2011 Ford Explorer – Click above for high-res image gallery
Jim Farley, Ford’s Group Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, gave the keynote speech at the Chicago Auto Show this morning, and the only way it could have been more on-topic is if he had given his speech via Facebook chat.
Before Farley announced the new “What Would You Go Do?” campaign for the , he laid out how the launch set a new tone for how has conversations with its customers, and even set a new tone for the company itself. for more and Ford’s press release on the Explorer competition.
Multi-fuel turbine electric hybrid Lincvolt – Click above to watch video
It’s better to burn out
Than it is to rust
It’s a tragedy of epic proportions. Neil Young’s 1959 Continental Mark IV convertible, which he has spent the past few years converting into a multi-fuel turbine electric hybrid, has been severely damaged in a fire. Fresh from a trip to Las Vegas where it was presented to adoring crowds at , this 19.5-foot-long representative of classic American automotive statuary, dubbed the ““, was resting comfortably in a warehouse in San Carlos, CA when a fire suddenly erupted. Possibly from the trunk of the behemoth itself.
According to a statement appearing on the LincVolt’s website, “We are still investigating the exact cause although it appears to be an operator error that occurred in an untested part of the charging system.” Apparently, the Lincoln has its own area code black box-like computer that is being sent to Perrone Robotics in an effort to pinpoint the precise cause of the malfunction.
The structure, which is said to have suffered over $1 million in damages, was also home to much of the singer’s music equipment and memorabilia. Due to the extraordinary efforts of firefighters, most of was saved.
We can only hope that, if the LincVolt is now bound for that final scrapyard in the sky, it will inspire a tune as great as the elegy to Young’s 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse, Long May You Run. To see footage of hybridized classic along with Neil’s keynote address to SEMA, for freshly finished four-part video. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
2012 Ford Focus – Click above for high-res image gallery
This January CEO Alan Mulally will as one of the keynote speakers of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It’ll be the fourth time Mulally has headlined CES, and this time he’ll have one of The Blue Oval’s most anticipated new products in his corner. The has been named the official car of 2011 CES, an honor that will give the forthcoming C-Segment blockbuster the spotlight right in time for its launch. The Focus enters the market early in 2011 with most of Ford’s latest technology including Sync, MyFord Touch and Wi-Fi capability.
Ford Marketing, Sales and Service VP Ken Czubay calls the Focus the best of what Ford has to offer, adding that the vehicle will deliver “class-leading features and technologies as well as an expected 40 mpg.” Ford will showcase the Focus in several ways at CES “including more product-specific signage, displays, demonstrations and materials.”
The Focus is actually the second straight Ford to claim the title of “official car of CES,” as the Taurus held the title at CES 2010. Hit the jump to read the Ford’s release.
Newly minted CEO Stefan Jaoby got to practice his auto show routine at the Paris Motor Show, and soon he’ll be bringing his act to the U.S. Jacoby has been announced as they keynote speaker for the LA Auto Show on November 17, and according to a Motor Press Guild rep he is “expected to share his vision of the U.S. and Chinese auto markets, and viable alternative fuel solutions.”
Jacoby was interviewed and profiled quite a bit during his tenure at of America, but he didn’t spend much time in front of large, public audiences. We look forward to hearing what he has to say about what’s ahead. for the press release.
The Consumer Electronics Show used to be a geek extravaganza dominated by tech companies from Silicon Valley and Japan. And while the tech types will still form the meat of CES 2011, for the fourth year in a row, the automotive world will have a voice at the keynotes.
boss Alan Mulally will once again grace the stage at this year’s event, while Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AG, will be on hand to give a talk during the show. Additionally, Audi will be the first premium marque to have an exhibit at the Electric Vehicle Techzone. to read Audi’s release and book your tickets now: CES begins on January 7, 2011.
Saab: A History in Pictures – Click above for high-res image gallery
Sure enough, fans of the Dutch-owned Swedish manufacturer will descend on Aurora to participate in this year’s 2010 Saab Owner’s Convention. Why Aurora, Ohio? Because 30 years ago, that was where took the checkered at the “Longest Day at Nelson Ledges” 24 hour endurance race. To mark the occasion and celebrate escaping the steely death grip of , the three-day event will feature a keynote address from none other than the company’s charismatic head honcho, Victor Muller. Word has it that Saab’s current chairman, Jan-Åke Jonsson will say a word or two as well. Perhaps tellingly, in past years, GM sent lower-level executives to gladhand at the Saab Owner’s Convention, but this is the first time in memory that such high-ranking officials have committed to make the scene.
Meanwhile, a track day will kick off with test drives of the new Aero Sedan open to any and all who choose to participate. Saab will also have a Aero Convertible on hand to pour over as well. As you might have guessed, there will also be a handful of car show events on the schedule, complete with awards for people’s choice, Concours d’Saab and best Saab Fleet in North America. Fortunately, the whole collection doesn’t have to be in Aurora to pick up the gold on that last one. The shindig starts tomorrow, Thursday, July 22 and runs through Sunday, July 25, so if you’ve got a Saab-loving bone in your body, you know where to be. Hit the jump to see the full press blast.
Forza Motorsport with Kinect controls – Click above to watch video
The Electronics Entertainment Expo is underway in California, and Microsoft has kicked things off by unveiling its new Kinect peripheral for the xBox 360. Kinect (formerly “Project Natal”) is an advanced camera that can track your body as you stand in front of your TV, enabling what Microsoft is calling controller-free gaming. The primary titles shown were silly ones involving running, jumping, and other types of tomfoolery that will appeal to the casual crowd, but there was a Forza Motorsport tie-in that might just make motorheads take notice.
If you’re a Forza fan, then chances are you’ve spent more than a few seconds ogling the incredibly high-res versions of the cars shown in your virtual in-game garage. Now, with Kinect, it appears as if you’ll be able to get a little closer. The camera can track you as you physically walk around, enabling you to “walk around” your virtual steeds. As you move, the perspective shifts. The demo car was a Ferrari 458, naturally in red, which a spokesman was able to explore, crouch to get a closer look at its carbon ceramic brakes, and even open the door with a wave of his hand and take a seat inside.
Gorgeous, but not particularly exciting. A short demo was also given of a simple gameplay mode, which you play by holding your hands in front of you as if you were holding a steering wheel to control the car. This mode looked to be a challenge to see how many cars you can pass in a limited period of time, but with seemingly no way to accelerate or brake we’re guessing this will be little more than a passing distraction.
This version of Forza is said to be coming sometime in 2011, so it won’t be here for the November 4 launch of Kinect. Neither was there a mention of whether this will be a free update for Forza Motorsport 3 or a whole new title. Given the limited amount of content here, we’re hoping for the former. Check out the keynote during which the Kinect-enabled version of Forza was demonstrated .
If has his way, he’ll never be behind the controls of the Ford Motor Company ever again. It’s not that the former CEO loathes the idea of holding the reigns to one of the biggest car manufacturers on the planet, notesAutomotive News, it’s just that he’d rather spend his time focusing on the company’s future than dealing with day-to-to-day concerns.
So who’s going to take the tiller when current head-honcho steps out for good? It’s anyone’s guess at this point, though Ford believes that the company now has a strong enough management structure to pull a candidate from within. Mulally, who’s currently 64 years-old, took over as CEO back in 2006, and there has been some speculation as to how long the man will stay in charge.
One thing’s for sure though, odds are whoever jumps in the saddle at the Blue Oval after Mulally likely won’t be of the Ford bloodline.
According to a statement appearing on the LincVolt’s 
