The 2011 Ford Explorer is the latest iteration of the Ford Explorer and arguably one of the most important.  In many ways the Explorer launched the popular use sport utility vehicle market in the USA when it introduced the 4-door Explorer in 1991.  Previously, 4-door SUVs had been either Jeep Cherokees, the occasional Japanese entry and Chevrolet/GMC Suburbans.  With the introduction of the Explorer the growth in the SUV market skyrocketed until almost one in four vehicles sold in the USA was an SUV of one type or another.  In its heyday, Explorer was counted among the top five best selling vehicles in the USA and in its top year sold almost 450,000 units.

Until the new Explorer, the Explorer had been very much a two box SUV designed to move five (and later seven) people comfortably.  While Explorer was an "SUV" it was a pretty mild one.  It was known for being easy to live with but not for its prowess off-road.  Ford never pretended the Explorer had the off-road chops of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

EcoBoost 4-Cylinder OPTIONAL Powertrain  The base engine for the Explorer is the 3.5L V6 with 290-horsepower.  This engine is expected to be in 75% of Explorers sold.  The extra cost optional powertrain is the 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine with 237-horsepower.  This is an unusual pricing strategy for any manufacturer - giving LESS FOR MORE.  Of course, Ford will position the EcoBoost 4 as the high technology, high fuel economy alternative that is worth more.  Well, we'll be watching this one closely because Americans usually don't buy less for more and many still believe the adage "There is no replacement for displacement."

Continue reading "2011 Ford Explorer Raises XSUV Bar - Explorer Reinvented" »

Posted by George Peterson at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ford's top selling F-150 scored particularly well with respect to exterior size, passenger room, handling, and safety features. It should be noted that the F-150 also won AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Large Light Duty Pickup.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Premium Mid-Size Car: The Ford Fusion is this years winner in the Premium Mid-Size Car segment. The Fusion was particularly good at beating out a long list of competitors in a saturated segment with high marks for exterior size and passenger room. Fusion was also top rated in terms of ride and handling.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Hybrid Car: The Ford Fusion Hybrid is the top-scoring Hybrid taking home AutoPacific's 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award. Categories in which the Fusion scored particularly well include handling and ride. The Fusion Hybrid also took top marks for exterior styling, exterior size, and safety.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Ford brand has eclipsed all popular brand competition in AutoPacific's 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards as Ford owners gave their vehicles top marks in eleven different vehicle segments. No other manufacturer came close and is why Ford wins top popular brand for the 2010 IVAs. Ford has definitely made strides over the last few years and owners scores marking the brand a 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award Popular Brand winner highlights Ford hitting the mark with their buyers.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ford Explorer buyers are particularly pleased with their vehicle's handling (perhaps that independent rear suspension really does help), just-right exterior size, and wheels/tires. That makes for a Premium Mid-Size SUV category winner.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Owners really like the new Ford Flex EcoBoost, and want the same level of many characteristics, including, exterior size, visibility, passenger room, ride, handling, wheels and tires, and ease of getting in and out. Package size and layout appears to be the key to this Large Crossover SUV vehicle's success, and EcoBoost makes the vehicle that much better.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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What do Ford Escape owners want unchanged? Many things, especially including wheels and tires, handling, exterior styling, and safety features. The Escape is also the winner of AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Mid-Size Crossover SUV.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ford Escape Hybrid owners want the same level of handling, the same wheels and tires, the same safety features, the same exterior size and the same passenger room. Sounds like happy Hybrid Truck customers to me.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The 2010 Ford Expedition has a history of performing well in AutoPacific'c VSA research, scoring class-leading VSA wins in 1997 and 2000.

The 2010 Expedition performs well again with top satisfaction scores on critical measures such as overall satisfaction, reliability/dependability, durable/long lasting and overall quality. In all, Expedition had class leading scores in nineteen of the forty-eight categories measured.

No doubt about it: Ford Motor Company knows a thing or two about the sport utility business!

For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The prior-generation Ford Taurus was no stranger to AutoPacific's VSA due to its elevated seating position and cavernous interior. If there was any nit to pick, it was its milquetoast styling. Ford answered with the expressively styled 2010 Taurus, which may boast a bit less room but adds a big dose of appeal. Owners of the 2010 Taurus tell us that it was probably the right trade-off.

Big Victory in Segment. The new Taurus was rated highest in segment in an impressive 32 of 48 attributes, including driver's seat comfort, cargo space, exterior and interior styling, handling and innovative technology. Clearly, Ford has another winner on its hands with the latest edition of this venerable nameplate.

For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Ford F-150 came home with almost all the marbles with respect to Vehicle Satisfaction in the Large Pickup segment, including full-size and compact pickup trucks. Of the 48 attributes measured, the F-150 came in first in class (or tied for first) with respect to 45. Pretty impressive, particularly in a segment with some of the most demanding, and most loyal, owners.

It is no wonder that the Ford F-150 is a top seller. When it comes to full-size pickup trucks, clearly Ford knows how to satisfy the customer. The F-150 is perennially one of the best selling vehicles of any kind in the USA, and its top-rated satisfaction scores in so many categories validates Ford's success in the pickup segment.

For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Updates Keep Escape At the Top of the Pack The owners of the 2010 Ford Escape rated their satisfaction with the Mid-Size Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle tops in its class. This is an especially interesting win because Escape is has retained its basic style since it was introduced as the first American Crossover SUV way back in 2000. There was a moderate styling update in 2007 followed by a major powertrain update in 2008, but Escape wins over newer Mid-Size Crossover SUV designs. We have always thought Escape resides in a sweet spot among smaller SUVs and this win proves we are right.

The Escape has highest ratings for overall satisfaction in its class. Other superlative ratings (4.5 or higher on a 5.0 point rating scale) include: feeling safe while driving, wheels and tires. Other strong ratings for Escape are: ride, audio system performance, innovative technology, overall dealership experience and value for the money.

Ford can honestly say that they have invested in the right updates for the Escape over the years to keep it at the top of the pack.

For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.

Posted by George Peterson at 7:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Acadia Noses Out Ford Flex for VSA It turns out the Large Crossover SUV segment has become a very competitive place. The 2010 GMC Acadia won the class nosing out the Ford Flex. The Acadia scored 711 VSA points in its victory to the Flex rating of 704. Acadia won twenty-one of the forty-eight categories. Flex won twenty-two. So, Acadia's win came by more consistency overall in the ratings.

Solid Performance in VSA Acadia scored particularly well (4.5 or over on a 5-point rating scale) in exterior size, ease of loading and unloading cargo, vehicle's reputation, exterior color, exterior styling, interior styling, interior fabrics and materials. Acadia also did well in dynamic characteristics like braking, handling and fun to drive. Owners perceive Acadia to be very reliable and dependable, with high quality. Acadia owners say they feel safe in the Acadia and rate its safety features highest.

Acadia's sister vehicle in the General Motors Lambda Platform - the Chevrolet Traverse - won one of the forty-eight categories - tops in interior storage compartments.

For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.

Posted by George Peterson at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Owners rate the Ford Edge tops in Vehicle Satisfaction in the 2010 Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV segment. High ratings are reported for such characteristics as exterior size, exterior styling, ride, audio system performance, overall quality and innovative technology. Once again, Ford demonstrates that it has a clear understanding of what is important to Crossover SUV buyers and how to meet those needs.

A well deserved victory for Ford.

For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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National Survey Reveals Cadillac as Top Premium Brand, Buick as Top Popular Brand, Ford Motor Company Has Most Awards with Seven, Suzuki Kizashi as Top Car and Lincoln MKT as Top Truck

TUSTIN, Calif. (May 20, 2010) -- AutoPacific today announced its 14th Annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions.

"While the auto industry is showing signs of improvement, more than ever before, manufacturers need to be able to differentiate themselves. Proof of satisfied customers is as good as gold," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "We've found that more than 25% of new car buyers are positively influenced by owner-based awards like the VSA when deciding on a new car or truck."

AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award is an industry benchmark for measuring how satisfied an owner is with his/her new car or light truck. This study by the Southern California-based automotive research firm summarizes the results of over 42,000 new vehicle owners.

"Vehicles that score highest in the Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are delivering value and satisfaction across a wide range of attributes," says Peterson. "The winners perform well in 48 separate categories that objectively measure the ownership experience."

Continue reading "Autopacific Announces 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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The data for April 2010 new vehicle sales are now in, and there is some dramatic news in the full-size pickup arena.

When compared with April 2009, Ford's F-Series share of the full-size pick segment is up...way up! Up from 34.3% of segment last year to 39.1% of segment this year -- an increase of 4.8%.

The Dodge Ram share of segment is down by an equally impressive amount, from 18.8% of segment to 12.6%, a 6.6% loss.

The GM entries (Chevrolet Silverado, and Avalanche, GMC Sierra and Cadillac Escalade) and the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan have all about maintained share of segment. The results are very similar if you compare April 2010 to April 2009 or if you look at the first four months of 2010 with the first four months of 2009.

What did Ford do right? No doubt the current F-150 and F-250/350 Super Duty models are as good as any vehicles in their segment. That helps! But what happened to the Dodge Ram? Both the Ram 1500 and Ram 2500/3500 heavy Duty models are great products - especially with the Ram's Cummins I6 diesel. As far as I can tell, pricing and incentives are also competitive. So what's the problem? My speculation (and it is no more than that) is that pickup-truck buyers concern about Chrysler's future may be at the heart of the problem.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ford's little Fiesta bears the weight of the Ford world on its shoulders, if you believe the hype. Ford's been heavily promoting Fiesta for a year, and very effectively getting the buzz out on social media and at a grassroots level. 100,000 people have requested more information, and another 10,000 put in a no-money-down reservation.

Whether a result of luck or skill, Fiesta launches when media soundbites tell us that the future is small and efficient. Anything else need not apply. Fiesta, on paper, is the godsend of the moment: A car for the city, boasting 30mpg city and 40mpg highway. Sexy and smart, and for all ages.

Some of us have some healthy skepticism as to the depth of demand for small, or B-segment, cars. And because American makers so thoroughly earned their reputations for only building small-as-penalty-box when it came to entry cars, the stakes are particularly high for Ford. That reputation that can only be dented by knocking our socks off and then overcome by doing it again.

So, with that kind of build up: Does Fiesta deliver? In a word: Yes.

Continue reading "2011 Ford Fiesta: Changing the American Small Car Reality" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 5:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The 2011 Ford Mustang has all new engines: a new 3.7L V6 and an all-new unique-to-Mustang 5.0L V8. Ford has been rolling out the powertrain news, and the media, buff books, and blogosphere dutifully reporting it for the past couple of months. But after being exposed to the 2011 iteration of the Mustang, we can tell you there is much more than meets the eye. We had the chance for some brief drivetime the 2011 Mustang in most every configuration. Short form: Yeah!

The 2011 Mustang looks like the 2010 but under the skin it is a very different animal. Ford's strategy here is similar to that used for the 2008 - 2009 Escape. The 2008 Escape model got a major styling freshening and interior upgrade and the 2009 saw the major powertrain upgrades. While many scoffed that the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro had Mustang beat in the powertrain department, Ford engineers continued to develop and prepare these engines. Camaro put a bogey in place, to be sure, but neither engine is truly a response to Chevrolet's terrific powertrain lineup.

Continue reading "2011 Ford Mustang - More Than Just Great New Powertrains" »

Posted by George Peterson at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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We recently got a chance to drive the European version of the Ford Fiesta, which is due to hit American Ford showrooms this summer. Engineered and developed mostly by Ford's European unit in Köln, Germany (but using a platform developed by Mazda), the Fiesta is an early example of the company's One Ford initiative that aims to leverage its global resources and commonize Ford products around the world. Up until now, Ford has usually developed specific Fords for specific markets, but the company believes that global tastes are converging and offering greater opportunities for cars like the small Fiesta to come to North America.

Continue reading "2011 Ford Fiesta: Let's Make a Party!" »

Posted by Ed Kim at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Whenever I evaluate a vehicle, I always pick an appropriate soundtrack. You see, I'm all about immersing myself into the experience of whatever a given car is supposed to represent. A bad-to-the-bone pickup truck? I'll put on some Johnny Cash (or if it's a Chevy truck, Bob Seger, of course). A stylish high-performance German coupe? I'll cue up some nu-jazz, perhaps from the likes of Christian Prommer's Drumlesson or Jazzanova. So, when I grabbed the keys to the Mustang Shelby GT500 with 540 supercharged horses, the only song that could possibly come to mind was the theme song from Team America whose title we can't print here. Expletive-filled and crass, to be sure, but then again, so is the Shelby GT500.

Continue reading "2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: America, Heck Yeah!" »

Posted by Ed Kim at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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PickupTucks.com and AutoPacific have taken a look at all the new trucks sold in the past 10 years and made their picks for the most significant trucks of the decade. The trucks that made the list introduced cutting edge technologies and pushed the segment into new territory.

"Despite the economic challenges of the past two years, it's hard not to look back at the last ten years without calling it the decade of the pickup truck," said PickupTrucks.com editor Mike Levine. "Sales of full-size pickups hit 2.56 million units in 2004 and Ford's F-Series trucks remain the nation's best-selling vehicles, 33 years in a row."

Though there are many trucks that had a significant impact in the last decade, it's clear that the 2009 Ford F-150 earned the title of "Most Significant".

"On balance, we thought the 2009 Ford F-150 was the most significant pickup of the last decade," said Jim Hossack, vice president of consulting for AutoPacific. "It sells in high volume, owners like it and its body, chassis and powertrain are all first rate. Features abound, and there are more models, series and options than can be counted. It's a good looking truck and suitable for the widest possible range of tasks and uses."

After the jump are those trucks deemed most significant, in no particular order.

Continue reading "PickupTrucks.com and AutoPacific Announce the Most Significant Trucks of the Decade" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ford Motor Company launched a new powertrain technology called EcoBoost earlier in 2010. EcoBoost will eventually be available on 90% of Ford's lineup in the USA. The first EcoBoost installations are in Ford's new D3 Platform vehicles - Ford Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, and Ford Flex. EcoBoost's first installation is a 3.5L V6 with gasoline direct injection and twin turbochargers. Power output on the Taurus SHO is 365HP while on the MKS, MKT and Flex is 355. The EcoBoost 3.5L has 350lb-ft of torque. These technology advancements yield substantially better performance while achieving equivalent fuel economy as a vehicle equipped with a non-EcoBoost 3.5L (of course this is only on paper. EcoBoost is so fun to drive you'll be in it all the time - achieving equal fuel economy is just a dream).

EcoBoost a $5,000 Proposition Anyway, EcoBoost is not free. A Taurus SHO is almost $40,000 and the price increase for EcoBoost on the MKT, MKS and Flex comes out to about $5,000. That price includes all wheel drive which EcoBoost requires to handle the power and torque on the front wheel drive platform. So, with the power and price increase, how many is Ford selling?

EcoBoost Installations Running Ahead of Forecast According to George Pipas, Ford's spokesman for sales reporting and arcane numbers, the Taurus SHO now represents about 15% of the Taurus lineup. This is 5%-pts higher than Ford had estimated. Each Taurus SHO generates $10,000 more economic profit than an average Taurus. Installation rate on the Lincoln MKT is 47%. About 30% of Lincoln MKS gets EcoBoost (and 37% gets AWD). The Flex has about an 11% rate lowest of the four.

So, it appears that EcoBoost is well on its way to being a success even in these tough economic times. In each vehicle line, with the possible exception of Flex, the installation rate is healthy for a performance option. It will be interesting to see what the mix is of EcoBoost engines as Ford continues to roll the technology across its vehicle lines.

Posted by George Peterson at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Recently, Ford invited us to drive their latest SVT hero, the F-150 SVT Raptor. Our drive involved the roads around San Diego and some desert driving near Borrego Springs, California. Back from that event, I have to say: What a truck! What a ride!

SVT spent three years developing the Raptor, based in Ford's new-for-2009 F-150. Their goal: Create a factory-built and -backed off-road high-performance truck more capable than any but the most highly modified competition vehicles. Based on the fact that they were just announced Truck of the Year by the Texas Auto Writers Association, true truckers appreciate SVT's efforts.

Getting the basics out of the way, the Raptor is powered by Ford's 320HP 5. 4L V8, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, and is available in four-wheel drive only. An electronic rear differential is standard, as is hill descent control. The Raptor is based on the Super Cab F-150, with the relatively short 5.5-foot box. The suspension is extensively modified with heavy-duty, high-performance components including a long travel suspension, patented FOX Racing shock absorbers, unique upper and lower control arms, tie rods, front and rear springs and jounce bumpers. 17-inch wheels are used with 35-inch BF Goodrich All Terrain tires. Even the exhaust is unique -- and it sounds great!

Continue reading "2010 Ford F-150 Raptor: Highly Capable, Reasonably Priced" »

Posted by Jim Hossack at 4:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Awards Show Consumers Enjoy Luxury and Size
(August 11, 2009) -- Right brain, left brain; the practical versus the emotional -- an age-old dilemma often at the center of decision making when buying a new car or truck. The 2009 Motorist Choice Awards recognize new cars and trucks that give their owners both economic and emotional satisfaction, helping new-car buyers find vehicles that best satisfy all of their personal-transportation needs. The fourth annual Motorist Choice Awards survey, announced today, scores 196 cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs. With the top overall scores in both owner satisfaction and value, the Lexus LS placed highest of any 2009 model year vehicle.

Large and luxury vehicles dominated this year's results. The top 34 ranked cars, and 106 of the top 107, are large cars, luxury cars, sport utility vehicles, crossover SUVs or minivans. Only one small car, the BMW 1-Series, scored in the top 100, landing in the 35th slot. Toyota Prius is the next-highest-scoring small car, coming in 107th.

Awards are given for top-scoring vehicles scoring in each of twenty-three segments, as well as for the top-scoring brand. Nine manufacturers earned segment wins, led by Toyota with nine awards (including three for Lexus), followed by General Motors with six (Chevrolet 4, Cadillac 2), Honda with three, and Chrysler with two (Dodge 1, Jeep 1). Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen took top honors in one segment each.

(And check out our video on YouTube.)

Continue reading "Motorist Choice Awards Reveal Vehicles That Please Both Hearts And Minds" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 5:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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