Ford is known for creating great designs and high performance cars. But just imagine what the result will be if Ford fuses one of its low-roof’ Ford Transit Connect van with one of its legendary high performance Focus RS? The product is the remarkable Transit Connect X-Press which is considered to be one of Ford’s fastest and highly versatile small commercial vehicles to hit the market.
Transit Connect X-Press is lowered by up to 70 mm with 18-inch OZ alloys and emitting an exhaust note that is likened to that of the Ford’s Focus RS WRC. It has a race-spec roll cage inside while its exterior is done in a pearlescent white paint job and set off with a tri-color X-Press graphics.
According to Barry Gale Ford of Europe’s Chief Engineer for Commercial Vehicles, "Transit Connect is such a strong and dynamically capable vehicle to begin with, that we knew this project would be feasible from the outset. Certain drivetrain and suspension components are common with the first generation Ford Focus, so the transformation was relatively straightforward from an engineering point of view. We now have a unique commercial vehicle that performs like no other. If pushed, it is capable of a 0-60mph time in less than 7 seconds and a 130mph top speed. As you might expect from a Ford, it handles, steers and stops like a sports car.”
The team of engineers that developed the Transit Connect range found it a challenge on how to fit a high performance, turbocharged and intercooled 215PS engine into a vehicle with only minimal changes required. Unfortunately, the X-Press calls for something more and has pushed Ford’s engineers to develop the X-Press from the ground up. But according to Gale, "It wasn't difficult really. Once everyone understood what we were doing they all offered to help in their spare time to make special parts or work on the vehicle. It became a true labour of love and as we're basically all car nuts, we're very pleased with the end product."
The X-Press also shows Ford’s solid commitment in developing vehicles that are not only high performance but offer rewarding driving experience. This does not only cover the passenger cars segment but also applies to other lines of Ford vehicles.
One of the features that make the X-Press really standout is its lowered suspension which makes it look meaner and sleeker. The lowered suspension also makes the X-Press or any car for that matter more stable especially when making turns since it tend to drop the vehicle’s body closer to the center of the gravity. There are lowering springs available like the Eibach springs that are applicable for 2-wheel-drive car, van, SUV, trucks including a number of 4-wheel-drive trucks which private car owners may use on their cars.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Car Care Aware Fairs Show Consumers' Neglect for their Vehicles
The Car Care Council reports that during the Car Care Aware Fairs last April and October 2006 they discovered that nine out of 10 vehicles need maintenance and repair services. Such findings they say, is going to be important especially for the huge untapped DIY and DIFM sales opportunities for the automotive aftermarket.
Approximately one thousand vehicles were inspected during the fair submitted by event coordinators from sixteen states. The result shows that 88% of the vehicles checked during the National Car Care Month in April and Fall Car Care Month in October needed maintenance of their vehicles as well as replacement parts like for example fuel parts, windshield wipers, air filters, belts, hoses and lights. Some vehicles were also in need of motor oil or fluids.
According to Rich White, Executive Director of Car Care Council, "Vehicle check-up events are typically the focus of Car Care Aware Fairs sponsored by repair shops, parts stores, distributors in cooperation with local vocational schools, media, civic groups and others. While these events are free to consumers and serve as community-relations builders, most aftermarket businesses who participate experience an increase in sales and customers as a result."
The result of the vehicle check-ups during the Car Care Aware Fairs are as follows:
• Car Lubricants and Fluids- 30% of the vehicles checked have either overfull, low or dirty motor oils, 28% have inadequate level of washer fluid and 28% have low, leaky or dirty coolant. Likewise, transmission, brake power steering and clutch fluids were also checked and resulted to a 26% failure rating.
• About 15% of the checked vehicles were found out to have faulty front windshields while 9% needed service to rear wipers.
• Out of the 22% vehicles inspected there was only one car with a belt that needed replacement
• 14% vehicles need new hose
• 25% of the vehicles calls for new filters
• 8% requires new PVC filters
• 8% needs to have their check engine light repaired
• 17% require the repair of their battery cables, clamps, and terminals
• 9% of the batteries were not properly attached
• 11% had either green, dark or clear/yellow charge indicator light
• 20% have improperly inflated tires
• 11% worn tread and need replacement
• 18% have faulty license plate lights
• 10% have faulty brake lights
• 8 % defective side markers
Approximately one thousand vehicles were inspected during the fair submitted by event coordinators from sixteen states. The result shows that 88% of the vehicles checked during the National Car Care Month in April and Fall Car Care Month in October needed maintenance of their vehicles as well as replacement parts like for example fuel parts, windshield wipers, air filters, belts, hoses and lights. Some vehicles were also in need of motor oil or fluids.
According to Rich White, Executive Director of Car Care Council, "Vehicle check-up events are typically the focus of Car Care Aware Fairs sponsored by repair shops, parts stores, distributors in cooperation with local vocational schools, media, civic groups and others. While these events are free to consumers and serve as community-relations builders, most aftermarket businesses who participate experience an increase in sales and customers as a result."
The result of the vehicle check-ups during the Car Care Aware Fairs are as follows:
• Car Lubricants and Fluids- 30% of the vehicles checked have either overfull, low or dirty motor oils, 28% have inadequate level of washer fluid and 28% have low, leaky or dirty coolant. Likewise, transmission, brake power steering and clutch fluids were also checked and resulted to a 26% failure rating.
• About 15% of the checked vehicles were found out to have faulty front windshields while 9% needed service to rear wipers.
• Out of the 22% vehicles inspected there was only one car with a belt that needed replacement
• 14% vehicles need new hose
• 25% of the vehicles calls for new filters
• 8% requires new PVC filters
• 8% needs to have their check engine light repaired
• 17% require the repair of their battery cables, clamps, and terminals
• 9% of the batteries were not properly attached
• 11% had either green, dark or clear/yellow charge indicator light
• 20% have improperly inflated tires
• 11% worn tread and need replacement
• 18% have faulty license plate lights
• 10% have faulty brake lights
• 8 % defective side markers
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Automotive Business Owners Need Not Apply
You have obviously heard about the Global Warming debate and I cannot tell you how often we discuss this issue in our Online Think Tank. Recently one member accused myself of being compromised in the issue because formerly I was the Founder and CEO of a Franchising Company in the Auto Sector. A mobile car wash and oil change business. Since, I had a previous vested interest in the auto sector, my opinions of Global Warming somehow do not count?
A vested interest mind you. All vehicles with moving parts need lubrication so even if all vehicles change tomorrow there will still be lots of work the mobile oil and lube business and all cars need to be cleaned. In fact, I have written extensively on the need for preventive maintenance for the future vehicles.
Of course ahead of my time I see as the environmentalists are so busy throwing stones rather than developing the technology, that here I wait with all my plans to service all the Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen Cells and Hybrids, which never came. That is their fault not mine. I am patiently waiting for the future to catch up. But apparently this is nothing more than a political issue I see?
What you want me to develop the technology, manufacture it, round up the capital, sell it to the public and service it too? Wow, you sure ask a lot. Why not get the "Lead Out" and get busy and produce something with comparable power, better efficiency, lower costs and clean too? We are waiting on you? Do it then. I am waiting and I will be a customer of those products.
We have made plans for hydro-cushioned car wash trucks, we have retrofitted LPG car wash trucks, we even were about to put together a Ford Ranger Electric mobile detail truck, but they could not insure the 100-gallon water tank (8.2 lbs. per gallon extra weight). Why? Oh lawyers, regulation and safety issues?
Fact is that the Global Warming Alarmists just want to talk, they do not want to work hard to produce the future which will save us from this Global Warming, Y2K, Nuclear Melt-Down of our planet. Talk to me and do something. No one cares what you say until you do something. I hope this article will propel thought into 2007.
A vested interest mind you. All vehicles with moving parts need lubrication so even if all vehicles change tomorrow there will still be lots of work the mobile oil and lube business and all cars need to be cleaned. In fact, I have written extensively on the need for preventive maintenance for the future vehicles.
Of course ahead of my time I see as the environmentalists are so busy throwing stones rather than developing the technology, that here I wait with all my plans to service all the Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen Cells and Hybrids, which never came. That is their fault not mine. I am patiently waiting for the future to catch up. But apparently this is nothing more than a political issue I see?
What you want me to develop the technology, manufacture it, round up the capital, sell it to the public and service it too? Wow, you sure ask a lot. Why not get the "Lead Out" and get busy and produce something with comparable power, better efficiency, lower costs and clean too? We are waiting on you? Do it then. I am waiting and I will be a customer of those products.
We have made plans for hydro-cushioned car wash trucks, we have retrofitted LPG car wash trucks, we even were about to put together a Ford Ranger Electric mobile detail truck, but they could not insure the 100-gallon water tank (8.2 lbs. per gallon extra weight). Why? Oh lawyers, regulation and safety issues?
Fact is that the Global Warming Alarmists just want to talk, they do not want to work hard to produce the future which will save us from this Global Warming, Y2K, Nuclear Melt-Down of our planet. Talk to me and do something. No one cares what you say until you do something. I hope this article will propel thought into 2007.
Getting the Best from a Used Car Dealer
Today, owning a car has become more of a luxury than necessity. Prices of brand new cars are so stiff that owning one has become more of a dream to individual consumers. And rarely, does this dream come true. Fortunately for the budgetary challenged consumers, there is an alternative to owning if not a brand new car, buying a used car that fits one’s budget perfectly.
Buying used car dealer although it gives individual’s more leeway on his budget, must also be done carefully. Individual buyers must not run into the cashier upon seeing a used car that he likes. Here are some tips on getting the best deal from the best used car dealer available.
First, examine the track record of the car dealer offering the used car. Track down previous customers or get feedback from friends and relatives regarding the said car dealer. Compare sealed deal prices of previous customers. Ask for their individual experience when dealing with the said car dealer and find out if not much problems have been encountered by these customers.
Next, is verifying the car’s history and current status with the car dealer. If possible, ask for information about previous owners. This will provide customers with correct and valid information regarding the car that is being offered to them. Although, most car dealers will not give accurate information, it would still be best to ask them for this information still.
After verifying the car dealer’s track record as well as the car’s conditions and owner history, it would be wise to survey the market for similar models of the car being offered by the car dealer. Compare prices and after sale warranty if applicable.
Also, ask the car dealer for ample time to conduct a road driving test of the car. This is the best way to measure up a car’s worthiness. And it is also a way to verify whether the information divulged by the car dealer is true or not. From initial road test, some minor problems of the car may also come out. That would give enough time to car dealer to fix the problem or lower the price if one so desired.
Once all these things have been asked and verified from the car dealer, now is the best time to negotiate with the car dealers to lower the price or bargain for add-ons. These add-ons could include, free detailing services or free access to 24-hour towing services, among other after sale car services that can provided to customers. These things, although minimal from what it may seemed could up to bigger amounts and savings later on.
With all these in mind, a customer would be a hundred percent sure that he is getting the car that he wanted in the best deal that he could possibly can.
Buying used car dealer although it gives individual’s more leeway on his budget, must also be done carefully. Individual buyers must not run into the cashier upon seeing a used car that he likes. Here are some tips on getting the best deal from the best used car dealer available.
First, examine the track record of the car dealer offering the used car. Track down previous customers or get feedback from friends and relatives regarding the said car dealer. Compare sealed deal prices of previous customers. Ask for their individual experience when dealing with the said car dealer and find out if not much problems have been encountered by these customers.
Next, is verifying the car’s history and current status with the car dealer. If possible, ask for information about previous owners. This will provide customers with correct and valid information regarding the car that is being offered to them. Although, most car dealers will not give accurate information, it would still be best to ask them for this information still.
After verifying the car dealer’s track record as well as the car’s conditions and owner history, it would be wise to survey the market for similar models of the car being offered by the car dealer. Compare prices and after sale warranty if applicable.
Also, ask the car dealer for ample time to conduct a road driving test of the car. This is the best way to measure up a car’s worthiness. And it is also a way to verify whether the information divulged by the car dealer is true or not. From initial road test, some minor problems of the car may also come out. That would give enough time to car dealer to fix the problem or lower the price if one so desired.
Once all these things have been asked and verified from the car dealer, now is the best time to negotiate with the car dealers to lower the price or bargain for add-ons. These add-ons could include, free detailing services or free access to 24-hour towing services, among other after sale car services that can provided to customers. These things, although minimal from what it may seemed could up to bigger amounts and savings later on.
With all these in mind, a customer would be a hundred percent sure that he is getting the car that he wanted in the best deal that he could possibly can.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Tying The Ends Of Your Ford
One of the most vital car systems is the steering system. It controls the direction that the car would be traveling.
Your Ford's steering system allows you to control your car's direction. With it, you can set a course that your heart desires.
The most conventional design is to have the front wheels turn, using a hand-operated steering wheel. The wheel is then connected to the steering column. The steering column contains different universal joints, which make the column deviate from a straight line.
Most modern cars such as your Ford use the rack and pinion system. In it, the steering wheel turns the pinion gear, which then moves the rack (a linear gear which meshes with pinion) from side to side. This applies steering torque to the wheels' kingpins through tie rods and a short lever called the steering arm.
Your Ford's steering system allows you to control your car's direction. With it, you can set a course that your heart desires.
The most conventional design is to have the front wheels turn, using a hand-operated steering wheel. The wheel is then connected to the steering column. The steering column contains different universal joints, which make the column deviate from a straight line.
Most modern cars such as your Ford use the rack and pinion system. In it, the steering wheel turns the pinion gear, which then moves the rack (a linear gear which meshes with pinion) from side to side. This applies steering torque to the wheels' kingpins through tie rods and a short lever called the steering arm.
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