Autoblog

REPORT: Ford Kuga could come in Lincoln, Mercury flavors, replace Escape, be built in USA

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Ford

Ford Kuga - Click above for high-res image gallery

How's this for an odd twist - Ford essentially kicked off the SUV craze with its Explorer, an embiggened four-door Ranger. And man, did we go crazy. Before the cheap-gas bubble burst, slightly more than half of all passenger vehicles sold here in America were SUVs. Just below the Explorer was and is Ford's little truck (which is no longer little) the Escape. And almost ten years later, the Escape pretty much looks like a body-on-frame SUV, even though people stopped associating SUVs with mud during George W Bush's first term.

So what if the next Escape looked more like the CUV that it actually is, and less like the SUV it isn't? And what if Lincoln got a version? Mercury too, though they already have the Mariner, a rebadged Escape. Also, what if the next escape was built here, but then badged as a Kuga and sold in Europe? According to CEO Alan Mulally and some other, more chatty Ford folks, it's all more than possible.

The latter is really interesting, and shows you just how far the dollar has fallen against the Euro. And it also shows you Ford's One Ford strategy at work - wherein starting very soon, most Ford cars are going to be global in nature. Aside from essential legal parts (like standard stability control in U.S. vehicles) the cars can be sold wherever. Built wherever, too. For instance, the Ford Fiesta, which will be coming to our shores next year, is Ford's best selling car in Europe and will soon be built only in Mexico and shipped both across the border and across the Atlantic.

Back to the Kuga, the plan is to begin building the Kuga in Louisville, Kentucky in late 2011 for export to Europe. Sometime after that, the Kuga will replace the Escape and the Lincoln/Mercury editions. Moreover, this could be the start of a trend - Fords being built in the U.S. for export across the pond.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Kuga

[Source: Automotive News sub-req]

REPORT: Ford Kuga could come in Lincoln, Mercury flavors, replace Escape, be built in USA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Two of Ford's vehicles are moving well enough that the automaker is adding production to its plants in Missouri and Michigan. Ford says its F-150 and Ford Escape are looking to earn their highest sales of the year in August, with the F-Series truck line looking good for its first year-on-year sales jump since October 2006 and the Escape knocking on the door of its own sales record. Of course, August sales number are expected to be wildly inflated by the success of the government's Cash for Clunkers program, so Ford is also taking into account the sales rates of these two vehicles before August and only boosting production by a smidge in response.

Thus, 2,800 workers at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant will go back to full-time work at the end of September, which will raise production of F-150s by 10,000 units through the end of the year. A third shift added to the Kansas City plant in October will raise production of Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners by 2,400 through year-end. If production details are your cup of tea, you can read all of Ford's good news in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

Continue reading Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape

Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Escape puts Ford back atop Cash For Clunkers sales pileup

Chris Shunk — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, Ford

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid - Click above for a high-res image gallery

In America, we like our sports and love to keep score. Even when it comes to car-buying subsidies, we want to know which model is selling best. The government says the Ford Focus is the top seller under Cash for Clunkers, but Edmunds has a different winner: the Ford Escape. The discrepancy stems from the government's old-school way of counting model sales. The feds consider each model variant a separate vehicle, while Edmunds counts vehicle sales as a whole. In the case of the Escape, the Environmental Protection Agency counts the crossover as six separate models; including FWD, AWD and Hybrid versions.

While the government's list of C4C top sellers contains mainly small cars, the Edmunds list tells a different story. Since the feds count each truck configuration (GM and Ford trucks each have five) as a different model, no pickups made the cut. That was a surprise to many, considering the fact that 83% of the vehicles turned in were trucks, and large pickups have lower fuel economy requirements to work under C4C. On the Edmunds list, the Ford F-150 comes in at number five, while the Silverado sits at seven.

There's been plenty of healthy discussion regarding C4C, and it appears even counting methods are up for debate. With a fresh $2 billion getting dumped into the program's coffers, it looks like we'll be able to keep talking straight through Labor Day. Hit the jump to look over Edmunds' Top Clunker Buys, and chime in with your comments after the fold.

[Source: CNN Money]

Continue reading REPORT: Escape puts Ford back atop Cash For Clunkers sales pileup

REPORT: Escape puts Ford back atop Cash For Clunkers sales pileup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Cook and Ford: The start of a beautiful friendship?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Ford, Celebrities

Our brothers-in-green have already covered the fact that Ford saw fit to provide new rides to the two American Idol finalists. This isn't a shocker; Ford is a major sponsor of the hit talent show on Fox. The chosen rides? Ford Escape Hybrids, which we have found to be very nice vehicles that return rather good fuel efficiency. According to The Detroit News, Cook is getting along with both his new car and Ford Motor Company in general rather swimmingly, "I love it. It's nice to have a new car. Ford has been amazing throughout the whole process. I definitely could see this as the start of something," says the rocker. Ford capitulates. "We don't have anything in the works with David yet but he is someone Ford would be proud to be associated with," according to Connie Fontaine. She should know, she manages Ford's relationship with American Idol. An American Idol tie-up has been made in the past, as past winner Kelly Clarkson sang a custom tune for Ford's last marketing campaign.

[Source: The Detroit News, Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty]

David Cook and Ford: The start of a beautiful friendship? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 May 2008 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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L.A. County Lifeguards rolling in custom Ford Escape Hybrids

Alex Nunez — Sun, 25 May 2008 08:54:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Police/Emergency

Click above for a high-res gallery of the lifeguard Escapes

The Los Angeles County Lifeguards (cue the Baywatch theme and visions of Pamela and the shirtless Hoff) are getting new rides. A fleet of customized 4WD Ford Escape Hybrids is replacing the group's current pickup trucks, and the first ten (of a total 45) have been delivered. Changes made to the Escapes for lifeguard duty include the replacement of the center console with a radio rack and the removal of the 60% side of the 60/40 split rear seat. In its place is a storage unit for emergency equipment. The lifeguards' Escapes are also fitted with heavy-duty rubber mats and are literally topped off with a custom roof rack. All are finished in the signature yellow paint, which is further accented with special graphics and dark wheels. It's a pretty spiffy-looking package overall, and the hybrid part of the equation surely appeals to many in the Golden State. You can read Ford's lengthy press release after the jump.

Gallery: L.A. County Lifeguards Ford Escape Hybrid

[Source: Ford via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading L.A. County Lifeguards rolling in custom Ford Escape Hybrids

L.A. County Lifeguards rolling in custom Ford Escape Hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 May 2008 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2009 Ford Escape, more of almost everything

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Crossover, Ford, First Drive

2009 Ford Escape - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2008 redesign of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner wasn't the clean-sheet redesign Ford would like people to believe. In fact, only the parts visible to the naked eye were "all new." Aside from the body and interior, the working bits that make the badge-engineered duo go were almost entirely carried over from the 2007 models. Fortunately for Ford, that oversight didn't seem to hurt sales, which increased by about ten-percent over their predecessors in a market that's down overall. For 2009, all the hardware under the skin has been either replaced or significantly refreshed. And that's a good thing.

The old 2.3-liter four-pot has been superseded by a 2.5-liter unit, while the classic 3.0-liter Duratec V6 gets a major overhaul. Both engines receive a substantial boost in power and an all new six-speed gearbox to transmit it to the wheels. The driver's working environment also becomes a more pleasant place thanks to structural improvements to the body and Ford's next-generation navigation system with Sirius Travel Link. We got a chance to play with all of the 2009 Escape variants on a rainy spring morning, so read on after the jump for our impressions.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Ford Escape

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Ford Escape, more of almost everything

First Drive: 2009 Ford Escape, more of almost everything originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 May 2008 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford begins production of new mid-range six-speed automatic

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:43:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Ford

For 2009, the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner (as well as the Mazda Tribute) are getting the powertrain updates that they missed out on when their exteriors were revamped last year. While the 2008 models had all-new looks and interiors, the engines and transmissions were carried over from 2007, including the four-speed automatic transmissions. We'll have more info on their new 2.5L four-cylinder and 3.0L V6 engines after we drive them next week, but Ford released some information on their new six-speed transmissions when we visited its Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, MI.

The new 6F35 is a completely new six-speed automatic that will have a wider total ratio spread than the four speed it is replacing. The top gear ratio will be approximately the same as the four-speed, but the lower gears will be shorter helping off-the-line acceleration. The final drive ratio will be a little taller (numerically lower), which will help reduce the engine speed when cruising on the highway. Even with the larger first to sixth spread, the overall gap between each ratio will be smaller resulting in less engine speed drop during shifts and a quieter, smoother overall driving experience. The 6F35 uses a total of three planetary gear sets and five clutches to generate the six forward and one reverse gear.

Ford is claiming that the new transmission contributes to a 4-6% improvement in fuel efficiency depending on with which vehicle and engine it's paired. Besides the three CUVs launching shortly, the new gearboxes are also going into the revamped Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan early next year. The Van Dyke plant also builds the larger 6F50 used in the Edge, Taurus and their derivatives, as well as a smaller four-speed used in the Focus. That four-speed will also be replaced by a third smaller 6-speed in the next year or two for the Focus and Fiesta. Ford plans to double production of six-speed autoboxes by the end of 2009 to 1.4 million units and by 2012 expects 98% of all its automatics to be 6-ratio variants.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford begins production of new mid-range six-speed automatic

Ford begins production of new mid-range six-speed automatic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 May 2008 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whoops, eh? - Canadian Ford ad spurs backlash

Dan Roth — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Ford

The Catch-22 with advertising these days is that someone will undoubtedly be offended if your campaign is clever enough to be memorable. Ford of Canada came up with such an effort for the Escape, showing the CUV wearing a bumper sticker with the phrase "drive it like you stole it," and the tagline "Built for life in Manitoba." Innocuous enough, you say? Apparently not.

We can't say for sure if it's just people looking for things to get offended over, or if Canadians are just hypersensitive to Manitoba's reputation as a car theft hotspot. Either way, Ford has responded to the politically correct whining and pulled the ad while offering copious apologies. While car theft and traffic accidents are no laughing matter, especially when innocent people are tragically injured, you can't blame a car advertising campaign that uses an exceedingly common phrase for inducing an already rampant problem. We fail to see how people commiting criminal acts have anything to do with the automaker's sales efforts. Certainly, the message sent by the advertisement is that the Escape is tough enough for Canada, not that it's the car of choice for boosting. It'd be nice to see a company under unreasonable fire just offer up something like "whatevs, get a thicker skin." It's advertising, after all, not the cure for cancer. Of course, it would also have been easy enough to say "Drive it like you hate it" and send largely the same message.

Thanks for the tip, Richard!

[Source: CBC]

Whoops, eh? - Canadian Ford ad spurs backlash originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford hybrids to turn a profit in 2008

Dan Roth — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Crossover, Ford, Mazda, Mercury

Ford's been cranking out hybrid CUVs on the CD2 platform for four years now, and with over 40,000 produced, it's gotten to be old hat. Since it started in 2004, Ford's managed to make the Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute 30-percent cheaper to build. That cost reduction, coupled with the pending introduction of the hybrid Fusion and Milan platform-mates, will allow Ford's hybrid program to actually turn a profit for the first time in 2008. The Mariner and Escape hybrids find about 21,000 owners per year, and adding the hardware to the sedans could spur sales of Ford's hybrid system, further reducing costs. We're excited to try out the sedans with the hybrid system and the potential for a winner is there if Ford manages to deliver the goods at an attractive price.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Ford hybrids to turn a profit in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #71

Dan Roth — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Podcasts, Spy Photos, Trends, RR of the Day

We're shooting from the hip this week for Podcast #71. Rather than prepare, we're going with gut reactions. Starting it off, we mull over the loss of the USGP from Indianapolis, and postulate on where else F1 may pop up in the US. An F1 race on the Vegas strip would be the bomb. Staying with motorsports, we marvel at how Team SARD spanked everyone extremely hard at Tokachi with a hybridized Supra GT. We're sure that racing will improve the hybrid breed at a much steeper pace than conventional powerplants. In other racing news, Dale Junior has split from Budweiser, so he'll have new livery to plaster all over his left-turn machine.

Moving on from racing, we ponder the leakage and eventual announcement of the Porsche 911 GT2. It's as unassuming as a Porsche can get, but it packs 530 horsepower and uses the rear wheels to push top speed to the 200 MPH realm, while being a docile everyday car. While Porsches always make us giddy little schoolboys, Subaru's recent model line revisions have us alternating between cheers and jeers. The good: the Legacy SUS, or whatever the heck they call their Outback sedan is kaput. The bad: so is the straight Legacy wagon. We devolve into a styling review of Subaru's new corporate language for a while before surfacing again to discuss the inanity surrounding presidential candidates and hybrid vehicles. Idiocy, 'nuff said.

On a lighter note, we discuss the rumored sequel to Disney/Pixar's "Cars." Not surprising when you consider how lucrative the tie-ins usually are. Off entertainment and on to entertaining cars, we ogle the leaked pictures of the FPV Falcon, and discuss the future plans of that platform here in the US. It does look mean, so thanks to that janitor who picked these renderings out of the trash. Our pithy cavalcade keeps rolling along, and we chew over Bob Lutz's latest comments about the future of diesel powerplants in the US. It's odd that Bob is cool on diesel just as GM is poised to roll out new oil-burners. Wrapping up, we put out the call to action again for the Reader Ride - add your pix to the Flickr pool and include details! The hour duration of Podcast #71 will give you enjoyment to and from work, enjoy!

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Autoblog Podcast #71 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford shows off Direct Fuel system on 2008 Explorer

Chris Shunk — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Green, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Fiat

The same basic technology that shaves seconds off of pit stops will soon be available on select Ford models for 2008. Ford's capless gas tank, or Direct Fill System (DFS), may seem like little more than a way to save a few seconds at the pump, but there are actually some additional benefits, as well. One obvious positive is that drivers won't have to get their hands dirty by unscrewing the cap, but for people with arthritis, DFS can make life a lot less painful, too. Ford's self-sealing technology can also prevent fuel evaporation caused by ill-tightened caps.

It seems like Ford has been talking up this technology forever, and now it's finally here. Autoblog Green has a quick video that shows the technology in action and you can check it out after the jump. They saw it in person a couple weeks ago and you'll first find the feature first on 2008 Ford Explorer models.

[Source: Autoblog Green]

Continue reading Ford shows off Direct Fuel system on 2008 Explorer

Ford shows off Direct Fuel system on 2008 Explorer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner priced below outgoing models

John Neff — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Ford, Mercury

Today Ford announced pricing for both of its redesigned compact sport utility vehicles, the 2008 Ford Escape and 2008 Mercury Mariner. The Escape will start at $19,245, including $665 for destination charges, which is $740 less than the base price of the current model. The Mariner begins at $21,345, again including $665 for destination, which is $460 less than the current model. Across each lineup, Escape prices will drop an average of $1,100 and Mariner prices $1,300. The hybrid versions of each model will also see their prices drop. The Ford Escape Hybrid falls from $26,320 to $25,740, while the Mariner Hybrid drops from $28,615 to $26,430.

Obviously both the Escape and Mariner are all new for 2008, which means you're getting more for less if you've waited this long to buy either.

2008 Ford Escape: $19,245 (inc. $665 destination)
2008 Ford Escape XLT V6: $22,545
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid: $25,740

2008 Mercury Mariner: $21,345
2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid: $26,430

Follow the jump for the official press releases distributed today for both vehicles.

Click here to see a gallery of the 2008 Ford Escape.
Click here to see a gallery of the 2008 Mercury Mariner.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner priced below outgoing models

2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner priced below outgoing models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Ford incentives focus on Fusion and F-150

Scott Davis — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Marketing/Advertising

Not wanting to lose the momentum from 2006, Ford Motor Co. will offer some new lease deals and cut-rate financing on the Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans. The F-150 gets in on the action as well, with leasing and financing incentives on some models. The new deals that follow will run from January 3 to February 28.

Beginning yesterday, customers can lease a 2.3-liter equipped Fusion for $249/month for 39 months with zero cash out of pocket at signing. The Mercury Milan can be leased for even less, at $208/month, but requires $1,999 cash up front. If a lease doesn't suit your needs, 4.9% financing for up to 60 months is also available.

To generate some interest in the full-size truck market, the F-150 SuperCab XLT lease is available for $249/month for 36 months and the F150 SuperCrew XLT comes in at $299/month for 24 months, both requiring $1,999 cash at the time of signing.

Rearing its ugly head again is zero percent interest, now available for up to 60 months on the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. One cool feature, however, is the no-charge "Moon and Tunes" package that adds a power moonroof with sun shade, AM-FM radio 6-disc CD changer, and a roof rack with cross bars.

[Source: Automotive News (sub req'd.]

New Ford incentives focus on Fusion and F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to debut fuel cell Explorer, redesigned Escape hybrid in L.A.

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Truck, Green, Ford

UPDATE: New photos and press release available after the jump.

It seems as though the Los Angeles Auto Show will serve as the venue for both GM and Ford to bring their eco-friendly offerings to the public.

On the Ford side of things, it's been confirmed that a hydrogen fuel cell Explorer will make its debut alongside the newly redesigned 2008 Escape Hybrid. The Explorer can travel up to 350 miles on a tank of gaseous hydrogen and is equipped with electric motors on both the front and rear axles, making the 'ute 4WD.

Ford is also expected to debut the 2008 Super Duty pickup, which houses a new diesel powerplant and employs a number of emission limiting devices.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Continue reading Ford to debut fuel cell Explorer, redesigned Escape hybrid in L.A.

Ford to debut fuel cell Explorer, redesigned Escape hybrid in L.A. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Nov 2006 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EXCLUSIVE: 2008 Mazda Tribute pics leaked

John Neff — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Mazda

click on image to enlarge

Loose lips sink ships, and we discovered that Mazda's got a hole in its boat big enough to drive the next generation Tribute through without being caught. Mazda shouldn't feel bad about these leaked photos and computer renderings of the 2008 Tribute and its interior (follow the jump for those), especially considering the Mercury Mariner has already been unveiled and Ford's done a terrible job so far of keeping the next Escape under wraps. So what do we have here? Pretty much what you'd expect, a virtually identical version of the Escape save for the grille, headlights, taillights, front and rear bumpers and side skirts. Unfortunately it's your basic badge engineering job on a vehicle that doesn't even need to exist in Mazda's lineup. This is the brand that's supposed to be sporty (Zoom Zoom, anyone?), so why does it need a boxy, unathletic SUV that looks like the least soulful of the three versions that will be sold to the public? It's place in the world is even more suspect when you consider that the very well-received CX-7 is a swoopy, athletic CUV with the sould of a sport compact. Common sense tells us that this next-gen Tribute probably cost next to nothing for Mazda to develop since Ford was picking up the tab on the Escape and Mariner. In our eyes, however, there are other costs involved with offering a discordant model in your lineup than the kind emblazoned with dead presidents.

Follow the jump for a rear 3/4 shot of the 2008 Tribute, along with computer renderings of the interior.

Thanks to anonymous for the tip!

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: 2008 Mazda Tribute pics leaked

EXCLUSIVE: 2008 Mazda Tribute pics leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA investigating Ford Escape fires

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Ford, Mazda

The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the cause of eight reported engine fires in the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute.

The model years being investigate are from 2001 to 2003, however, the Mercury Mariner platform-sharer is not part of the investigation, as it began its run in 2005.

There are two other cases that are under the microscope, that involve "fire-related phenomena," from sparks and melted electrical components. The suspected culprit, at this time, is the ABS module, which underwent a recall in the past.

More information to follow when we get it.

[Source: CNN]

NHTSA investigating Ford Escape fires originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Ford Escape

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Ford

Wow. One of Ford's employees made it way to easy for KGP's shooter to snap a shot of the new Escape in the buff. Seen in a parking lot in the Detroit area, Ford's redesigned soft-roader gets a more butch nose and, surprisingly, doesn't don the three-bar grille that's infecting all of Ford's recent offerings. The nose is decidedly Expedition-esque, with the rest of the body offering little departure from its big brother, the Mercury Mariner.

In other similarities to the Escape's upmarket sibling, the interior is rather unchanged, with much of the high-end trimmings being toned-down to define itself as the lesser of the two.

We expect the Escape to make its debut at this month's L.A. Auto Show and now that we've seen it, we'll probably skip the press event.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Spy Shots: 2008 Ford Escape originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Mazda Tribute

John Neff — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Ford, Mazda

The next Mazda Tribute has been captured by the long lense of KGP Photography during some late-stage testing that affords us an uninhibited view of the next ZUV (Zoom Utility Vehicle) from Mazda. Clearly the overall shape of the Tribute's sister ute, the new 2008 Mercury Mariner, remains, but Mazda's version has a different front end that's decidely less adorned with filigree and chrome. In fact, it's downright staid next to the new Mariner and reminds us a little of the Honda Pilot, if only for its lack of interesting angles. But hey, some people like vanilla, we just don't usually expect that flavor from Mazda. It'd be nice if Mazda actually did inject the Tribute with a bit of sporting flair in the form of, say, a sport version carrying the turbo-four that appears in the new CX-7, but we aren't holding our breath. And just as Ford must deal with Edge and Escape sales cannibalizing each other, Mazda will likely face the same thing with CX-7 and Tribute sales. This leads us to believe that both the Escape and Tribute will likely be positioned as more utilitarian and dutiful than their brand new brethren. Seeing as how the new Mercury Mariner has already debuted, the new Tribute from Mazda shouldn't be far behind. We should it see it at the L.A. Auto Show in November, if not sooner.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: 2008 Mazda Tribute originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Ford Escape interior

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Ford

Well, those vehicle testing engineers are a messy lot, aren't they? An alert Autospies reader snapped this shot of the interior of a heavily masked 2008 Ford Escape. The major change from the current Escape dashboard layout (see below) is in the area of the center console, which is much narrower and adopts a vertically stacked design.

[Source: Autospies]

Spy Shots: 2008 Ford Escape interior originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford's hybrid momentum showing signs of slowing

Chris Paukert — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Hybrid, SUV

During its Super Bowl marketing blitz, Ford made a big deal of its new association with Kermit the Frog, who in the course of his advertising duties experienced a change of heart, proclaiming : "I guess it is easy being green."

But Jim Henson's trademark amphibian may have had it right the first time. High profile market introductions and Muppet pitchfrogs aside, the Blue Oval is struggling with its hybrid initiative, and recently doubled its incentives on its green-tinged SUVs to $1,000. Though it remains early in the year, at its present clip, Ford is only selling about half its hybrid capacity and waiting lists have dwindled to zero -- a marked change from foreign competitors at Toyota and Honda.

[Source: Dow Jones via Morningstar.com]

Ford's hybrid momentum showing signs of slowing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Mar 2006 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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