For those who keep up with Ford news, it is well known that the Ford Flex will take over where the Taurus X leaves off. We actually found the Taurus X to be a really competent car and very versatile. So, our expectations are high for the Ford Flex when it starts showing up at the dealerships this summer. (Editor)

DEARBORN, Mich., May 14, 2008 - When customers take their new Ford Flex for its first spin this summer, they may be surprised by what’s missing: the noise.

Flex delivers a quieter ride than competitors including the Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander and GMC Acadia, according to Ford tests. That’s good news for customers, who tend to directly relate a vehicle’s quietness with its quality, says Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “Quietness is a very good proxy for quality in a vehicle.” Read the rest of this entry »

Editor’s note: The following is a detailed review submitted by LarryQW who recently purchased a Taurus X. Larry, whose background as an engineer, family man, and avid mountain biker, gives us his impressions of the Taurus X. Larry also wrote a review of the SYNC system and will be published very soon.

Options Installed

• Navigation System
• Family Entertainment System (with rear DVD player)
• Auxiliary Climate Control
• Limited Convenience Group

Major Pros:

• good handling and power
• large flexible interior for big family and cargo
• electronics haven

Major Cons:

• cheap hard-plastic dash
• low Navigation screen
• only 2000 lb towing
• only 5.1” ground clearance

Read the rest of this entry »

by Francis Cebedo

Blings:

• Smooth and powerful V6 powerplant
• Supple ride quality combined with above-average handling abilities
• Excellent interior design and construction
• Very good steering wheel and dashboard controls in terms of ergonomics and quality
• Microsoft SYNC
• Third row seats are comfortable and easy to access.
• Third row seats fold down flat and disappear into the floor area
• Rear passenger center console is big and convenient
• 2nd row passenger heated seats is a nice touch
• Sound system and integrated DVD system works very well
• Very quiet interior
• Instructions for folding down the seats are printed right on the seats

Dings:

• Top of the dashboard is hard plastic and not up to par at this price level
• Chrome wheels look cheap
• Exterior styling is bland and uninspired.
• Material for the back of the third row seats should be a more robust material than the carpet offered.

Ruling:

This is one of the finest US cars we’ve driven. Crossover, XUV, SAV,or whatever you want to call it, this is a fine automobile. Its form is adapted to the active family lifestyle and it works. It seems like cars are finally maturing as the Taurus X just transports the family in comfort through all the activities through all weather conditions. We’ve driven minivans, SUVs, wagons and trucks. This form of vehicle crosses all borders and works very well.

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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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Ford Motor Company and U.S. Congressman John Dingell announce the delivery of two Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) buses to Wayne County Airport Authority for terminal-to-terminal shuttle use at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
• Ford is the world’s first automaker to deliver commercial vehicles, powered by internal combustion engines that are fueled exclusively with hydrogen.
• Ford’s hydrogen bus delivers up to a 99.7 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and reduces our dependence on oil.

DETROIT, Mich. March 17, 2008 – Ford Motor Company and U.S. Congressman John Dingell and the Wayne County Airport Authority today announced the delivery of two hydrogen-fueled Ford E-450 shuttle buses to be used for transporting airline passengers between terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).

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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (March 5, 2008) – The inaugural Ford Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup racing series held its first official event this past weekend with 19 entrants taking delivery of their new Mustang FR500S race cars in a special program at Miller Motorsports Park.

Participants also had the opportunity to attend the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School, meet series officials, receive technical information from Ford Racing engineers and shake down their new race cars for the first time during the open track sessions on both Saturday and Sunday.

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