09 Ford Escape Xls With Cloth Cruise Control A/c And Alloys We Finance on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mulally wanted to kill Lincoln as late as last year, Fields vows to turn it around

Lincoln fans might want to give incoming Ford CEO Mark Fields a pat on the back for having a hand in saving the brand from the chopping block last year. He's among the people spearheading the rejuvenation of the division away from its stodgy image to appeal to younger customers.
According to two unnamed sources speaking to Bloomberg, CEO Alan Mulally was ready to kill Lincoln last year. Following the slow production ramp-up of the MKZ combined a with a costly ad campaign, Mulally was frustrated and openly suggested dropping the brand. However, Fields and Jim Farley, Ford's marketing boss, convinced the CEO that the brand was worth saving. They also created a plan to prevent similar problems for new models in the future.
It seems that one part of the strategy may involve waiting until new models are at dealers before starting a big ad campaign for them. Lincoln global director, Matt VanDyke, recently told Autoblog that the division is holding off on a full marketing push behind the new MKC crossover to prevent the supply problems that plagued the MKZ last year. Its big offensive begins in the fall when the CUVs are at all of the dealers and consumers are at home watching more TV. VanDyke also told Bloomberg that Fields, Farley and Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of the Americas, have more direct oversight over new product launches now.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor sales jumping to new heights

Ford can't seem to build F-150 SVT Raptors fast enough. The off-road-ready trucks have been one of the Blue Oval's most reliable sellers, with record sales in eight of the last 10 months and a 14-percent jump in 2013. That's impressive enough, considering that the least expensive Raptor starts at $44,000. Factor in the modded F-150's fuel economy (it's rated at 11 miles per gallon in the city and 16 on the highway) and a national average gas price, as of this writing, of $3.55 per gallon, and its success is as unlikely as Ford's home team, the Detroit Lions, winning the Super Bowl this year (sorry, Lions fans, we're just quoting the experts in Vegas...).
Yet for some reason, Raptors spend an average of just 15 days on dealer lots before being snapped up, which is a quarter of the 60-day industry average. According to Ford's truck group marketing manager, Doug Scott, it's capability that keeps the Raptor selling strong. "What's helping drive Raptor sales is that Raptor delivers unmatched off-road performance to our customers. Raptor is also proof of our commitment to offer a truck for every customer and continuously improving them to meet our customers' evolving needs."
To address the strong demand for Raptors, Ford will bump production from three trucks per hour to five. Not much, we agree. But building an extra 48 trucks per day, at most, seems like a prudent way of addressing demand without oversaturating what is ultimately a niche market. Check out the press release below for more.

First 2016 Ford Shelby GT350R rolls off the line in Flat Rock

Thursday was a big day for the hottest version of the current Ford Mustang as the first Shelby GT350R rolled off the line at the Blue Oval's Flat Rock, MI, factory. "This is a special day for all Mustang enthusiasts," said executive chairman Bill Ford. "We have taken the GT350 formula to the next level of innovation, style, and performance. Today the legend continues." Ford has been making headlines with the both versions of the GT350, highlighting its carbon-fiber wheels, HUD shift lights, and then announcing its reasonable starting price. At just $62,195, the GT350R significantly undercuts other track-focused offerings, including its arch-nemesis, the $75,000-Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Scroll down for the brief press release from Ford. ALL-NEW FORD SHELBY® #GT350R MUSTANG ROARS OFF THE LINE AT FLAT ROCK ASSEMBLY PLANT One of the most iconic performance Mustang nameplates of all time the all-new Shelby® GT350R roared off the line today at Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant. The new GT350R Mustang is the most athletic Mustang ever, designed to tackle the world's most challenging roads and race tracks while creating an exhilarating experience for the driver. "This is a special day for all Mustang enthusiasts," said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. "We have taken the GT350 formula to the next level of innovation, style and performance. Today the legend continues." Click here for more information on the all-new Shelby® GT350 and GT350R Mustang. About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com. Related Video: