DEARBORN, Mich., Oct., 1, 2009 – Ford, Lincoln and Mercury third quarter sales were 5 percent higher than a year ago in the U.S., making Ford the only full-line manufacturer to report a sales increase in the period.
In September, Ford sales were 6 percent lower than a year ago. This followed a 2 percent increase in July and a 17 percent increase in August, marking the first time in four years that Ford is reporting a quarterly sales increase.
Ford estimates it gained over 2 points of market share versus last year in September and the third quarter. September marked the 11th time in the last 12 months Ford has gained retail market share.
“Our balanced new lineup of high-quality, fuel-efficient products helped us navigate through an exceptional period in industry sales,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “With its volatile sales peaks and valleys and dramatic segment shifts, the third quarter was a great test of our One Ford Plan – building a range of vehicles from small cars to hard-working trucks.”
Ford’s third quarter market share gains were paced by the Ford Focus small car, Ford Fusion mid-size car, Ford Escape small utility and Ford F-Series trucks. Internal and external studies continue to show a positive trend in favorable consumer opinion about Ford, and a growing number of consumers are considering the purchase of a Ford vehicle.
Source: Ford Motor Company

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When Chrysler went through Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year the federal bankruptcy court granted  Chrysler's request to prevent current owners from suing the new company if they were injured by a safety defect in the future. Chrysler’s argument was that it was unfair to burden the new company with suits and the costs resulting from safety defects produced by the old Chrysler.

The New York Times is reporting that "Chrysler has had a change of heart. It will accept responsibility if consumers who bought Jeeps, Chryslers or Dodge vehicles prior to its bankruptcy filing are injured by safety defects."

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Color Daily Extra

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug 24, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/The 2010Ford Mustang - America's favorite muscle car for 45 years straight - is ready to be customized. In fact, as one of the most customized cars ever, Ford is making it easier forpony car lovers to create the virtual Mustang of their dreams. With never-before-used digital technologies, Ford has created a customizer site within the car's microsite at www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang The site's design is meant to reflect what the Ford Mustang is all about: a classic design and a hard attitude, coming together to create a revolutionary automobile. One week after launch, almost 52,000 cars have been built with more than 16,000 of those saved into the site gallery. And more than 30 forums and blogs are sharing their own creations - all without a single dime put toward advertising.
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AutoWeek Magazine

Stephen Cole Smith reviews the movie, The Goods in AutoWeek Magazine.  Smith says "Auto dealers take a beating--again--in The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard.... Whether they will be outraged or merely annoyed will depend on their sense of humor.

You've probably seen the commercials: “Blind man, I don't know how you found your way onto this lot, but you aren't leaving without a car!”

Actually, that clip didn't make it into the final edit, possibly as the lone nod here to political correctness."

Please click headline to read more.

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First mass-produced vehicle to claim more than 100 mpg composite fuel economy. Plugging in daily is key to high-mileage performance
WARREN, Mich. - The Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle is expected to achieve city fuel economy of at least 230 miles per gallon, based on development testing using a draft EPA federal fuel economy methodology for labeling for plug-in electric vehicles.
The Volt, which is scheduled to start production in late 2010 as a 2011 model, is expected to travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge and be able to extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex fuel-powered engine-generator.

  "From the data we've seen, many Chevy Volt drivers may be able to be in pure electric mode on a daily basis without having to use any gas," said GM Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson. "EPA labels are a yardstick for customers to compare the fuel efficiency of vehicles. So, a vehicle like the Volt that achieves a composite triple-digit fuel economy is a game-changer."
According to U.S. Department of Transportation data, nearly eight of 10 Americans commute fewer than 40 miles a day http://tinyurl.com/U-S-DOTStudy .
"The key to high-mileage performance is for a Volt driver to plug into the electric grid at least once each day," Henderson said.
Volt drivers' actual gas-free mileage will vary depending on how far they travel and other factors, such as how much cargo or how many passengers they carry and how much the air conditioner or other accessories are used. Based on the results of unofficial development testing of pre-production prototypes, the Volt has achieved 40 miles of electric-only, petroleum-free driving in both EPA city and highway test cycles.



Under the new methodology being developed, EPA weights plug-in electric vehicles as traveling more city miles than highway miles on only electricity. The EPA methodology uses kilowatt hours per 100 miles traveled to define the electrical efficiency of plug-ins. Applying EPA's methodology, GM expects the Volt to consume as little as 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles in city driving. At the U.S. average cost of electricity (approximately 11 cents per kWh), a typical Volt driver would pay about $2.75 for electricity to travel 100 miles, or less than 3 cents per mile.

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"Sharper Decline In Original Equipment Tires Cited"

WASHINGTON, PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Tire shipments are projected to drop by approximately 16 percent in 2009 mainly as a result of a nearly 45 percent decline in Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) passenger tires and almost 43 percent drop in OEM Commercial truck tires, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.

Total 2009 tire shipments are projected to decline approximately 45 million units to 237 million units. This level is approximately 84 million units less than the peak of 321 million units in 2000. The decrease in tire shipments reflects the recent struggles of automotive manufacturers, low consumer confidence, high unemployment, and depressed home values.