Ford Diesel Forum / Powerstroke Forum Ford Diesel Forum / Powerstroke Forum
Register Home Forum Active Topics Gallery Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

       
» Log in
User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!

» Wheel & Tire Center

Sponsors

Sponsors

» July 2009
S M T W T F S
282930 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 1
» Today's Birthdays
cattech97
sclevela (34)
bucke96 (28)
Ford Leads Charge As Auto Sales Show Signs of a Rebound
Jul 01, 2009 - 4:08 PM - by Administrator

Auto sales in the U.S. show early signs of a rebound as Ford Motor Company posted a sales percentage loss for the month of June of just 10.7 percent. This is the automaker's smallest sales decline in 16 months, prompting an unusual amount of optimism in the auto industry.

Many automakers still suffered significant decline, however, with Toyota posting a 31.9 percent loss. Surprisingly, General Motors fared only slightly worse, despite the company's bankruptcy filing, with a 33.4 percent loss. Recently emerged from bankruptcy, Chrysler sales dropped 41.9 percent for the month. Honda also had less than positive numbers with a 29.5 percent loss, but in context that isn't so bad as Honda was also the only one of the top six automakers to post a gain during the same period a year ago.

Nissan lost just 23.1 percent, it's smallest decrease since last August.

In total, June sales losses average out to 28.4 percent, dipping below the 30 percent mark for the first time in months.

The rebound is prompting some automakers to raise their forecast of annual U.S. auto sales to the 10 million mark - something which seemed impossible just a few months ago.

Other automakers reporting less than terrible numbers include BMW and Subaru. The German luxury automaker dropped just 20.3 percent, its smallest loss since January and Subaru actually posted an increase of 3.4 percent.

More: Ford Leads Charge As Auto Sales Show Signs of a Rebound on AutoGuide.com
0 Replies | 42 Views
Future Bright for Ford as Automaker Increases Production in Response to Demand
Jul 01, 2009 - 3:16 PM - by Administrator

While the North American auto industry might not have reached a turnaround yet, the future is looking brighter for one U.S. automaker - Ford. The Ford Motor Company has announced that it is expecting that sales for the month of June (due in today) will be anywhere from 10 to 20 percent lower than the same month a year ago.

That might not sound like great news, but when the industry average is still in the negative 30 percent range, Ford certainly seems to be bucking a trend.

"The underlying economic indicators, meaning fewer jobless claims, another month of somewhat higher levels of consumer confidence, suggest to us that the worst is behind us in terms of not only the economy … but also that we may have seen the low point of auto sales," said George Pipas a sales analyst for Ford.

This news also means that Ford is continuing to gain market share in the U.S. In May the automaker posted a total share of the U.S. market at 17.4 percent, up from 15.5 percent a year earlier.

In response to a mild turnaround and increased demand in Ford product, the company will increase production during the third quarter by 25,000 vehicles to 485,000 vehicles. This amounts to a 16 percent increase over the same period a year ago.

Ford is seeking to stabilize its inventory supply at 60 days, up from the current 58 day period. The current industry average is 67 days.

While Ford posted a record loss of $14.7 billion in 2008, company executives are still forecasting a return to profitability by 2011 - and this latest news seems to confirm it is on the right track.

More: Future Bright for Ford as Automaker Increases Production in Response to Demand on AutoGuide.com
0 Replies | 30 Views
Ford's Twin-Fuel 'Bobcat' Engine Could Replace Power Stroke Diesels
Jun 10, 2009 - 1:13 PM - by Administrator

At a recent engineering conference Ford representatives gave a presentation on secret new engine the company is developing. Code named "Bobcat" the new twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 engine is seen more as an alternative truck engine, although as it is similar to Ford's EcoBoost engine, passenger car applications are possible.

The Bobcat engine is a twin-fuel engine, using both conventional gasoline and E85 ethanol. Both fuel systems even have their own tanks and fuel injectors. Here's how it works:

Turbochargers work to compress the air, while conventional port-injection of gasoline is used to get fuel into the cylinders. Then ethanol is sent into the combustion chambers through direct-injection, eliminating knock by cooling the air/fuel mixture. Ethanol is only added under high-load conditions, otherwise the engine operates like a conventional gasoline engine. By injecting ethanol, it also raises the fuel octane rating from 87-91 to 150 - allowing for extremely high compression. As a result, an engine the size of the 5.0-liter one can make 500hp and 750 ft-lbs of torque, while getting 25 to 30 percent better fuel-economy than a conventional gasoline engine.

Ford developed the technology alongside Ethanol Boosting Systems of Cambridge, Mass., which calls its trademarked process DI Octane Boost. The Bobcat engine would be comparable to Ford's 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel, which makes 350hp and 650 ft-lbs of torque, but would cost one third the price to make as no exhaust treatment systems would be necessary.

The system is also 5 to 10 percent more fuel-efficient than Ford’s new EcoBoost engine.

The down-side is that as there are two fuel-tanks, both would need to be filled up separately. No worry says Ford, the 5.0-liter Bobcat V8 would get 528 miles on a 26-gallon tank, while a 10-gallon tank of E85 would last anywhere from 100 miles to 20,000 miles depending on how much heavy-load conditions the truck is driven under. And if no E85 is available, the engine can still run on just gasoline, albeit at reduced power.

The Bobcat engine may just be Ford's answer to recent increase in the fleet fuel-economy rating for light trucks and SUVs, which will go from the current 23.1 mpg to 30 mpg by... [Read More]
12 Replies | 1,421 Views
Geneva Auto Show 2009
Mar 04, 2009 - 11:53 AM - by Administrator

The Geneva Auto Show prides itself on having the world's most important and prestigious premieres and 2009 is shaping up to be no different. Several manufacturers have already given plenty of hints at their Geneva world premieres with full specifications and photos released prior to the show.

To date, Geneva will play host to the 2010 Porsche GT3, the baby Rolls-Royce, a FlexFuel Bentley Supercar, the Audi TT RS and many other vehicles. We'll be sure to bring you info on the latest developments, including expected supercars from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Koenigsegg, as well as info on concept cars, like the Hyundai ix3, which will shape the next Tucson.

Follow the latest new car premieres from the Geneva Auto Show 2009 on AutoGuide.com.
0 Replies | 2,903 Views
TopGear.com is changing...
Oct 07, 2008 - 9:53 AM - by Administrator


Old TopGear.com is dead. Long live the new TopGear.com. Sort of.

This morning (Tuesday 7th October) Top Gear has switched on the first parts of their all new website. The new site features nearly 300 new car videos in a new player that allows you to share or embed them on your own site; a whole raft of new blogs with regular contributions from Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. There is also a superlative index of every car on sale in the UK with some extremely cute tools that will actively help you choose your next car, or, if you're just having fun, will tell you whether you're better suited to a Ferrari or a Lamborghini.

'The Cupholder' is pure trivia, car videos, links and general car info from all over the world wide web.

'Sunday Afternoon Club' remains their F1 blog and they have big plans for that when the BBC takes over the F1 coverage next year.

Apparently, there's much more to come ... Go to Cars, driving, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond - BBC Top Gear to find out more.
1 Reply | 2,837 Views
» Recent Threads
  RatingTitle, Username, & Date Last Post Replies Views
Parts
dhurley
Today 04:57 PM
Today 04:57 PM
by dhurley
0 1
Finished the oil/egr...
3gees
06-22-2009 09:40 AM
Today 04:54 PM
by boulder
4 322
1996 F350 dies - Help
windsqueezer
Today 11:00 AM
Today 04:49 PM
by ArrowHeadJim
4 30
rough idle now won't...
dhurley
Today 03:07 PM
Today 04:48 PM
by dhurley
2 13
7.3 vs. 6.0
bigfred
Yesterday 10:28 AM
Today 04:46 PM
by my03psd
4 74
For you Global Warming...
Pappy19
Yesterday 06:51 PM
Today 04:46 PM
by kude
8 86
2001 F250 6.0
jackcu
Today 04:34 PM
Today 04:42 PM
by bismic
2 10
Front brakes squeeling
Scotts97cc
Yesterday 10:27 PM
Today 04:40 PM
by blageurt
6 58
Purchase health...
DirtFarmer
Yesterday 08:35 PM
Today 04:37 PM
by AK_Gandy
3 63
misfire, check engine...
Greenvans
06-29-2009 04:27 PM
Today 04:34 PM
by blageurt
7 72
What are the best...
lostbuckaroo
07-01-2009 04:50 PM
Today 04:25 PM
by moose0211
6 198
DESPERATE!!! turns over...
rob-08
06-24-2009 10:41 PM
Today 04:23 PM
by JMCX
44 581
Air Filter Box...
anash13
Today 07:38 AM
Today 04:22 PM
by blageurt
2 26
clutch rattle
96crew
Today 01:44 PM
Today 04:12 PM
by 96crew
2 19
Banks Six Gun
joec
01-27-2009 11:38 AM
Today 04:11 PM
by moose0211
496 37,405
Engine died while...
tractor hunter
06-29-2009 12:28 PM
Today 03:56 PM
by bismic
4 99
What's It Worth?
asauer
06-25-2009 08:15 PM
Today 03:52 PM
by asauer
12 233
Inside door handle broke
BuckshotRam
Today 03:32 PM
Today 03:45 PM
by ccolby
1 9
89 F250 7.3 Auto is it...
geno87
Today 02:18 PM
Today 03:44 PM
by BuilderBob
1 15
Fuel Pump Module - where...
frankthecat
Today 01:00 PM
Today 03:40 PM
by klhansen
1 23
6 speed manual
ckjneil
07-01-2009 09:58 AM
Today 03:37 PM
by Garbage_Mechanic
8 114
Bg Trans Filter Of...
timbo2
Yesterday 03:57 PM
Today 03:36 PM
by my03psd
7 84
Oil leak, Valve cover...
Todes
07-01-2009 11:37 AM
Today 03:32 PM
by klhansen
4 54
» Online Users: 650
110 members and 540 guests
01F250CCLB4X4, 350camaro, 444-4D, 61uni, 94_turbo, 96crew, 99SD250, abqrb2000, aklim, Alaskapsdvan, Angrywasp, archemi, ArchitectandBuilder, ArrowHeadJim, asauer, Badazzharley, bdpayne, bentmettle, Big Timber, bilbo, bismic, blageurt, BMWatkins, boatn, BobG, boulder, Buggy1, bugman, camsales, cat00, checkthisout, chuckster57, cmstewart, coplin, crashmk92, Crittenden, danpate79, dhurley, dieselmac, DIESELSITE, djinsd, Domenic, doug1st99, drcampbell, DSTRBD, edoubleupvlx, eric2317, fireguywtc, FJK1, ford4me2, four, gaddisgh, geno87, Gotrox, Greenvans, Griz, hallmont, heathbars, imsolidstate, jackcu, JMCX, joe1956, Juggernaut239, kbroadnax, Kevin Neely, korg70bc, kude, kyleramin, LTLDRVR, Luckydawg, maps6874, maritim, moose0211, mtm, nadekeys, nawsd, Old Mose, olddieseldude, Otis B. Driftwood, papajoe, parttime, peedon, Penhall, plowingdiesel, polo416, PostRelease, RDG, rotary57, rpm1, silentbob, Smiley1, Stroked & Stoked, Tigetow, tikitime, TxFireman1972, tycham, unomauser, uwp, wcdiesel, windsqueezer, wrtaz, xmechx
Most users ever online was 1793, 03-21-2008 at 05:53 PM.
» Forum Search
» Stats
Members: 103,916
Threads: 205,726
Posts: 1,652,652
Top Poster: SmokeyWren (32,524)
Welcome to our newest member, BMWatkins
» Latest Auto News
BMW Planning 3 Series Gran Turismo for 2011
BMW will build a Gran Turismo version of the 3 Series, to follow the
BMW to Finally Offer 7 Series With All-Wheel Drive
For the first time ever BMW will offer all-wheel drive on the 7
Hertz to Offer Mercedes Rental Vehicles as Part of Prestige Collection
For several years now Hertz has offered a ‘Prestige
» New Car Reviews
2009 Saab 9-3 XWD Review
Overshadowed by its German competitors, the pricey 9-3 XWD still has
2010 Ford Taurus SHO: First Drive
It's SHO time for the Taurus
2010 Lexus IS250 C: First Drive
Luxury convertibles just got a lot more affordable
2009 MINI Cooper JCW
MINI's seriously-fun Cooper JCW is a great alternative to entry-level
2010 Toyota Prius: First Drive
Toyota adds plenty to the third-generation Prius to give it mainstream
Featured Photos
by rss600
Member Galleries
by wellrooted
Member Galleries
by benny70hemibird
Member Galleries

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.0 RC2

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:57 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.1.0