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  • Will it bend? IIHS reveals first round of tests under new roof rating system

    Will it bend? IIHS reveals first round of tests under new roof rating system March 24th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, March 24th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 3 Comments

    Will it bend? IIHS reveals first round of tests under new roof rating system Crash testing brand-new vehicles may rub the Puritan ethic the wrong way, but it's the only sure way to find out just what a car is capable of in terms of protecting its occupants. Today a new round of testing by the IIHS reveals how the first batch of small SUVs holds up under new roof-strength standards.

    Previous tests adhered to the NHTSA's roof-strength standard of 2.5 times the vehicle's weight. Now the IIHS has boosted its standard for selection as a Top Safety Pick to a full four times the vehicle's weight with a maximum crush of 5 inches.

    The new results show only 4 of the 12 small SUVs tested in this round yielded top ratings: the... Crash testing brand-new vehicles may rub the Puritan ethic the wrong way, but it's the only sure way to find out just what a car is capable of in terms of protecting its occupants. Today a new round of testing by the IIHS reveals how the first batch of small SUVs holds up under new roof-strength standards. Previous tests adhered to the NHTSA's roof-strength standard of 2.5 times the vehicle's weight. Now the IIHS has boosted its standard for selection as a Top Safety Pick to a full four times the vehicle's weight with a maximum crush of 5 inches. The new results show only 4 of the 12 small SUVs tested in this round yielded top ratings: the Subaru Forester, Honda Element, Jeep Patriot and Volkswagen Tiguan. Second-tier SUVs included the Chevrolet Equinox, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Suzuki Grand Vitara. Stepping down a notch further, the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape rated 'marginal' on the IIHS' four-level scale, while the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson rated 'poor' - perhaps explaining where the Korean carmakers is saving some of its money. The 'Good', 'Acceptable', 'Marginal' and 'Poor' ratings correspond to the roof supporting at least 4, greater than 3.25, greater than 2.5, and less than 2.5 times the vehicle's weight respectively. It's worth mentioning, however, that the IIHS' new standard isn't official. In fact, the NHTSA has been famously slow in adopting new roof crush standards. Part of the reason is the projected expense to the industry - right now is not the time to throw another burden on the struggling carmakers - but part of the reason is also that even substantial improvements in roof strength will have little actual effect on the number of rollover-related deaths each year. A consumer advocate safety group called Public Citizen is even calling for a complete revamp of the way the tests are done - rather than a static test like that done by the NHTSA and IIHS, they would have a 'dynamic' test - one more closely simulating an actual rollover. The IIHS on the other hand thinks that its decision to jump up from the 2.5 times vehicle weight ratio required by the NHTSA to the new 4 times vehicle weigh factor would reduce casualties by 50%. That's a strong claim, and the new test is one that the IIHS expects to significantly reduce the numper of Top Safety Picks it issues each year. Currently 73 cars bear that honor. Read More

  • Ford builds 100,000th hybrid SUV, reaffirms electric future

    Ford builds 100,000th hybrid SUV, reaffirms electric future March 10th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, March 10th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 0 Comments

    Ford builds 100,000th hybrid SUV, reaffirms electric future When it comes to hybrids, it’s usually Toyota and Honda that get all the good press but American carmakers are just as active in the segment though their efforts mostly go unnoticed. Not this time, however, as Ford wants everyone to know that it has produced its 100,000th hybrid SUV.

    The particular vehicle was a silver 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, which rolled off the production line today at the company’s Kansas City assembly plant. The first-generation model rolled off the line back in 2004 and was later joined by its Mercury Mariner Hybrid sibling, which is built at the same plant. Incidentally, the Ford Escape and Mercury... When it comes to hybrids, it’s usually Toyota and Honda that get all the good press but American carmakers are just as active in the segment though their efforts mostly go unnoticed. Not this time, however, as Ford wants everyone to know that it has produced its 100,000th hybrid SUV. The particular vehicle was a silver 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, which rolled off the production line today at the company’s Kansas City assembly plant. The first-generation model rolled off the line back in 2004 and was later joined by its Mercury Mariner Hybrid sibling, which is built at the same plant. Incidentally, the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner are the world’s most fuel-efficient hybrid SUVs with a fuel economy rating of 34mpg (6.9L/100km) in the city. While some may scoff at Ford’s latest announcement, this is only the beginning of the Blue Oval’s electric revolution. Ford will be doubling production of hybrid vehicles this year with the introduction of the new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, and the company has reaffirmed plans to bring pure battery-electric vehicles, next-generation hybrids and a plug-in hybrid to market by 2012. Ford confirmed it will introduce in North America an all-electric Transit Connect commercial van in 2010, an all-electric passenger car in 2011, and next-generation hybrids as well as anew plug-in hybrid by 2012. Read More

  • Ford boosts safety of Escape SUV for 2010 model year

    Ford boosts safety of Escape SUV for 2010 model year March 6th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, March 6th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    Ford boosts safety of Escape SUV for 2010 model year Beating Toyota and Honda at their own game is no easy thing, but Ford's done it with the Escape, taking top rankings in safety and fuel efficiency against the RAV-4 and CR-V. For 2010, Ford's taking steps to help expand that lead by adding five new safety features to the Escape.

    Keeping teens from running rampant in borrowed family vehicles is handled by Ford's controversial new MyKey technology, which allows parents to set limits on how the car can be driven. Parking becomes a breeze for teens and adults alike with the Active Park Assist, which finds a parking spot, steers into it and parks for you - all you control is the brake and the... Beating Toyota and Honda at their own game is no easy thing, but Ford's done it with the Escape, taking top rankings in safety and fuel efficiency against the RAV-4 and CR-V. For 2010, Ford's taking steps to help expand that lead by adding five new safety features to the Escape. Keeping teens from running rampant in borrowed family vehicles is handled by Ford's controversial new MyKey technology, which allows parents to set limits on how the car can be driven. Parking becomes a breeze for teens and adults alike with the Active Park Assist, which finds a parking spot, steers into it and parks for you - all you control is the brake and the gas pedal. Coupled with Integrated Spotter Mirrors (blind spot mirrors) and an optional Rear View Camera System, visibility around the mid-size SUV will be greatly enhanced, allowing safer driving no matter who's behind the wheel. Add in Ford's SYNC with real-time traffic, directions and information and problems can be spotted in advance and avoided. Those five systems leverage a handful of existing technologies to enhance the already 5-star safety of the Escape, and is an unusual application of new technology to a carryover model - the rest of the vehicle, including trim, interior, exterior and powertrain choices are all unchanged from the 2009 model year. Safety features that carry forward include traction and roll stability control, a system of side curtain airbags for rollover protection, plus Ford's Personal Safety System and tire pressure monitoring.2010 Ford Escape Read More

  • Ford to close 10 plants in January

    Ford to close 10 plants in January December 18th, 2008 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, December 18th, 2008 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    Ford to close 10 plants in January As Chrysler teeters on the brink of total shutdown, and rumors of a merger with General Motors fly about, Ford is adhering closely to its plan to 'rightsize' its operations, chopping production at 10 plants in North America. The closures, which start January 5, will only last a week as part of the plan to cut output by 37.9% in the first quarter.

    Ford's only two remaining North American plants will remain open. The plants are the Dearborn, Michigan facility where the F-150 is built and the Kansas City operation that builds the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner in addition to the F-150, reports Automotive News. The Hermosillo, Mexico and... As Chrysler teeters on the brink of total shutdown, and rumors of a merger with General Motors fly about, Ford is adhering closely to its plan to 'rightsize' its operations, chopping production at 10 plants in North America. The closures, which start January 5, will only last a week as part of the plan to cut output by 37.9% in the first quarter. Ford's only two remaining North American plants will remain open. The plants are the Dearborn, Michigan facility where the F-150 is built and the Kansas City operation that builds the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner in addition to the F-150, reports Automotive News. The Hermosillo, Mexico and Oakville Ontario plants will not reopen the week following the January 5 closures. Those plants build mid-sized sedans and the Ford Flex, Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers, respectively. More shutdowns will have to take place to get to the 37.9% reduction goal, totaling 430,000 cars. GM has already announced its own production cuts, totaling about 250,000 cars, as has Honda, which will eliminate production of 119,000 vehicles. Read More

  • Ford CEO to drive Escape Hybrid to Congressional hearings

    Ford CEO to drive Escape Hybrid to Congressional hearings December 2nd, 2008 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, December 2nd, 2008 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Ford CEO to drive Escape Hybrid to Congressional hearings Last week we reported that executives from the Detroit 3 plan to drive down to Washington for Congressional hearings in some of their most fuel efficient models, rather than taking their expensive corporate jets as they had done for the last round of hearings.

    Ford has now announced that its CEO, Alan Mulally, will be driving to the hearings in an Escape Hybrid - a vehicle that gets 34mpg (6.9L/100km) in the city. The drive will take Mulally roughly nine hours, and a company spokesman has confirmed that the Blue Oval boss will be leaving Detroit today.

    Mulally also told reporters that he would consider taking a $1 salary as a show of... Last week we reported that executives from the Detroit 3 plan to drive down to Washington for Congressional hearings in some of their most fuel efficient models, rather than taking their expensive corporate jets as they had done for the last round of hearings. Ford has now announced that its CEO, Alan Mulally, will be driving to the hearings in an Escape Hybrid - a vehicle that gets 34mpg (6.9L/100km) in the city. The drive will take Mulally roughly nine hours, and a company spokesman has confirmed that the Blue Oval boss will be leaving Detroit today. Mulally also told reporters that he would consider taking a $1 salary as a show of support for lowering executive remuneration. A similar sentiment was made by Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli last week, and both companies are hoping that symbolic gestures such as eschewing corporate jets and high salaries will help put the government and public on their side, reports Automotive News. Ford acknowledged the public relations disaster that had ensued when the nation heard about auto executives traveling to Washington in private jets to seek government loans. A spokesman said that since Ford is an auto company, the obvious alternative was to drive to Detroit. It is uncertain whether Mulally's Ford Escape Hybrid will be a part of a larger convoy of fuel-efficient vehicles from the Detroit 3. If the original plans are going ahead then it seems likely that Ford's Mulally will be joined by a number of other auto industry executives in the drive down to Washington, with GM, Chrysler, Dura Automotive and even the UAW all expected to be undertaking similar transportation. Read More

  • Ford: Escape beats Toyota and Honda in safety, efficiency

    Ford: Escape beats Toyota and Honda in safety, efficiency August 19th, 2008 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, August 19th, 2008 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    Ford: Escape beats Toyota and Honda in safety, efficiency A constant climb up the quality rankings, even as other U.S. carmakers fall behind, and a renewed focus on efficiency in the face of high fuel costs has put Ford in the position to call out Toyota and Honda on efficiency and safety grounds - no mean feat, considering the Japanese carmakers' reputations. Nevertheless, the Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner have earned 5-star crash ratings and yield superior efficiency to the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV-4, according to the Blue Oval.

    The hybrid variants of the Escape and Mariner also scored five stars in crash testing, though their fuel efficiency can't be fairly compared to the... A constant climb up the quality rankings, even as other U.S. carmakers fall behind, and a renewed focus on efficiency in the face of high fuel costs has put Ford in the position to call out Toyota and Honda on efficiency and safety grounds - no mean feat, considering the Japanese carmakers' reputations. Nevertheless, the Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner have earned 5-star crash ratings and yield superior efficiency to the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV-4, according to the Blue Oval. The hybrid variants of the Escape and Mariner also scored five stars in crash testing, though their fuel efficiency can't be fairly compared to the standard-powertrain CR-V or RAV-4 models. Ford's own standard-powertrain models yield 171hp (128kW) and 20mpg city/28mpg highway from their 2.5L four-cylinder powerplants when equipped with the new six-speed automatic available in 2009 models. That puts the Ford and Mercury SUVs ahead of the Honda CR-V by only 1mpg on the highway and in a dead heat in the city. Toyota's RAV-4 matches the CR-V's highway performance at 27mpg but edges out the Escape and Mariner at 21mpg in the city. Both the Honda and Toyota models are 2008 models, however, as the 2009 data for those vehicles has not been officially released. Safety features that give the Escape and Mariner top marks include a 'Safety Canopy' airbag system that protects at the curtain-level, and is designed with an eye toward rollovers, Ford's AdvanceTrac stability system with roll control, and the 'Personal Safety System' - a suite of seven technologies, including airbags, passenger sensing system and other features that decrease the likelihood of serious injury for the occupants in the event of a crash. A tire pressure monitoring system helps prevent under-inflated tires from causing an accident and the LATCH system ensures children that must ride in safety seats are safely and securely anchored to the vehicle. Read More

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