limited production of the new model will begin this year, with full production ramped up in 2011. Ford confirmed the zero-emissions small van will be in fleet operators’ hands later this year.
About 1,000 units will be produced annually depending on customer response, said Praveen Cherian, program manager of the Transit Connect. Ford collaborated with Mich.-based Azure Dynamics and Johnson Controls-Saft’s technology in the development of the electric model.
Cherian said the vehicles are designed to meet the needs of commercial customers with a predictable drive route, such as “florists or a handyman, plumber, or a Best Buy Geek Squad, utility type purposes vehicle.” Rechargeable using either 240-volt or standard 120 volt outlets, the electric vehicle can travel a range of 80 miles, providing an alternative for drivers who need a utility vehicle, but don’t want a pickup truck.
Production of the Ford Transit Connect Taxi, which will arrive in dealerships later this year as a 2011 model, was also announced. The automaker said it will introduce engine prep packages on all Transit Connect models – base and taxi – allowing conversion to efficient, clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane (LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas).
Photo courtesy of JLaw45 under the Creative Commons Life.
Tags: all-electric, compressed natural gas, Ford, Ford Transit Connect, propane, Transit Connect, utility vehicle
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