Ford Begins Taking Orders for New C-MAX Hybrid

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Ford dealers are now able to take orders for the all-new Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which Ford says is “America’s most affordable and fuel-efficient hybrid utility vehicle.” The C-MAX Hybrid features innovative technologies, like a hands-free liftgate, seating for up to 5 passengers and plenty of cargo space.

The C-MAX is a compact hybrid utility vehicle and will be Ford’s first dedicated line of hybrids. The 2013 C-MAX Hybrid will be deliver in the fall of this year and will start with a base price of just $25,995 – which is about $500 lower than the comparable Toyota Prius v.

Later this year Ford will follow the car up with the C-MAZ Energi plug-in hybrid. Ford tells us this plug-in will deliver better electric-mode fuel economy and overall driving range than the Prius plug-in hybrid.

“C-MAX Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v – and C-MAX Hybrid customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump,” said Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford is delivering the power of choice for leading fuel economy across its lineup – from EcoBoost to electrified vehicles – because customers increasingly want to save money at the pump, even as gas prices rise over time.”

With numerous unique technologies, expect the C-MAX to come equipped with SYNC with MyFord Touch, SmartGauge with EcoGuide, regenerative braking and an advanced lithium-ion battery pack.

2013 Ford Fusion Wins Gene Ritvo Award

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The new 2013 Ford Fusion, which will be released in the fall, received the honor of winning the 2012 Gene Ritvo Award. This is only the second year the award has been given out, named after Gene Ritvo who passed away in 2009. Keith Griffin, NEMPA president, stated “Gene would have been pleased to see a car like the Ford Fusion win this award” and based on the unusually keen eye of Gene Ritvo this is an extraordinary compliment. 2012 Ford Fusion

The New England Motor Press Association partnered with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Larz Anderson Auto Museum to judge this award based on the “best in design in the automotive world.” When judging this award it does not matter if it is a concept car, production vehicle, marketing campaign or just a particular element of a vehicle as long as its design defines elegance.

If the 2013 Ford Fusion’s ability to allow drivers about 37 miles per gallon on the highway was not enough their design will be. Their design is based off of its sleek profile, perceived efficiency, uncluttered surface, technical graphics such as LED taillamps and polished exhaust tips, and its new face. This new face will signal the next step in global design for Ford’s midsize and smaller cars.

Congratulations to Chris Hamilton and the rest of the team behind the 2013 Ford Fusion on this amazing accomplishment!

Ford Drops Hints About the Upcoming 2014 Redesign of the Mustang

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2015 Mustang FrontWith the 50th anniversary of the Mustang arriving in 2015, Ford has big plans for the popular muscle car. The 2015 Mustang is expected to be a more “world car” which means Ford has plans to export the Mustang all around the world. On a deeper level, this means that Ford has to design the Mustang to suit the varying stylistic changes around the world.

Most other markets around the world, prefer sports cars with a little less metal and a more fluid body style, not the aggressive bodylines that the Mustang features today. The previous Evos concept was a hint at what Ford could be planning to do with the Mustang, but Ford has promised that certain Mustang specific design cues like the long hood/short deck proportions will remain prominent on the new model.

After years of producing Mustangs with a straight axle rear end, the Mustang will move on to an indepenedent rear suspension. This is the way most European cars are built and the way most of the world prefers their vehicles, and its not a bad change in the least. 2015 Mustang Rear

Less changes are planned for the Mustangs power plant as Ford is expected to keep the Mustangs current engine selection, at least for now. Some believe that Ford would be wise to offer the base Mustang with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This would essentially bring the car’s fuel efficiency up, while keeping horsepower relatively the same as the current V6.

Most experts expect to see some version of the 2015 Ford Mustang at the 2014 New York Auto Show at the latest.

Ford Wins Multiple Edmunds Best Retained Value Awards

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Ford MustangEach year Edmunds puts out its list of vehicles in every category that is expected to retain the best value. These awards are important because they show buyers which vehicles are expected to be worth more in the long run. This is a crucial piece of information for people who are looking to lease a vehicle.

This year Ford was able to claim five different awards in different categories. The Ford F-150 was the winner in the Large Light Duty Truck category. Edmunds praised the F-150 for “offering so many models and useful features.” Its larger, more powerful sibling the F-350 claimed the prize in the Large Heavy Duty Truck, which was given based on the “ideal mix of power, brawn and refinement.”

On a much smaller note, the Ford Mustang claimed the other three awards for Ford. The Mustang V6 earned a best value award in the Coupe $25K-$35K category while the range topping Shelby GT500 won in both the Coupe and Convertible over $45,000 category.

The Mustang and the F-150 have easily been some of the most popular models in the Ford line up for many, many years. The F-150 has consistently been the best selling truck in America and the Mustang is one of the original muscle cars. While they haven’t always been winning awards, these models are the backbone of the Ford brand and we are very pleased to see them win these awards.

Ford Expands Line up of 2013 Fusion Models

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2013 Ford FusionThe Fusion has been one of the best selling Ford models, and one of the best selling sedans in the country, over the last few years. Thanks to its sporty handling, broad engine choices and roomy interior the Fusion has won over the hearts of millions of Americans. Continuing to ride the wave of success that the Fusion has already seen, Ford is expanding the Fusion line up to give buyers more engine choices and improved fuel economy.

When the entire line of the 2013 Ford Fusion is released in the fall, buyers will have the choice of two highly efficient EcoBoost engines, a naturally aspirate 4-cylinder, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid. Counting them up, that 5 different engine choices for buyers, meaning the Fusion suits just about every drivers needs. Ford also announced the Fusion will have auto start-stop technology as an option on the 2013 model, pricing looks to be under $300 for this option.

For buyers who are looking to increase fuel economy, but are for one reason or another, against buying a hybrid, the Fusion equipped with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine should net drivers about 37 miles per gallon on the highway. Ford estimates that this model, when equipped with auto start-stop technology, should save drivers about $1,100 more than other midsize sedan owners during five years of operation. Buyers interested in the 2013 Fusion Hybrid will be excited to know they can expect around 47 mpg (a 4 mpg improvement over the Toyota Camry Hybrid). And finally for the ultimate fuel conserver, the 2013 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid should earn an equivalent of around 100 mpg, making it the world’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan.

Ford Now Offering Nine 40+ MPG Cars

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2012 Ford Focus SFE with over 40 MPGThe race to fuel efficiency supremacy is official on. One of the biggest areas of pride for many manufacturers is the overall fuel efficiency of their vehicle line up. This was, in many ways, the one, singular issue that brought down the gas guzzling giant Hummer, just a few short years ago.

Today there is a small, but growing, club of 40+ MPG cars. Every vehicle who meets this simple requirement is in, no matter how it is done. Hybrids. Electric cars. Diesel engines. Every vehicle type is included. After years of research and product development, including the EcoBoost engine, and the Focus Electric, Ford now offers 9 vehicles that get over 40 miles per gallon.

After the recession and the giant pullback in the automotive industry, Ford, along with many manufacturers, knew they needed to refocus their efforts on developing more fuel efficient models. Ford was one company that really took their new focus to heart, upgrading and changing numerous models every year to make them more aerodynamic and adding smaller turbocharged engines which provide power without sacrificing fuel economy.

Now to the important part. Which models get over 40 miles per gallon. Of course your smaller, compact and subcompact models like the Focus SE with SFE and Fiesta SE with SFE are in the mix, but even the large sedan, the Fusion Hybrid comes into play for Ford. Then you have a few of the new electric models that have yet to hit the market, including the 2013 Fusion Energi and the 2012 Focus Electric, being all electric these models deliver incredible eMPG. With the planned addition of the EcoBoost engine into a few newer models, and adding different levels of the engine to existing models, Ford will have 9 vehicles that get over 40 MPG by later this year or early next year. There aren’t many manufacturers that can say that.

Ford F-150 Best-Value Full-Size Pickup

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2011 Ford F-150The Ford F-150 has been the best selling truck in America for 35 years and counting, yet some people still wonder why it’s getting all the truck love. According to not one, but two recently published industry studies the F-150 pickup offers the best value of any full-size truck.

The F-150 won its segment in both the Strategic Vision Total Value Index and the Vincentric Best Value in America Awards, and it was one of 6 vehicles that managed to earn a place on both lists. And not surprisingly, the F-150’s Super Duty lineup led all HD competitors in Strategic Vision’s Heavy-Duty Pickup category.

Ford says they believe one of the key features that makes the F-150 so popular is the extensive lineup of models that are able to match each and every need of the varying consumer base. The F-150 is available in a variety of different cab sizes, bed lengths and engine choices, as well as being offered in both two- and four-wheel drive powertrains. Topping all that off, the F-150 is available with Ford’s new EcoBoost engine which puts out more torque and horsepower than other models, which gives it higher towing and payload capacity than its competitors – all while delivering drivers 22 mpg on the highway.

Ford Unveils New 2013 F-Series Super Duty Platinum Model

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2013 Ford Super Duty Platinum ExteriorA few days ago, we showed you the teaser that Ford put out for the new F-Series pickup truck. The photo came shrouded in mystery, and many people we expecting that Ford was going to show off a new incredibly fuel efficient model, but Ford did almost a complete 180 from that guess.

Late last week, Ford showed us what was hiding under the covers…a new F-Series Super Duty Platinum model. The Platinum trim model will be the top of the range trim and will now be available on the F-250 and F-350.

The Platinum features its own satin-chrome grille, with mesh inserts and an upsized Ford logo, shiny letters spelling out “Platinum” tacked onto the bed sides, a satin-chrome appliqué on the tailgate, and a chrome exhaust tip. Twenty-inch polished aluminum wheels with black inserts are standard on the new model. The 2013 Platinum will be available in Ruby Red, Kodiak Brown, Tuxedo Black, Ingot Silver, and White Platinum.

Interior features of the Platinum include 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, supple leather seating surfaces, heated, leather trimmed steering wheel with real-wood accents and the instrument panel, door trim, and center stack get finished off with Ford’s finest faux-grain finish. Interior color choices include Pecan and Midnight Black.

The new Platinum model takes the existing Super Duty King Ranch and steps it up just a bit for those who felt the King Ranch simply wasn’t enough. The new model is as beautiful as it is dependable. Inside the car says luxury and class, but it is still a pickup truck and you need it to pull its own weight. Make no mistake about it this top-of-the-line Super Duty will fill every need you have.

You can learn more about the Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks and when the Platinum trim will be available at www.paulobaughford.com.