Ford Trucks For Sale

Thieves in northern Alberta have stolen 49 vehicles over the past eight days, Fort McMurray RCMP said yesterday, warning that Ford pickup trucks seem to be attractive targets.The bandits are smashing windows and punching out ignitions, prompting police to urge drivers to add locking devices to their steering wheels or brake pedals.

Mounties have arrested 10 people in connection with six missing vehicles.

Used Ford trucks for Sale at 1UsedTrucks.com

Sales of Ford trucks and sport utility vehicles sagged again in March by double digits. Meanwhile, growing sales of the Focus compact car shed light on increasing consumer demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Overall, auto sales last month were the lowest since March 1993, as U.S. new-car buyers pulled back from rising gasoline prices, tighter credit markets and a weak economy.

Ford foresees an even tougher second quarter, said Jim Farley, group vice president for global marketing and communications.

“I would like to tell you the worst is behind us,” he said. The second quarter “may be the most difficult of the year.”

General Motors and Chrysler led the downward sales trend with a 19 percent sales drops in March, followed by Ford’s 14 percent decline compared to a year earlier.

Toyota, Nissan and Honda reported declines of 10 percent, 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

The North American sales outlook for the entire industry for the year could dip as low as 15 million vehicles, Ford executives said.

F-Series truck sales declined 24 percent and Explorer sport utility vehicle sales fell 15 percent, the automaker reported.

Ford sold 54,465 F-Series trucks last month, compared to 71,482 in March 2007. Buyers continue to bypass the Explorer in search of more fuel-efficient vehicles, with the SUV dropping to 10,969 sold in March, down from 12,876 in last year’s period.

Ford’s Louisville plants manufacture the Explorer and F-Series 250 and larger trucks.

Those results are even starker when compared to March 2006, with F-Series truck and Explorer sales plummeting about 35 percent each since then.

Viewed another way, trucks and SUVs account now for 30 percent of Ford sales, compared to 50 percent in 2004, Farley said.

“That is a wholesale change,” he said. “Frankly, this shift puts a lot of pressure on our market share.”

The change is apparent across the automobile market, said Jesse Toprak, chief of industry analysis at Edmunds.com.

Still, with rising sales of the Focus, Ford’s lone entry in the small-car market, and increasing popularity of the Edge, the Escape and other crossover SUVs, Ford is maintaining its 15 percent market-share goal for 2008, Farley said.

Ford continues to enjoy decent sales of the Edge, up 35 percent in March to 13,508 from 10,915 one year ago.

The Focus also appears to be getting traction among buyers looking for a small vehicle for price, fuel economy or both. Ford reported Focus sales rose 36 percent in March to 21,168.

Still, Ford would do well to broaden its small-car offerings beyond the Focus, Toprak said.

“Honda and Toyota have always had quite a few selections in every category,” he said. “That is truly the whole idea of going after the niche markets, to have a car for any customer, in any income bracket, in any kind of size.”

Ford Motor Co. formally took over the Romanian plant Automobile Craiova from the Romanian government on Friday.

Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu handed the factory’s key to Ford of Europe President John Fleming, saying that Ford’s investment of about $1 billion would allow Romania to become the biggest car producer in southeastern Europe.

Last year, Ford bought a 72.4% stake in the government-owned company, paying about $88 million and vowing to invest $1 billion to upgrade and expand car production. Ford said it would increase the number of employees from 3,900 to between 7,000 and 9,000.

The Romanian government took over the debt-laden factory in 2006 after the previous owner, South Korea’s Daewoo Motor Co., went bankrupt in 2000.

Chrysler may be losing

Chrysler LLC may be losing money at some U.S. plants where it cut back production to prepare for a slowing auto market in 2008, the Wall Street Journal said.

Chrysler moved to one shift per day at four U.S. plants, and three other factories will change to two shifts from three. The automaker needs to make better use of those plants to meet CEO Bob Nardelli’s goal of generating more cash and returning to profitability, the newspaper said.

Ford Motor Company and U-Haul launched the industry’s first fleet of vehicles painted with Ford’s environmentally responsible new technology, which reduces greenhouse gases by 15 percent and cuts Ford’s production costs.

More than 200 Ford E-Series trucks painted with this new technology were delivered to U-Haul facilities around the country. U-Haul began renting the units, tagged with eco-friendly decals, to customers this week.

The technology combines an advanced chemical formulation of high-solids, solvent-borne paint with an innovative three-wet application process that requires a smaller, less expensive and cleaner paint shop than traditional automotive paint facilities.

In addition to reduced CO2 emissions, the new technology reduces VOC emissions (volatile organic compounds) by about 10 percent. The company estimates it can save approximately $7 per vehicle by cutting the time it takes to paint a vehicle by almost 20 percent as well as reducing the size of the traditional paint shop by nearly 15 percent.

“Painting vehicles has traditionally been one of the auto industry’s biggest environmental challenges,” said Mary Ellen Rosenberger, paint manager of Ohio Assembly Plant where the new technology was launched. “Ford has found the solution. It’s environmentally sound. It’s cost-efficient. And it produces beautifully painted vehicles with long-term durability.”

Ford’s new high-solids, solvent-borne paint formulation produces fewer VOC and CO2 emissions than do water-borne and current solvent-borne paints. Because the new formulation contains more color pigment, it requires less paint to cover a vehicle than water-based paint. Furthermore, the new technology allows for three coats of wet paint to be applied to the vehicle one on top of the other, without drying between coats. This eliminates the prime-coat application and its related processes, which means a smaller, more efficient paint shop.

Furthermore, there’s no need for an air-conditioning process or an additional low-temperature oven, which are required in water-borne paint shops to evaporate the water from the paint.

The paint formulation contains new polymers and other additives that prevent running and sagging during the three-wet application process. And Ford’s laboratory tests show the high-solids, solvent-borne paint provides better long-term resistance to chips and scratches than does water-borne paint.

Said Dean Cerimeli, U-Haul’s director of Truck and Trailer Product: “When it comes to the environment and sustainability, we are happy to partner with Ford in this important field test. We believe this is the most environmentally responsible way to paint vehicles. And we applaud Ford for leading the industry.”

In June, Ford won the “Best Technical Prize” for its new paint technology at SURCAR: The International Conference on Automobile Body Finishing in Cannes, France.

Motor Trend Magazine named the full-size Toyota Tundra its Truck of the Year for 2008 on Tuesday.

Other competitors for the award were the Chevrolet Silverado HD, the GMC Sierra HD and the Ford F-250, -350 and -450 Super Duty trucks.

Since the trucks have different capabilities, they were rated against a set of specific criteria rather than in a straight competition against one another, the magazine said.

The trucks were scored for “superiority,” a measure of general excellence in materials, engineering and workmanship, “value,” a measure of what the truck offers compared to others available for the price, and “significance,” a measure of how the vehicle changes the market in which it competes.

The magazine tested two versions of each contender, each with different engine, transmission and suspension options.

The General Motors and Ford trucks in the competition are all heavy-duty pickups designed to carry and tow large loads. The Toyota Tundra is a “half-ton” pickup of the type that is often used for personal transportation as well as for work.

The trucks were tested at a former Ford proving ground in Arizona and on area roads. Tests included trailer towing and driving performance on rough and unpaved roads.

The Tundra stood out, the magazine said, for its ride and handling, excellent interior quality and quietness combined with impressive truck capability.

“This new Toyota Tundra is big, it’s tough, it delivers class-leading performance, it has excellent towing capability,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of Motor Trend, in a video posted at MotorTrend.com. “It’s smooth and refined inside and out and it’s priced to take on its Detroit rivals.”

Toyota (TM) introduced the new, larger Tundra this year as a direct competitor to market-leading trucks from GM (GM, Fortune 500) and Ford (F, Fortune 500).

The GM trucks were close contenders, the magazine said, but they couldn’t mass the Tundra in the area of “significance.” The Fords were strong performers but were more ungainly to drive than their GM competitors, according to Motor Trend.

“The recent launch of the new Tundra has not been without a few hiccups,” the magazine noted. The truck has faced several recalls.

German automaker Daimler AG’s trucks unit has zeroed in on the Munjal family — promoters of Hero Honda — for a joint venture to make commercial vehicles in India, and an announcement is expected before Christmas, local business daily Business Standard reported quoting unnamed sources.

Daimler has been directly in talks with the Munjal family, the report said.

‘The declared objective of Daimler Trucks has been and continues to be to substantially enter the Indian market, which, besides China, is the highest priority for us. We have said that we have identified a potential partner but are still in negotiations. We will soon announce the details of the finalised plan,’ the report quoted a Daimler spokesperson.

Daimler was earlier in talks with Eicher Motors but negotiations fell through over ownership issues, the newspaper said.

Management board member Andreas Renschler last month told an investors conference in New York that Daimler had completed talks over an Indian joint venture, but he declined to identify the partner.

Nissan ranks highest in customer satisfaction with dealer service for mini-cars in Japan, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2007 Japan Mini-Car Customer Service Index (CSI) StudySM released.

Now in its fifth year, the study identifies four factors that contribute to mini-car owner satisfaction with the dealership service department. In order of importance, they are: service representative; service facility; service costs and timing; and service quality.

Among the seven mini-car brands included in the rankings, Nissan ranks highest for a third consecutive year. Honda, Mazda and Mitsubishi tie to follow Nissan in the ranking, while Subaru also performs above the industry average.

The study finds that 36 percent of customers are enrolled in dealer service programs, which can include benefits such as complimentary vehicle service and maintenance. Additionally, customers enrolled in a service program return to the dealership where they purchased their vehicle for service much more often than those customers who are not enrolled in a service program.

“Customers enrolled in a service program tend to be more satisfied and are more likely to use the dealership after the manufacturer warranty period ends, compared with those who are not part of a service program,” said Ryutaro Nakao, senior associate of the automotive industry group at J.D. Power Asia Pacific, Tokyo. “Clearly, service programs have a constant impact and can enhance customer loyalty. However, as the number of customers using dealership services increases, the quality of service may suffer. Thus, increasing efficiency of overall service factory operations and communication between staff members will be critical to dealerships in maintaining service quality.”

The 2007 Japan Mini-Car Customer Service Index Study includes responses from 2,449 consumers who have owned their mini-cars for 13 to 18 months. The survey was conducted in July and August 2007.

Toyota unveiled its second-generation 2008 Sequoia full-size SUV earlier this year — which features a new body, a new interior, a new chassis, and an available new 5.7L V8 engine coupled to a six-speed transmission earlier this year — and today released pricing information.

A new platform provides exterior dimensions that are competitive with other vehicles in the Sequoia’s class. Inside, efficient packaging gives the new Sequoia a roomier cabin and more luggage space.

The large V8 engine provides 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, which is ULEV-II compliant, uses four valves per cylinder and Dual Variable Valve Timing. The exhaust system, constructed of stainless steel, uses a valve in the main muffler to alter exhaust flow, reduce exhaust noise and improve performance.

As a result, the 2008 Sequoia capacity of 10,000 lbs. In addition to the available 5.7L V8 engine, the 4.7L iForce V8 continues to be offered as standard.

An electronically controlled five-speed automatic ECT (Electronically Controlled Transmission) is mated to the standard 4.7L V8, while a new six-speed ECT automatic is part of the powertrain package when the available with the 5.7L V8.

The truck’s new platform features independent suspension at both front and rear, improving ride comfort and handling.

Sequoia is equipped with Toyota’s STAR Safety System, which includes VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), and TRAC (Traction Control) (2WD models) or A-TRAC (Active-Traction Control) (4WD models), ABS (antilock braking) with EBD (electronic brake force distribution) and Brake Assist.

The eight-seater comes standard with front, side, and curtain airbags, including a curtain system that extends from the front seat to the back of the third-row seat.

Standard equipment and options

The 2008 Sequoia is available in three grades – SR5, Limited and Platinum.

The list of standard items on the SR5 and Limited grades, includes the 276 hp 4.7L V8 engine and automatic transmission, engine immobilizer with alarm, direct tire pressure monitoring system, seating for eight passengers, eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, four-way manually adjustable front passenger’s seat, fold-flat feature for second- and third-row seats, auto tri-zone air conditioning, power windows, locks, back window, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD eight-speaker audio system with a mini-plug for iPod compatibility, rear wiper and defogger, tilt/telescope steering wheel, cruise control, spare tire and mud guards.

To that, the Limited grade adds front and rear parking sonar, fog lamps, heated leather-trimmed seats, 10-way-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shift knob, Optitron gauges, multi-information display, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, roof rack, running boards and JBL Synthesis audio system with Bluetooth capability.

The Platinum grade includes all of the above, and also adds the 5.7L V8 engine and six-speed transmission, 20-inch diamond cut-finish alloy wheels, rear load-leveling air suspension, power seat memory package, heated and air-conditioned front seats (driver and first-row passenger), second-row heated seats, rear spoiler, power back door, sunroof, headlamp cleaner, and navigation system with a backup camera.

A wide range of options is available on the SR5 and Limited Grades, including the 5.7L V8 engine and six-speed transmission, four-wheel drive, a towing package, rear-seat entertainment system, heated leather-trimmed seat packages, load-leveling rear air suspension, sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, power back door, and more. Laser cruise control is an option exclusive to the Platinum grade.

Audi’s Q7 is quite a box of tricks.

It has adaptive cruise control or ACC, which is a tad more reliable than the compensation scheme with which it shares its initials, for up hill and down dale, the car’s radar system will keep the new Q7 well away from the vehicle in front.

Then there’s the Audi’s side assist set-up, which monitors the Q7’s rear blind spots.

Two radar sensors in the rear bumper watch the area behind and next to the Q7 and warn the driver of vehicles approaching from behind that may be hidden by its rear quarters.

The new Audi can be set to a range of five height presets and while it does not have the low range systems and lockable diffs of the Cayenne and Touareg, it uses instead a quattro system with full-time four-wheel drive and a 40:60 front:rear torque-split for normal conditions.

It uses an automatically torsen centre diff to send up to 85 per cent to the rear, and up to 65 per cent to the front if there’s a loss of traction.

It’s quite adept at groping about in sand and dirt and perhaps more importantly would appear to be the right kind of system for those who ski and tow a bit.

Should you feel like getting more serious the Q7’s stability control offers a downhill protocol which uses the ABS system to help brake the car’s wheels to keep it stable and all-square in steep, low-friction off-road situations.

When shingle roads are encountered, the quattro set-up can be sensed doling out torque to the axle with best purchase.

If the surface is gravel, and with few holes and obstacles on it, the car handles best in ‘dynamic’ chassis mode and feels almost sporting, with a pleasingly rearward bias to its power delivery as the all-wheel-drive system responds to the chassis’ sensors’ observations.

The Q7’s refreshingly precise reactions to driver input – not just for an SUV – make for great confidence on backroads where it obeys every move of the wheel and feels amazingly communicative for something that weighs two-and-a-half-tonnes-plus with a driver and passenger.

The Q7 can take seven easily, though rearmost passengers might need to hunch a little under the tapered roofline, but all seven places are grown-up.

With the rear seats in use, the wide, high-opening hatch area has 775 litres of loadspace which grows to 2035 litres when they’re folded flat.

The Q7’s load lip can be made more accessible for heavier or more awkward cargoes by lowering the suspension by way of a button in the hatch area.

Audi’s familiar 171kW, 500Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel and 257kW, 440Nm 4.2-litre V8 petrol engines are available in the first Q7s in New Zealand and brand new 206kW, 360Nm 3.6-litre V6 petrol unit will arrive later.

While the V8 is a sonorous and effective option, the V6 turbodiesel makes a great fist of hauling along the Q7’s not inconsiderable bulk and would appear to be the engine of choice, though the 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel is also hugely impressive.

On its own, the Q7 doesn’t look as large as more square-rigged contemporaries, like Range Rovers, Cayennes and Touaregs, but when parked among them you get to see how big it really is.

By being slightly lower slung and possessed of a styling signature that smacks of a heavily-inflated AllRoad rather than a two-box truck, the Q7 is pleasantly lacking in brashness, but it still has a lot of presence.

Though it may be a little late coming to the party, its easy going nature, clever driving aids and genuinely useful format will ensure it sells well in a crowded market segment.

Sears announced this week that its Craftsman brand will not be the title sponsor of NASCAR’s truck series after 2008. This year NASCAR officials found Nationwide to replace Busch as title sponsor of the #2 series. Now NASCAR needs to put its sales hat on one more time and seek out a title sponsor for the Truck series.

Craftsman is the only title sponsor that the Truck series has had since it was founded in 1995. The trucks put on a great show wherever they go and is often the best race of the weekend. I hope NASCAR can locate another great sponsor to drive that great series into the future starting in 2009.