August 2011

Ready for your electric Focus? Be patient, it's been delayed

(August 8, 2011) It's being reported by several sources that the launch of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric will be delayed — just slightly.

Slated to arrive in a variety of markets late this year, Ford has trimmed its fall launch markets to New York and California.

Ford Fiesta gets limited 'black edition' in UK

(August 8, 2011) BRENTWOOD, Essex — Britain's best-selling small car, the Ford Fiesta, continues to expand its appeal with the launch of a new special edition, the "Centura," which builds on the most popular model and engine choice in the UK.

The Centura celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ford in Britain, and, available exclusively in black, it pays tribute to the first Ford vehicles to be manufactured in the UK, the Model T in 1911 — which were all black.

Sales off 4.9 percent in Canada in July, but Ford and Chrysler do well

(August 8, 2011) While July auto sales edged up ever so slightly in the U.S., things weren't as rosy in Canada. Canadian vehicle sales in July dropped 4.9 per cent from the same month a year ago, according to a firm that tracks automotive sales.

Sales of cars and light trucks fell to 141,472 last month. That figure represents a drop of more than 7,000 from the 148,756 vehicles sold in July 2010.

Parts can be generated in hours through three-dimensional technology

(August 8, 2011) WARREN, Mich. — The three-dimensional rapid prototyping technology that lets designers and engineers fabricate almost anything they can imagine has led the skilled trades technicians who work in the shop around the clock six days a week to innovations of their own at General Motors.

UK car buyers consider 'British-ness' in car purchase

(August 8, 2011) As more and more people choose to buy locally produced products over foreign imports, the Great Britain motorist is no exception. If money was no object, 60 percent of motorists would prefer to buy a British car, new research by Manheim Auctions has revealed.

BMW Group continues strong worldwide sales growth in July

(August 8 2011) MUNICH — The BMW Group continued on its successful course as the world's leading premium car company in July with an increase of 7.6% in sales. A total of 129,094 — compared to 119,992 in 2010 — BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles were sold worldwide last month.

Over the past seven months the number of deliveries climbed 17.9% to 962,468 vehicles compared to 816,014 in the same time period in 2010.

New Mustang, VW Jetta TDI investigated for separate issues

(August 8, 2011) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating two separate issues, one involving about 26,000 model year 2011-2012 Ford Mustangs with manual transmissions over erratic shifting, and the other involving 40,000 model year 2011 Volkswagen Jetta diesels over fuel line leakage.

Walgreens stores to install vehicle charging stations

(August 7, 2011) GAINESVILLE, Fla. (PRNewswire) — Electric vehicle charging stations will be placed at about 800 Walgreens location by the end of 2011, the pharmacy giant announced this month. These charging stations aren't just benefiting those who drive a Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt; drivers will also be able to charge low speed electric vehicles.

FordParts launches 'Capture the Raptor' sweepstakes

(August 6, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) and FordParts.com are giving their fans and customers a chance to put a new 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in their driveway by showing off their parts knowledge in the 2011 FordParts.com “Capture the Raptor” sweepstakes.

After registering at FordParts.com/Raptor, entrants will have the chance each day to guess the Ford or Motorcraft part hidden behind a Raptor photo to earn entries into the drawing for the grand prize, along with weekly prize drawings until Nov. 20, 2011, in the 16-week sweepstakes.

Long-term test of Mini electric cars finds driving habits don't change

(August 6, 2011) Understanding how electric cars are driven in the real world has taken an important step forward with the release of data from the MINI E field trial in the UK.

Year-long real-world tests of a fleet of electric Minis found that driving patterns were generally the same as those who drove conventionally powered cars.