When we asked Ford executive vice president Mark Fields about diesels last week, he said mildly, “You’ll see diesels used in our truck line, especially the larger models.” Lo and behold, Ford has released details on its latest, 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 diesel. It’s the first one Ford has designed in-house after a deal with International to .. The rest is here: Ford Unveils New, Green Power Stroke V8 Turbodiesel, For Big Pickups Only

29-year-old Henry Ford III is on his way to becoming a great Ford executive – and no, it’s not because he is getting an MBA from MIT or the fact that he is the great-great grandson of Henry Ford. It’s mainly because he’s a humble, outspoken and straightforward individual who believes in Ford products. “I think the Ford products are far and away superior to our competitors right now,” he told AutoWeek in an interview.. “I drove an Accord, Civic, Pilot, I don’t think they’re as well-designed, I don’t think they drive as well, I think our products are far ahead of them.” “He’s the nicest, most unpretentious guy you’ll ever meet,” said Beau Boeckmann, vice president of Galpin Ford, the world’s largest Ford dealership. Ford III just finished up a summer sales internship at the dealership (you can check out a video of him in an American Idol give way by Galpin posted after the jump). “He’s never been afraid to work,” said Boeckmann. “He came down on the Fourth of July to work the sale, even though I told him to take the Fourth of July off.” So when his Henry Ford III taking over Ford? ”That’s not something I’m really focused on, he said. ”I’m not sure where in the company I’ll end up.” For now Henry will return to Ford sometime next year and continue his previous job of helping negotiate a new UAW contract and supplier contracts. – By: Kap Shah Source: AutoWeek Original post:  Henry Ford III, Ford’s great-great grandson, on his way to becoming a great executive Original post: Henry Ford III, Ford’s great-great grandson, on his way to becoming a great executive

Although there has been more news coverage about the pending sale of Saab to Dutch supercar maker Koenigsegg, the other Swedish automaker, Volvo, is still up for sale, too. And Automotive News  cites a report from  Dagens Industri, a Swedish business newspaper, that Chinese automaker Geely is the only company to submit a serious bid for Volvo  thus far. More details on the sale are expected next month, according to the report, and parent company Ford still plans to have everything wrapped up before New Year's. Automotive News (sub.req) Read the original: Geely Might Be the Only Legitimate Bidder for Volvo Read more from the original source: Geely Might Be the Only Legitimate Bidder for Volvo

As GM shuts down or sells Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer, Chevrolet will become the value brand for GM, says Chevrolet’s boss Brent Dewar. He said that Chevrolet is expected to capture 60 to 65 percent of GM’s global sales, most of which he said GM expects to come from the U.S., China and India. He said that Chevrolet also plans to double its European sales to 1 million over a TBA period. Dewar said that GM is asking Chevrolet dealers to upgrade stores and anticipate higher volumes in 2010 and 2011 as GM shutters 1,000 U.S. Chevy franchises, reports Automotive News . “The Chevrolet brand is elastic enough” to cover the vacated spaces in the marketplace, he said. “Dealers will have to think differently about small-car values. We’ll still have low-price value versions but also more premium choices.” During the first 7 months of 2009, Chevrolet sales have fallen 34.5 percent to 718,135 vehicles. – By: Stephen Calogera Go here to see the original:  Chevrolet to get bigger share of GM sales as Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer get dropped Excerpt from:  Chevrolet to get bigger share of GM sales as Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer get dropped

Ready to make its debut in the next-generation F-Series Super Duty trucks, Ford today unveiled its new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine designed to deliver more horsepower, torque, fuel-economy, while offering best-in-class towing and payload. “This all-new diesel engine has been so extensively tested both in the lab and in the real world that we’re confident we’re giving our customers the most reliable and productive powertrain available today,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. “Our Super Duty customers demand reliability and durability in their trucks so they can deliver the best results for their business and their customers. That’s exactly what this engine delivers.” Ford says that that durability testing put the new Power Stroke diesel engine through the equivalent of 250,000 miles. The engine also features the industry’s first single-sequential turbocharger. The unit has double-sided compressor wheels driven off one turbine impeller. This technology offers faster throttle response without lag – with the boost of a larger turbocharger for maximum power. Click through for the press release . 6 .7-liter Power Stroke V-8 Turbocharged Diesel Engine : Press Release : ALL-NEW FORD-ENGINEERED, FORD-TESTED, FORD-BUILT DIESEL MAXIMIZES 2011 SUPER DUTY’S PRODUCTIVITY – An all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 turbocharged diesel engine – debuting in the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty® – will deliver significant improvement in torque, horsepower and fuel economy, enhancing productivity and further strengthening its position as the class leader for towing and payload – Extensive durability testing put the new Power Stroke diesel engine through the equivalent of 250,000 miles – Industry-first single-sequential turbocharger with double-sided compressor wheel delivers fast throttle response along with the volume of air boost needed for maximum power; new engine also is biodiesel compatible up to B20 DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 31, 2009 – A new era in Ford diesel technology arrives with the Ford-engineered, Ford-tested and Ford-manufactured 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine. Debuting in the next-generation...

There’s been growing concern in the green car community about EVs and their reliance on lithium batteries — specifically that there’s not enough lithium on Planet Earth to go around. Thankfully, analysts over at Gerson Lehrman Groups have put those fears to rest (for now). According to their data, even if EVs were manufactured at projected .. More here: Study: Lithium Fears Unfounded, Plenty To Meet EV Demand

Unhappy with the current state of affairs with diesel engine supplier Navistar , Ford has instead taken matters into their own hands producing a diesel V8 codenamed ‘Scorpion”. This turbocharged 6.7 liter  diesel burning V8 engine  has been meticulously deigned in-house by Ford to include just about every modern feature you can think of. Hell, they even put it through tests equivalent of being driven 250,000 miles. We’ll apparently be seeing this appear in Ford’s 2011 Super Duty vehicles. Ford released a lot of information regarding this new engine, way too much for me to list here, but I’ve included the official press release after the break so you can read all about it. All-new Ford-engineered, Ford-tested, Ford-built diesel maximizes 2011 Super Duty’s productivity * An all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 turbocharged diesel engine – debuting in the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty® – will deliver significant improvement in torque, horsepower and fuel economy, enhancing productivity and further strengthening its position as the class leader for towing and payload * Extensive durability testing put the new Power Stroke diesel engine through the equivalent of 250,000 miles * Industry-first single-sequential turbocharger with double-sided compressor wheel delivers fast throttle response along with the volume of air boost needed for maximum power; new engine also is biodiesel compatible up to B20 dearborn, Mich., Aug. 31, 2009 – A new era in Ford diesel technology arrives with the Ford-engineered, Ford-tested and Ford-manufactured 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine. Debuting in the next-generation F-Series Super Duty truck, the new diesel engine will deliver significant improvements in torque, horsepower and fuel economy while adding more fueling flexibility and easily meeting stringent new emissions requirements. The new diesel 6.7-liter engine also shares the Super Duty’s legendary reliability and durability while delivering best-in-class towing and payload. “This all-new diesel engine has been so extensively tested both in the lab and in the real world that we’re confident we’re giving our customers the most reliable and productive powertrain available today,” said Derrick...

It seems that a mechanic working for the F1 subsidiary GP2 has been put into an a coma late Saturday night while in the pit. According to WCF , 57 year old Vasco Rossi took a blow to the head from a wheel gun after a car got caught on a cable while driving through the pit. Officials quickly hurried to get Mr. Rossi airlifted to the nearest hospital where he will stay in a coma for at least 3 days. Luckily, the condition is not life-threatening but this still goes to show you the dangers associated with working in the pits of such a big event. Everyone here at Car Buyer’s Notebook hopes for a speedy recovery for Vasco Rossi and express our deepest sympathy to anyone close to him. Related Posts Addressing the Weird Sounds your Car Makes Alpine KTP-445 Head Unit Power Pack Alpine iXA-W404 Touch Screen Head Unit Start 2009 with a Cleaner Garage Things to Consider when Buying a Used Car Tags: F1 , Formula 1 , gp2 , injury , pit , safety , vasco rossi Related posts Toyota TF109 Launched (0) Mercedes next in line to quit F1? (2) Max Mosley won’t run for F1 President re-electrion (2) Wales police department shows you what happens when you text while driving (0) Volva recalls 17,614 2008-09 vehicles (0) Here is the original: GP2 mechanic in a coma after suffering a blow to the head View original here:  GP2 mechanic in a coma after suffering a blow to the head

We’ve heard of Zipcar several times now and know what its all about, you sign up for the service, request a car and then pick it up at a nearby location. This effectively eliminates the need to actually have your own car, but just how big is the market for such a service? Well, according to Zipcar CEO Scott Griffith, massive. So massive in fact that he sees his company being worth $1 billion dollars at some point in the future. Of course, they still have a ways to go with 300,000 members and 6,500 vehicles currently in service but it’s certainly a start and it’s the ambitious nature of this executive that counts. via autoblog Related Posts First All-Electric Car Pod Launched by ZipCar Porsche CEO Reprimands Two Company Board Members For Speaking Out Zipcar Launches Pilot Program for Hybrid Cars US Government Injects 7.5 Billion to GMAC GMAC Posts $1bn+ Loss Tags: car sharing , market , scott griffith , zipcar Related posts Zipcar Car Sharing Launched in Ann Harbor (0) Zipcar Launches Pilot Program for Hybrid Cars (0) Toyota to offer cheaper Prius? (1) Japan is officially world’s larget hybrid vehicle market (1) First Tata Nano hits the streets (1) Go here to read the rest: Zipcar shooting for the stars, wants 1 million members, $1 billion Read the original: Zipcar shooting for the stars, wants 1 million members, $1 billion

Bankrate.com has put together a list of top 10 most expensive-to-own new vehicles in the U.S. according to Edmunds. The list does not include exotics such as Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, Bentley.. etc, but does give you a good idea what it costs to own and drive other “less expensive” exotics. In the list 9 out of 10 cars are from Europe, only one from America is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. 5-year total costs include fuel, insurance, repairs, maintenance and depreciation. 1. Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Starting price: $301,750 5-year total: $364,471 Cost per mile: $4.86 2. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Starting price: $202,825 5-year total: $244,363 Cost per mile: $3.26 3. Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG Starting price: $205,575 5-year total: $230,771 Cost per mile: $3.08 4. Audi R8 Starting price: $126,400 5-year total: $159,753 Cost per mile: $2.13 5. Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible Starting price: $141,650 5-year total: $159,393 Cost per mile: $2.13 6. Audi A8 L W12 Starting price: $122,625 5-year total: $153,588 Cost per mile: $2.05 7. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Starting price: $106,620 5-year total: $146,096 Cost per mile: $1.95 8. Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Starting price: $125,775 5-year total: $138,613 Cost per mile: $1.85 9. BMW M6 Convertible Starting price: $111,725 5-year total: $138,186 Cost per mile: $1.84 10. Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Starting price: $99,775 5-year total: $137,749 Cost per mile: $1.84 Just for comparison: cheapest cars in the U.S. cost $0.39 per mile or less to own based on five years of ownership and driving 15,000 miles per year. More here: Top 10 most expensive cars to own and drive in the U.S. Read the rest here:  Top 10 most expensive cars to own and drive in the U.S.

We have showed you all the official photos of a new Ferrari 458 Itaia. This time we have an amateur video showing a lightly camouflaged 458 Italia on the road near Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello. 4.5-liter V8 packs 570 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) comes in just 3.4 seconds and the top speed is 203 mph (325 km/h).It is the fastest V8 powered Ferrari ever! For more details and photos click here . View original post here: Video: Ferrari 458 Italia on the road View original here:  Video: Ferrari 458 Italia on the road

We all dream to drive new, expensive, exotic cars, but not many of us realize the associated costs that come with it. Beside the premium base price, over the X amount of years of ownership, things like fuel, insurance, repairs, maintenance and depreciation, add to the total cost of owning that “head-turner” car. Bankrate and Edmunds paired up to compile a list of the 10 Most Expensive Cars To Own And Drive, of course, all new vehicles. As expected, 9 out of 10 cars are European imports, with the Corvette ZR1 being the only American supercar in this top. Out of the nine European cars, Mercedes-Benz “takes the crown” with four, followed by Audi and Porsche with two. BMW made the top also with the high-performance version of the 6 Series, the M6. 1. Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Starting price: $301,750 5-year total: $364,471 Cost per mile: $4.86 2. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Starting price: $202,825 5-year total: $244,363 Cost per mile: $3.26 3. Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG Starting price: $205,575 5-year total: $230,771 Cost per mile: $3.08 4. Audi R8 Starting price: $126,400 5-year total: $159,753 Cost per mile: $2.13 5. Porsche 911 Convertible Turbo Starting price: $141,650 5-year total: $159,393 Cost per mile: $2.13 6. Audi A8 L W12 Starting price: $122,625 5-year total: $153,588 Cost per mile: $2.05 7. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Starting price: $106,620 5-year total: $146,096 Cost per mile: $1.95 8. Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Starting price: $125,775 5-year total: $138,613 Cost per mile: $1.85 9. BMW M6 Convertible Starting price: $111,725 5-year total: $138,186 Cost per mile: $1.84 10. Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Starting price: $99,775 5-year total: $137,749 Cost per mile: $1.84 More: 10 most expensive cars to own and drive

The year 2001 was a turning point for BMW in the new millennium when it saw the release of its both smallest and largest production cars: the new MINI and the next generation 7 Series. The first one was phenomenally successful, breaking BMW’s estimated production plan in just six month, but the second one raised many eyebrows and had polarized the opinions of public like no other car before. BMW has always used 7 Series as a showcase for its newest technologies and at the time they are presented to the world, new generation 7 Series are always one of the most technologically advanced cars in the world. The 2001 E65 7 Series was the first car in the world to have a 6-speed automatic gearbox and adaptive dampers, changing the car behavior according to road conditions and driving style. BMW also premiered iDrive, a ground braking control interface which replaces almost all controls and buttons on the cockpit with a single joystick and a LCD screen. While the iDrive was far from perfect (some journalists complained that it was too distracting to use while driving) Mercedes-Benz and Audi systems were heavily based on it when they emerged several years later. But the most striking feature of the new car was its controversial design, credit of BMW’s former design chief Chris Bangle. He tried to revolutionize the classic BMW features, therefore introduced a new headlamp shape whose upper edge incorporated indicator lamps. More controversial is the high boot lid which looks like sitting on the rear end rather than embedded into it (later found on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class). Despite extremely negative fan reactions, E65 7 Series remains the best selling generation ever, specially after its 2006 facelift (which toned down Bangle’s radical original styling) and has set a new standard in handling and performance for luxury sedans. The new generation, dubbed F01, debuted in 2008. Just like the last version, the new design language gained much interest, but now it was mostly positive, as BMW decided to evoke its signature design details. For instance, the headlights feature four LED rings (to resemble the classic four headlamps), the kidney grille is now much larger whereas the tail lights are in L-shape, like many 90’s BMWs. The cockpit is again angled...

The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team finished ninth and eleventh in today’s American Le Mans Series race at Mosport. Early troubles spoiled hopes for an excellent result after the team’s second consecutive front row starting position. The No. 90 M3 of Bill Auberlen and Joy Hand salvaged a ninth-place class finish in the two-hour-and-forty-five-minute contest, following an early incident that dropped the two Californians from contention. Bad luck and the No. 45 competitor struck Auberlen from behind on lap 11, causing a lengthy stop for repairs to the rear bodywork of the No. 90 M3. Auberlen rejoined six laps down, but the damage to the duo’s race was done. The No. 92 M3 of Dirk Müller and Tommy Milner led the race in the opening stage, but an early stop to resolve a tire vibration dropped them down a lap. A mechanical problem, still under investigation, ultimately ended the day for the No. 92 M3 on lap 71. “Racing brings equal highs and lows, and our team has experienced both this season, even in the past two weeks,” stated Matthew Russell, BMWNA Motorsport Communications Manager. “Despite today’s poor luck for each car, the team remains focused and energized by our recent win at Road America, and we look forward to the upcoming Petit Le Mans.” Round 9 of the American Le Mans Series, the 10-hour Petit Le Mans, will be held at Road Atlanta on September 26 2009. Read the original:  BMW Rahal Letterman ALMS Grand Prix of Mosport Recap

BMW is on a roll with its fleet-wide showcase of developments. Last week, it was the Mini. Now, they’re on to their own fleet. This here’s their own take of what “green” and “sporty,” when combined, should be – the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept. It’s basically a diesel-electric hybrid. The fossil-fueled engine’s a 1.5L turbocharged 3-cylinder diesel that will eventually be found in 2011 1-series but BMW found a good use for it now in this green concept. Amazingly, the wee diesel motor is even more powerful than the current-generation 2.0L 4-cylinder turbodiesel dishing out 163 bhp and 214 lb-ft of torque. In a car like the 1-Series, that’s already a handful. To complete the powertrain, the powerplant combo is mated to a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox. The diesel if mated to a pair of electric motors. The electric motors then power either the front and rear wheels via single speed reduced-ration transmissions. When combined with the trubo-diesel the system can dish out as much as 356 bhp. That much power combined with a lightweight body construction and aerodynamics allows the car to go from 0-62 mph in just 4.8 seconds and to its limited top speed of 155 mph. That’s enough to match the current M3. The concept is set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Source: Autocar View original here: BMW Unveils Eco Sports Car Go here to read the rest:  BMW Unveils Eco Sports Car