Lifted 2000 Ford Excursion Xlt 4x4 7.3l on 2040-cars

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Subprime financing on the rise in new car sales, leasing too

We all remember the financial crisis that began several years back. At its core was a splurge of subprime lending for housing loans. The housing bubble burst, triggering a collapse of the mortgage-backed securities market. Apparently, those types of loans still exist in the automotive industry, and the market share for these types of "nonprime, subprime, and deep subprime," loans has grown 13.6 percent compared to the third quarter a year ago.
According to an Automotive News report, high-risk lending expanded to 24.8 percent of total loans in Q3, up from 21.9 percent for this time last year. As this level increased, average credit scores of borrowers dropped to 755, down from 763 a year ago. In that time, the average financing amount increased $90 per vehicle, to $25,963.
At 818, Volvo maintains the highest per-owner credit score, while Mitsubishi has the lowest, at 694. The highest rate of borrowers was at Toyota, with 14 percent of the market, followed by Ford with 13.1 percent and Chevrolet at 11.1.

F-150 just the start of Ford's aluminum plans

Not only have we been told that the 2015 Ford F-150 is tougher, more durable and up to 700 pounds lighter than the current truck, Ford COO Mark Fields said it's also "CAFE-positive." That means, for the first time in the history of corporate average fuel economy standards, the F-150 would be a positive contributor on Ford's CAFE balance sheet instead of being a vehicle it needs to counterbalance with frugal offerings.
Fields' comments made at the Detroit Auto Show were among quotes from other Ford execs that confirmed the carmaker will be using aluminum for more of its vehicles. CEO Alan Mulally said it would "proliferate across our lineup," with speculation being that we'll see it applied to crossover and sport utility models first, since they'll benefit the most. Even gaining the massive scale of using aluminum on the world's best selling vehicle for its first effort - on average, the company sells two times as many F-150s in a single day as Land Rover sells of its aluminum Range Rover in a month - Ford will be looking to further spread the cost of its five-year development investment in aluminum technology. And that should mean better handling and fuel economy for those of us who don't need to wear hardhats at the office.

Last 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible nets $500k for charity at Barrett-Jackson [w/video]

The last 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible was sold on Saturday at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Reno, Nevada, for $500,000. Ford donated the Mustang to be auctioned for charity, and all of the money is going to the Brain Injury Association of America.
Parnelli Jones, winner of the 1963 Indianapolis 500, was there on behalf of the BIAA with his son Page, who suffered a brain injury in a sprint car crash in 1994. The bidding increased quickly, reaching $500k in no time, spreading a bit more hope to people who live with brain injuries.
The winning bidder will be able to choose the GT500's exterior, interior and stripe colors, and is scheduled to receive the car, signed by Parnelli Jones in appreciation for the donation, by the end of 2013. Watch the video below to see the auction-block action.