RideLust

Scott Williams (Coulomb Technologies) and Barb Samardzich (Ford Motor Company)

One of the biggest challenges facing automakers today is building cars that are “greener” and more fuel efficient, without significantly increasing prices across the board. Consumers want cars that are eco-friendly and return respectable fuel economy; the problem is they’re just not willing to pay more money for them. Throw in the new CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) requirements of 39 MPG for cars and 30 MPG for light trucks (35.5 MPG combined) by 2016, and manufacturers are scrambling to come up with ways to achieve these targets.

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He’s big, he’s black and he’s on the attack! THE CAR came out in 1977 and is perhaps one of the worst movies in all of cinema. What we have here is an early 70′s Lincoln Continental on steroids that has subsequently been possessed by Satan and is really pissed off. The plot is completely hokey and the acting is terrible, but THE CAR is one of the few vehicular movies that is Halloween appropriate. Personally, I think that Disney should put THE CAR in the next Cars movie… he could be Lightening McQueen’s body guard.

Source: Youtube.com

Driving across the continental United States is something that you should do at least once during your lifetime. Hell, I’ve done it six times in the last four years and would do it again tomorrow if the opportunity presented itself. If you’re like me then driving is something that brings you solace. For me it’s a getaway from all the BS that daily life usually has in store and is, in my opinion one of the most relaxing things a person can do. I’ve driven across this country in new cars, classic cars, exotic cars, economy cars and SUV’s and with each trip I’m always asking myself what I would like to run the open road in next. Keep in mind that from end to end your talking about covering around 3000 miles of super slab, so the car you’re driving plays a very important role.
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Talk to anyone in Ford’s management these days, and one thing becomes instantly clear: CEO Alan Mulally is universally regarded as a dynamic leader and management visionary. Sure, he’s had to deal out some tough love, but no one in the organization above the mailroom level can say they didn’t see it coming. The net result is that Ford is well positioned financially, and has a range of products with broader appeal than ever before.

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2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Photo: Ford

Grocery stores and discount retailers run “loss leader” sales all the time; in short, they sell product at or below their cost to lure in customers. The idea is that buyers will spend additional dollars on other, high margin products, offsetting any net loss the store would otherwise have to absorb. That’s a reasonable strategy when you’re talking about dish detergent or external hard drives. On the other hand, it’s a pretty bold move when it’s done by an automaker, since consumers aren’t likely to stock up on multiple car purchases at the same time.

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For the first time in the history of the J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, Ford has topped the list of domestic, non-premium brand automakers. Ford finished fifth overall, but behind such brands as Lexus (4th), Mercedes Benz (3rd), Acura (2nd) and Porsche (1st). Even long time quality leaders such as Honda (6th), Lincoln (8th), Infiniti (9th), Cadillac (13th) and Toyota (21st) couldn’t match Ford’s performance.

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We told you this was going to happen last week, but now it’s official: Ford will drop the Mercury brand in the fourth quarter of this year. The action should come as a surprise to no one, since Mercury brand sales have been on the decline for the past decade. According to Autoblog, Mercury sales currently account for less than one percent of Ford’s overall market share, making them more of an annoyance than a viable brand.

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Ever wonder what would happen if you drove a Lincoln LS into a rockslide at speed? Thanks to one Tennessee driver, you don’t need to wonder anymore.

Distracted by the television news crews that were dispatched to cover the rockslide, the man apparently didn’t notice the six foot tall pile of carnage blocking the highway in front of him. I’m not sure why the police didn’t have the road blocked, but maybe that will help his case with the insurance company. Backing into a mailbox and claiming that you didn’t see it is one thing. Hitting a few hundred tons of rocks head on, at speed, is a little harder to explain.

Source: KSDK TV

With a face like that, I hope she can cook.

Remember when Lincoln was the stodgy, conservative branch of FoMoCo? The brand preferred by bankers, accountants and tax attorneys everywhere? Here’s a front pic of the 2011 Lincoln MKT wagon / crossover; sadly, the Skeletor theme continues with their 2011 MKX, the Lincoln equivalent of the Ford Edge. Did anyone in management sign off on this look? What the hell is your styling department thinking?

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Got an empty space in you car collection between the General Lee and the Batmobile? Looking for something with a little flash to take to opening night of the symphony? Tired of one-upping your neighbors with the latest luxo-box from Mercedes or BMW? Stress no more, for the perfect single-digit-salute to the establishment is for sale on eBay. No, it’s not the Deathmobile used in the movie, but who’s going to know? You’ll need to add your own smoke generators, but that sounds like a fun Saturday afternoon project to me. The best part? It’s got a “Buy It Now” price of just $12,500. For less than the cost of a new Corolla, you can be rolling in style as you scare the crap out of the neighbors.

Source: MotorAuthority