Ford Defends 'King of the Hill' Reign

For decades now, Ford F-Series pickup trucks have been tagged as the best-selling vehicles in America. In fact, because of consistency of sales, Ford trucks have been given the 'King of the Hill' title in the auto industry. Further, with the shift of auto market to compact cars, Ford trucks have been the bread-and-butter of the company. However, said vehicles are now facing serious competition because of the uprising auto rivals.Analysts estimate that F-Series sales make up half of the automaker's profits. Ford trucks have attained a reputation that is hard to topple. Yet, auto giants are persistent to steal a slice of Ford's market. Based on the reported sales of automakers, market is moving away from trucks and sport utility vehicles. Additionally, the current market figures are in favor of Toyota and Chevy vehicles. To thwart this apparent shift, Ford intends to bank on 'Bold Moves'.To defend its reign in the pickup truck segment, Ford sets forth Episode 17 of its 'Bold Moves' series. The latter is designed to fight the challenges of rival trucks so that Ford will stay as the 'King of the Hill'. The automaker will be utilizing powered Ford F-Series pickup parts including clean-burning fuel injected diesel engines.Ford F-Series pickup trucks are sold for over 5 decades now. The most popular among the variants is F-150. It is the world's best-selling vehicle for 23 years. Moreover, it is the best-selling car in America for 28 years now and Ford is still counting. Nonetheless, how soon will victory linger? "The documentary will present a picture of a company that is committed to revitalization through our people, products, improved quality and costs, and a laser-sharp focus on the customer," said Mark Fields, Ford's President of the Americas. "Each episode will provide evidence that it's not business as usual at the Ford Motor Company and that 'Change or Die' is not a sound bite. It's the way we're approaching our future."Mary Lou Quesnell, director, Ford Brand DNA added, "Over time, the body of work we are creating will tell a compelling story about bold products, bold leadership and Ford's customer focus. We will provide both sides of the conversation and let America watch Ford's turnaround as it happens." Lucasgroup


Source: http://movie-tvfpfnxacbet.blogspot.com/2007/08/ford-defends-king-of-hill-reign.html

Ford Spearheads Diesel Revolution

Ford Motor Company in its endeavor to introduce innovative technologies that improve fuel economy, reduce vehicle emissions and countrys reliance on imported oil, has finally come up with the cleanest and the quietest diesel sold in America. Its all-new Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup has a new 6.4-liter Power Stroke?Diesel that has ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel and advanced diesel particulate filter which can provide particulate emissions levels similar to that of gasoline engines. 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup is soon to be unveiled at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Sept. 28. Ford has built its truck reputation on innovation in design, capability and durability,?said Mark Fields, Fords president of The Americas. He further noted, Clean diesel power will bring even more capability to our new Super Duty pickup ?along with a new level of quietness and refinement. Its what you would expect from Americas truck leader for nearly 30 years, and its the sort of innovation you will see throughout our product lineup going forward.?Ford F-Series Pickup parts have included the all new Power Stroke diesel engine to increase the current displacement of Duper Duty pickup. This engine is the very first engine in North America to utilize a high pressure, high precision, common-rail fuel injection system featuring piezo-electric injectors which pave way for a quieter engine with better emissions. The filter incorporated in it is efficient in sifting black smoke from exhaust gases. In the process, it also cleans itself through the use of advanced engine controls.It can be recalled that Ford has also spearheaded other environment advocacies earlier. These include vehicles that can run on E-85 ethanol, including the flex-fuel F-150, and hybrids. It is also looked up as the leader in hydrogen internal combustion engines. In view of this advocacy, Ford is also actively engaged in fuel, engine and transmission studies to deploy advanced technologies without sacrificing the environment.Worldprofit


Source: http://nathanielgadcfw.blogspot.com/2007/08/ford-spearheads-diesel-revolution.html

Ford On The Move Towards Bringing Up Pickup Truck Sales

Going back to the Ford Motor Company history, the line up of pickup trucks from this company actually has been the flagship among all vehicle line ups. And for Ford, losing a great deal in sales for this line also means a huge amount of loss for their entire sales. Due to the recent and continuous increase of gas and fuel prices, auto consumers have been leaning towards more fuel efficient cars and vehicles and heading away from pick up trucks which have been known to be efficient transporters of people and cargo but low on miles per gallon of gas. And now, the company is out to make sure that the automotive world does not forget about the Ford pickup trucks. As part of this move, they have made sure that auto consumers would be getting more perks if they do opt to buy a pickup truck. This tactic has been used by many dealers who also offer used Ford F350 parts ?more incentives to equate to more sales. And the Ford F-Series pickup trucks can now be purchased with more incentives. According to Lydia Cisaruk, the spokesperson for the company, this kind of incentive for the Ford F-series pickup trucks has been selected to run as part of the companys Drive On Us?campaign on boosting up sales. Since last Friday, anyone interested in purchasing a new Ford F-series pickup truck could avail of discounts which could range from $500 up to a $1000 which is, of course, a huge savings for anyone. However, the whole promo would only be available up until the last day of this month. The Ford F-series pickup trucks have been in production since 1948. It has been built as a full size pickup truck. The Chevrolet Silverado, Nissan Titan, Dodge Ram, and Toyota Tundra have been those vehicles which the Ford F-series have considered as competition in the market. Lucasgroup


Source: http://crossfade-musicvtgyoz.blogspot.com/2007/08/ford-on-move-towards-bringing-up-pickup.html

Navistar To Resume Super Duty Diesel Production

The Ford Motor Co. reached agreement late Thursday with a key supplier - the Navistar International Corp. - to resume production of diesel engines for its financially rewarding F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks for at least the next 30 days. Both Ford and Navistar will continue to negotiate a contract dispute to settle some issues around it.Ford said in a statement, "We are pleased there will be no further disruptions to the production of F-Series Super Duty.?Last week, Ford won a court order to compel Navistar to resume shipments of diesel engines used by the automaker in the latest variant of the F-Series. The said diesel engine is integrated to the Super-Duty trucks at Ford's Louisville, Kentucky truck plant.It can be recalled that Navistar stopped shipping engines to the automaker since February 26. The said cessation is anchored on a pricing and warranty dispute. At present, the companies are still in the process of negotiation which is aimed at resolving the underlying issues that have created the dispute."This is not a deal deal. The issues are still in dispute," Navistar spokesman Roy Wiley said Thursday. "It's good news for both sides that we can continue to talk in a new spirit of cooperation."The second generation 2008 Super Duty, which first debuted at the Texas State Fair in the previous year, has a number of unique points that stress the Ford F-Series dominance in the truck market. Two of the distinct features of the truck include the concealed slide-out step and swing-up hand grab bar in the rear tailgate to allow easier access. Nonetheless, one of the crucial auto parts may not be the Jet Chips cold air intake but its diesel engine. The V8 diesel engine generates 350 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. The variant is also equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission.The Ford Super Duty is a profitable vehicle. Hence, the disruption in its production and delivery could injure automakers market share. In December last year, Ford reported a $12.7 billion loss - to disrupt the Super Duty production could make losses even more debilitating. The Ford Super Duty is part of the F-Series lineup. The said lineup accounts for more than a fourth of Fords sales in the United States. "Ford can't be without Super Duty right now," said Erich Merkle, auto analyst with the consulting firm IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids. Wiley added, Under the 30-day consent judgment filed Thursday in Oakland Circuit Court, Navistar will build as many engines as Ford wants and be paid what it is owed per engine under its contract with Ford.?Negotiations lasted late into the night Wednesday and much of Thursday to reach the agreement.Judge John McDonald, who issued the orders requiring Navistar to keep building engines and Ford to keep paying for them, urged both parties to settle their dispute. Both parties are to report back to McDonald in early April. McDonald could continue the consent judgment if both parties agree or set a trial on the automakers warranty claims.Siliconinvestor


Source: http://retrojctund.blogspot.com/2007/08/navistar-to-resume-super-duty-diesel.html

Ford Pushes Hot-Selling Models

Last year, the Ford Motor Company suffered a sore 8 percent decline in sales. To circumvent the long-lasting sales melancholia, Ford made a comprehensive plan that involves intensive marketing of its more famous and profitable vehicles.Ford is famed for the enduring excellence of the F-Series in the pickup truck segment. Ford F-Series parts have established a standout reputation in the auto industry. As a fact, F-Series, up until now, is still the best-selling truck around the globe. In America, it has been the hottest-selling truck for 28 years now.Ford is also putting emphasis on the promotion of other hot-selling vehicles like the Fusion sedan and the Edge crossover. Ford car parts used in said vehicles are of cutting-edge nature. They are the result of extensive study and testing by Ford engineers.It can be recalled that Ford has snatched back the "best-selling brand in America" title from its mighty auto rival ?Chevrolet. In view of this title, the automaker is now concentrating on improving the best vehicles within the auto clan. To do this, Ford made use of catchy ads to lift sales of its hot vehicles. Despite the drop in sales, the automaker will launch a grand ad campaign to celebrate the 30 victorious years of the F-Series. "No one else can claim that," said Cisco Codina, Ford group vice president of marketing, sales and service.F-Series has been attacked side by side accordingly; it is high time for the automaker to tout its bread and butter trucks. Ford's target for F-Series was severely missed. Also, F-Series sales was down by 12 percent last year. But Ford seem not to be losing hope. It can be recalled that Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, earlier said, "I think their fears are misplaced. We're so bullish on the strength of the F-Series, in fact, that we're committed to sell more than 900,000 F-Series trucks this year for the third year in a row. That's unprecedented." Unfortunately, the fear grows into veracity. Ford has just sold 796,000 units of trucks. Although, Ford retained its title as the "king of the Hill," it cannot deny the fact that competition is getting tougher and tougher and never fails to exert pressure in the segment.CNW Marketing Research in Bandon, Oregon estimates that gains on full-size pickups were about $13,000 a vehicle before marketing costs last year; 40 percent of which are from Super Duty workhorse models. The new versions will be officially introduced by the automaker this month. Said models entertain new styling and offer cutting-edge auto technologies and features. Said features include sophisticated Ford truck mirrors, step, and other significant auto parts. With regards Fusion, the automaker hired Car and Driver to manage a comparison program and it turned out to be a successful one. "I believe that we can do a lot more with it than we have up until now," Barry Engle, general manager for Ford Division marketing said. "There's a lot of upside on this product. We're going to push it and let's see where it goes."Ford is now putting its best foot forward to reignite the sluggish sales of its vehicles. This dilemma has haunted the automakers for years and Ford is determined to overcome the burdens and land once again on auto industry's safer grounds.Homeinstead


Source: http://parollesrlpdkyi.blogspot.com/2007/08/ford-pushes-hot-selling-models.html

Ford, Chrysler Rolled Out New Rebates

The Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler Group go back to that old standby of auto retailing - giving incentives. This is the automakers?way of getting away from the enduring nosedives and pulling sales up. Ford earlier announced a new package of incentives to match a more aggressive advertising campaign. Chrysler, on the other hand, is now offering a free upgrade to a HEMI engine. The deal is part of the automakers March "Truck Month" promotion which also features cash incentives.As previously reported, the new ad campaign of Ford, which is dubbed as the "Ford Challenge", builds on the success of its "Fusion Challenge" ads, which have started airing in January. To add a dash of spice to the deal, Ford is offering prospective Ford Fusion customers a unique 39-month "Sign and Drive" Red Carpet lease on the Fusion SE I-4 with payments of $249 a month. The deal waives the first months payment and does not require money down. Ford Fusion purchasers could also opt for a 2.9 percent financing for 60 months or $1,000 in customer cash. For the Ford Expedition, the automakers new incentives include 3.9 percent financing for 60 months or $2,000 in customer cash.Ford is also launching news ads to promote the Ford F-series, its bread and butter vehicle. The Ford F-series ads feature Mike Rowe of the Discovery Channels popular "Dirty Jobs?which is a documentary series. To promote the pickup truck series, Toby Keith, a country music superstar, will join Rowe.To further boost the sales of Ford F-150 pickup, the most popular variant of the F-series, Ford is offering its customers $3,000 in cash or 0 percent financing for 60 months on all 2007 models except for the limited edition Harley-Davidson SuperCrew. The new incentives rolled out by Ford will run through April 2.In order to face the auto battle squarely, Chrysler also started offering some new incentives of its own. It will also be offering free upgrade to a HEMI engine as part of its March "Truck Month" promotion. In the said promotion, purchasers of a Dodge Ram, Durango or Dakota for this month will get one of the well-liked powerplants at no extra charge. Aside from this, they will receive up to $5,000 in consumer cash on the Ram and $2,000 on the Durango. Purchasers of the Dodge Dakota will also receive $2,000 in cash. Chrysler is also offering $1,000 in bonus cash on the Jeep Cherokee, Commander Limited and the Liberty."Chrysler is relying on deals like this to ease its inventory problems. They'll deny it until the end, but they've been putting on the incentives pretty heavily," said analyst Rebecca Lindland of Global Insight. General Motors Corp. did not announce any new promotions for this month however it has increased sales incentives last month. Paul Ballew, GM's chief sales analyst, declined to specify the magnitude of the increase. Ballew said, "We're going to stay competitive in March and we'll see how the industry plays out."Detroit-based automakers are improving their vehicle lineup by upgrading auto parts auto and accessories like axle assembly, DC sports cold air intake, wheels, brakes as well as other car system. Even if they have previously announced to cut back on incentive spending, analysts say they are here to stay for the foreseeable future. "The domestics can't eliminate them all together," Alex Rosten of Edmunds.com said.Travelzoo


Source: http://connectivityqjeabuuomr.blogspot.com/2007/08/ford-chrysler-rolled-out-new-rebates.html

Ford-Navistar Contract Dispute Could Threaten Truck Production

The Navistar International Corp. earlier announced the suspension of the production of Power Stroke(R), a diesel engine intended and made especially for Ford trucks. The suspension is anchored on the contract between the engine manufacturer and the Ford Motor Company. Critics in the industry are saying that if the contract dispute would continue, the truck production of Ford would be greatly injured.Ford said that a decision by its key supplier Navistar to stop supplying diesel engines will not disrupt production of the Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups "in the near term." However, the automaker did not say how long Super Duty pickups may be made if price issue is not settled. Ford did not give further details about how long it could keep its truck lines running if Navistar holds out. The automaker has started producing its redesigned Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups in Louisville, Ky., late last year. The Super Duty pickups are arriving in showrooms this month. Navistar, a Warrenville, Ill.-based manufacturer, is the exclusive 6.4-liter PowerStroke diesel engine supplier for Ford's heavy duty pickup trucks. For it to withdraw from the contract is detrimental to Ford. This is because Ford relies on the Super Duty to boost its sales. After losing a record $12.7 billion last year, Ford could not afford to lose more.In a statement, Navistar said it "pays its suppliers and employees under contract terms and that it expects Ford to honor the terms of its agreement." Navistar said it will stop making the engines at its Indianapolis and Huntsville, Ala. factories, but added that the Huntsville plant will continue production for other customers.Ford said the engine manufacturer is the one violating that contract. "Ford has always honored the agreement and will continue to do so in the future," said Ford spokesman Tom Hoyt. "We have been working very closely with Navistar for many months to resolve these contract issues."In January, Ford sued Navistar. The lawsuit alleged that the engine manufacturer was not complying with warranty cost-sharing agreements and that it had unjustifiably raised prices on its products. It further stated that Navistar had even threatened to cut off shipment if the automaker did not pay the new prices for its engines."Ford and Navistar are tied at the hip for diesel engines for the F-250 and F-350," Peter Nesvold, a New York-based Bear Stearns analyst, said. "While we don't currently expect an extended outage, 30-plus days would be material to both Navistar and Ford. It's impossible to quickly swap out the engine and put another manufacturer's diesel in place," Nesvold added.Andrew Casey, an analyst with Wachovia Capital Markets LLC in Boston noted that the companies are likely to reach an agreement before long. "This is likely a short-term negotiation squabble," Casey said.With a multitude of suppliers either in bankruptcy or close to filing, Ford is now working closely with an auto consultant to spot troubled suppliers and move proactively to avoid further interruptions in parts shipments. Last fall, Ford halted the production of the Ford Fusion because bankrupt Collins & Aikman Corp. has suspended its auto parts shipments. And this circumstance should now be avoided to safeguard Fords dominance in the truck production. The contract dispute is never easy as remedying the supply for Volvo aftermarket parts. It takes swift and clever decision to support the goal.Anntaylor


Source: http://milf-pornqufpycts.blogspot.com/2007/08/ford-navistar-contract-dispute-could.html