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Slather on an extra glob of Gorilla Glue adhesive, as the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible is going to seriously strain hairpieces. Like its GT500 Coupe sibling, introduced late last year at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the drop-top is fitted with a supercharged 5.8-liter V8 making an astounding 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, which makes it the most powerful eight-cylinder production engine in the universe.

Ford says the new model, equipped with the optional Performance Package that includes Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers, is capable of running Sebring International Raceway about 3.5 seconds quicker per lap compared to the 2011 and 2012 models (both down 100 horsepower against the 2013 model). Curb weight should be a couple hundred pounds heavier than its closed-roof cousin courtesy of additional bracing on the power-operated convertible soft top.

The Shelby GT500, built at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, will blast into showrooms this summer. Our best guess for pricing says the 2013 model will start just under $65,000.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible is your toupee’s worst nightmare

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible is your toupee’s worst nightmare

“I don’t think we’re very enamored with being Number One just to be Number One,” Ford Global Marketing Vice President Jim Farley says of his expectations for the 2013 Ford Fusion. Interest in the Fusion spiked after the 2013 model’s premium-look sheetmetal made a splash at this month’s Detroit Auto Show, so it’s natural to expect that Ford wants to grab the sales volume brass ring. After all, the Ford Taurus was the best-selling car in the U.S. for nearly half of the 1990s, but Farley points out that Ford is “much more enamored with getting the right price point and the right kind of people to buy the car.”

Simply put, that means that while Ford is bringing additional Fusion production to the AutoAlliance International facility in Flat Rock, MI, success won’t be measured just by total units sold. Besides, even with the added capacity, Ford’s 400,000 per year full-tilt capability still trails the 500,000 Camry models Toyota can assemble in Kentucky and Indiana. Ford apparently thinks it’s smarter to focus on the technology, style, and efficiency that customers will pay more for, rather than forcing dealers to take more cars than they want and dumping the rest into fleets just to get the sales crown.

Instead of crowing about a short-term metric that ultimately cheapens the brand image and drives down resale values, Ford’s posture suggests they want to drive continued profitability by getting more money per sale than the competiton. Finding tech savvy buyers will mean spending heavy dollars on digital marketing campaigns, including social media, and for a change, that may mean strong Fusion sales in markets that don’t traditionally embrace the Blue Oval as strongly as the stalwart support of the midwest.

We have to agree that profit-per-vehicle and a good reputation strikes us as a better strategy to long-term health than a strategy based on volume dominance, but we’re guessing that Farley and company would still be pleased as punch if the Fusion managed to outsell the competition.

Fusion couldn’t outsell Toyota Camry even if Ford wanted it to, which it apparently doesn’t

Most car marques can be easily recognized by their emblems. But some model lines have their own emblems, too. The Mustang stands out as a clear example, and now Ford is projecting that image even further. And we mean that quite literally.

For the new 2013 Mustang, Ford has fitted a tiny projector lamp into the side mirror that casts the shape of the galloping horse logo onto the ground beside the vehicle when the driver unlocks the doors. This illuminated “Easter egg” seems simple enough, but apparently it took Dearborn’s engineers quite a while to get it just right, going through six or seven designs before managing to get it to work.

The result was apparently so captivating that it shut down Ford’s Flat Rock assembly line when one of the auto workers hit the button and everyone came to look. We’ll be interested to see it for ourselves when we get our hands on the new model. It might be purely aesthetic and almost entirely without function, but something tells us this could be one of those new gimmicks – like, say, illuminated sill plates or ambient cabin lighting – that we may see proliferating across the industry.

2013 Ford Mustang redefines “badge engineering” with logo projector

WardsAuto.com is reporting that Ford’s next-generation Fusion will be built at the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock, MI, 25 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. The news comes out of the tentative labor agreement with the UAW that was announced today. Ford has said it will add 12,000 hourly manufacturing jobs in the U.S. by 2015, including some jobs that are returning to the U.S. from Mexico, China, and Japan.

AutoAlliance is a joint-venture plant owned with Mazda, where Ford builds the Mustang alongside the Mazda6. The current Fusion is assembled at Ford’s Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant in Mexico, though it shares a platform with the Mazda sedan. The move to Flat Rock all but insures that the forthcoming Fusion will continue to maintain that close connection. Speculation has the new Fusion dropping at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

Ford Fusion production coming to Flat Rock, MI plant

Once the current Mazda6 reaches the end of its life cycle, Mazda will begin production on the next-generation car. The automaker won’t be building the midsize sedan in the U.S. anymore. Currently, the Mazda6 is built in Flat Rock, Michigan, at the AutoAlliance International assembly facility that the Japanese automaker shares with Ford. The Blue Oval brand churns out the Mustang in Flat Rock, and with Mazda moving on, there could be trouble ahead for the pony car.

According to analysts polled by Bloomberg, the current pace of Mustang production is not enough on its own to sustain the Flat Rock plant. The AAI has a capacity of 240,000 vehicles in a year, yet the Mustang sold 73,716 units in 2010. Ford is reportedly working with Mazda to find other uses for the site, which would be a better alternative to having Mazda simply walk away.

The flipside of Mazda ending U.S. production of its Mazda6 is that Ford will have increased options as to what it can do with the Mustang. Still, unless the Blue Oval starts churning out a hybrid, wagon, crossover and pickup truck version, Ford will need something else to keep Flat Rock in the business of building cars, especially until the ‘Stan’s next scheduled redesign for 2014.

Is the Ford Mustang plant in jeopardy now that Mazda is pulling out of Flat Rock?

Mazda and Ford have long participated in a joint-venture at the Auto Alliance International facility located in Flat Rock, Michigan. Mazda presently uses the facility to produce the Mazda6, while Ford pumps out the Mustang. We heard rumblings that Mazda was looking to pull out of the partnership, and now those rumors have a bit more teeth. Mazda has announced that its next mid-size sedan will be produced at the Hofu plant in Japan.

Currently, the Mazda6 (also known as the Atenza) is built at AAI, Hofu and at China’s FAW Car Co. Mazda is going to continue to build the current Mazda6 at those three locations. Production of the next-generation car will be transferred from AAI to Hofu.

Importantly, Mazda they are examining other opportunities with Ford, so as to continue participating in the joint venture at AAI.

Continue reading Mazda confirms next mid-size sedan for U.S. will be built in Japan

Mazda confirms next mid-size sedan for U.S. will be built in Japan

AutoAlliance International is located in Flat Rock, Michigan, and the factory serves as a joint-venture assembly plant for Ford and Mazda. The Blue Oval builds the Mustang, while its Japanese partner churns out the Mazda6. There seems to be a problem, though – at least on Mazda’s end of the partnership.

Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), is reporting that Mazda is looking to get out of the venture. According to the report, the automaker will remove itself from the partnership by as early as 2013, sending Mazda6 production back to its Yamaguchi prefecture facilities in Japan. Mazda’s profits are understood to be hurting due to the yen-dollar exchange rate, and the Mazda6’s less-than-stellar sales volumes in the States can’t be helping, either.

Both Ford and Mazda are dismissing the report as speculative, but Mazda admits it has been discussing “future plans” for the facility.

Mazda to abandon MI joint-venture plant with Ford

The Subaru Tribeca and Mazda6 haven’t exactly set the U.S. auto market ablaze, and a report in AutoWeek (citing Japan’s Nikkan Kogyo) claims that both models could meet an untimely demise.

The Tribeca has been unpopular seemingly since the day it was introduced as the B9 Tribeca, and recent sales figures show that the Subaru crossover has only found 910 new homes so far in 2011. Subaru attempted to increase interest in the CUV by giving it a new face, but buyers have been mostly unimpressed. And since other Subaru models are selling like hotcakes, the Tribeca is doing little more than taking up space at the automaker’s Indiana assembly plant. The automaker has reportedly already stopped research and development on the next generation Tribeca, which definitely isn’t a good sign.

While the Tribeca has been something of a sales catastrophe, the Mazda6 hasn’t been quite as big of a dud, but it has serially underperformed. Mazda was looking to move about 100,000 units per year out of its Flat Rock, MI plant, but sales haven’t been quite so robust. The Japanese automaker sold only 45,168 units in 2010, which has led to speculation that Mazda may quit producing the model at the facility.

Mazda hasn’t divulged any plans regarding the 6, but speculation is that the automaker could move out of Flat Rock altogether, leaving the facility to Ford, which produces the Mustang at the plant. One rumor has Mazda moving to a new facility in Mexico, where labor costs are much lower than in the States.

If Subaru opts to stop making the Tribeca in the U.S., the CUV is likely dead forever. That’s not necessarily the case with the Mazda6, though, as Mazda could potentially import the mid-size sedan from other markets. Neither Subaru or Mazda have announced any plans about either vehicle or their production plans in North America.

Mazda6, Subaru Tribeca headed for the exit ramp?

Review: 2011 Airstream Avenue

The open road is always calling and, when a friend is ready to join in, it means the stars have aligned for a road trip. Thankfully, a brief call from Airstream put my name on the keys of a 2011 Avenue slumbering in a Los Angeles parking lot.

Ford delivers 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet racers, lays claim to quickest production car [w/video]

Ford recently threw a party at the Auto Alliance Mustang factory in Flat Rock, MI to celebrate the official delivery of its new 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet, a vehicle that the company proudly maintains is quickest accelerating production vehicle ever made.

Officially Official: BMW M5 Concept bound for Shanghai [w/video]

From our discussions with BMW engineers and spokespeople here in Germany, the automaker has taken the (hard) lessons learned from its last M5, gone back to the drawing board and injected this newest M with the best it has to offer. And we should know if they’ve succeeded well before you’re ready to place your down payment early next year.

Also of interest:

• Nissan Altima outsells Camry, Accord in March, named best-selling sedan in America for first time
• Current generation BMW M3 to be last naturally aspirated M car
• 2012 Audi A7 to start at $59,250,* configurator live
• Kentucky reportedly approves incentives for next Chevrolet Corvette – but will GM bite?
• BMW’s i Ventures gets new president, board

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 4.4.11

We’re all for an event that culminates with the serving of cake, especially when the sweet stuff is delivered in tandem with supercharged Mustang coupes built especially for drag racing. Ford recently threw a party at the Auto Alliance Mustang factory in Flat Rock, MI to celebrate the official delivery of its new 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet, a vehicle that the company proudly maintains is quickest accelerating production vehicle ever made. When pressed, Ford tells us the CJ will do a 60-foot launch in 1.3 seconds and the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds. We asked about a 0-60 mph time, but we were reminded that measurement is pretty meaningless in drag racing.

Cobra Jet buyers from all over came from as far away as Calgary, Alberta and Puerto Rico to participate in the ceremony and take delivery of their new racecars, and we’re betting they would have made the trek even without the sheet cake. All attendees signed a 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet hood that will later be placed on the walls of the production facility.

Continue reading Ford delivers 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet racers, lays claim to quickest production car [w/video]…

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Shunk / AOL

Continue reading Ford delivers 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet racers, lays claim to quickest production car [w/video]

Ford delivers 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet racers, lays claim to quickest production car [w/video]

Ford hasn’t said much about its supply situation in the wake of the earthquake in Japan, but now the automaker has no choice but to spill the beans. The Detroit News reports that Ford will shut down its Louisville, Kentucky plant next week due to a parts shortage. The facility produces the Ford Expedition, Ford Super Duty trucks, and the Lincoln Navigator. Ford sales analyst George Pipas did not identify the part that was in short supply, though he did add that high gas prices have helped slow sales of these vehicles anyway.

Ford will also shut down its Flat Rock, Michigan plant, where the Mustang is produced, because the automaker already has a 116-day supply of the pony car. In Europe, Ford will idle the Genk, Belgium plant that produces the Mondeo, S Max and Galaxy minivan to help prevent future shortages.

Ford announced that events in Japan could further affect future production, but at this point it isn’t interested in divulging the extent of its supply issues. Ford is actively searching for other parts sources wherever possible.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL

[Source: The Detroit News]

Ford to idle first plant as a result of Japan disaster

General Motors halted production at six of its plants last week after a fire at Magna International interrupted the companies’ supply of interior parts. The conflagration also halted production at the AutoAlliance International Ford-Mazda joint-venture plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, and Automotive News says that Mustang production there won’t resume until Friday, March 11. AN does not give a timeframe for when the Mazda6, also produced at AutoAlliance, will head back into production.

According to reports, the fire started on Wednesday and took nearly a day to put out, damaging around 40 percent of the 187,000-square-foot Magna Atrium plant in Michigan. The Atrium plant builds door panels, instrument clusters and interior trim pieces for GM, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda and Nissan.

Thankfully, the fire didn’t injure any workers, but Magna officials are still trying to determine the extent of the physical damage. No word yet on what the monetary damages will be from the fire, but according to The Detroit News, about half the plant is already back up and running, and the Detroit Free Press indicates that GM will resume full production at its plants today.

[Sources: The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Automotive News - sub. req. Image: AFP/Getty]

Report: GM resumes production after Magna fire, Mazda and Ford still slow?

The Flat Rock, MI plant that Mazda and Ford currently share is the only facility in the U.S. where the Japanese automaker currently builds vehicles. But sales of the Mazda6 were down to 45,000 units in 2010, and, combined with Mustang production, the facility is only able to run one shift. That’s just not profitable.

Automotive News reports that the Japanese automaker is weighing it’s options at the facility. Those choices could include overhauling the facility to produce a greater variety of models, handing over the facility to Ford or something a bit darker. AN reports that, when asked whether the plant could be closed, Mazda CFO Kiyoshi Ozaki replied, “Never say never.”

Complicating the issue is the fact that Mazda already exports 80 percent of all vehicles from Japan. That’s a problem since the Yen has risen to a 15-year high, which could make profits difficult to come by. In fact, Mazda lost $32.5 million in the last quarter of 2010.

Photos Copyright (C)2011 John Neff / AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Mazda mulling fate of MI joint-venture plant with Ford

It’s true. For the first time since 1985, the Chevrolet Camaro will outsell the Ford Mustang in 2010. Besides giving the Bowtie Boys something to crow about, it also makes us genuinely intrigued to watch how 2011 unfolds, considering that Chevy plans to unleash its convertible and Z28 Camaro editions.

Somewhat surprisingly, Ford doesn’t seem too bothered. According to Ford sales analyst George Pipas, “If that was important, we wouldn’t have taken a shift off at Flat Rock,” which is where the plant that assembles the Mustang is located. That’s a somewhat dubious statement, since building too many vehicles in one model year only leads to problems for the next… In any case, this is a trend worth monitoring.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips and John Neff / AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Ford: Yes, Camaro will outsell Mustang this year

Even though sales of its Mustang have been solid and even improving as of late, the powers that be have reportedly decided to eliminate the second shift at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) factory that assembles the Blue Oval’s pony as well as the slow-selling Mazda6. The factory in Flat Rock, MI which is jointly owned by Ford and Mazda had originally planned to lay off 900 employees, but Ford has now opted to reassign the workers to other facilities.

According to the Detroit Free Press, excess capacity and low sales volumes were causing a lot of downtime at the plant with two shifts operating. AAI will now run a single shift with an increased line rate to meet production requirements. According to Ford, 1,766 employees remain at the plant.

[Source: Detroit Free Press Image: Ford]

Report: Ford reassigns 900 from Mustang/Mazda6 plant in Flat Rock

The desire to make more of the Ford Mustang and Mazda6, while improving efficiency and quality, is leading Ford to cut, not add jobs at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant. The plant’s 2,280-strong workforce is expected to decrease by 900, with Ford reducing the number of shifts from two to one and increasing the line speed by 35 percent.

Moving to just a single shift will help stabilize assembly at the plant, which produced 109,000 vehicles last year but experienced a lot of downtime when new vehicle sales cratered. In turn, the workers who remain to work the single shift should appreciate less idle time away from the job and stay sharper as a result, thereby increasing quality as well.

Those workers who have been cut will be moved to the Chicago assembly plant to help build the new Ford Explorer later this year, while others will be transferred to Michigan Assembly to build the new Ford Focus. Those not given new positions will be offered contract buyouts.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Neat Trick: Ford nixxing 900 jobs in Flat Rock while expanding production of Mustang, Mazda6