Ford Truck Buyers Warming Up to Smaller, More Efficient Engines

STONEHAM, Mass. -- Truck buyers have a reputation for avoiding anything less than a traditional V8 engine, but Ford is challenging that old notion, as sales of fuel- efficient V6 F-150s at Ford dealers continue to grow. In April, Ford’s V6 engines accounted for 50 percent of all F-150 sales, up 10 percent from March, as buyers put a continued priority on fuel economy.

Contributing 75 percent of Ford F-150 V6 sales in April, Ford’s recently introduced twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine has given the big is more crowd a reason to think small. The EcoBoost captured roughly 35 percent of total April F-150 sales, thanks to its ability to get 22 mpg on the highway, kick out 365 horsepower and tow 11,300 pounds. Ford’s new naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 brought in the remaining 25 percent of V6 F-150 sales last month.

“Past V6 models in the F-Series struggled to find buyers, because truck owners demand power from their engines,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealership Stoneham Ford. “Fuel economy isn’t on the map for these buyers unless the truck has the capabilities they need. The new V6 engines deliver where it counts, and with gas prices squeezing margins for small-business owners, Ford’s V6 options are very attractive.”

A comparison with Ford’s entry-level V6 engine from last decade shows how far the automaker has come. In 2005, the 4.2-liter V6 on the F-150 produced a scant 202 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, getting 19 mpg on the highway. The new base 3.7-liter V6 beats the older engine by 100 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque, while offering an improved 23 mpg on the highway.

Innovative thinking has propelled the V6 engine back into the limelight, but Ford engineers have expanded their economy-minded thinking to create two new V8 options for Ford F-150 buyers who need more power. A new five-liter V8 engine has a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, even while returning 21 mpg on the highway in 4x2 operation. Owners of the new 6.2-liter V8 in the F-150 will be treated to a best-in-class 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, and net 18 mpg on the highway.

Ford put serious energy into the new Ford Super Duty trucks as well, designing a new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel for its Super Duty F-Series models that provides best-in-class power and torque and more miles per gallon than the outgoing model. The new Power Stroke twists out 800 pound-feet of torque and 400 horsepower to tackle the toughest jobs. Ford’s other Super Duty option is a new 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine that produces 385 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. According to Ford, owners can expect an 18 percent fuel economy improvement in pickup models and as much as 25 percent in chassis cabs compared with the old models.

“Ford has made sure that these Super Duty engines do everything that buyers expect,” Melkonian said. “These trucks work just as hard as the Super Duty models we had last year, they just need less fuel to get the job done, which is a real bonus right now.”

Ford Has the Edge on Safety

STONEHAM, Mass. -- When it comes to crash protection, Ford has an Edge in its lineup. The 2011 Ford Edge midsize crossover earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), thanks to a new roof design that met the challenge of stricter IIHS testing.

The Top Safety Pick designation applies to Edge models built after February 2011. The Edge is the sixth Ford to be named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 2011 Explorer, Taurus, Fusion and Flex all previously received IIHS safety honors, as did 2011 Fiesta models built after July 2010.

The 2010 Edge missed out on a Top Safety Pick last year after receiving an “Acceptable” score in IIHS roof-strength tests. The old design could support 3.5 times its overall vehicle weight, which was shy of the highest possible “good” rating that requires the roof to withstand four times the vehicle’s weight. After coming up short in the test, Ford immediately improved the design and created a roof that withstands 4.7 times the vehicle’s weight, surpassing IIHS standards.

“Safety is a top priority for Ford, and the new Top Safety Pick for the Edge shows how hard the company works to meet the highest safety standards,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealer Stoneham Ford. “Some automakers would have said ‘Good enough’ and put off a redesign, but Ford put in the hours to make the Edge better in 2011. I think a lot of car buyers can appreciate that level of dedication to safety.”

With 18 percent of U.S. medium crossover sales in the first quarter of 2011, the Ford Edge was the sales leader in its segment during this period. New customers have been drawn to Ford dealers by the Edge’s roster of safety options, including adaptive cruise control, a collision-warning system that precharges the brakes for quicker stops in emergencies, blind-spot sensors and tire-pressure monitors. The Ford crossover also features the innovative MyKey system, which lets parents enable specialized settings for teen drivers that reduce distractions and limit speed.

Ford engineers did remember to pack some fun in with all the safety features. Edge SE, SEL and Limited models are powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Plus, the fuel-friendly Edge SE returns impressive fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the SEL and Limited trim models lead their segment at 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. For power junkies, the 2011 Edge Sport delivers 305 horsepower from a 3.7 liter V6 that twists out 280 pound-feet of torque even as it still gets 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

“The Ford Edge is a model that offers the latest in design, fuel-efficiency, performance and technology,” Melkonian added. “Its sleek styling appeals to young buyers, but it’s also a superior family car that is prepared for the worst weather New England can deliver. As Ford continues to push innovation in the Edge, I fully expect it to maintain its place as a leading U.S. crossover.

Will the Ford F-150 Be Back in Black?

STONEHAM, Mass --When Henry Ford introduced the Model T, he said that drivers could have it in “any color, so long as it’s black.” In a surprising twist, the opposite is now true for customers who want a 2011 Ford F-150 with a black exterior.

Ford Motor Company has instructed its dealers to stop taking new orders for vehicles in its Tuxedo Black color due to the limited availability of a paint pigment exported from Japan. Shipments of the pigment have been stalled in the wake of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that shook the northern part of Japan on March 15.

While buyers in search of Japanese cars expected some delays, the shortage of American-made black F-150s is a bit more surprising. Customers searching for a black F-150 without the wait can find them at Stoneham Ford, thanks to the Massachusetts Ford dealer’s extensive selection of F-150 pickup trucks.

With multiple Tuxedo Black 2011 Ford F-150s currently available, Stoneham Ford is offering potential buyers an extended chance to get the best-in-class vehicle in Henry Ford’s favorite color before production becomes limited to other colors. Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan and Louisville, Kentucky plants halted production of the black F-150 the week of April 4, while the automaker’s Kansas City plant will continue limited production of Tuxedo Black models.

“Black trucks look cool, even when they’re dirty, so it’s no surprise that black is a popular color for the Ford F-150,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Stoneham Ford. “The F-150’s fuel efficiency has also been a strong draw. The idea that such a bold vehicle can be gentle at the pump was a foreign one only a few years ago, but the F-150 has made it a reality on the road just in time for skyrocketing gas prices.”

Ford’s short supply of black F-150s dipped in March, the same month that the EPA rated the truck the most fuel efficient in its segment. With a combined city and highway fuel economy of 19 mpg, the all-new 3.7-liter V6 F-150 model beat all other non-hybrid, full-size pickups that the EPA tested. The Ford F-150 achieves superior fuel efficiency without any compromise in power, offering up to 6,100 pounds of conventional towing and 302 horsepower, numbers that both lead in their segment.

The 2011 Ford F-150 offers additional engine options for those who want more efficiency or power, including a 3.5-liter EcoBoost and a new 5.0-liter V8. Providing 22 mpg highway and 16 mpg city, EcoBoost-powered F-150s offer fuel economy that cannot be matched by trucks with similar horsepower. The 5.0-liter V8 offers the best performance in its segment in highway fuel economy, maximum conventional towing, horsepower and torque.

As the F-150’s companions in the top-selling Ford F-Series, Ford Super Duty trucks will also be affected by the black-paint shortage. Stoneham Ford will also be able to meet demand for these Super Duty trucks in the near future, as they currently have a number of models at their Greater Boston Ford dealership in the suddenly hard-to-find Tuxedo Black exterior.

“Right here, right now, we have Tuxedo Black,” Melkonian said. “Word is getting out about the shortage, so these may not last for long. We’ll do everything we can to keep these trucks in stock, but for someone who really wants one, the best advice is to come in soon.”

Ford Out-Economizes the Competition

STONEHAM, Mass -- The cost of fuel is on the rise again, and drivers around the world are more interested than ever in models that will not only provide the performance they need but also help them save some money at the pumps. With efficiency eclipsing all other features as prospective buyers watch gas prices head for $4 a gallon, Ford has taken their customers’ needs to heart and released a lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs that greatly improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance.

“If this is anything like 2008, we’re about to see a major shift in what consumers look for when they’re shopping for new cars,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Greater Boston Ford dealer Stoneham Ford. “The last time gas went over $4, fuel economy became the top priority among our customers. Then, as now, Ford is ready to meet that demand with some of the most efficient vehicles on the market.”

Not surprisingly, the 2011 Ford Fiesta is at the head of the fuel economy class for gas-powered cars, checking in at 40 mpg on the highway. What may surprise is the new 2012 Ford Focus SFE, short for “super fuel economy,” which was recently certified at 40 mpg on the highway, bringing a new standard of fuel economy to the compact class.

Mid-size sedan owners can opt for the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which offers 41 mpg in the city thanks to an electric engine powered in part by regenerative braking. Even the workhorse 2011 F-150 offers best-in-class fuel economy, with its 3.7 liter V6 providing 302 horsepower along with 23 mpg on the highway.

A variety of innovations contribute to these impressive numbers, including streamlined designs that improve aerodynamics. Also helping to propel the Fiesta, F-150 and other Ford models to the top in terms of fuel economy is the six-speed automatic dry-clutch Powershift transmission, which, with its high-efficiency design, contributes a 9% boost in efficiency. The new EcoBoost engine, available on some models, and Ford’s electric-power assisted steering do their part as well, not only launching fuel economy to new heights but also proving that Ford is committed and thorough in its effort to make its lineup one of the most fuel-efficient in the United States.

Ford’s successes in that area go beyond the models breaking the 40-mpg barrier. The lineup currently available at Ford dealerships boasts 12 vehicles that lead their respective segments in fuel efficiency. The Ford Mustang V6 is the first car ever to offer an engine that tops 300 horsepower and 30 miles per gallon, proving that Ford’s commitment to improving fuel efficiency across its fleet runs deeper than simply tossing out an economical subcompact to lure buyers.

“Car buyers should take a look at what’s in their driveways right now and ask themselves if they’re getting the best possible fuel economy,” Melkonian said. “The idea that an SUV, pickup truck or performance car needs to be a gas guzzler is outdated. Trade-in values for those old, thirsty models are likely to plummet if gas prices break the four-dollar mark in New England. This is the time to see the improvements that Ford has made, and to take ownership of a vehicle that will save money for years to come.”

New Ford Focus Will Tell You If You’re a Lousy Driver

STONEHAM, Mass -- Fair or not, Massachusetts drivers have a certain irreversible reputation for their driving. However, a new technology in the Ford Focus could help alter the driving behaviors of many Massachusetts Ford owners. Ford EcoMode, a software application in the 2012 Ford Focus, will analyze drivers’ performance and suggest changes that will help them improve fuel economy, save money and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

Anyone that has braved Boston commutes on the Mass Pike, Route 93 or I-95 has seen drivers furiously accelerating, only to brake suddenly as traffic comes to a halt. Ford EcoMode recognizes the toll this behavior takes on fuel economy and suggests a better way forward, such as smoothly accelerating and decelerating, anticipating slow-moving traffic and maintaining a proper distance and consistent speed.

“Common-sense driving rules get tossed out the window as soon as most Massachusetts commuters leave their driveways. The reminders from EcoMode offer an antidote for that,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Greater Boston Ford dealership Stoneham Ford. “Buyers shouldn’t just think of it as an electronic nanny, though. EcoMode analyzes less-obvious factors that affect fuel consumption, like proper gear use and the ideal highway cruising speed.”

Located on the driver information menu in the new Focus instrument cluster, EcoMode allows drivers to compare a personal performance score against ideal driving patterns, with scores ranging from two leaves (lowest) to five leaves (highest). While determining scores, EcoMode suggests driving tips along the way, such as “smooth driving saves fuel,” during erratic accelerating, decelerating or braking, or “early shifting saves fuel,” when the driver is not shifting in line with their acceleration.

Ford has found that eco-driving skills encouraged by the EcoMode software can improve fuel economy by an average of 24%. Additionally, the Auto Alliance’s national EcoDriving initiative determined that a 15% improvement in fuel economy by every American driver could reduce fuel consumption by more than 22 billion gallons of gas a year.

Ford EcoMode is one of several new additions to the 2012 Ford Focus, which will be powered by a 2.0-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine that gets up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Ford SYNC with MyFord Touch will replace dashboard buttons with touch-sensitive display screens and five-way buttons. Ford will also offer an available active park assist system that automates parallel parking.

Ford has yet to confirm a release date for the reimagined Focus, but most industry watchers expect to see it at Ford dealerships before the end of the summer.

“Everyone in Massachusetts thinks they’re a great driver, and everyone else on the road is the problem,” Melkonian added. “Ford Focus owners who really want to know what kind of driver they are will be brave enough to fire up EcoMode and see what the car has to say. For a lot of them, it will be a very eye-opening experience.”