|
|
|
SUMMARY: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds; parents can help ensure their teens have the skills – and technology – to more safely take the wheel before heading out on prom night The Ford Driving Skills for Life website, www.drivingskillsforlife.com, offers a variety of tips on improving driving skills in four key areas that are estimated to lead to 60 percent of teen accidents Prom night is a special night for teens – with a little forethought and a few frank discussions, parents won't be so anxious as their kids spend an evening out on the town CONTEXT / BACKGROUND: Prom is a big night for teenagers, filled with glitter, glitz and high expectations. For parents, though, it can be a long evening fraught with nail-biting and worry that won't end until their teen returns home safely. Their worry has merit – in 2008, approximately 5,800 15- to 20-year-old drivers were involved in fatal crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In fact, the agency reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds. TIPS FROM FORD TO KEEP TEENS SAFE AND MOMS AND DADS FROM ANXIETY ATTACKS. But parents can coach their teens on safe driving, make sure they know that drinking and driving is illegal, and find other ways to help them become more confident behind the wheel. The comprehensive Ford Driving Skills for Life website, www.drivingskillsforlife.com, is chock-full of car care and driving safety tips for both teens and parents. DETAILS: The numbers show that the severity of a crash increases when alcohol is involved. In 2008, 22 percent of 15- to 20-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. Texting while driving is another area of concern. Ford research shows that teens do not have the experience that allows them to self-limit tasks while driving. NHTSA estimates that distracted driving, including the use of nomadic electronic devices, may be involved in some capacity in up to 80 percent of road collisions. For so many teens, prom night isn't a time to dwell on safety. It means fancy dresses, smart tuxes, and an exciting night out. But parents know that anytime is a good time to offer their young driver guidelines for the road: Buckle up! Remind your teenager again and again how important that single little click can be. Statistics show that seat belt usage is lowest among teenagers, even though seat belts continue to be proven as the No. 1 life-saving device in accidents. Don't drink and drive. You may assume your teen knows this, but it's worth a sit-down talk. Make sure your teen knows the dangers of driving under the influence – or getting into a vehicle with someone who's been drinking. No text zone. Remind your teen driver to avoid distractions such as texting, loud music and any activities that take their eyes away from the road for extended periods of time. Research shows this combination significantly increases the risk of accidents. Take a drive. Is your son or daughter taking the car that night? Drive the route with him or her; make sure they know exactly where they're going and limit the number of passengers who will be in the car at all times. Renting a limo? Check the safety record of the limo company. Make sure the company you (or the kids) are renting from has a reputable history. Set a check-in time and curfew. Have the couple call you when the dance is over, or when they're changing venues, so you know where they are at all times. Set a curfew. Make sure your teens know when you expect them home, and make sure they know it's not debatable.
DEARBORN -- Ford is making its vehicles more eco-friendly through increased use of renewable and recyclable materials such as the soy and bio-based seat cushions and seatbacks on the 2010 Ford Taurus. Ford vehicles are now 85 percent recyclable by weight. In 2009, Ford saved approximately $4.5 million by using recycled materials, and diverted between 25 and 30 million pounds of plastic from landfills in North America alone. “By increasing the use of recycled or renewable content and reducing the use of undesirable materials whenever possible, we’re helping to reduce waste to landfills by millions of pounds – and we’re doing it around the world,” said John Viera, Ford’s director of Sustainability and Environmental Policy. “More than ever before, the spirit of ONE Ford that drives our global product strategy also drives our commitment to sustainability.” The 2010 Ford Taurus is the eleventh Ford vehicle to feature earth-friendly bio-based seat cushions and seatbacks. Ford has more vehicle models with seats that use soy and other bio-based foams than any other automaker. Ford Mustang, F-150, Focus, Flex, Escape, Expedition and Econoline as well as Mercury Mariner, Lincoln MKS and Navigator also use the sustainable material. “We already have bio-based foam on more than 2 million vehicles and we’re looking to convert 100 percent of our fleet to it in the future,” said Jerry Brown, Ford chief engineer of seat and restraint engineering. “This is just one way that Ford is advancing the use of eco-friendly materials in the industry.” Ford’s “reduce, reuse and recycle” commitments are part of the company’s broader global sustainability strategy to reduce its environmental footprint while accelerating the development of advanced fuel-efficient vehicle technologies around the world. Building in green materials For the past several years, Ford has concentrated on increasing the use of non-metal recycled and bio-based materials, including: Bio-based (such as soy) polyurethane foams on the seat cushions, seatbacks and headliners on 11 vehicle models. The 2 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles on the road today with bio-foam seats equates to a reduction in petroleum oil usage of approximately 1.5 million pounds Post-consumer recycled resins such as detergent bottles, tires and battery casings used to make underbody systems, such as aerodynamic shields, splash shields and radiator air deflector shields. The latest example is the engine cam cover on the 3.0-liter V-6 2010 Ford Escape. As a result, Ford has diverted between 25 and 30 million pounds of plastic from landfills Post-industrial recycled yarns for seat fabrics on vehicles such as the Ford Escape and Escape Hybrid. A 100 percent usage of recycled yarns can mean a 64 percent reduction in energy consumption and a 60 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the use of new yarns Repurposed nylon carpeting made into nylon resin and molded into cylinder head covers for Ford’s 3.0-liter Duratec® engine. The industry’s first eco-friendly cylinder head cover is used in the 2010 Ford Fusion and Escape The automotive industry’s first application of wheat straw-reinforced plastic for the third-row storage bins of the 2010 Ford Flex. The natural fiber replaces energy-inefficient glass fibers commonly used to reinforce plastic parts In support of Ford’s global product development strategy, material engineers are developing standardized specifications for sustainable materials while working with parts purchasers and suppliers to use eco-friendly components in different markets. For example, the European Ford Focus uses recycled polymer in such components as the battery tray, wheel arch liners, seat fabric and carpets. Materials engineers are in the process of determining if recycled polymer can be used for similar components in the global Focus coming to North America and Europe in 2011. “Sustainable materials need to meet the same high standards for quality, durability and performance as virgin material; there can be no compromise on product quality,” said Valentina Cerato, Ford materials engineer in Europe. What the future holds Materials researchers continue to explore sustainable material applications, such as an eco-friendly replacement for the fiberglass used between the headliner and roof sheet metal that will be bio-based, lighter weight, and will deliver improved acoustics and neutralize odor. In addition, Ford researchers are developing natural-fiber composites as a potential substitute for the glass fibers traditionally used in plastic car parts to make them stronger while reducing vehicle weight, which helps improve fuel economy and reduces emissions. Natural fiber composites also are more eco-friendly, because their production and end-of-life incineration are less energy intensive than glass fibers, which also results in lower emissions. Ford researchers also are investigating ways to use plastics made entirely from sustainable resources such as corn, sugar beets, sweet potatoes and other vegetables. These renewable materials will help reduce dependency on petroleum, reduce CO2 emissions and allow the composting of the material at the end of a vehicle’s life. “Natural fiber-reinforced plastics and plant-based polymer resins help reduce CO2 emissions by being entirely compostable, and in some cases reduce weight, which helps improve fuel economy,” said Debbie Mielewski, technical leader, Ford Plastics Research. “We have to entertain the thought of bio-replacement in baby steps, looking at every aspect of a car that could be green. One day I hope to see the world of automotive plastics go totally compostable, removing petroleum by 100 percent.” What comes out Automobiles are among the most recycled consumer products in the world. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 95 percent of all end-of-life vehicles in the U.S. are processed for recycling – compared to 52 percent of all paper and 31 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles. In Europe, automakers are required to take back the vehicles they’ve produced at the end of the vehicles’ useful lives. Ford has end-of-life recycling networks for its vehicles in 16 European markets and participates in industry collective systems in another 10. In 2007, Ford became one of the first automakers in Europe to be certified in compliance with end-of-life requirements, including: Design and produce vehicles that facilitate the dismantling, reuse, recovery and recycling of them at end-of-life Reduce the use of hazardous substances when designing vehicles Increase the use of recycled materials in vehicle manufacture Ensure that parts do not contain mercury, hexavalent chromium, cadmium or lead Reuse is a big part of the recycling story. Auto recyclers supply more than one third of all ferrous scrap to the U.S. scrap processing industry. When manufacturers use scrap iron and steel instead of newly produced ore, they reduce air and water pollution by more than half during the manufacturing process. “In theory, end-of-life vehicles are nearly 100 percent recoverable. In practice, however, the cost in energy and labor to recover all vehicle material often exceeds the value of the materials and offers insignificant value to the environment,” Viera said. “We remain focused on achieving the highest economically viable and environmentally sound recovery percentage possible
By John Fossen DEARBORN – Customer satisfaction with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles increased four points to 84 percent and now leads all full-line manufacturers, according to the latest U.S. quality study by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The first-quarter 2010 Global Quality Research System (GQRS) survey of customers also showed that Ford has an unsurpassed level of things-gone-wrong among full-line manufacturers. To access the full 2010 1Q GQRS study press release, click here. Ford's steadily improving quality and customer satisfaction are translating to stronger metrics throughout the purchase funnel. Based on the Quarter 1 2010 Brand Equity and Awareness Tracking (BEAT) study by Morpace of Farmington Hills, Mich., the Ford brand is now comparable to Toyota for Consideration, Shopping and Intention, and leads Toyota and Honda in Intended Loyalty. Stable perceptions of Lincoln's year-on-year performance helped it achieve best results versus Lexus. While Mercury year-on-year performance remained stable, cross-consideration of the brand is growing as customer interaction between Mercury and competitive brands increases. Stronger brand perception is having a significant impact in dealer showrooms. In March, sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles jumped 43 percent, matching a similar increase in February. In addition, the company has gained retail share in 17 of the last 18 months. "People are discovering that the Ford difference is the strength of our fresh new product lineup, especially our leadership in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technologies and value," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service.
Get a No-charge Premium Maintenance Package when you buy or lease a Lincoln or Mercury from Island! Check out this video for more details on this exclusive online offer! http://ping.fm/XURN8
Hope everyone's having a great Earth Day! Check out this great writeup on the All New 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Projected to be the most fuel efficient luxury vehicle in America! http://ping.fm/YYFEt
Island Club Members, We are pleased to Announce that Island Gas BP is now back open after our recent upgrades. We're also now offering Diesel fuel! Come on in and enjoy full service gas at Cost! Not an Island Club member? Visit www.islandlincolnmercury.com to find out how you can become a member of the Island Club!
A new Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study lends further evidence that voice-controlled Ford’s SYNC® helps drivers minimize electronics-related distractions compared to manually operating hand-held cell phones and music players. The researchers found that participants took their eyes off the road an average of 10 times longer while manually selecting a song from their MP3 players compared to using SYNC’s voice commands NEW YORK, April 9, 2010 – A new Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study lends further evidence that voice-controlled Ford SYNC® helps drivers minimize electronics-related visual distractions compared to manually operating hand-held cell phones and music. The study by VTTI – to be released April 15 in Detroit at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress during a panel discussion titled “Human Factors in Driving and Automotive Telematics” – supports the Institute’s growing body of research on driver distraction and as well as a similar Ford study in 2009. In the new Ford-commissioned VTTI study, 21 drivers – age 19 to 51 who were familiar with SYNC – drove a Mercury Mariner while initiating a call, selecting music tracks and having phone conversations using the hands-free, voice controlled system. For the purpose of comparison, the participants also completed the same tasks manually using their own mobile phones and portable music players in the same vehicle. The study concluded that drivers were able to dial and complete other tasks more quickly and with less time eyes-off-road time when using SYNC. At the same time, drivers manually operating phones and digital music players steered more erratically and looked away from the roadway for longer periods of time. “This study suggests that keeping drivers’ eyes on the road as much as possible is important for maintaining safe vehicle control, which is in line with recent naturalistic driving research,” said Shane McLaughlin, Research Scientist, Center for Automotive Safety Research, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. When study participants initiated a call, hand-held operation required more than 2.5 times as many glances away from the road and more than 4 times longer in total eyes-off-road time than when drivers used SYNC. For MP3 player song selection, hand-held operation required more than 6 times as many task-related glances than SYNC, and took more than 10 times longer in total eyes-off-road time. “We know that people are going to have phone conversations and listen to music while they drive, and this research backs up what most of us instinctively know – that while driving, it is better to place a call or select a song using a voice interface instead of doing it manually,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. Real-world results VTTI’s new study is consistent with the groundbreaking “100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study”, completed in 2005 for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The study followed 109 drivers for one year and tracked more than 42,300 hours of driving data collected with over 2 million miles driven. The 100-Car Study concluded that manually dialing a hand-held device while driving – a task that requires looking away from the road –was almost 2.8 times riskier than normal driving. The study also showed that talking and listening on a phone while driving has a similar risk to normal driving. “VTTI’s real-world and controlled study results indicate that SYNC’s voice interface offers substantial advantages compared to manually using a hand-held device to do the same task,” said Dr. Louis Tijerina, Ford senior technical specialist.
When performance is increased, it usually comes at the expense of fuel economy. But this isn’t the thinking behind Ford’s no-compromise approach to engineering. Excellent case in point: the new EcoBoost V6 engine. The twin-turbocharged, direct-injection 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivers the horsepower of a normally aspirated V8 with the fuel efficiency of a normally aspirated V6.* This engine is not only an achievement in exceptional power and efficiency. It’s also a product of the high quality and durability consumers have come to expect from Ford Motor Company. What is EcoBoost™? The power of a V8 and the fuel economy of a V6 – that’s what EcoBoost delivers. How is this achieved? V8 power: The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine features the enhanced performance of twin turbochargers. Power ratings are 355 horsepower (2010 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT), 365 horsepower (2010 Taurus SHO), and 350 lb.-ft. of torque (all models). V6 economy: The EcoBoost engine features the efficiency of direct-injection (DI) technology and is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission calibrated for high low-end torque plus increased fuel economy at the higher overdrive gear. Also, the power steering system uses efficient electric actuation rather than a conventional belt accessory drive that draws power from the engine, even when the steering system is not being used. High quality and durability. To ensure the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivers quality performance, a team of engineers subjected it to an extensive battery of tests as part of the company’s engine “boot camp.” The extensive testing to prove out the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine was accomplished through three avenues – using computer-aided engineering (CAE) models, in the lab with dynamometers, and on actual roads. Between tests on the dynamometer and in the field, EcoBoost engines have racked up the equivalent of more than 1 million miles of customer driving. The rigid testing includes 20 individual dynamometer-level tests designed to push the engine to its limits. The testing protocol verifies the reliability of the complete engine system under maximum engine speeds and loads, coolant and oil temperature and customer driving patterns. The road cycle durability test, for example, is designed to replicate real-world customer driving and vehicle maintenance patterns. For this test, engines with EcoBoost technology were subjected to 1,000 cold starts, along with sustained operation at peak torque and peak power. During the course of the test, engine coolant temperatures ranged from 12 degrees Celsius (about 53 degrees Fahrenheit) to 95 degrees Celsius (203 degrees Fahrenheit). In total, this single test required 1,000 hours of extreme engine operation, representing more than 60,000 miles of extreme customer driving. Individual components underwent rigorous proving as well. EcoBoost’s twin turbochargers, for example, are designed to run at a very high temperature – up to 950 degrees Celsius (1,740 degrees Fahrenheit). Ford engineers proved out the turbochargers by running them at 950 degrees Celsius at maximum boost for 10 minutes and then “shocking” the turbos by running them at room temperature for 10 minutes. The tests were repeated continuously for hundreds of hours, under far more severe conditions than customers are expected to dish out. Designed for a life cycle of greater than 150,000 miles or 10 years, EcoBoost’s turbochargers feature water-cooled bearing jackets. This architecture is designed to prevent oil “coking” that could occur in previous-generation turbochargers. The new design means that EcoBoost drivers don’t need to observe special operating precautions, such as idling the engine before switching it off. EcoBoost also endured Ford’s standard engine durability test signoff, running at maximum revs and turbo boost for the equivalent of 15 straight days or 360 hours. EcoBoost will be arriving this summer in the 2010 Lincoln MKS and MKT and the 2010 Ford Flex and Taurus SHO models – the first in a wave of EcoBoost engines coming as part of Ford’s strategy to bring affordable fuel efficiency improvements to millions.
NEW YORK -- Lincoln today introduces its first hybrid – the new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – a premium midsize car poised to be the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America. Ford Motor Company – America’s largest domestic hybrid seller – is further broadening its aggressive electrification plan and second generation of hybrid technology with the new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The vehicle is revealed today at the New York International Auto Show. “Lincoln’s hallmarks are design, technology and comfort. Now, Lincoln also delivers the best fuel efficiency of any luxury sedan in America,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. Lincoln’s first-ever hybrid is expected to deliver at least 41 miles per gallon in the city when it goes on sale this fall. The new premium midsize sedan hybrid joins Ford Motor Company’s growing lineup of hybrids, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid – 2010 North American Car of the Year and America’s most fuel-efficient sedan – plus the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Milan and Mariner Hybrids. Introduction of the new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid also complements Ford’s aggressive global electrification plan. Ford is introducing five new electrified vehicles by 2013. They include the Transit Connect Electric in late 2010, the Focus Electric in 2011, a next-generation hybrid electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in 2012, followed by another next-generation hybrid electric vehicle in 2013. The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid’s projected fuel economy tops its nearest competitor – the 2010 Lexus HS 250h – by 6 mpg. It also trumps the Lexus with room for one more passenger and more standard luxury and segment-exclusive safety features
 Land Rover Merritt Island brings good news for all car enthusiasts. Range Rover Sport, one of the best-performing, most dynamic SUV's, has been thoroughly overhauled for the 2010 model year with a pair of more powerful engines, six-speed automatic transmission and comprehensive alterations to the accommodations. The new impressive LED-encrusted headlights and taillights ensure the 2010 Range Rover Sport's commanding presence on the road while the elegant navigation system, moonroof, Bluetooth technology, rear-seat DVD system, upgraded 20-inch wheels and HD Radio enhance the appeal of the interior and take the passengers to a whole new level of comfort and luxury. The 2010 Range Ranger Sport is now both a definitive luxury sports tourer and a category-defining performance SUV with ultra luxurious appointments and pristine performance. The all-new sturdy V8 engine lineup is designed to offer a variety of driving styles and meets all your performance requirements. Both the supercharged and naturally aspirated LR-V8 engines deliver superlative performance and maximum control. A full-color 7-inch, high-resolution touch-screen is the focal point of the center console, putting control of navigation, communication, infotainment and vehicle settings at the driver's fingertips. The easy-to-use cruise control, new redesigned seats, and Terrain Response System with Dynamic Program that offers improved steering and throttle response offer a sportier, more luxurious and long-range driving comfort. Contact Land Rover Merritt Island, your very own new Land Rover and used cars dealership serving Orlando, Daytona and Palm Bay areas, to learn more and drive it home with a fabulous 0.9% financing offer available till 3/31/2010! Labels: 2010 Range Rover Sport, Luxury SUV, Range Rover Sport, Sport SUV
Land Rover Merritt Island brings good news for all car enthusiasts. Range Rover Sport, one of the best-performing, most dynamic SUV's, has been thoroughly overhauled for the 2010 model year with a pair of more powerful engines, six-speed automatic transmission and comprehensive alterations to the accommodations. The new impressive LED-encrusted headlights and taillights ensure the 2010 Range Rover Sport's commanding presence on the road while the elegant navigation system, moonroof, Bluetooth technology, rear-seat DVD system, upgraded 20-inch wheels and HD Radio enhance the appeal of the interior and take the passengers to a whole new level of comfort and luxury. The 2010 Range Ranger Sport is now both a definitive luxury sports tourer and a category-defining performance SUV with ultra luxurious appointments and pristine performance. The all-new sturdy V8 engine lineup is designed to offer a variety of driving styles and meets all your performance requirements. Both the supercharged and naturally aspirated LR-V8 engines deliver superlative performance and maximum control. A full-color 7-inch, high-resolution touch-screen is the focal point of the center console, putting control of navigation, communication, infotainment and vehicle settings at the driver's fingertips. The easy-to-use cruise control, new redesigned seats, and Terrain Response System with Dynamic Program that offers improved steering and throttle response offer a sportier, more luxurious and long-range driving comfort. Contact Land Rover Merritt Island, your very own new Land Rover and used cars dealership serving Orlando, Daytona and Palm Bay areas, to learn more and drive it home with a fabulous 0.9% financing offer available till 3/31/2010! Labels: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Luxury SUV, Sport SUV
 It's not just the Jaguar brand that steps in to its 75th year. Technical innovation, design leadership and sporting success in the automotive world are entering their platinum year. It's Jaguar that has pioneered state-of-the-art innovation in automobiles consistently. Merritt Island Jaguar, having been amongst the prominent Jaguar dealerships in and around Merritt Island is proud to be associated with a brand that has come a long way in instilling the feeling of luxury driving amongst millions of Jaguar owners across the world. Driving down memory laneIn the year 1922, today's Jaguar began as a Swallow sidecar, an initiative of Sir William Lyons. After a stint with the 'SS' motorcycle sidecars and automobiles for more than a decade, the then all-new SS 100 was set to be launched in 1935. That was when Sir William Lyons felt the need for an evocative name, and finally the brand Jaguar was born and the Jaguar SS 100 became the world's first Jaguar. Sir William Lyons immortal words – “A car is the closest thing we can create to something that's alive” reflects the passion which he infused when he built cars. 75 and going strongToday the entire world is in awe of Jaguar's class. In 75 years, Jaguar has been setting path-breaking trends and has constantly lead the path of innovation, sheer luxury and ruthless racing. And this 75th year will also see Jaguar returning to the race track with the all new Jaguar RSR XKR GT2 and will compete in the American Le Mans Series. Celebrate with Merritt Island JaguarIncredible offers on top-class Jaguar models await you at Merritt Island Jaguar. Drive home a legacy that has 75 years of remarkable history behind, while bagging some amazing deals as well!
By Jeff Green and Angela Greiling Keane March 25 (Bloomberg) -- Americans are turning against Toyota Motor Corp. after sudden-acceleration complaints forced it to recall more than 8 million vehicles worldwide, while Ford Motor Co. is the most popular automaker. More than four in 10 Americans say they “would definitely not buy a Toyota,” according to the Bloomberg National Poll. The Japanese company is viewed unfavorably by 36 percent of those interviewed, the highest negative rating in the survey, while fewer than half -- 49 percent -- have a favorable impression. Ford, the only U.S. automaker that didn’t seek a federal rescue, is seen favorably by 77 percent of those surveyed, topping No. 2 Honda Motor Co. by seven percentage points. General Motors Co., eight months after getting U.S. aid to survive, has a positive rating of 57 percent. The results show the challenge faced by Toyota, which in 2008 passed GM to become the world’s largest automaker, as it tries to regain consumer confidence, said Rebecca Lindland, an auto analyst at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts. “In the short term, they need to focus on the people that have recently changed their minds about the company,” Lindland said in an interview. “In the long term, it could be quite different. It depends on how much they’ve alienated the people that are, say, under 40.” ‘Ignored’ Problem The poll found that the older the respondent, the less likely they were to have a positive opinion of Toyota: 37 percent of people over 65 see the company favorably compared with 51 percent of those under 35. The survey of 1,002 U.S. adults was conducted March 19-22 by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, Iowa. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. “Obviously we’d like to have our favorable much higher and our unfavorable much lower,” said John Hanson, a spokesman for Toyota’s North American sales unit in Torrance, California. “But it looks like our sales this month will be very strong.” The Toyota City, Japan-based company is using no-interest loans and lease discounts to coax back buyers after its U.S. sales dropped 12 percent in the first two months of this year. The incentives have helped boost sales as much as 44 percent in March from a year earlier, said Dave Cutting, senior manager of North American forecasting for J.D. Power & Associates. Full-month sales may rise 37 percent, Cutting said. Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry researcher TrueCar.com, said he expects a 28 percent sales advance. Declining Market Share Toyota’s share of U.S. vehicle sales in February fell to 12.8 percent from 15.9 percent a year earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Ford Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth said “it’s far too early” to say if those market share losses will be permanent. “They’re a formidable company with formidable resources and with a stellar track record of building their brand,” Booth said yesterday in an interview. “You’d be foolish to count them out.” Toyota’s American depositary receipts, each representing two ordinary shares, fell 51 cents to $81.07 at 12:05 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange trading. The company has lost $16.7 billion in market value since announcing a recall on Jan. 21. U.S. lawmakers, regulators and safety advocates have accused Toyota of responding too slowly to complaints of sudden acceleration. Testimony before congressional committees included documents showing company managers bragged about money they saved by negotiating to ward off recalls. Of the 44 percent of respondents who said they would definitely not buy a Toyota if they were buying a new car in the next year, 39 percent cited the recent recalls. ‘Ignored It’ “They’ve known this problem existed and they’ve ignored it and managed to get their government buddies to ignore it,” said poll respondent Ken Sorenson, 55, a disabled hazardous-waste worker from Corry, Pennsylvania. He is among those who said they definitely wouldn’t buy a Toyota. Ford, which avoided the bankruptcy that hit GM and Chrysler Group LLC, returned to profit last year and gained U.S. market share for the first time since 1995. Its market value has increased almost fivefold in the last 12 months. “I look at Ford and I think of good products and stability,” said respondent Torrey White, a 29-year-old sales representative in Chesapeake, Virginia, who drives a 2005 Ford Expedition. “Even with all of this bailout talk last year, Ford was standing tall.” White said he’s positive about GM as well, because he wants to support American car companies. ‘Headlines, Coverage’ “The headlines, the news coverage, influences overall reputation pretty significantly,” Edmunds.com Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Anwyl said. “Ford has benefited from 12-plus months of favorable headlines and the opposite for Toyota.” GM has said it may return to profit this year, a year ahead of schedule. Toyota’s overall favorable rating ranked fifth behind Ford, Honda, Nissan Motor Co. and GM, and was about equal with those of Chrysler and Hyundai Motor Co., according to the Bloomberg survey. Toyota had the highest “very unfavorable” rate at 12 percent.
DEARBORN, MI - March 23,2010: Ford Motor Company has been recognized as one of the world's most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute, a leading business ethics think tank. Ford is among 100 global companies chosen for the designation from a field of thousands of companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. Ford is the only automaker to receive the honor in 2010. The results are based on an extensive review of companies' social responsibility efforts, corporate governance and business practices. "Ford Motor Company is honored and pleased to receive this recognition," said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. "At Ford, we're not only committed to making great products and building a strong business, we believe in contributing to a better world and doing business in an ethical way." This is the fourth year Ethisphere has published its list of the world's most ethical companies. The firm is dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. "Ford's promotion of a sound ethical environment shines within its industry and shows a clear understanding that operating under the highest standards for business behavior goes beyond goodwill and lip service and is intimately linked to performance and profitability," said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute. "This year's award was more competitive than ever, because companies realize that making ethics a priority is critical in a tough and unprecedented economic environment."
DEARBORN -- Lincoln scored second only to Porsche in the latest three-year Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) released today by J.D. Power & Associates. Mercury and Ford also finished in the top eight nameplates in the long-term reliability study measuring problems experienced by original owners of 2007 model year vehicles. The study showed that Lincoln had improved six positions to come in second while Mercury remained in fifth and Ford moving up four positions to eighth, ahead of such brands as Mercedes Benz, Acura and Cadillac. Leading all cars in the entry level premium vehicle segment was the Lincoln MKZ while the Lincoln Mark LT ranked highest in the large premium SUV category. The Ford Freestar was the highest-ranked midsize van. In addition, the 2007 model year Mercury Milan, Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego also ranked among the models with the lowest incidence of problems in the industry, the study said. Other segment honorable mentions included Ford F-150 LD, Ford Mustang, Ford Ranger, Ford Expedition, Ford Freestyle and Lincoln Town Car. Based on responses from more than 52,000 original owners of 2007 vehicles, the study looked at 198 problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The industry average was 155 problems per 100 vehicles. Porsche ranked first with 110, followed by Lincoln (114), Buick (115), Lexus (115), Mercury (121), Toyota (128), Honda (132), Ford (141), Mercedes Benz (142), Acura (143) and Hyundai (148). Cadillac and Infiniti each had 150 problems in the study. Ranking with more problems than the industry average were such brands as Chrysler (166), Chevrolet (176), Nissan (180), Dodge (190) and Volkswagen (225).
|
