AUTOSHOW-UPDATE 1-Ford sweeps awards in Detroit

Reuters ^ | 1-11-10 | B. Kelleher

[STONEWALLS]

"DETROIT, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N), swept the 2010 North American Car and Truck Awards at the Detroit auto show on Monday, marking only the third time in the 17-year history of the award that a single automaker has claimed both titles.

A panel of about 50 U.S. and Canadian automotive journalists named the Ford Fusion Hybrid the car of the year and the Ford Transit Connect the truck of the year.

[RonDog]

Don’t celebrate too quickly: I think the Ford Transit Connect is the one Ford imports with the seats installed, and then rips them out and trashes them.

Sort of.

Except that Ford actually recycles the seats that they remove.

And, you missed the most important part of that story.

Ford goes through this wasteful charade...

...to get around goofy FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

From YOUR link:

...Why all the the fuss and feathers? Blame the "chicken tax."

The seats and windows are but dressing to help Ford navigate the wreckage of a 46-year-old trade spat.

In the early 1960s, Europe put high tariffs on imported chicken, taking aim at rising U.S. sales to West Germany. President Johnson retaliated in 1963, in part by targeting German-made Volkswagens with a tax on imports of foreign-made trucks and commercial vans.

The 1960s went the way of love beads and sitar records, but the chicken tax never died. Europe still has a tariff on imports of U.S. chicken, and the U.S. still hits delivery vans imported from overseas with a 25% tariff. American companies have to pay, too, which puts Ford in the weird position of circumventing U.S. trade rules that for years have protected U.S. auto makers' market for trucks.

The company's wiggle room comes from the process of defining a delivery van. Customs officials check a bunch of features to determine whether a vehicle's primary purpose might be to move people instead...

[PA-RIVER]

My 2003 Ranger is awesome. Over 20 MPG and a powerful V6.

7 years, no issues, no breakdowns. Still running on original Battery and tires at 90K.

[Seruzawa]

I’ve had better luck with Chev trucks than Ford’s. Wish Chev had the Dana axles though.

[STONEWALLS]

...thanks for the photos...whew!...that’s some interior alright...all the gizmos intimidate me...heck, I have to get out the owner’s manual on my new F-150 just to set the clock....and BTW has anybody seen the new Rolls Royce convertible?...they went back and actually re-introduced a real clock with a face and a stem to set it with...it’s mounted right on the walnut dashboard...very retro and very cool.

[RonDog]

I think both awards were given on fuel economy alone.

Which is lame.

Not quite.

From FORD.com:

...The North American Car and Truck of the Year awards recognize vehicles based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

A jury of 49 automotive journalists in the United States and Canada vote for the vehicles, which must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model to qualify for the award...

[GonzoGOP]

Very Nice. Looks like they picked up some of the interior styling from Mazda. Makes sense as my Mazda M6 was just a different wrapper on a Ford engine and drive train.

[RonDog]

...I would like to point out, however, that the mileage for this utility vehicle is quite low given the powerplant and vehicle size.

I had a full-sized Buick Regal GS with a supercharged 3.8 liter that got better fuel mileage than this truck is purported to get with a 2.0 liter - even with my lead foot...

LOLOL!

But can your Regal carry a SIXTEEN HUNDRED POUND payload -- with 135 cubic feet of cargo volume?

Ford of Europe has already sold over 600,000 of these odd-looking little vans -- in a tough, competitive market, primarily as...

...COMMERCIAL vehicles.

[OrioleFan]

I only have 1 F-150. That, and a Taurus and a Camry Hybrid. Fusion Hybrid (me) ot Focus (child) next on purchase plan.

[KC_Conspirator]

Love my Mustang.

[IYAS9YAS]

But can your Regal carry a SIXTEEN HUNDRED POUND payload -- with 135 cubic feet of cargo volume?

Well, it did carry five adults - plus trunk space for luggage. So, yes, I'd be willing to bet it could haul 1,600 pounds, and get there faster. Hell, the Town Car probably had 135 cubic feet of cargo volume in the trunk alone - it was easily a four-body trunk. My Regal just had a two-body trunk.

I say these things in jest.

1,600 pounds of cargo is good. Like I said before, the mileage and the motor just don't compute (and that's before loading 'em up), but it appears to be a great cargo hauler for urban areas.

[RonDog]

I only have 1 F-150. That, and a Taurus and a Camry Hybrid.

Fusion Hybrid (me) ot Focus (child) next on purchase plan.

You have good taste. :o)

From wikipedia.org:

...[the EPA] has rated the fuel economy for the 2010 Fusion hybrid at 41 miles per US gallon city, 36 miles per US gallon highway.

This model gets [MUCH] better fuel economy than

the Toyota Camry Hybrid (32 miles per gallon city, 33 highway),
the Nissan Altima Hybrid (35 miles per gallon city, 33 highway), and
the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (26 miles per gallon city, 34 highway),

viewed as its competitors in the mid-size sedan segment.

The only hybrid that gets BETTER fuel economy is the dinky little Prius.

[RonDog]

:O)

[manic4organic]

I’m not talking individual vehicles. I mean F Ford in general.

[VOA]

“
Ford of Europe has already sold over 600,000 of these odd-looking little vans
“

Ford needs to make a version with some cosmetic changes...
to compete with Scion, KIA Soul, etc.

(But even though I prefer Ford amongst The Detroit Three, I’m still
bugged that the UAW still is a co-ruler of the company.
Especially after seeing Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra (sp?) (R)
being told to basically to p-ss off when he asked the UAW to reveal details
of the costs of their healthcare plans...for comparison with what
average Joes/Josephinee have for healthcare).

[RonDog]

I understand.

But Ford is moving away from union domination faster than their domestic competitors over at "Government Motors" -- right?

As I understand it, many of Ford's best quality (and best selling) vehicles now come from non-UAW plants -- and that trend will continue into the future, subject to Obama intervention.

[rockinqsranch]

I still don’t trust any of the information coming out on any of this automobile manufacturing situation in this country since the Socialist, Leftists gained power, and screwed up everything.

Ford has a long history starting with Henry himself of Leftist association that makes me suspicious of what is going on. Who, or anyone else can tell me all day long about the Ford Foundation being separate from the Auto Manufacturer, and I say that well may be, but......suspicion about all of this remains. I still make my own catsup since John Kerry ran for President.

NO, I don’t have anything but my suspicions, but the Leftists are manipulators, liars, and cheats that warrant such mistrust. I need proof positive that this whole thing isn’t being manipulated for the benefit of Socialist gain before I say “Yeah Ford!”

[OrioleFan]

I think the Fusion gets better fuel economy than the Camry because the max speed at which the system will run all electric is 47 mph vs 44-45 mph in the Camry. That and maybe the 4 cylinder motor is more fuel efficient. Basically, I think they are the same system.

I will say I can routinely average 40 mpg in the Camry Hybrid on a trip. I get better off cruise control, but open myself up to a speeding ticket on the downhills. I also find I’ve changed my driving habits since I’ve been driving the Camry - I tend to monitor the MPG guage. Not sure how I’ll like the little green leaves popping up on the Fusion guages.

[alrea]

Ford seems to have figured it out about unions and socialism. Hopefully Ford will continue to overwhelm GM who is rumored to be announcing new management when thee last speaker presents.

[1rudeboy]

If you think that taking a never-used seat and recycling it doesn’t constitute “trashing” it, then maybe I should have used another term.

[TV Dinners]

Free Of Retarded Democrats