By Francis Cebedo

Blings:

• Revolutionary new Microsoft Sync system
• Good gas mileage
• Good value
• Fun features like ambient lighting
• New styling
• Steering feel and responsiveness is quite good
• Nice new features leave a good first impression

Dings:

• New styling – although it’s a bling, it’s a love it or hate it exterior design
• Interior fit and craftsmanship is sub par
• No hatchback model is a huge disappointment for some
• Chassis stiffness and handling is uninspired. This is the same basic chassis as the previous model
• New features don’t leave a good lasting impression

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Initial quality of Ford domestic vehicles (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury) is now close to the level of Toyota and Honda. Hard to believe isn’t it? Overall, Ford vehicle quality has improved 8% over the past year, according to a study conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, MI. In addition, every new car and truck, including the 2008 Ford Focus, launched with improved quality versus its previous generation.

RDA’s report “2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System” study was commissioned by Ford and tends to predict how the automakers will perform in the closely watched study on new-car quality by J.D. Power and Associates.

Read the following press release by Ford to learn more details.

EMPLOYEES ARE ‘DRIVE ONE’ STARS AS FORD TOUTS ITS LEAD IN QUALITY, SAFETY, ‘GREEN’ AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES

• Ford introducing comprehensive new marketing platform called “Drive One”
• Effort showcases Ford’s leadership in quality, safety, “green” and smart technologies
• Ford employees to star in TV and web advertising, which begins Tuesday during American Idol

DEARBORN, Mich., April 7, 2008 – Ford employees will be the stars this week on American Idol, as the company introduces a new and far-reaching marketing initiative called “Drive One” to underscore to consumers its leadership in quality, safety, “green” and smart technologies.

New broadcast, print and digital media will highlight the company’s new products and major accomplishments through Ford employees’ voices and their stories.

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Ford reported sale of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles were down 14% compared to one year ago. I can guess that the state of the economy and high fuel prices are the primary reasons why sales of trucks and SUVs are declining rapidly. Good timing on GM’s part with getting their 2-mode hybrid system built into their biggest gas-guzzlers (Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon) early this year. Read CarReview’s article on the GMC Yukon Hybrid to learn more.

Following is Ford’s official press release report March sales numbers.

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